Melo-X - Sound In The Signals Interview
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Some people do it big, but man you do it real big. You are an MC, DJ, producer, director the list goes on. What made you want to get involved in so many different aspects of the industry? Is there anything you'd still like to get involved with you haven't?
Well I was born Hyperactive. I've always been a scatter brain. I guess that stuck with me. Once I started getting into the inner working of creating a project and crafting a album from the mics you use to record, the EQ setting you use on vocals, and the connection between album artwork and your audience, I just got inspired and I had to do everything to truly paint a actual representation of my sound and my vision.
Mustafa's Renaissance was really well received. It was such an original piece of work. Where was your head at while you were working on that project and what do you think helped make it such a stand out release?
When that project came out I was at a certain height as a DJ and producer in Downtown NY. I was touring with Mickey Factz and seeing all the people that knew of my past music and instrumental albums. So since I've been a Emcee first I felt like it was the right time for me to put out a brand new project. I always wanted to wait until I was at a point where my music wouldn't fall on def ears. The timing felt right and the music I was creating felt right. My style evolved and I wanted to have a project that embodied that feeling. that's why "Mustafa's Renaissance" was so successful. I wanted to show all the different sides of me. The mixtape had songs, instrumentals, and remixes. I was singing and rapping, recording and mixing every thing. It was a bold statement for an artist's first official mixtape. The content on there was very personal and came from a real place and I feel like everyone who heard it felt that energy
You put out a new 12” vinyl with Machinedrum recently. What made you decide to do a vinyl release? How do you feel about the vinyl comeback that has occurred over the last few years?
Machinedrum and I made that track in the summer of 2008. Before my first Mixtape dropped. So it was crazy to have it come out in 2009 and slowly build to the point that we released it through Innovative leisure on Vynle and MP3 Download. Machinedrum is a beast. It was definitely a blessing to have him hit me up to work on that track. I think the interest in vynle is coming back because people are becoming smarter. Its more than just downloading a album for free. People want a piece of tangible art. They want something they can collect and feel rather than a million MP3's in a ipod. I'm definitely going to be putting out more 12" projects in the near future.
You just released your new video for “Gone Baby” and it turned out great. What was your experience like with the video shoot and what ideas are you trying to convey with the new video?
Creating that video was a great process. Everyone was on time and we rapped up early. Jesse Boykins III directed it along with Dr.Woo from Light up Film. It was a beautiful day in Brooklyn and we wanted to show that. While we were shooting birds were flocking around in the air and the flowers were in bloom. The video is based around the life a lot of us lead in the fast paced world. Some of us work all day and sleep all night others work all night and sleep all day. The video captures me and my girl getting to see each other at a specific time in the morning so I invite her to make love to me through my music. She is the Ultimate producer and the greatest lover.
What made you deicide to pick “Gone Baby” as the first single off More Merch?
Gone Baby embodies my style in its best form. I am singing, and rapping at a fast pace as well as in a tight groove. The track gives you a little history lesson. Going from Paul McCartney's "Arrow Through Me" into my sample of Erykah Badu's Gone Baby , Don't be long which samples Arrow Through Me. I love telling stories through my production as well as through my lyrics and melodies. Gone Baby is a great representation of where my sound and content is heading.
Your new EP More Merch is due out for release this month. Can you tell me a little about the project and what went into making the EP?
More Merch is a project that symbolizes growth and maturity. This is the most personal I have gotten on a project. I always take from actual life experiences to craft my records. "More Merch" is more personal more musical more bold. I recorded mixed and mastered every track over the span of about 2 months. Everything was mixed in FLStudio. This project was like a shedding of feeling I had bottled in for a while. Its funny how speaking about something or bringing it into reality outside of your mind can help you let go instead of keeping it bottled in.
You've been a tour DJ for a few acts. What is your favorite thing about DJing and who all have you had the chance to tour with?
I've toured as a DJ for my own gigs as well as with Mickey Factz, Theophilus London, and Kid Sister. My favorite part of DJing is my control over a crowd. I love painting pictures sonically through my music selection. I can read a crowd and know which records will evoke certain emotions. Being a DJ is way deeper than just two turntables and a mixer. There are great technicians of the art and great party DJ's. We all play our part and I'm proud to be in that league.
You are an original in music and marching to the beat of your own drum. So many acts these days just feel like they are chasing the next big thing. What advice would you have to someone who is just starting out?
My main advice would be to find your inner God. Find what makes you feel flawless. Which part of your mind and soul do you feel the most comfortable with and channel that into your music. It can be felt by you listeners. People always tell me they can feel what I say and see it because they feel like they have been there before. With record sales getting lower and lower for certain artist you know that people want more than a good song. They want a feeling. My advice is to make the music that brings out your own emotions at their best and worst. From doubting your self or feeling untouchable. You wouldn't imagine how many people can and will relate to your story.
What groups or artists do you think are doing things the right way in music right now and why?
I would have to say Francis and the lights. I first heard of them through a friend and have been hooked ever since. They are very selective about their music and visuals they put out. They also received funding from a company that invested in them. This is the future of the true independent artist who doesn't need a actual Record label. To have a huge company invest in the future of your art, music and brand rather than trying to own your music says a lot about where they see you going in the future.
