It's an odd thing this interviewing lark. It's a totally unnatural medium in which absolutely no one is comfortable. In what other situation can you delve deep into someones life - someone you've never met - hoping to dig up something no other interviewer has already covered? We are surely pariahs - but the interviewee, if not happy to divulge such information, has to go along with such things to sell their product, to get nice things written about them.
It was with trepidation and way too much excitement that I interviewed a hero of mine this week. People say 'don't interview your heroes, they will let you down,' and certainly the potential for this was great. The man in question was the enigma that is E, who IS indie royalty Eels and who has a new album 'Hombre Lobo' out on June 2nd.
As soon as I was offered the interview, I felt sick. What could I possibly ask a man who a) is notoriously guarded, and b) doesn't like interviews... yet has gone through finding his dad, who came up with the parallel universe theory, dead at the age of 15; whose sister was a manic depressive and self harmer who died of an overdose; whose mother died of cancer and dedicated a whole album to the subject; and whose cousin was an attendent on the plane that crashed into the pentagon on 9/11.
Yep, tricky! I didn't want to come off as a hack who is after sensationalism, yet I didn't want to come off as too much of a fan. It's a very fine balance. Whenever I'm thinking of questions to ask and things I want to know, my thoughts are always pulled back to the fact that I am probably number ten in a queue of about thirty interviewers that day who all want to know the same thing, who are all after an angle.
I don't know what the outcome is, I haven't yet listened to the interview. It's the bit I hate most about taping these things. In my head I think it was OK; I just remember an hour or so before the phone call, while wiring up my phone to the stereo (so I could tape it, obviously!) that in 60 minutes, I would be speaking to one of the most gifted songwriters of our generation, whose music has helped me through some really tough times, and that I would be doing so from my kitchen. It's just plain bizarre.
Do artists care if you're fan and interviewing them? Does it make a difference? I don't know. How many times a day do these people have fans go to them and say "I'm a huge fan" - what possible reponse do people expect? A massive "Thanks! Hey, you know what? We should go get a drink and hang out and be best friends" maybe? no, there's nothing to say except "thanks" which leaves a slight awkwardness and the chance to move on very quickly and forget that those words were ever said!
In truth, I did fawn at the begining, I did the whole "ohmygodyou'rebrilliantohmygodohmygodohmygod" which was said while my voice reverted back to ten year old Stu voice stuttering all over the place at window shattering pitch - but the more I spoke to the guy, the more I realised he was just a normal person who has the same normal hangups as the rest of us, it's just his job is so much cooler; and he was the perfect interviewee; witty, friendly and totally understanding of my socially awkward ways.
It was exhillarating (my apologies if that is misspelt, I should be shot) and a two day dream realised! Whether the interview is any good or not is another question entirely, which can only be answered when you finally get to read it.
rhian after: 
