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Jan 12, 2016 By Mark Redfern Photography by Sebastian Mlynarski Web Exclusive

For Under the Radar’s 13th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to 2015. We asked them about their favorite albums of the year and their thoughts on various notable 2015 news stories involving either the music industry or world events, as well as some quirkier personal questions.

Check out our upcoming Best of 2015 print and digital issues for answers from Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Julien Baker, Blanck Mass, CHVRCHES, Dan Deacon, The Dears, Dutch Uncles, EL VY, Everything Everything, Father John Misty, Field Music, The Flaming Lips, How to Dress Well, Sondre Lerche, Low, Luna, Mew, NZCA Lines, Cullen Omori, Natalie Prass, Small Black, Surfer Blood, Tamaryn, Telekinesis, Vampire Weekend’s Chris Baio, The Walkmen, Youth Lagoon, and others.

Here are some answers from Frankie Rose. Rose’s last solo album, Herein Wild, was released on Fat Possum in 2013 (it was the follow-up to 2012’s Interstellar, released on Slumberland). In 2014 Rose partnered up with Drew Citron to form Beverly and they released their debut album, Careers, via Kanine.

Top 10 Albums of 2015

No clue this year honestly. I listened to more Art Bell than music this year and I am fine with that.

What was the highlight of 2015, for either you personally or for the band? What was the low point?

The highlight of 2015 for me has been starting to chip away at a new record. I really thought I was done there for a minute. There were quite a few low points, including bedbugs and a dog kidnapping.

What are your hopes and plans for 2016?

I absolutely will have a new record out in 2016. Also, I would like to tour Japan.

With the launch of TIDAL and Apple Music in 2015, there are more streaming music options, but the same issues of adequate artist compensation persist. What are your current thoughts on streaming and which service would you most like to have your music on?

I have written off the idea of ever making money from streaming. At this point I have come to terms with the fact that I make music because it’s what I do, regardless of compensation. I guess I can hope that with enough albums out there (instantly available) I can build a long-lasting and solid fanbase.

What are your thoughts on Friday being the new global release day for albums? Is it helping or hurting album sales?

I have no thoughts on this. Friday seems as good as Tuesday to me.

Mainstream pop music is increasingly embraced by indie rock musicians and listeners, as well as serious music critics. At this point, do you draw any distinctions between Top 40 pop and indie rock/pop? Are you comfortable with this shift?

I don’t care for much Top 40. I think much of it is children’s music (which is fine if that’s what you are into, I won’t judge). I could say “oh wow, great production” or whatever, but in the end I think the Emperor is not wearing any clothes.

What are your thoughts on how the 2016 U.S. Presidential election is shaping up?

We will get the president we deserve and I hope it is Bernie Sanders.

Ryan Adams covered Taylor Swift’s 1989 (and then Father John Misty covered Adams covering Swift). If you were to cover another artist’s album in its entirety, which would you pick and why?

I wouldn’t do it. If I liked an album enough to do such a thing, who am I to think I could improve something that is already great? And If I didn’t like it, why waste my energy? I also don’t care what Ryan Adams or Taylor Swift do, like…at all.

Have you ever been fired from a job (be it a day job or musical one)? Why were you fired?

I was fired from a fake production company. They (he) hired me to make original music for film projects, however there were no films or projects at all. As it turned out, it was a vanity project that existed inside the mind of one rich man. Basically, I was canned from the tedious task of staring at Facebook for six hours three days a week. Side note: I stole their Vitamix.

What’s your earliest music-related childhood memory?

Watching the movie musical Annie over and over and over and over. I was three.

What outrageous request would you most like to put in your tour rider as a joke?

I’m pretty sure I have had the same rider for years. I am still shocked when I get beer.

What’s the most disastrous date you’ve ever been on?

If had one, I’m sure I blocked it out. I don’t ever want to date. The thought of being on Tinder makes me want to die.

Which Star Wars character are you most like?

Chewbacca.

Where do you see yourself in five beers?

I almost never drink, so at five beers probably pretty drunk.

What’s the lamest breakup excuse you’ve ever given or been given?

What? I’ve never been dumped!

FFS (Franz Ferdinand + Sparks) proved that collaborations can work. What other two bands would you like to see unite as one new entity?

I have no idea.

If you could have named yourself as a baby, which name would you have picked instead of the one you have now?

Chewbacca.

How prepared are you for the apocalypse, zombie or otherwise?

Overall, I feel like I would actually be okay in this scenario. The one thing I would worry about is my bad vision. If my glasses broke, I would be toast.

Which moment from your past most haunts you?

Too many to count.

2015 is the year that Marty McFly traveled to the future in Back to the Future Part II. Beyond not having hoverboards, what most disappoints you about 2015 now that we’re here?

Everyone on the phone all the time, the phone the phone the phone.

Taylor Swift has been celebrated by indie rock fans and mainstream pop fans alike. Is she truly this generation’s pop genius or is she a talented, if overrated, songwriter?

Ummm no.

If your house were on fire, what would you grab as you were running out?

My 1964 Fender Mustang (guitar). It is actually the only physical thing I care about.

What’s been your best ever Halloween costume? What were you for Halloween this year?

Two years ago I was Robert Smith and it was pretty great.

What song will most unite or amp up the tour bus or van (à la “Tiny Dancer” in Almost Famous)? Which song do you love that the rest of the band or crew refuse to let you put on?

Any and all Depeche Mode was a big one on my last big tour.

With Twin Peaks, The X-Files, Gilmore Girls, Full House, and other classic shows returning, what other TV show would you like to see come back with its original cast?

I really hate reunions. So much. Any kind of reunion. Is nothing sacred?

What’s the biggest goal for your life that you have yet to achieve?

I don’t know!

In which way would you least like to die?

I would hate to be tortured for weeks on end by a serial killer. That seems like the worst case scenario.

www.frankierose.info