Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Santigold and Zodiac Cartel... Together at last

As I stated in my last post... Expect more soonish... For now check this out.

Santigold - L.E.S. Artistes (Zodiac Cartel Mix)

Forget June... June who?

Ok seriously I haven't had the time to do the blogging that I thought I would since moving to the RVA. This isn't an excuse, but more of a promise. June was a little bit slow and now I see the error in my ways. I will pay more attention to you. I will try harder. I know we can make this work. You aren't like all the rest. You and me, we've really got something special...

Monday, May 25, 2009

Interview: Nick Hook


I met up with Nick Hook at the Fischerspooner show. He was performing as a member of Drop the Lime (who ruled) and was a former member of the Brooklyn band, Men Women and Children. Now Nick is working on a couple other projects, djing in NYC, and just overall being a pretty snazzy dude. SO I figured he would be the perfect candidate for my first blog interview...


(ME) You are currently on tour performing with Drop the Lime. I am a fan of Drop the Lime, but I must say that I enjoyed the live show quite a bit more than I was expecting. I think that is due to the addition of the drummer as well as your electronic touches throughout the set. How did you end up with this gig as opposed to the other bands/music that you are currently working on? Are there plans for you to become a permanent member of Drop the Lime or is this a tour only type situation?

(NH) Unlike other places i've been, i really feel like most of the people in our circle of music are really supportive and all want to see everyone succeed. Luca reached out to me towards the end of last year and asked if i was interested in teaming up with himself and guy to take the project to a live setting, and of course i said yes instantly. I have always admired the whole trouble and bass squad as people, musicians and artists that really have the understanding that creating their own bandwagon is more satisfying than jumping on one that someone else created.

As far as plans to become a member, i haven't really thought that far, i am focused on playing smashing shows with guy and luca, and providing support make it the best it can be in all areas.

(ME) Being a on tour allows for some great/horrendous experiences what would you say have been the most memorable thus far on your current outing? In the past?

(NH) I think for me being on tour really becomes a special thing as you bond with the dudes you are with. So far as the 3 of us have working together, it has been the most natural, productive and most importantly fun experience i have had since i started playing music. Just cracking jokes in the van about stupid shit at 5 am, solving problems together, getting better at what you do is why i do this.

One the best memories i have from tour is being in new orleans just a short time after katrina, we ran out of gas just as we left downtown. Everything was destroyed, and we walked to this gas station with armed guards. There was no gas, they were just protecting the place. This 70 year old dude had an hour and a half drive home, and he said he could take us to the nearest gas station, but he couldn't take us back. We hopped in the bed of his pickup truck, and saw some of the craziest damage we had ever seen, and really had an amazing talk with someone so different than us about life, the hurricane, people, everything.. By the time we got gas, he was like you know what i'll talk you guys back. Very humbling experience that i will never forget.

(ME) How do you feel about this current online revolution of music that is allowing indie djs/electro musicians to be heard and spread their names successfully when larger labels/bands are failing miserably just to break even?

(NH) I love it. Taking things into your own hands never hurt anyone.

(ME) Vinyl , Cds , or Mp3s?

(NH) Depends on the situation. Could live without cds, but not vinyl or mp3.

(ME) What type of hardware/software are you using currently while performing?

(NH) midi controllers, apple computers that control the gremlin (synth luca coded by hand)

(ME) After some quick online searching I see that you are currently working on two other projects, Sports and Cubic Zirconia, as well as Djing in NYC? Is there anything that I am missing that you are currently working on? Any big plans for the immediate future? Any other tours coming up?

(NH) Cubic Zirconia's first 12" plus digital drops on june 22. remixes by dam funk, nacho lovers, dances with white girls, andy george, plus a bunch more. If you know what's good you cop that shit the first day.

(ME) What else is there to know about Nick Hook?

(NH) I like oatmeal, espresso, can't learn how to handroll my own cigarettes, i love my friends, and thank you for reading this.