Q) Tell us about how huge a Trek fan you really are. Is it just a hobby for you, or has it taken over your life, like Kudzu takes over a garden?

I grew up watching Trek, from its network run through the years of reruns on NY's channel 11. My brother & I used to play a game where the first one who could name the episode won....and we still do it today. Star Trek was simply the best TV show ever, & nothing since has had such influence on society at large & on individuals as well. It's a teacher, it's a philosophy, it's (just) a tv show. I do own one Kirk action figure, but I hardly ever play with it.

Q) What was/is your inspiration for the Trek Tunes? In other words, how do you know when it's time to make a new one?

The whole thing started when my friend Bill, my brother James, & I were, uh, expanding our minds one Sunday morning while my wife & kids were out. I had been learning how to use loops to make music, & was experimenting with recording audio from my VCR. A Trek ep happened to be in the machine, & the rest is, uh, history(?). I make a new one when an idea for weird/funny/serious lyrics hits me. Usually, I have a song project in the works, & I mess around to see what will go together well.

Q) How difficult is it to produce a typical Trek Tune?

New ideas are hard to come by.....the actual mechanics of recording etc. are kinda easy. The toughest part is placing the dialogue in a rhythmically pleasing way.

Q) If you had to create Trek Tunes for a living, would you get sick of it, or would it be your dream job?

Trek Tunes for a living? If I was working for Paramount or SciFi Channel, doing promos, I think I'd like that a lot...but I'd like to work on other subjects too.

Stiiv Ryan