excited, because I knew that she didn’t quite know what she was asking. So I started sending her the songs I thought we could do, and indeed she did get quite stoked. LV: I’ve been re-listening to some of the recent Bonnie “Prince” Billy records, and noticed that there is a gospel element throughout. Is that some place you end up automatically when you are writing, arranging and recording? Is it a conscious effort, or do you just go there automatically? WO: I think it’s somewhat automatic. It’s definitely something that isn’t ignored, or I don’t ...
there
probably
are
some
kinds
of
expectations, but … I almost feel like at this point there is the expectation that surprise is going to be built into the experience, be an integral part of the experience for everybody in the room.
-Will Oldham
try and stay away from it. I think its just part of what is important to me about music, or music that I listen to. LV: In terms of you performing other people’s music, you’re now in the position where people are recording your music, taking your songs and reimagining them, performing them. What is that experience like, the role reversal of having other people record and perform your songs? WO: It is a role-reversal. In a lot of ways, it’s the point. I think it’s the pinnacle of knowing that the songs have a place in the world, when someone else feels like they could sing it. It’s what you want your kids to grow up to do. LV: Can we expect some new Bonnie “Prince” Billy material soon? WO: I’m going to keep making records until I can’t make records anymore. Hopefully enough people buy them so that we can make another one—and people have, which has been one of the best parts of the past 20 years. Ian McCuskey is from Cedar Rapids, lives in Nashville and misses you very much.