Lithuanian Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Aistis has returned with his third full-length album, Caviar For Seagulls. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
For starters, I've been staring at this question with a blank, empty expression on my face for the past fifteen-minutes, wondering how and why it is so difficult to answer what should seemingly be an easy question with no single correct answer, so perhaps that is the answer in and of itself that informs the reader a bit about me (haha).
It is currently morning and at this moment I am drinking half a pot of coffee while contemplating how feasible it is for me to adopt-a-kitten and name it "Blue".
My hobbies include going to the movies solo, reading at a bar, and losing years off my life every time the Toronto Raptors play.
How would you describe your music?
Arguably, this is even more difficult to answer than the previous question, but I would say my music is lyrically driven art-folk/alternative-folk that is sensitive, is a smidge self-indulgent, and has a good sense of humour. I asked my friend and the brilliant writer Iva Celebič if she would write my artist bio for me as I find it incredibly difficult to have perspective in regards to writing about the writing/work itself, so I’ll quote her below which may offer a more succinct answer:
"Using wit and candour as mortar and pestle to grind the ego into finer granules of inner truth - Aistis is a Lithuanian Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist living in Montreal. Disrupting the usual love songs with his eccentric and feverish attention to others, he explores his sunken expressions by creating his own folklore. He performs an exaggerated imitation of himself, freeing his hypersensitivities through poetic repetition and detailed sonic arrangements. Everyday objects become manic symbols, as he traverses his imagined existential meadow, always pointing fingers to the big cosmic jokes."
I mean, it practically sells itself. If that doesn’t scream "what a great time!", then I don’t know what does.
Who are your musical inspirations?
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I’ll try to stick to the big ones as this list could very well be endless: Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Father John Misty, Randy Newman, Silver Jews/Purple Mountains, Richard Swift, Cass McCombs, Adam Green, Harry Nilsson, Joni Mitchell, Aldous Harding, Weyes Blood, Blake Mills, Andy Shauf, as well as lots of classical and jazz stuff like Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Satie, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, Mulatu Astatke, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
There were lots of shows as a kid that I saw with my parents at local festivals, but the first concert that I intentionally got tickets to was Green Day on their American Idiot tour in '04. It was pure heat.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I think it also must’ve been American Idiot by Green Day. I’m having a hard time remembering but I think that was the catalyst for what sparked my eternal complete obsession with music.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’ve been on a big Dylan kick again lately, and there’s this beautiful alternate version of You’re a Big Girl Now on More Blood, More Tracks that is utterly heart wrenching and Dylan at his most intimate. I think I’d have to say either that or Mahashmashana by FJM.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Utterly impossible to answer, but I’ll list a few that come to mind off the top of my head: "In 1984, I was hospitalised for approaching perfection" - David Berman.
"Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling, and I would still be on my feet" - Joni Mitchell
"Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free" - Leonard Cohen
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What a horrific situation. Hmm. Nocturne No.2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No.2 - Frédéric Chopin.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Wherever you stream music! Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, etc., as well as via my socials below: Bandcamp, Apple Music, Facebook, Instagram.
Alan Corr
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