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The Interview

by Charvi Magdaong

Before his show at the Music Farm in downtown Charlestown, Jack Johnson caught a few waves off the South Carolina Coast. He headed back before sunset to the bar that once was a railroad station for a sound check. Afterwards he commented on a few questions:

Mason Jennings, left opened Jack Johnson, right, on his recent fall tour. Johnson asked Mason to come and jam together during the show in Charlestown, South Carolina

Q. Who are your musical influences?

A. A lot of times bands that don't necessarily sound like me, but are really inspirational. I listened to a lot of punk bands growing up. Fugazi, Minor Threat, and Bad Religion, they are some of the people that really got me going.

Q. Are there any memorable moments that stand out dealing with the people you have meet or had the opportunity to work with?

A. One time I went to a Ben Harper show. I had an all access pass and I was standing in the back. Somebody came up and grabbed me from behind. It was the way your friends do, kind of like giving a hug from behind. He started grabbing my shoulders. I know Ben's voice so well and this guys starts singing, "I know she says it's alright." I turned around and it was Ben. The fact he knew one line of one of my songs blew me away.

Q. About the crash when you were 17, Do you think you would have pursued the other avenues or taken them as far as you have if that didn't happen?

A. At that point, I was already planning to go to USC, Santa Barbara. Pro surfing was just something that just happened when you grow up in Hawaii. Music is the same way though.

Q. You once said, "Surfing and music are the exact opposite, but they need each other to survive." In what ways are they different and how do they need each other?

A. They are both the two favorite things I like to do. But what they do for me is different. With music it's more about sharing. With surfing, it's more self-fulfillment.

Q. If you had to choose between surfing, producing and playing music, which of the two would you give up to pursue the other?

A. It depends; I don't want fame or fortune. When I think of surfing, it's the main thing I have to do. Music would come next because of the traveling. But the films are an important balance. It's nice to see the different cultures. Music brought us here, but surfing takes me on the trips.

An Unedited Clip of the Interview with Knightwire

Q. How does your marriage factor in?

A. It definitely factors in. Touring already is a challenge. I'm kind of curious how long the music thing will last. I enjoy doing it right now, but I can see how I'd get burnt out on it.

Q. How did you come about hooking up with your band?

A. I was a little nervous playing by myself early on. Adam used to come in and check in on how my surf videos were going. But J.P., Ben Harper's producer got us to play a couple of gigs together. Adam would be on the drums and I'd be on guitar. Then Adam met Merlo.

Q. What is happening in the near future after the tour?.

A. I hope to put out another album by summer time hopefully. Then I want to do another surf movie, but I'm not in a big rush to do that. As for the music, I have a lot of songs I want to get out sooner.