Neil Finn Questions

Background:

Jon Casimir, a respected journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald interviewed Neil Finn on May 19th.

As Jon is a friend of mine, I proposed the following: why not see what questions the member of the “Tongue in the Mail” maillist would like to ask Neil … Jon being very ‘net savvy agreed!


Results:

Jon Casimir’s first article appeared in Wednesday 20th May’s Sydney Morning Herald: Out of the house, Neil Finds a New Muse

There is an article slated for the “Metro” section of the Sydney Morning Herald in about 4 weeks time. Stay tuned.


My Question for Neil:

‘Try Whistling This’ marks a transition from the acoustic ‘Finn’ album to a more digital sound; how has the digital age altered your craftmanship?


Here are the Questions Submitted:

With Crowded House it often felt like attempts to be loud and rocky never quite came off, they sounded kind of self-conscious and polite, wheras on your new album it seems to happen much more easily and successfully – what changes have brought this about?

Though I’m sure everyone else will be asking this – why funky dancey grooves now when you’ve never used anything like that before in 20 yrs of making music? is it the radical development it sounds like with respect to your previous work or just a different feel to experiment with?


Why is Twisty Bass called Twisty Bass?

What event/s inspired the song Try Whistling This?


I’m a songwriter, and would like to ask Neil which instrument he composes on primarily, and what kind of acoustic guitar(s) he has in his home/studio (not looking for brand endorsement; I just know that there’s usually a single favorite guitar that’s usually close at hand for songwriters).


How do you see your writing abilities progressing now the new album has been released and was the split of Crowded House any inspiration to the writing of your new material ? How do you feel when you hear Split Enz come on the radio these days ?


One feature of all your work to date has been the banter at your live shows, either with Tim or with Paul or Nick. Is that changing now you’re solo, or have you already got a ‘banter groove’ happening with your band? And will you be encouraging paper planes?


The new album is really impressive. What Iâve found interesting is how much my 14 year-old daughter loves your new material. How do you feel about reaching such a young audience and how have you maintained this appeal over the last 20 years?

There are always a group of lines in your songs that, along with a goosebump inducing melody, really stand out, hit home and play on the mind. Do you start with these lines and build the song around them or do you start from the top and they follow naturally from the original idea?


How do you feel about the success and recognition you’ve earned?

Do you yearn for more high-profile, world-wide recognition (i.e. American success)?


John Lennon is supposed to have said (about music): “If it’s real, it’s simple usually. And if it’s simple, it’s true.” It is bound to be possible to achieve this no matter what technology you avail yourself of to make your recorded music. It is. It’s not the arrangements or approach or even structure of the song that makes this happen. So what is it? What makes something ring true? And something not? Even different projects by the same person. What do you think is the essence of this simplicity?

Can you have strong personal ambition for your musical career and still maintain integrity as an artist?


Each time we hear about the death of a celebrity, more recently Linda McCartney – and bearing in mind your contribution to the Princess Diana tribute album – do you ever feel inspired to write songs for the recently departed?

How do you react when a fellow musician/artist has played you a really good demo (or live version) of a new song of theirs and then when you hear the final version, it has been over produced – even ruined – in the studio? Do you tell them what you think?


When you are in the studio, how much of a perfectionist are you? i.e., do you find yourself recording vocals or other parts over and over again until you get it “just right”? Has your level of perfectionism changed over time in your career (are you more or less of a perfectionist now)?


How does the sound of the new album compare with Crowded House? Did you intentionally start out writing songs that would not sound like Crowded House, did the difference largely come out in the studio, or are there compelling similarities between your solo work and Crowded House albums?

Tim visited Burlington, Vermont in 1989/90, opening for 10,000 Manaics. Have you ever considered visiting or, better yet, playing here?


Do you wish to write an album with any other artists in the future?


In terms of Crowded House, would the songs ‘Black and White Boy’ and ‘In My Command’ and ‘Instinct’ best represent your new songs?

