The Frank Zappa Questionnaire was adapted from Cara Ober’s Gertrude Stein Questionnaire, which highlights local Baltimore artists and arts figures. This the music adaptation, highlighting musicians and music figures who live and work in Baltimore.
Ian Goldstein was raised Columbia, MD and went to Towson University in the mid 2000’s. From the late 90’s through 2007, Goldstein was the lead singer and guitarist for the Baltimore-based alt-rock band, Evolve. After spending nearly five years living in DC, in 2011 Goldstein moved back to Baltimore, mainly because of the music scene. By day, Goldstein works for a non-profit health care association in DC and commutes from his row home in Station North. As an active member of the music scene, Goldstein is a silent partner in Friends Records, and the voice behind Baltimore’s Got Bands, a podcast he launched last summer.
After just a few short months online, Goldstein has managed to interview Katrina Ford of Celebration, Austin Tally of Wing Dam and Mickey Freeland, among others. Goldstein believes, like many, that the music coming out of Baltimore right now could one day be gazed upon with the same lore as the 70’s punk scene in New York City.
Baltimore’s Got Bands, isn’t your standard musician interview. Goldstein spends nearly an hour with each subject, diving into detailed questions about their past, their family life and their interests and idiosyncrasies. “I already know so much about the music of these artists before I interview them,” said Goldstein. “I want to know about them as a person.”
Baltimore’s Got Bands is a weekly podcast and you can listen and download it at baltimoresgotbands.com.
Name: Ian Goldstein
Age: 33
Occupation: Digital Media and Government Affairs Specialist
Baltimore Neighborhood: Barclay
Obsessive Collections: Vinyl, sports memorabilia (Redskins, Orioles, and Brooklyn Dodgers), strange paintings and posters (I have Vigo the Carpathian in my dining room), and newspapers from my childhood.
Currently Listening to: Spoon – They Want My Soul
Dan Deacon – Bromst (Yea, I’m behind)
Allen Toussaint – Southern Nights
Etta James – 20th Century Masters (most notably “I’d Rather Go Blind”)
Swans – To Be Kind
TV on the Radio – Seeds
Serial Podcast
WTF With Marc Maron
Currently Reading:
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
The New Jim Crow by Michele Alexander
Coolest Place You’ve Ever Lived: Capitol Hill in Washington, DC
Hobbies: Playing guitar, listening to records, recording podcasts, going to sporting events, and going to shows. I also collect spores, molds, and fungus.
Favorite Food to Eat at Home: Lamb Chops
Favorite Food to Eat Out: Thai Landing
Beverage of Choice: Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper, Miller Lite, whiskey and ginger ale
Favorite Baltimore spot to see live music: The Crown
Pets: Benny (dog) Roger (kitten). They have a Facebook page because they fight each other constantly and it’s hilarious: Roger vs. Benny.
Favorite Baltimore Musician: Wing Dam, Wye Oak, Sherman Whips, Future Islands
Favorite Musician, Living or Dead: I’ll answer both. Living: Damon Albarn; Dead: John Lennon
Album that Sums Up the Current State of Your Life: More like a song… “Losing My Edge” by LCD Soundsystem
Favorite Bad Habit: Sunflower Seeds
Author Taylor DeBoer grew up in the Baltimore area and studied Writing and Sociology at Loyola University Maryland. He is a local writer, music lover, and edits a website that he co-founded, Manikmusic.net. Follow him on Twitter at TayDeBoer23.
