John
So when I put books out like this, it’d kind
of an homage to that part of me. Hence,
limited editions, so I don’t have to drop
ernment of China was insisting on a full
set of the lyrics, of everything I’d ever
written. So when we combined that all
together and sent it to them, they accepted
me. Which came as something of a sur-
prise to me, let me tell ya. And it went
from there, really. I started looking at them
myself as distinct pieces, and I really
enjoyed re-reading them. And it’s 127
songs or thereabouts – great fun. And I
found a continuity in them that I’m quite
proud of. And what I do when I look at my
things is, I’ll doodle, I’ll do drawings. So I
combined the two. And that’s the childlike
way I view the world. And now here I am
April 7
Cold War Kids L.A. Divine
Cotton Mather Wild Kingdom
Deep Purple InFinite
Falling in Reverse Coming Home
Father John Misty Pure Comedy
Future Islands The Far Field
Guided by Voices August By Cake
The Flatliners Inviting Light
The Maine Lovely, Little, Lonely
The New Pornographers Whiteout Conditions
April 14
04•2017
the quality level.
IE: You always seem to be busy creating
something, with no time for a vacation.
JL: There’s no need. I live in California –
that is my vacation. I really have yet to see
anywhere more beautiful than California,
anywhere in the world. So for me, it’s the
same thing. When I get to work in para-
dise, I’m more than happy. But I do keep
myself busy, though. I do enjoy that.
IE: Why choose to revisit your lyrics now?
JL: The option of touring China came up. It
was only two gigs, but Whoa! That
grabbed my attention! But then the gov-
10 illinoisentertainer.com april
2017
– I’m sharing it with the world. And we
did go to China. We did two gigs there that
were brilliant. And I love the country,
although I actually can declare that Beijing
is the filthiest city I’ve ever been to in my
life. We had a day of rehearsing there, and
it nearly killed us. The smog there is seri-
ous, compared to L.A. But it was fantastic
that they let us play there. I’m so happy for
all the bands they didn’t let play there.
IE: How do kids get Pistols or PiL CDs
there?
JL: With great difficulty. But they do find
ways. And it’s not really for me to tell you
how. But you’ve got to go to these places,
The New Pornographers
Actress AZD
John Mayer The Search For Everything
Lillie Mae Forever And Then Some
Little Dragon Season High
Splashh Waiting A Lifetime
April 21
Incubus 8
Jason Eady Jason Eady
Joe Goddard Electric Lines
Justin Walter Unseen Forces
Matt And Sam's Brother My Brain Hurts Alot
Ray Davies Americana
Richie Kotzen Salting Earth
Robyn Hitchcock Robyn Hitchcock
Richie Kotzen
Ron Sexsmith The Last Rider