There are few artists who speak to me like Steve Wynn. Ever since that fateful day in 1985 when I picked up his old band The Dream Syndicate's The Days of Wine & Roses on vinyl at Wee Three Records in Pottstown, Pa I have been an admirer and student. His piercing lyrics that combine poetry, pulp and the everyday plight of the everyman have been a part of my landscape my entire adult life. I realized one of my ambitions as a music journalist recently when Steve agreed to indulge me a lengthy set of questions covering his entire career. Following are his thoughts on The Dream Syndicate, his solo career, the recording process, influences and romance.

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Milton Mapes is one of the most fascinating bands making music today. Combining the intensity of Joy Division, the new gritty Americana of Woven Hand and Drive-By Truckers and the painterly lyrical quality of Neil Young and Tim Buckley. Their latest release The Blacklight Trap out now on Undertow Music is a revelation. A harrowing, yet beautiful trip through the long dark night of the soul

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Since she nearly single-handedly spearheaded the No-Wave movement in 1976 by forming Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, Lydia Lunch has been a performance artist stunning in her creativity, confrontational vision, and longevity. In the 80’s she collaborated with such underground legends as Richard Kern, Nick Cave, Foetus and Die Haut, and recording some classic solo work such as Queen of Siam and In Limbo. The 90’s found her continuing her collaborations with such luminaries as Exene Cervenka and Kim Gordon as well as kicking her spoken word assault on the world into high gear. This new century finds her working on installations, illustrated word and a new record Smoke in the Shadows featuring Nels Cline, now of Wilco. I spoke to Lydia Lunch this past spring from LA and she had quite a bit to say.

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