
Feeding Back – new book on alt. guitarists. Fresh JF interview!

Naturally, John is among these people and his chapter was titled The Radiant Guitarist. Here is an excerpt of his interview, which was done approx. in the second half of 2009; thus making it the most recent interview done with John.
DT: My other random question is about Niandra Lades. I’ve heard that you’ve somewhat disavowed that album—is that true?
JF: No, I think that’s a brilliant album. I never would’ve said anything like that. I did let my second album go out of print. And it’s not because I don’t like it, it was just that it freaked people out so much, and at the time I had a vision of myself making more records, so I wanted to start fresh. I didn’t want people to be scared of me. [laughs] Now, it doesn’t make any difference to me what people think, but I still wouldn’t release something just to release it, you know? I’d only release something if I was ready to let go of it. Those first couple of solo records, they were such a natural thing, and they were so meaningful to me and my friends when I made them. I did them with the mind-set, “I’m not going to release this music,†and it was just shocking in both cases how much my feeling about them changed as a result of letting them into other people’s consciousnesses. Gradually, after twenty years of making music in the public, I’ve settled into a healthy relationship with things so I know how to not let people step on what I’ve done. Like with my last record, I released it a while after it was done, because I was enjoying sitting around with my friends listening to it. I didn’t want to let go of that, and then when it seemed like that had run its course, it was time to let other people have it.
But you know, it happens to a lot of people; like Captain Beefheart, he went into some crazy direction for a while where he made these really lame, straight, commercial records, and I remember the quote was that he was tired of scaring people, you know? And it’s unfortunate, but that’s part of being a human being. I don’t think that artists should be led by public opinion; I feel like it should be our duty to express what there is to express. But it’s something I wrestle with, because the difference between making music for yourself and making music for the purpose of releasing it is that an audience adds this level of intensity, this live-or-die feeling that you wouldn’t have if you were sitting around in your bedroom. But I think that in general, if you think of music as a living entity, the things that should be motivating it and making it grow—if what we want is for music as an art form to grow—should always be internal enough to deal with your own relationship to the creative force of the universe, and it shouldn’t have anything to do with what people are going to think of it.
And here’s an anecdote from the author himself, exclusively readers of I-M.net
For this book, I wanted to do an interview with John Frusciante as an inventive, encyclopedically knowledgeable and versatile guitar thinker—the guy who struggles with the creative capacities of the instrument and the rock form—and not necessarily as the renowned guitarist from the RHCP. I love John’s work with the Chili Peppers, but this interview is largely about his solo albums and point of view as an artist. (The Q & A deals a lot with his first record, which I still think is amazing.) The book is about an underground guitar lineage that counters the mainstream tradition of heroes, and what made John F. unique is that he could hypothetically fall into either camp. The way he goes back and forth between possibilities and roles is another reason he fits into the scheme of things—the book is about searchers, musically and/or otherwise.
I don’t want to be heavy-handed about the idea of an informal (invisible?) movement of guitarists, only to enjoy the conversation that takes place among people like John and Michael Rother or Keith Levene. These connections are intended to be more illuminating than limiting. John mentioned that he’d thought of writing something similar to this book himself, such as his own list of guitar anti-heroes. (For John’s fans, I encouraged him to do this, to no avail.) Comments like that made me feel I wasn’t on the wrong track with him.
In the book, I use the term “resistant virtuosos†for people like John and Tom Verlaine of Television. (Not coincidentally, TV is a player John name-checks directly.) These guys had all the skill and technique of the guitar gods but their minds were pulling them into more subtle and avant-garde directions. There are other ways the guitarists in the book can be seen, but in this sense John and Tom Verlaine are among the very best of them.
