Friends is about my friends. I grew up around of a lot of drugs and violence so it’s an ode to that anxiety and stress of dealing with loss. I wanted it to be a hip-hop song that also carried this punk element to it. The verse in the middle of a song is about walking into a suicide of a friend and watching my friends mom literally go into psychosis and start banging her head into the cement. Took like 5 cops to hold down this little woman? It was important for me to cultivate that existential dread. To tell that story and end it with a higher note spiritually, the higher note being a sample from the tv show Midnight Gospel starting with, “This is hopeless”. I essentially wanted people who have gone through what I went through to be okay with not being okay. To allow themselves to find strength and power in their grief and dread.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
Ahahaha, haven’t used it yet but its, “I need my princess Peach with that golden pipe.” Anyone a Nintendo and Mario party fan?
Can you share something funny that happened during one of your gigs? And what would be your dream performance venue?
When I was a kid I played on the Gibson tour bus. Drake from Drake and Bell was supposed to play but he broke his arm the night before (I think with the highly credible accusations about him lately I got lucky), but anyways I staged dived at my own performance and security didn’t know who I was so they removed me from my own show. They were pretty embarrassed and so was I. Good times.
Favorite album of the past decade?
I think EARTHGANG’s Mirrorland. That album sounds so soft production wise. Also lyrically it’s so powerful. I think it really has something to offer to anyone. I also love Joyce Manor’s S/T record. It shines on my teen years. Super good and emotional pop songs.
Favorite music related film?
I want to say a Star is Born. Lady Gaga’s version. I think it’s a great film conceptually. You have this human who is super talented and loving but he is filled with pain and addiction. Then he falls in love and basically lets this other human being ride on his success until she becomes more succesful. His issues are burdens to her and he realizes she can’t save him (we should save ourselves anyways) nor does she want to because she doesn’t love him. She just wanted what he could give outside of his issues. Classic tale of narcissism and struggle in the most cold industry. Yet still beautiful.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Just relax. Do more for yourself. Find balance in love and life. Make plans. Write more. Read more. Run more. Eat better. Kiss your friends. Respect yourself so others will respect you and so you respect others. Love hard. Ask for love. Find peace in everything.
Your new track ‘Before’ has an anthemic vibe. Tell us a few things about it.
Over the last year we’ve started to embrace the idea of going big and not shying away from making music that hits at a more emotional level. It’s been challenging for sure, especially coming from a minimalist hip-hop foundation, but it’s also been a lot of fun. “Before” is definitely our first legit attempt at making a pop song, but what’s cool is that it came together really naturally. I love artists like M83 and Tame Impala who can make these big pop anthems, but at the same time, not sacrifice when it comes to themes or lyrics. I think a lot of that influence is on this track.
Your sound is mostly electronic. Which is your favorite synth (analog or digital) you always useon your productions?
Without a doubt my pride and joy is my Roland Juno-106. I’m blessed on this one because It’s in amazing condition and I got it for an insanely low price. There’s just something magical about it and I’m pretty sure it’s been on every song since I copped it.
Favourite album of the past decade?
If we’re talking this decade then I really enjoyed Fuck Art by The Dirty Nil!
What would be your dream performance venue?
The Nude Bowl out in the Desert Hot Springs, California
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Before getting into music I was a huge graphic design nerd. I made shirts, album covers and concert posters for bands in my city and it was an absolute blast. For sure if I wasn’t doing music, I’d still be doing that.
One last thing we should know about you?
Our record COLONIES drops on August 19th! It’s our first album where hip-hop isn’t at the forefront, but we’re stoked about how it turned out and I think it’ll give people a good idea of where we’re going.
We were trying to come up with a name at the beginning of the pandemic, and it felt like every news channel you turned to was describing some horrifying new plague. On top of that, our songs tend to sound disarmingly different from each other, a lot like flipping radio stations.
You blend Hip Hop with Rock in a very interesting way. Tell us a few things about your creative process.
We function with a classic rapper/DJ dynamic, but if the DJ didn’t show up so the rapper hired an experimental punk band instead. We try really hard to take the sounds we grew up listening to and combine them in ways we haven’t heard before.
Main influences?
In no particular order, The Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, The Sex Pistols, Lightnin’ Hopkins, The White Stripes, and Digital Underground. On top of that, theme parks, horror films, and 90’s cartoons.
What would you change in the music industry?
