IntervIew with an eMPire

TRT 0:01:34 (recreated verbatim transcript)

Thursday, June 9, 2011 9:55 a.m.

MP: Asian Man.

MW: Hi, Mike. This is Mark Weiss, of Earthwise Productions in Palo Alto.

MP: Hi, Mark.

MW: Hey, man, I’m just calling because I am up here in Palo Alto and I pulled over, and double-parked, to pick up a newspaper, and hey, did you know that you are on the cover of the Metro?

MP: Yes, I know.

MW: That is so great. Fifteen years in the “indie music biz”, congratulations. “Mail Order Is Still Fun.” So, have you done much, I presume, to convert some of that to the new digital realms?

MP: Yes, we have.

MW: Yeah, well, uh, maybe Steve Jobs should find an office for you at his new complex, did you hear about that?

MP: Uh, I think so…

MW: He gave a big presentation last night to the Cupertino City Council. He bought 150 acres at Pruneridge and Stevens Creek, I think. He is building this giant spaceship thing. He should really hook you up, okay but I am digressing. So anyways, I didn’t really have any music business topics to pitch you today I was just inspired to see your picture on the cover of this newspaper and thought I’d say “Hey!” and, “Mazel Tov” – I hear you have some new additions to your family since the last time I heard you sing…

MP: Yes, we have two kids. Thanks.

MW: All right, (Asian) Man (Records founder Mike Park, of Monte Sereno, who played The Cubberley Sessions in Palo Alto, a couple times with Skankin’ Pickle, in the 1990s, and also offered to open for Ian MacKaye’s The Evens, at Terman Middle School in 2004, and discovered bands like Less Than Jake and Xiu Xiu, and still writes records and releases punk-folk music under the name Mike Park).  “Keep on rockin’ in the free world”.

MP:  Thanks. Will do.