Press & Reviews
Feb 12, 1999
Melanie Velisek
Block Speaks About Stardom, Scotch, and Wordsmith
He prefers M&Ms with nuts, is staunch Scotch drinker and American Spirits smoker and he would like to sample a Larry Flint speech in a song. Oh, and his favorite holiday is Flag Day. Because it's "patriotic - and evokes emotion."
And that's what Jamie Block, aka Block, is all about - evoking emotion. The 27 - or perhaps 30-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist (couldn't pinpoint he age; said he'd have to check with someone), is being touted as the new Beck/Lou Reed - with a quick lyrical wit a creative sounds.
His second CD, "Timing Is Everything", is squeezing onto alternative and pop radio playlists. Also, thanks to his label (JAVA/CAPITAL RECORDS) and musical producer/guru Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette), Block will be heard on three move soundtracks. His song "Rhinoceros" is in the Alicia Sliverstone/Brendan Fraser vehicle "Blast From the Bast" opening today. "Clubland" will feature the Block song "I Used to Manage PM Dawn." And "Never Been Kissed," drew Barrymore's new flick, will open with a remake of Perry Como's "Catch a Falling Star."
We talked this week to the native New Yorker (Long Island-raised; fine-tuned in the East Village) via telephone:
Velisek: As a musician who released a indie label debut (Lead Me Not Into Penn Station), are you worried now about commercialization? Is that something you try to avoid?
Block: It's like saying to someone, 'Are you ready?' It (success) is extraordinarily hard to accomplish, but by no choice of your own. You just line up the most opportunities. Radio or no radio, it's something that I don't think about."
Velisek : What's the differences between the two CD's?
Block: The first on is more grounded in the world that I came from - the East Village anti-folk scene. It's a little folkier. Edgy fold, though. That's the main difference. With the new, I learned a lit more about recording and what you could do. I knew it was going to work, and Glen (Ballard) heard it and that was that. He's got an amazing track record of helping new artists.
Velisek: Sick of being compared to Lou Reed And Beck?
Block: Actually, no. Some people get compared to things that are horrible.
Velisek: Who are your influences?
Block: I love Nick Drake. he was a genius. Everyone has influences and comparisons. I think Lou Reed is a valid one. We're both >from Long Island, both went to state school, studied English, and both try to keep the idea that there's more to making music - there's always another layer to be pulled off.
Velisek: You use a lot of noises and instruments (ala Beck). Do you plan those or does it sound right at the time?
Block: When I'm recording I'm not even thinking about that. usually, I'll get an idea, (the sitar) in "Pink House". We live in New York, which is basically the noisest place someone can live. We think anything is an instrument.
Velisek: What's your favorite song on the Cd?
Block: From a songwriting perspective, "It Never Happened," because it's really vulnerable and I just like it.
Velisek: How often do you listen to your CD?
Block: Oh, about five time a day. The egomaniac that I am. really, I don't like to listen too much. It's neat to think it's only been less than one year since we were driving my dad's Mercury Sable to the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin TX.
Velisek: The song "I Used to Manage PM Dawn" is a riot.
Block: I knew it would grab people's attention. People would love it or hate it. That's what I was trying to do - evoke folk's reactions.
Velisek: You played at the "Blast From the Past" premiere party. Did you hang out with the stars?
Block: It was the most decadent situation. Cherry Poppin' Daddies were there, along with hundreds of swing dancers. There was a massive open bar, food everywhere. And then the stars come in and publicity is asking me to take photos, and I'm thinking, "I'm a piece of meat". It was weird and fun.
Velisek: If you couldn't be a musician, which would you prefer - journalist or lawyer?
Block: Both would be great cause they are the two most hated occupations right now. Everyone puts down journalists until they have some story. And everyone hates lawyers until you need one. I like people who know how to use words.