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Quintron and Miss Pussycat

Interview with Mr Quintron of New Orleans group ‘Quintron and Miss Pussycat’ – by Sarah Janes

Qunintron playing

Qunintron playing

Q How extremely excited are you to be playing a gig in Merrie Olde Hastings? Right bloody excited Miss Sarah. But seriously . . . I fell in love with Hastings the moment I saw it. It’s like the Detroit version of Brighton.

Q Hastings is home to the World Crazy Golf Championships and the International Chess Congress, what would you rather play? Chess. Did you know that one of the greatest chess masters of all time was Paul Morphy from the city of New Orleans? He tragically died of heat stroke at the age of 47 after abandoning the game. Not bad for a city known for its boobs and beer. Go Chess!! Eff Golf.

Q What do you hope the people of Hastings and St. Leonards get from your show? A renewed spirit to be alive and cherish their own talents and energy. To look at one another and love with new eyes.

Q We all know that you like dressing up for your shows, what are your favourite all- time costumes? They are not costumes, they are outfits or uniforms. I went thru a jumpsuit phase but now I am back to suits…they look better on me…and no more long hair…it makes my face look fat.

Q We don’t have many exciting American bands touring round these parts, will you tell your friends about us? Well it’s an organ solo and a puppet show. We are rock and roll. We want your mind and your body. You will be invited to the dance and you will be offered the wine. This will be like nothing else you have seen or heard before … not better, just different …. but familiar.

Q You recently had a residency at New Orleans Museum of Art, how did this experience compare with live shows and touring? Ah….too much to go into (we are in a hotel in the midst of a two month U.S. tour). We did a three month exhibit at the biggest museum in New Orleans. There were puppets, a retrospective on the instrument I invented called the Drum Buddy™, and a live recording studio where I reported to work each day to record an album in public. I spent the final week of the recording process living outside in the park to commune with the swamps and gather field recordings to mix into the album. The results will be released to the world this February.

Q I feel like I’ve learned a lot from you about how to put on the perfect show and I think you are going to love playing here. What for you makes a show perfect? You mean hosting a show and not performing, right? (YES) I think the details and timing are crucial. Little things can really ruin the night for a show like playing the wrong music in between bands or no music. Starting the show too late or too early….an angry mean sound person can absolutely ruin the night for a touring band. Basically every show should be handled with love and care. If you do not love and care for show business, then you are killing it. These stinky bars and theatres are our satanic churches and should be treated with respect. Every day is not easy of course but in your heart of hearts one should feel lucky to be a part of this craziness. If you just wanna go home then by all means do so.

Q Mr. Quintron, you are a marvellous inventor and have invented many amazing things. What inventor from history do you most identify with? Good question. Tesla….but I would never ever put my inventions on a par with his work. He was solving basic human and urban problems. I am stimulating the minds of children.

Q Who will be accompanying you and Miss Pussycat on this tour and can you tell us a little something about them? We don’t know yet, but she is guaranteed to be beautiful and glamorous.

Q Would you like to have fish and chips for dinner after your show? Yes!!! Of course I will be having fish and chips.

See the Oct/Nov edition for an exclusive interview with Miss Pussycat.

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