I can’t remember you having any one word titles for your songs. It is the kind of thing i’d expect to see on an REM, Pearl Jam or Radiohead album. Is this because you have focused more on the music and worried less about the lyrics?


From Split Enz, with songs like ‘Years Go By’ ‘Voices’ ‘History Never Repeats’ and through Crowded House with ‘Love This Life’ ‘Distant Sun’ ‘Private Universe’ ‘Everything Is Good For You’ and ‘Instinct’ for example, it seems you take life as it comes, always looking at the past while wondering what the future holds in a light-hearted manner, while cherishing those special places and moments in your life. Is this true in any way?

The songs ‘Kare Kare’ and ‘Private Universe’ could not have summed up better the place attachment I have to our families bach in the Marlborough Sounds, and the general scenery, memories and atmosphere present there. Is ‘Private Universe’ about place attachment to you?


Neil, even though you have been a solo songwriter for much of your career, you have always been a musical collaborator with your brother or with a band. How different was writing and recording this solo album from those experiences? Were you expecting to feel more liberated and able to carry through on your own vision, or did you miss the sounding boards that you used to work with?


Any plans for a few shows in the US?


How does the sound of the new album compare with Crowded House? Did you intentionally start out writing songs that would not sound like Crowded House, did the difference largely come out in the studio, or are there compelling similarities between your solo work and Crowded House albums?”

Tim visited Burlington, Vermont in 1989/90, opening for 10,000 Manaics. Have you ever considered visiting or, better yet, playing here?

Creating Animations


Step 1: Create the base composition with elements.

The first step is to create the base elements in the composition.

1. Create a new composition. Set the size to 760 pixels wide by 100 pixels high. [809] 01create/01_newcomp.jpg

2. Open the Color palette (Window>Color). Select the Document background color icon and set the color to R=0, G=153, B=153 (web color #009999)

[810] images/doc_bg_color.gif

[811] 01create/02_bkgndcol.jpg

3. File>Place the Adobe Illustrator file ‘extreme_flow.ai’.

The source files for this guide are available here: MacOS: sourcefiles.sit.hqx Windows: sourcefiles.zip

[812] 01create/03_placeai.jpg

4. Window>Transform. In the palette, change the width and height of the placed element to 1024 x 100 pixels. [813] 01create/04_changesize.jpg

5. Timeline>Show Timeline Window. Here you can see that the Adobe Illustrator file has been placed as a single encapsulated postscript file (EPS). As we would like to seperate the elements, select the element in the timeline [814] 01create/05_opentimeline.jpg

6. Object>Convert Layers Into>Objects. Now we have two layers created from the layered Illustrator file on our timeline. [815] 01create/06_layerobj.jpg

7. Timeline>Edit Name… Rename the layers to a name that will make life easier later on. You all name your layers in Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign … don’t you

Layer 2 rename as extremetext

Layer 1 rename as waveflow

[816] 01create/07_rename.jpg

8. File> Place as Texture. Select the file face.psd. This will tile the Photoshop file as a texture in the black areas of the extremetext layer.

The source files for this guide are available here: MacOS: sourcefiles.sit.hqx Windows: sourcefiles.zip

[817] 01create/08_placetexture.jpg

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1986-1989

September 89 As part of honeymoon, visited Apple Computer headquarters in Cupertino, California. Visited Apple Pacific and liaised with AppleCentre task force team and shopped at the “company store”.
April-September 1991 Moved from Technical Support Manager to Corporate Systems Engineer, responsible for Beneficial Finance, BHP Whyalla, Kinhill Engineers, Australian Submarine Corporation, F. H. Faulding & Co, and CRA Exploration. This role involved the all technical aspects of Macintosh usage in these corporates. Regular newsletters and fact sheets were also compiled and sent out, along with Corporate User Group Meetings and one-on-one technical sessions with their Technical Staff.

Early experimentation with Ethernet, QuickMail, Apple’s A/UX and other technically challenging products pioneered at AppleCentre Adelaide were introduced to these Corporates and in many cases adopted as Corporate platforms.

