Pour l'entrevue en francais clicker ici Ok! Anyone in touch with the R&B scene knows Monte Moir was a member of THE TIME! The group whom with Prince turned the 80's on to R&B! But more than that created The "Minneapolis sound." Yes! Hard-core fans knows he as written and/or produced for many artists! But what about the man? His multi faceted Talents? Let's find out! Hi and welcome to the ezine. Glad you could participate in this interview hope your feeling good? A: I'm feeling great. Thank you. Let's begin with the question I ask all artists, What is the most challenging part of creating? A: For me, it is probably taking the seed of an idea and seeing it through to completion. Like taking a pencil sketch and turning it into a painting. The basic ideas often come freely, but then I usually explore different options as to where I can go with it. Many times I end up not far from where I began, but it is in that process that I sometimes discover something I was not thinking about originally. That can be a challenge, but also very rewarding. When did you get your first conscious realization that you "must" be creative? A: I was about 12 years old. I was playing guitar in a band with some buddies of mine and felt an "urge," one might say, to tell a girl in my neighborhood how much I "loved" her. So...I wrote a song about it. I think it was one the first real songs I ever wrote. Aside from the feelings of a schoolboy crush, I realized this music thing was in my bones. Of all that you have accomplished thus far, which is your source of most pride? I know it's asking a lot, you probably have more than one... A: Ok, I'm going to get serious, although I guess I was serious on the last question. Raising my daughter. I don't know if it is an accomplishment since we are really just guiding them but it is an amazing journey, as most people know. I personally have met a few people whose "voice" will never be heard, because they died or lacked the confidence in their talents or life simply took another direction for them. Is there any such person who have inspired or touched you and you would like to tip your hat to? A: I will tip my hat to a guy I got to know named Doug Maynard, a singer here in town (Minneapolis) who I grew up watching in the bars. He died a few years ago. I thought he was just great. Kind of a Joe Cocker from the gut singer. He did a few records around here in the early eighties. I wish more people could have heard him. Are you a pet person and if so what kind? A: I'm more of an animal. Or, should I say I like animals...that doesn't sound quite right either. But we did have a lot of different pets in our household growing up. Cats, a dog, turtles, chameleons, fish. I travel a lot these days so I don't currently have one, but if I did it would probably be a dog. Could you touch briefly on the artistic moment when you thought "It can't get any better than this?" A: One that comes to mind was when we played the Rave 2000 concert with Prince at Paisley Park. After we filmed our songs for The Time there was a jam. I found myself onstage with Larry Graham, George Clinton, Prince and the two original horn players from Sly & The Family Stone playing I Want To Take You Higher. Very cool indeed. This next question is a little personal but what P's off Monte Moir? A: It's the person ahead of me in line ordering that highly specialized sandwich. The kind you might make at home, except for the fact that you are not at home. "Could you give me one more piece of lettuce. How about a little smaller piece than that. OK now...my bread. Could you cut it diagonally because I don't like it cut in half, and add just a smidgen more mayo and...on and on. It really gets my crank going I tell ya. Hey, don't get me started. And inversely what pleases you the most? Really makes your day so to speak. A: When I have a great conversation or interaction with someone I feel really connected to. Let's mention your CD "This side of Paradise" Which, seems to me anyway, Is placing the priorities where they belong. The lyrics are hopeful and realistic. "On your way home" for example. Which speaks of the good time and the bad times that are bound to happened but it's OK as long as you have a place you can call "Home!" A: Yes. It is about home, but also about knowing that no matter what happens things will be all right somehow if you're feeling all right from within. The CD does have some hopeful songs, but there is also searching and longing. To use an example, this side of paradise refers to standing on one side of a river looking across to what you see as paradise. Knowing it's there. Longing and searching for a way to cross the river. Disconnection. It relates to many things I was going through at the time. By the way, I really enjoyed your voice too! One question does beg to be asked, What took you so long?(wink) A: Thanks. Well, it all started one day on my way to CDville. Traffic was bad. Missed a turn or two. I realize a map would have been helpful. I suppose I could have asked some directions. Weather was bad. Flat on the freeway. You know, the usual stuff. But I made it. I think I know the way now. There is a photo on your website http://www.montemoir.com at the piano with your elbow above the keyboard holding your head. Is just so beautiful! It captures the real sense of creativity, meaning, a lonely, deeply personal moment. What can you tell us about it? A: All the pictures were from the first roll of film we shot. We were really just trying to get some ideas as to where and how to shoot. The idea was to capture a mood and atmosphere that complimented the music. We felt we succeeded but were surprised how we got there. Sometimes the best things come from having no expectations. And for those readers who can't wait to hear what I mean get the CD here http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/montemoir I am very excited about this. It is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time. The response has been wonderful. I plan on putting a band together sometime this year and get out and do some dates. This is definitely a new phase of my career. Please come by and check it out. Write me an email. There is a lot of controversy about the net and copyright issues. What is your views on the subject? A: It's a double edged sword. On one end it can be viewed as a way to get music heard, the other pirating. It isn't going to go away. It's similar in a sense when cassettes first came. We all recorded our friends LPs. The difference of course is you can now make somewhat exact replicas of the music and DVDs as well. The trick will be trying to keep it under control enough so that everyone can still make a living. It's a complicated issue, no doubt. I must thank you for taking part in this interview, And I wish you luck In your solo career. It was a real pleasure for me. Any thoughts you would like to share with the readers in parting? Thanks for the support Claude. I think it's great that people like you are doing the things you are to support indie music. Take care all, Monte Thanks for the compliment! Being an indie myself, I certainly can relate. This is my way of doing some thing about it. Well dear readers I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! Dont forget to visit the site and mostly give a listen to the new CD another good one for your CDtheque! Place your comments in the forum

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