Music Q&A with Adam Rubenstein of Chamberlain
Photo courtesy of Chamberlain
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Chamberlain’s Fate's Got A Driver!
Recently, Adam Rubenstein (guitar) took some time to answer questions about the album, what he would change about the industry if he could, the best advice given to him by a musician, and more!
The 25th anniversary edition of Fate's Got A Driver is now available as a limited-edition LP on colored wax, including four bonus tracks and coming with a 16-page booklet, all housed in an embossed gatefold jacket with a die-cut front. It can be purchased via Arctic Rodeo Recordings and Stickfigure Mailorder.
Looking back at 25 years of Fate's Got A Driver, what does the album mean to you? How was your musical journey affected by it?
This was probably the period of the band’s greatest growth. We’d started college when we were crafting Fate's, and for most people, these are years ripe with discovery. Fate’s represents a time in my life where everything felt new and change seemed inevitable. As our tastes diversified, we started to explore much more melodic ideas, and with those ideas came more traditional song structures.
What’s your favorite song off Fate's Got A Driver?
I’m not sure I have a favorite song, but maybe “Her Side of Sundown” if I’m forced. Yes it’s short — but as a writer, I really love how no space is wasted in this one.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
I’m not sure how it is in Europe currently, but concert ticketing in the US is a mess. A handful of companies have a near monopoly on venues (and there are a lot less independent places post-covid). Ticket fees are often laughable and deters a lot of folks from going out to see live music.
What instrument do you not play that you hope to learn someday?
Pedal Steel. I find the foot / hand coordination required pretty daunting. Plus much like lap steel, all the alternate tunings you can use make the learning curve a bit intimidating.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
That’s tough, but someone once told me that when writing it’s always best to just finish out the idea you’re working on. In other words, don’t start over if things are losing steam…because you never know what might develop.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
I suppose I think about my daughter. It’s cliche, but fatherhood absolutely changes your perspective on pretty much everything. And it’s nice to be able to immerse yourself in parenting for a bit, forget about all the negativity for a spell.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
I don’t know. Start a band. They never seem to die.