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A CONVERSATION WITH JILL SOBULE (continued)
PM: When and how did you become the guitar player for Lloyd Cole and The Negatives?
JS: I played with Lloyd in Ireland a few years ago, a songwriter thing that someone put together. Like Miles Copeland's castle thing, but one that pairs up Irish and American songwriters. Lloyd liked my guitar playing, and I'd just gotten dropped by Atlantic. I hadn't played in someone's band since junior high school, and he said he was putting together a band, would I be interested? I mean, people always say those kind of things, I said sure. But when we got back from Ireland, I got a call from him, saying "I have rehearsals in a week, you're coming, aren't you?" "Umm, yeah, I guess." And we've been doing The Negatives on and off for the last three years. A few European tours, a couple across America…
PM: It's such a different role, did it spook you at all, did you ever think "I don't know if I can do this?"
JS: Well, yeah. First of all, I'm responsible for someone else. When I'm doing my own music, I know what I'm doing. It was more pressure at first than solo, because you're there for support. Once I got in the groove, I had the best time in my life. Now, on tour being a sideperson, I just pretend I'm Keith Richards. And Lloyd is such a great, wonderful, kind hearted guy, and he's super talented. It made my guitar playing a lot better. My bands have been hired to play with Jill, kind of thing. But this is more like a band.
PM: And what's your axe for that gig?
JS: I have a one of a kind Gretsch that looks like a Tennessean, but smaller. They made this smaller prototype. I was a sort of Gretsch endorsee, and they gave me a Duo Jet, but it weighs like two of me. So they said, "Hey, we got this little guitar…" And Lloyd made up this very funny pedal board for me. And a Matchless amp.
PM: That's uptown.
JS: Yeah, Lloyd always goes for good gear.
PM: So, is the gig with The Negatives done, or ongoing?
JS: Lloyd is recording and going out solo, because he doesn't really make a living with The Negatives. But we all call The Negatives "the band that never dies," and we'll be back.
PM: Although it hasn't been a breeze, you've done so many things already. What would you like to do that you haven't done yet?
JS: There's a part of me that wants to do my electronic dance record. Another part wants to do a southern rock record. Ultimately, I want to keep doing what I'm doing, but keep experimenting, and keep writing. Hopefully, little by little, you get more people aware of what it is you're doing. I can't complain, I want to keep doing what I'm doing, but grow. Increase the fan base, become a better musician.
PM: Who would you like to write with that you haven't written with yet?
JS: I keep talking to the guys at Oh Boy Records, about writing with John Prine. You always want to write with people you adored when you were very young. I'd like to write with Joni, but I think she'd be too mean. [laughter] And then there's fantasies like Paul McCartney or doing tracks with Dr. Dre.
PM: Who would you like to sleep with that you haven't slept with yet?
JS:
The young Gregory Peck or the young Ingrid Bergman. Isn't that terrible?
The only ones I can think of are in black and white.
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