(Originally recorded 23 July 2016) Hey all, Celsus is back. This is the first of two new interviews I wanted to do before I skedaddle for good in December. I’m a huge fan of his, and with a new album on the way soon, I wanted to take a big chance on this one. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, meet Mr. Leonard Cohen.   Me: Hey everybody, I’m here today with music legend Leonard Cohen. Mr. Cohen, it’s an honor. LC: It’s good to meet you. Me: For those who’ll be seeing this later, would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself? LC: I was born in Westmount in Quebec to a middle-class family. While I was in high school, I became interested in debate, music, and especially poetry. Federico Garcia Lorca was a big favorite of mine then, and still is now. These interests continued when I went to McGill. While I always loved music, poetry was my first love, and before I began as a full-time musician, I was mainly a poet. I released a few collections and a couple novels, and during this time I wrote some poems that became some of my first songs. And the rest is history. Me: If I may, what caused that shift from poetry to music as a whole? LC: Money. I was frustrated by the fact that I was poor. So I went to the USA to make my living as a songwriter. Luckily when I was starting out, I ended up frequenting the Factory, Warhol’s place. Several people there were very helpful in helping me find venues and festivals to work at, and I credit them at least partially for my early successes. It allowed me a more popular and financially stable way of getting my poetry out there. Me: On the subject of money, how long was it until you became commercially successful? LC: It actually happened pretty quickly. If I recall, my first album hit gold in the US, even though I got my fair share of criticism for my style. It was fair, I guess. I don’t really have the most… traditional vocal style, even when compared to other singer-songwriter types. Me: It’s interesting that you mention that. When I was first introduced to your music, I was taken aback a little by your style. However, it always seemed to fit well, to the point that usually if one of those more traditional vocalists performed your music, it always sounded… almost fake. LC: I appreciate the compliment. Me: My next question for you regards your time at a monastery in Los Angeles. If I may ask, why did you first go to Mount Baldy, and what did you gain from it? LC: The simple answer is I lacked inner peace. I went there to try and find it. Some people have said that there were religious reasons, and I did become an ordained monk. However, I appreciate the teachings of Buddhism, just as I appreciate the teachings of Jesus Christ; that doesn’t mean I have turned away from my faith. I have always been and will always be a Jew, and I stick by my faith. But I digress. What I found there was that inner calm I needed. It enabled me to focus more and become a better person. It also provided more inspiration and creativity moving forward. Me: Your time at the monastery. What did it entail? LC: Two things, mostly. Deep meditation and helping out around the place. The meditation taught me focus, and how to view things with a clear mind. The work taught me how to better concentrate that focus. I will say that the most difficult thing to do with true meditation is clearing your mind. That itself is difficult. To make it habitual, almost automatic, takes years, which is why I stayed for such a long time. Me: I’d like to shift gears a little here, and discuss your music again. You have forthcoming album, You Want It Darker. Would you care to, ironically, shine a little light on what we could expect? LC: Now that wouldn’t be fair, now, would it? (chuckle). I will say there is a general theme regarding mortality, as I’m getting old, and I’m not in the best physical health anymore. That’s all I’m going to tell you; that, and that I intended to continue for as long as I can. Me: Continuing on that line, I have a bit of a generic question here. Which albums of yours have been your favorites? LC: Funny enough, I don’t have a favorite. Same with my poetry and other writings. I put everything I have into the album, work with whomever I feel is best, and I cherish them all. To pick one over another feels like I’m insulting my own work. Allow me to flip the question, since you probably have favorites. Me: Um, well, I would have to say my overall favorite is Ten New Songs, as it was the album that introduced me to your music. Further, it to me, it sounds the most… complete. I could feel every word, every beat, every melody. Generally speaking, though, I’ll admit I’m partial to your later releases and performances. It’s just as you wrote in Beautiful Losers: an old scholar, better now than when you were young. Your music, to me, kept building, always improving. LC: I’m glad at least someone still reads my novels. I actually think on that line from time to time. Another point I’d like to mention regarding that particular line is the idea of the scholar. We, as scholars, even as human beings, will never stop learning. We as people should get better with age. We learn from and correct our mistakes, and expand on our successes. I try to do the same with my music and my writing. I have no excuse to regress, so long as I still can improve and do better, I will strive for that. Before we continue, let me reconcile that previous statement on favorites. The effort and care I put into each work is the exact same; I will give everything. It’s just as time goes on, my literary tool kit expands. But we digress again, time is ticking; let’s not waste it. Me: Thank you for that comment. This next question is from another member of the station, and is the last one on music. You and several of your contemporaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon drew inspiration from folk songs and oral traditions. As time went on, songs of yours such as “Hallelujah” became so popular and well-known that in some cases, people can sing them from memory without even knowing that you wrote them or who you are. Given this, would you say that you have become part of that aforementioned oral tradition? LC: To even be considered as part of the oral tradition is wonderful. There is true beauty in those songs passed down for generations. As musicians, I feel we have at least a small obligation to preserve, evolve, or even blend the styles of music that came before us. To do none of these things, to me, is almost akin to being ungrateful. Me: Going back to your poetry and novels. As one who has a strong appreciation for your writings, musical and otherwise, could we see another novel or poem collection, beyond your new album? LC: So long as I have the strength to do so. I will continue to do what I love until it is my time. And when that comes, I will be ready to move on. Me: As we wrap up here, I have one final question. I think we can agree that world today is not in an ideal state. Do you have any words of advice for all of us? LC: It may sound cliché but I actually do. So much of the rhetoric I see today, from the music industry to your upcoming election, is based on divisiveness. I challenge all of you to combat that. It’s not easy, but I can say with certainty, what the world needs is the promotion of peace and bringing people together. That is something that became abundantly clear to me during my hiatus. If you can clear your mind of the dark thoughts, you will not only do better for yourself, but for others. It doesn’t matter what you do. You could be an author, a musician, an accountant, or a laborer, but all should take a little time to bring people together in happiness. Know that we are all connected together, and that even a small kindness will go a long way in bringing this world together. Me: Mr. Cohen, it has been an amazing honor speaking with you today. Thank you for your time and everything you have done for music and for all of us. (fin)   I’d like to take a moment at the end of this interview to say something. This is my last gig for KANM, and it’s been the most fantastic ride. From just a rookie DJ playing metal on Monday afternoons, to interviewing some of the greatest names in music. I’m about to sound cliché as well, but none of this would have been possible without the guys around me. So, before I go, I just want to thank everyone who’s been on the ride with me. Everyone who’s stuck around to listen to my shows, everyone who read my writings and interviews on Frequency, and most importantly, the guys who were with me in the station, three people in particular: McKenzie, Camacho, and Eliot (each of you know damn well why you’re here), I wouldn’t have made it to this point without some prodding from the three of you. But everyone at KANM, and everyone who tunes in, you have my deepest and sincerest thanks. This is Patrick Celsus, signing off for the last time.