To be honest with you, I don’t think we understand the music industry intimately enough to be able to describe what needs to change about it without making broad sweeping statements we can’t really back up. Us being unfathomably famous would be pretty cool.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Chief Redeye loves the work of Disney animator and set designer Claude Coats, Donovan is really into the artist Ai Weiwei, and Devin thinks that any rap fan who isn’t listening to Busdriver is doing themselves a huge disservice.
Future plans?
We’re gonna marathon Masterchef for the 27th time and try to finish storyboarding this music video we’re working on. Something about Chief passing out at a poker game and waking up in a ball pit surrounded by children’s toys. We think it’ll look cool, but it’s mostly just an excuse to shoot each other with Nerf guns.
You blend Hip Hop with many different genres in a very creative way. Tell us a few things about your creative process
Usually, I just hop in the studio with my producer and see what comes up in the mix as the beat is created, then start with whatever melodies come to mind for the hook/chorus. I find that it’s usually the first melody that instinctually comes to mind that is the right one, then it’s just a matter of building words around that. It’s the same with bars, I usually come up with a flow pattern then match lyrics to that.
Your favorite funky groove you wish you had composed yourself?
Probably something by Brent Faiyaz. I’ve been listening to his stuff a lot at the moment. Maybe Gravity.
Favourite album of the past year?
I would have to say The Slow Rush by Tame Impala.
Your dream collaboration?
Mac Miller.
Favorite music related film?
That’s a tough one. I watched the movie Whiplash recently though and that was awesome. Highly recommend.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Your creativity is your greatest strength. Don’t be afraid of it. Start performing as soon as possible and stop caring what people think.
Is CRISIS MUSIC a personal song? Tell us the main idea behind it.
It’s definitely a very personal song. Through most of 2019 and pretty much the first half of 2020 I was mentally going through an especially tough time. You could definitely say I was having a bit of a crisis, like a quarter-life crisis I guess? I spent a lot of time getting stuck thinking about problems in the future that didn’t even exist yet and being overly anxious about how my life was going to turn out. When I wasn’t overthinking my future, I was stuck thinking about past mistakes and where it went wrong with people that I miss in my life. I wasn’t really present at all for that whole time period and kind of lost touch with where I was going and the pandemic hitting really didn’t help things. I spent so much time thinking about how I could feel like I wasted my time in the future, that I was actually wasting my time in the present.
As bad as the pandemic was/has been, when things were just starting to open up for a little while last summer, I had a nice break from work and things like that and got to spend fun times with some good people, and had some time to think about how I was approaching things. I just had a nice stroke of luck in my life that lifted me out of those bad thoughts and I was able to find ways to stop thinking that way.
It’s funny how some people think artists need to be really depressed or whatever to make art, I’m the opposite, I hadn’t made a good song in like a year at that point, it wasn’t until I felt good that I was able to be creative, and I was able to use those feelings I experienced and explore them musically. CRISIS MUSIC was the first song that really got me back on track with making music I was happy with. It’s worth mentioning that I made CRISIS MUSIC around November 2020 and just took a while to release it, so compared to the stuff I have ready to go now, it seems pretty old and not as good, but because it was the first that really got me going in the direction that I wanted, it just has a special place for me.
You have experience playing in cover bands. How different is it to play your original music in front of the audience?
Unfortunately, I haven’t got the chance yet to play my original music in front of an audience yet. It’s always been a dream of mine, I love performing. Even from a really young age performing in local pantomimes and plays and things like that, I’ve always wanted to be able to put on a show that I have control over that would let me express myself and have fun. Hopefully live music can come back properly soon and I hope that I’ll get the opportunity to experience that soon!
What do you love/hate in Ireland and particularly the place you are based called Kilkee?
Ireland is a great place. I love the culture, the history, the people and so many different beautiful places around the country. I’m not really the type of person to be super patriotic and go really hard for my country for no reason, but I genuinely am proud to say that I’m from Ireland. It’s worth mentioning too how many great artists are coming out of the country at the moment, I can’t wait to see the Irish music scene grow even more. If I had to pick something I don’t like about the place it would have to be the way the country is ran honestly. Sometimes it feels like we’re just stuck in a cycle where nothing ever changes. It really feels like big corporations and money are the most important things here sometimes. When you have such great culture and people everywhere, it’s just such a shame to see the people in charge just trying to throw that all away in favour of profit, but I suppose that’s kind of how a lot of countries are when I think about it.
I don’t want to leave this on a negative note, you have moments like marriage equality and repeal the 8th that happened which were amazing things (the people that happened to be in charge at the time these happened take a lot of credit for them, it was the people that organised, campaigned and voted that got these done) and I definitely don’t take those achievements for granted.
