The Tape

Above: Dramatic Dave needs your camera luvs

So due to some bad planning I can’t get the audio file from my phone up onto the blog which normally wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that it contains Tokyo Police Club singing Fergalicious. So that will hopefully come later. For now I present a partially abbreviated interview with Tokyo Police Club. All instances of the band refering to “I” are probably Graham.

Tape: How Many Handclaps Are On Your Album?

TPC: One. It’s you invoulantarily clapping along. Actually it’s Metallica’s clap. Actually we took the entire chrous from “Do They Know It’s Christmas Time At All”. It was an expensive album to produce.

Tape: How’d You Get Your Name?

TPC: Our song Cheer It On.

Tape: Do You Have Any Authority in Tokyo?

TPC: I’m  pretty sure we have diplomatic immunity because I was there last time and I hit a few people drunk driving. In a bulldozer.

Tape: What Albums/Song Have You Been Liking?

TPC: What’s the Sigur Ros song?

Tape: Gobledigook?

TPC: No the second one, I think it’s the title track…(we assume it’s Inni Mer Syngur Vitleysingur)

Tape: What is Your Favorite Pump Up Music?

TPC: The Hockey Song by Stompin Tom Connors. [Graham to band members] You know that song? [Graham sings] The good old hockey gaaaame. He has a board that he stomps on.

Tape: Is the board an instrument?

TPC: No I think it’s just instrumental. [Manager to Graham] Sounds like our version is Cotton Eye Joe. [Graham] Nahhhh…

Tape: What is the Best/Craziest Thing That’s Happened To You Guys On Tour?

TPC: [Interband Banter] Nah we gotta tell a new story. We recently got 13 [referring to the hackey sack they were playing with the whole time]

Tape: Have you guys been playing before every show?

TPC: Just when we want to.

Tape: What Happened to [Graham's] Bathroom Blog?

TPC: I ran out of things to say about bathrooms. Once you talk about a clean bathroom and a dirty bathroom there’s not much more you can say.

Tape: Good that you got to try out a different profession though.

TPC: Exactly.

Tape: What is Your Favorite Punctuation? (We like the Interrobanger)

TPC: [Internal Banter] Haha no. He said Oxford Comma. The semicolon is good because it if you use it and it makes sense you look really smart.

Tape: I heard there’s debate about the semicolon. Whether it should be discontinued or not.

TPC: Damnit, first Pluto now the semicolon. Kurt Vonnegut hated the semicolon. He called it a bastard hermaphrodite.

Tape: Flying Or Invisibility?

TPC: Uhhh flying. Because then I can spy on the girls washroom from above.

Tape: Nice.

Tape: Do You Guys Have A Guilty Pleasure Song?

TPC: You know that one thing…it goes like…Fergalicious. Oh right. But no one feels guilty about that. I’m loud and proud of my love for Fergalicious. You can do another one if you want I didn’t mean to- nahhh we don’t have any others. Remember we were playing and I tried to rap it and I forgot most of the rap. (Suddenly Graham, and shortly the others, launches into song) I’m the F to the E to the R G I the E/ain’t no other lady get down like me. Fergalicious. Baawnananananananana Baawnanananananana. I be up in the gym just workin on my fitness/he’s my witness Oooh Wee!/They be lining down the block just to watch what I got. Fergalicious.

We talk more about my new shoes and how my old shoes are Graham’s current shoes, whether wearing Keds has a stigma attached, Tristan’s crossword puzzle shoes, and Graham’s experiences using a carrier pidgeon  instead of a cellphone growing up. It kept dropping his calls everytime it saw a worm.

Thanks so much Tokyo’s Policial Clubbers for the interview!