The interview took place about six months after the release of The Empyrean, when the book was still in the early stages of development. One thing I definitely picked up on was that John was wary of being commercialized, which is something I never wanted to do anyway, of course. I approached the interviewees as receptacles of alternative knowledge. My goal was to capture the creative and life lessons they’d picked up along the way, what it felt like for them to test the boundaries of a genre and to succeed/fail on the basis of their innovations. This is another reason John was such a great interviewee for my purposes, because as his fans know he is constantly learning, working, and questioning.
Thanks for checking this out. I hope you like John’s interview and the rest of the book.
I-M.net would like to publicly thank David Todd for the above anecdote.
If you’re interested in who else is interviewed in the book, check out the entire list. There’s people like Tom Verlaine of Television fame, the great Johnny Marr and some musicians verging on other forms of expressions, such as Lydia Lunch. John’s friend and inspiration Michael Rother was also interviewed.
You can pre-order the book on IPG, Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Also, you can show your support by following it on Twitter and Facebook.
If you’re residing in United States or Canada, apply to win a copy of this book by responding to this topic, using a valid e-mail address and stating where in USA or Canada you’re from, to make sure you read the requirements right. The winner will be determined using a random number generator and announced on 01st of June 2012, the day it’s out. Good luck, everyone!

102 Comments
Frank
Wow, great news!! Now I wanna win it!! 🙂
Frank
Oh, and I'm from Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada, North America 😉
Francis
Première fois que je "rencontre" un fan de Frusciante qui vient de Chicoutimi aussi!
Frank
Hahaha, même chose pour moi!! Wow, c'est cool ça!! 🙂
Francis
On doit pas être des tonnes! Pas facile de trouver des albums de Frusciante à Chicout non plus…
Frank
Non, on doit pas être nombreux, effectivement! Pour les albums, chez HMV sont quand même pas pire, tu peux les commander, habituellement. Pour ma part, j'ai réussi à tous les avoir, même que j'ai les 2 copies (différentes) de Smile From The Streets You Hold. 😉
Jake
Really happy to hear about some JF news, I hope he is doing well and that the music comes soon!
Gary
Me too! If i don't i'll just go out and buy it! Seems like it's worth it.
Kelly Hanson
Great to hear this interview is focused on his solo work. Will be waiting to read! Thanks for the opportunity to win this!
Kelly Hanson
From Minnesota, USA!
Deepak Bhatti
I haven't read a good book in a long time. This definitely will be something I'm going to pick up. John always gives me some other perspective to look from when it comes to art, and sometimes even life. I'm sure this book will do it again. Kelowna BC, Canada
Harry P
Im from Long Beach, New York USA 🙂
Denis
A really fantastic excerpt that makes me want to win/buy the book. Particularly interested in seeing if there’s some insight to his current philosophy out of the limelight. Will he “let go” of that 300 song stockpile soon?
I’m from Portland, OR, USA.
Iva
Denis, that is precisely why I picked the interview excerpt used in this post. I think it says a lot and that there's no reason to be paranoid. Releasing something when one is ready to part with it? Sounds good to me. 🙂
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donny
sounds like a good read. Battle Creek, Michigan USA
Amanda
small world.. I grew up in battle Creek! that's where all the true JF fans are born 🙂
donny
really!? i dont really know of anyone around BC that is a JF fan
victoria mendoza
i def want to win this.. so exciting .. im from long beach ca USA
Caroline
I'm not eligible to participate, but I wanted to thank Invisible Movement and David Todd for this. Thank you!
Zach
sounds awesome, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Jet
I am from Hong Kong but i want it 🙁 i can pay for the postal
albi
"These guys had all the skill and technique of the guitar gods but their minds were pulling them into more subtle and avant-garde directions. There are other ways the guitarists in the book can be seen, but in this sense John and Tom Verlaine are among the very best of them."
well I think he hit the fact
Sean Norris
I would kill for a conversation with JF. The guy seems extremely wise, I wish he'd do more interviews. I definitely want this book though. I'm from Vancouver, WA.
And thats Vancouver right across the river from Portland, OR. Not Vancouver B.C.
