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 Each week ZIO asks a different musician the same 11 questions via email. Visit Zoom In Music every Wednesday for a new installment or subscribe to the RSS feed.

This week Josh Grier, singer and guitarist of indie darlings Tapes 'n Tapes, shares his thoughts. Tapes 'n Tapes rose from Midwestern obscurity with the one-two punch of their EP Tapes 'n Tapes and the LP The Loon, both of which were self-recorded and self-released. XL Recordings signed them and re-released The Loon to widespread critical acclaim. Their sound has been compared to alternative music giants such as Pavement and the Pixies.

During a sunny day on Coney Island back in 2006, I enjoyed Tapes 'n Tapes playing the Siren Music Festival, along with other ZIO favorites such as The Cribs and Art Brut. More recently, Tapes 'n Tapes were on tour with recent "These Questions Go To Eleven" guests Wild Light to promote their second album, Walk It Off.

1.  What music was played in your home while you were growing up?

The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, lots of Classical music, Fleetwood Mac, The Eurymthics, The Cars, and of course a sprinkling of CCR.  That’s what I really remember my parents playing the most when I was younger.

2.  Who is the best artist we have probably never heard of?

If you haven’t heard of Buddy Miles, than Buddy Miles.  Do yourself a favor and go find his record, “A Message to the People”, and get ready for pure musical bliss.

3.  What record did you used to love, but now can't stand? 

I don’t know if there are any records that I can’t stand any more, but there are a number that I would probably be fine with never hearing again.  The first that comes to mind is Kid n Play’s Face The Nation.  I can safely say that I’ve out grown that album.

4.  What song do you want played at your funeral?

I’m never going to die.  I’m invincible.  Next question, please.

5.  What is your favorite b-side?

I used to pay close attention to b-sides and was always hunting them down.  But it’s been about 10 years since I sought out a b-side, so that’s about when I stopped keeping track.  But when I was way into b-sides, "Pearly" by Radiohead was always one of my favorites.

6.  Which medium do you prefer: vinyl, cd, or download?

CD’s and mp3’s are great for portability, but I definitely prefer vinyl.  I love how it sounds.  I love to hold it.  I love to look at the album artwork.  I love to collect it.  I love to listen to old vinyl and think about all the other people that have listened to the same piece of vinyl.   So I’m a total nerd for vinyl.

7.  What artist would your fans be surprised that you like?

Lil Wayne.  He’s a genius.  He’s a mad genius.  But I guess you have to be a bit mad to really be a genius.

8.  What musician would you choose to cover one of your songs?

I have to go with Lil Wayne for this one, too.  Just because he’s the most ridiculously, self-indulgent choice I think I could make.  I’m generally not very self-indulgent, but if I get to choose anybody, I have to go with Lil’ Wayne.  I don’t think it really makes any sense, and that’s why I’m interested in what the hell it would sound like.

9.  Who is the most overrated artist?

I don’t know about an overrated artist, but I think currently the most overrated artistic tool, is Autotune.  I hate it.  I totally get that you can do some different things with it sonically.  But I think it’s awful.  No disrespect to Kanye, Brittany, Madonna, or T Pain.

10. What musician or band do you wish you’d seen play live in their prime?

I thought about this for a while and it’s a tie between James Brown and Band of Gypsy’s.  Neither are even one of my favorite bands, but if I’m going for most amazing live band, I can’t think of many bands that could top either James Brown or Band of Gypsy’s.  On one hand, there’s the James Brown, aka Soul Brother Number One, Sex Machine, Mr. Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The King of Funk, and of course the Godfather of Soul. On the other hand Band of Gypsy’s have Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox, and my personal favorite, Buddy Miles.  I think I would tear up if had got to see them.

11. What non-musical influences do you have?

The first things that come to mind are my friends/family, the weather, the books I read, and places I’ve lived in or visited.  All of those things have a significant impact on my world view and my general state of mind.  Obviously anything that I’m exposed to will influence me, but I think those four things have the biggest impact.

Find out more about Tapes 'n Tapes on their website and MySpace.

Read why Pitchfork gave The Loon an 8.3 rating.

Watch the music videos for Insistor and Hang Them All.

Check out the band play their song Cowbell using milk crates as drums for La Blogotheque.

Discover Buddy Miles.

 Check out more installments of THESE QUESTIONS GO TO ELEVEN:

Adam Green
Art Brut
Chin Chin
The Cribs
Darlings
Dead River Company
Fool's Gold
Fujiya & Miyagi
Golem
Jukebox the Ghost
Talib Kweli
Ben Kweller
Jeffrey Lewis
Lights
The Low Miffs
M83
Man Like Me
Marina & The Diamonds
Meg & Dia
A.C. Newman
Cale Parks
Silvery
Tiny Animals
The Von Bondies
White Rabbits
Wild Light
Yo Majesty!

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