Jason Tate (Absolutepunk.net & Chorus.fm) - Interview
For those who aren’t familiar you created Absolutepunk.net and you had a blog as well on ap.net. Recently you’ve created a new site/blog that focuses almost solely on your own thoughts and opinions over various subjects including music, technology, books, website design, etc.... Can you tell me what inspired you to start Chorus.fm?
The main thing was that I was looking for a place to express myself a little more creatively and without the constraints that AP.net puts on me. When writing, for example, in a blog on AP.net - I felt weird if I wanted to just flat out write about technology or politics for a while … and didn't want to feel awkward posting 10 things in a day if I felt like it. Putting this on a different platform meant I could go in without worrying about alienating anyone or having any expectations besides: this is what I want to write about -- and that's it.
Plus, moving to a different platform meant I could play around with the design and try out new things -- mainly about putting a very easy to read layout together to share mostly text posts. I wanted someone to be able to visit the site/blog and not be inundated with "stuff" everywhere. I wanted it to be more about just the writing and I needed a little more control over the presentation. We're stuck with what we have on AP.net at the moment -- but by taking my blog off there -- I have more control. If I wake up tomorrow and want to turn the background green … I can. It just gave me more freedom.
Ap.net has grown into such a massively successful music site over the years, but initially it started much like Chorus.fm. When you were creating this new site what reminded you of when you first started working on ap.net?
Absolutely. But that's always been a part of me … I like to create things. I like to experiment. I like to build. AP.net started in a very similar fashion: me writing about things I like. I had no idea that it would ever turn into a business or a career -- and I am very blessed that it did. I don't know what the future holds for Chorus.fm, but at the moment it's mostly for my "aside" time, when my day that is very AP.net centric has ended or I have a few moments. It also allows me to play around with how Tumblr, itself, is set-up … knowledge I hope to put into use when working on a new layout for PropertyOfZack.com, for example.
One thing I like about Chorus.fm is your first impressions. They aren’t usually fully fleshed out reviews, instead I find that most of the time it seems to be your gut reaction and overall sense of what the music makes you feel or think. Is that what you are going for with those?
Basically exactly that. There's an expectation with a "review" that I wanted to remove when I write about an album when I hear it the first time. I wanted to just be able to write about what I think about it, without the analysis or even having to spend much time proof reading. I just want to be able to sit down and say: "Ok, I listened to this CD … here's what I think." I do that knowing my thoughts may change, and that my final opinion may end up being far different than the first impression. But, for me, it's a fun way to catalog music I'm listening to and what bigger releases hit me with on the first couple listens.
I saw that you were working on first impressions of the new Fall Out Boy on Chorus.fm and it kind of seemed to inspire you to come out of review retirement. To those who are familiar you use to do a lot more reviews on Ap.net a few years ago. What about the new FOB album inspired you to write a full fledged review?
A few things actually, mainly it was that after hearing the album, I started writing a few notes down about what I thought on the album (the original thought being it'd be a first impression blog) … then as I was forming those, I realized I had a pretty good idea of how I could frame an actual review. After a few days with the album, I decided that if there was a release to come back from hiatus to review -- this would be a good one. My history with Fall Out Boy, the band coming back from a hiatus, the album really leaving such an impression on me -- all played a big role. So that's when I started spending some more time with the album to really try and analyze it and form my thoughts. There's a much longer process for a "real" review than just a "first impression" blog.
As a music fan I almost always go into something thinking a series of similar thoughts right before I hit play. What do you think are a couple things that kind of go through your head right before you hit play on a new song, album, or EP?
It depends if it's a band I know and have followed for a while. Especially for bands I know, already, that I really enjoy … that puts a few expectations in my head right off the bat. What I try and do is block out all the expectations and just listen … it's not always easy, but that's the goal at least. It's the subsequent listens where I go in listening a little more intently.
Chorus.fm has also provided you with a place to discuss things like the recent Transit review controversy, the Fall Out Boy leaking controversy, etc… in depth and detail. You’ve always been a strong supporter of your staff and friends. You’ll post about this stuff in comments on ap.net, but Chorus.fm seems to be where you are making more of an official statement. Do you like that you have a new platform now, that is a little more personal, to make big statements like that?
I do. I like it for a few reasons: the first being that it gives me someplace to write about that kind of thing without it being "officially on AP.net." I mean, where else am I going to write that, in our news section? I don't think that would be appropriate or represent what our news section is or should be. It gives me a place to spend some time thinking out exactly what I want to say - and writing a little more in-depth. The forums are shorter bursts of comments and back and forth with readers … my blog is more long-form or a little more thought out musings.
Over the last little while we’ve seen new up and coming sites like Property Of Zack kind of start out and you’ve taken some of these sites under your wing. Property Of Zack in particular from post you’ve made on Chorus.fm and Ap.net seems to be a favorite of yours. What about Zack’s website sets him apart from the pack and what do you see in him that maybe relates to you when you were his age?
I really like Zack's dedication and commitment to more than just writing news blurbs about bands. He enjoys technology, design, and is very driven in what his vision for his website is (and should be) … there's a lot of qualities that he has that I see in myself at his age, and a whole lot I wish I had. When I was his age there wasn't anyone that helped me navigate anything -- I flew by the seat of my pants and made a lot of mistakes. I hope that somehow I can help pass on some of the lessons I learned.
Aside from sites you personally know, on Chorus.fm you give tips to anyone who reads the site about website design, programs, and pieces of code that makes things function in your opinion more easily. What do you think is your favorite design, code, or program that you have discussed on Chorus.fm so far?
For me the best program I've recommended is probably the most simple. It's iA Writer. It's a very, very simple and minimal app that's set to do one thing: let you write. It's basically a white screen with very few options, and it's what I've used to write virtually everything on my blog recently. I put it full screen, turn off all notifications on my computer, and it sets up a great distraction free environment to just write. I could not recommend it more.
Design/code wise - I write almost everything in Coda 2, by Panic, Inc. (a local Portland company).
(This is kind of a fun question to end out the interview on…I guess) The Social Network was made about the creator of Facebook. If there was ever an absolutepunk.net movie who would be on the short list to play you? Where Zuckerberg has his trademark hoodie that is seen throughout the movie can you think of any trademark items “Jason Tate” would have to have in the movie?
Someone ridiculously good looking, right? Haha, I feel like I'm in a trap here … I say someone too awesome and then I look crazy. I mean, if I could pick anyone? Maybe a young Matthew Brodrick? Like the "War Games" young version? Hmmm, for me the trademark would be that I wrote most of the original code for AP.net with giant gallons of Orange Juice and Cheez-Its. The latest version is more tea and Goldfish crackers. I like to have something to drink and eat/snack on while I'm working … it gives me a way to break up what I'm doing and think.
I want to thank you again for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have anything else you’d like to let our readers know?
Just that you can find me online: absolutepunk.net, chorus.fm, and twitter.com/jason_tate. Thanks again for the great questions. Hope it all turned out ok.
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