Jon Steinmeier

Last year, Jon Steinmeier launched an experiment in creative discipline. The music teacher and staple of local outfits Detholz! and Mucca Pazza set out to write and record one song every week. You can hear the results—a spotty but attention-grabbing collection of more than 70 tracks shifting week to week from, say, an industrial drum ’n’ bass number warning about “giant rhinoceros robots” to a tender-yet-creepy ode to that “fat lord of the universe,” Santa Claus—on his site (jonsteinmeier.com).

Time Out Chicago: Why all the self-imposed deadlines?
Jon Steinmeier: I was sort of freelance composing for TV ads. They would send me a 30-second video file and want the song within 24 hours. I froze a little on the first couple—commercials for Fanta soda and Hot Wheels—so I wanted to get myself in a place where I’m not waiting for creative inspiration.

TOC: Is it essential to know people will hear your experiments?
Jon Steinmeier: The “I just do it for myself” doesn’t really exist for me. While I’m really satisfied by the process, I always want to hear what people think. I get really excited when people are listening. The site and blog are sort of exhibitionist journals.

TOC: Ever thought about making something more consistent—an EP or full-length?
Jon Steinmeier: Yeah, but I’ve had this frustration for a long time that I don’t write songs that make sense together. I’ve always wished I could sit down and write a record front to back, like 12 songs that make sense. But some other idea always pops up.

TOC: Who do you think is listening?
Jon Steinmeier: Mostly Mom. [Laughs] She’s really encouraging but doesn’t hesitate to drop the hammer and tell me when something’s boring.