Michael M.
Here's hoping he lets go of some more music soon…
EnT
I need to read the entire thing right now!!! I'm losing my mind!!
So glad they discussed Niandra Lades, I can't get enough from young John.
Anyway, still waiting to hear any bit of info about what he's up to these days. John, throw us a bone… But hey, having this interview is too awesome as well. Not complaining!
Ryan!
I would gladly enter my name into the drawing for a book which I will buy regardless of whether or not I win it. What a perfect excerpt to use; I can't wait to read the book!
Oh, and to ensure that I follow the rules: I hail from the gorgeous state of Iowa in the United States of America! 🙂
Will Gibson
i would love to have that book. I am from Wichita, Kansas and a devout john frusciante fan. not too many of them here in ole kansas.
Anaalicia Barrios
Ahhhh! I want and need this book! I so want to read it! Hey Im Anaalicia and I am from Texas! wooh!
richard dixon
clarion, pa
Austin Johnson
Great article! Blacksburg, Virginia USA
guadalupe barbosa
haha i cant wait to read about JF. my favorite guitarist!!! Dallas, Texas.
Lauren
Thank you posting part of the interview! Rockford, Michigan USA
Ben Niven
Ottawa, Ontario!
Kellee
Comer, GA, USA
chrisgiuliano
Looks awesome, put me on the list, from New Jersey, US
Chim
So much excitement every time a new thread is posted 😀 Montreal,Quebec, Canada!
enw
Can't wait to read!
Victoria, BC, Canada
Xavier Hernandez
Man this sounds so interesting! im sure it wont be long until he releasees those 400+ songs he has.
Anyways Im from a little town in the middle of nowhere called Anthony, New Mexico.
Marie
I want to win it and if I don't win it, I will buy it for sure..:) Mirabel, Quebec, Canada
gimme dat book
the book is mine
MacGregor Ross
Mooooore JF!! And not to mention its got Mascis and Marr and Ronaldo 😀
London, Ontario!
now gimme dat book
mission bc, canada gimme dat book
Iva
Please, reply with an actual name. Rules are the same for everyone. 🙂
Sasha
Chicago, Illinois
Sophia
this book definitely looks like a great read, and the preview that is on amazon.com is pretty promising! thanks for posting.
Sophia, Bayonne, New Jersey
Andrew Johnson
Do I just post like this to enter in the contest?? 🙂 I hope I win the book!
Andrew Johnson
Ahh, do I have to publicly post my email address since I'm posting through facebook?
Owensboro, KY, USA
Iva
A matter of logic…I have to contact the winner. 🙂
Milos
Iva where are you from? If you don't mind me asking, of course.
Iva
Beograd, Serbia. 🙂
Milosz
I ja! Znao sam odmah da ste iz Srbije 🙂 Da li ste bili na koncertu u 2007-moj?
Andrew Johnson
somethingfallo@yahoo.com
Ralph
This book looks great. I'm glad to see an interviewer who approaches John's music the way many of us do. Not only that, but the questions come from a place to which John seems to respond well and show a side of his ideas that has been previously elusive.
I'm from Brooklyn, New York and will have to buy this book if I don't win it.
Amanda
This looks great! John is such an honest man. Always speaking straight from his heart. Can't wait to read this! Ely, MN
Megan
Oh man, this looks incredible. The cover art is even excellent. I'm glad to see that John is sharing his philosophy on music-making in a neat project like this. He always has something simple yet profound to say, and I love when he talks about his relationship with music. Looking forward to this and whatever he chooses to release in the near future! Thank you for this opportunity! Beaver Dam, KY
Andrew Johnson
KY!
Connor McHugh
Philadelphia. PA
Vinny Rossi
new york, ny
Zac L
Carlsbad, CA 🙂 Can't wait to read this book.
SRL
This is going to be as great to read as The Heart Is a Drum Machine interview was to watch. John is such a breadth of fresh air.
