Interview – DJ Sega
Pretty sick interview I found over at the couch sessions with the homey DJ Sega at Stussy in DC. Big shout out to DJ Sega, big shout out to The Joint Chiefs. Check it out, lots to learn about the homey.
Lets Talk about Girls, or Girl Talk Interview!
So what seems like ages ago now, a big festival called Summer Camp gets thrown around my way. Which is pretty much a massive hippie fest with a few oddball acts. This year there was Method Man and Redman, from what I heard the crowd was dissinterested in. Also this year Girl Talk returned for the second year in a row. I was able to catch the beginning of his show this year and I can tell you the crowd was electric. From what I am told it is the highest energy performance at Summer Camp. I also got the privilege of getting to meet Greg and sit down to ask him a couple questions before hand.
photo from the homey at http://sideburns13.deviantart.com/
How long have you been doing what you’re doing now? Making these mixed up party tracks.
Prior to the Girl Talk project, when I was like 15 or 16 I was making some experimental music in a band with lots of experimental chopping of tracks on a 4-track recorder. Skipping CDs that sort of stuff. I got my first laptop at 18.
Do you still do the biomedical engineering work? How long were you Girl Talk before you spilled the beans to your co-workers?
I worked there for 3 years out of college. I always played with bands so it was kind of different; it was hard to explain to them what I was doing. The project started on a very small scale, playing at people’s parties and stuff. It picked up last year, I never told them, but they caught on. My old bosses niece and son have been to some of my shows.
How many cease and desist threats would you say have you received?
Zero. I believe in the fair use doctrine in united states copyright law. I can definitely say I have never received a threat.
How would you describe your experience with the Feed the Animals distribution model? Do you plan on doing it the same way next time?
It was cool. It was like Christmas morning, we woke up and boom it was on the internet immediately. I make more off doing shows and really I don’t look at this as my career anyway. The idea was to see how quickly and efficiently we could reach all the people. As far as doing it again its really up in the air. Depends on what the future brings.
Is that your house on the cover? and is the yard really on fire?
The house is actually the parents house of the guy who did the artwork. We wanted to actually light it on fire, but it didn’t really work out.
photo from the homey at http://sideburns13.deviantart.com/
As an artist how would you describe the way you feel about music blogs in general?
It’s a very exciting time period right now. Its frustrating once you get to that level, everybody has an opinion, but its how it should be. The divide between corporate music and underground is really shrinking. There would have not been able to be a Girl Talk 15 years ago, maybe just on college radio back then. There is a lot of help with the blogs and peer to peer networks.
What software do you use to make your tracks? Or is that a trade secret?
Audio Mulch to perform and Adobe Audition to make the tracks. I’m always working on new stuff, I’m really into improvising on stage. Everything is isolated, the kicks the snares, each melody. I try to keep my tracks together for the most part. The fans like to hear the songs they know.
Where do you cut most of your samples from? CD, digital, Vinyl? Do you have stacks of vinyl sitting around at home?
CD mostly. I have always had a lot of CDs. I do buy some downloads and Vinyl but generally most of the samples I use comes from CDs.
What kind of music do you listen to in a casual environment?
A lot of Hip Hop, mainstream Hip Hop. I’m constantly partying so sometimes I like to listen to something different. The oldies station in Pittsburgh is crazy, they even play 80’s. I listen to soft rock chilled out stuff too so I can get away from the party stuff all the time.
Best way for the fans to get the album if they don’t? How far away do you think we are from the next Girl Talk project?
A year or two.
OK I wasn’t sure if you were a sneaker head but I see you have some Jordan’s on so I have to ask, what is your favorite all time sneaker.
Yea I’m not really a fiend, but I would say the 7’s that were black, purple and pink with the little triangles on them. I had them when I was younger and just bought the remakes yesterday. I haven’t found a pair of originals yet but would love to.
The experience was definitely killer. I hope he comes back again next year. I wish I had a dope new unheard girl talk track to share with you, but I don’t. If you are unfamiliar with him, which I highly doubt you are if you are at my website, well check out this jam to get your teeth wet.
