Artists In My Book / *Bill Carney* Interview

Some of my most favorite moments illustrating MERMAIDS ON PARADE came from listening to music. Two local bands really hit the spot. The Jug Addicts got me into the feel of the Old Timey Coney Island style. And Les Sans Culottes evoked the psychedelia that is modern Coney Island; the band even performed at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade Ball.

Both bands are fronted by Bill Carney. By day a lawyer,

by night the leader of two bands that are always playing out somewhere in NYC, Detroit, Minneapolis, California or France. Both of his bands inspired the art and the colors in my book.

Les Sans Culottes

The Jug Addicts

In fact, several of the band members show up as characters in my book.

Bill Carney was kind enough to answer my interview questions.

Q: If you had a mermaid name what would it be?
BC: Aragorn.

Q :What does Coney Island mean to you?
BC: The cyclone, wonderwheel, boardwalk, beach, shoot the freak; a great amusement park just a bicycle ride away from my apartment.

Q: Why do you enjoy marching in the Mermaid Parade?
BC: I've viewed the parade but never marched. I love the great and inventive costumes of the paraders.

Q: What are you currently working on?
BC: I am continuing to perform with my bands, Bill Carney' s Jug Addicts and Les Sans Culottes

Thanks, Bill!