James Mercer, 50, is the founder and frontman of indie rock group The Shins. This year is the 20th anniversary of their classic debut album Oh, Inverted World. He is also half of the duo Broken Bells with producer Danger Mouse.
What was your childhood or earliest ambition?
Some sort of cross between Indiana Jones and Crocodile Dundee seemed a viable option.
Private school or state school? University or straight into work?
City-run schools in Albuquerque. I also went to an American-style high school at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk (my father was a nuclear weapons specialist). When my parents moved back to New Mexico, because my father was stationed there, I went to the University of New Mexico. I stayed for maybe three years and dropped out. A very impressive résumé!
Who was or still is your mentor?
My father was a moral compass. As far as my profession goes, I had to figure out what I was doing on my own. But my manager Ian Montone is a pretty good mentor.
How physically fit are you?
It varies. I was a skateboarder when I was young — I was incredibly fit.
Ambition or talent: which matters more to success?
Ambition, by far. I don’t think of myself as very talented, but I’ve achieved quite a bit by being tenacious.
How politically committed are you?
I find it hard to have convictions about any human philosophy or political mindset.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
I bought a 1968 International Harvester Travelall car; $50,000 needs to be spent on making this thing drivable.
What would you like to own that you don’t currently possess?
I’d like a 1968 International Harvester Travelall car that’s already retro-modded: air conditioning, better steering, an efficient engine, even electrified.
In what place are you happiest?
In our garden in Portland, with my wife — she’s an incredible plants person. I used to be very happy when visiting our home in Hawaii, a neat little cottage near Lanikai beach, which has become so popular it’s like Grand Central station.
What ambitions do you still have?
I’ve fulfilled so many — and I didn’t start out with a bunch. I would love to own a property in Hawaii that is peaceful and quiet.
What drives you on?
I used to feel this constant drive to write songs, kind of a nameless restlessness. Now I find myself terrified of the boredom that sets in if you aren’t working.
What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?
“They’ll Soon Discover”, on the SpongeBob movie soundtrack — one of the best songs I’ve ever written.
What do you find most irritating in other people?
Serious convictions: when people have decided that’s the way it goddamn is. It’s not only annoying, it’s frightening.
If your 20-year-old self could see you now, what would he think?
He would be very surprised. That 20-year-old me felt very lost. That I pulled this rabbit out of the hat would shock him.
Which object that you’ve lost do you wish you still had?
The computer with the master recordings of my first record was stolen. That’s the most devastating material loss I’ve ever experienced.
What is the greatest challenge of our time?
We’re going to have to reckon with the benefits of socialism and capitalism. People are polarised. And we’re coming down to the wire on global warming and we’ve got to keep all options on the table. No one is willing to consider we could figure out some safe nuclear power option.
Do you believe in an afterlife?
I don’t believe this consciousness I’m experiencing will go on after the body goes. But there’s a lot of weird shit out there, and some of it is hard to explain.
If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?
I’ve done damn well but I’ll give myself a nine. I’ve never been able to get rid of this anxious nature: I have a difficult time just enjoying life.
The remastered 20th anniversary edition of ‘Oh, Inverted World’ is available on vinyl, CD and to stream or download
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