LEXICON INTERVIEW:
Lexicon is a jazz group. But they are so much more than
that. A unique amalgamation of both modern progressive rock and free-spirited
improvisation – the four members present a blithe, quixotic mix of both the conventional and
sometimes not-so-conventional sides of modern music. The gentle lads sat
down with us for a little face time and Q & A.
Q: What does Lexicon mean to you?
Michael (drums): I believe that Lexicon is, to me, is truly a
revolutionary idea brought into fruition. Like the building of the Pyramids or
the Magna Carte – both events that encompassed the whole spectrum of human
ambition and innovation. Just as we marvel at the building of the Pyramids, I
too believe future humans will marvel at what Lexicon is doing today.
Ryan (bass): When I was doing my Pre-Med work, I saw that I could
heal people with my own two hands – my hands alone could cure the sick and perform
the most intricate of procedures. That is when I decided I wanted to heal
people in another way, so I decided to play the bass. When I play my intricate
parts in one of our compositions, it is like my fingers are reaching out to the
hearts of our listeners, touching them and healing them.
Q: Who is your single biggest influence as a member of
Lexicon?
Travis (Saxophone): Descartes.
Ryan: I concur. Descartes, by far.
Erik: Risking the chagrin of my bandmates, I am going to
have to go with J.S. Bach and Sartre.
Q: What feeds your inspiration?
Travis: I often ruminate upon Slonimsky’s Thesaurus before retiring for the night. I think all
of that thought must provide most of my sustenance for my work with Lexicon.
Michael: When I cook, I often feel the similarities between
the harmonious fusion of ingredients and the members of our band. I might start
with a mere four eggs, cracked open and thrust into the bowl. But when I whisk together these eggs, that is
when the magic happens – a hint of cracked black pepper, a bit of provolone, a
dash of fresh chives. Our band is like these ingredients, coming together in your mouth.
Q: Erik, when did you join the group?
Erik: Travis was a mutual friend of mine – we knew each
other from a previous project we had worked on together called the Universal Society
for the Advancement and Creation of Improvised Music. I knew they secretly wanted me for
Lexicon – I often caught them making eyes at me whenever I attended on of their
performances. I think they wanted me in the group not just because I look
fabulous, dress fabulous and act fabulous, but because I THINK fabulous.
Q: What can one expect when they attend a Lexicon
performance?
Travis: Our music is very sensual. The sound-waves envelop
and undulate around your entire body. The only word I could think of is “Ear-gasm.”
Ryan: It is like spending the night with a beautiful woman. But instead of just one beautiful woman, there are four of them.
Q: What is it like to be a member of Lexicon?
Eris: We often like to tell jokes – I give them heaps of
them. Such as: How do you get a saxophone quartet to play in tune? Shoot three
of them.
(entire band laughs)
Ryan: I often joke that drummers are so stupid, they don’t
even understand Fermat’s Last Theorem! This usually results in dirty looks at
our monthly dinner parties.
(entire band laughs again, even more heartily than before)
Michael: Please forgive my bandmates for their crude behavior.
And with this final thought, we must sadly conclude our
interview with Lexicon. Please stay tuned for more of Lexicon’s thoughts on
love, loss, and human kind in our next interview. Until then, we bid adieu.