My thanks to Joao Roberto Froes who has translated the Fripp interview as well. Joao's translation looks a little closer to what might have been said and possibly mis-quoted.
We are in the suburbs of Barcelona, in a "prayer house," adjacent to a convent of Dominican nuns. It is a Spartan-kind place, with no air conditioning, nor conveniences. Amazingly, this July, a rock legend is staying here. We already knew that Robert Fripp (Winborne, UK, 1946) does not fit into the rock star profile, and not only because he looks like an English clergyman. The KC man is directing one of his GC seminars, an activity for which he doesn't charge a penny, we are told. By his invitation, 60 guitarists from all over the world are gathered, agreeing to a quite strict routine: no alcohol or tobacco; the food is vegetarian and each room lodges several students. In exchange for that, they enjoy an educational experience which supposedly takes them to a higher level as musicians and human beings. Using a new standard tuning, they spend many hours practicing. Although they are beginners, they accepted to play with Fripp and other professional musicians. From July 24-31, some will be part of a series of concerts, under the name The League of Crafty Guitarists, at Barcelona's Centre Artesa Tradicionarius. It will be an all-acoustic guitar event, although Fripp will add some electronic touches, his famous Soundscapes. Goiing against his usual habit, Fripp has agreed to speak beforfe a microphone. His expression is self-confident, suspicious, and self-conscious.
Q Does GC have anything of a sect?
I accept this statement. The difference between an established church and what people call sect is merely quantitative. GC answers the need to form performers of popular music, who don't fit in regular music schools.
Q How did you find out you had a teaching vocation?
It comes from my frustration with contractual obligations to give interviews. I have wasted too much time trying to explain things to very ignorant journalists.
Q Do you feel the same in relation to singers?
Not at all! I'm married to one of them. I'm sensitive to their condition. I recall my collaborations with Bowie, David Sylvian or Daryl Hall as highly stimulating works.
QWhere does your enmity against the music industry come from?
I hate the continued exploitation of artists. I have managed to recover the ownership of my master tapes, and yet I have to face daily violations of my rights. On the Net, my music is sold and listened to without my permission.
Q What about the slogan "music must be free of charge?" How does it sound to you?
Exploitation. The Internet grows by stealing contents. You just have to ask yourself: who is behind that? Who is charging for the connection? I remember that, in the early 80's, they used to make us record video clips which sometimes cost more than the production of an entire album, and which they deducted from our royalties. In actual fact, we were giving away contents for free to MTV and similar channels.
A Do the record companies have any future prospect?
So far, they have operated like Eighteenth-Century slave plantations. The only difference is that, unlike the slaves, the artists don't know they are such.
QYou still keep on issuing records...
Yes, I manage Discipline Global Mobile, which even allows me to place in the market unedited recordings of KC shows, in such a way that they have a minimum of two thousand copies, which is a ridiculous figure for major companies, but which pays off if you don't have extravagant expenses.
Q Lately, the hostility against progressive rock has decreased. Do you feel any way redeemed?
Progressive was a label to sell the searching endeavors of some musicians. It fell apart when Yes or Emerson, Lake and Palmer turned into stadium bands. KC had many changes and long periods of absence, so that our reputation has not deteriorated that much. I understand that there are many current bands which feel that same need for searching, such as Tool, Porcupine Tree, Radiohead...
Q This year, a remastered version of the first album, In the Court of the Crimson King, will be issued. Do you see yourself playing those pieces of music again?
No, I find that idea disagreeable. The Glenn Miller Orchestra went on performing many decades after the death of its leader. However, I would prefer to see my former band mates doing that. Under my supervision, naturally.
We are in the suburbs of Barcelona, in a "prayer house," adjacent to a convent of Dominican nuns. It is a Spartan-kind place, with no air conditioning, nor conveniences. Amazingly, this July, a rock legend is staying here. We already knew that Robert Fripp (Winborne, UK, 1946) does not fit into the rock star profile, and not only because he looks like an English clergyman. The KC man is directing one of his GC seminars, an activity for which he doesn't charge a penny, we are told. By his invitation, 60 guitarists from all over the world are gathered, agreeing to a quite strict routine: no alcohol or tobacco; the food is vegetarian and each room lodges several students. In exchange for that, they enjoy an educational experience which supposedly takes them to a higher level as musicians and human beings. Using a new standard tuning, they spend many hours practicing. Although they are beginners, they accepted to play with Fripp and other professional musicians. From July 24-31, some will be part of a series of concerts, under the name The League of Crafty Guitarists, at Barcelona's Centre Artesa Tradicionarius. It will be an all-acoustic guitar event, although Fripp will add some electronic touches, his famous Soundscapes. Goiing against his usual habit, Fripp has agreed to speak beforfe a microphone. His expression is self-confident, suspicious, and self-conscious.
Q Does GC have anything of a sect?
I accept this statement. The difference between an established church and what people call sect is merely quantitative. GC answers the need to form performers of popular music, who don't fit in regular music schools.
Q How did you find out you had a teaching vocation?
It comes from my frustration with contractual obligations to give interviews. I have wasted too much time trying to explain things to very ignorant journalists.
Q Do you feel the same in relation to singers?
Not at all! I'm married to one of them. I'm sensitive to their condition. I recall my collaborations with Bowie, David Sylvian or Daryl Hall as highly stimulating works.
QWhere does your enmity against the music industry come from?
I hate the continued exploitation of artists. I have managed to recover the ownership of my master tapes, and yet I have to face daily violations of my rights. On the Net, my music is sold and listened to without my permission.
Q What about the slogan "music must be free of charge?" How does it sound to you?
Exploitation. The Internet grows by stealing contents. You just have to ask yourself: who is behind that? Who is charging for the connection? I remember that, in the early 80's, they used to make us record video clips which sometimes cost more than the production of an entire album, and which they deducted from our royalties. In actual fact, we were giving away contents for free to MTV and similar channels.
A Do the record companies have any future prospect?
So far, they have operated like Eighteenth-Century slave plantations. The only difference is that, unlike the slaves, the artists don't know they are such.
QYou still keep on issuing records...
Yes, I manage Discipline Global Mobile, which even allows me to place in the market unedited recordings of KC shows, in such a way that they have a minimum of two thousand copies, which is a ridiculous figure for major companies, but which pays off if you don't have extravagant expenses.
Q Lately, the hostility against progressive rock has decreased. Do you feel any way redeemed?
Progressive was a label to sell the searching endeavors of some musicians. It fell apart when Yes or Emerson, Lake and Palmer turned into stadium bands. KC had many changes and long periods of absence, so that our reputation has not deteriorated that much. I understand that there are many current bands which feel that same need for searching, such as Tool, Porcupine Tree, Radiohead...
Q This year, a remastered version of the first album, In the Court of the Crimson King, will be issued. Do you see yourself playing those pieces of music again?
No, I find that idea disagreeable. The Glenn Miller Orchestra went on performing many decades after the death of its leader. However, I would prefer to see my former band mates doing that. Under my supervision, naturally.
