2012 Q. and A. with Stanley Brinks aka Andre Herman Dune

picture: 

1. Stanley, you spend very little time on the internet.
How come you don't spend more?
Why do you spend any?

I have to, mostly for work, because i don't use the telephone. As little as i can, though, one hour a week or something, all at once, and not every week. I feel much better only being where i am, one place in space.

2. You were one of the original members of Herman Dune.
Why did you leave the band?

We lasted a very long time, for a two-headed band. I liked that we didn't rehearse at all, we were even living in different countries for a while. It seemed to make sense back then to have a bit of a mess on stage. We did that for a decade, then we were ready to try new things. I started listening to calypso myself, it's still my main influence as Stanley Brinks. I still play with people a lot of the time, i like improvisation, solos and all. I get a lot of that when i perform with the Wave Pictures, or with my new Norwegian band - the Kaniks.

3. What kind of musical project(s) are you currently involved in?

I still play guitar for Freschard, toured Switzerland with the Wave Pictures in September, just went to Norway to play with the Old Time Kaniks (two-piece version of the Kaniks). I'd say Stanley Brinks and the Kaniks is my most important project at the moment. They play fiddle, trombone, banjo, mandolin, and bass fiddle. We play old-fashioned acoustic calypso. A lot of fun.

4. I understand you were once in medical school or actually graduated
from medical school, but I am unclear on this.
Did you graduate medical school? What was it that made you decide not to persue a life as a medical doctor?

No, i just did two years of medical school. I got to work as a nurse, that was a great experience. I was a very good nurse. But i started playing music professionally at the same time, and that didn't imply waking up at four in the morning in the same town all year long. I feel good outside the system, don't think i could have dealt with it for very long.

5. As a person that does not live in the United States and was not
born here what is your take on the place?

It's a strange thing not to have been born in the United States. It's a handicap, really. The rest of the world is rather slow, and not as interesting. The backward forces of religion and racism are even stronger. Nothing happens that hasn't happened in America first, and people wear bigger blinders. I'm alright in Berlin though, the eastward expansion of Brooklyn seems to be reaching here these days. I'm a bit slow myself anyway.

6. Throwing one in about me. My understanding was you were never really into me as a performer,

but that Daniel Bernstein told you to read some of my lyrics and that
you liked them, at least somewhat.
What was it that initially turned you off to me?
Did you find me overly dramatic?

Overly dramatic maybe, drama is definitely something i like to avoid, in real life and in art. I don't really wish to make a public statement about it though. I wish you could tell people you don't like what they do, and they wouldn't care. They wouldn't even remember. In this world they do, but i keep forgetting.

7. You have a reputation as bit of a minimalist (materialistically at least).

Have you always travelled light and not owned a lot of stuff or
do I have it wrong?

Yes, i like that lifestyle, and it goes with the job i chose to do anyway. I do have a few instruments in Berlin now, but i spend most of my life without them. I don't even bring a guitar on tour. Fresh socks will save your life though, i carry three pairs most of the time.

8. What would you say to a person working in finance who has never

been artistic but is considering making art?

They wouldn't ask me for advice. If they did i'd tell them to make the art first, if they are inspired. I always thought people with dayjobs had more things to say. I'm not getting one myself cause i'm enjoying being a full-time musician, but if i had to i wouldn't complain. I have it coming.

9. Any last thoughts?
Oh no.