Albany, CA
Jason
Hello,
Thank for you the awesome updates!
Los Angeles, CA
Pingback:
Preston
Houston, TX! woooohooooooooooooo
Adrien
I don't blame John for not releasing the smiles… it starts off with enter a uh… which gets quite freaky in the middle with the horselike screaming.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
jlcpickett
John is the smiley to my face. Vancouver, BC, Canada
Victor
Los Angeles, California, USA
Layla
Sounds amazing! Would love a copy! I'm from Palo Alto, California USA.
Jose
Wow. Been waiting for something like this.
Los Angeles, California USA
Peter
With love from Fort Worth, Texas.
Haley
Davis, California, USA
Blaise
I really want to read this book… The interview with JF look amazing. A lot of wizes quotes in the preview of the interview. I'll buy this book for sure if I don't win it.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Micah
Santa Barbara, California USA
theInvisibleMovement
Marietta, GA, US of A
The book comes out on my birthday, maybe I'll have birthday luck 😀
Jason Bombach
This looks like a a book full awesome musicians. I hope I win it.
Westland (near Detroit), MI.
Robin
So excited to read the book! I will definitely purchase it.
Lara
I am from Austin, Texas!!! <3
Ryan
The list of interviewees is outstanding. I'm really interested to hear what Fennesz has to say.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Michael Power
This seems like a really great read. That little blurb of text made me nearly jump. I am happy it is not so directed on the Chili Peppers as well. Frusciante is something that is out of this world and his solo work is still often over-looked by many.(a lot of people who would love his work don't listen to it because they don't like The Red Hot Chili Peppers.)
Michael Power
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Chris
I'm in Clinton Township, Michigan
Jim Kettler
This book sounds awesome. getting it for sure if I don’t win. I live in fallsington, pa. United states. (Outside of Philadelphia)
Charlie C
Hamilton, MT!
Darv
Awesome! Pittsburgh, PA USA
Jeremy
Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Zach Usi
umm hello yes i'd like to win a copy of this book! sounds awesome! JF forever!
i'm from San Francisco, CA.
randy saunders
I live in S.E. Kentucky, and would love to win this great book!.
Nick
Cambridge, MA USA
Kris
It'll be great to see what goes on in the minds of such unique, off-the-beaten-path musicians. Miami, Florida.
lparlotta
John Frusciante is an incredible guitarist and vocalist.For the longest time i was a fan of the Red Hot Peppers…when John left i recognized his absence immediately.His talents and passions were so strongly intertwined with the bands music music that it was hard to hear clearly what was his "distinct presence in the band".Since he has been away the RHCP are not the same.I listen to John's solo work constantly and long for the day that he will present himself to his fans at a live venue!!!
John is an amazing artist with so much love passion and soul for his craft that i am interested in everything and anything that gives more information on where he is going!!
Iva
If this is a competition entry, please, make sure you enter your real name and location. If it's not, never mind. 🙂
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nelly
Hi thx for keeping us posted ,John is his usual straightforward self ,he and his music for me have always been heartfelt a true divine accomplished musician in every sense of the word this book puts his accomplishments in perspective he' has much to be proud of . Montreal,Quebec Canada
lparlotta
John Thank you for sharing your heart!!!
Lina Arlotta
Sierra Madre,California
91024
thom
This was extremely cool excerpt!
Atlanta, Ga
Inez
Awesome! Will get the interview by all means!
Cali Cali
Jen
I'm very excited to read this!
Greentown, IN, USA
Tarik
ow awoooo
winnipeg, manitoba, canada
Young
Atlanta, GA, USA
wyldemusick
Tucson, AZ, and this book sounds like it's right in my wheelhouse.
Jennifer
Hamilton, New Jersey here
German
Hey I'm from Newark NJ I'd really like to win this book! 😀
sarah sweinhart
I want this 🙂 I'm from lebanon, pa
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Iuis garcia
Glendale California USA