Tokyo Police Club - Centennial (Dntel Remix)

Tokyo Police Club - Nature of The Experiment (RAC Remix)

So over the weekend I go to see The Wombats at The Roxy. Unknown to me there were headliners that had not been announced on the ticket/myspace. Upon arriving to the venue I was treated to the sounds of The Yelling, a North Hollywood band whose name fits the music perfectly. Not my cup of tea so I’ll skip to 30 minutes later. I decided the google the other name on the billing: Pop Noir. On arriving at their myspace I was sucked into a world of synth laden choruses, swaggering bass lines, and shimmering guitar riffs. Pop Noir is two brothers, Joe and Luke McGarry, as well as a drummer, Nico Saveedra. They (Joe and Luke) are born in Manchester and make music you’ll enjoy dancing to. Joe was kind enough to give us an interview.

If you each could pick only one, what band/album/song was the most influential in forming your sound?

That’s a really tough question, I don’t think we can do it.. We can narrow it down to a city, though: Our hometown of Manchester! So much great music came out of there, Joy Division, New Order, Happy Mondays, The Smiths, A Certain Ratio, Durutti Column, Oasis.. You could even count The Verve, they’re from just down the road..

We’d love to get George Michael to produce our album!!

Batman or Spiderman?

I don’t think we’d be Pop Noir if we didn’t pick Batman..

Head over to their website, buy their EP, and support Joe and Luke in their quest of becoming everyone’s favorite band!

Pop Noir - Girls Of Prey

Pop Noir - Bang The Drum

Through a series of unusual circumstances I got the chance to ask Mr. Jack White a quick question for us at The Tape.

The question: What song do you have stuck in your head?

The answer: Dead Dogs Two by cLOUDDEAD.

Good choice Jack.

Dead Dogs Two (Mediafire)

I was able to catch up with Jason Schwartzman, who along with being super busy working two jobs (actor, musician), and the fact that he just finished his second album, he had time to answer a few questions. Here we go.

Jason Schwartzman: let me preface this interview by saying
sorry for the short answers

Tape: Which art do you feel closer to, acting or music?

JS: That’s a tough one… like, what do you like more pasta or pizza?

Tape: We know that you left phantom planet for your acting career. What made you come back to music with this new band (Coconut Records)?

JS: I missed playing music and spending time with other musicians.

Tape: What inspires you, Has your music inspired your acting and writing and vise versa?

JS: I’m sure that it has but unfortunately i can’t come up with any noteworthy examples at this moment

Tape: What’s your view of the music industry today?

JS: I try to keep a “change is good” mentality ….and hopefully it will inspire new avenues for talented artist

Tape: What music do you draw inspiration from?

JS: Uh…. there are so many great bands…. the beatles?! the beach boys?! how’s that for an original answer?

Tape: What new music have you been into?

JS: anything jack white is doing, panda bear, artic monkeys, plus many more that i can’t think of off the top of my head

Tape: Can you explain your role in the She and Him [M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel - ed.] album?

JS: I co-wrote a song on the record called “Sweet Darlin”

Tape: Are their any artists you have particularly enjoyed working with or would like to work with in the future

JS: Steven Malkmus

Check out the Coconut record Myspace:
and listen to Some tunes

Coconut Records - West Coast

Andrew Maury is a 22 year old multi-versed musician and producer. He is a recent graduate of Syracuse University soon to reside in New York City and start his career in the music/media industry. He has 14 years experience as a guitarist in various bands, and has recently immersed himself in the convergence of indie rock and creative original-sample-based remixing.

I, Gzabriel, of The Tape sought out an interview with the man to ask him some questions about himself and his work and to hopefully give him “The Tape Boost” that many other artists have enjoyed or just to ask him questions. Questions in bold, answers in plain text. Bon Apetit.

What songs/bands/albums made you want to make music? Do you still listen to them and how did they influence you?

