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SPIEGEL: How come youīre pushing
other musicians careers and present almost unknown artists at the
Meltdown festival in London under the motto "Outside Music"?
Bowie: I`m fascinated by many of
the artists who perform there - especially because the regular
RockīnīRoll audience could hardly bear watching them. For example a guy
called Daniel Johnston, who is a folk legend within certain circles, and
who had severe psychological problems. Since the beginning of the 80ies
heīs been writing beautiful songs with very touching lyrics. He recorded
his songs at his parents house and his guitar and piano playing was
rather bad. Afterwards he went to a shop and bartered his tapes for
comics. That's how his recordings started circulating and he got a bit
famous in Austin/Texas. Heīs still living with his parents now.
SPIEGEL: Why are you so
interested in this type of hopeless outsider?
Bowie: I hate mainstream. Its
mediocrity and calculability make me sick. A man like Daniel Johnston
records just for himself. Itīs this almost primitive integrity which
makes his work so unique and authentic. It reminds me of aspects that
made me love art in the first place. |
