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Interviews -
Toronto Literary Scene
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Indie musician turned author John Crossingham chats with Experience Toronto about his love of music, his foray into book publishing, the inspiration behind Learn to Speak Music, and why Dr. Seuss is number one in his house.
Liz Bruckner: What inspired you to write Learn to Speak Music?
John Crossingham: As a young kid I was both obsessed with and clueless about music. Even once I started taking lessons, there was so little that I understood about how music was actually made. Now I know that part of that gradual absorption of knowledge is a part of the natural learning curve-it takes time to understand how things really work. But it occurred to me that there's so much knowledge you can impart to kids about music that goes beyond learning about notes and staffs. I wanted to talk about how music is made within a community of friends in a way that's unstuffy, loose, conversational and open.
Liz Bruckner: Had you always planned on being published?
John Crossingham: This is not the first book I've written, but it's the first one I pitched and initiated myself. (The other pieces were educational kids books that were commissioned to me.) I think it's fair to say that I always planned on LTSM being published, but I wasn't always so optimistic that it would turn out as well as it did. I was very lucky to find OwlKids at a time where my idea had matured enough in my head. They were the perfect publisher at the perfect time.
Liz Bruckner: You have quotes from Canadian Indie artists throughout the book. How hard or easy were they to get?
John Crossingham: Fortunately, quite easy. The people quoted in the book are-with only a couple exceptions-all musicians whom I know on a first name basis. That's something which I wanted to convey in the book, without being too conceited. I was fortunate enough to-from very humble beginnings-eventually become a part of a very successful community of musicians. It ebbed and flowed and happened very naturally.
Liz Bruckner: What do you think sets LTSM apart from other kids' musical education books?
John Crossingham: As much as it is wide in scope, it was written to try not to do too much. It does cover pretty much everything, but without spoiling too much of the surprises and personal discoveries involved with each. In other words, it's more about coaxing and unlocking the creative musical spirit within a kid, rather than inundating them with loads of technical jargon. It's neither for experts only or just for beginners-it's meant to be of equal interest to both readers. Moreover, I really wanted it to cover a wide level of age groups-I believe that even teens can really get a lot from this book. I even heard some adult musicians say they learned a lot from it too!
Liz Bruckner: What do you hope kids take away from it?
John Crossingham: That music is their oyster and that they can do with it whatever they like. Things like home recording programs on laptops make playing with music much easier than ever before. I just hope that kids learn to be uninhibited around music and be silly and creative with it. Have fun, that's what it's there for!
Liz Bruckner: Who's your favourite kids' book author?
John Crossingham: Whoever my daughter wants me to read to her! But probably Dr. Seuss books, really. They completely stand the test of time.
Liz Bruckner: What are your guilty literary pleasures?
John Crossingham: Well, I suppose the worst admission I could make is that I don't read as much as I should-and much of what I do read are graphic novels. The other guilty admission I could make is that I read a lot of books on music, which sort of reveals my personal artistic hierarchy. This Is Your Brain On Music is an incredible book, as is Ashley Khan's bio on Coltrane, A Love Supreme. I guess that's all better than reading Twilight, right?
Liz Bruckner: You live in Toronto. What's your favourite part of the city?
John Crossingham: The corner of Bay and King. No, just kidding. My favourite parts change often depending on what I'm into. That's what I love about the city-there's lots of room for rediscovery. I would say that a short list includes College Street, The Beach, Walnut and Queen, Harbourfront, and my neighbourhood park, Monarch Park.
Author Links:
http://www.owlkids.com
http://www.myspace.com/learntospeakmusic
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