Hands In The Air – Girl Talk download
You really should go ahead and support the Girl Talk project and get the whole album which can be purchased for whatever you want.
Paper Route Recordz Interview and Exclusive Joint!
OK I have been jamming that Huntsville music for a few years now, ever since that Lac’s and Prices first popped up on the BET late night show….what was that called again? Does that still air? (If anybody has “I Ain’t Got No Panties On, On the Dancefloor” do hook that up please!)
Anyway back on track….
These dudes have been making some big noise, especially in some nontraditional ways. Such as doing a recent mixtape with the one and only Diplo. The homey Noetik got a chance to holler at them and here is what they had to say!
1. How in the hell did you guys hook up with Diplo?
Our manager initially hooked it up, let Diplo hear our stuff and it just took off. We officially meet at last years SXSW.
2. Before that track with Diplo were you guys ever into the electro music scene or remix & alternative culture period?I’ve been to a few techno clubs. lol. Actually we’re into alot of alternative music and sounds. 3. Where did the name Paper Route Gangstaz & Recordz come from?
Me and Mali Boi was at AppleBees one day and it just came to me. He was like “hell yea, i got an idea for the logo”…went home and he came up with the logo. And as far as the “gangstaz” part, we Gz…PRGz.
4. Can you breakdown all the current members of your crew and who does what?Fo Sho. You have Mali Boi who handles most of the production, Jhi Ali, Gunt1/3 and Mata who make X.O., Big P.O.P.E. and myself Dawgy Baggz…combined PRGz. 5. I have been jamming your tunes for a few years now, like most people who are in tune to the internet music scene. What is the difference between Slow Motion/Paper Route/Block Beataz etc.
Slow Motion is where everything orginated from. Its where we learned to make this music and produce this sound. After some differences, some artist joined me to help create Paper Route Recordz. Block Beataz is the main production for both companies. And for the record Slo Mo still fam.
6. Who is the main producers in your crew? And where does your sound come from far as like the direction you guys look to go in usually?
Mali Boi is the primary producer. The sound just comes from our environment. We live in Huntsville, AL so its a tad bit different from a bigger, faster, more diverse city…but, the same shit goes on. We talk about our lives. We dont make music for any certain genre or crowd, we do music for our city. We tell our story.
7. How many albums have you collectively dropped?idk…20…30…
8. What is the local scene like down in Huntsville?Its HuntsVegas baby…jackpot city. Everything moving, everything all ball. You got a small city full of big dreams, talent and hustlas.
You guys constantly doing shows in Bama?Several shows…My main thing is shows outside of Bama now though. I think after 8yrs its time to try and snatch the rest of the country.
9. Since you guys are working with a great management team behind you now what is the future of your career looking like? any deals on the table we can know first about?We have a little something going on, we will see what ‘09 holds. And yes, Dan “The muthafuckin man” Weisman is a great manager, none of this would be possible without his input. Shot out to Weisman.
10. Are you guys going to get involved in the whole blogging and twitter hoopla going on anytime soon?According to our Internet Director that’ll be a part of the new PaperRouteRecordz.com as of now join us on myspace @ http://www.myspace.com/paperrouteenterprise
Be sure to check these boys out! And now the goods….
Grandaddy (Featuring Mata & Mr. Marcellus) download
Risk One Interview!
We were finally able to grab a little of Risk One’s time to get him to answer a couple of our questions. Can’t blame the guy between rocking the dopest clubs in Seattle and Las Vegas and making some of the illest
mash’s for your top 40 pleasure, I bet the guy is awfully busy. We love the way you do what you do!
1. How long have you been spinning?
About 8 1/2 years now.
2. You Serato all the time now?
Yessirr! I’m a tech geek so I was actually on Stanton Final Scratch 1.0 when it first came out (years before Serato) It was crap, but back then it was better than spending hundreds a month on mainstream club vinyl. I was already up on Rane equipment, so when Serato came out I bought it same day.
