Ohio-born Liam Lynch is a walking example of every 15-year-old boy’s dream. One day he’s dealing with small-town limitations, another he’s practicing guitar one on one with Sir Paul McCartney at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.Lynch, co-creator of the MTV cult-classic, “The Sifl and Olly Show†has gone on to direct Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny and Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic, as well as providing the music for Clone High. Most recently gaining a surge in popularity for his animated rendition of Dan Deacon’s Drinking Out of Cups, Lynch has his hand in a variety of outlets of expression. With side projects and collaborations all keeping him busy, Lynch’s podcast is a dedicated and comprehensive treat for fans. Not many with such a full plate would ensure that fans have steady access to updates and an animated cornucopia of what floats through their mind. But then again, most people aren’t Liam Lynch.
Review Fix: For those not familiar with your podcast, Lynchland, what should they know before listening to this album?
Liam Lynch: Well, all the songs are songs from videos that were featured in my podcast. Even though the podcast is pretty random when it comes to content and themes, it will seem even more so if you are only listening to the songs. I’d suggest people check out the podcast, at www.liamlynch.net or do a search for on iTunes under “Podcasts” for “Lynchland”. They’re free.
RF: This is your seventh release. Within it, you sing, “Evolution’s quite the chore”– has it been? What’s your experience of evolution as an artist been like?
Lynch: Hmm. I’m not sure I’ll ever know because I guess I’m always in the middle of evolving onto the next thing. In the beginning, I wanted to just be a serious musician that people respected but I soon learned I was pretending and caring more about what people thought of me than what I was creating. As soon as I stopped caring what people thought of me and just started making things I wanted to see or hear, I started having success. I think it’s hard to pin down any sort of artistic evolution with me because I am kind of scattered in the things I do. Each job or project is different and I like that. I think I’m getting better at stuff but I don’t see any big picture evolving from the work I’ve made. It’s like a crazy collage.
RF: Where did you get your inspiration for these tracks?
Lynch: I really have no idea. Sleep deprivation… singing in the shower… weird thoughts at the grocery store.
RF: Tell me about “Banana Cream Bunny.â€
Lynch: That was one from singing in the shower. Suddenly realized that I was singing “banana creme bunny your my funny little honey”… stopped for a moment to wonder what the hell is wrong with me, then continued showering and singing. Got out of the shower and recorded it so I wouldn’t forget. I think that track would make a great ringtone since it’s so short.
RF: What’s your favorite track?
Lynch: It’s a tie between the Deetian Love Song and The Boom Boom. Both were really fun to make.
RF: What do you do to prepare yourself for recording?
Lynch: I don’t do anything to prepare for recording. Lynchland (the podcast) is really about testing out ideas and experimenting with stuff. Those sort of impulses come at random times and so one minute I’m watching TV, then I just stand up and go into my studio and record a song. I think it’s better if I don’t prepare or think too much about it.
RF: Have an instrument you’re particularly attached to?
Lynch: I have several guitars. I’m attached to my two Gibson acoustics.
RF: You’ve been creating music for years. You’ve dabbled in sock puppetry with Sifl and Olly and moved on to animation. What is your favorite medium of expression?
Lynch: I’m really not sure. I love making videos and films the most but music is a big part of my subconscious and my conscious self. There is a big part of me that only comes out through music… so it’s kind of a tie.
RF: Not to backtrack, but, where are Sifl and Olly right now?
Lynch: They are in a plastic container inside of a back pack in my closet.
RF: What led you to get into entertainment in the first place?
Lynch: I just couldn’t stop pretending, ever since I was a kid. I had a run-a-way imagination and loved putting on shows and making things. My life really changed when I was 5 years old and got a tape recorder. Being able to do something and then experience yourself from a third person point of view (listening back to a recording) was extremely mind blowing and addictive.
RF: You’ve collaborated with plenty of artists, musicians, comedians… who is your favorite person to work with?
Lynch: Wow. That’s super difficult to play favorites like that because they are all personal friends of mine. Of course I love all my work I’ve done with Tenacious D. I love working with them. I’d have to say one of my favorite people to work with, I’m actually working with now. Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal. I’ve done several videos and Internet shorts and DVDs with Josh and I just love working with him. We always see eye to eye (creatively… but not physically as he is 6’5″ and I am 5’9″). I’ve been working on a huge amount of stuff with him since the end of last January and it will go until end of October. He’s a best friend and really inspires me artistically as well. He’s someone I can talk with about extremely abstract things or unreal, creative type of conversations that are often difficult to express with some people. Josh and I have always just clicked in our language and feelings about things. I love working with him and we have a strong creative connection.
RF: ReviewFix.com is a multimedia review site that covers TV as well as movies, music and video games. You’re a sci-fi fan. What did you think of the series finale of Battlestar Galactica?
Lynch: Haven’t watched it yet. I’m a Doctor Who fan more than Battlestar. So I’m just catching up on Battlestar seasons. Doctor Who, though, is a driving force in my life.
RF: Part of your first podcast included your animated version of Dan Deacon’s “Drinking Out of Cups” which has become quite popular on the Internet. This begs the question, Why make the speaker a lizard?
Lynch: Why not?
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