J Mascis has nothing better to do

J Mascis, lead singer of Dinosaur Jr., has gained a reputation as a laid-back guitarist and interview subject. Known for his seemingly effortless guitar solos and riffs, Mascis has also been criticized for his minimalistic approach to interviews, often offering vague responses. However, even when he does relax during an interview, he shares anecdotes that shed light on his past.

One such story is about his youth as a mini-golf enthusiast, where he choked on a 3-foot putt and subsequently decided not to pursue sports professionally. Instead, Mascis formed Dinosaur Jr., one of the most influential alternative rock bands.

Despite his contemporaries leaving the scene or going through the motions, the original lineup of Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Patrick Murphy have consistently released new LPs. Mascis attributes his band's longevity to the simple fact that they "have nothing better to do." When working on their latest album, There Near, the band took a relaxed approach, recording demos and immediately starting to record them even if parts were still being learned.

Mascis' gear choices also reflect his easygoing attitude, as he uses whatever works, even if it means mixing and mastering to tape while tracking in Pro Tools.

Mascis' use of generative AI in a video for his solo track "Old Friends" has sparked controversy. While the video was created by a kid, Mascis defended his laissez-faire attitude, acknowledging that AI is here to stay and that they are learning how to deal with it. However, he remains skeptical about AI's role in music creation.

As for live shows, Mascis is particularly concerned about the loud volumes, lack of in-ear monitors, and front-of-house setups, which he believes contribute to the audience's desire for something more grounded and real.