3. When was the last time you went to a record store and picked up wax?
I actually just hit up the record store this past weekend for the first time in years! however I didn’t purchase haha. I saw some things I liked, but just went and downloaded them online. If I can get the MP3 I don’t see the point in spending $12 on the wax. Unless i’m trying to keep it real.. which i’m not.
4. Describe the difference between playing in your hometown and playing in Vegas.
Well, any traveling DJ will probably tell you that when it comes down to it, everyone listens to the same shit. Yes there are regional differences, but every chick in america wants to hear “boots with the fur” at 12:30. The biggest misconception of Vegas is that you can play all sorts of bugged out shit b/c “its Vegas”… its the exact opposite. This is a tourist town so you gotta play right down the middle, music everyone can agree on. Commercial Hiphop/Top40, and Commerical House, big hits all night. Thats what the crowd wants, thats what the owners want.
5. How did you link up with your DJ Crew the bumsquad?
Well I knew a handful of the dudes just from around the way, and Latin Prince knew of me from Crooklyn Clan.. DJ Girl 6 knew us both and got us on the phone together. We chopped it up for a bit and then it was a wrap. Went to the Family Reunion a few months later and met the rest of the Bumz.
6. What gear do you use (software or hardware) to make your remixes?
Not a whole lot.. Ableton is definitely the hub. I have a handful of VST plug-ins, the M-audio Axiom keyboard, and Logic Pro.
7. What is your favorite pair of sneakers of all time?
Man, Air Max 90s hands down! I don’t think more comfortable shoes exists, except for maybe those hideous rubber things they sell at the mall haha..
And also one of his most recent jams he hooked us up with a while back, a refix of busta rhymes and Brittany Spears ‘Break the Ice’.
Don’t Touch Me (Risk One Broken Ice Fix) – Busta Rhymes mediafire
Kasper from the K Interview
I don’t know about the rest of the country, but around where I’m from “Whatchu Gonna Do” is blazing the radio waves. A few weeks ago he came around to do a show and we met up with Kasper from the K at the after party.
Whatcha Gonna Do (Real Juicy Mix) – Kasper from the K x Sneaky Sound System x Gloves zippy | mp3
How long have you been spitting for? I’ve been doin this for about 12 13 years. The past 3 years I’ve been doing it more on the professional side of things…meaning in the studio around professional people, graduated out the closet into a real booth.
What is the local scene like in Henderson? Do you work with a lot of other artists and perform in your area? The local scene is pretty much like any other city big or small, everyone is trying to do there music thing. Yes i do work with other artists in the area as much as possible. I try not to fool with to many tho, I’ll take a listen or check and see what they want out of music and decide whether or not to do a track. I don’t like wasting time or jumpin on a track that i feel isn’t moving me forward in ways. I’ve pretty much performed it up every where in my home town as well as Evansville Indiana. I at least try and make appearances etc. I’ve done numerous bday parties, things like that as well. Its all about the kids to me. They are the future and the buyers.
Who makes your beats? Who did Whatcha Gonna Do? Joel Hopper (HOP) made the beat to watchagondo as well as 99 percent of my other beats. He is my DR DRE and I’m like his EM. When we get together and bang out a track its like magic. Ken Lewis threw the final mix on it. He has done numerous things for platinum artists such as KANYE WEST Fall out boy, and also somethings with the PUSSYCAT DOLLS etc.
How did you connect with EO Music in Cincinnati? As my buzz grew around my home town, it soon reached the ears of professionals who liked what they heard and decided to check in to me even further.
How did your relationship with Peoria Radio come about? It’s a long way from Kentucky. Peoria Radio was one of the firsts to pick up on whatchagondo as it was released nationwide. I owe it to BIG D and the rest of his crew in Peoria for believing in the song and adding it into regular rotation.
How many times have you been to Peoria so far? I’ve been into Peoria 3 times so far and every time the hospitality has been great. I definitely would say to other artists theres a great club atmosphere in P town and to see bout getting there asap. I vouch for Peoria.
