(Part of The Weekly Check In series)
Radical Face was one of my favorite records of last year even though it came out in 2007 (thanks Mike T.)
Ben Cooper is Radical Face, as well as part of Electric President, Patients, and who knows how many other monikers. He’s a perfect candidate for the weekly check in, since there’s no way to keep up. I even most recently discovered his project Patients and was like when did THIS happen!? And it’s great.
You can TRY to keep up at http://radicalface.com.
Rubin: What are you currently working on or just finished that you’re excited about?
Cooper: I’m currently working on my next Radical Face record, which I believe will be split between two full length albums that’ll fit together. I have a tendency to overwrite whenever I get into a concept, and for this one I went way overboard. Pairing it down to 2 records is still leaving me with leftovers. I’m also doing a record with a good friend of mine, who plays music under the moniker “Rickolus.” The record is called “Clone”. We’re about halfway done with it, and both of us are really excited with how it’s coming together. It’s sounds like both of us and neither of us at the same time, which is a pretty ideal collaboration. And I’m also wrapping up the b-sides from the last Electric President record with Alex, when time permits. So lots and lots of recording.
Rubin: Where have you traveled so far this month?
Cooper: I haven’t done much traveling lately, though I did go to a comic convention down in Orlando a couple weeks ago. The convention wasn’t very good, but I got to shake hands with Peter Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn, and got him to sign my copies of his books. I also ate at a Red Lobster that was right next to the hotel me and my two friends were staying in. It was the worst meal I’ve had in the past 5 years. We ordered drinks called “Lobsteritas”, because they sounded ridiculous. They were. About halfway through the meal, and halfway through the sweetest margarita ever, I almost puked on the table. Not an exaggeration. I kinda had to swallow it back, if you know what I mean. We stumbled back to the hotel room, and I lay in bed and sweat for about half an hour, kind of rocking back and forth. My friend actually threw up, bless her heart. It was a nice trip.
Rubin: What’s your favorite music right now?
Cooper: I really like what Son Lux is doing. His record, b-sides and various remixes have gotten a lot of play from me these past few months. And I’ve been on a big composer kick again. I often go through long runs of nothing but instrumental music. This time around it’s been a lot of Rachel’s, Phillip Glass, Saint-Saens, and Hauschka. Also, the soundtracks from “Birth” (Alexandre Desplat) and “The Piano” (Michael Nyman).
Rubin: Best food you’ve had in your neighborhood lately or while you were traveling?
Cooper:I love food. It’s one of my favorite things. Whenever I visit new cities, finding good food is always a high priority with me. It’s a shame that there are so few places to eat in my town. Last time I was in NYC I had more great food than I can name (one of my favorite things about that city). But one thing that stood out was the Guinness chocolate cake I had for desert at a restaurant I can’t remember the name of. It might have been the best piece of cake I’ve ever eaten.
Rubin: Anything else you want to mention?
Cooper: (from a week ago) This afternoon I watched the trailer for Spike Jonze’s upcoming adaptation of “Where The Wild Things Are.” And then I watched it about 5 more times, back to back. I love the book, and the movie looks like it’s gonna be something really special. Watching the trailer makes me want to make things. And I now have something to really look forward to, for which I’m thankful. I always love having books/records/movies on the horizon that I can’t wait to see.
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