Since I was 8 years old, I’ve had a loyalty to music… and it keeps developing. I started playing guitar back in 3rd grade when Nirvana perked my ears; That was the band that sparked my musical interest. By middle school, I got involved playing in bands, covering general 90’s awesomeness. You know, Goo Goo Dolls, Collective Soul, Stroke 9, Bush. No regrets there. But high school took me into classic rock, Zeppelin, Floyd, Aerosmith, and U2. I continued to play in better bands, learned to play the drums, picked up the bass often, and learned about audio and musical gear. These days, I’m a college senior playing in an original band, studying recording, and listening to The Strokes, Radiohead, Interpol, VHS or Beta, Tokyo Police Club, Justice, Snowden, Death Cab, Incubus, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc. My college years and passion for these kinds of bands have really inspired me to become an active musician, and remixing is such a cool outlet for me. The work allows me to harness energy as both a musician and music fan.

You’ve picked some really difficult tracks in my opinion to remix as they seem so perfect already (Arcade Fires Black Mirror, Ra Ra Riots Ghost Under Rocks) what is your take on the remixes youre doing? are you simply doing your take on the songs or are there cases when you feel like you can make something better?

I think of a good remix as a musical caricature. It manages to highlight and expand-on its best features. A great remix also allows the artist’s taste, style, and creativity to influence a song in a new direction; Hopefully for the best. I often find that my best creative moments happen when I say to myself, “If I were in the band when they were writing this song, what would I have suggested in the process? What chord change could sound cooler here, or what structural change would drive the song more?” Its not to say that I have major problems with the songs I’m remixing, because I agree, these songs are GREAT in their original form. In fact, there are times when I wonder who I’m offending by twisting them up. There are some interesting trends happening in the music world right now. Sales are down, album significance seems to be dwindling, and Internet trends are rising. Our whole society is embracing the “remix,” whether its mashing up youtube videos or photoshopping movie posters together. While part of me worries that the remix culture is inducing some form of mass A.D.D., I think of an excellent remix can bring new significant light, and ultimately a form of support for the band.

What artist do you want to work with most right now?

I’ve been pretty happy, even flattered, with the work I’ve been doing recently, actually. Like I said before, some of my favorite bands of today are the bands I’ve been granted the opportunity to remix… like Tokyo Police Club, Ra Ra Riot, Snowden, and even Radiohead with their newest online mischief. (http://radioheadremix.com). However, If I could call up 5 bands and have them say “yes, you may remix us,” off the top of my head, it would probably be Ratatat, Kings of Leon, Broken Social Scene, Interpol, and, [haha] another Radiohead song.

How did it feel getting the invitation to join RAC and do you feel you have a lot in common with Andre?

Invitation to RAC = elation and utmost honor. I can safely say that one of the coolest people I know, I’ve never met. Andre and I are purebred, 21st century internet friends. We’ll spend hours bouncing files and projects that we’re working on back and forth, chatting about kick drum samples, sending ebay links for $450 tape delay units that we cant afford, and giving each other tips for new music to check out. I really think that RAC has a future, and I’m so proud to be a part of it in its early stages. Please visit the site, subscribe to the RSS blog, and stay tuned for news and new mixes! http://theremixcompany.co.uk

How long have you been making music and what was your first remix you were proud of?

I’ve been playing music almost all my life, but only writing and creating music seriously in the last 5 years. I’ve been playing lead guitar in a band called Magic Hour (http://myspace.com/magichourmusic) here at school, writing little electronica songs for fun, and remixing as of September 2007. My first remix was Ra Ra Riot’s “Ghost Under Rocks,” which I can safely say I was beyond proud of when I finished it. With only a groundwork of recording/mixing knowledge and experience writing sequenced drum/synth parts, I couldn’t believe how cool it sounded. And it all happened in a week. The feedback I got from friends and even blogs inspired me to get into remixing.

What are you listening to and liking right now?

The most recent incarnation of my musical taste involves:

Justice - ✝
Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell (I promise, I’m going to buy it)
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Jukebox The Ghost - Let Live And Let Ghosts
Coconut Records - Coconut Records
Radiohead - In Rainbows

What upcoming things are you doing?

