javahead is the isolated solo project of multi-instrumentalist Paul Dunne, an artist who recently moved home to sunny southern California after a decade on the east coast. His debut LP ‘pinball is legal‘ encapsulates an array of emotions that arose over the latter half of 2023 – from the ending of a five year relationship that prompted the 3,000 mile move, a brief infatuation that blossomed and dissolved in the months that followed, a dependency on coffee, a questioning of one’s artistic worth, aliens, and the ironic anxiety of a busy beautiful day.
The entirety of the album was recorded in Paul’s home studio setup in California and his Boston living room. Using a university background in audio recording, ‘pinball is legal‘ shows that the hindrances of a living space studio and one-man effort don’t hold back from creating a full-fledged indie rock album. Electrifying riffs and throttling drums are juxtaposed with serene guitars (often recorded on an acoustic 1920s parlor guitar), gliding synths and playfully jagged basslines. The final product lands somewhere between indie folk and garage rock, giving CSNY intention with Jeff Rosenstock execution.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with javahead about the latest project, AI, dream collabs, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new trend?
It’s a stark reality but could be used in some minimally creative ways. It’s all a shortcut – instead of hiring a mastering engineer you can master through AI online, create lyrics and chord progressions from basic prompts; I think it comes down to the context and execution of the use of AI. If it’s lazy, then it’ll sound lazy. I try to let bad music exist as it is.
Can you choose a favorite song of all time? Or is this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
I can never just pick one – my current Top 3 are:
Be My Baby – The Ronettes
Friction – Television
The Earth Won’t Hold Me – Kathy Heideman
What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
My intent with any musical release is that it has to be journalistic to some degree. If I’m able to put thoughts and memories onto paper and into music, I can kinda let go of them easier. It’s a constant process for me. Now that I have this moment in time encapsulated in sonic amber I can move on to what’s next.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
At this point it’s more of a habit than it is a hobby. Some days I’m able to write a song, some days there’s nothing. I still try to record something every week regardless of if there’s a project for it or not. That snowballs into an album pretty quickly
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
There’s this artist from Chicago who has some singles I’ve been obsessed with, Spills : www.spillsil.bandcamp.com, Entangled and Big Drip have been go-to bops since they released. Would love to be in the studio with this guy, seems engaging.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
When I’m having a groggy morning (like I am today) I throw on some William Onyeabor. “Atomic Bomb”.
Favorite all-time band is a three-way tie between Funkadelic, Allman Brothers, and Black Sabbath.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
I’m so bad at social media but I just made an Instagram account (@javahead_). Bandcamp and Spotify are good too. www.acidsmoothie.net will also have some updates now and then.
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
In self-collaboration, I made an instrumental album (Pinball Hits by Lithium Tremors) for a silly little online pinball game I made. You can play the demo on www.acidsmoothie.net/pinball/machine.html (best viewed on mobile – it’s constantly kinda broken but I’m updating when I can).
