Known worldwide as both a songwriter/solo artist, and from time with Alternative supergroup, Fugazi, Joe Lally has an extensive line of notches to his musical belt. After settling down from a long stint of touring which included the famous 2011 Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Joe sat down to give us a moment to talk of some his many recent happenings, and more.
Photos by Alex Gregg taken November 5th, 2011 at Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 in Austin.
Tx Punk: So, how did you enjoy the dust storm known as Fun Fun Fun Fest?
Joe: I wasn't in much of a position to enjoy it. I had just finished three days of intensive practicing. My ears were kind of shot
and my voice was going and we'd just started the tour. I saw Tinariwen play and that was great. Then I did a record signing
and a few interviews that day too. Mostly I ran into old friends and tried to escape the dust. I was more in work mode than
relax mode.
Tx Punk: I don't know if you've heard, but there is actually a remix group called "Wugazi" that also played Fun Fun Fun Fest. They mixed the 13 songs album with music of the Wu-Tang Clan. What are your thoughts on the matter?
Joe: Yes, I met them at the festival. Their mixes are OK, I'd like to see them work the Fugazi samples harder, come up with more creative stuff. They're nice guys. I think they had fun doing what they like and people responded to it quickly. Maybe sooner than they were ready to
present it.
Tx Punk: What inspires some of your songwriting for your solo material?
Joe: Everything I've been listening to for years and years figures in. It's hard to pin it down, you know. All the live shows I've seen.
I've been seeing bands play since I was about 11 years old. I didn't set out to do a certain thing with my solo work. I'm just trying
to get at what I'm hearing in my head.
Joe: I wasn't in much of a position to enjoy it. I had just finished three days of intensive practicing. My ears were kind of shot
and my voice was going and we'd just started the tour. I saw Tinariwen play and that was great. Then I did a record signing
and a few interviews that day too. Mostly I ran into old friends and tried to escape the dust. I was more in work mode than
relax mode.
Tx Punk: I don't know if you've heard, but there is actually a remix group called "Wugazi" that also played Fun Fun Fun Fest. They mixed the 13 songs album with music of the Wu-Tang Clan. What are your thoughts on the matter?
Joe: Yes, I met them at the festival. Their mixes are OK, I'd like to see them work the Fugazi samples harder, come up with more creative stuff. They're nice guys. I think they had fun doing what they like and people responded to it quickly. Maybe sooner than they were ready to
present it.
Tx Punk: What inspires some of your songwriting for your solo material?
Joe: Everything I've been listening to for years and years figures in. It's hard to pin it down, you know. All the live shows I've seen.
I've been seeing bands play since I was about 11 years old. I didn't set out to do a certain thing with my solo work. I'm just trying
to get at what I'm hearing in my head.
Tx Punk: Do you have any up and coming artists that you feel need more attention?
Joe: There's a great band from europe (some of them are based in Geneva but they are spread out) called Orchestra Tout Puissant
Marcel Duchamp. They're a very good band to see, people should be asking them to play festivals in America. Marimba, Violin,
electric guitar, Trombone, upright bass and vocals. Their singer Liz, is intense. The performance and control of everyone involved is awesome.
Tx Punk: I know you released an album back in April of this year, are there any more exciting pieces of news ahead that you'd like to share?
Joe: I did a lot of shows this fall so for the moment I'm relaxing. I'm always writing though. The next album is certainly taking shape.
Tx Punk: Is there anything you'd like to say for anyone reading this?
Joe: Yes, find out what you like to do and pursue that. Despite how it might seem at odds with what people are telling you to do.
