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It's been just over a decade now since The Violet Burning coalesced into being around the passionate singing/songwriting of Mike Pritzl. It has not been an easy haul for the Orange County band: talented band members have come and gone and come again, labels have changed, industry politics have taken their toll, loved ones have gone on... even Michael, the one constant, has undergone his own changes as he has weathered the storms. Through it all, new fans are still discovering what keeps old fans coming back for more: intense, emotionally honest music, and mature rock-n-roll not afraid to chart its own course. Early on, music of the VB was compared to U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Cure; it was raw and brooding to the point of being gritty. Later, they were likened to Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead as they evolved, both lyrically and musically, into producing much more polished and sophisticated textures. Don't, however, let the polish and glitter fool you. The shimmering, ethereal soundscapes of the more mature VB still expose the raw, inner nerve of emotional longing, loss, and love as evocatively as ever. And don't let their indie status fool you either. The've sold more than 90,000 albums, have an extremely devoted fan base, have received extensive air time on MTV Europe and France, and five of the band's songs have been featured on MTV's "The Real World" and "Road Rules." Stranger Things co/producer Brian Heflin got a chance to briefly chat with Michael via E-mail... |
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Strength
1993
The Violet Burning (self-titled) 1996 MJP -- vocals, guitar, effects, 6 str. bass
I know you feel like
Michael J. Pritzl--voice, guitars, synthesizers, drum loops,
tamborine, effects, robotic dancing
order here MJP-- voice, guitar, effects, drones,
memory
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Hi Michael, here's a couple of warm-up questions to help dissipate the super-star dust from this interviewer's eyes. and to remind myself, and the readers, that you are a fairly normal human being like the rest of us... so... ST: Do you have a favorite cartoon or comic book character? MJP: I think I enjoy too many comic book and cartoon characters. I love the ones that have a kind of demented upbringing that has turned them into what they are -- like Batman, he is good, but he has this dark twisted side... and then I am completely in love with cartoons like anamaniacs, and digimon, and I must confess a particular infatuation with a cartoon that used to be on Fox Kids, called, "eek, the cat". Eek is incredible. I think he is just been released in Europe right now, I saw him on the side of a bus in Amsterdam the other day. I got way too excited. ST: What's your current nail polish brand and color of choice? MJP: My current brand is hard candy, "manic" blue. It is a wonderful color, and it suits my skin. Though I do appreciate a brand that some fans have been sending me called 'sinful.' They make a good shiny silver. ST: As someone who spends much time on stage and in the spotlight, what keeps you grounded? (Or, do just warmly embrace the excuse to indulge in raving egomania?) MJP: Well, having to live in this body with this mind of mine definitely keeps me humble, realizing daily that God's mercies truly are new every morning. Due to the sometimes overzealous embrace or disgust by some music fans, I do tend to hide out in Los Angeles, or in my hometown of Long Beach for the most part. I have a few close friends that I can trust who are very accepting of me, and who always give me good, honest advice. They encourage me, and also point out things that I may be missing or lacking in... ST: You just returned from doing some shows in Europe a couple of weeks ago.. Tell us about that. (You've been there a few times before... how does it compare to the doing shows in the US.. did you feel limited in your musical expression by language difficulties at all?) MJP: Europa, Europa.... so wonderful to be there. I love it there so much. Yes, we have been there a few times, and MTV Europe, as well as MTV France give us airplay here and there. We also have been fortunate to get some airplay in England, Holland and Germany on the radio. On this last trip we stayed in Nederlands. We did a few clubs and a number of shows at a festival called, "Flevo Totaal," which has attendees in the 10,000+ range. All of the shows were wonderful, packed, and full of the Spirit's presence. The fans are so welcoming there, but fans are different everywhere. In the U.S.A., it seems like the west coast is very reserved in their appreciation, not just with us, but with every band that I go see, even famous bands. And the midwest fans are very enthusiastic along with the northeast and southern fans... Texas... well, Texas is unlike anywhere in the world, heck! it's Texas! Texas is supercool... Most of the time I do not notice the fans while we are playing. I am usually lost in the music while we are playing... ST: Do you think the musical evolution of the VB has been significantly impacted by your trips to Europe and the music scene there. (Besides it being the subject matter for a song like "Berlin Kitty.") MJP: Well, I am not sure of the evolution musically being impacted by that, but as a songwriter, my life has definitely been changed radically by my travels around America and Europe. For Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic, most of the songs were actually birthed in Europe... 'Ilaria', 'Robot Fluide Robot,' 'Oceana,' 'Elaste,' 'Berlin Kitty,' 'Moon Radio'... 