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May 2015
Name: Scott Cortez
Bands: lovesliescrushing, astrobrite
Websites: https://lovesliescrushing.bandcamp.com
QRD – How old were you when you first realized you wanted to be a professional musician?
Scott – When I was 2 or 3, the picture of me with the guitar that is on the Crush release is when I knew.
QRD – What are a few highlights of your musical career?
Scott – Becoming friends with great musicians I respect; meeting my idols - Robin Guthrie, Brendan Perry, Liz Frasier, Diamanda Galas, Phillip Glass, Kevin Shields; playing shows in Japan & Peru; & releasing some music that is influential.
QRD – At what age did you decide you wanted to become a father?
Scott – 23.
QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your family has had on your career?
Scott – The negative, babies & 4 tracks don’t mix. The positive, seeing your child inherit your skill, surpassing you, & making music with you.
QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your career has had on your family?
Scott – Being able to bring my kid on tour is great. The negative is that I am not rolling in dough.
QRD – Has your son effected the music you make &/or listen to?
Scott – My son introduced me to Moondog & he is also a self taught pianist.
QRD – Have you had problems with the lack of steady money from a musical career providing the security you feel necessary in your household?
Scott – Yes, exactly. Soundtrack work is what I want to do. I don’t know what is up with Gregg Arraki, but he needs to use some of my music for one of his movies. Come on now Gregg, I would even give it away for free.
QRD – Given the limitations having a family has on being a touring musician, would you have toured more earlier in life if you’d known?
Scott – Yes.
QRD – Do you think being a father or a musician has a greater impact on your community?
Scott – Being a father has greater impact. Thinking of a specific person forever & how they will go out into the world & affect it for the better. The music I make is more esoteric & fulfills unique needs for people, but I don’t have to attend to it, it has a life of its own.
QRD – Would you rather see your son eventually become a musician or parent?
Scott – Well, he is a musician now, so I hope he is a parent, but years & years from now. No rush to be a GILF yet.
QRD – Both family & music seem like things that will take up as much of your time as you’re willing to put in. How do you end up dividing your time?
Scott – Well, we split up a long time ago & Melissa remarried, but I get along great with her so that was never a problem. Most families that split are toxic. I bless my lucky stars that this didn’t happen to me & I was able to see my son as much as I could. Now my kid is in college & I will go visit him there as much as possible or take him on touring adventures with me.
QRD – What does your son think of your music?
Scott – He likes it. Thinks it’s cool. Some kid recognized his Astrobrite t-shirt in school & they were like, “You know that band?” & he was like, “Yeah, it’s my dad.” Ha. Love it.
QRD – Do you think you could ever do a musical project with your son?
Scott – Already have, a piano album called The Earth Glows Brightly, it is just him improvising & me adding effects & treatments to it. Think Harold Budd meets Fennesz
QRD – Any words of advice to young people?
Scott – Be safe, have adventures, & don’t ever get old. Old is when you give up.
