The Obelisk Questionnaire: Seb Painchaud of Tumbleweed Dealer
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: Seb Painchaud of Tumbleweed Dealer
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
The one constant in my musical journey is “Evolution” . I would describe what I do as musically evolving constantly. Every composition is a stepping stone towards new sounds, every song is meant to push back the limits of what our music can be.
Describe your first musical memory.
It’s not my first musical memory per se, but it’s the first one that really impacted me. I have this uncle that is only 7-8 years older than me. He had a motorcycle, listened to cool music, he was my idol when I was a preteen. He made me a mixtape that I listened to religiously and that impacted my musical tastes profoundly. He had put Yngwie Malmsteen, Uzeb, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Jeff Healy, it was really all over the place, and it really helped shape me as a music fan before I even picked up an instrument.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Seeing our latest album come together. It’s the album I have always wanted to make but didn’t know how to.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Honesty has always been my most treasured value. I can’t recall one specific instance that was tested, but rather I can say that growing and becoming a father has really shown me the difference between being honest and being an asshole. I’ve had to learn that you can be truthful without being hurtful, and that I can refuse to compromise myself while remaining respectful.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
It leads to more artistic progression. It’s really a “the journey was the destination” kind of thing. The word I use the most to discuss composing music is evolution. I could not have written this album if I didn’t write the first three. I could not have created this project without being in all the bands I was in before. So, everything you create is the result of years of evolution.
How do you define success?
If I was in it for the money, I would not make weird instrumental music, now would I? I wrote this album for myself as a listener. I wanted to make the album I was hoping to hear when I scour the net for new releases. I made something that would last up to repeat listens with deep details to discover on every new play. To me success is when someone tells me they enjoyed the album on that level. That they took the time to dissect it and discover those details. You are on Spotify, you have access to the whole world’s collective musical history, and you chose to spend time with my art out of all of that and to focus on it, to deeply appreciate it. That’s success right there!
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
The endtimes in which we live. As a parent, it is frightening to see the world we live in and to know that our children will never have the carefree childhood we were lucky enough to have.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A collaborative album with a talented vocalist. Something akin to our song with Ceschi on this latest record.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To be created. A true artist makes art because he has to. I don’t enjoy the process, but I cannot live without it.
Say something positive about yourself.
I am twice the man I used to be. Having a family has transformed me and I wake up every day trying to make the world a better place for those around me.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
The next episode of Severance. I am HOOKED on that show!!
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