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Money For The Toll

Interviewed by Gary Hill
Interview with Sean Faust of Money from the Toll in 2013
MSJ:

It’s been a while since we reviewed anything from Money For the Toll. What have you been doing musically since those days?

 After MFTT broke up in 2001 I took some time off from the original music scene for a few years.  I played out a lot with a Dream Theater tribute and a Bon Jovi tribute - paid my bills for a long time!

When I got back into the original thing I took a huge left turn and started doing the singer-songwriter thing, but in an alternative way.  There’s still a lot of progressive rock influence in my songwriting along with pretty much everything else.  I can’t stick with one genre. 

I’m also happy to announce that MFTT will be releasing some recordings in the next year.  We got back into the studio a few years ago and in our spare time have been putting a lot of work into it.  I’m very much excited for its release.  It took long enough.

MSJ: What about work of interest other than music?

Honestly…..nope.  I’m gigging a lot doing the original thing and teaching music.  I love movies, though.  We can talk about that some time if you’d like.

MSJ:

How did the name Money for the Toll originate?

It’s silly.  I was working for a Pink Floyd tribute in 1995. On the way home from a gig in central New Jersey I had fallen asleep in the van. I woke up to hearing somebody ask if I had any money for the toll.  It stuck.

MSJ: Who would you see as your musical influences?
That’s honestly a tough question to answer.  I’m a huge fan of film scores.  Probably my favorite since I don’t write anything like them.  I just love to listen to them.

Aside from that, I’d have to list my favorite bands as Pink Floyd, Phish, Dream Theater, Tesla, Live, Rush, Yes, Grateful Dead….. I can really go on.  It’s an eclectic list.

MSJ:

What's ahead for you?

I’m currently working on recording two more EPs.  One is going to be my pretty much straight ahead tunes.  The other one is going to be the progressive rock stuff I’ve been playing live but have yet to record.  It’s a lot of fun.

I’d like to do a small tour as well.

MSJ: I know artists hate to have their music pigeonholed or labeled, but how would you describe your music?

Alternaprog.  I just made that up.  How’s that strike you?

MSJ:

Are there musicians with whom you would like to play within the future?

I’ve honestly been really blessed to be able to record and perform with the folks I have.  There area few cats I would love to add to my list, though.

MSJ: Do you think that illegal downloading of music is a help or hindrance to the careers of musicians?

It depends.  First off…..it’s illegal.  But I do know some unsigned artists who upload their music to some of those sites just to get their music out there.  It’s a great idea to do that, but I’m not sure if it’s a really wise idea to download music illegally. 

MSJ: In a related question, how do you feel about fans recording shows and trading them?

I love it.  I think it’s awesome when bands are taper friendly.  I’ve noticed that fans of those bands will not trade shows that are going to be official releases.  There’s a great level of respect between those bands and their fans.

MSJ:

If you were a superhero, what music person would be your arch nemesis and why?

Wow. I don’t really dislike anybody.  If I do, then I just don’t waste my time or energy thinking of them.  I’m more of a positive guy these days.

MSJ:

If you were to put together your ultimate band (a band you'd like to hear or catch live), who would be in it and why?

Great question!  I listen to such a variety of music that the lineup would most likely be too many people to fit on one stage.  But let’s try.

David Gilmour and Trey Anastasio on guitar.  Jordan Rudess and Bruce Hornsby on keys.  Neil Morse on vocals and some keys and guitar, as well.  Geddy Lee or Phil Lesh onbass.  Mike Portnoy or my brother Ed on drums.  That would be killer!

Why?  Why not? 

MSJ: If you were in charge of assembling a music festival and wanted it to be the ultimate one from your point of view who would be playing?

Transatlantic, Rush, Yes, Dream Theater, Phish, The Machine (since Floyd is no longer), and Roger Waters.

MSJ:

What was the last CD you bought and/or what have  you been listening to lately?

I recently saw a local songwriter named “Don Ryan” with his band on a bill my trio played on.  This dude really has that magic!  I downloaded his album Tangle Town from iTunes the very next day.  I’m really in love with it.

I’m still really enjoying Dream Theater’s latest album A Dramatic Turn of Events, as well.

MSJ:

Have you read any good books lately?

My guitarist picked up On the Warriors Path by Daniele Bolelli for me for Christmas.  I’m really looking forward to diving into that one! The last two books I read that I really enjoyed a lot are The Postman by David Brin and World War Z by Max Brooks. I loved them both a lot.

MSJ:

What about the last concert you attended for your enjoyment?

I went to see Madonna back in September - loved it. You really get your money’s worth with a concert like that!  Great songwriting.  The production was phenomenal. 

Like I mentioned earlier. I love all music.

MSJ:

Do you have a musical “guilty pleasure?”

Nope.  One man’s trash is still treasure to me.

MSJ:

What has been your biggest Spinal Tap moment?

I was playing a gig at Limelight in NYC in 2000.  As I got really into it I started jumping up and down while playing the keyboard. My 88 weighted key Triton flipped over and slammed onto the floor.

We’re still looking for a video tape of the show so I can get that moment uploaded!

MSJ:

If you could sit down to dinner with any three people, living or dead, for food and conversation, with whom would you be dining?

Yet another really tough question to answer.  I love getting to spend time with everybody!

MSJ:

What would be on the menu?

Sushi.  Definitely sushi.

MSJ: Are there any closing thoughts you would like to get out there?

Shameful/ shameless plug! Buy my latest album Sean Faust - Something Real featuring the amazing talents of…….. Ed Faust (drums), Ronnie Parkes (bass), Neil Rambaldi (guitar),Tim Cesarano (guitar), John Roggio (guitar), Brian Colburn (bass and vocals)……and more!  It’s available at iTunes and other digital media sites.

Always a pleasure to hear from you, Gary!

MSJ: This interview is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.
 
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