7. I know you just dropped an EP on iTunes that everybody needs to pick up, anytime soon to hear an album from you? Definitely gonna hear a full album soon. I’m sitten on several songs and also working on a few other projects as we speak. Just adding a little polish to somethings to get ready for 09. You mentioned iTunes also just got ringtones up for Whatchagondo TEXT KASPER1 to 71777 for Shake It Down TEXT KASPER2 to 71777.
What is your favorite pair of sneakers right now? My favorite pair of kicks right now would have to be these new BLACK n WHITE JORDANs i just swooped up a few days ago. I’ve started to get my shoe game up a lil bit. I’ve had these Havanah Joes i got in Cinci for about a year and still lookin for that outfit that will set em off in this M*%^$#*&^%$R haaaaahaaaa WHITE FOLKS GET CRUNK! The Js are my new favorite tho.
The track is bananas. I love the use of the 80’s track, I mean who doesn’t dig the 80’s? Check it out and be sure to cop it on iTunes.
Tittsworth Interview!
So as you all know by now, I got to get up to Chicago last week and check out my first Tittsworth live set. Boy o boy was I feeling myself. Set rocked, Tittsworth is a cool cat, and of course Smartbar is ill. Big ups to the bartenders for the crazy drinks and Pete for the place to lay my head. Sadly the night of the event we didn’t get to do the interview due to a big delay at the DC airport. Never fear, we caught up recently. Check it out…
Us – You work with many different artists on the album 12 Steps. Any one artist you were surprised by, one artist who really brought something to the album that you weren’t really expecting? A different tone or flow that might have changed the feel of the song?
Tittsworth – I felt kid sister brought it harder than i ever imagined. always knew her to be good, but what she recorded for “WTF” really put her in another category of MC in my eyes.
I’ve seen you on the mtv interview rocking a boss sampler. What kind of gear did you use for the tracks on 12 Steps?
I used a computer almost strictly… reason 3.5 and nuendo. Because I was on the road so much, we got somebody to do all of the mixing and mastering (which included some hardware). Sometimes I use a midi controller to drum in a pattern or notes, sometimes i’m on the plane and I just beat the rhythm right into the laptop by banging on the mouse (that’s probably why my mouse doesn’t work so well and i’m missing a control key).
Explain the difference in your approach as the producer of an album, compared to your individual projects.
This is the first time (in a long long long time) where I could write and not have to think about a dance floor STRICTLY. I would have to consider the ipod audience and those who were not DJ’s. I always have them in the back of my mind, it’s second nature, but this was definitely a unique challenge in that regard. Also with an album, I couldn’t rely on samples or gimmicks.
What was your favorite city to visit while on tour? What was your favorite venue you played while on tour?
I have a lot of the same favorites that you probably hear most dj’s say… I really dig Sydney, Brazil is a blast, Toronto is a home away from home. I really enjoy those little sleeper cities like Malmo, Sweden where I get requests for Miss Tony tracks and 300 kids will sing along with songs you don’t expect to leave Baltimore.
What is your favorite venue in Chicago?
So far, Smartbar. every time I play there I can play HARD, I don’t have to hold back and I can incorporate house music (a guilty pleasure of mine.. not so guilty in the Chi).
Who have you had the wildest set djing with in the past year?
Dave Nada. In Winnipeg I remember wondering where he was, only to find him hanging from the ceiling rafters, pouring drinks into the mouths of people a story below him.
What is your favorite place to shop for records in the whole world?
I don’t really shop for records anymore, sadly. The good news is when I buy something now, it’s something I really really want (instead of something I might need for a specific dance floor or crowd). Generally that’s the occasional ebay purchase, often an old rave record or a classic jazz album.
If you didn’t know, Tittsworth new album, ‘12 Steps’, is due out August 12th. Check out the album sampler here with a few cuts on it featuing; Kid Sis, Pase Rock, The Federation, Nina Sky & Pitbull. Of course you also know we’re going to throw a classic at you!
Just What I Needed (Tittsworth Edit) – The Cars zshare
More Tittsworth
Also be sure to check out the Public Enemy Remix Contest
Rock them Titties, Download Tittsworth off iTunes!
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