The Obelisk Questionnaire: Aqua D
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: Aqua D
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Earl: I would define what we (Aqua D) do as creating an alternate reality. We want to be able to transport our listeners to a different time, different place, especially at our live events. Speaking solely for myself, I enjoy letting people put on the metaphorical “EARL O’ VISION” glasses and see the world as I do, which in my opinion is a darkly whimsical place. The whole reason I started this band was because I had been so sick and tired of performing other people’s music, and being forced to project other people’s version
of the truth.
Describe your first musical memory.
Earl the Pearl: My absolute first real memory of music would probably be seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd live, I would say I was about 3-4 years old.
Shay Shay: My First experience with music was hearing the Sanford and Son theme, Quincy Jones enthusiast ever since!
Zach Woodward: Sitting in my toddler seat in my Mom’s Mercury Villager hearing “Free Bird” in its entirety for the first time with the smell of Newport Menthol 100’s in the air.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Earl: Oh this one’s easy: I was 18 Years old and it was my first ever gig with a band. We were at this tiny little bar in Akron, Ohio, opening up for an Iron Maiden tribute act. There was absolutely no one in the crowd, literally playing to other band members. But for me, it was an eye opening experience, and I’ve been relishing in live music ever since.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Earl: This one’s tough, I don’t really want to dive into specifics, BUT there have been a few occasions at my day job where I’ve had to keep my mouth shut to “keep the peace”, and lord, anybody who’s worked with the general public knows it just gets tougher day by day.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Earl: What does it mean to progress as an “artist”? Progression is subjective, Keith Richards has been playing the same three chords for over 50 years now, some could say he’s progressed in his ability to spread his art to a wider audience. In this case, I would say, “que sera, sera”.
How do you define success?
Earl: In short, Success = not eating off the dollar menu, and still having enough money to pay the rent.
Bloated answer: To Be successful is to feel accomplished in any given subject. I may not be the world’s greatest mechanic, but I feel successful when I fix up a car.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Earl: Yikes, Have you seen The Rock’s remake of Jumanji?
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Earl; Simply put; more songs, I enjoy the process of songwriting, trying to find the perfect string of words whether they make sense or not, the wondrous feeling of noodling around on a riff and having the light bulb moment of “ oh hell yeah, this goes hard”.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Earl: Art has no defined function: in its essence, Art is the physically tangible manifestation of a feeling, which is an intangible thing. so i guess art’s only main function is to inspire a feeling in another person or people’s. Unless, of course You’re Frank Zappa.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Earl: I’m just patiently waiting for my spearmint plants to pop up.
https://www.facebook.com/TheAquaDementiaVarietyHalftimeShow
https://aqua-d.bandcamp.com/
