'I don't like the word 'poetry,' and I don't like poetry readings, and I usually don't like poets. I would much prefer describing myself and what I do as: I'm kind of a curator, and I'm kind of a night-owl reporter.'
Tom Waits by Anton Corbijn
Waits’ sound is often described as a blend of jazz, blues, and folk, but it’s the unique textures he incorporates that in fact set him apart. He is known to use unconventional instruments and sounds, often scouring junkyards for discarded items to incorporate into his music.
Waits has said that he approaches songwriting like a sculptor, chiseling away at the raw material of sound to reveal the finished piece. He often begins with a vague concept or mood, allowing the music to evolve organically. This experimental nature stems from his belief that music should be a reflection of life’s unpredictability.
Taken from Jim Jarmusch's film 'Down By Law', 1986
'Run away and join the circus. Get a tattoo, hop a train. Plant a garden and save the seeds. Get married, have kids, wear a hat. Get good with a bullwhip. Don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal. Everyone must put beans on the table. Be devoted to the unification of the diverse aspects of yourself. Remember, most of what is essential is invisible to the eye. The quality of time you spend with someone far out-weighs the quantity. And there’s a lot you can do with a wah-wah pedal and a bullet mike.'
Tom Waits, by Anton Corbijn, New York 1985
Going into the eccentric oeuvre of Tom Waits, we encounter a rebel, a sound philosopher, a chronicler of the human experience, and an unwavering seeker of truth in all its raw splendor.
With each haunting melody, Waits beckons us to confront our own truths and revel in the delightful messiness of existence.