'Sugarlight U.S.A.' So, yes you could say that... definitely. I love Europe, and I love America.... I love rocknroll. ST: When you say fans on the west coast are "reserved in their appreciation"... do you think that is because people are somewhat jaded with the crazy concentration of bands that sort of clog that whole scene... especially in the LA/Orange County areas? MJP: No, I clarified earlier, when I said even famous bands are treated the same. It is not that we don't love music on the west coast, because we do. We are just more reserved in our outward show of appreciation. Most bands in LA and Orange County suck; they can barely play. And for most press in OC/LA, if you are not part of what ever the latest trend is, then your band is not cool. Ska was trendy, punk was trendy, swing was trendy, rockabilly was trendy, but most of it was not passionate. I will tell you who is awesome, that 'makeup' house band. (of course if you don't know who they are, I don't wanna give up my secrets, there are some places in L.A. that I like to have for myself, at least while it lasts.) ST: Back in the day, when the Violet B was a just a gleam in your eye, did you imagine it would be as it is today? (ie. Did you dream of household fame, fortune and the cover of Rolling Stone... ?) MJP: Well, when I was a boy I would rock out in my room playing my mom's tennis racket as a guitar. When I was old enough to go trick or treating, I dressed up like Paul Stanley more than once, (not a very good Paul Stanley though, because my mom didn't know who he was). For me, I love the expression of music, of all music. I am glad that people relate to my songs. I never dreamed we would be appreciated as we are. Sometimes when I turn on the radio and hear what they are feeding us, I get a little bummed, because in my flesh I think the Violet Burning is better than most of what is on radio; but I also realize that in my heart I am truly content at what God has brought into my life, and I am thankful for His grace and for His gifts. For me, sitting in my room and feeling God's presence come while I play my guitar is a wondrous thing. That, for me, is what makes it worth it. But, we think all of our fans should write to Rolling Stone magazine and lobby for the Violet Burning to be on the cover, as the best unknown rocknroll band of this generation. hehehe ST: A big part of the attraction of your music for me, and I think many VB fans, is that you are so open in baring your life and soul in your music... Is that something you consciously value and have pursued? MJP: I am glad that you feel that way, though I am not always so open in baring my life or my soul. In fact, I think my friends would tell you that I am very protective of them and of my personal life; I value them, as well as my family, and I do not let too many really into that part of my life, until I feel I can trust them. There are so many rumours and stories about me, and about my band, and most of them are so far from the truth that I have found myself retreating from the gossip circles that run rampant in the american evangelical church, particularly Southern California. ST: ...even your voice has always had that quality of such translucent distance between heart and vocal chords... MJP: Thank you for the compliment. Actually, being a singer is not what I ever thought I would be. I guess as I have grown up, so has my voice, so has my heart. For me, I do my best to be a good singer, and to write melodies that not only are evocative, but also that have great hooks, which is sometimes hard when words are so personal. ST: It must present something of challenge though -- to write things that are so personal, to put yourself just... out there. (Some singers/songwriters sing about a broken heart as a gimick, while others, yourself included, seem to sing with their broken heart, which is just so rare and so very vulnerable...) MJP: Songs mean different things for different people -- many people saw Strength as a 'worship' recording. For me, I see some songs on that recording that are definitely like that, but not any more than any other Violet B recording. Each of the recordings contain some songs that are 'worship'. I appreciate the compliment that I perhaps sing with my broken heart, perhaps sometimes I sing with a hopeful heart, I guess the challenge is to try to be vulnerable. I think for all of us, in whatever we do, whomever we are going to relate too or be close too, especially.. that is where we need to take chances and be vulnerable... ST: Has being "real" in your music backfired on you in the past? Have people tried to take advantage of your openness? Are there some who were just not very happy with you because they thought you shared a bit too much, too honestly? MJP: Yes, I think that is an accurate perception, though I do not think that I have really layed out the truth of the things I have been brought through. Perhaps one day I will write a book about my life, and the things that God has allowed, and the failures and mistakes I have made, and the wonderful blessings that God has allowed me to be a part of. But you are right, as a young man, before I retreated from evangelical christian circles, some who were leaders or older were not real happy with me and some felt threatened, perhaps by my gifting... but I never really wanted their platforms or position, I just wanted to make music that would touch God's heart, and that might touch the hearts of men and women here on earth. Most pastors I have been around have sought to use these gifts to build their churches, heck, one even wanted me to go around Europe planting his denominations' churches all over. But honestly, that is not what music and art is about for me. It has nothing to do with building man's organizations. it has more to do with the fact that it is a wonderful gift of expression that God has placed within us, to express to one another, and to express to Him. ST: You mentioned that many people saw "strength" as a 'worship' recording.. While I would never label the VB as a 'worship' band, I would think it safe to say that true worship beats at the core of the VB an Michael Pritzl..... MJP: This is a good comment, and yes, I would say that in many ways Strength did contain worship songs, and I believe that it is in some ways one of the first of modern day worship recordings, far predating Delirious or Waterdeep. But, at the same time, on each Violet B recording, from the very beginning even before Chosen that same Spirit was there. Chosen had the same heart for worship, Strength had it, though many do not see it; I look at the violet burning (self titled) the same way. I mean, look at songs like 'arabic tremolo radio', 'goldmine', 'low', 'eleven' and tell me they are not Psalms at their very core...; moving forward to demonstrates plastic and elastic you will find that same thing in different songs, 'elaste', 'gorgeous', 'we close our eyes'. I can see that, yes, worship is at the core of the Violet Burning. but not just the term 'worship' that so many record labels are trying to capitalize on in today's christian market. Rather, for