An Interview With ELEMENT This month's interview takes us to the city of Reno, Nevada. Jake Records presents ELEMENT, a juxtapose of talent that include group members: Metaphysical, Dialect HD, Steez Dr. Lecter and Dash. Just by checking their page on MySpace, their music really stood out for me. The beats, lyrics and production style very well put together. I WAS IMPRESSED! If I listen to a song and immediately want it on my iPod, I KNOW its going to be HOT!
Getting the questions to the guys and listening to their answers really showed dedication to their craft and love for music. If those two factors are not there, then why make music? ELEMENT's 2nd album "Variety Pak" drops on November 11th. Please go out and support these very talented artists. Check out the full interview on my Entertainment page!
VIOLET: How did ELEMENT come to be? How long have you been together?
ELEMENT: We started Element in 1993. Dialect was originally from Detroit, Michigan; Steez started out in Cleveland, Ohio; & Metaphysical originally got its start in California. All three moved to Reno from other places, and joined up in 1993 at Wooster High School. Dash, originally from California moved to Reno, and joined the group in 1996.
VIOLET: What contributions do each of the members add to ELEMENT?
ELEMENT: We try and be self-sufficient-each of us adding to the overall movement. Everything from production, studio engineering, web design, video production, photography, and mastering.
VIOLET: Can you tell me about the music that influenced you and which artist(s) made the greatest impact in the music you create now?
ELEMENT: We were influenced by everything from Souls of Mischief to Jdilla. Artists like Tribe called Quest, Prince, Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, WuTang, Pete Rock, and we all listened to Digital Underground and were avid fans way before ever linking up with them.
VIOLET: Listening to your music, I reminisce on the beats from Digital Undergroun. Can you tell me about your connection with DU?
ELEMENT: We met Digital Underground in 1996 during Money B's Folk Music Tour. We opened up for them at a Car Show in Reno and ended up linking up with their road manager at the time, Johnny Vanleer. In 1999, we became roadies, and toured with DU around the U.S. In 2000 Meta helped Shock start SHOCKG.COM, and worked as webmaster for years. Dialect also began touring with DU as their DJ. Throughout the next five years Element produced tracks on Shock's "Fear of a Mixed Planet" album, Digital Underground's "Cuz a DU Party Don't Stop" album, "Sex and the Studio," not to mention production on several DU family artists ranging from Mystic to Esinchill.
VIOLET: I know your new album drops on 11/11/08, great date, my bday is 11/10 ;) This is your second album correct? Where does this one pick up from where the last one left off?
ELEMENT: First of all, Happy Birthday! Scorpio's are supposedly the "Sexiest" sign! ;) Yes, this is our second album. I think this album picks up on a brighter note vs. our last album. "Elementmusic.com" was our more underground hip-hop album. We were younger and going through rebellious times in our lives, and it reflected in the music. "Variety Pak" is just like the cereal boxes on the front album cover. You get a little bit of everything. Each producer brings his flavor to the table, and you leave feeling satisfied. We definitely wanted to brighten this album up and felt like, regardless of what your point of view is, it's still music and people want to be entertained.
VIOLET: I want to know more about the experiences of ELEMENT. Tell me about some of your favorite memories.
ELEMENT: When we were younger, we were always traveling and waiting. Whether it was at the airport or the studio, it seemed like we were just always sitting there waiting on something. So we would bag on each other, and then created something we call "The Money Game". It was basically a drinking game that got out of control. We would put some money up to get people to do things like drink or eat something disgusting, etc. etc. We had two episodes featured on the "Sex and the Studio" DVD, and there are a few episodes available on our YouTube page at www.youtube.com/metaphysicalvideoThey are really funny and you should check 'em out!
VIOLET: What impact do you wish to communicate through your music?
ELEMENT: We want to make something to get the party jumping- something for everyone! And, we want to take music someplace it hasn't gone before. Quality music but not your run of the mill cookie cutter stuff.
VIOLET: Besides the release of your new album, what plans does ELEMENT have for 2009?
ELEMENT: We are currently working on another album, and have plans to tour behind our current one. We finished up a tour in the Spring of 2008 called "The Illside Tour", where we basically did shows along the West Coast. Next spring we would like to do the same thing, expanding into the Southwest, and even Great Britain & Australia. Also look for solo projects coming from Dialect, the "Dr. Lecter" album, and Metaphysical's "The Art Department" album, both classics!
VIOLET: Any tour dates to talk about?
ELEMENT: We are currently working out tour dates and we'll let you know when everything is set in stone.
VIOLET: I like to finish the interview by letting you say what you please. So each of you can close off the interview. META: I would just like to thank everyone who has supported us through the years! The whole Digital Underground family, Shock & Mon, my family, friends, & fans, without you I wouldn't have made it this far. I would also like to thank Jake Records for giving us a great opportunity to make history. Variety Pak, come have a bowl! DIALECT: "Watch for the Variety Pak Album, Dialect's "Dr. Lecter" Album, Metaphysical's "The Art Department" album, and more music to come from the ELEMENT MUSIC camp " - Dr. Lecter STEEZ: Thank you to Digital Underground for getting us out there, and getting our music heard. Look out for ELEMENT! DASH: Thank you to Digital Underground and all the people that have been behind us the whole time. Especially Jake Records for taking a chance with us. Check ELEMENT out at www.myspace.com/elementmusick. - Violet for HOLLYbleep.com |
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