Jazz Fest leftovers from the Allison Miner interview stage
by Dave Walker, TV columnist, The Times-Picayune Monday May 04, 2009, 3:22 PM
I've got Jazz Fest leftovers from two fascinating Saturday (May 2) interview sessions at the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage.
The first is from Clint Maedgen, the everywhere man that day (in addition to the interview, he performed on different stages with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and The New Orleans Bingo! Show).
The questioner was Alison Fensterstock, who got Maedgen talking about his affiliation with Preservation Hall.
Later in the day, Maedgen would sing "Blue Yodel No. 9" -- backed by just tuba and trumpet - with that band in the People's Health Economy Hall Tent. It's a gig he said he could see working for many years to come.
"It's felt like a dream from the very beginning," he said, of his time with the Preservation Hall band. "I feel like an astronaut, honestly. I feel like I've got another 40 years of that in me. Landing in a different reality. 'Oh, we're in Switzerland.'"
Photography is a diversion on the road (Maedgen says he does more than 150 road dates with the band each year). He specializes in pictures of fire alarms and elevator buttons, among other subject matter.
"I've sworn off doing it at the airport," Maedgen said. I've been in that interview room too many times. 'I know it's weird. I just really like buttons.'"
Maedgen also talked about moving away from New Orleans. He currently lives in Los Angeles, his wife's hometown, because it's easier for her there while he's on the road.
"We are moving back," he said. "I've got too much going on here.
"I love it here. This is home, honestly."
Maedgen admitted that practicality wasn't the only motivation for leaving.
"I feel like I ended up seeing a side of the city -- it weighed on me," he said. "It was hard for me to deal with. The things I love about this city aren't really what Bourbon Street is about. No disrespect. It's more about the spirit and soul of this town, the history, the architecture and its people.
"Having to fight through the frat party of it all was starting to weigh on me. I though moving would've helped me with that.
"I'm just going to start working during the day more..."
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