Peter Case talks about his new documentary, "A Million Miles Away," the Nerves, the Plimsouls, appearing in the film "Valley Girl," which early gig Dylan attended, Kickstarter and Covid, and much more


(Official promotional poster)

Somebody tells the truth: Get to know singer-songwriter Peter Case (Plimsouls, Nerves) in this excellent new documentary, A Million Miles Away - Take Yes for an Answer, a deep dive into the life and career of an American treasure deserving of a much bigger audience.   

"Crooked Mile" (from "Peter Case: A Million Miles Away") HQ 

Hello and welcome to the Boston Harold Video Podcast. Today I get to welcome back one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Peter Case. (I interviewed him on my previous audio-only podcast platform on Podbean in two parts.)

Peter Case (1973) - "One After 909" (Beatles Cover)  
(Similar footage is included in the documentary)


Case in the subject of an excellent new documentary by Fred Parnes, titled A MIllion Miles Away - Take Yes for an Answer.  It covers Case’s life from his difficult upbringing in upstate New York, to his escape to the West Coast (featuring some fascinating very early black and white footage of Case and friends busking and grocery shopping), his days with early punk-era bands the Nerves (the original “Hanging on the Telephone,” one of two songs Blondie covered) and the Plimsouls (“Million Miles Away” and an appearance in the film Valley Girl), followed by a 35-year-plus solo career, including the 1986 album, Peter Case, which one New York Times critic hailed as  “Album of the Year.” The film follows the ups and downs of Case’s career with refreshing honesty, including having issues with his health and his record company, and resurrecting himself and flourishing as an indie Americanca artist. Interview subjects include, among others, Denise Sullivan, Victoria Williams, Steve Earle, Ben Harper, Van Dyke Parks, Mitchell Froom, Jack Lee, Chuck Prophet, and of course, Mr. Case himself.


MY INTERVIEW WITH PETER CASE - VIA ZOOM - 3/20/2022

What I wanted to accomplish in this interview was to give some context to what appears in the documentary, as opposed to giving away spoilers. Among the subjects we expanded upon include:


Plimsouls in the movie, Valley Girl (1983)

  • Seeing Lightnin’ Hopkins in Cambridge, Mass., 1961.

  • What it was like to be in the film Valley Girl with the Plimsouls.    

  • Explaining the decision to include the controversial and uncommercial artwork for his album Six Pack of Love.

  • The story behind his appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman.

  • Some details from when Bob Dylan saw Peter performing on St. Patrick’s Day, 1983. (Some other interesting Dylan trivia as well!)

  • His most recent albums, Midnight Broadcast and the upcoming Doctor Moan, both part of a Kickstarter campaign, and the effect of the Covid epidemic.  

    Peter Case "Dream About You" on Letterman, July 14, 1992

The producers are currently seeking distribution. A Million Miles Away - Take Yes For An Answer just played at the Kansas City International Film Festival, as well as premiering at the Santa Barbara International.

Enjoy, and check out A Million Miles Away - Take Yes for an Answer whenever it’s available wherever you are. 

Related links: 

03. Peter Case Interview Part one (On Dylan, Baez, Kickstarter, New 45 & Documentary), plus Ric Ocasek Remembered.

04. Peter Case Pt. 2, Peter Stone Brown remembered, New Dylan drummer, Bootleg Series & More 

In store: Paul Collins and Peter Case - "Hanging on the Telephone."
 

Blondie - "Hanging on the Telephone"
Peter Case - "Put Down the Gun"
Peter Case - "Dream About You"
Peter Case - "Just Hanging On"
Studio Version on "Midnight Broadcast"
Peter Case - "Early Roman Kings" (Bob Dylan cover)
From "Midnight Broadcast"

You might also enjoy:

Gregg Sutton on touring with Bob Dylan, Andy Kaufman, & Lone Justice, interactions with Clapton and Bono, and opening for Elvis

Carla Olson behind the scenes at Dylan's "Sweetheart Like You" video, new Gordon Lightfoot tribute, hanging with Jimi, jamming with Mick Taylor, more

Tulsa's Bob Dylan Center announces new acquisitions, shares previously unpublished image, unreleased audio - Look and listen here!

BOB DYLAN CONFRONTS HIS OWN LEGACY ON “ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS”

Reclaiming the forgotten decade: Bob Dylan's Springtime in New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985) 

Bob Dylan live in the time of the plague (New England shows revisited)

PETER CASE . COM

© 2022 Harold Lepidus. The opinions expressed are that of the artist.





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