Recently we featured Build Us Fiction from Cincinatti, OH. This is some great music and we thought it would be nice to talk with Build Us Fiction a bit…
Let’s get to know Michael Schenk, the artist and music a little better.
What attracted you to styles you practice?
During my freshman yeah of college I was looking through my friend’s iPod, one of the giant iPods with the spin wheel, and came across an album called, “The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me,” by the band Brand New. The album title was so honest and furious, yet mysterious. It made me wonder what the songs sounded like, what stories were inside. Even though I was anticipating what was going to come, the first track took me by surprise and the rest of the changed how I saw music.
How long have you been making music? Have you been performing or sharing it with the public all that time?
I started playing guitar when I was 13 in 2001. I couldn’t sing then and never expected that I could learn. The opening scene of the movie, “Once,” when Glen Hansard is busking on the streets of Dublin at night made want to start singing.
Who or what influences your writing and performance?
I wrote these songs while living in Santiago, Chile. I went there expecting to learn a lot and find new experiences, but was shaken at the magnitude of how much learning happened and needed to occur. During that year John Steinbeck was a main source of teaching. “Grapes of Wrath,” and even more so, “East of Eden,” helped me comprehend the lessons.
It seems all creative people go through rough patches or writer’s block of some sort. What motivates you to keep going?
Cincinnati has a great collection of musicians that really special. There are local shows at small venues that can rattle you when you least expect it. That’s a great motivator, often when you aren’t even aware that you need a good dose of inspiration.
Were you trying to accomplish something different or specific with this project – creatively or otherwise?
In Santiago I only had an acoustic guitar. I couldn’t hide behind my guitar pedals that I loved so much. So I tuned my guitar to alternate tunings so that I had no idea what notes I was playing. Then I just played around until I found sounds that intrigued me.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Where Have You Been?” by Manchester Orchestra. I listened to the album that this is on for the entirety of the 2012 summer. It was on constant repeat.
Do you prefer a certain medium for listening – vinyl, CDs, mp3, reel-to-reel, Pono,(lol sort of)?
Listening to a vinyl record at home just feels great. But I also love the discovery capabilities of Spotify. Every Monday I dig into the “Doscovery” playlist that Spotify puts together based on similar things to what I listen to. I’ve found a lot of great music that I didn’t know by listening this way.
If you had to choose one place to host your music, would you prefer Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, or … ?
Bandcamp feels like most intimate connection with a band out of all the options.
Do you ever feel as if your tunes are lost in a sea of music? What are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract new listeners?
Strategically walking the line of engaging people and staying in their mind, but not going overboard and becoming annoying is the tricky part. I’ve seen interaction dwindle because fans started ignoring everything a band posted on social media. My game plan has been to be honest and open. So far the small amount of people that have followed and reacted to us have seemed to connect.
Are you playing on live stages, clubs, bars, the local town picnic, festivals?
We have played in Cincinnati and have more local shows coming up that are really exciting. There’s one in November that will be a blitzkrieg of energy. I’d love to reach the capability of playing out of town a lot. I want to eat a lot of peanut butter and jelly on the road and eventually get sick of it.
Do you ever stream your performances over the net? Where can music lovers see you perform?
We are playing next at Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky on September 3rd.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and/or discover more of your music?
The easiest place to contact us with messages and receive updates is our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/buildusfiction/
Can you share an anecdote or tale of woe or inspiration like a story about an out-of-touch club manager, your favorite fan interaction, broken busses, or you know… just some experience in your musical journey you’ll never forget?
When my mom reminds everyone at a show that they can be the #2 fan, because she is the #1 fan. It’s embarrassing and fantastic at the same time.
Lightning Round
What’s your favorite ice cream?
Pistachio ice cream drives me crazy.
Dream vehicle?
My dad’s 67 Corvette
Sailing yacht, catamaran, bass boat, or kayak?
Kayak
Place on Earth you must visit some day
New Zealand and Iceland [hey, that’s Two, man!]
Batman or Spiderman?
Batman
James Bond or Jason Borne?
Jason Bourne would pummel Bond
Bugs Bunny or Anime?
I grew up with Bugs and my favorite stuffed animal
Favorite beer or beverage of pleasure?
A dark, malty porter.
Movie or book quote you are liable to drop at the wrong moment?
“Now that you no longer have to be perfect, you can finally be good.” -East of Eden
Left with a choice of one instrument, which would you keep?
The jazzmaster that I built with my dad.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Don’t hide or stifle your enthusiasm.
