Getting to Know...Scott Seskind

Scott Seskind may very well be the undiscovered Bob Dylan. The independent folk musician carries a reservoir of talent and amazing songs that have gone unnoticed for some time. Seskind creates a powerful sound that tells the stories of life’s indecision, and builds a wall against corruption like Dylan’s protest songs.

Scott Seskind uses intense, repeating guitar chords along with his dense voice to create his fast, rough, and yet soothing songs. Traditionally styled folk songs like “I Wonder” echo a similarly dark tone to Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War”. “This Is My Country” attacks the current, distressed social climate of the United States. Scott Seskind plays a contemporary, yet old time Folk somewhere between Woody Guthrie and Simon & Garfunkel.

Scott Seskind recently reissued a download of his 1985 record and 1991 cassette through Yoga Records. You can listen at http://www.seskind.com and download at http://digital.othermusic.com/search/full.php?FULL=441024.

The Exclusive Scott Seskind Interview

MCMB: How long have you been playing music?

My sister Lori who sings better than I do (which isn't saying much) taught me a D and an A7 which let me play "Skip to My Lou" and then I added the G and the C and finally the Am and the Em and that's about as far as I got. But I really started writing songs when I was 18 or so after seeing my friends sing on the streets of Westwood. I played trombone in the Jr High band and fell off the stage riser in the middle of a song during the holiday parent's show. As you can hear from these songs, musicianship is not my strong suit.

MCMB: If you could describe your music in any way, how would you?

How about stripped down and emotional?

MCMB: Which earlier musicians have influenced you the most?

Have to go with Zimmy, Neil Young and some Clash.

MCMB: How has your music evolved since you began playing?

I don't see much evolution and I'm not writing like I was when these two records came out. I used to feel like I had to get what I was thinking out but now I can have a big thought or realization and not write it down. I think most people have big thoughts and realizations and never write them down. I've never been very motivated to succeed commercially at music or photography and I guess that partly explains why I haven't.

MCMB: What's your ultimate direction for you and your music?

I don't really have an ultimate direction but it would be fun to write a song that became popular and allowed me to sing on Letterman and travel around. I want to keep my job at the nursing home and keep riding my bike and paddling my canoe and I think it would be fun to have grandkids.

MCMB: Describe the music making process for you in the making of your previous albums.

I think I wrote most of the lyrics in coffee shops and restaurants and then I'd take them home and start playing guitar until I found something that seemed to fit emotionally. Like musicianship, I don't think melody or song craftsmanship are my strengths. Then I just recorded them on my four track cassette recorder with one vocal mic and one on the guitar. On some songs you can hear a few instruments or backing vocals that were added after the basic track. My very old friend (and by very old I mean he's very old) Chris Hickey played bass and scissors on "I Wonder" and sang on "Here I Am". He has a new record out called "Razzmatazz" which I named. I also took the root photo which is on the cover. We recorded those two songs in his broom closet and were surprised how good they came out.

MCMB: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge who's helped you get to where you are today?

It's hard to know where I am today. Maybe it's more like who do I want to blame. I think of the usual acceptance speech; thanks to parents, sisters, friends, wife and children but I'd like to acknowledge all the people I've worked with over the years who are outside the mainstream and have had to deal with being diagnosed with a physical or mental illness. They're the ones who have shown me you can say great things and do great things without having to write them down. And there are all the great nursing assistants and social workers who care for their patients without expectations of recognition or praise. I'd also like to thank Douglas Mcgowan at Yoga Records for re-releasing these songs.

MCMB: Any last words?

I want to thank you again for taking the time to put my songs and this interview on your site.