The Obelisk Questionnaire: James Farwell of Bison B.C.
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 Farwell of Bison B.C.
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
“I write songs for sad people to be sad”. That’s a quote from my son, George. Pretty much sums it up. I am constantly pulling myself back together with the songs I write.
Describe your first musical memory.
Watching the video for “Dancing With Tears in my Eyes”, creating my own feelings about love and death as I hid under my blankets.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Watching Chi Pig hanging from the rafters at the Cauldron in Winnipeg (’88?)
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
When we decided to leave a big label.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Poverty. Solitude. Smaller rooms. Happiness.
How do you define success?
Success? There is no success. My children are inheriting a dying world. Success would be a time machine.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
A man bleeding and wanting to die with his dog standing by his side.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A book of poetry. I’ve always loved poetry. Song lyrics can be poetry, but they are more put together as a puzzle, fit to the music that inspired them. Poetry is inspired by silence and the rage within. Art that has no origin, it simply has always existed.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To make welcome new feelings that may be alien or jarring.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
A summer of bike rides with my sons, George and Charlie.
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