“Good morning, Brandon. You are looking great today.”

“You are too kind. You’re not so bad yourself!”

“Thank you. But let us not waste moments flattering ourselves. It’s time to get down to business. What are your thoughts on today’s music?”

“Well, music for me is as important as life itself, although not everybody would agree with me. With that in mind, take a look at modern pop. When you look at artists such as Lady Gaga, do you think to yourself, ‘Wow! Her music is her most interesting feature!’ My guess is not, because her audience—which bizarrely, and unfortunately, not only consists of adolescents, but also the elderly and children—is more fascinated in her lucid meat dresses, which are somehow symbolic to some individuals. I guess the question really is, ‘How much of music is music, and how much is image?’”

“Could not have said it better myself. Do you feel other musicians that exist in genres other than pop aren’t getting the money and exposure they deserve?”

“As much as I love perfect-looking teenage boys with high-pitch and feminine voices, ‘swag-ilicous’ rappers who haven’t heard of belts, and poor, underprivileged, heartbroken young ladies with more wealth than I will have in twenty lifetimes, I also understand that there are other musicians in the world. The traditional recording studio no longer exists, so how do we reach musical prosperity without ruining our name with outlandish looks and lyrics? Even indie music is being dominated by commercialized bands, or acts with such intriguing subjects as Good Will (Thrift Shop).”

 “What are your opinions on the performance by Miley Cyrus on the ‘Video Music Awards’?”

“I find it not surprising, actually. There have always been peculiar acts, from David Bowie to Madonna, and this is just another. In my opinion, I think what happened in Miley Cyrus’ case is that she fell victim to another crime in media. As with Lindsey Lohan, the exposure to popularity as a child star, changes when the individual becomes a young adult. Maybe fame is too much for people who haven’t fully developed.”

“What does true music mean to you?”

“True music is sound. Some may say music is organized sound, but, similar to literature and art, it’s all about what the listener, viewer, or reader, thinks and feels. Genres such as industrial can be little to no sound or hundreds at once. If the listener is affected—not only by happiness, but anger, sadness, wonder—then the sound is music. If you enjoy the sound of someone screaming as if their arm was ripped off, then listen away, because personally, I do.”

“Interesting, interesting . . . . One final question. Who is your favorite musician?”

“I enjoy all of the sweet sections of sound; but most of all, I love Brandon Moss. He doesn’t advertise, he loves to write music, he is definitely not sarcastic, but most importantly he wants to aspire kids who want to do something, to make sound. He’s recording an EP as we speak.”

“Thank you for your time, and hopefully I’ll see you again.”