CMX
Interview
19/1/08
What is your background? - I come from a sound engineering and production background with a bit of DJing in between. I was educated at the Sound Training Centre in Temple Bar in the mid-nineties. Trained also in stage and script-writing for a while and even done some cameo appearances on film. Been working from my home studio since roughly 1997 and will be building a proper studio in the coming year.
Why do you want to record and release your own music? - Thats what I do. I make music. I've been doing it so long that nothing else even comes close to working on a track in the studio or performing live.
What are your songs about? - They can be about anything, just depends what happens when I'm working on the beat and if a certain topic or flow comes into my head. I might be driving around and something will pop into my head and thats it, I've gotta stop the car and start writing or humming/beatboxing into my phone . I'd never pigeon-hole myself to a certain agenda or style of writing. I always pretty much do what I want and if people dig it,cool, and if they don't, cool. I'd like to think that 95% of the time my lyrics actually hit home with someone(not everyone) whos listening and that they hear what I meant them to hear not the misconception of them half-heartedly listening to my song and totally mis-construing the topic. On the flip-side of things I believe that music does'nt have to have an encrypted message hence some songs don't have to actually say anything, just envoke a certain feeling or emotion in the listener. Thats what my last single with Tanya D was about, a happy vibes dance/hiphop hybrid with no deep message. Just a fun tune that was fun to make, fun to perform and fun to listen to(hopefully). Where is all the fun gone?
Do you write your own songs? - I write all my own lyrics and produce all my own songs, sometimes with a little help from long-time collaborator and fellow producer/guitarist Hi-T. I also produce for Tanya D and have worked with tonnes of other talent from Ireland and abroad.
Who are your musical influences? - I'm really getting into La Coka Nostra after supporting Slaine in Boston. Always been a fan of Wu-Tang clan. I like what Timbaland is doing from a comercial point of view. I'm originally from a dance background so I can appreciate the fusing of hip hop with dance.
How do you descirbe your music to other people? - Have a listen and describe it to me www.myspace.com/sidelineinc
What image do you think your music conveys? - Confidence and success
What are your immediate music career goals? - To increase my exposure both in Ireland and abroad.
What are your long term career goals? - Just to make a living out of music. I have no ego and I'm never gonna go around saying I'm the best when all I do is make music. I think thats pointless because everyone who listens to music has a different opinion on it so nobody is ever gonna please everybody. I'm never gonna change the world but through music I can change peoples perceptions of it.
How would you define the word "success"? - Success for me is not about being recognised walking down the street or having people treat you like royalty. Success is doing what you do with your head held high and a smile on your face. When I leave my full-time job, thats the day I can say I'm a success. I've been doing a lot of gigging lately so that day might'nt be too far off.
Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal? - Neither, I reckon I can make a better living on my own. I don't need anyone telling me what I have to do. I'm gonna do what I want to do. Also, I'm at an advantage, being a producer means that you can get money off record labels for your tracks and not be signed. Best of both worlds.
Do you have a demo or press kit, or any promotional materials? - My whole life is a promotional campaign. Any opportunity that arises I'm on it like vomit. As regards cds and stuff, in the public domain, we have released 2 singles, a Mix-Tape and have more on the way. Demos are for people who want to get signed. Myself and Tanya also hit the streets of Dublin regularly with mix-tapes, discman and flyers.
What live performance experience do you have? - Just back from playing in Boston at the Middle east venue, been host/mc at nearly every breakdance event in Ireland in the last 2 years, performed loads of festivals and most of the notable venues in Dublin both live and DJ sets, also done bits and pieces in Texas, Spain and my hometown of Dundalk. I've done literally hundreds of gigs and learn something new every time I get up there and do my thing.
How do you rate your live performance ability? - I know how to move a crowd. I like to release all my energy on stage and involve the crowd. While other emcees focus more on their breath control and rhymes I focus more on entertaining a crowd and make sure they get the most from the performance not just fuel my own ego and be "technically perfect". Perfection does'nt exist, just excellence
Have you recorded any previous cds? - Released an album with Sideline Project back in 2002, The Proof Mixtape 2007, Breakthrough single 2007. Plus theres more on the way, Tanya D's album is nearly finished. I've done most of the beats on that and my own solo album "X-List Celebrity" is in the works. I'm not gonna rush it though becuse when it drops people are going to be very very surprised.
What are your 3 favourite songs and why? - People always ask me questions like this and I can never answer or answer differently every time but at the minute number 1 would be Conman by Slaine. Thats stuck on repeat. Also, listening to a lot of Terawrizt stuff(who performed in Boston with us), Shaymin's album, who I consider fam at this stage and also a couple of other acts to watch out for are Project 77, Nu-Centz, Redzer, Customized, Rob Kelly, Bawston Strangla and the Funky Bunch.
Have you had any previous print or broadcast media exposure or reviews? Yea, been interviewed on loads of radio stations inluding Touch FM in Massachusetts, got play on loads of radio stations including 2FM here in Ireland, been in International newspapers and magazines such as the Boston Herald, been interviewed for tv programmes...the world is to big not to get your opinion out there in some shape or form.
