nealtiemann.com Exclusive Q & A

Author: nealtiemann.com
Date: December 14, 2009
The following answers have been posted, unedited, as written by Neal.

Top 5 favorite albums of all time?
Homogenic by Bjork, Up by Peter Gabriel, Diary Of A Madman by Ozzy Osbourne, Party Animals by Turbonegro, Master of Puppets by Metallica

Top 5 favorite songs of all time?
‘Joga’ by Bjork, ‘Undersold’ by Big Wreck, ‘Sleep ‘Til Noon’ by The Feds, ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd, ‘Right Where It Belongs’ by Nine Inch Nails

What inspired you to start playing music?
according to my mom, i asked for a drum set really young. i’ve just never been able to do much else.

Stranded on a desert island for 1 month… you can only bring one album. Which one is it?
right now – Crack The Skye by Mastodon. all time best – Homogenic by Bjork.

What is your songwriting process like? Lyrics or music first?
either way, i don’t have a specific regimen.

Do you think you’ll ever put out a solo record
i think i’ll never say never.

What are five artists you love that you think would surprise most people?
Lucero, Beastie Boys, Coheed & Cambria, Dave Matthews Band, Cradle Of Filth.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
you shouldn’t carry guilt with anything you like.  i don’t.

What time of day do you do the most writing?
at night. clearly.

Do you record ideas onto your computer on the road?
i do.

What kind of recording program are you running on your computer?
i use protools and garageband.

What song do you love so much you wish you had written it?
‘Baby Girl, I’m A Blur’ by Say Anything or ‘New Noise’ by Refused

When you were 15 who was your main songwriting influence? Who is your main influence now?
at 15, definitely Ozzy Osbourne. now, i try not to be too directly influenced by anyone.

What is your favorite MWK song to play?
A Scarlet Letters

What is your most memorable live performance?
playing in the philippines for 115,000 people.

What do you love most about being on tour?
there’s nothing i don’t like about being on tour.