Some people do it big, but man you do it real big. You are an MC, DJ, producer, director the list goes on. What made you want to get involved in so many different aspects of the industry? Is there anything you'd still like to get involved with you haven't?
Well I was born Hyperactive. I've always been a scatter brain. I guess that stuck with me. Once I started getting into the inner working of creating a project and crafting a album from the mics you use to record, the EQ setting you use on vocals, and the connection between album artwork and your audience, I just got inspired and I had to do everything to truly paint a actual representation of my sound and my vision.
Mustafa's Renaissance was really well received. It was such an original piece of work. Where was your head at while you were working on that project and what do you think helped make it such a stand out release?
When that project came out I was at a certain height as a DJ and producer in Downtown NY. I was touring with Mickey Factz and seeing all the people that knew of my past music and instrumental albums. So since I've been a Emcee first I felt like it was the right time for me to put out a brand new project. I always wanted to wait until I was at a point where my music wouldn't fall on def ears. The timing felt right and the music I was creating felt right. My style evolved and I wanted to have a project that embodied that feeling. that's why "Mustafa's Renaissance" was so successful. I wanted to show all the different sides of me. The mixtape had songs, instrumentals, and remixes. I was singing and rapping, recording and mixing every thing. It was a bold statement for an artist's first official mixtape. The content on there was very personal and came from a real place and I feel like everyone who heard it felt that energy
You put out a new 12” vinyl with Machinedrum recently. What made you decide to do a vinyl release? How do you feel about the vinyl comeback that has occurred over the last few years?
Machinedrum and I made that track in the summer of 2008. Before my first Mixtape dropped. So it was crazy to have it come out in 2009 and slowly build to the point that we released it through Innovative leisure on Vynle and MP3 Download. Machinedrum is a beast. It was definitely a blessing to have him hit me up to work on that track. I think the interest in vynle is coming back because people are becoming smarter. Its more than just downloading a album for free. People want a piece of tangible art. They want something they can collect and feel rather than a million MP3's in a ipod. I'm definitely going to be putting out more 12" projects in the near future.
You just released your new video for “Gone Baby” and it turned out great. What was your experience like with the video shoot and what ideas are you trying to convey with the new video?
Creating that video was a great process. Everyone was on time and we rapped up early. Jesse Boykins III directed it along with Dr.Woo from Light up Film. It was a beautiful day in Brooklyn and we wanted to show that. While we were shooting birds were flocking around in the air and the flowers were in bloom. The video is based around the life a lot of us lead in the fast paced world. Some of us work all day and sleep all night others work all night and sleep all day. The video captures me and my girl getting to see each other at a specific time in the morning so I invite her to make love to me through my music. She is the Ultimate producer and the greatest lover.
What made you deicide to pick “Gone Baby” as the first single off More Merch?
Gone Baby embodies my style in its best form. I am singing, and rapping at a fast pace as well as in a tight groove. The track gives you a little history lesson. Going from Paul McCartney's "Arrow Through Me" into my sample of Erykah Badu's Gone Baby , Don't be long which samples Arrow Through Me. I love telling stories through my production as well as through my lyrics and melodies. Gone Baby is a great representation of where my sound and content is heading.
Your new EP More Merch is due out for release this month. Can you tell me a little about the project and what went into making the EP?
More Merch is a project that symbolizes growth and maturity. This is the most personal I have gotten on a project. I always take from actual life experiences to craft my records. "More Merch" is more personal more musical more bold. I recorded mixed and mastered every track over the span of about 2 months. Everything was mixed in FLStudio. This project was like a shedding of feeling I had bottled in for a while. Its funny how speaking about something or bringing it into reality outside of your mind can help you let go instead of keeping it bottled in.
You've been a tour DJ for a few acts. What is your favorite thing about DJing and who all have you had the chance to tour with?
I've toured as a DJ for my own gigs as well as with Mickey Factz, Theophilus London, and Kid Sister. My favorite part of DJing is my control over a crowd. I love painting pictures sonically through my music selection. I can read a crowd and know which records will evoke certain emotions. Being a DJ is way deeper than just two turntables and a mixer. There are great technicians of the art and great party DJ's. We all play our part and I'm proud to be in that league.
You are an original in music and marching to the beat of your own drum. So many acts these days just feel like they are chasing the next big thing. What advice would you have to someone who is just starting out?
My main advice would be to find your inner God. Find what makes you feel flawless. Which part of your mind and soul do you feel the most comfortable with and channel that into your music. It can be felt by you listeners. People always tell me they can feel what I say and see it because they feel like they have been there before. With record sales getting lower and lower for certain artist you know that people want more than a good song. They want a feeling. My advice is to make the music that brings out your own emotions at their best and worst. From doubting your self or feeling untouchable. You wouldn't imagine how many people can and will relate to your story.
What groups or artists do you think are doing things the right way in music right now and why?
I would have to say Francis and the lights. I first heard of them through a friend and have been hooked ever since. They are very selective about their music and visuals they put out. They also received funding from a company that invested in them. This is the future of the true independent artist who doesn't need a actual Record label. To have a huge company invest in the future of your art, music and brand rather than trying to own your music says a lot about where they see you going in the future.
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