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Jan 30, 2014 Web Exclusive By Under the Radar Staff

For Under the Radar‘s 11th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to the important issues of the last year, as well as some quirkier subjects. Check out our next print issue and digital issue for surveys from My Morning Jacket, Foals, Amanda Palmer, Local Natives, Wild Nothing, These New Puritans, Lanterns on the Lake, Xiu Xiu, and Summer Camp.

Here are answers from Charles Watson of Slow Club.

What was the highlight of 2013, either for you personally or for the band?

A highlight of 2013 was when I went to the North Korean border. I’ve always been fascinated by that part of the world.

What was the low point of 2013 for you?

A particular low point of 2013 was ripping my new jeans on some barbed wire in an invasion tunnel at the North Korean border.

What are your hopes and plans for 2014?

Hopes for 2014? I hope to get my hands on a guitar organ.

What are your thoughts on the passing of Lou Reed? Did his music influence you at all and in what way?

Lou Reed made some of my favorite albums of all time. I have the Coney Island Baby album cover on my wall. His records always teach you to not take yourself too seriously. Unless you’re listening to Metal Machine Music, in which case just ignore me. It is very serious.

What are your thoughts on Obamacare, now that it’s being implemented?

My understanding of Obamacare is that it’s nowhere near as far-reaching as it could be, but I guess it’s better than nothing? I don’t know.

What are your thoughts on music streaming services such as Spotify and Rdio? Are they good or bad for musicians?

I like to pay for something I value. If people want music to be made in a creative way they need to support the people making it. The streaming thing isn’t going to stop so if you want to support a band go and see them live!

Who was the first person to break your heart? Whose heart did you first break

Anita from Heartbreak High. God damn you, Drazic.

What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?

The most embarrassing moment in high school was maybe forgetting the words to an Oasis song in front of the whole school while playing an electric guitar that wasn’t plugged in. Things seem not to have changed all that much, now that I think about it. However, I went back the next year and played the solo to “All Right Now” by Free with a distortion pedal, so I guess it all leveled out somewhat.

Do bad reviews bother you and which negative review has affected you the most?

I read them and if they use a few key phrases like “emotionally arresting” or “simply unparalleled” I go back later with a Pritt Stick [glue] and pair of scissors and add them to the scrapbook. I don’t like the bad ones.

What moment in history do you most wish you could’ve witnessed in person?

Any [Alan] Shearer goal.

What is your favorite word and why?

“Television.”

What was the first R-rated (17+) movie you remember seeing and how old were you?

Die Hard, I think.

Which lyric written by someone else do you most quote?

“Happy Birthday.”

Did you attend your senior prom? What was that experience like?

My prom was in the back room of a hotel off the M18 [motorway]. You work it out.

Who would you most like to sing at your funeral?

Rebecca [Taylor of Slow Club]. But only if she sings all of our first album on her own.

www.slowclubband.com