An Org Exclusive Interview by Anxiety




Let's be honest. Matt Fink is someone who doesn't need an introduction on this site.

But just in case, let's review:

As a member of Prince's band from 1978 to 1991, Fink's trademark scrubs and stethoscope have been as common to Prince fans as high heels and the color purple.

Matt Fink has contributed a great deal to Prince's sound, co-writing and recording memorable keyboard riffs on most of Prince's most classic albums. He was a member of Prince's touring band from the early Pre-Revolution days and stuck with Prince after the disbanding of the Revolution, performing on the now-legendary 'Sign 'O' the Times' and 'Lovesexy' tours.

While his work with Prince may leave a mark in many fans' memories, a lot of folks may not know what Dr. Fink has been up to since the end of his time with the Revolution. Aside from running his own recording studio in Minneapolis for the past several years, he's been producing other artists, creating music for video games and soundtracks, and creating his own music which can be found on his web site, www.doctorfink.com.

Most recently, Dr. Fink has designed a library of samples for Sony's Acid software called Dr. Fink's Funk Factory. The Sony catalog describes his sound collection as "majestic polyphonic analog synth themes, payday grooves captured directly from vintage machines, realtime clavinet licks, searing solos and motifs, classic orchestral stabs..." just to name a few of the offerings.

With this new release in tow, the good doctor took a few minutes to answer some questions via e-mail for the Org , chatting about his days with Prince, what he's been listening to, and how his Funk Factory project came about...



I'll start with one of my favorite questions to ask musicians: What music have you been listening to lately?

Jet, Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, The Killers, Evanescence, Green Day, My Chemical Romance to name a few...

Since the days of working with Prince, what's been the most enjoyable part of having such a big part in such a pop music legacy?

The amount of recognition and respect I still receive from fans and other musicians.

Do you have a particular album from those days that you feel more attached to than any others - maybe one in which you had the most input, or that brings back the most vivid memories?

Purple Rain.

A lot of Prince fans really love the Madhouse albums, and those records are some of the most highly sought-after items in the fan community. How did this project come about?

Madhouse was more of a collaboration between Prince and Eric Leeds. I only played on a few tracks on the second album and then played keys for the touring act on the Sign 'O' The Times tour in Europe, summer of 1987.

Were you able to check out the Musicology tour last year? What's it like to hear Prince's subsequent NPG members playing all those songs you had a hand in creating?

No, I was unable to see the show, but I did see some TV appearances and I thought the band did a nice job doing the old songs.

Since your time in the Revolution, you've recorded your own albums and kept busy maintaining your own studio and web site. What's a typical day like for Matt Fink these days?

Depending on what's booked and the client's needs, I work on all kinds of projects from songwriting demos to fully produced CD's for bands and solo artists. I also mix and master projects that were not done at my studio. I also produce radio and TV spots.

How often do you keep in touch with your ex-bandmates in the Revolution and the SOTT/Lovesexy band?

I try to stay in touch with everyone at least a few times during the year.

What prompted you to create the Funk Factory package for Sony's Acid software?

A friend of mine who was doing a library for Sony asked me if I was interested in doing one too. I said yes, so he put me in touch with them and they said 'let's go'.

Who do you see using your new product, and what kind of projects would you like to see them create with it?

Anyone can use the acid loops software and create music - so the more projects people do, the better.

How does technology factor in the music you make today, as opposed to when you were making music with the Revolution in the '80s?

The digital audio workstation software available for recording music with computers has opened the doors to more creative possibilities. However, it's still all about great songwriting.

What's coming up in the future for Dr. Fink? Any new projects on the horizon?

I have been co-writing and co-producing a project with Kris Vanderheyden from Brussels Belgium and Free Dominguez from LA that will hopefully be released later this year. Eric Leeds played on some of the tracks and Mixing should be done by mid August. Details to follow...

Cool thanks

Love the Doctor!!!!

Great interview Anx....thank you.

I just love the "inside" stuff like this. And Dr. Fink has always been one of my favorites.

Anxiety said:

I love that picture! Man, them Revolution days were the best.
[Edited 7/28/05 8:21am]

great interview ANXIETY !!!!
u asked some great questions from a prince history to a music/musicians point of view great...thank u

I used to love hearing Prince go, "Dawk-ter!" Then Dr. Fink, going to work on those keys!! Man, good times, good memories!!

Lovely read, thanx Anx!

Dr. Fink, Adam Vexler says 'Hello'
He told me you played together in high school.
He's now playing bass with many musicians in Israel, and I sometimes get to recording him in the studio I work in.

Good to hear from a Revolution member that gets overlooked with all the ridiculous Wendy and Lisa over-hype. When you stop and check the history, the intelligent Prince fan can see that Revolutionaries like Dr and Dez did indeed contribute the most to that stage in Prince's career.

Now Dr's solo stuff is another story...

blade said:

Dr. Fink is arguably the best keyboardist Prince ever had and he is grossly underappreciated. The fact that Prince kept Fink around so long is a testament to his ability. Prince knew Fink was damn near indispensable! I will also say that Dr. Fink, Dez Dickerson, Sheila E., Eric Leeds, Atlanta Bliss, Miko and Levi contributed the most to Prince during their times with him. One only needs to watch or listen to the live and studio material featuring these musicians to understand how brilliant they were.

Cool stuff, Anx. Very cool.

Who da man?

...Anxiety!

Kudos

Thank was cool. Thanks Anxy!!!

"God got Wendy's periods reversed. About every 28 days she starts acting nice. Lasts about a weekend." Not only Prince's best keyboardist but he got the best line in Purple Rain. Even if it was his only line.

Kewl interview, Anx!

thanx,that was hot

Anx...you rock

that was great

Matt was really the only keyboard player that could play Prince's parts with the same bite (attack), and rythym.

On the Parade tour, in Paris, during Matt's famous solo during Head (which he did play on the Dirty Mind album), I love it when Prince says:

"U ain't gonna do that 2 a synthesizer...then don't play one!"

Matt could freak the f$&# outta those filter sweeps...

Much Love.

G.

Nice.

Awesome.

wow. you are offcially cool in my book! Thanks for posting!

Anxiety.u are on point like Stacyadams.

You could have asked better questions, like what does he think of Prince's newest music, or what he thinks of Prince's religious side.

2freaky4church1 said:

I suppose I could have, if I wanted to make the interview more about Prince.

Remember what this site is about..lol

2freaky4church1 said:

And remember what this forum is about, omg rofl eieio

Very nice job Anx. Thank you for taking the time and thanks as well to Dr. Fink.

Thanks for NOT getting into Prince and what he's doing these days. There's already enough opinion and speculation going around. It was great just hearing a little history and Dr. Fink's current news.

Continued success to you Dr. Fink!