Jeremy Finkelstein is a drummer and a DJ, among other things. He preferred to be interviewed over IM rather than the phone.
SFNS says: (1:50:14 PM)
You always go back and forth between doing lots of creative things and then seeming like you don’t want to do stuff. What changes?
Jeremy says: (1:50:49 PM)
Hmm…there are multiple factors.
Jeremy says: (1:51:23 PM)
One would be mood. Another would be opportunities.
SFNS says: (1:51:57 PM)
when youre in a bad mood you do less stuff?
SFNS says: (1:53:28 PM)
J?
Jeremy says: (1:53:51 PM)
I am bipolar but have been on medication, properly, for a couple of years. I still have mild mania and mild depressive times. This usually corresponds to the seasons.
Jeremy says: (1:54:28 PM)
Creativity is common with bipolars.
SFNS says: (1:54:51 PM)
How come you get bored with drumming and playing in bands?
Jeremy says: (1:55:02 PM)
When they are in mania, they believe more in themselves and usually do things that they would regularly not do.
Jeremy says: (1:56:30 PM)
There is always a distance between a drummer and the rest of the band. It all depends on what input you have into it. I recently played with Blues and it was more of an organic experience. So it was more interesting being part of the process. Where, in other bands, the aesthetic was pretty much set up.
SFNS says: (1:56:54 PM)
but if you don’t play for a while, do you miss it?
Jeremy says: (1:56:56 PM)
With bands, they tend to write 10 songs, play 100 shows and maybe write a couple of more during that time period.
Jeremy says: (1:58:01 PM)
The creative aspect usually slows down and the aesthetic is set. So, you are spending 100s of hours, going to shows, and everything else and when it comes to creativity…that is only when the songs are getting molded.
Jeremy says: (1:58:37 PM)
Sorry, I have a lot to say and I need to finish my thoughts.
SFNS says: (1:58:48 PM)
go for it
Jeremy says: (1:59:29 PM)
When it comes to the excess (playing shows, labels, band meetings)…this is not creative. It might be considered anti-creative.
Jeremy says: (2:00:15 PM)
So, I find creativity exciting. Finding something and molding something with others. I’ve found that there’s not much of that.
Jeremy says: (2:00:46 PM)
As a drummer, I’m mostly part of the molding. So if these guys are writing 10 songs and playing 100 shows…it’s not worth it to me.
Jeremy says: (2:01:00 PM)
I’m best as a live drummer. It’s fun but it’s limiting.
Jeremy says: (2:01:18 PM)
Needless to say, I get bored.
Jeremy says: (2:01:47 PM)
So, to get back to the question: do you miss it?
SFNS says: (2:01:50 PM)
yeah
Jeremy says: (2:01:53 PM)
I do, at times.
Jeremy says: (2:02:11 PM)
Once the excess comes back into the equation…I usually don’t find it worth it.
Jeremy says: (2:02:31 PM)
It’s a Catch 22 and you’ll find most drummers aren’t fulfilled people.
SFNS says: (2:02:48 PM)
do you think that’s drummers or musicians?
Jeremy says: (2:03:24 PM)
It’s musicians…but I guess it’s musicians who are playing music that isn’t dear to them.
Jeremy says: (2:03:44 PM)
I haven’t met someone with the same ideas about music who is composing music that is moving.
Jeremy says: (2:04:08 PM)
I really like all the bands I play in but we never have had the same interest in what we are doing.
Jeremy says: (2:04:28 PM)
The experience with Blues has been a good one, because there’s exchanging of ideas.
Jeremy says: (2:04:42 PM)
So it becomes whatever happens during the times we are figuring things out.
Jeremy says: (2:05:21 PM)
That’s interesting to me. But the music I want to make is very specific and I’m not at a skill level to make that music.
Jeremy says: (2:05:46 PM)
My idea of creativity differs from what indie music is.
SFNS says: (2:05:56 PM)
what kind of music do you want to make?
Jeremy says: (2:05:59 PM)
I’m interested in new, modern music
Jeremy says: (2:06:09 PM)
free rap music.
Jeremy says: (2:06:26 PM)
I don’t know if I ever will. It’s an idea and not reality.
SFNS says: (2:06:42 PM)
Was working on a play more satisfying?
Jeremy says: (2:07:31 PM)
I was manic during that experience. I had no idea what I was doing. It turned out because there was an honesty. There was true emotion and people connected to it.
Jeremy says: (2:07:55 PM)
I feel disconnected from it because I was manic. It’s more of something a crazy kid did.
Jeremy says: (2:08:27 PM)
It makes me smile.
SFNS says: (2:08:43 PM)
you have way more friends than me
SFNS says: (2:08:50 PM)
do think making friends is a creative act?
Jeremy says: (2:09:04 PM)
Hmmm
Jeremy says: (2:09:13 PM)
Can you be more specific?
SFNS says: (2:09:44 PM)
Is the same part of you that makes you want to make music connected to the part of you that makes friends?
Jeremy says: (2:11:38 PM)
It’s something to think about. I don’t go out and try and make friends. If it happens, it happens. I’m not trying to mold relationships
SFNS says: (2:11:52 PM)
last question
SFNS says: (2:12:02 PM)
what’s the last creative thing you did?
Jeremy says: (2:12:09 PM)
In all honesty, it’s a question I have to think about more. So many facets.
Jeremy says: (2:12:32 PM)
I made this site: www.myspace.com/romoroto2
Jeremy says: (2:12:54 PM)
I’m connected to this because it’s for fun and there’s no excess.
Tags: bipolar, creativity, drummer, jeremy finkelstein, making friends
