'Born in the Wrong Era' limited edition ep (Digipak with full-color poster) available now from Social Science Recordings! ($5 plus s+h.) Also available on iTunes!
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I get so bored reading bios so I decided to have a little self-absorbed interview with myself to see what I could figure out. A little piece of non-fiction for you first, my real name is not in fact Vincent, it's Michael.
Me 1: So why Vincent?
Me 2: Well I've spent all my life with an angel's name. In Hebrew it means "one who is like god" and it's a pretty common name. I don't believe in one god and I don't think I'm an angel. I'd been toying with alter egos for awhile and one night my great Italian grandfather (Vincenzo) came to me in a dream. He was singing an operatic melody similar to Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor. That dream sorta haunted me in an amusing way and it stuck. Hence Vincent Minor.
Me 1: (adjusting bifocals on nose and clears throat) So where are you from? Where did you grow up?
Me 2: I was born in a bathtub in a house very close to the Ambassador hotel where Bobby Kennedy was shot. My mom has always been a health nut/medicine-as-a-last-resort-type woman and she had a drug-free natural birth. (Supposedly my dad was downstairs cooking pasta when I popped out.) I grew up in L.A. and went to schools with celebrity kids -- that kid from the Never-ending Story was a few grades ahead of me! I spent my teens doing the acting thing and got my fill of commercials but I always knew it wasn't "god's calling" for me.
Me 1: So how long have you been playing music?
Me 2: Well I remember in school I must have been like 8 or 9. There were auditions for a televised international kids choir show. I don't remember what the cause was, probably world peace or something, but I got in and met the choir director who shortly after became my voice teacher. She is also Beck's mother! I was her little prodigy. When I turned ten, my parents got me my first piano and I started making up little songs about falling in love or having my heart broken. Yeah I know heavy stuff for a kid at that age!
Me 1: You are from L.A. but have you lived anywhere else?
Me 2: Actually no, I've travelled extensively though and I've always gravitated to certain parts of Europe. I'm sure that I've spent many past lives there. I'm really European in my heart...romance is still alive!
Me 1: Do you have a wife or husband?
Me 2: Neither! But I'll take anything I can get! Ha! No sacred unions at the moment.
Me 1: What is this new EP you are coming out with "BORN IN THE WRONG ERA"?
Me 2: This EP came out of a long recording period teaming up with my producer Tom Biller (who has worked with a bunch of other artists that I love). We recorded much more than an EP so expect a full-length release later this year. At the time I was writing songs from my chaotic life. They say the bad shit is gold for artists.
Me 1: Would you say you write from an autobiographical point or more of a fictional stance?
Me 2: I'd say both actually. It would be a lie if I told you all my songs had everything to do with me experientially. But I think all great writers have an imagination. Now I won't tell you exactly what parts of the songs are fact or fiction. That sorta spoils the whole cake -- I want everyone to put their own pieces together.
Me 1: Well thank you for sharing your thoughts, it's been interesting getting to know me. Anything else you'd like to share?
Me 2: Stay tuned as I'll be doing a bunch of shows this year and I'd love my songs to meet the many of you out there, I get tired of playing songs for myself. Sorry Me. 1! No offense!
Me 1: None taken, Thank you Vincent Minor.
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