chris gibson interview
the following short interview with chris gibson by BR
was recorded on wednesday october 18, 2017, ca. 12n,
the day of the Friends & Family gig in austin, texas.
___________________________________________
BR: So…how’s it going? [I know - it’s the worst interview question ever;
I’m attempting to appear nonchalant…]
CG: Great [classic reply to a shitty question - I totally deserve that answer]!
BR: Care to elaborate?
CG: We’ve [CG & BR] been working for three weeks pretty steadily,
and when I'm learning pieces - especially at this rate - I think in terms of three stages.
With most of the pieces I’m now completing stage III -
moving towards performance mode and being in the music,
making things more musical and not having to think so much.
BR: What are the other stages?
CG: They actually kind of blend into each other, so they aren’t cut and dried.
But Stage I is Unfamiliarity - not knowing anything, becoming familiar with the music,
using charts, listening, and in this case we made videos of you playing the parts.
Phase II is the rough grinding through with the charts you gave me.
BR: Repetition.
CG: Yes, repetition. At some point I hit a spot when I don’t need to do that anymore,
depending on the difficulty of the piece. So the goal by the end of stage III is that
the pieces are part of me and I don't need scores, I don't need anything and I can just perform,
be in the performance, and not have to use my Jedi powers at that point.
BR: How much time have you had to work on all of this?
CG: Let’s see…three weeks and two days.
BR: How many pieces?
CG: We’re almost at 30.
BR: (Shocked) Are you serious? You’ve been working on 30 pieces?
[clearly, i hadn’t been paying attention.]
CG: Some have been recent.
For instance, Radical I (Reworked) was given to me late two nights ago.
BR: That sounds impossible….
CG: And then just picking up some loose ends; “Heroes”
is not as difficult a piece as some of the others, so saving that for later was a good idea.
BR: How did you get the gig?
CG: You called me on a Friday night around 10 pm and asked
how my keyboard chops were these days. And I said “good” because
I practice every morning and I teach piano which doesn’t really help
when it comes to playing or getting better, but it does in some ways.
My first thought when you asked if I could take over for you was “Yes,”
whether I fully believed it or not. But I always subscribe to the concept
of saying “Yes" as much as you can.
BR: That was your audition.
CG: Yeah - yeah, it was.
BR: I see. I must have been desperate…
So, what happens between now and tonight’s Friends & Family gig?
Will you continue to work, will you take the afternoon off, have a meal…?
CG: I was up late last night just drilling, pushed myself way beyond tiredness
which is sometimes a good way for me to let things soak in because
I’m out of the way a little more. And I know I’m tired but I just keep going anyway,
not expecting anything. And then the next morning things are a bit more solid.
BR: So there’s a payoff after grinding yourself down?
CG: Yes. So, this morning was breakfast, then getting my stage charts
in perfect order, adding some new pieces I’m adding to the repertoire.
And drilling. And going over some of the pieces from yesterday -
Pictures of a City and Meltdown. Taking short breaks and then going back at it,
taking short breaks… Keeping that cycle going.
BR: Now, here’s your opportunity: just how annoying was it to have to work
so closely with me breathing down your neck?
CG: (Laughs.). Ummmmm…. It was very… ummmmm… what the word for it….
BR: Oppressive?
CG: Well, no….
BR: (More laughingchucklingyuckyuckhardeeharhar…)
CG: We had a limited amount of time: you know what we needed to do;
I know what we needed to do, but you obviously have the experience with
the gear and the pieces and with blending in and you know what you want.
So I had to just get out of the way and listen and pay attention and not
worry about all the crap that will come from that situation.
But on the other side, there’s been huge burst of confidence in seeing
that i can do this, but it’s been very hard.
BR: Honestly, I could never have done it. I could never do what you just did.
You have achieved the impossible. And we have a gig tonight!
.
