15 Questions About Art :: Jenny Andreotti
(photo credit: Ty Rose)
Jenny Andreotti is the lead singer of the band FUNERAL CLUB. She currently resides in Bakersfield, CA with her husband and band mate, Joseph Andreotti, where she works as a Librarian at a local K-8th school. Their new full-length album - FUNERAL CLUB :: The Year of the Bloody Sevens - is set to be released in Spring 2010.
She also runs a blog called Triumphs and Tragedies that is like a grown-up avant-garde version of Tiger Beat.
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What is your earliest art-related memory?
My grandparents had the most amazing collection of classic American films. I remember at an early age being introduced to actors like William Holden, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne (I’m not such a huge fan of Wayne but I’ve watched tons of his movies because he’s my grandpa’s hero).
Who has had the greatest influence on your work?
Musicians such as Nick Cave and Tom Waits have been a major influence. But at the same time all of the westerns by Sergio Leone have probably been more influential than anything. Once Upon A Time in the West is probably my favorite film of all time. Henry Fonda gives in my opinion the greatest villain performance of all time.
What are the main tools of your craft?
My brain or I guess my memory. I take in all of the films I love, the music I love, interesting historical figures, family stories and keep them in a mental file.
Is a formal education important?
Not when it comes to art. I think it can hinder you. Put it in your head that you can only make art “like this.” It takes your creativity away. An art education puts rules on something that should have no rules.
What is the biggest misconception about art?
The idea that there’s a right way and a wrong way to make a painting, a song, a film ect… to me is just plain wrong.
Which is more important in art - concept or execution?
If the concept isn’t there then there’s nothing to execute. So the concept is most important.
What theme or aesthetic are you most drawn too?
I’m such a huge fan of the murder ballad (in terms of old folk ballads). I used to worry that I write too many violent murder ballads, but then I thought so many artists build whole careers around writing love songs, why can’t I build a career around writing death songs.
What is your favorite piece of art in your home?
My grandpa recently took a trip to Gettysberg; there you can still find civil war bullets on the ground. My grandpa grabbed a bunch of them and took them back home to give to all of the men in my family, and he gave one to my husband. I love that bullet and my vintage Post magazines with Norman Rockwell paintings on the covers.
If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
It would have to be a duet with Nick Cave or creating a soundtrack for a Jim Jarmusch film. Even though I would probably be so nervous that I would hardly be able to function. I get nervous and shy very easily and it shows with my shaky hands.
Which emerging artist do you think more people should know about?
Our band has met so many great bands, venues, and organizations in the Echo Park area. There’s such a great art community there. We really have enjoyed all the shows we’ve played there and all of the people we’ve met there.
What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Just being able to say that I like about ninety percent of the songs that my husband and I (with help from Raymond Richards) have written together as Funeral Club [formerly The Grizzly Owls] is a huge achievement.
I’m usually very self-critical and end up hating most of what I do, but that hasn’t been the case with this band.
What has been your biggest roadblock?
We’re always racking our brains trying to figure out ways to spread the word of our music. We’ve tried to be as innovative as possible, but are always up for suggestions.
How do you define success?
If we could live comfortably off our music then I feel we would be successful. By comfortable I mean how we live now (in a two-bedroom apartment with one car, not in a mansion with three hummers).
What will be the name of your autobiography?
I don’t think anyone would want to read an autobiography about a woman who spends most of her time checking out Dr. Seuss books to elementary kids. Is that a good title?
What is the best piece of (art-related) advice you’ve ever been given?
Larry Little once told us that you have to focus on your band as if it were a full-time job; we’ve tried to do that as much as possible. It does become difficult sometimes with our regular full-time jobs, but we even look at our regular jobs as a means to produce more art.
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15 Questions about Art is an ongoing series in which we ask our collective favorite artists, writers, musicians, sleepy dreamers and object makers from across the creative spectrum to give us a glimpse into how they perceive art through a standard set of questions.
Please click here for the archives and check back next week for a fresh perspective.
