So here is the interview I have been promising.


http://www.ktvu.com/entertainment/16605344/detail.html


I hope you enjoy it. Please post what you did or didn't like about it, I'm still trying to become a good interviewer, your input will help. I know where I could have made tremendous strides already, but I was really, really nervous about talking to Neil, despite him being so very nice and gracious with his time. He was so cool, I loved talking with him but wish I could have been less nervous.

Enjoy! And please share your feedback!

Thanks!

Chuck

Interesting interview Chuck! Thanks for sharing it with us.

MAM

Thankyou Chuck! I've not had much of a chance to have a proper read just yet,I'll need to do that in little bits at a time,But I think you've done well

Thank you, Karekare86 and Finngirl! I am flattered to have you read the interview and I hope you get a chance to sit down and really get into the nuances, Finngirl!

Thank you both for posting! This is a nice way to start a vacation (with people saying really nice things about your work! Come Thursday at 5:30pm, I'm On Vacation! Myrtle Beach, SC, here I come)!!!

Thanks again for the great replies!

I meant before to add that I am also a huge fan of Ian McEwan and had a couple of 'cosmic' moments lol, I had just finished reading The Child In Time a couple of years ago and then read in the paper about famous people and their fave books at the time and it reported Neil had said The Child In Time. Then after just reading Saturday I got on the net the next day to see Neil had been reported as saying he had just read it (Saturday)and that was where part of the imagary for People Are Like Suns was from.

I really can't wake til the weekend when I can sit down with a cuppa and pay this piece the attention it deserves

Hi Chuck,

What a great interview! It was really nice to see you ask different questions about the songwriting. Becuase 99% of the interviews are not by fans, the same questions tend to repeat over and over. I am always interested in where the song ideas come from.

I'm really glad you like the song writing questions, Dinasurfing, I was really happy with the answers I got. I was especially touched by another post (I put this in two forums to get the word out to as many people as I could) where the poster says the interview has inspired him to try writing his first song. I know Neil, not me, is the real reason, but I'm glad I asked the questions I did and the gentleman got a clear enough view of what he needed to get to a place where he can write a song! I thought that was really cool, I hope he writes it! And many more songs once the first one is born!!

Thanks again for the questions, I didn't want to come across as a fan who just poured compliments all over Neil as I did (or have done) in previous interviews with other artists. I'm still learning my way around the art of the interview. My hope is to bring you more good interviews in the not too distant future, hopefully again from Neil when the album comes out.

Great job, Chuck! I so felt for you when the number was missing a digit - having made some overseas calls myself, I know it's pretty confusing. I was so happy you asked Neil about what he reads because it's a question I have wondered about for ages (and I've been meaning to start a thread about books that have inspired the Finns). I, however, did not enjoy Atonement at all. On the other hand, Peter Green and I have more than once been reading the same book simultaneously so I take comfort in that! You made a nice balance of asking questions for the general reader and those for us diehard fans.
I'm not from SF originally either but I'll take any credit from Neil about our talent at singing and his obvious affection for the place. I'm pretty fond of it too!
It was fun to learn more about the infamous Scott. I spoke to him after the second show and he turned out to be nothing like I imagined (in our household, for the past year we've been shouting, "Mom - over here! No, over here!" which was part of some banter from the Mountain
Winery shows about him). I felt like I knew him a little better after reading what you wrote and I was really curious as to how the band really perceived him. Neil made some interesting comments about "Alpha boys" at the second Fillmore show inspired by Scott.
You also satisfied my curiosity about how Neil ended up working with the Dixie Chicks. All and all, a very gratifying read, the kind of article I'll go back to again and again!

Scott is a good guy. I have since gotten to talk to him and get to know him some, we have e-mailed and chatted on the phone quite a bit. I was happy with how his bit came out, I was a little worried at first because I didn't know how Neil would respond and I wanted Scott to get the proper respect he deserves. I think the guys in Crowded House really love him and have come to enjoy having him around on those west coast dates (and others) Scott gets to. I hope we'll get to hang out sometime in the not too distant future (Scott and I, I mean!)

I am in Santa Rosa every once in a while, my wife's family is mainly in Petaluma but her Dad and some cousins actually live in Santa Rosa. I was there just this last weekend! I'd be interested to know what brought you to this part of the world - my reason is work!

I have a great friend who toured as a guitar player with the Dixie Chicks during their Hints and Allegations tour (I think that is what they called it - or maybe it was Incidents and allegations). Anyway, I am not sure he even realized Neil and the Chicks wrote "Silent House" yet he probably performed it every night of the tour. I did get in touch with him for some advice on interviewing big stars like Neil, and he was very helpful. I did enjoy it and the response to it has been great. Tonight I will be cutting a promo for KTVU on-air that will promote Neil on our web site. If you can, watch after 10pm, it will run overnight but stops running in the AM, it's just a little web driver tease.

Thanks for the great comments! Going on vacation soon but I'll be checking in!

Thank you for the interview Chuck, I enjoyed reading it very much. I liked the fact that it came across as a conversational piece and not like a formal interview. You asked very good questions. It was interesting to hear about Neil's writing process and knowing what types of books Neil reads. I'd be curious to know what songwriter or musician Neil would like to collaborate with in the future? (If you should interview him again, feel free to use this question!

Neil is right when he said there is a "feeling of community" at their shows. I definitely sensed that when I saw CH in NY in April. I don't think I've ever felt that "vibe" at a concert before. Much luck to you with future interviews.

quote:

Originally posted by Azucar:
Thank you for the interview Chuck, I enjoyed reading it very much. I liked the fact that it came across as a conversational piece and not like a formal interview. You asked very good questions. It was interesting to hear about Neil's writing process and knowing what types of books Neil reads. I'd be curious to know what songwriter or musician Neil would like to collaborate with in the future? (If you should interview him again, feel free to use this question!

