A brilliant response Theo Parrish gave to the BBC when sent some interview questions:
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We approached Theo Parrish for an interview with these questions…
1. Why do you think house is often regarded as having less “meaning†than jazz, for example? Do you agree? Is your music an attempt to redress this?
2. Do you see your music as conceptual?
3. Or political, in the sense of reaffirming the music’s black roots? Kenny Dixon Jnr has quite militant views on people sampling black music. Do you share these?
4. Do you see yourself, Dixon, Pittman et al, as part of a unified movement - the much talked about “third wave�
5. What current artists/music would you recommend people check for?
This is his unedited response…
If the music formerly known as “house†has less or more meaning than any other music conveniently categorized into a one-word catchphrase, it is because of weak, uninformed, uninspired, lazy music journalism. Perhaps, if you actually commented on something I have said, as opposed to offering a blanket statement for me or any other artist to co-sign on to, this unbalanced view of any music in any form might change.
Any practitioner of music that passionately expresses themselves finds meaning in what they do. These expressions came from inside me and through my faculties, out into the world, and my mind has a significant role in that process. So yes, it is conceptual. Yes, concepts from the mind of a “black†man. But my race is not a choice, so I find it disrespectful to label anyone “political†or “militantâ€, or any one-word catchphrase, simply because they happen to be “blackâ€. Most of the world has a tendency to lump “black†in with those adjectives you mentioned, the second a person of colour decides to publicly or privately speak their mind on any given subject.
Furthermore, we are not one monolithic group of people. Just because a “black†man that I know has a point of view doesn’t mean I share it, or the opposing view either. There are so many types of “black†people that the term “black†doesn’t even apply. My skin colour is a dark, reddish brown so understand the ignorance you are putting on display to the folks of African descent by the manner of your questions.
Anyone you regard as “black†is of African descent. All music is “black†music, all of it - anything you have ever heard - has African roots. Any musician from any culture knows this, whether they admit it or not. Millions of artistic waves have reverberated across the world and back in call and response. The attempt to capture, imitate, package and sell them at any given moment is the foolish attempt of those who should just watch and enjoy, to do what they simply cannot. That cheapens the efforts of those dedicating their lives to catching a reverberating frequency and expanding on it. These artists are plentiful and cross time, gender and geographical location. They can be described as anything that sounds subjectively essential and you can find their recordings at your local record store. Not online.
PS. Do not print or display this interview if it is to be edited in any way, shape or fashion. AGAIN - DO NOT EDIT!
Theo Parrish,
Sound Signature
