photo credit: Tim Gaylord
NAME: William Fitzsimmons
ORIGIN: Jacksonville, IL
MEMBERS: 1
QUIZ VICTIM: The man himself, William Fitzsimmons
CHECK ‘EM OUT: www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons
Your formal education is in therapy, so in your expert opinion, can music be cathartic?
I think at it's best, music is probably one of the most cathartic outlets available, whether it be in the form of song creation, or experiencing a song as a listener. There is, of course, a continuum along which a given song could be cathartic or therapeutic to an individual, with some songs being able to connect on a greater substantive level than others. But by and large, any song which proposes honesty and perspective can certainly provide someone the experience of purging or exercising thoughts or affectivity which they might have no or few other means to do so.
How do you apply that concept to your own songs?
The concept of providing universality and actual emotional experience is tantamount to me any time I sit down with the motivation or intent of writing, even if only a few words. And as important as the idea of providing catharsis should be to a songwriter, the means by which it is achieved are rather simple, although certainly not always easy. I believe it's really nothing more than starting from a point of understanding of ones own struggles, mistakes, disappointments, etc... and communicating that in the most salient, empathic, and understandable way possible. The key is honesty. Because while experiences are always idiosyncratic to the individual, emotions are universal. So if you're able to reach a point of communicating something true, it will always connect with someone.
You produced and recorded your first two records entirely at home, how does it feel to be making records - like your newest, Derivatives - in the studio now?
The biggest difference that I've found between home and studio recording is the notion of control. Control of time, control of choices, control of what to eat for lunch. Of course it'd be foolish to not recognize the great benefits of having top end equipment, and studio space, and the creative contributions of others in the process. But by and large, any time an artist enters the studio environment, they are ceding some level of personal control to others. Not to say this can't often be exactly what is called for; the art, skill, and mastery of production and engineering are without a doubt some of the most important, and yet under-appreciated elements in the entire field of music creation. But my point is only to say that an artist must understand that entrance into any recording studio by definition will require some sacrifice of creative control. Oftentimes the result will be astoundingly better than if they had attempted the project on their own. But it's always something to be keenly aware of. So for that reason, while there are myriad reasons why studio recording is greatly enjoyable, and challenging for me in the best way, I don't think I could ever abandon that which I love about home recording. And having the option and experience of doing both is a really wonderful thing.
Is Derivatives derivative?
In both a literal and figurative sense, yes. Really there's not meant to be anything overly metaphorical about the title, or the idea of the record. For me it was a very necessary opportunity to experience the story of 'The Sparrow and the Crow' record in a different manner. In a way, to turn the rather melancholic arrangements into something all together different, and to conceptualize the story from the perspective of time having passed, and some measure of healing having taken place. So while the songs came from the unfortunate circumstances surrounding my life those few years ago when I originally wrote that album, the new interpretations of them are meant to express a transition from such a darkness, while not abandoning or denying the reality and honestly the horror of everything that happened.
Have you ever found anything strange lost in your beard?
A good friend of mine seems ever fond of using it as his own personal cigarette holder, coming over and pulling one out whenever he's in the mood for a smoke. Other than that, fortunately it's been a many years dry spell for any within-beard discoveries. Although, if I were a gambling man, I would swear there's a family of birds nested down in there somewhere.
