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AE: Have you ever thought about checking it out at all?
BM: Yeah. I was actually down there vacationing one year while it was happening and it was quite a scene. Since I’ve started doing more remixing for other people, I would guess that I’ll be a likely attendee.

AE: I’m so glad that you mentioned the remixing work. Have you been able to crack the Billboard dance chart with any of your own dance tunes or remixes?
BM: Not yet. The Interpol remix that I did got a lot of attention. A lot of DJs were on the VHS or Beta remix from a couple of years ago. I just finished a remix for a group from Duluth called Low, a slow indie-rock kind of thing. I’m waiting to hear whether or not Sub Pop is going to put that out. I also recently went to see Liz Phair and I’m going to be doing a remix for her next record. So, year, it’s starting to take a little bit.

AE: It was interesting to hear you mention the optimism of the songs on Body of Song, because they struck me as variations on a recurring theme of heartbreak. So are we to take songs such as "Paralyzed," "Underneath Days" and "Days of Rain," for example, literally or are they more general?
BM: They’re a combination of things that I go through. I also see those feelings in my friends and the things they’re going through. I see the universal nature of relationships. It’s always about hope and staying with it as long as you can. This is the bane of human existence (laughs). We have that, and as we go out to forge new friendships, things don’t always go as planned. It can be upsetting, but that’s the beauty of being human--we keep going back (laughs).

AE: Thank you for mentioning friendship because I keep going back to the stunning track "Gauze of Friendship."
BM: It’s a really colorful song. It’s very Jimmy Webb.

AE: I understand that Body of Song is also available in a deluxe edition--what can you tell me about that?
BM: The deluxe edition is a leatherette bound box with some fabrics. It has a second disc with six additional songs and three remixes. It’s got some fine art photography that has been printed on vellum stock. It’s a really elaborate package.

AE: You are now on the Yep Roc label which has an impressive roster of queer artists including The Butchies, The Moaners, and now, of course, you. Did that have any influence on your joining the label?
BM: Not so much. Obviously they’re family friendly. I went with them because they’re a good record company. They’ve got their own distribution, which I think is really important these days. That’s key to keeping what’s left of the business afloat. They’re good people. They stay out of my way creatively and when we do have to collaborate on packaging or marketing, it’s very much a good give and take. It’s important to me to be with a label that will actually listen to the guy who’s been selling the brand for twenty-five years (laughs).

AE: They’re not trying to shape you into their own image.
BM: Exactly. We have good, healthy discussions about how to present this stuff. It’s a good fit, I think.

AE: We now have three gay cable networks Logo, here! and Q TV. Have you had involvement or input with any of them?
BM: No. I’m hoping to meet with some people at Logo about a project for next year, but nothing directly. I have some ideas that I want to bounce off of them as far as creating some programming. When I get done with this tour and I can regroup and put that hat on, I’ll see if they interested in some of my ideas.

AE: You are known as someone who spends a lot of time on tour, and you are embarking on a new tour in support of Body of Song. I was interested to note that both Rich Morel, with whom you do the aforementioned Blowoff club night, and Jason Narducy, who you produced when he was a member of Verbow, are going to be part of your touring band.
BM: Brendan Canty from Fugazi is also playing with us. I think there is a real good balance there. I’ve worked with all three of these guys individually and I know the dispositions and everybody’s strong points. It’s a really easy fit and I think it’s going to be a really fun tour. When you have to all travel together for that long, that day to day chemistry is as important as anybody’s proficiency at their craft.

AE: No personality conflicts.
BM: Everybody’s pretty chill in this group.