The Obelisk Questionnaire: James Cl of Monte Luna
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: James Cl of Monte Luna
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I play to live, music is life to me and a true universal language. Playing music is the closest thing to a higher power I’ve ever felt. It is a connection with everyone involved. I started getting serious into music when my ex-wife killed herself in 2015. It was either drink myself to death or play more music, and I’m thankful for the decision I made.
Describe your first musical memory.
My first musical memory was listening to Dark Side of the Moon with my Father when I was a child. It was such an awakening. My first memory of actually playing music was when I was 16. My friend Joe Pacelli and I would sing Alice in Chains songs. He would play guitar and sing doing the Jerry leads and I would do Layne’s. It was amazing, it wasn’t too long after that that I got into guitar, but didn’t get serious about it until after I got out of the Navy when I was 22 (I’m 33 now).
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I would say our 2018 tour across the East Coast. We met so many wonderful people and had such a blast, I was hooked. Second to that would be our Free Week performance at Mohawk Austin. Packed house, stellar lineup and all the homies.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
When Phil left Monte Luna after our EU tour fell through I was devastated. But I’m thankful for the music community here in Austin and for such great friends, now bandmates, and about to be roommates (Yes, Monte Luna band house is coming in April!!). I really thought it was over, but new energy and the ability to get more live layers of sound really has us pushing. We already have the album written and are working on recording. I believe the bass and drums are done! So that leaves my rhythm, vocals and leads/keys and samples! I love two-piece Monte Luna, but it was mostly for proof of concept, and I got big dreams JJ!
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
I think there is no one direction artistic progression leads. Sometimes you do art for so long you change course and become better at another form of art. Hell, my first art was doing scripts and goofy movies with my friend Eric Oneil. Now, I play doom, before that I was doing more of a punk rock thing. You just need to be in touch with yourself and keep from limitations of people, genres and anything. Art comes from the soul, and you grow with it.
How do you define success?
Success is based solely on person to person. I used to work for the courts, had a great job and a good life… and I hated it… now, I bartend, play music and live much more modest and I love it. What is success? Well, when they asked me what I wanted to be in college, I said, Happy. That’s what I have been working toward ever since.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
There are some things I wish I could forget about my time in the Navy for sure. But I don’t wish to talk about or glorify war. So I’m gonna say, Velvet Revolver. They trash.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Oh it’s coming… but… an Adventure module for DND 5e based on a Monte Luna album world. Pretty stoked about it, working on characters and adventure hook as we speak! (Multitasking for the win.) It will, for the sake of size, be directly compatible with all 5e books. We are trying to build something very similar to the Lost Mines of Phandelver adventure found in the DND 5e beginners set. We are aiming to include this as a very limited special edition of our next vinyl.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To make you feel something.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
My girlfriend Jenny and I are going to play DND together for the first time right before her birthday! I’m the Dungeon Master too (haha kinda kinky).
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