Macabre Dinner Party Q & A: Prism Tats

One-man-band Garrett van der Spek a.k.a Prism Tats has released the music video for his crunchy upbeat rock single Creep Out//Freak Out. We asked the South African-born and American-based multi-instrumentalist about his ultimate dead dinner party and his opinion on ‘selling out’.

You’re having a dinner party of dead guests, who’s on the list?

I’m going to indulge the temptation to invite heroes. I’m going Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Bolan, Prince, and Lennon. Pretty dude centric dinner party.

What’s the menu?

Egos.

What’s the main topic of conversation for the evening?

The Beatles vs Rolling Stones. We know who’s winning because Brian Jones wasn’t invited.

Is there any tension or arguments during the night?

Prince and Bolan square off for a second, eye to eye, but Bolan concedes once Prince does the splits while writing another hit single.

Which guest has a few too many and end ups embarrassing themselves?

Most likely me, so excited/nervous to party with my heroes, I eagerly tip away the beverages and erase the memory that ever happened.

Are there any dinner games?

Name that tune where all the songs are by Paul McCartney & Wings.

What’s the after dinner entertainment?

‘Under Pressure II’.

Does everyone stay for some drinks and get rowdy, or is it an early night?

It’s a several day affair.

Your debut album has just dropped, what do you think you have achieved with this release?

Working with very limited means to achieve a life long goal of releasing a record I’m this proud on a label like Anti-records.

In a few of your songs you talk about opting for money and fame over art. What’s your opinion on ‘selling out’?

Ah, the question all artists must ponder…My references are purely sarcastic as if to say, wouldn’t it be nice to pursue a life of making the best art you can and be paid for it? It’s becoming more and more difficult for artists to do that. I think if you can maintain your integrity by providing for yourself and your family and are still 100% proud of your work, you haven’t sold out.

How does your South African roots influence your music?

It’s not easy to sustain a career in music in South Africa, so that created a work ethic and a will to succeed that I feel I have carried with me into my work here in the ‘States. It’s also such a musically and culturally diverse place that I feel that it taught me to approach music holistically rather than just by the kind of music that comes naturally to me. Although it may not always sound like it, I don’t think I could make the music I do if I didn’t come from there.