Pitchfork: How long have you lived in Nashville? Where did you live before that, and what prompted the move?
Berman: Cassie [Marrett, Berman's wife] and I moved here in 1999. I'd been living in an apartment colony called Mallard's Crossing beside an office park on the outskirts of Louisville. When I looked out my window, I wasn't necessarily in "sour old Louisville," an idea of a town with which I had an antagonistic relationship. The surrounding mallscape, it could have been anywhere-- Falls Church, Plano, Toledo.
In my beery mind this display of exurban contempt was the equivalent of a lone "boo" during the silent section of a live Rodan set. Sure my neighborhood bar was a BW-3, but at least I didn't have to deal with the sullen and homely hippy women that make up so a large portion of that town's rock scene. The day after Cassie graduated from college we left. It was the Titans' inaugural season. It was a great time to move to Nashville.
UPDATE: Dear Drag City, The Silver Jews song "How Can I Love You (If You Won't Lie Down)" is a huge hit with the Rotterdam French Expat scene. We touch all sorts of buttons when we hear it. For example, the volume knob is spun violently clockwise and the répéter bulb glows green for at least ten minutes. And then we dance as much as the constraints of European cars will allow. We think they've done a great job with this one. But then again, we also like Serge Gainsbourg so there's no accounting for taste. Also I am not French by blood-- only mind and stomach. But I'm pretty sure I was a Frenchman in my past life so I hope you will still take my enthusiasm seriously. Please send Mr. Berman our thanks & kindest regards.
becca said...
But look what he says about your boyf:
Pitchfork: What do you have to say about the Church of Scientology preaching that we should replace anti-psychotic medicine with vitamins?
Berman: Tom Cruise made a crucial miscalculation by giving a name to his deformity. He will never be able to play the role of a non-freak ever again. Sometimes I wonder if Scientology isn't just a decoy religion, created and maintained by the Church of Latter Day Saints to distract Americans from all the freaky things the Mormons do in their temples.
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Insta classic: "I'm a decent guy. I do Meals on Wheels." I think I'll put that one in my back pocket.
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Really I'm just commenting so I can finally take the opportunity to applaud the new subtitle. There's no comment option up there, so I'm just slippin' in here to say / muchas gracias in a major way.
(??? heat stroke.)
(I know you know the tune. It's called Lame-O.)
annie said...
Thanks Bex... claro que I was torn between Nashville and Tom Cruise for which quote to pull. The whole interview is poetry.