me, and my band, we are men and women, who realize that we need God in our lives, and that life is sometimes difficult, and sometimes we need to have those conversations with God that are honest and vulnerable, and other times we need to express the happenings of our lives or of those around us. I love Francis Schaeffer, (an author and preacher who is now passed away). I love that he continually expresses that God wants to redeem the whole of man: Body, Soul, And Spirit, and that each part of us is important to God and precious and valuable. And so in my life I am hoping to open up to God, and to allow Him to live and breathe in every part of who I am. whether that be while making music, or while I am at the gym working out, or listening to bible study, or reading, going to a film, enjoying a walk along the ocean, etc... ST: ...do you ever run into conflict yourself where you are trying to balance or reconcile two roles: one as musical entertainer, and one as musical worship leader? MJP: I believe that music can be entertaining, and can be worshipful. For me, I am not a 'worship leader' perhaps in the traditional sense of the word. I was speaking to one of my good friends the other day about it. I realize that even when I am "leading worship" at church or at a bible study, I am not up there as a 'song leader', or 'cheer leader' or anything like that. For me, my role as a musician, whether I am on stage with the Violet Burning, or "leading worship", in the studio, or in my room playing, it does not matter, they are all the same for me. In each situation I am merely closing my eyes, focusing on Jesus, feeling His presence, offering the notes, the sounds, the words, the rhythms, the melodies, the vibe, the rock, the noise, the feedback, the melodies, the everything... to Him. And in that place, there is no crowd of people, there is only God, and the music, and those friends who are making it with me. And as for those listening...? well, I believe that God is listening, and I hope that His heart is touched. Those fans, or worshipers, I hope that they too are drawn into His light and love, and sweet presence. Worship for me, can be the note of a guitar, or the cleaning of a toilet by a janitor. They are both worship when offered to God, and both precious to Him, equally precious. Speaking of guitar notes, the other night during 'oceana', (while we were performing in Southern California), Andy Prickett's guitar notes were just singing and moving in such a wondrous way, I believe that the heart of God was touched... ST: You touched briefly on the next topic I was going to ask... the seeming trend in the christian music market to put out 'modern worship'... How do you see this "trend"...? MJP: Well, I think that trends are dangerous in general, but such is the way of the music business. There are many trying to be "modern". Just as when Vineyard/Hosanna/Maranatha were at their peak, there were many who were trying to fit into those particular styles of worship. Some people see it as incorporating "modern" styles of music. I do not see it as such. I see it as doing what is in your heart. That is what appeals to us as music fans. It is when we sense what is real. You can always tell what is for real and what is pretend. I know whole church services that pastors have claimed to build or base off of what 'The Violet Burning' has done or is doing. They have candles, and incense and try to do modern worship songs. Don't get me wrong, I am flattered, yet I know that some of them will fade because at their core is a 'model', and not Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ needs to be at the core of all these things. ST: ....at C-stone you introduced my partner Josh and myself to Gabriel from Worship Circus which you were basically very excited about... what is it that the Worship Circus is doing "right"...? MJP: The Rocknroll Worship Circus is a band from the Northwest United States, and they do follow what is in their hearts. I just happen to be fortunate enough to have become friends with them, and they sometimes look to me for counsel. Primarily, though, in them I find a common bond. They want to touch the heart of God with their music. It really is a wonderful band. ST: It seems like a busy year for you... touring with the VB, recording I am a stranger in this place... what projects have you been working on outside the VB? I read somewhere you were doing some record producing... MJP: Yes, there are a couple of groups I have been producing and working with. The most recent is a band from O.C. called Lennen. They are a rock band in their early twenties just starting out. I have the good fortune of working with them and pointing them into some wonderful directions. ST: The 'word' is that there has been some ethereal stirring within the VB factory itself this past year... an other- worldly glow, clankings, voices humming late into the night. Is it true you have you been working on another album? (in addition to 'stranger in this place...') Can you give any foretaste of what you have been working on and when we can get our greedy grubby hands on it? MJP: Well, it is true. We have recorded two new CD's this year: i am a stranger in this Place, and the lovely and worship filled, Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart. We are excited about it. It has 9 new worship songs, and 1 re-recorded early Michael Pritzl song. Song titles include; Invitacion Fountain, Clean (My God has rescued me), The Blood of Jesus, Forty Weight, All Right, Nobody Else, Beautiful (I cant live without You), Maker of the Stars, I Remember, Lord Shine Your Light (which could be the most beautiful song I think I have ever written). Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart, should be available in Europe early next year, and available through http://www.thevioletburning.com/ around Christmas time.. ST: Well, Michael... I am demonstrating an amazing amount of self-control here and trying to wrap this up, though I still have questions galore for you... Of course, I would love to keep pestering you... My one consolation is that perhaps we can do this again in a few months when your new album is out and pick up where we left off... Thanks for taking the time to chat. It was a great interview...and I loved
doing it... hope to hear from you soon.... |
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