Page 12 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2021_Neat

JP: That’s a hard question right now, I think, Ian. All I know is what I’m doing which is taking it

day by day and just working with the venues. I work a lot with the venues to help them out and try
and keep them on their feet, so everybody’s taking a little less money and just trying to work
together to keep it alive and so my main goal is to just stay in front of people’s faces as much as I
can and stay connected. Whatever that means for right now. I’m one of those people, I’m not a
futurist. I know I have to have goals and things. People are like what are your five-year goals and

that kind of stuff and I, of course, have those, but I think things are so uncertain right now, that my
main goal is to just stay connected to people and however that happens? I’ve been playing some
really small venues going backwards basically from where I was. Instead of 1000 people, I’ve been
playing to 20, and it’s okay and I’m just okay with that because that keeps me connected to the fans
and the people and if it has to be a livestream, it’s a livestream. Whatever it is, but connection I
think is just really important for us right now and keeping things alive, however we can.

BiTS: You’ve got, I think, two children. How is COVID affecting them?

JP: We actually moved out of the city in August, so we have a big yard and lots of fresh air and lots
of trails, so they’ve been able to be outside and again, I started home schooling them, so they have
mom at home and they’re doing fine. They’re very smart kids, very

capable kids and they’re doing really well actually and I’m
really proud of them, but I’m glad we moved. I’m glad we
have some space where they can be outside a lot and get
some fun and just take care of themselves.

BiTS: Apart from a bit of writer’s block that you seem to
suggest you had recently, are you a prolific song writer?

JP: Not really. My songs are like toddlers who come up
and grab your shirt and want attention right when you can’t
give it to them. I’ve written songs in the bathtub. I’ve written
songs while I was making dinner. I am not like a Paul Simon

type or like Jackson Browne. I don’t go and sit down every day at my
desk and try and write. I have to be inspired by something and it comes at weird times. I write
when I write. Sometimes that means I sit down and write five songs. It just all comes out.
Sometimes I go months without writing a song. I don’t try and get them out. They come when they
come and I seem to be doing okay that way, so we’ll see how it goes.

BiTS: Well, thanks very much indeed for talking to me. It’s really very much appreciated and as

they say these days to end up every conversation, stay safe.

JP: Yes, you as well. Thanks, Ian.