Interview with Scott Lyle Raymond [scottlyleraymond] on Whohub

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What do you do? What is your musical specialty?

I compose art music for a small combo, and perform in various rock, pop, and jazz groups. I've been with the hard art-rock group Avengers Assemble! for a couple of years now.

Do you work alone or in a group? If in a group, who are the others you work with?

Besides Avengers Assemble!, I freelance in jazz club combos and wedding bands. I'm working on a project called *<|:^{)} (emoticlaus) with some guys from Milwaukee. We haven't started rehearsing yet.

Is there a web address where one can listen, see, or read some of your work?

You could look for me at GarageBand.com, but I'm reluctant to point people to my work to date. I feel like it's all been in preparation for what's to come.

Please list discography in which you have participated.

With Schwa I released one studio album and one live bootleg. I appeared on the Spliffs' album "Egress." A Jazz Quartet I once played in, The Moka Mena Quartet, released a CD entitled "Midwest Coast." Avengers Assemble's CD, "Crushed," is available at the iTunes and Amazon sites. That last one is the only one I'm comfortable showing off.

How did you begin making music? Who introduced you?

I picked it up out of pure personal interest as a kid. I got an air organ for Christmas when I was about seven, and plunked out simple melodies by ear. One thing led to another. I posted a timeline at wisconsinguitar.com.

What was your musical education?

I was in band from 5th grade on, first with clarinet, then saxophone, french horn, and percussion. I picked up the guitar on my own around 7th grade, teaching myself to play along with B.B. King recordings. By the time I was in college, I began studying classical guitar formally. I went back to jazz and rock after I graduated. Most of my musical education wasn't in guitar studios, I suppose. I actually majored in music theory.

When did you realise that making music could be a way of life for you?

This is cheesy, but I remember deciding to take music seriously after I watched Amadeus. I was a High School freshman at the time.

What is your creative process?

I can't say I have a set process. I keep Sibelius, Logic, and blank manuscript paper handy in my office and hash out ideas in one of several ways, depending on the nature of the idea. Sometimes my pieces are seeded by a phrase, or a harmony. Other times, I approach a composition like a puzzle. For example, I might challenge myself to write something pointillistic. Or I might get the urge to alter an existing set of changes.

When do you have your most lucid moments, in the morning or night?

I work best at night, mostly because I have a family and it's the only time I'm alone. I typically write or practice from 9 pm to 2 am. On the other hand, I often wake up in the morning with melodic fragments in my head that I must write down. Usually, I review them later and find they are no good. But some stick.

Have you ever awoken with a melody created from your dreams?

Not necessarily in my dreams, but during a waking dream.

How do you know when a song is finished or needs no more changes?

When I run out of ideas and it's long enough! Seriously though, if the song feels like it develops to an "escape point" of sorts, then I begin to see it as complete.

What part of your job is your least favourite?

How often do you practice?

As often as possible, which is almost never. I used to stay up until the wee hours when I was much younger. I'd get into a trance and not snap out of it until fatigue made it difficult to focus. I still enter that state when I practice nowadays; I just don't get as many opportunities.

How do you feel right before going out on stage?

It depends on the venue. I am most nervous when I'm unsure if the set I'm about to play is appropriate for the audience. Is it too loud or heavy? Too corny? Too experimental? Too many covers? Too many originals? Can I relax and just make music, or will I feel pressure to play for the musicians in the audience?

When I feel like I understand the audience, then I feel very natural, as if going on stage is like punching in at a day job.

Which musicians or groups have been inspiring to your career?

The one guitarist who influenced me more than any other is John Scofield. I also am a big fan of Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, Thelonius Monk, Mr. Bungle, John Zorn, Meshuggah, Soul Coughing, ZZ Top, and the Beatles. Each of those artists or groups has contributed in some specific way to my development. Lately the one person who has served as a model for everything I'm doing -- composition, set planning, band organization, etc. -- is Frank Zappa. He is clearly the most important single rock musician of all time.

List three songs that are key to your life.

If I had to pick just three that enriched me more than any other, I think they'd be Strawberry Fields, New Frontier, and Florentine Pogen.

What should be done to stop piracy?

I never really felt the urgency that others do in dealing with it. We all pirated stuff via cassette back in the day. The music industry must adapt, not fight.

What type of music do you detest?

I cannot stand the dumbed down style of hip-hop that has become so popular lately. I have nothing against hip-hop in general; but the new stuff I've been hearing is just glorified cheerleading. It's mindless chanting of catch phrases set to music that takes absolutely no skill to produce.

What time did you get up this morning?

A rare morning for me -- 7:00.

What other things have you done to make a living?

I've worked in retail -- specifically tech related -- for over a decade.

Who would you play with, without a doubt?

I would join the Zappa Plays Zappa group in a heartbeat.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the business?

Don't practice to become a rock star. Practice to become a session player.

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