East Coast Rapper Living Up Life On The West

Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock playing at the Observatory April 16
Photo by Chrissy Piper

Hailing from New Jersey, Aesop Rock now finds inspiration for his rhymes in the streets of San Francisco. Rock is bringing the beats of his latest album, Skelethon, to the Observatory April 16 along with w/Rob Sonic & DJ Big Wiz.

The OC Concert Guide was able to talk to Aesop Rock about his new recordings and what inspires his music.

OCCG: What are some of your most memorable experiences playing here in Orange County, CA? What stands out with your fans here that you don’t find anywhere else?

AR: To be honest, a lot of it blurs together. We’ve had a lot of shows in Southern California over the years – it’s always been a great region for us in general.

OCCG: Tell us about your latest album, Skelethon? Who were some of the people you collaborated with on this recording and what made it different from other works?

AR: I guess the main differences people tend to notice are that I produced it entirely myself, and there is only one vocal collaboration – with Kimya Dawson, who wrote/sings an intro/outro on the song Crows 1. I did work with some awesome musicians, Hanni El Khatib plays and does some backup vocals on there. He’s awesome. Allyson Baker of Dirty Ghosts plays some guitar and bass throughout the record. My long time DJ Big Wiz does scratch work throughout the record. Rob Sonic has some backup vocals. The Philly Based band Grimace Federation has some instrumentation on the opening track, Leisureforce. Aside from that help with some of the music, I essentially produced and wrote all the songs myself. I think at some point during the making of the songs, it started feeling necessary for me to really take the driver’s seat on the project, and maybe prove something to myself. I didn’t really feel a desire to share songs vocally with anyone this go-around. I think I just wanted to go in and do my thing without feeling like I needed to have some random collaborations that may not fit the actual vibe of the record. So I kept most of the process as me in a room alone.

OCCG: Who are some of the most memorable producers you have worked with and how do you choose producers you want to work with?

AR: I haven’t worked with all that many producers. The majority of my albums have been done by some combination of my long time friend Blockhead and myself. We kinda came into a lot of this together, and he’s a guy with whom collaboration doesn’t necessarily feel like sticking two things together that might otherwise not be together. We’ve just done so much together since before either of us had records out, so that’s how it happened. I tend to really only work with friends, and I don’t seek out people I don’t know very often. I did a song with Tobacco after we toured together some years back, and he’s a guy I could see doing some more stuff with. I love his beats and he’s a total weirdo – which I like. I like Zavala’s stuff too. He recently did a remix for me.

OCCG: How do you feel you have grown musically since you first started making music? What do you bring to each recording that was different to prior musical works?

AR: I guess there’s some natural growth that’s difficult to define that just occurs in life, and therefore in music. I try to always push myself, so that each thing I do is at a level I am happy with. I think if I slacked off, I would be the first to notice and would just not release it. I feel both my writing and production have improved, and that I can now aim for something instead of just arriving at something randomly. You just kinda live and learn, trial and error, all that. Different things become important, who I am becomes clearer, themes surface that were maybe a little cloudy before, and maybe the biggest thing is that the older I get the less I give a fuck what people think. You’d like to think that’s how it always was, but I think I’ve caved in to some pressure to be a certain way at certain times in my life. I find it a little easier to just say fuck all that shit, fuck being ‘cool.’ I guess I just find myself a little more each year.

OCCG: You are originally from the East Coast and have now spent a lot of time in the West Coast, did that have an effect on your music? Do you feel there is a difference between styles on each coast or is every artist unique regardless of where they start out?

AR: There are of course regional sounds, though that seems to be disappearing a little since the arrival of the Internet – where everyone has immediate access to music from different regions. I don’t think I came to Cali and was affected by the Cali “sound”. I think just uprooting, moving to somewhere I wasn’t familiar with, and sticking it out for a while gives one a ton of food for writing. Just that drastic of a change in environment. Of course there are also individual styles from person to person, or at least that’s something I think one should strive for – being affected by what’s around you, but making sure it all gets filtered through you, so it has your signature on it. As opposed to just regurgitating what’s around you.

OCCG: Which groups, styles of music and artists inspire you most?

AR: This changes daily. I obviously love rap and check out a lot of what’s going on always. I also enjoy some folkier and punkier stuff. Really anything with interesting lyrics. Today in the van I listened to a lot of Jeffrey Lewis and a lot of Danny Brown. When all else fails I put on the EPMD catalog. Some days I hate everything; other days I find a lot of stuff inspiring.

