High Bias #9

NAME: John Bisset

BIO: Born 1960 - Stockport, England.

John Bisset received early training on the piano, but from eleven preferred the guitar, on which he was left to his own devices.

 His teenage works were compositions and structures for improvisations on the piano, guitar, viol and assorted objects (paint tins, tent poles, etc). Also singer/songwriter with new wave bands. He attended art college and combined the musical and visual in various forms.

He has continued in the same vein - composing for large groups of improvisers - making songs and short films.

Lives in London.

WEBSITE: www.2-13.co.uk 

Do you read reviews of your work? 

Not if I can help it

Do you reread them? Save them? Quote them?

Used to - still use some quotes

Have reviews ever had an effect upon the way you approach your work? For better or worse? How?

They come up with intentions you never thought of, and then sometimes you start believing them, adopting these intentions, so you can end up doing stuff you never intended to do. Not a problem except that it can waste time and lead to disappointment when you fall short of said marker...

Are there writers you hope will (or won't) write about your work?

No opinion, but you, Kurt, were excellent, in that you seemed a genuine fan with a broad interest in me and the music - not after an 'angle'. Stewart Lee also.

Have you ever written to a reviewer or publication in response to a negative review of your work? a positive one?

Nope

Are there reviewers who you consider to be your friends? Do they write about your work? How does that make you feel?

Stewart Lee. Does same sort of business conjuring up stuff you never meant - but always a positive slant and usually boosts sales.

Have you ever been told by a writer that they feel too close to you personally to write about your work? What was your reaction?

nope

Have you ever felt that a writer was trying to get something out of you, or get back at you, or had some other ulterior motive in what they wrote about you? Please explain.

nope

Have you ever published anything you wrote about someone else's music? How often? Do you continue to write about music?

nope

Do you think there was a time in the past when music journalism was better or worse than it is now? Why or why not?

no opinion

Anything you'd like to add?

nope

Anything you want to ask me?

how are the woods this autumntime?