I recently conducted an interview with Owen Ashworth of the one-man band Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. CFTPA is definitely worth a listen, as the Seattle Stranger notes that “CFTPA is the solo moniker for Owen Ashworth’s sentiment-soaked, deceptively simple keyboard pop–chronicling in straightforward vignettes the middling malaise of adult mediocrity.”
CFTPA- Young Shields
CFTPA- Bobby Malone Moves Home
CFTPA- Lonesome New Mexican Nights
Visit his website at http://www.cftpa.org
How did you come up with the title of your one-man band, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone? The “Casiotone” part is kind of self-explanatory, but how did you come up with “for the painfully alone”? Is that a self-descriptive title?
A lot of my favorite songs growing up were sad country and blues songs that my parents would listen to in the car or whatever. I liked the feeling a truly miserable, desperate, tragic, pathetic story gave me. Sad songs could be comforting in a way that happy songs weren’t. I liked the idea of there different music for different times and moods. When I started writing songs, I wanted to give other people that same sort of miserable and comforted feeling that my favorite music had given me. It only seemed fair to let people know they were getting themselves into, though. Casiotone describes the music, Painfully Alone describes the listener. If you’re in the mood for something cheerful, you should probably put on something else.
How would you categorize your music? I’ve seen labels from “indietronica” to the God-forbidden “emo”.
I don’t think I would categorize my music. That’s someone else’s job.
Why did you first start creating music?
I started making sound collages with a hand held tape recorder when I was 15 or so. It was a few more years before I tried to sing in front of anybody.
Your website claims that you are a “film school drop out.” Did you make a lot of short films? What were they about?
I made some short documentaries and experimental films in school. I don’t think any of them are very good. One of them was about street performers in San Francisco, where I lived at the time.
You said in another interview that you think of your songs as movies. What did you mean by that?
I tend to visualize all of the characters and places in the stories I make up, and they sort of play out in my mind as little movies. I try to translate scenes into as few words as possible and make songs out of them.
In your early albums, you only used lo-fi keyboard equipment. Did you consciously choose these limitations?
The limitations were conscious. I was writing music using the instruments I had immediately available to me, and I thought it was important to keep the sound of the music true to the way the music was created. It just seemed like the honest thing to do. Beyond that, I was always attracted to art created with strict limitations. I liked the way a limited palette could create its own little world.
Why did you decide to move away from the keyboards you used in your earlier albums? Were you just ready for something new?
Yes, after three albums, I was ready to try something new. Some other people covered my songs with full bands or whatever, and I was envious of the sounds and instruments they were using. I was bored with the same little keyboards and felt ready to try something a bit more ambitious.
Are you constantly taking notes of things around you, kind of like “Oh, that would make an interesting song”? Are your songs directly based on real events?
I keep a little notebook in my pocket usually, and I wrote down all kinds of junk all day long. A lot of songs are inspired by real things, but I never feel any obligation to stick to the truth. I’m more interested in just making up a good story.
What is your favorite song you’ve written?
I have different favorites all of the time. Maybe it’s just the season, but I think “Cold White Christmas” is a pretty good one. Today I’m most excited about a new song I’m working on that doesn’t have a name yet. I have the music part is done and I really like it but I haven’t finished the lyrics yet.
What is your favorite song by another band?
This changes all of the time, too. I think The Donkeys’ song “Black Cat” is pretty awesome.
What music are you listening to these days?
I was recording some new stuff this afternoon, so I think the only music I’ve heard today was my own. Yesterday I listened to Carl Orff’s “Gasenhauer” about twenty times, and I think I put on Lupe Fiasco while I was doing dishes. Lupe Fiasco sounds great in my kitchen.
My favorite song is “Hey Eleanor”, off my favorite album Twinkle Echo. Is it autobiographical , or about one of your friends– whats the story behind that one?
“Hey Eleanor” was inspired by the Shirley Jackson book The Haunting of Hill House. It’s not particularly autobiographical. It’s not really even about that book, other than being named after one of the characters. Sometimes just trying to think of some good rhymes shapes the direction a story will go it. Sleeve —> Leave. Uzi —> Jacuzzi.
I love your album covers. Who designs them?
I drew the first few album covers, and Heidi Anderson painted the Twinkle Echo and Etiquette covers. She made the Twinkle Echo painting for a mutual friend’s birthday, and I asked her if I could use it and she said yes. I sort of commissioned the Etiquette cover based on a dream I had about it. I hope she’ll make more paintings for more records because she is a painting legend.
Any comments about the Chicago music scene? What are your favorite things to do around Chicago?
I have met some really nice Chicago musicians. I wouldn’t mind meeting a few more. I would especially like to meet a really nice drummer and a really nice pedal steel player. Fellas, ladies, drop me a line: casiotonetechsupport@gmail.com.
I really love Chicago but I think I end up reading about it more than actually going out and exploring. I am kind of a homebody. I feel like the only places I ever go are restaurants. I like Lula’s, Tank Noodles, Hot Doug’s, Sultan’s Market, El Pasadita, Bob-San, El Guanaco, and Opart.
Why are all your shows 18+ or 21+?
I played three all ages shows, one 18+ show, and two 21+ shows in Chicago this year. I try to make every show I set up at least 18+, but sometimes friends ask me to play 21+ shows and it’s hard to say no to friends.
What would you have to say to young people these days who are trying to decide between college/careers and music?
Dude don’t do it. Finish school.
&& Thanks again to Owen for taking the time to talk to us.
its really interesting how he thinks people should finish school