Kilkee is a small seaside town that I grew up in. It gets a lot of tourists and almost anywhere I go (even other countries) I meet someone who knows Kilkee and has nice memories there. It’s funny, I used to hear so many people talk about how nice of a place it was and I realise I took it for granted for a long time. I think that happens to everyone, you just don’t really think of the place you grew up in the same way as other people because you’re so used to it. After being away in college and working for a while, I got to stay there a bit longer a little while ago and I got to just enjoy my time there with friends and I realised how nice of a place it really is. I really gained a whole new appreciation for it.
Favourite album of the past year?
I’d probably have to go with Call Me If You Get Lost by Tyler, the Creator. He’s so good at everything he does and he’s done it again with this album. I love how gritty it is. I feel like a lot of people would give that answer so for a more underrated pick I would go with Wrestling by Kučka, she’s a great singer and producer and that album is really good.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Probably being able to eat a chicken wing in one bite. Whenever I’m in a big group and we get wings that’s kind of my party trick. I guess some people would argue that eating wings efficiently isn’t really useless, but that’s the best I’ve got.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Mostly video games in my spare time. I really like sports games (which is actually a curse with how expensive that hobby is) like 2K and FIFA but I usually cycle through them and others every so often. I’m a huge wrestling fan so I’ve been playing the WWE games and watching shows my whole life. I play a lot of Red Dead Online with my friend too. Outside of my spare time I also have work and college. I like to stay up really late when I can, that’s usually when I make my best music, so it’s not too intrusive with my responsibilities right now, but I’d definitely like to see what it would be like doing music full time in the future if it was possible.
You blend different styles in your music. Tell us a few things about your creative process in general.
My approach to music is fairly straightforward – I take inspiration from elements of my life (both stories and sounds) and find ways to represent them in ways that people can relate to. Because of my varied background and experiences, I have found that blending different styles better reflects my identity and ideas.
Your themes include physical distance, diaspora and third culture experience, disconnection from one’s roots and family, as well as feelings of loss and change. Your music however has a very positive groove vibe. Tell us the main idea of this very interesting EP.
I think that the EP’s goal is to reflect these two sides of life. The project is a concentration of the thoughts and ideas that I had during 2020, especially the ideas of physical distance and disconnection from one’s roots, which is represented by the electronic music influences. I also wanted to include a positive groove to the project to reflect my African (Cameroonian) heritage, where much of the traditional music makes you move and tells stories in various ways.
What would be your dream performance venue?
I think that my music and performance style is best suited for a kind of festival, where people can dance and get wild and feel connected – something like Osheaga or SXSW. I can also see myself performing in a stadium environment, with an elaborate and conceptual stage performance.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
I’ve been listening to Odunsi the Engine a lot recently! I’m not sure that he’s a hidden gem anymore, as he’s quite known in many places, but people that I’ve spoken to recently haven’t known about him.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
As basic as it is, the advice that has really changed the course of my music career was about staying true to myself. It’s tempting to follow trends and listen to others’ opinions, but, when you create art, the point is to stay true to your vision, perfect it, and find your audience. There will always be people who want to hear what you want to make.
One last thing we should know about you?
I’m always working on new projects, and always trying to outdo what I did last. Stay tuned and follow what I’ve got coming next!
Should we always accept our demons? Tell us a few things about your new song.
I think we should be aware of demons, whatever it may be. “Trauma” is the first song and video where I comfortably talk about depression and ways of coping with it, whether healthy or unhealthy. I speak on my demons and how it has affected me throughout life. For instance I state, “I’m not even comfortable with love. Every time I think I’ve had enough. It stays on my mind. Like all the time. It’s just nature telling me that this time. It’s gon’ be alright. I hope so.” Although this line is self explanatory, I proclaim that I am not comfortable with love because I feel like I do not know what love is. Since I am aware of that demon, I actually try to practice showing affection and/or gratitude to my peers, for example.
Author, poet, musician, model , actor, record label owner, college student..How do all these fit together?
Well, being an author, poet, and musician allow me to tap into my deeper emotions by constantly writing. This continuous writing is extremely therapeutic for me. In addition, I am able to hone in on my publishing skills. On the other hand, modeling and acting is more psychological for me. Specifically, acting gives me the chance to show my many sides that I may not show in real life, based on the character. Lastly, owning a record label and being a college student helps with the entrepreneurial aspect of entertainment. By owning a record label, I have the freedom to express myself however I want and do business with whomever I deem a good fit. Moreover, being a college student is good for networking. Overall, these titles are applicable to entertainment and business, one way or another.
