100 random facts about Smoking Drum – the second 10
11. I always prefer quality over convenience, almost without exception. I’d rather have some massive speakers taking up half the room, vinly LPs, a big camera…
12. Following on from the last point, I truly believe simple is best when it comes to quality. Any technology which rests heavily on its features is bound to be a load of rubbish! I’d rather have something with one feature which is done really well.
13. This also explains why I so love old technology, because so much old technology is simpler and, as a result seems to work better or sound better. Valves, big transformers and vinyl are the best examples of this – they’re so much better than CDs, digital downloaded audio, modern tiny transistor amps with horrible switching power supplies which focus entirely on convenience and being as small as possible.
14. I currently work on a farm. I never thought I’d say that!
15. I like 0.9mm propelling pencils, the fatter the lead the better. I always have two books with me, a notebook and a sketchbook.
16. Speaking of writing, I love using a fountain pen. Can’t stand biros. Horrible things. I believe in writing by hand as much as possible and not using the computer.
17. When it comes to creative things, such as music, film, art, I prefer flawed things to things which are perceived as “perfect”.
18. I love the films of people like Terry Gilliam, Jim Jarmusch, David Lynch, Krystof Kieslowski and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
19. My musical tastes are quite diverse but some of the artists I love are Amon Tobin, Built to Spill, David Byrne, Soul Coughing, Four Tet, Alias, Why?, Jaga Jassist, Squarepusher, Calexico, They Might Be Giants, David Bowie, Robyn Hitchcock, Sage Francis, Spoon, Deerhoof, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Seb Rochford, Menomena.
20. There are lots of things I used to do. I’m sure that’s the same with most people. But there aren’t many things I want to do.