Brian Vander Ark Interview              Coffee East February 23, 2008

Brian Vander Ark wrote and sang one of the '90s biggest hits, "The Freshman", when he fronted the pop rock band the Verve Pipe. The group would go on to score another hit, "Colorful" before becoming inactive in 2001. Vander Ark has released three solo albums since, each to growing critical acclaim. This Saturday night he comes to Coffee East.

MM: The Basics. Where are you from…where do you currently reside?

BVA: Grand Rapids, MI.  Born and raised.

MM: You have a new album out, and from what I can tell about it on your website, you seem genuinely excited about it. What do you like about it?

BVA: I'm mostly happy with the fact that the songs are better than the last record.  And I happen to like those songs as well.  It's all about raising the bar.  If i wasn't happy, the album wouldn't get released.

 MM: You were (are?) the lead singer of the successful rock group the Verve Pipe. I have talked to a number of artists who were with “major” labels and are now working with smaller labels or their own labels and they seem to really prefer it. Where do you stand on that topic?

BVA: I much prefer to be where I am at independently - I'm creatively free, I don't have major label obligations, and financially more secure.

MM: The Verve Pipe’s song “The Freshman” was such a major hit. Honestly, do you get tired of hearing about it and playing it?

BVA: Honestly, no. It's usually a crowd pleaser, and i like to entertain.

MM: Since I have started promoting this show, I have become acquainted with your solo work, and I personally find it more mature than the music I am familiar with from the Verve Pipe. How do you feel you have grown as a songwriter during your career?

BVA: I hope it's more mature.  Being 43, and having so many more life experiences, i find many more things to write about.  It's all less ambiguous as well - and less metaphoric.  That's the curse of a young writer - trying to find a "different" way to say something.  Just say it!

MM: Was the lifestyle on the road surrounding the Verve Pipe during the peak of the band’s MTV success as crazy as we are led to believe? How did it suit you personally?

BVA: I didn't realize we had a reputation.  I thought we were quite lame.  Other than the amount of alcohol consumed on a daily basis and a few questionable poleroids.

MM: If you had to tell somebody who wasn’t familiar with you at all why they should come to your show, what would you say?

BVA: If you love songs.  If you grew up in the 60's and 70's and love the singer songwriter stuff, then you'll dig the show.  If you grew up in the 80's and 90's, you'll hear a few Verve Pipe songs as well.  Damn - there's something for everyone!

MM: What, if anything, is important about popular music?

BVA: The importance of popular music is based upon the individual listener.  I rarely listen to music anymore.  But as a child, that's all I did.  And I imagine that there are plenty of people out there that feel that way today.  Music is a way for people to identify their problems, to commiserate, to share.

MM: Name three artists we may not know that we should.

BVA: Lux Land, Gus Black, David Mead.

Versus – Just pick one and give a brief answer why.

New York vs. L.A?

New York.  You need an reason??

Liquor vs. Beer

Liquor.  So much so, that I'm not allowed any.

Nashville vs. Austin

Both suck for me, but Nashville sucks a little harder. 

Bob Dylan vs. Tom Waits

This one is like Sophie's choice!  I can't pick!  Take them both!!! For the love of God!!

Sushi vs. steak?

STEAK.