Two
Sides to Everything:
An Interview with Jamie Catto
by
Roger Humes
 In 2000 musicians Jamie Catto
and Duncan Bridgeman embarked upon a global “treasure hunt” with
a DV camera, an Apple Powerbook, and a vision to explore 'The
Unity in the Diversity' by capturing a unique fusion of sound,
image and spoken word from musicians, authors, scientists and
thinkers.
Their quest produced collaborations with
such artists as Michael Stipe, Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Dennis
Hopper, Brian Eno, Asha Bhosle, and Baaba Maal that resulted
in 1 Giant Leap, a double-Grammy nominated DVD
consisting of 11 short films Inspiration, Money, Faith, Sex,
Death, Confrontation, Time, Blasphemy, Unity, Masks, Happy, and
30 behind the scenes movies.
Their work has struck a nerve among many
who have encountered the DVD and/or its accompanying CD, resulting
a phenomenon that includes several popular web sites and numerous
public showings of the film.
Catto and Bridgeman have created in their
work a unique fusion of music and spoken word that transcends
all boundaries, exploring the elements of humanity that bind
us all together. 1 Giant Leap is a work of art well worth the
exploration.
The following interview was conducted with
Jamie Catto as Bridgeman and he prepared to leave in late November
on a second recording journey around the world to further explore
diversity through music and art.
Literati: What would you say was the seed
that triggered the concept of 1 Giant Leap?
When
I met Duncan we discovered we had a mutual interest in certain
aspects of music. We were very interested in Peter Gabriel's world-music project Passion and Brian Eno and David Byrne's My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts.
So much music we found to be unsatisfying
and unimaginative. People love music but do not want to be overly
challenged by it. The question was how to bring music from around
the world, such as Baaba Maal, to people in a form which they
would find appealing to listen to.
Initially, we put together demos as a musical
exercise in a sound influenced by Gabriel. However, we did not
want to use samples, so we realized we would have to travel to
find the sounds we wanted.
Literati: In your information brochure
you say 1 Giant Leap is “a philosophy, a leap of faith” – could
you expound on those points?
That quote was from the people who wrote
the brochure, but for me 1 Giant Leap is a treasure hunt. So
much of it was discovered along the way. For example, not even
10% of the people used were prearranged.
Literati: What have you been doing in
your life and artistically since the DVD & CD were finished?
Personally, I have married and have a new
baby.
Artistically, Duncan and I have been working
on our music company, Spacious Music and preparing for our next
project “Two Sides to Everything: The Dance of Opposites
That Drives the Universe.”
Literati: Your “story” is
divided into twelve chapters. What went into choosing the
particular subjects for them?
The subjects are universals in life that
do not get enough “airtime” in day-to-day life. We
wanted to explore them because they say so much about humanity
truly is.
Literati: Could you recount one particular
event on the recording travels that stands out over the rest
and why?
We were challenged by Maori in New Zealand
to justify what we were doing. Talking about what we did made
me think deeply about what we were doing and why.
Literati: How were the artists included
in 1 Giant Leap chosen?
As I said earlier it was a treasure hunt.
Only a few like Baaba Maal and Michael Stipe were prearranged.
Most were part of the treasure hunt. One artist would lead to
another, would lead to another…
Literati:
You are preparing to leave at the end of November on another
recording trip. What did you learn from the first one that
will facilitate your work on this one?
You have no control. Whatever happens while
you are “Busy making plans” will happen. You must
stay focused on your vision but also be flexible. Time becomes
elastic.
Literati: What improvements
in technology will make this trip easier?
The increased speed of computers first
comes to mind. We will be shooting in high definition rather
than mini-dv. We have a much better backup system.
Post-production will go smoother because
we now have a cataloguing system that better labels the footage.
For example, if we want a particular violin selection we won’t
have to spend hours searching for it this time.
Literati: With the changed political climate
since 2000, do you anticipate any difficulties you did not
encounter the last time?
Not really. We deal more with social issues.
We try not to be political but cannot help but notice that they
do overlap like say Bush & Islamists are similar in many
ways. You have to recognize this, but we are much more interested
in the social rather the political.
Literati: Are there any differences in
the philosophy behind the second session as compared to the
first?
Even in a world with worry and violence there
are things that help people survive, that are stronger than McDonalds
and Nike. We need to keep the light burning. Humanity needs hope.
Literati: Will the second session run
along similar themes as the first or will you be using a
different thematic structure?
Looking through the lens at duality of
life: whatever we choose the opposite is also true. You should
work toward your goals, focus but be flexible and understand
the other side.
We thought of doing diversity but in one
town, like say New York, but there is so much “meat & potatoes” in
the duality that we wanted to explore it. It is the biggest ingredient
to people on earth.
I will be taking my family this time. My
wife, Jessica, will be working with the cameras like last time.
My nine year old daughter, India Rose, will attend school in
20 different countries.
Literati: Do you view 1 Giant Leap as
a concept that would only work with music and audio, or do
you think it could be translated into other art forms?
Yes. Murals are often a group activity.
There is something about two creative minds or more working together
that causes something new to emerge.
Literati: In the 1980s Robin Hitchcock & the
Egyptians would practice over the phones when in separate
locations. Five years ago Steven Jobs was editing Quick Time
Videos live over a T-100 connection. 1) Do you view 1 Giant
Leap as a logical progression along those technological and
artistic lines? and 2) If so, do you think that someday musical
groups will consist of members in different locations practicing
and performing together over the Internet?
Yes – if Byrne & Gabriel had
this tech in the 80s everyone would have been doing it now. As
technology progresses, more and more people are doing it. I know
10 year olds who are making their own videos. It is becoming
quite common and will be more so.
As for your second question it doesn’t
turn me on. I need to be in the room with people to play music
with them. I want to see them.
However, the Internet has been a godsend
for us. We have used instant messaging a lot for getting ready.
It helps with its speed and lessens the strain on our budget.
We use email to set up production.
On this trip we want to discover new artists
in new places we have never been, like Mexico where neither of
us know the country or the music. Email has made it possible
to contact the artists and people for logistics.
Literati: You have gathered an extremely
loyal fan base behind you. What chord do you think 1 Giant
Leap has struck in these people?
People want their art and music to reflect
what they are feeling deeply. Less & less does, it is a business
now. Music can give people something to belong to. Little else
does. Religion doesn’t, politics don’t, sports doesn’t,
very little does. Only music does.
People are cool in general. Groups of people
are terrible. Individuals are cool. Treat them well, and the
good side will come out. The natural state of people is both
violent and peaceful. The stress of life, relationships, state
of world cause people to not be at their best. When you encounter
a person as an individual their good side usually comes out.
We need to encourage the good side.
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