A Conversation with Minton Sparks (continued)

PM: The performance aspect of your art is very compelling. Were you involved in the theater growing up?

MS: Just to be in my family was to be in the theater.

PM: [laughs]

MS: Seriously. My father made us make videos from day one. When the video camera came out, we started making movies.

PM: Really?

MS: Yeah, he shot us a lot.

PM: See, we did nothing of the kind, even though we were a very animated bunch. That had to have a huge effect on you.

MS: Well, yeah. I mean, we made, like, game shows all the time. My father would be the host of the game shows.

[laughter]

PM: That's fantastic!

MS: And then he would film us waking up, but he wanted to show us realistically. I actually have done theater, but it was more just--my brother has directed me, and he's a brilliant director. He has helped me the most. He's such a good director.

PM: You mean he has directed the show that you do today?

MS: Yes. Every time I perform a new piece, I always go do it with him. And he helps me find--

PM: He critiques you.

MS: Yes.

PM: How interesting. It's been incredible to watch the way that what you're doing has evolved. Performance has become the essence of it. Every time I see you it's gotten much more so.

MS: Yeah, I think it's moving. It's weird, because I think of myself as just being a writer, so all the performing stuff is still kind of--I'm not sure about it.

PM: Right. When you're planning to make a DVD, who will be handling the marketing?

MS: Well, that is the question that remains to be answered.

PM: I mean, why isn't Sugar Hill or Rounder Records stepping into the picture?

MS: Yeah, see, I don't have anybody pitching it, and I don't know how yet, so I'm still--

PM: Oh, that's right. I remember now, I was the one who pitched you to Sugar Hill Records!

MS: Yeah.

PM: I want to go back there with the DVD and say, "This is what you passed on last time. Ready yet?"

[laughter]

MS: Because Gary has done the sound on this CD, I do think the sound has leapt forward this time.

PM: Yeah, you're right.

MS: Because he really knows how to get a certain sound.

PM: He's a very scary fella.

MS: Yeah. And so I hope--I mean, I don't know. I'm going to pitch it to a couple people. I say that. I don't know the people to pitch it to.

PM: Who's managing you?

MS: Well, I have sort of a real part-time helper, Kristin Tschida. Do you know her?

She's managing me right now.

PM: And is she booking you, too, or is that somebody else?

MS: No. Actually, the show tomorrow night, three bookers are coming.

PM: When I had the pleasure of seeing you perform, there was some very serious buck dancing going down.

MS: [laughs]

PM: I can't wait to see the choreography that accompanies these new pieces.

MS: Oh, yeah.

PM: Like "Back of the Bus."

MS: Yeah, "Back of the Bus," the cross-over tune. We love that.

PM: That piece is a huge a milestone for you.

MS: That's a fun one.

PM: Does that have a lot of movement to it on stage?

MS: That's just dancing.

[laughter]

PM: That's what I want to see. Aside from the DVD, has anybody ever talked about just shooting a video of one tune, like "Back of the Bus"?

MS: No. That would be cool, though. We need to revisit that topic when you get back from doing your preacher thing.

PM: Yeah, right. I'm going to marry a couple of friends in San Diego, and then I'm going to be a beachcomber in Baja for a week, and then I'll be back. Then I might go up to Maine, but I'll be back after that.

MS: [laughs] Okay.

continue

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