1) A really cool remix of a song called “Juno” off of Tokyo Police Club’s new album that I co-produced with the guys and girls of Ra Ra Riot. It features some beautiful string parts, quirky bass, riffy guitar, a hodge-podge of percussion, and some incredible new melodies– sung and mostly performed by the band members of Ra Ra Riot. I’m really proud of the way this one came out, and it will be featured on a remix EP alongside Elephant Shell. (http://tokyopoliceclub.com)

2) A song called “Long Lean Queen” by Bear Hands, an up and coming, fantastic Brooklyn indie/garage band. (http://myspace.com/bearhandsband)

3) A brand new, unreleased Snowden song called “Red Handed” off their new album, which is still in production right now. I’m very excited for this one. (http://snowden.info)

4) And just today, I heard back from Tigercity. I hadn’t heard of them until a few nights ago when my band played a show in Rochester, NY, opening for them and VHS or Beta. They remind me a lot of Phoenix, fused with the sounds of Prince and Michael Jackson. Definitely check it out. (http://myspace.com/tigercity)

Anything you’d like to say as a non sequitur to end this interview fashionably?

I took a poll of my roommates for an answer. This was the winning non sequitur:
“Music is cool and all, but the best thing to remix is sexual positiions.” - Chris D’Errico

You owe it to yourself to check him out at his site: http://www.andrewmaury.net

and over at RAC’s site: http://theremixcompany.co.uk/

and listen to his remix of Nude by Radiohead.

http://radioheadremix.com/remix/?id=434

And so I’d like to conclude by saying Andrew Maury is one cool dude and we at The Tape hope to hear good things from him soon. And thanks to him so much for doing the interview!

Bronx rapper Mickey Factz was kind enough to lend us a bit of time for an interview. Mickey is a very talented rapper who has a very interesting insight on hip-hop. Located below are three of my favorites by him.

Tape: You were born in the Bronx, what kind of influence has that had on your music
and career in general? 

Mickey: Being from the birthplace of Hip Hop the influence is in my DNA. My father used
to rap to me and that led me to doing it on my own. Career wise, when I say I'm
from the bronx, people don't believe it because the talent level is so high and
diverse. They respect it after one listen though. 

T: What musicians if any, have most influenced your style of writing? 

M: I would have to say Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Big L, Pun. Real lyrcists. I get my
lyrical style from them. Flow wise I try to attack every track differently to
bring a new experience to the listener everytime I speak.

T: When writing a song, do you start with lyrics or the beat? 

M: I start writing my songs with the beat. I sit with the beat for a couple days
and then come back with something crazy. I don't like writing on the spot too
much. My mind needs some time to analyze each song.

T: A few of you're songs have beats from other songs. Do you use samples from songs
that you enjoy, or songs that will make hits? 

M: I use whatever is hot to me. I have a very good ear for music. By me taking
songs that people don't generally know about and rapping to it, makes it
completely new. Some of em I enjoy, some of em I try to make a hit out of it.  

T: Can you tell us about some of your favorite up and coming musicians? Either from
gfcny, or in general. 

M: Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids, Kids in the Hall, Nakim, Precize, Illfonics, Theophilus
London, Curtains etc  

T: You are often referred to as more of a "hipster" than most hip-hop artists, do
you get annoyed by that or are you a hipster? 

M: There's no such thing as a hipster. People classify something they think is
"different" from the norm. I'm probably more hip hop then a lot of these people
making these claims. I've been in ciphers, I've been in battles, I've performed
at open mics. I'm creating music that is progressive and in no way, shape or
form should it or I be viewed as a hipster.

T: Last but most importantly, are you coming to Los Angeles any time soon? Any
plans on a new album/mixtape? 

M: Ill be in LA before the summer hits. Ill have 3 mixtapes dropping this year. Its
called the leak series. I'm currently putting the finishing touches on my album
now.

Mickey Factz- Something About Us

Mickey Factz- I’m Sean (50 Shots More)

Mickey Factz- Heart Break (Feat. Annie And Jesse Boykins III)