I'm experiencing more happiness than I've ever known.
For three decades, Mark Oliver Everett, also known as "E," has been the leader of the band Eels, who recently released their fifteenth album, "Eels Time!" E isn't called a melancholic songwriter for nothing; he's had to face a series of misfortunes in the past. At 61 years old, he's experienced the deaths of close family members due to terminal illnesses and the suicide of his sister. E dealt with all this not only through his music but also in his autobiography titled "Things The Grandchildren Should Know."
"Eels Time!" is different from E's previous albums, as he grapples with his own mortality. During an interview with ntv.de, he discusses this topic and also his joy for older age and his love for small dogs.
ntv.de: Mark, your new album's title is "Eels Time!". Does that mean the last 30 years of the band and 14 previous albums were leading up to this moment?
Mark Oliver Everett: Not exactly. I added an exclamation mark to the title to make it seem like a fun party album, but it's not that. I confess, it's misleading. There are some humorous moments, but mainly it tackles a serious topic: as you get older, the concept of time becomes increasingly important because you become aware that you will have less of it in the future.
On the bright side, aging has its advantages. Or is that not the case?
Yes, there are undoubtedly good things about aging. I'm happier now than ever before. A lot of that can be attributed to getting older and knowing what's worth getting upset about and what isn't. When you look back at your youth and the insignificant struggles that used to trouble you, you realize that they didn't matter at all. Many things are no longer important, and life becomes simpler due to the experiences you've had.
Besides the physical aches and pains that come with age...
That's the challenging part—when your body starts to break down. It's not fair. (laughs)
You've experienced numerous misfortunes in your life. Has the pandemic affected you in any way?
Some of the challenges I've faced in my life have taught me that things can get worse. So, I try to focus on the positive elements.
If you're happier than ever before, does your songwriting change as well? It's said, "Art never comes from happiness"...
Yes, art often emerges from adversity. But I've always sought to find the positive in things.
I believe art can also come from luck. It's just more challenging. Suffering provides such a critical lifeline. If you're not content with something or must confront something, it's easier to make it the topic of your art. For sure, part of my music celebrates the happier aspects of life. I try to capture the various aspects. I simply write about the human condition and the emotional experiences of life.
You were supposed to perform with Eels in Germany last year, but the tour was canceled. For outsiders, it seemed pointless since the pandemic was over.
That was only in Germany. Elsewhere, we played everywhere. I was told the economic situation in Germany was so bad that the promoter canceled the shows. People couldn't even afford gas, let alone concert tickets. We weren't sure if that was true, but it was the only part of the tour we canceled because Putin had cut off gas supplies to Germany ... or so. This was really frustrating since we like playing in Germany.
The album was created in Los Angeles and Dublin, two locations that have nothing in common.
Indeed. L.A. has been my home my entire life, and my childhood friend Sean lives in Dublin. I worked on a few songs with him, but not face-to-face—rather, over a distance.
You've been with Eels for three decades now. Do milestones like these mean anything to you?
I can't believe I've made 15 albums. Fifteen! That's crazy. I'm incredibly grateful for being able to do this, to have it be my job. And now I'm ten years older than my father was. That's why I'm grateful for each day.
Does it bother you what others think or write about your music?
No, and one benefit of getting older is realizing how pointless criticisms are. Today, we focus on what's new, but it takes five or ten years to determine if something has any longevity. "Abbey Road" by the Beatles got terrible reviews. That's ridiculous. There are countless examples of this. You don't need to concern yourself with it because it's not important. What matters is what endures and how it affects people.
You're not just a musician—you're also an author. In 2009, you wrote a book about your life—and it resonated with people. Is it possible that you'll publish something else in this field?
I'd like to write another book, a continuation of the first. The problem is that everyone I wrote about in the first part is dead. I felt free to talk about them because they were gone. Since then, several significant events have occurred. However, all the people who appear in the new book are still alive. So, I'm waiting until they're also gone before I write about them. (laughs)
Additionally, you look after your furry companions besides your family, right?
Yeah, I own two little pups who people frequently find me with on social media. At first, I wasn't particularly fond of small dogs. In fact, I found them annoying. However, my wife craved a project, and neither of us anticipated becoming parents a year later. So she acquired these two adorable little dogs without my approval. Despite my initial dislike for them, I went along with her wish. We then had a child, a divorce, and I was left with the dogs. Then, the pandemic arrived, and I was stuck at home with my canine companions. Now, it feels like a case of Stockholm Syndrome, where you develop an affection for your captor. I genuinely adore them and can't fathom life without their presence. The thought of losing my favorite pup terrifies me; I can't imagine the devastation it would bring.
