The Living Jarboe
An Interview with Jarboe
28 September, 1999
Interviewed by K.A.ALexander via email.
Jarboe is one of the most prolific female artists in the sub-culture music realm.
Her efforts over the past years include nearly two decades of work with Swans
and numerous other musicians in music and spoken word collaborations.
Jarboe separated from Swans shortly after the Swans Final Tour in 1997 and has been quite busy since then continuing work on her own projects and collaborations with many other musicians. Her new project, The Living Jarboe seems 'most' promising. Her last release, "Anhedonic" [circa 1998], is a rich and provocative work exemplifying her experiences and feelings from that period of time in her life. in the following interview, Jarboe was gracious to share with us some of her feelings about those times, discuss the current work in her music, tells us who she would like to work with if she could, and explains some of her ideas and feelings behind "Anhedoniac". Thank you to Jarboe for taking the time to work with us, as you can read below, she is a very busy woman.
Last Sigh: You are one of the most prolific women in this music scene, from working nearly two decades with "Swans", to creating your own releases, and with collaborations with other musicians. Could you tell us about your current works with other musicians?
Jarboe: The 'birth announcement' on my site mentions several of my current projects. The main project however is The Living Jarboe band. It is a morphing line-up. At this time it is: cello, bass, guitar, keyboard, samples, percussion and two other vocalists in addition to me.
Last Sigh: Your last release, "Anhedoniac" (1998) is an intense and very creative work. You dedicated it to "All Former Members Of Swans: 1982-1997." There is a great amount of emotion in this release and it seems to be a major turning point in your career in terms of a new beginning for you without you having to work on/with "Swans." Why the title: "Anhedoniac?" Was this release an exorcism of memories or ghosts from your past? Who or what inspired you to create this release? How well do you feel this release was received by the music community? Where can it be purchased?
Jarboe: Yes. Anhedoniac is definitely a huge turning point. It came about during a very rough period of my life. It seemed like everything was falling apart and I literally felt like a zombie. Swans had ended. Michael and I were separated. My mother - who was my best friend and like a sister to me- had developed an Alzheimer's type illness and had to be institutionalized. I was utterly immobilized by emotional hell. I couldn't sleep or eat. I had panic attacks at 3 A.M. and couldn't breathe. I was devastated by what was happening to my life..... One night, a friend took me to an exhibit of large scale paintings by a woman here in Atlanta. The paintings entered my consciousness in a way unlike any art had ever done....I wrote the artist and for some reason felt compelled to tell her about the state I was in-----even though I did not know her. She wrote back to me and said: "You have a rare opportunity to begin work. " She was the impetus . She inspired me to use the hideous fear and pain I was feeling to write and record Anhedoniac. I had lost 12 pounds by that time and had feverishly painted the inside of my house black. I have said in some interviews that I see now that I was painting myself into my own tomb. For this reason, Anhedoniac is at times harrowing and at times harsh. It is also the most beautiful album I had ever made. It comes from a very direct place in my gut. Anhedoniac is almost sold out. It is available from my site. Every one [of them] is signed and numbered.
Last Sigh: The photography done by Richard Kern on "Anhedoniac" is raw and terrifying stills of yourself. Why did you chose to use these extremely exposing photos? What significance do they play in the overall theme to "Anhedoniac?" How did you come to work with Richard on this release?
Jarboe: The photos illustrate my state of being during that time. I am depicted as a warrior not a victim I am wearing a chastity belt comprised of leather and hooks. Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure. Thus, the chastity belt is the literal manifestation of that....My body is covered in bloody gashes and wounds and scars. (Stage makeup by Kembra of The Voluptuous Horror Of Karen Black) This is how I felt and this is my commentary about the battle. I felt that Richard was the perfect photographer to do justice to what I was trying to convey.
Last Sigh: You were in Israel this past year and encountered some very interesting experiences there. What was one of your more "positive" experiences in Israel?
Jarboe: The entire experience ultimately comes down to my stay in the Arab Quarter of the Old City/Jerusalem inside Damascus Gate. The Dome Of The Rock mosque. The crush of humanity I found myself encased in joyously as they left the mosque....It was a profound experience.
Last Sigh: What type of music or bands do you currently listen to when you
just want to hear something in your own home when you are alone?
Jarboe: I am in the process of arranging and rehearsing my own live show as The Living Jarboe band as well as finishing Disburden Disciple which is the title of my next album. When I am in this creative state , my concentration on my own work is all I care about and so I do not let any other sounds come into me. SO at the moment, I am only listening to my material on my new album--polishing it and getting it ready for public consumption.
Last Sigh: If you could chose any musician to work with in the studio, who
would that be and why?
Jarboe: Trent Reznor. Regardless of his commercial success, I feel he would bring an interesting element to my work.
Last Sigh: If there was one person you would credit for giving you inspiration to continue with your music and creativity as an artist, whom would that person be and why?
Jarboe: I have to say that person is myself. My own will is what keeps me going at this point.
Last Sigh: Do you have any thoughts or worries about the upcoming Y2K (Year 2000) computer glitch situation?
Jarboe: I do not plan on being up in the air in a plane.
Last Sigh: When can we expect a new release and in what direction are you taking your music in terms of content, themes and style?
Jarboe: Disburden Disciple is most likely coming out in January 2000. I can only promise listeners that it will be a surprise and features material in styles they may not expect. Thematically, the album is about obsession. The 'disburden disciple' will go to great lengths to lay down their burden. They will drill a hole in their heads (trepanning) and they will worship love or sex or power or god.....
Last Sigh: Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with us. Is there anything else you might wish to share with us?
Jarboe: The Living Jarboe band is playing Moreland Tavern in Atlanta this winter with DeAundra Peek (see my interview with Rosser on my site..) This show will be filmed and recorded for a live cd and video .....The Living Jarboe band is playing out in spring/summer 2000. Disburden Disciple is out in January 2000 and will be a cd rom. I will be featured in a project (not my band) involving Percy Howard and Bill Rieflin in January 2000 with a concert at Great American Music Hall on January 26. Also , I am going to Los Angeles this October and will be writing about some people in the film community (and some Hollywood parties it seems I am going to) for my website- which will continue to feature conversations with various fascinating persons ...Currently I have conversations and interviews with Steve Severin, Lydia Lunch, Mark Spybey [D.V.O.A.], Tara Van Flower and others.
Visit: The Living Jarboe Web Site
Contact: Jarboe
Read our review of: Anhedoniac
