3/9/2005 MP3 Download: Manly Man Allalom Productions: First off (for those that might not be in the know) who are you? Bradley Hathaway: My name is Bradley Hathaway, son of Steven the carpenter of Fort Smith, Arkansas. AP: How did you get involved in beat/slam poetry, it is not something people hear about everyday? BH: Um, I didn’t really know much about it either. I saw a poet that did spoken word very well and was very inspired. Two months later I started writing and performing. AP: I loved the musical introductions for each piece, h ow did you hook up with Sam Billen (The Billions) for the music? BH: I ran a music venue for three years and in that time had done a few shows for The Billions and respect them and their music very much. So I asked him if he’d be down to throw some stuff together and he said yep. AP: How has the reception been to your album? BH: Amazing. I only hear and read good things…but I’ve not sent it out to be reviewed so I’ve not heard crap because people have not been given it to crap on. AP: Do you want this to be a full time deal, or just a side project? BH: It’s pretty much full time now. I’m doing over 200 shows this year and heading overseas on a couple different continents.  It’s my vocation. AP: What are your goals, as an artist? BH: Oh, bring glory to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To make the best art I am able to as the Father made matter. To allow the Holy Spirit to move through my art and myself. AP: Do you have any favorite poet? BH: Um, I really like Derrick Brown and Clayton Scott. Aaron, the singer for mewithoutyou, owns too. AP: What inspires you? BH: Everything. I don’t take my main source of inspiration from any one particular place. It could be a little dog jumping into the arms of a fat lady at a rest area or a bible verse. Everything. AP: What is your opinion on the current 'alternative' scene? BH: Um, I’m not really sure what this means. There are many alternative scenes. AP: How hard is it for you to come up with your poetry? BH: Hard. I don’t just sit down and write. Usually I’ll just be farting around living life and just waiting for something to come to me. The last one I wrote while I was trying to take a nap. AP: What was the recording process like? BH: Me speaking into a microphone. Ha ha. Not much. I did the whole thing in maybe 2 hours. Prolly 3, though. Most of it was just one take. I don’t really care this part of what I do. It’s hard to act excited while standing in an empty room. AP: Where do you want to be in ten years? BH: In terms of location…I don’t know. As a person…more like jesus. As an artist…far far above where I’m at right now. AP: I heard you are going to be playing at Facedown Fest (A showcase for Facedown Records in CA) this year – how did that come about? BH: Jason from facedown and I have been amigos for about 4 years now. He’s been very supportive of my poetry and asked me to do the fest. I’m stoked to do it! It’s so funny cuz I’m a poet in the middle of these punk rock and hardcore bands, but that’s how it always is. AP: Your honesty in your writing amazes me - how are you able to be so blunt in some of your songs (most notably: "Manly Man")? BH: It’s more personality than writing. I’m just being myself and being honest. Honesty and realness doesn’t seem to be something that can be faked. Just tryin’ to keep it real. AP: Do you have any plans for a new album? BH: Well, Relevant Books is putting out my current record “All the Hits So Far but Don’t Expect Too Much.” It’ll be a new recording with new music, two new poems, live poems, dvd footage, a hardback book with the poems in print along with commentary on each of the poems. This will come out in July but I hope to have a completely new record out by spring of 2006. I know it’s along way off but since I’m re-releasing what I have now on an international scale it’ll be okay I think. AP: What are you currently reading? BH: “No Man is an Island” by Thomas Merton. “The Corner” by I forgot (it’s a year in the life of the ghetto of Baltimore). “Divine Foreknowledge” by a few different people debating God’s knowledge. And I’m stoked on the Bible lately too and I’m trying to make up my mind on “The Message.” AP: Because of your poetry I have to ask, but do you have a girlfriend yet? BH: Haha, no. That’s a whole ‘nother story yo. I have no idea how to even begin to get know someone over someone else because I meet so many girls everyday. And I’m never in one place anymore so nope, still single. AP: What is your favorite time of the day? BH: Interesting question. I get too tired around the afternoon. The morning. I enjoy midmorning. AP: Do you have any fear of stalkers? BH: Yeah. But I had one back in junior high man, haha. When I was working at Sonic in high school, some girl that worked with me was like “oh my gosh, I’ve seen pictures of you…” Turns out her friend took random pictures of me doing stuff around school, haha. How weird was that? AP: Thanks creepy actually. So what is the most random question that someone has ever asked you? BH: Haha, oh snap. It wasn’t a question, but a comment about something. I have a black bracelet on my arm and the girl made comment to it being a penis ring. I was shocked by the word penis first of all, and then how random it was that she even brought it up. AP: What is the stupidest thing you have ever done during a show? BH: If I’m on a stage, I usually stumble around and almost fall off at least every few shows. That’s always funny. I’ve never totally fallen off but wait, yeah I have. It’s funny. I don’t really care, though. AP: What about the weirdest thing to ever happen at a show? BH: I was doing “the Hug Poem” in Tallahassee and the light guy starting testing the strobe in the middle of it. Maybe that’s not weird, but it was timed poorly by the light guy. If you’ve heard the poem you understand how poorly timed that was. AP: Do you have any plans to tour this year? BH: I’m on tour until Jesus comes back dude. This year I’m going international too, so that rules. Australia, Europe, the UK, Canada, and the USA over and over again. AP: Any words of wisdom for your adoring fans? BH: Seek truth and floss your teeth. Be honest with yourself and others. Don't be afraid to think. Think. Think. Think. Come alive. Live. AP: Thank you so much for your time, you are amazing. BH: Thank you for taking the time to interview me. That rules. Find out more about Bradley Hathaway and his poetry at thebradley.net