future full-length recording.

Me: Any chance of a Velvet Underground-style Silkworm reunion twenty-five years down the line?

Joel: Sure There is, though I hope it won't take twenty-five years...unlike the members of The Velvet Underground I was too old a long time ago.

Me: With all the lack of plans for records and tours, is the Downer Trio finished? (which, by the way, would be a damn shame) Am I supposed to take that like there aren't any plans now because you haven't gotten around to making them, or aren't there any plans because there's nothing left to plan?

Joel: This year has been a bit of a transition for all of us but we've always reinvented our methods of operation as needed - and we'll continue to do so. It's just a question of - what do we want to do and how will we/how can we do it? And that's the name of the game for any outfit I suppose. We've never been much bound by a master plan, either by having one or sticking to it, but I think there's probably some soup on the stove left...

Me: I'm sure you get asked about this song all the ime, and it probably is a touchy subject to start with, but seeing as it's the only original off of the Inland Empires EP (and the title track to boot), I'm assuming that you wanted to draw some measure of attention to it... So here comes the inevitable Now You Are Found discussion. This track is just about the heaviest audio document I've heard, and I'm not talking about fuzzy guitars and lots-o-cymbals kinda heavy either. From what I gather it's about your sister's life and death from a non-accidental heroin

overdose. Please correct me if I have any of the facts wrong. This song seems like it would be something very very personal, and very very difficult to write, and I guess part of my question has to do with how the song itself came about. When did you decide to write about it? And did it all get written at once or was it a very revionary and piecemeal process? How did you feel about submitting it to public display? How do you hope listeners feel about it?

Joel: You're correct, it is about my sister Charissa who took her own life December 1, 1999. Seems like I wrote it one evening shortly after the funeral though I guess I can't remember exactly when. The content, from a technical standpoint was fairly easy to develop in that it's a common kind of internal dialog that one might have with one who is missing. The scenes themselves were mostly ones that had been on my mind for quite some time and were easy to recall (impossible not to really). It was just a matter of writing what was needed and leaving the rest and it was one of the most natural and difficult things I've ever done.
And as for the public display there were several main issues to deal with...number one was will it in any way be an embarrassment to my mother and father? They say no. It was vital that the presentation was appropriate and having the record put out in a small pressing, by one of my best friends, Tim Cook, seemed perfect. Robert Mercer's thoughtful design, his attention to the text and images, Tim's drawings that he graciously supplied, Lance Webber's printing and paper selection and the company of a few songs that are all dear to me in their own way - everything that went into the making of this record suggested that we could produce (Continued...)
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