For which lyric are you most proud of?
Within “Trauma”, I have a line that says, “It’s just nature telling me that this time, it’s going to be alright.” This line is an indicator that sometimes we do not have control over what happens to us, for example, falling in love with someone or vice versa. Sometimes we have to learn how to adjust based on what is thrown our way.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Being the voice for the voiceless. That’s what it symbolizes for me. Also, music in general allows artists to tap into a deeper consciousness that many other people may feel, but not know how to put it into words like a hip-hop artist, pop artist, etc. is able to. Musicians are like prophets.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Use what you feel to build an empire.
Future plans?
I am working on multiple mixtapes, leading up to my fourth album. I will have proper PR and publicity campaigns for my music, as well as booking live shows, if the pandemic permits. Movie roles and short films are currently in place, so I will still be trying my best to, not only help myself, but others in the process.
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘changes’.
Changes is my second single, and the message continues from my debut; as a song that encourages transformation and change for anyone who feels like there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel. There is and you’ll get through this!
You want your music to be uptempo and fun. But there is still emotion in it. How difficult is it to achieve this in a song? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
It is quite difficult but I feel necessary. Music for me needs to move you, make you feel. And even if the message is upbeat, you need to be able to connect with the listener. That can be through lyrics , melodic choices and instrumentals. I hope my musical choices helps people understand that the song although is about being excited about the change in our lives in the near future…still comes from a place of pain, frustration and sadness.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Great question but so difficult to answer. I’d say it’s a toss up between Channel Orange by frank ocean and janelle monae the archandroid. Frank was able to bring an album that has such a unique flow – a while since we had an album that really tells a story in such a fantastic way. Janelle gave us such a novel album, showcasing sounds that were unexpected but mesmerisingly brilliant! Both artists are so incredible.
A PhD student writing music. How do these two fit together?
As a phd student there’s a lot of writing, a lot of analysing and a lot of independent work. So when you step back it’s not much different to being an artist/ songwriter. As an artist I had to write, analyse and work solely. They both share that sense of isolation sometimes as the projects are bespoke to the individual…. So in a way they fit perfectly.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Everything is okay, your time is now and the world is yours for the taking.
Warm, eclectic and inspired. Everything is home grown, I make all my own beats and write my own bars. Every project is exactly how I feel as I’m making it.
Tell us a few things about your new work LeSabre.
This whole album is an ode to my first car, a 1990 Buick LeSabre. I love it like it’s my child. There’s something so comforting about the sag of its seats and the hum of its old speakers. When I got to driving, it really inspired me to look for a sound akin to the energy it gave me.
We really liked that you released a full album. Do people listen to full albums these days?
Unfortunately, not as much as they should. A full length when done right should really lend you a peep inside the mind of the musician. Too often these days do I hear that someone loves an artist but can only name their top three cuts. Have some insight and see what the time of making this project was like for them.
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
Smooth Jazz. The song has some of my best bars and really puts how I’m feeling out through my music. Mothership would be a close second.
Your music has an old school vibe. Are you into today’s Hip Hop? Or do you prefer to listen to old classics?
I love all music as long as it has soul, but because of what inspired me to make this project I was listening to a lot of all time greats. A Tribe Called Quest, MF DOOM and Common all stayed in my rotation while making this album. Taking what legends can teach me through their craft and making it my own is most fun for me.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
I have really been digging the Studio Ghibli films lately. Inspired animation and story telling always struck me more than action or suspense.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep trucking, you know what you want and you’ll find how to get it.
“There is a personal vulnerability to this song”. Should artists always challenge themselves? Tell us a few things about your new song.
I think we should all challenge ourselves to be the realest us possible. The song in its simplest form is emotional expression from an unfamiliar place, that has long needed to be explored.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
“Im not ok with not being ok” … And no one should have to be if they are true to themselves.
Favourite album of all time?
Purple Rain….hands down
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
As a married father of 5, naturally my family gets alot of my time…gladly ofcourse…personal alone time is usually spent anywhere in nature’s surroundings…and deep meditation.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Always follow your Intuition(trust yourself), and learn to “be still”(patience) and stay true to yourself and no one else.
One last thing we should know about you?
I believe we’re all connected….why do we act like where not.
HipHop Paranoia 