The Q & A

After the concert ended, someone said that the lunatics were welcome to the press conference as long as they stayed off to the sides, and then they instructed the press to take their seats.

Chris and I sat together on the front row, left side. I got out my notepad, power glo pen, and voice activated tape recorder. Soon, two stools were set up in the place where everyone had been dancing just moments before. Then someone instructed the press to state their name and the name of their publication before asking any questions.

I made a note of my questions...I was able to come up with a few questions, but it was difficult. As a Solsburian, I already know everything about Gabriel. I've read so many Gabriel articles and interviews in recent weeks that the thought of more Gabenews in print makes my eyes glaze over. I actually had some more complex questions that would work on a one-on-one interview, but not for a press conference. And my run-in with the EPK people convinced me I don't work well under pressure, and I figured that if I didn't ask a simple quickie question, I'd end up stammering like Porky Pig on speed.

I finally decided on a question that was inspired by something fellow Solsburian and web designer Brad Cornelius said...Brad noted that there was a full month between this publicity spree and tour, and that was a long time for just rehearsing for a basic show. He theorized that the show may be more elaborate than what many thought. So I came up with the easy question, "What are you doing between now and the start of the tour in November?" I knew the basic answer, ("Rehearsing for the show") but felt that maybe he would give more details on how much rehearsal would be needed, and perhaps he had something else besides rehearsing planned in the month ahead. Also, the last time I asked Gabriel a question to which I already knew the answer to, it created amusing results.

Soon, Gabriel reappeared (once again, to generous applause) and sat down on the stool, and the questions began.

You're gonna hate me, but (1) I forgot to record the first five minutes of the actual press conference on my recorder (2) what I did tape I haven't transcribed yet. I promise I will do a write-up on that before Gabriel releases the next album.

Anyway, the questions started. I tried to take notes but couldn't keep up, so I hoped the tape recorder would work, or I'd just copy off of Chris' notes later on.

From the very beginning, Gabriel seemed to be in good humor, even when the first question was about the death themes on Up. "I thought, 'Maybe that's a nice, cheerful subject for a pop record.' It hadn't really been covered much...There's gonna be a lot of dead people, and it's a market that no one's really taking care of."

Someone asked about the bonobos, which, once again, I knew all about, and he answered very similar to what he answered in other interviews.

At some point, someone brought out a glass of wine and bottle of water, to which Gabriel remarked, "Ah! Reinforcements!" I looked at the glass of wine and thought, That looks good. I wonder if I can score a glass at the "food and drink" they're supposed to be serving after the press conference.

And so the questioning went on. Part of me didn't want to ask a question...I was too nervous to speak up. But I knew that if I didn't take the opportunity while I had the chance, I'd forever have feelings of regret. Finally, there was a pause in the questions, and I decided to go for it. I waved my Gabesaber pen around, and when Gabriel was looking in my general direction, I blurted out, "What are your plans between now and beginning of the tour in November?"

Gabriel thought for a moment and said, "Um, rehearsing." Wow, I sure called that one, I thought. But then he went into more detail. "We're rehearsing at a military airfield, which is about three miles from our studio. So I think we're sharing our preparations with the preparations for the war in Iraq. One of those things I don't think should be taking place."

When he said that, I cringed and looked down to the floor. Oh, great, I thought. I ask a simple, benign, fluffy, softball question, and I end up bringing him three inches away from giving an all-out politicial screed. And didn't I specifically state three weeks ago on the Hill that he wasn't allowed to talk politics until he consulted Lilieks, Instapundit, and The Libertarian Samizdata? Sheesh.

Gabriel didn't say anything more on that, and instead fielded a question from Chris Rubin. I noted that when Chris started to ask his question, he didn't give his name or publication like he was supposed to.

Then I came to a horrifying realization: In my nervous rush to ask my question, I hadn't given my name or "publication" either! Arrrrrrrrgh! Here I am running around the Internet for about seven years shoving my domain name in the face of everyone and everyone, and the one opportunity comes along where it actually makes sense for me to give my name and URL, and I fuck it up!* So much for finally getting a little recognition from Gabriel or the media. I blew it.

I didn't pay attention to what was said during the rest of the press conference. I was too busy mentally beating myself up.

After what seemed like a rather short period of time, the press conference was over. Half of the crowd dashed to the back of the club for refreshments, the rest ran over to where Gabriel was standing.

I knew where I had to go...since I blew my chance to introduce myself earlier, I felt I had to try to make up for it.

Everyone was crowded around Gabriel, and many were gushing about how great he sounded. I agreed, but why state the obvious? People were also handing him stuff to sign, and as he signed their posters and "flats" he would chat with person he was signing stuff for briefly. I concluded that if I wanted to talk to Gabriel, just cutting in wouldn't do...I should have him sign something.

