Gonzales
Interview Marisa Brickman
Photography Leonard Greco
We first came across Gonzales in 2000 when we interviewed him with Peaches after a show in San Francisco (’SUP MAGAZINE Issue 9). At that stage in his career, he and Peaches were on a loved-up, electroclash, rap-infused tour of the States. Back then, we caught a glimpse of his rhyming skills but really had no idea about his musical virtuosity, his prowess on the piano and his mastery of real entertainment.
Born Jason Beck (a Jewish Canadian who has now, apparently, officially changed his name to Chilly Gonzales) he’s been playing piano since he was three years old. Gonzales has been in a slew of different bands with different names. He writes songs and he produces, having worked with artists as diverse as Feist and Jamie Lidell, and most recently Marina and the Diamonds, Cocknbullkid and Boys Noize. Right now, you’ll find him working on a feature length film Ivory Tower – the same name as his new record, set to be released later this year on Arts & Crafts – starring none other than Feist and Berlin techno stalwart Tiga. The film will be out in August, just in time for the Toronto International Film Festival. Now, this should be interesting.
The instrumental album Solo Piano (Universal Jazz, 2004) will remain in our Top 10 albums of all time. It’s a classically modern masterpiece of piano genius (Gonzales likes to remind people quite regularly that he is, in fact, a genius). Each song is as beautiful as the next and the mood it evokes is always a good one.
We like him best when he’s playing the piano and he seems to be doing a lot of that these days. He’s been touring his Piano Talk Show all over the world, a cabaret-type performance that features Gonzales solo on the piano, with a variety of different guests, including anyone from Jarvis Cocker to A-Trak to Andrew WK (an ongoing battle). He spits, he complains, he chastises and he definitely entertains.
In the fashion of quick and dirty, we came up with 50 Questions for Gonzo and here’s what he answered.
Where are you filming The Ivory Tower?
In my native Canada – scene of the crime.
What made you want to make a film?
It solved a bunch of unrelated problems. The film is yet another way to convince people of my ideas about entertainment; it should be ambitious and it should get a rise out of people.
What’s the plot in 140 characters or less?
A naïve, purist chess genius accepts capitalism.
Inspiration for the film and the album?
Chess, the brain, what to do after breaking a Guinness World Record.
Are you any good at chess?
Enthusiastic, not a natural. I’m as good at chess as I am at rapping.
Any bloopers from Tiga or Feist?
From Tiga there are endless improvisations and lengthening of lines. In a heart-rending speech about his father’s treatment of him, he ad-libbed, ‘And then Dad would play the bass solo from Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” (pause) with no amp’. Feist definitely bloops a lot. She’s more of a goof than an actor, like me.
What does success look like for you for the film?
It’s a new experience making a movie with no idea how, so it’s easier to have vague expectations. When I was releasing my first album, I didn’t know which magazine or radio station or DJ was an important one. Now I’ve observed the musical ecosystem enough to have specific goals, like ‘I better be on the cover of ’SUP MAGAZINE.’
Why did you work with Boys Noize?
He’s just better at the beats than I could be, but our taste and ideas about how to arrange my piano music are similar.
What did Boys Noize do on the new album and what did you do?
He produced it. I’m like the singer except I don’t sing much on the album, but the ‘piano’ is the lead singer.
Did you really legally change your name to Chilly?
Of course.
Does the little Mexican boy know you stole his name?
I bought it legally. Please don’t insinuate. When you insinuate you make an in-sin of you and eight.
Singing or rapping?
Singing is a diary, rap is an autobiography. That’s why it’s closer to talking than singing is. It’s more communicative in that it contains all the bullshit we say to other people.
Best and worst line in a rap ever?
Best: ‘brrrrr’ Gucci Mane. Worst: ‘Jesus walks’.
Best rapper ever?
Bulworth. Warren Beatty plays a rapping senator.
Instrument of choice?
Harmony.
Best sample you’ve ever used?
Terrible-bearded rapper Tech N9ne just settled out of court for using a bit of Solo Piano without permission. Sorry, I thought that said ‘sued’ not ‘used’.
Favorite gig in the past 12 months and why?
The Fela Kuti musical on Broadway because rappers brought it to Broadway and didn’t ruin it.
Why the dichotomy between serious and frivolous in your music?
What a big word. Die caught o’ me… Potato chips were invented when a put-upon chef decided to overcook potatoes ‘ironically’. You see a customer kept on returning his potatoes because they weren’t cooked enough. So the chef was trying to prove that cooking potatoes too long was somehow WRONG. So this chef’s ego basically invented ‘crisps’ as you call them. To me the creation of potato chips is neither frivolous nor serious.
Where do you get the most love?
Paris, Montreal, Berlin, London. In that order for now.
Will you do another ‘classical’ album like Solo Piano?
Fuckin’ A, I will.
Are there classical groupies?
Fuckin’ A there are. And now fans can buy the sheet music for Solo Piano, so when someone plays your piece THEMSELVES it’s a very intimate little zone. So this activates a certain ‘classical groupie’ paradigm.
What do you like best/dislike most about each:
Canada
Like: breakfast
Dislike: uncultured
America
Like: invented rap
Dislike: obesity
Germany
Like: pro-customer taxi regulation
Dislike: food
France
Like: food
Dislike: everything else
England
Like: satire
Dislike: DJ worship
French kissing or French pastries?
French Montana. Google him.
Where will you get a place in London?
Top secret. Not the East.
Cake or pie?
Thick fruit juice.
White or wheat?
Weed.
Social networking – a curse or a useful marketing tool?
The best thing to happen to young showbiz entrepreneurs.
Robes – terrycloth, cotton or other?
Cashmere only. You should know that. Do your research! REALLY! Chilly Gonzales in cotton is like Jools Holland impressing a hipster. Far from possible.
Slippers or sandals?
Duh.
Socks with slippers, sandals or fancy free feet?
Oh come on now. This is how to establish rapport with a genius? Alliteration?
Holiday of choice?
The ones that pay best.
Ultimate relaxation?
We are put on this planet to reproduce.
Vice of choice?
[Gonzales didn’t answer this one. Guess he doesn’t have any vices.]
Booze/cocktail of choice?
Alcohol is for regular people.
Cheese of choice?
’70s soft rock.
Herbivore or carnivore?
Omni.
Babies? Like them or scared of them?
Kissing babies is the ‘typical’ way a politician uses to humanize himself. I sometimes feel the need to show more humanity, so, yes, I love babies.
Favorite hotel?
Old Mill in Toronto.
Hotel ‘musts’?
Windows that open, bathtub big enough for an ogre.
Biggest hotel bummer?
It’s been a while since my last hotel ‘bummer’ as you call it, as I spend the time necessary to avoid nasty surprises.
Hand luggage or checked baggage?
Hand if possible. What a question. Do you realize how much musical knowledge I could be sharing with your demographic right now?
The moment you realized you wanted to make music for a living?
When my racist grandfather finally told me I was a genius.
Was there a moment when you ever second-guessed that decision?
Every morning, Marisa. Every morning.
Best thing on your rider?
Fresh socks.
Snuggling or canoodling?
Hypnotism. The long con.
