His rail thin appearance is legendary; oftentimes the mere sight of him is enough to send conscientious mothers into fits trying to feed him. But Jeremy Owen has a history with food.
"I try never to touch the stuff," he confided as we met for a second time at a diner off Broadway. I myself ordered a large plate of french fries which he was disinclined to share.
"You've read the popular stories, I assume?" he asked and I nodded. While not the best topic for those wishing to keep their appetite, the reasoning -if you can call it that- for Jeremy's dislike of food is well-known.
"Well, it's not true," he said as I nearly choked on a fry.
"Not true?" I managed.
He nodded. "Yeah, well, I had to say something, didn't I? And the story that's out there, well, it's kindof true-" he held his thumb and forefinger a half-inch apart to demonstrate just how little truth the myth contained.
"The truth is," he continued, "that a Folk singer, a Gutter Folk singer should be hungry. Always. Even if you can afford food, abstain. That hunger reminds of you the hunger you should feel in your heart. Always. Because that hunger is the fuel that drives your art."
