A Conversation with David Mead (continued)

PM: So what's the single on Indiana?

DM: "Beauty" is the first single. Then I don't know what the second single is going to be in the States. I think the second one in the UK is going to be "Human Nature."

PM: "Oneplusone" deserves a look, too, as a single. I think you must agree.

DM: Absolutely, yes.

PM: But not "Human Nature" in the States just because it's where Michael Jackson is from, or...?

DM: I think they haven't really gotten that far. The way my record label works, I feel like the whole issue of singles is not as big a deal here just because financially it's basically incredibly difficult to compete on any level beyond Triple A. And even that is quite difficult to get.

PM: And I think I'm talking about a AAA single, really.

DM: Yeah. So I think it's probably a case of let's see how "Beauty" does. But Nettwerk, they're great. I think where they're really, really good--and where I would fault RCA for at least an artist like myself--is that they're very committed to working a record in a lot of different ways for a long time. With RCA I got the big single pushes a couple times, and it was educational. I mean, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity, but at the same time, for the kind of music I was doing in the face of what was all over modern rock radio both times, it just seemed like an extraordinary waste of money. But in this situation, I feel I have a lot more control over how that process goes.

So we'll see how "Beauty" does, and if it goes it goes, and if not, then it's back to the drawing board. Like you said, I mean, I think there are some other single opportunities on the record. But it wasn't really a record that was recorded with that in mind, to be honest. I think it is what it is because I didn't have anybody looking over my shoulder saying, "Where's the single?" Instead it was like, "Well, I'm going to make the best record I can make, and what I think is the most honest and valid piece of work I can come up with. And that may or may not involve a song that works as a single."

PM: Right. Yeah, I think you're with a really smoking company now. We really like what Nettwerk is doing, the artists they've got and how they're doing it. That's just a superb outfit.

DM: Great.

PM: And I think your being with them is a really good fit.

DM: Yeah, I'm really, really happy. Very lucky, too.

PM: And so it begins again, new record, new tour. But this time, a new wife and a new day, it would seem. What do you see up ahead?

DM: Well, as to what I can actually see and what I can predict, it's fairly limited, because at this point in the game, all I can really see is that the record is done. It's my job to go out and tour as much as I can or as effectively as I can, I should say, and turn in really good shows, and try to keep a tab on what's happening business-wise.

But at this point, I've sort of been everywhere from a label's next huge thing to not having a record label to not having a lot of luck getting a deal. So it's incredibly subjective and incredibly difficult to predict. Like you say, my focus is a lot more on my home life than it's ever been, keeping my house in order on many different levels.

And this is a real lark at this point. I mean, I was thinking about some alternative career options there for a while. [laughs] So when all this came together, it's all so--I just feel so fortunate, because I got such a good shot my first couple times around, and that's more than many people far more talented than me will ever see. I was all right with that. And then this has come along. So it's--I think I said lark, but it's more like a laugh.

[laughter]

DM: More of a gas, and I'm just really enjoying myself. I recently read an interview with Trent Sumner, I think it was for the Scene or something. But he said, "This is a business where there are almost no musicians that have a mid-level career." And I have that, and I'm very thankful. And I would just completely agree with him on that sentiment. It's like, cool. I mean, there's almost no middle class in America, period. But I'm somehow kind of in the middle class of the music industry, and that's fine.

PM: It's great. Yeah, I think Indiana is going to do really well, and I think it should. I think it's going to do well because you're going to do good shows. And I wish you the best with it. I thank you for your time today. It was a pleasure to speak with you. And I hope we get to hang down the road.

DM: Yeah, absolutely. And thank you, Frank. It was a really nice chat. You make it very easy.

PM: Thanks, David. Take care.

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