Tue 30 May 2006 In: Hall of Fame View at Wayback View at NDHA
Samuel Holloway Meet a gay composer/writer who's graduated Master of Music, works on JACK magazine and in a library, teaches music theory, DJs at a gay bar, and lots more! Who are you and what's your background? I'm a composer and writer, Pukekohe-born and raised, now aged 24. I recently graduated Master of Music and now work on JACK magazine, teach music theory, work in a library, and DJ at Chandelier (Saturdays) and Urge (some Fridays). I have recently shaved my hair off. What do you enjoy most about composing music? I find it endlessly challenging, fascinating, frustrating and stimulating. The process of writing is always difficult, but getting to the end product – hearing my music played and sharing it with others – is utterly satisfying. What do you enjoy most about being associate editor of JACK magazine? I get to work with two of my best friends creating a beautiful magazine that provides things no other publication does. What is the worst thing for you about being GLBT? Not being able to reproduce unaided. What is the best thing? Being different. Favourite food and drink? Pizza and Vodka. Worst habits? I get bored too easily, read too fast, and binge drink, smoke and eat. I don't return calls and emails. I can be incredibly intolerant of stupidity, religion and bad music. Favourite TV programmes? My only indulgence is America's Next Top Model. I have fallen for Kim, the lesbian. Favourite movies? These are forever changing, but recent highlights include The Child, The Proposition and The Aristocrats. Apocalypse Now, Death in Venice, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Dogville remain favourites. Qualities you most appreciate in a GLBT person? Intelligence, humour, integrity. What are you reading at the moment? I have a tendency to read many books concurrently. At the moment I'm reading Polyphony and Complexity by Claus Steffen Mahnkopf, Freedom Evolves by Daniel Dennett, The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler, and Murphy by Samuel Beckett, to name a few. Who in the world including NZ would you most like to have a coffee and a chat with? Jónsi Birgisson of Sigur Ros. I would ask him to marry me. Role models? Michael Finnissy, a gay composer without a closet, drag, drums or melodrama; Harrison Birtwistle, who is so distinctly himself in everything that he writes; Richard Barrett, who writes politically-driven music that is completely successful. There are many others, including my parents and friends. What is the most pressing issue currently facing the NZ GLBT population? That we're becoming boring. If you could have one wish granted what would it be? To be creatively fulfilled, intellectually stimulated, financially secure and less emotionally volatile. GayNZ.com - 30th May 2006