Originally from St. Louis, Topher Mileski, 22, is an artist pursuing
a bachelor’s degree in two-dimensional studio art at the UA. His work
has been shown at Dinnerware Artspace, the Parasol Project’s “Atomic
#10″ party and Arizona Art Supply, where he is also an employee.
Mileski’s free time is spent collecting records and trying to figure
out how to make a living doing what he wants to do. Visit tophermileski.blogspot.com for
more.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
U2, on their PopMart tour, at age 10. I don’t count the Hootie and
the Blowfish show I saw at a younger age; I fell asleep during that
one.
What CDs are in your changer right now?
Menomena, I Am the Fun Blame Monster!; Beirut, The Flying
Club Cup; Destroyer, Trouble in Dreams; Robert Johnson,
The Complete Recordings; David Bowie, Hunky Dory;
Electrelane, The Power Out.
How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes,
8-tracks)?
I crossed the 1,100 album mark in April.
Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?
Both. I like buying vinyl, which means I usually end up spending
more money per album, so that helps me sleep at night.
What was the first album you owned?
I’m 93 percent sure it was Bush, Sixteen Stone.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Destroyer, “My Favorite Year.”
Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don’t know
about? What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
I’m in no way ashamed of it, but I am a huge fan of electronic
music. Tucson needs a bigger and better electro scene.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Death Cab for Cutie’s We Have the Facts and We’re Voting
Yes really struck a chord with me, and still does to this day.
There’s nothing about that record I don’t like. The funny thing is, I
can’t stand listening to anything Death Cab’s released since they left
Barsuk Records in 2004.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all
time?
Impossible. You’re better off just pulling the trigger.
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2009.
