The Obelisk Questionnaire: Scott Shellhamer and Jason Butler of Moiii
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: Scott Shellhamer and Jason Butler of Moiii
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Scott: I’ve known Jason since the 90’s. We have tried multiple times over the years to create music together, but it never quite worked. I’m into heavy, he’s into light. This was the first time we really found a middle ground.
Jason: Yea, the middle ground we found between us took lots of time to find. Maybe with age & more patience we were able to voice our respective selves in a way that offered cohesion to the other.
Describe your first musical memory.
Scott: Music Machine. It was a Christian record for kids. The Music Machine is like no other gadget you’ve ever seen. Put something in and a song comes out!
Jason: Watching the Nelson Brothers at Six Flags Over Texas.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Scott: I played cello with Shinichi Suzuki on the stage at Auditorium Hall in Chicago.
Jason: Performing at The Stateside Theatre in Austin.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Scott: I’m fairly open and honest about things. Maybe when I was a teenager and left the Christian faith? I was evangelical and going door to door and such. I challenged myself to read the “good book” and didn’t care for what I found.
Jason: Im uncertain.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Scott: Disappointment.
Jason: Discomfort with potential satisfaction.
How do you define success?
Scott: I will never attain it, so I’m not sure how to answer this. Any artistic endeavor I pursue can be judged by others.
Jason: The ability to sit quiet with yourself – no squirming, no anxiety.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Scott: The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Jason: Ha! I actually loved RHCP when I was a young’n. The Nelson Brothers.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
Scott: I have plans for a short film documenting my insomnia and weird dreams when I do find sleep. I’ve directed a couple videos for Jason’s band Thee Conductor and would like to continue working on similar things.
Jason: Would love to finish my screenplay for the short film I envision. The structure is there, just need to discipline myself to sit & write the dialogue.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Scott: Questioning your own existence. What it means to face your own mortality and what that means as you are still alive. Memento Mori.
Jason: My work (thee conductor) & the work that Scott and I do (moiii) together are so different. In creating both, it has made me appreciate that I or we or anyone doesnt have to be one thing (in this case one genre) all the time. Art allows for self exploration, absent of construct (if you allow it).
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Scott: I’m in TX working on a record with my punk band NIXD at the moment. Music is all that is on my brain. I’m going camping when I get back. That’ll be a good time.
Jason: I am currently building rental dwellings on my property in the woods here in ‘lil Elgin Texas. I very much look forward to finishing & renting out this first one to recoup my empty coffer.
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