This role, whilst extending to September 1991, involved levels of Account Management and liaison with developers and distributors in Australia and the US. Close ties were created with Tri Data Communications, Keyway (now Conexus), Apple Sydney and Melbourne.

December 88 Completed writing chapter for the book “Tricks of the HyperTalk Masters” about using HyperCard as a front end tool to communications services. This book was published in 89 by the Waite Group, Mann County, USA. (ISBN 0-672-48431-5)
November 88 Employed and Trained new Technical Support team members. August 88 Appointed Manager of Technical Support at Random Access.
January 88 Appointed prime Technical Support contact for the Australian Submarine Corporation. This included daily liaison with Kay Lindley, PC & OA Supervisor and Brian Musker, MIS Manager.
September 87 Attended Apple Service Training in Sydney, achieving Level 1 Accreditation for Macintosh II hardware.
January 87 Moved from Sales to join the one man Technical Support team as a trainee Technical Support Analyst. In 1987 the world of Macintosh was just about to explode into ethernet networks, open systems with the Macintosh II and AppleShare. Supported Apple platforms ranged from the Macintosh, to the Apple II, to the rare Apple III.
August 86 Achieved highest sales in the month.
January 86 Commenced work at Random Access as a Junior Trainee Salesman. Job roles included store management and initial customer contact.

1990

June 1990 As Systems Engineer with AppleCentre Adelaide, provided prime Technical contact for the Co-operative Group bid. AppleCentre Adelaide won this bid over IBM Australia as “it was the safer choice”. This bid involved the integration of a network of Macintoshes into an IBM 4381 host.
April 1990 Attended “A/UX Systems Administration” course at Apple Computer, Sydney.
February 1990 Appointed AppleCentre “Building the Difference” Trainer/Motivator for AppleCentre Adelaide. Attended training course in Sydney in April.

1992

December 1993 Created client/server EIS/Query system called “Sherlock”. Written using VICOM. Macintosh front end displays data and executes Oracle SQL queries. Sherlock also integrates agent-based architecture into Random Access electronic mail system.
December 1993 Sold 200 licenses of VICOM into E&WS after extensive testing of TN3270 emulation at E&WS to Tandem Cyclone and ETSA IBM Mainframe.
November 1993 Installed a uucp-style connection to connect.com. Installed Mail, UseNet news and other services on a Random Access’ Sun server.
September 1993 – October 1993 Assisted DPA Computing in installation of new Sun/Oracle based School Management system for Walford CEGS.
August 1993 – September 1993 Part of team at Random Access Consulting that outsourced to the Cooperative Group in Macintosh, Windows, Netware and IBM Mainframe technical support.
September 1993 Started Newton development research for inhouse projects and evaluation for external consulting.
September 1993 Attended Apple Workgroup Server training, in Sydney.
September 1993 Project Managed and implemented cut over from old single user accounting system to new multiuser Sun/Oracle CFACS system. September was a $1.4 million revenue month for Random Access, very close to the company’s record at that time.
August 1993 – August 1994 Appointed as Technical Consultant and Technical presenter to Technology in Management project at the Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE. This course will presented over 5 days in March 1994. This project is a joint venture between Random Access Consulting and Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE.
August 1993 Consulted to Young & Rubicam for Desktop strategy in Melbourne. Also assisted in technical considerations in move to new building in early 1994.
June 1993 Presented Macintosh Futures Debriefing from the Apple World Wide Developers Conference to senior management of Random Access customers.
May 1993 Provided technical Consultation to IPEC Group in the integration of Macintoshes into their Delivery Note EDI system.
May 1993 Attended Apple World Wide Developer Conference, San Jose, USA. The WWDC is a once a year seminar where Apple present their technologies such as System 7, PowerPC and Newton to their developer community.
April 1993 Attended Windows NT Technical Seminar presented in Adelaide by Microsoft Australia.
April 1993 Provided Technical Consultation to CSIRO Division of Soils in Macintosh to Unix/TCP/IP integration.
April 1993 Assisted Mike Seyfang and Fujitsu Australia with the integration of Macintoshes into Novell Netware network and Unix-based PICK system at the City of Henley & Grange.
April 1993 Sold a volume license of VICOM for TV1950 emulation to the E&WS Department.
March 1993 Chose CFACS as product of choice for Random Access Pty Ltd’s new accounting system. Attended training at Cedardata.
March 1993 Attended Quality Auditor’s Course presented by Aptech Australia.
February 1993 Random Access Consulting appointed Australian and New Zealand distributor of VICOM. VICOM is a front ending tool for the Macintosh, written in the UK.
February 1993 Consulted to the Australian Submarine Corporation in Macintosh integration using DECWindows XWindows protocol.
January 1993 Attended the MacWorld Exposition, San Francisco, USA. MacWorld is a one of two major events in the Macintosh community for the display of products and services.