Neil is right when he said there is a "feeling of community" at their shows. I definitely sensed that when I saw CH in NY in April. I don't think I've ever felt that "vibe" at a concert before. Much luck to you with future interviews.

Thank YOU for your kind words. I am continually amazed at the positive reviews,

Someone has to have SOMETHING they didn't like...I'm just trying to learn, I won't challenge anyone on anything if anyone has something negative to contribute. I might explain myself, but not challenge a subjective point.

There was a brief discussion on the "who would you like to write with" topic, it was VERY brief, I must insist. It didn't make the interview. The truth is Crowded House is who he'd really like to work with! While he expressed no interest in working with anyone specifically, he did say he got requests to write with people all the time. (He didn't say from whom, though). I really got the feeling that he's really inspired working with Nick, Mark and Matt. And Tim. I don't think he really thinks about working with other artists the way we might. And I can see why, it's not an arrogance thing, but if you write as well as Neil does, MAYBE Paul McCartney would be of interest, but probably only for the novelty of it and because John Lennon is no longer alive.

I think Neil (and others who have achieved great status as a songwriter) probably don't think like we do, or maybe like actors who think "Oh, I'd love to work with DeNiro (sp?) or Pacino." I just think it doesn't interest people as proficient as he is. That's just my 2 cents, I can't pretend like that is the answer he would give because I don't really know; that is just the feeling I got from our chat.

Oh, and if you are in the Bay Area and get KTVU, there is a :20 promo advertising the Neil Finn interview that runs overnight until Thursday morning. I wish it ran longer, but it will get pulled about 9am. Maybe 10am. But if you watch overnight, I produced it tonight. More of my work promoting...well, my work!!

quote:

I am in Santa Rosa every once in a while, my wife's family is mainly in Petaluma but her Dad and some cousins actually live in Santa Rosa. I was there just this last weekend! I'd be interested to know what brought you to this part of the world - my reason is work!

I think I replied to you on the other board, but next time you're up here, I'm in just the next town over (unless I'm at work, then I'm actually in Santa Rosa).

Where be the next town over?

quote:

Originally posted by dinasurfing

What a great interview! It was really nice to see you ask different questions about the songwriting. Becuase 99% of the interviews are not by fans, the same questions tend to repeat over and over. I am always interested in where the song ideas come from.

exactly!



Well,that was surprisingly good chuck,I've not heard of or seen Neil discuss his songwriting processes in such succinct detail ever.I hope you don't mind if I show a small example of the interview,because it confirms what I have always thought.

quote:

sometimes in the really fortunate circumstances the whole song will appear and I'll just write stuff down as it's pouring out of my mouth and it sounds good.

You're good Chuck - your style of interviewing and writing reminds me of a certain Cameron Crowe,honest and open.And I get the feeling that Neil understood where you were coming from and was equally receptive and responsive and more than generous of his time.

Well done

quote:

Where be the next town over?

Why, Sebastopol of course!

Fantastic interview - really enjoyed reading that.

Must be something about Ian McEwan that appeals to NZ songwriting legends - I remember Don McGlashan mentioning how much he was a fan of McEwan's work a few years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by dinasurfing

What a great interview! It was really nice to see you ask different questions about the songwriting. Becuase 99% of the interviews are not by fans, the same questions tend to repeat over and over. I am always interested in where the song ideas come from.

exactly!



Well,that was surprisingly good chuck,I've not heard of or seen Neil discuss his songwriting processes in such succinct detail ever.I hope you don't mind if I show a small example of the interview,because it confirms what I have always thought.

quote:

sometimes in the really fortunate circumstances the whole song will appear and I'll just write stuff down as it's pouring out of my mouth and it sounds good.

You're good Chuck - your style of interviewing and writing reminds me of a certain Cameron Crowe,honest and open.And I get the feeling that Neil understood where you were coming from and was equally receptive and responsive and more than generous of his time.

Well done

Thank you, the comparison to any writer has never been made, but I couldn't be more flattered than to have you compare my style to Mr. Crowe. What an extreme compliment. I will never be that good, but it means the world to me, I cannot thank you enough (or be any redder in the face) right now!

quote:

Originally posted by Nora-with-no-h:

quote:

Where be the next town over?

Why, Sebastopol of course!

What a fool I am! Of course, Sebastapol!!!

Can you believe I don't think I have ever actually been there!! Maybe I have, but right now I cannot think of when!! I have been in Petaluma way, too much recently, I will be taking a bit of a break from that this weekend while my wife hosts a shower there. (I haven't spent the weekend at home since returning from vacation, I think my cats are looking for new owners)!!!

quote:

What a fool I am! Of course, Sebastapol!!!

Well, I meant it halfway facetiously. Sebastopol is known for Les Claypool (though he doesn't even live in the City limits any more), Tom Waits and Mickey Hart. Other than that, it's where all the old hippies and internet bazillionaires go to retire (I drive a hybrid and eat tofu so I can relate to some of those guys ). It's not exactly "on the map".

If you happen to be up here next month, come to the Gravenstein Apple Fair or, uh, the Cajun Festival. I just know KTVU wants you to interview the lead singer of Flambeau!!

quote:

Thank you, the comparison to any writer has never been made, but I couldn't be more flattered than to have you compare my style to Mr. Crowe. What an extreme compliment. I will never be that good, but it means the world to me, I cannot thank you enough (or be any redder in the face) right now!

Confidence Chuck .. Confidence.You handled yourself brilliantly,and most importantly you were
being yourself .. Don't lose that.Keep up the great work.