Joseph Valentino, a Cholla High School graduate, musician, artist and DJ, has been making music in Tucson since his early teens. Working under the moniker Neglect, Valentino creates music that is, in his words, "a meditative practice in accidental looping of found sound and the self. A soundtrack to an unmade film." Valentino can also be found playing the best in post-punk, dub and early techno under the name DJ Polar.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
The Grateful Dead at the San Diego Sports Arena in 1980. I was 5. My father is a huge Dead fan, and I guess my parents didn't consider getting a baby sitter. I was awake for about three songs, then passed out.
What are you listening to these days?
Grouper, Belong, Tinariwen, My Bloody Valentine and an album I'm working on.
What was the first album you owned?
Billy Idol's Rebel Yell. Listened to it over and over and still feel inspired by it today.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
There's so much I find perplexing as to why people love it. Insane Clown Posse is pretty awful. Current hip hop is garbage.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Charlie Parker or Miles Davis.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I don't feel guilt about what I enjoy listening to. I shed that after my teen years.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
That's tough. Maybe "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees or "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart.
What band or artist changed your life and how?
Carl Craig was my introduction to Detroit techno and opened up a whole world I never knew existed. When I first started DJ-ing, I wanted to get everything that he produced. He is still one of the most-innovative electronic producers making music today.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Talking Heads, Remain in Light.
