doug:

Continuing the discussion, Jesse has posted his thoughts:

I know Andrew personally and have known him for years. We’re not close friends or anything, but we keep in touch. He’s been a guest on my radio show four times, and once on my podcast-only show. I had his first EP, which he released independently. I have a friend who went to high school with him.

This corporate construct / multiple actors stuff is a metaphor, not a literal statement.

Also: Andrew is literally one of the best people I’ve ever met. The only way I can describe him that conveys the impact he has when you meet him (or even just see him play) is that he’s like Mr. Rogers. Not in the sense that he’s guileless or quiet… just in the way he absolutely radiates love. I’m a public radio host, and I book my own show, so I’ve met many, many people I admire. Andrew is leagues above all of them in my esteem.

He met my then-eight-year-old brother six years ago. Not only did he give him a tour of his bus, introduce him to his whole band, take a picture with him, actually listen to his CD (my brother, then as now, had a band)… but Andrew still checks in on him whenever I talk to him.

Andrew is one man, and he’s only a character in the way Iggy Pop is a character or Mick Jagger is a character or Chuck D is a character or even Jonathan Richman is a character. And he’s one of the greatest guys around.

Whether he was multiple people or just one, my belief remains. People need something to believe in, and that thing is party.