OCCG: Do you work with any new artists as producer or writer? If so, please tell us how that role differs for you personally as an artist?

AR: Not much. I produce for others here and there, but haven’t ever really taken a new artist and produced their sound.

OCCG: How has it been touring with Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, and Bus driver? Has there been any behind-the-scenes that you can share?

AR: Rob and Wiz are people I’ve toured with for many years. They are very close friends and there’s always a lot of laughing to be done. Bus driver is wonderful. He’s a guy I met many years ago when I started traveling to rap. We met in LA and have remained friends. This tour seemed a good opportunity to invite him along, and it’s just been a pleasure. None of us are real party animals or anything, so most of the behind-the-scenes is just talking about life, being old rappers, music in general, etc. We’re all working on projects too, so a lot of the time we’re all sneaking off to work on demos or write something in our own space. I always try to keep my tour group small and low key. I get anxiety pretty easily, so I don’t have some giant entourage of hellions around me on the road.

OCCG: Will you be working on any new recordings, producing or collaborations when the tour finishes? Can we expect any new albums in the near future?

AR: On May 7, my collaborative album with my friend Kimya Dawon is being released on Rhymesayers Entertainment under the group name The Uncluded, and we will tour for that this summer. I also have a bunch of new demos for the next Hail Mary Mallon album – which is my group with Rob Sonic and DJ Big WIz. Once that is wrapped up I’ll probably get going on my next solo effort. There are a couple other things in the works, but it may be too early to say anything.

Masters of Abominationz Mix For Their OC Juggalos

Twiztid at the Observatory Saturday, April 13

Twiztid at the Observatory Saturday, April 13

Twiztid is bringing the second leg of their Abominationz Tour to The Observatory on April 13. The Detroit natives and their unique combination of hip hop and theatrical stage show are not for the faint of heart. Much mayhem is expected!

The OC Concert Guide had a few questions for the masterminds behind the horrorcore duo and here’s what they had to say.

OCCG: What does Twiztid like about playing in Orange County?
Madrox: It’s all luv, and the Fam that comes out to the shows in Orange County always rock the dead with us.
Monoxide: Obvious reason is weather weed and the women but the reasons go a little deeper than even those! Orange County makes us feel like family. They understand what we are all about and like it or not they respect it. I can appreciate that.

OCCG : What can fans look forward to at a Twiztid concert in 2013?
Madrox : We are really coming into our own as performers and I feel that our live performances are just getting better and better from our level of charisma to lyrical delivery.
Monoxide: Again, aside from the obvious answers of awesomeness, pandemonium, and absolute insanity, there is a deeper under lying celebration of individuality! It’s the one place on earth I can guarantee, being yourself is what’s accepted! It’s the place you can let loose and no one cares or judges.

OCCG: How did the fascination with terror and pushing the limits lyrically first begin?
Madrox : We have always done dark rooted music, it’s what we enjoy and our listeners seem to agree with us. We like to be able to transfer the same feelings that a horror or suspense movie can, except we do it through music rather than film.
Monoxide: We knew right from the beginning we wanted to be different than what was out there but not to the point where it had no substance. We came from the hood so gangster rap was the easy path. Not just being from the hood but being in the streets. We were what you worried about in the city. That lead us to thinking of a common bond between us and that was horror! I also believe that when you have a gimmick of any kind, you have to push your talent that much further. Gimmicks usually hinder people but not ours because it’s from a genuine place in both of us. Do we kill people? No, but would we? You’re god damn right!

OCCG: What inspired some of the songs on the latest album?
Madrox : With every record we try to raise the bar one notch higher than before and that was really the inspiration for me, more or less bringing our A game so to speak.
Monoxide: We are and always have been inspired by hatred. There’s a few artists that I listen to that would get me hyped up to go write some shit but for the most part it’s a fire lit inside that is fueled by hatred.

OCCG: After the split with Psychopathic, what is the possibility of Twiztid continuing to participate at the Gathering of the Juggalos and related shows?
Madrox: The possibilities are endless. ICP are our brothers man so if we can all get together and make it happen we will.
Monoxide: Endless!

OCCG: I read that Monoxide was working on a solo album, what is the current status of its release?
Monoxide: It’s in the pipeline. I feel like I’m on fire right now! I feel like I can fuck with anybody in the booth so I’m just trying to keep it going. I think where Twiztid is as mc’s both in the booth and on the stage there’s maybe a couple other folks thats fuckin with us and what we do. We destroy your heroes and love doing it! The underground would destroy the mainstream in a rap battle right now and I’m down to lead the charge!!!

