A Dialogue with Mike Patton

What would happen if one of the planet’s most talented, busy and (how shall I put this) eclectic, musical artists decided to bring trip-hop into the 21^st century? Peeping Tom would be the answer.

Peeping Tom is the newest musical endeavor from the ever talented, always busy and usually unusual Mike Patton (Faith No More, Tomahawk, Mr. Bungle & Lovage). In this, easily his most accessible project since Faith No More, Patton shows us what he thinks pop music should be, electric, sexual and always diverse. Bring together a multifarious cartel of eclectic musicians including: Norah Jones – only Mike Patton could get her to sing in a lascivious, breathy, evilly-sexual voice “What makes you think you’re my only lover? The truth kinda hurts don’t it motherfucker?” – Odd Nosdam, Rahzel, Dan the Automator, Massive Attack, Kid Koala, Amon Tobin and Kool Keith.

With the recent release of Peeping Tom’s first single, “Mojo”, from their self titled debut album and the even more recent release of the “Mojo” video things seem to be moving right along for Patton and crew. The “Mojo” video was directed by the very young (19) and extreme hot new video director Matt McDermitt, showing that Patton can always spot the brightest and most talented new artists that the music industry has to offer.

The video is a star-packed, late-night, post-coital, channel-flipping escapade that might be a glimpse of what it’s like to be inside Patton’s head.Patton and Rahzel appear in front of a multi-coloured test card inside the television and appear randomly as the channel flipper flips channels; as the television “shows” pass by you see Rachel Hunter selling beer, Mark Hoppus and Dan the Automator being arrested and dragged out of a building, C.O.P.S style, and watch for the brief but unforgettable appearance by one of Patton’s best friends Danny Devito.

As for being inside Patton’s head, he recently gave me a quick look in the form of an email interview.After much toing and froing – I asked some questions, he answered them, then re-directed questions – we got some interesting stuff out of him. The following are some of the highlights of our email interview.

What music are you currently listening to – and by that I don’t mean what is currently playing while you read this.What flavours are the biggest influences on you and on Peeping Tom?

I really love Sigur Rós, Burt Bachrach and Gnarls Barkley these days.

What do you think of the current craze of Mash-ups?

Like anything. I’ve heard some good and some VERY bad ones.

I have found that mash-ups have exposed me to new types of music and artists I would never have listened otherwise.Do you think that maybe they can expose a wider section of society to your sound? Expand your fan base?

I don’t think so. To be honest I don’t think they will be relevant for very long. But they are fun.

So did Mash-ups have any influence on you when making Peeping Tom?

Not in the least, besides the fact that my head is a constant mash up.

What were your influences for Peeping Tom? What are your musical influences generally?

I don’t really limit my influences. Everything in my life influences me, from my morning coffee to each meal. Really hard to nail down. Danny Devito influences me!

What is your opinion of downloading and the MP3/iPodders rights once they have purchased a CD (out with illegalities)? What do you think they should be allowed to do with a CD after they have purchased it? This is becoming a very big issue and as both an artist and a label owner you will have an interesting point of view on this.

I love iPods and MP3 players. I love gadgets. if you paid for the music you should be able to listen to it however you want, but you should not be able to distribute it however you want. It is a tricky situation, though truth of the matter is the whole issue is soooo far out of the artists hands, that is what bothers me. I could care less what labels or the “music industry” thinks.

Are you familiar with social bookmarking i.e. del.ico.us or TailRank. How would you tag Peeping Tom?

No I’m not. But I probably would not be interested in tagging Peeping Tom what with all the diseases flying around.

After a brief explanation of social bookmarking Mike came back with:

sexy, platinum, Lakers, food, Devito, stooped, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Where are you in your life currently? And what influence did this have on Peeping Tom?

Where am I? In San Francisco getting ready to tour. Happier than I have ever been.

Will there be more from Peeping Tom after this album and tour?

Yes, lots more!

You are known as the side-project-king, what else are you working on? Anymore solo projects in the works?

I got lots going on. Another Tomahawk. An orchestrated record with Eyvind Kang, a couple film scores, another Lovage.

I found you referred to (on the internet) as a genius – a lot! Are you? Or is it just those voices in your head?

Not near a genius.

Who would you consider to be a living musical genius?

Willie Nelson, Ennio Morricone, Jerry Lee Lewis

What is your favourite track on Peeping Tom and why? What is your least favourite track and why?

Nope! Can’t play that game. They are my kids!!!

Um…just one last question for me, How did you get Norah Jones to say Motherfucker? And in such a libidinous tone?

You want the truth? Well the rumor that she lost a game of truth or dare is not true. The simple answer is….that I asked her to. She is a great person and a supremely talented artist.

And with that our interview was over. If you would like to listen to some of the tracks from Peeping Tom’s debut album you can visit the Peeing Tom MySpace page.