On June 19th, Eef Barzelay of the indie/altcountry band Clem Snide will perform his songs at Fatty's Bar and Diner here in Bangkok. EEf was kind enough to do a Q and A over email ahead of his SE Asia tour.
Can you briefly introduce yourself, your band and highlights thus far of musical career?
Although Clem Snide started way back in Boston 1991 we didn't get serious with it
until 1997 or so in NYC. We made a few records the biggest being The Ghost of Fashion in 2001
that brought us national attention with Rolling Stone articles, a performance on Conan Obrian, and a song used as the theme for the NBC show "Ed". We also toured through out the US, UK and EU many times. over the last several years it's been just me playing solo
As a songwriter what do you want audience to know?
That everything is going to be alright and that God loves them despite what they may think
What were your early influences?
Hank Williams, Neil Young, Otis Reading
If you could meet any musician living or dead who would it be?
Jimi Hendrix would be a fun conversation.
Do you like touring and performing or recording more?
I like them both very much but if I had to choose touring performing is more fun for sure.
Do you have a position on controversy around digital streaming platforms?
I don't really care at this point. I never got paid either way.
What is process for writing a song?
It's mysterious and I like to keep it so. For me it's about getting out of my own way and just being the vessel for it.
What is toughest gig you ever played?
Opening for Ben Folds in a gymnasium in front of 3 thousand indifferent college freshmen somewhere in the midwest in November.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
I would say if you want to make a living you have to create your own music and then get it into films or TV or some such. If you're just planning to just be a player then you would have to be very, very good and also on the road a whole lot.
Have you been to Thailand before? Are you playing anywhere else in region?
I never have been but I'm very excited. I'm not sure but I think it's in the works.
Thanks Eef! See you in Bangkok!
Joe Cummings is hosting an Eef Barzelay show as well at The Space on June 18th. For more information, click here.