But I really didn't want an autograph...I already have two perfectly good ones...one made out to me, and one directed to the Hill. A third one would just be excessive, even for a diehard fan as myself. But I kept thinking, "No autograph = no chat with Gabriel." Then I came up with the perfect answer that would solve a problem I had earlier and would ease my conscience about asking for yet another autograph.

I grabbed my press packet folder with the cool Up artwork, and I soon found myself right in front of Gabriel. When he had his hands free, I handed him my folder, "Hi...I forgot to introduce myself earlier...I'm Andrea McCasland from solsburyhill.org." He paused in thought, and I could tell that he was vaguely remembering, but it hadn't "clicked" yet. "You're...with Solsbury Hill...?" "Yes, I'm the webmaster. I'm also known as Mac Cat." That's when I could sense that he recognized the site.

I admit, it could've been my imagination, but I sensed a tiny bit of apprehension from him at that point. Maybe he was thinking, funny, she doesn't look like a committee. Maybe he realized that I was the one who posted those odd photoshopped pictures of him on the Internet. Maybe he was worried that I had a concealed razor on me and was going to "take care" of the rest of his goatee. Maybe he was intimidated by my big blonde hair and my VERY BLUE BLAZER. Maybe he didn't believe that I actually flew up from Tampa for this. Maybe he didn't think I'd weasel my way onto the press list. Maybe he's wary of women who publicly refer to themselves in the plural third person. Maybe he was thinking, solsburyhill.org...that's the one with the floating heads, right? Maybe he was wondering if that Billy Joel interview that was linked to the Hill was for real. Maybe my rant implying that Gabriel was a tool for Microsoft wasn't such a hot idea.

When it became clear that Gabriel wasn't going to further comment, I went on, with a nervous chuckle, "I know I've given you a hard time over the years on the Hill, but I've enjoyed writing about you..." He smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgment, and as the crowd started to get a little restless with others wanting things signed, so he said, "Ah, how did you want me to sign this?"

"Oh, don't make it out to me, make it out to Margaret," I said. And he did. I took the folder and thanked him, and tried to make a graceful exit. No such luck...there was a tight circle of people surrounding us, and I couldn't move or leave, so in front of Gabriel I stayed. I could think of worse places to be, but it was still a bit awkward, nonetheless.

Some guy had his picture taken with Peter. Others had a flats signed, or just said "You were great!" Then one of the two women who were the First in Line approached Gabriel, announced that she just "had to do this" and gave Gabriel a kiss on the cheek. I was a bit appalled by this...how would you like it if some total stranger came up to you and gave you a smooch? Gabriel took in stride, but I had new respect for him to have to put up with stuff like this all the time. Then again, I have to admit that I admired the woman's chutzpah, and also thought better her than him.

Finally the group dispersed and I was able to make my way to the bar where the food was. I confess that I was disappointed that Gabriel didn't have any comment about the site, but a site critique from Gabriel wasn't the purpose of this trip. He is not my target audience, you are. Besides, considering Gabriel's apprehension, (real or imagined) no comment was probably a good thing.

I saw Chris and Dan talking and eating. "I can't believe I forgot to say my name and publication when I asked my question!" I said to them. "Don't worry about it," Dan said. "Gabriel knows exactly who you are. You don't need to introduce yourself."

"What makes you say that," I asked. I knew the truth as Gabriel didn't say, "Hey, it's Mac Cat!" when I approached him just seconds ago.

Dan answered, "I saw the way he walked across the stage and shook your hand. He knew it was you!"

I laughed. "He shook my hand because I was desperately waving it in his face as he walked past me!" I knew that was a bit of an exaggeration...5'2" woman couldn't wave a hand in a man's face who was 5'10" while he's standing on a 4 ft stage unless stilts were involved. Still I was comforted by Dan's words.

I didn't see any wine at the bar, but I saw something better: Coffee! I grabbed a cup of joe and a sandwich, and got a table with Chris and Dan. We talked a bit about the show and press conference, and Chris said that the band might come back onstage and rehearse after a while.

It was tempting to linger, but I hadn't slept well in several nights, I had been charged up all day, and now I was starting to feel extremely tired. Once I finished eating and drinking, I decided to leave. I said my goodbyes to Chris and Dan, and I left. As I was walking into the foyer, I saw a guy packing up press schwag. I remembered that I was about to give away my only press pack, so I said to the guy, "I lost my press pack. Could I get another one?" "Sure," he said. He found the box and handed one to me.

I walked across Times Square and made my way back to Margaret's place, which was still empty. I wrote a note thanking her for her kindness, and I left the copy of Up and the autograph for her to find when she got back home from work. I packed, left the spare keys on the table, and left to meet up with Scott.

TBC

*To make a bad analogy, it would be like if Lt. Columbo got caught in a sudden downpour before he realized he forgot to put on his raincoat...back