OCCG: What do you like to do when you’re not writing / performing or playing music?
Madrox: Drawing, collecting comics and toys… yeah I’m ya basic nerdy hahahahahaha
Monoxide: I can’t tell you because it’s illegal.

OCCG: Besides your own music, what are you currently listening to?
Madrox : “Heroin Diaries” by Six AM, “Seven and the Ragged Tiger” by Duran Duran, “Sonic Boom” by Kiss, “The Connection” by Papa Roach, “Teflon Don” by Rick Ross, and “Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray” by Seether, Those are on my current play list.
Monoxide: I’m bumblin some Tech 9, some Krizz Kaliko. Lot of Pusha T. Get down with Slaughterhouse Danny Brown and some Kendrick Lamar. All in rotation like a tour bus blunt session!

OCCG: What were your musical influences growing up, what did you listen to?
Madrox : Kiss! My Mom and Dad, bought me a Kiss record player when I was little and from then on I collected all their records and played them till the grooves were played off.

OCCG: Is there anything you’d like to add regarding the upcoming 2013 tour?
Monoxide: Twiztid is on a mission!

UK pop singer takes her tour to Orange County

Kate Nash @ Constellation Room May 9

Kate Nash rocks the OC May 9

Singer and songwriter, Kate Nash, will be rocking out at the Observatory in Santa Ana, Thursday, May 9. The OC Concert Guide spoke with Nash about performing on tour, her album “Girl Talk” and her inspirations for her music.

OCCG: You just came from touring the UK and the east coast, what are you looking forward to when touring the west coast?
KN: I cannot wait!! I have so many friends over here and I can’t wait to see them. The people are so sweet and friendly and positive, there’s nothin like good Cali vibes and the food is delicious… the scenery, a beautiful part of America.

OCCG: Have you played in Orange County before?
KN: it’s been a couple of years since I’ve toured in America, which is why I am so excited to be back here.

OCCG: What are you looking forward to when playing in front of an Orange County audience?
KN: I like when crowds aren’t shy and they seem pretty free over here.

OCCG: How would you personally describe your music?
KN: emotional puke, raw, fun, sarcastic, honesty

OCCG: How is it different from other artists in the same genre?
KN: I like to tell the truth even when it’s ugly. And I don’t change my sound dependent on what is being played on the radio. I don’t sell sex.

OCCG: What was your influence for the album “Girl Talk”? What story are you trying to tell with the songs?
KN: I want people to feel strong when they listen to it, to be able to relate to going through a tough time and to feel joy through painful memories and happy that you made the right choice for you. I wanna tell stories and empower people. This is the most honest record I’ve made.

OCCG: How is it different from your previous albums?
KN: I wrote it on bass, I needed to feel loud and strong and powerful and the bass is heavy and like an instrument so it makes you feel like that straight away. It’s pretty angsty and you know year’s worth of experience on tour and in and out of studios has changed the way I approach making music.

OCCG: What can we look forward to when watching your live shows? What is the vibe you bring on stage?
KN: I want the audience to have as much fun as possible so I try to lose myself in it and not care about looking stupid, I just wanna have a good time and make other people have a good time. We’ve been getting a lot of stage invasions recently, in underestimate the girl, it drives the girls wild and they run up on stage like they’ve done something mischievous, one girl got up and started doing aerobics it was amazing! I encourage people to get involved and do stuff like that.

OCCG: What are your plans for the future? Any new CDs, shows, collaborations? Etc.
KN: I am going to tour for a while now, a couple of movies I was in are coming out this year, and I just want to travel and work hard on touring the record.

OCCG: Any further comments or anything you want to add?
KN: I like to encourage girls a lot because there are less female composers and musicians than male, so I make a point of saying to any girls out there that feel inspired to write songs but are scared of something, don’t be scared! Just do it and once you have a taste for it you’ll be so excited about how good it felt you won’t be focused on fear anymore. I worked in schools with girls who were initially scared to get up in front of their class and we ended up doing a show together in an 800 capacity room in London. They were so confident and proud and performed their own songs and it was awesome, to see them battle those confidence issues and do something on their own was the coolest feeling ever, for them and for me. Don’t be scared of what people think of you, there’ll always be people that dislike you, you’ll never please everyone so you might as well please yourself.