Once a Prince . . .

The Artist Formerly known as Prince, who performs Saturday at the Five Seasons Center, doesn't do phone interviews. He does accept questions, or so it seems. He takes them only by fax or e-mail, which makes it difficult to verify that he is the person answering the questions.

Answers did arrive — and promptly. His publicist faxed them within a day of receiving The Gazette's questions last week.

The Artist is ever independent. He sells tickets to concerts only a week ahead of time to discourage scalping and merchandise bootleggers.

“I pay no agent, no manager, no merchandiser and sometimes no promoter,” he said during a recent on-line interview with USA Today. “These R some of the things that make one feel born again. Never again will I be slave 2 a system I had no part in designing.”

And, instead of distributing his new music through a major label, he has gone out on his own.

“My success is no longer defined by others,” he said during the same interview. His latest album, “Crystal Ball,” is sold by phone through his NPG Records, 1-(800)639-3865.

Following are The Gazette's questions posed to the musician and the responses given. They are printed verbatim through symbols, numbers and words. Personal questions were not accepted. While seemingly endless questions come to a reporter's mind when offered the opportunity to query The Artist, his publicist recommended we keep inquiries to about 10.

Q. Thank you for accepting our questions. Why do you only conduct interviews by e-mail or fax, and why is the print media your chosen outlet? How do we know it is you who is answering these questions?

A. <o> choose print media, because U won't know that it's me U're speaking with. :)

Q. Do you plan to continue to live in and work in the Minneapolis area? Why do you stay there rather than moving to more recognized music centers, such as Los Angeles?

A. <o> am spiritually centered in Minneapolis.

Q. The Twin Cities area has been considered a fertile proving ground for new musicians. Where, in the next five to 10 years, do you see new musicians coming from? And how much does their place of origin influence a band's sound?

A. Mpls will always be fertile ground 4 new music because of the peaceful atmosphere. The sounds of nature promote creativity.

Q. You release your own music via a Web page, foregoing record labels. How is this working? Do you feel that this compromises or enhances The Artist Formerly Known as Prince makes his debut at the Five Seasons Center Saturday night. your ability to get your music to your fans?

A. Releasing music on the internet works beautifully 4 the kind of music we've put 2gether recently. Bootlegs r sold &amp; traded over the web anyway, so in the case of Crystal Ball, we've struck the central nerve of the populace.

Q. Your sound is less mainstream than what you wrote in the 1980s. How would you describe your current style?

A. <o> play New Power Soul.

Q. When you write songs, do you write for yourself or the public? How do you get your ideas? Who inspires you?

A. <o> listen 2 the inner voice &amp; respond. Whoever digs it cool! God is my main inspiration.

Q. Where do you see your musk going? You've freed yourself from the constraints of the music industry. How will you use this new-found freedom?

A. Wait and c.

Q. Why don 't you play guitar more on your records? You're a phenomenal guitarist, but you don't seem to feature the instrument much any more.

A. Disc 2 of Crystal Ball will serve U well.

Q. How has your name change helped or hindered your career? Why change your name in the first place and what do you prefer the media call you, for short?

A. It served its purpose. When <o> changed it, people said “He thinks he can get free from his contract with this silly move. Tsk. Tsk.” Well, <o> (I'm) free & happy and still a Prince!

Q. Are you sick of purple yet?

A. <o> will never tire of the royal color purple.

What U should know be4 U go

The Five Seasons Center has announced the following information on admission and parking for those attending Saturday's concert by The Artist Formerly Known as Prince:

• Patrons with $45 seats will exchange their vouchers for tickets at the Five's will-call window. After showing proper ID and voucher, they will receive a ticket and enter the arena directly. Tickets may be picked up starting at 6:30 p.m.

• Patrons with reserved $35 or $19.99 seats will enter through the Five Season Center's lobby and will go to the second floor or by using a skywalk entrance.

• Patrons with general-admission seats will enter the arena through the back of the building. They will follow the alley to the back of the arena and form a line only after 3 p.m. Saturday.

If downtown city parking lots become full, concert patrons will be directed to three other city lots, from where they may catch a shuttle bus. The lots are at the former Cedar Rapids Police Station, 310 Second Ave. SW; the lot (number three) across the street from the former police station; and the lot (number 20) at First Street and Fourth Avenue SW. A $3 parking fee will include a shuttle ride to and from the concert.

Remaining tickets to Saturday's concert, which features opening act Larry Graham and Grand Central Station, are $19.99 and $35. (The $45 tickets are sold out). For more information, call Ticketmaster at 363-1888 or the Five Seasons Center Box Office at 362-1729. For more information about the Artist, see his Web site at www.love4oneanother.com