The MST recently caught up with the lead singer of .357 Lover, Corn Mo to ask him about his music, USA and Accordions.

You can read our bio and download one of his tracks for free here.

Annabelle Palmer: What are you working on at the moment?

Corn Mo: I am working on the details with a director on a video for Maybe Tonite, finding a studio to do the next album, and mapping out a tour.

AP: How does one of your songs come together? Do you all create them together or is there more of a delegation going on?

Corn Mo: I introduce the song to the band and they play along and it becomes something bigger – each song is like a good potluck dinner.

AP: What was the first album you fell in love with and why?

Corn Mo: Def Leppard’s Pyromania was the first album I fell in love with.  It was the first time I ever wanted to make out with a girl in my room to one band.  It never happened with that album.  It did happen with Queen.

AP: Why 357 Lover?

Corn Mo: I made a list of names and it’s the one name that sucked the least.

AP: Corn Mo, are you the vegetarian version of Meat Loaf? Or a tastier, more nutritious accompaniment?

Corn Mo: If you’re referring to the music, then I’m all-you-can-eat buffet since I perform the Jim Steinman role as well as the Meatloaf role.  If you’re referring to anything else, then I’m one of the mints you grab from the bowl at the restaurant’s cash register.

AP: I’m new to this country, what is the best and worst thing about America?

Corn Mo: The best thing about this country is the potential this country has to be better than it already is.  The worst thing is that we let other people tie up our hands.  And we have really good bbq and clam chowder.

AP: What made you choose to come to Brooklyn after Texas? They are obviously very different music scenes, what do you miss about Texas and love about Brooklyn?

Corn Mo: I came to Brooklyn because there was nothing else I could do in Texas with what I do.  I hit a wall.

Denton, TX has one of the greatest music scenes in the world but it’s equivalent to holding a shitload of jewels and not knowing what to do with them.  Where do I take these jewels I got from the shipwrecked galleon?  To a pawn shop?

There are plenty of great artists in Brooklyn.  They came from other places to do their art, so they don’t fuck around.  Go to any show whether its music, art, improv, stand up, plays, dance, whatever.  You are more often going to be inspired rather than disappointed.

AP: Corn mo, I bought an accordion on Ebay last year and it was really broken and I had to return it. I was so annoyed by the experience I gave up trying to learn. Can you recommend a cheap starter accordion to a beginner?

Corn Mo: Go to a pawn shop or an antique dealer.  Many times they don’t know what to ask for.  A decent used accordion should be no more than $300.  If its in bad shape then take it to the Main Squeeze in lower Manhattan.  Walter Kuhr can fix it for you.  He also gives lessons and sells accordions.  He’s a great man.

AP: What’s next for .357 Lover?

Corn Mo: We’re mapping out the next album.  It’s going to be about 10 songs, recorded with real piano at one studio.