1993


December 1993 Created client/server EIS/Query system called “Sherlock”. Written using VICOM. Macintosh front end displays data and executes Oracle SQL queries. Sherlock also integrates agent-based architecture into Random Access electronic mail system.
December 1993 Sold 200 licenses of VICOM into E&WS after extensive testing of TN3270 emulation at E&WS to Tandem Cyclone and ETSA IBM Mainframe.
November 1993 Installed a uucp-style connection to connect.com. Installed Mail, UseNet news and other services on a Random Access’ Sun server.
September 1993 – October 1993 Assisted DPA Computing in installation of new Sun/Oracle based School Management system for Walford CEGS.
August 1993 – September 1993 Part of team at Random Access Consulting that outsourced to the Cooperative Group in Macintosh, Windows, Netware and IBM Mainframe technical support.
September 1993 Started Newton development research for inhouse projects and evaluation for external consulting.
September 1993 Attended Apple Workgroup Server training, in Sydney.
September 1993 Project Managed and implemented cut over from old single user accounting system to new multiuser Sun/Oracle CFACS system. September was a $1.4 million revenue month for Random Access, very close to the company’s record at that time.
August 1993 – August 1994 Appointed as Technical Consultant and Technical presenter to Technology in Management project at the Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE. This course will presented over 5 days in March 1994. This project is a joint venture between Random Access Consulting and Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE.
August 1993 Consulted to Young & Rubicam for Desktop strategy in Melbourne. Also assisted in technical considerations in move to new building in early 1994.
June 1993 Presented Macintosh Futures Debriefing from the Apple World Wide Developers Conference to senior management of Random Access customers.
May 1993 Provided technical Consultation to IPEC Group in the integration of Macintoshes into their Delivery Note EDI system.
May 1993 Attended Apple World Wide Developer Conference, San Jose, USA. The WWDC is a once a year seminar where Apple present their technologies such as System 7, PowerPC and Newton to their developer community.
April 1993 Attended Windows NT Technical Seminar presented in Adelaide by Microsoft Australia.
April 1993 Provided Technical Consultation to CSIRO Division of Soils in Macintosh to Unix/TCP/IP integration.
April 1993 Assisted Mike Seyfang and Fujitsu Australia with the integration of Macintoshes into Novell Netware network and Unix-based PICK system at the City of Henley & Grange.
April 1993 Sold a volume license of VICOM for TV1950 emulation to the E&WS Department.
March 1993 Chose CFACS as product of choice for Random Access Pty Ltd’s new accounting system. Attended training at Cedardata.
March 1993 Attended Quality Auditor’s Course presented by Aptech Australia.
February 1993 Random Access Consulting appointed Australian and New Zealand distributor of VICOM. VICOM is a front ending tool for the Macintosh, written in the UK.
February 1993 Consulted to the Australian Submarine Corporation in Macintosh integration using DECWindows XWindows protocol.
January 1993 Attended the MacWorld Exposition, San Francisco, USA. MacWorld is a one of two major events in the Macintosh community for the display of products and services.

2001


November 2001

Right Tools for the Job Roadshow, incorporating a special “Adobe for Developers Session”

June-August 2001

Assistance to ACP in evaluation of InDesign and Photoshop as a mechanism for changing internal design workflows. Resulted in ACP purchasing InDesign and other Adobe products. InDesign now implemented across all 50+ titles.

