As someone wiser and more eloquent than I once said: Life is not a question, but it poses a lot of them. Especially if you are Gary Van Miert. Barely a week ago, the New Jersey singer-songwriter — aka The Sensational Country Blues Wonders! — was asking something we’ve all wondered at one point or another: Why Did I Eat The Whole Bag Of Mushrooms? Now that he’s finally come down from that experience, he’s on to another: Pondering 20 of my asinine queries. If that isn’t the definition of a bum trip, nothing is. Here’s what he had to say:
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie), home base and any other details you’d care to share — height / weight / identifying marks / astrology sign / your choice.
My name is Gary Van Miert aka The Psychedelic Cowboy. I’m from Jersey City, N.J., and I’m old enough to know better. I release albums as The Sensational Country Blues Wonders!
What is your musical origin story?
It was all over when I saw The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. I was five years old. I started listening to AM Top 40 radio and free-form FM radio in the ’60s. I subscribed to Creem magazine as a teen and read each issue cover to cover.
What’s your latest project?
My latest project is an album called If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall From The Sky. It’s a homage to the psychedelic music I grew up with in the ’60s. It was a time of unparalleled imagination and creativity in popular music.
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
I’ve put in the time to find my own voice. I am truly me. Although I have many influences, I don’t sound like anyone else. I’m my own man.
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played.
The first song I wrote was awful, as were many that followed. I’m one of those people who needed a certain amount of life experience before I could write good songs.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you have given?
I performed in the men’s clothing department at Macy’s with my band. People were stopping to have their photo taken with me and posing as mannequins. Another memorable performance was Live At The Lumberyard, a concert series that took place in a local lumberyard. The stage was a four-foot high pile of plywood.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you’ve seen?
Seeing Suicide and The Ramones at CBGBs. Watching Alan Vega fighting with audience members and then the barrage of sound that was The Ramones. It redefined what a live show could be. Even at that time, I knew some kind of seismic shift was taking place.
What living or dead artists would you like to collaborate with?
Jimi Hendrix, Hank Williams, Anton Newcombe, Paul McCartney, Syd Barrett, to name just a few.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
I’m a fan of Jacques Brel, who I discovered through Scott Walker’s interpretations of his songs. I performed a few of Brel’s songs in a production of Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well & Living In Paris.
What words do you hope people use when they describe you?
Just one: Kind.
What do you collect?
Mostly music: Records, CDs, music books and magazines, cowboy shirts, dust.
If money was no object, where would you live?
Where I live right now: Jersey City. It’s a vibrant urban area with a lot going on. Jersey City has a healthy art and music scene, and is close to Manhattan.
Which historical event do you wish you had witnessed?
The Charley Patton recording session for Paramount records in 1930 that included Son House, Willie Brown and Louise Johnson. I would also love to have seen The Beatles perform during their historic residency in Germany at the Star Club.
What are you afraid of?
I recorded a song for my first album called I’m Afraid of Every Goddamn Thing. Here are some of the lyrics:
“I’m afraid of scary clowns and snakes
I’m afraid of drowning in a lake
I’m afraid of crashing in my car
I’m afraid of taking things too far
I’m afraid of every goddamn thing
I’m afraid of what each new day brings
I’m afraid I’m hanging by a string
I’m afraid of every goddamn thing.”
What would the title of your autobiography be?
It would be the same as the title of my second album: The Adventures Of A Psychedelic Cowboy.
What’s your motto?
Every day above ground is a good day.
What’s always in your refrigerator?
Greens, vegan chocolate, a Brita pitcher full of water, and cannabis gummies.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
More hair.
What was the worst job you ever had?
I worked in a factory making pool cues on a lathe. I lasted 2 1/2 days.
What’s the best and / or worst advice you were ever given?
I had a supervisor at my last job who told me, “Keep your head down, put in your eight hours and go home.” That was good advice.
Tell us a joke.
What does a fast mushroom car say? “Shroom! Shroom!”
Check out some of The Sensational Country Blues Wonders!’ videos above, hear more of his music below, and share your stash with Gary Van Miert on his website and Facebook.
