The Obelisk Questionnaire: Mathew Bethancourt of Josiah
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: Mathew Bethancourt of Josiah
—
How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I define myself as a creative person. I’ve always been driven to make, imagine, create. Whether it’s music, art, design, storytelling, media etc; coming up with often ridiculous ideas and constantly wanting to challenge myself to be more, push boundaries. It’s simply a way of life for me. I’m lucky enough to earn my living as a creative, and that keeps me sane (just) :-) I was a songwriter before I could play any instruments. Sure I’d drum and make rhythms up like any kid does, but it was the melodies and lyrics that came first. I’d just imagine songs and record them to cassette for my own pleasure. I dabbled with the classical guitar for a few months aged 10, but art was my first creative pull and all my passion was focused on becoming a fine artist. At 18 I found myself in a group of sorts. A summer just hanging with musical friends and they started to play my songs. I wanted some of the action, so I picked up a guitar, played piano, and got stuck in. A friend showed me two chords and loaned me a nice Tokai strat copy and I just hit the ground running. 6 months later, I bought a Les Paul, Marshall amp – formed a new band and was playing live with a full set of original tracks. Playing music came naturally to me. I picked up the guitar relatively late but caught up pretty fast :-)
Describe your first musical memory.
I’m not sure which one came first but it was either my Galician Abuela (Grandmother) singing Gallego folk songs during family gatherings. Absolutely mesmerising. No background chit chat. Time stood still and emotions ran high. Or it was my dad’s HiFi geek-prog rock obsessed friend sitting me down in front of his record collection with a set of expensive cans on my head and trippy lights filling the room while he and my dad talked DIY or something. He introduced me to Pink Floyd, Yes, Hendrix etc. In glorious Hi-Fidelity sound.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I think it has to be my Abuela singing. She was magical! The first time I experienced this beautiful woman summon up so much passion and command such keen attention from all around her with just her voice, will never leave me. I carry it as an inspiration always.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I’m not very good at suffering fools. Especially when their ideals and behaviour affect those around them negatively. So it was probably yesterday and I was definitely on a bike having a word with some dick in a car who almost cleaned up someone in front of me :-)
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
To deeply interesting places. If you do not seek to progress, you only stand to stagnate. Go where the challenges live.
How do you define success?
Freedom to create. If that then resonates with anyone out there – amazing! But the freedom to make is the key.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Not one thing. I’ve seen some upsetting events unfold in my time. But I wouldn’t want to un-see anything.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Leaving time machines, world peace and an end to poverty, hunger and greed aside :-) The next song I have written yet.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To enhance life for the living by inspiring freedom whilst creating with abandon. The freedom of expression is not to be taken lightly. And even though we may not all agree on what makes art, art or how to define it beyond the commercial realms. It is art’s very nature to be undefinable and as such be free of any rules or any reason.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Reading that next book. Watching that next sunset. Seeing my family grow. Falling asleep.
https://www.facebook.com/Josiah-106875318556254
https://www.instagram.com/josiah_rock_uk/
https://josiah-rock-uk.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bluesfuneral/
https://www.instagram.com/blues.funeral/
https://bluesfuneralrecordings.bandcamp.com/
bluesfuneral.com
