Q: To begin with I'd like to thank you for meeting me at Starbucks for this interview Gregor. It is my understanding that leaving the abbey is generally frowned upon unless it's on a mission of benevolence. Did you get in any trouble from your fellow monks by coming here?
A: First of all... this is a benevolent act on several levels. I'm helping you enlighten your readership
while helping myself to a tall, triple-shot Americano. My brothers at the abbey should be grateful for
my mission here... for upon my return later... I'll be buz....well-energized... for afternoon chores. As
far as repercussions involving my absence, might I also remind my brothers to never trouble trouble
until trouble troubles you.
Q: Do any other of your brothers leave the abbey to come to Starbucks on occasion?
A: I hear another brother monk right here as we sip... and he sounds quite fine through the ceiling
speakers...albeit his playing is a bit angular for my taste. Thelonious is one of the hippest Monks I
know of.
Q: Which came first for you Gregor... your passion for music or your passion for baking?
A: Truthfully, the answer is a chicken or egg scenario. From my earliest memories I've always been
excited around anything crusty or dusty... and melodic or hypnotic. Keeping a yeast strain going is
just as exhilerating as keeping a melismatic plainchant going for an extended time... It's just whether
you choose to channel Julia Child or Whitney Houston... it's a win-win either way.
Q: Could you tell us about the Christmas album project you've embarked upon... and whether the
fact that it's part of your penance changes the creative process in any way?
A: The project has been on overall rewarding and cathartic experience... except for the occasional
high-F. I contemplated for quite some time...during meditation...what I should name this album. It
has really developed an evolved like a rising sourdough. At first... I was leaning toward calling it
MERRYIUS CHRISTMASEUM but it's percolated into the working name at this point...
MONKAPELLA: CLOSE TO ORGANUM. Perhaps a bit edgier and less 'holiday'... but my reasoning
is that it may reach a wider audience and allow for a few non-holiday tracks. As far as being a part
of my penance...immersion in the creative process is always part joyous... and part painful... similar
to self-flagellation... or high-F's
Q: I know you weren't always a practicing monk. What inspired you to choose this lifestyle and to embrace the kind of music you've been making at this time?
A: I had a very serious Middle Ages Crisis about five years ago... and instead of strapping myself behind the wheel of a red BMW I decided to go 'old school'.
Q: Is there any way you might be able to give us a sample of one of the tunes from your new album?
A: Actually...no. If I had an agent I'm quite sure that she would insist on my holding something back until the actual release date. Why would my audience buy my bread if they're getting my baguette for free? I will, however, be willing to share a recording of one of my sound checks in the abbey. This may give you a taste of the kind of sound quality to expect.
Q: That would be great... let's give a listen...
(click on play button on right to hear sound check)
Q: Will you be going directly back to the abbey this evening?
A: Not directly. I have a meeting with Brother Anthony at the garden tonight.
Q: At the Botanical Gardens?
A: No. Madison Square Garden... and Brother Carmelo Anthony is, with proper prayers and humility, gonna put a good, old-fashioned hurt onto our Brooklyn playas. Might I just say..."In Your Face Jay Z!"
Part II of the Gregor Ian Chance interview by MONKS MODE magazine will appear in a future post.
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