Music Q&A: Powersolo

What informs your music and songwriting?
Daily stuff like “Shit, I thought the bakery was open on Christmas morning, but it’s closed; where I’m I going to buy my rolls now? Dammit!” and “Your clothes don’t fit this town” comments or looks. “Why is it raining when the national weather forecast promised the sun would be shining?!” Shit like that!

How have you evolved as an artist over the years?
I’ve become more stubborn and leather-faced. But when I laugh I laugh hard and good. I hated my looks when I was a teen. Now I’m confident with my image and I stand my ground. Music is not unimportant. I’ve had to make tough decisions over the years, good and bad, but making decisions is important. I decided to stay true to the music as an art form and a freedom of speech, and not to go along with whatever the music business would hope or expect me to do.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
I’m on tour with the band. It takes all my time. I’m very happy with that. Playing live is the only way to stay on the move, evolve and search your ground. On the move. On the go. Fast and slow.

What’s on your rider?
Three bananas and two beers.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
My most, kind of, surreal experience (except for all the things I cannot tell you about) was at a show we played in the French Massif Central some seven years back. While playing Mean Old Cat a man with a chainsaw jumped up on stage and started chopping it apart.

What song do you wish you’d written?
Green Onions by Booker T.

What’s your worst lyric?
“I’m not the asshole. You’re the one! Asshole, asshole, , asshole. You’re the asshole!” (Asshole, Lemon Half Moon). But the song has eventually become a crowd live favourite, sort of an (un)official dedicated love song to our followers.