May 2001

PacPrint, Melbourne
April 2001 Paid-for events in Singapore, Malaysia and India
February 2001 Premiere 6.0 Roadshow, New Zealand and Australia

1994


December 1994 Acheived Compaq Accredited Systems Engineer status.
December 1994 Passed External Quality Compliance Audit performed by Quality Assurance Services. 8 of 19 Corrective Actions closed, only 11 Minor Discrepancies raised.
December 1994 Attended Compaq Novell Advanced Performance Integration course, Sydney. Achieved highest marks in the class.
October 1994 Team Leader for Random Access Consulting – appointed three new staff members: Brian Forte’, Phil Dempster and Gary Smith. Assigned job roles, assisted in helping them transition to a consulting environment
October 1994 Achieved Certified Netware Engineer Status.
September 1994 Appointed Quality Manager, Random Access Adelaide.
September 1994 Implemented VICOM for Comcare in Canberra. Involved a small front-end development, and problem solving Unix and Tandem operating system issues.
August 1994 Attended Advanced Netware 4.0 Administration Course, Comtech, Adelaide. Passed Drake CNE certification exam September 1994.
July to September 1994 Assisted Digital Equipment Corporation in implementing Macintosh integration to new electronic messaging system and the Internet.
July to August 1994 Prepared a report for the board of Phillips Fox detailing a technical strategy for the implementation of: WAN, Unix server, new document management application, new word processor and electronic niail application.
June 1994 Achieved Distinction for Financial Management in Post-Graduate Diploma of Management/MBA with Deakin University.
May 1994 Completed First stage of a project for Young & Rubicam. Included Local Area Network cabling vendor Request for Tender documents, and Wide Area Network design. This project included communication with New York head office, selection of network infrastructure providors and exposure to Etherswitching and Frame Relay technologies.
March 1994 Completed a preliminary prototype of a query system into the Oracle-based QCIS application for ASC. Project included a written report being prepared for MIS Management on the impact of such systems. System written using the VICOM application’s scripting language.
March 1994 Completed a Performance Monitoring System for E&WS’s Tandem-based applications. System written using the VICOM application’s scripting language.
March 1994 Presented version 6.0 of the Macintosh Support Expert Course at Random Access, Perth.
February 1994 Attended Novell Netware 4.0 Administrator’s Course. Passed Exam and achieved “Certified Netware Administrator” status.
January 1994 Commenced Post-Graduate Diploma of Management/MBA with Deakin University.
January 1994 Assisted Colliers Jardine design a wide area network for Sydney, and the integration of their existing Ethernet/Token Ring Novell network with Macintoshes.

1995

December 1995 to January 1996 Consulting, Fairfax Publications, Golden Master cleaning up the Macintoshes
November 1995 Sales Conference, New Orleans
August 1995 Attended Enterprise Selling Course, Barry Freeman and Associates.
1995 Present Strategic Presentations to key Apple customers throughout Australia.
1995 – 1998 Various technical escalation issues: DHCP Fed Ags, MacTCP Optus Vision, Equitilink, Billy Blue
August 1995 Apple Technology Symposium 1995: Networking (Novell, Macintoshes, Internet connection, Switched network), Delivering update on N&C/Development Tools for Macintosh; MacIS Response. Keynote assistance
July 1995 Attended Summer Camp, San Diego, US
May 1995 Technical contact for winning OptusVision deal for Apple.
April 1995 Assisted various resellers with complex Macintosh integration issues.
April 1995 Responsible for “MacIS Top 10” response at August Apple Technology Symposium.
April 1995 Joined Apple Computer Australia in Sydney as a National Systems Engineer, focusing on Networking and Communications integration.
January 1995 Project Manager and Technical Lead for installation of Netware at Colliers Jardine, Adelaide. Included PC and Macintosh to Unix integration.
January – February 1995 Implemented a ccMail to QuickMail gateway for CelsiusTech, Australia.