The Obelisk Questionnaire: Eric McQueen of The Mountain King
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: Eric McQueen of The Mountain King
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
For me it’s the best hobby in the world, thinking about and writing on songs and albums, not knowing if more than yourself will like it in the end, the great uncertainty of art. I started with flute and piano when I was a little kid but cancelled all classes after a few years, I clearly had already an authority problem back then. Then with a used Ibanez GSA 60 and a little peavey amp when I was 15 and it was the only thing my family could afford.
Describe your first musical memory.
There are two: Sitting in front of my parents’ vinyls in the early ’90s, mostly Woodstock stuff like CCR, Simon & Garfunkel, Mamas and Papas and looking at the covers while thinking about how they could have done such cool music, super amazing for a kid of six years of age.
The second memory was a church organ, I don’t really know where, but it just scared and amazed the shit out of me and that feeling of awe is still present today when I write music.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Every time I get on stage, the fear and the excitement just rushing my head. The bigger the better. But apart from that, meeting and talking to my favourite musicians and getting to know each other and even cooperating musically to a certain degree, that’s just wonderful.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Not only tested. I was raised quite religiously, and let faith fall completely when I was about 17 but also over time. You think you failed the test, because people will tell you so. The truth is it was a relief and still feels like the right thing to believe in yourself instead of the power of a big bearded fairy.
It’s good to adjust your beliefs as you discover the whole world for yourself.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Artistic progression leads to another plane of existence, especially creating atmospheric music in your own way, imagine you are carrying a torch and need to light a path, that you’re the first to ever walk.
How do you define success?
Only my own feeling of satisfaction. A released album after two or six years of work, that is success. To plan for longer than the next day.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
People burying their children.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A multimedia album. Or a soundtrack for a bigger movie.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
I think art is one of the great coping functions for many people in this world. A door to join the artist on that plane mentioned earlier, far away from everyday struggle.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Autumn, every year again.
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