Keep Art Alive :: Photo by John Harouff
Keep Art Alive :: The 10 Questions Project :: Featuring John Harouff of Dead Professional
1. What music (or other art form) inspires you when you create your art?
A lot of times I’m spurred to start writing a song by something I come across in a book, movie, TV or radio program. Any odd phrase can trigger all kinds of associations and take you down a path you’d never find if you sat down in a silent room with a blank sheet of paper.
2. Long distance road trip: what three people do you invite along (fictional or non-fictional, dead or alive)?
Would I sound terrible if I said I’d rather go alone? I think Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan are already making a sequel to The Trip. So I guess I’d take them, add David Mitchell, and just tag along quietly in the backseat while they banter.
3. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
Honey Nut Cheerios, obviously.
4. What is one thing that is hanging on your bedroom wall?
A postcard of Elvis.
5. What smell/scent evokes strong memories for you?
Diesel fumes have positive associations. I like cities and going places on buses.
6. Coffee or tea?
Black Coffee in Bed.
7. What has been the most impactful compliment, or criticism, you have ever received?
Once in high school I read a blogger’s account of a small party I had been to. I was shocked by how utterly different his view of me was from my view of myself. Nowadays I’m hyper-aware of this kind of subjectivity in life and art. But I still get frustrated by communication failures, misinterpretations and bad reviews.
8. Three words that describe you?
Cheap, decent and good. Like the best wines, I’m all three at the same time.
9. What is/was your cartoon character crush?
Linda Belcher. Bob did good.
10. The world is ending in ten minutes and you get to listen to one, and only one, song: Which song?
Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld has all the things you’d need for that situation: new age relaxation, nihilism, comedy, a bit of aggression and a nice beat to dance it out. And it’s long, so if nothing else it would at least fill up the time.
Born Slippy .Nuxx :: Underworld
Downtown at Sundown :: Dead Professional
To learn more about Dead Professional’s music, you can start off here, at the Dead Professional website, where you can check out future gig dates, keep up with the latest Dead Professional news, and link up with all the usual Social Media suspects – or, you could find them right here: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
You can also spin, download, share and sing-a-long to Dead Professional’s first single, Downtown at Sundown, which reminds me of a Post Modern Power Pop retelling of Billy Joel circa 1980’s Glass Houses, and is so completely catchy. You can also have a listen to the other available track, Don’t Be Cruel, which takes the Power Pop sound to a new level, adding layers of 50’s rockabilly sensibilities which does the “don’t be cruel” sentiment justice. Both songs are multiple play addictive, and I should know as I have been hitting the play button over and over for the last few days, finding that these two tracks are the perfect part of a late Summer soundtrack – just add some salty Ocean air and a cold beverage, shake, stir and enjoy.
I would like to thank John for participating in the Keep Art Alive: 10 Questions Project, and I would like to say that his end of the world song choice is another favorite choice of mine (so many good ones lately), making me seriously consider building a Keep Art Alive: End of the World soundtrack (stay tuned).
Go now go and check out more of Dead Professional’s work, listen to some tunes, check for shows near you, shout out some love to your friends, share the songs, and buy something if you can. Keep art alive and show your support, always.
