i figure instead of answering tons of e-mails, if you got any questions ask me right here...it'll probably kill two birds with one stone...so, what's crackin'?
and let's keep it to questions, please don't make personal statements, promote your shit or answer questions other people are asking me.
thanks...

also: check out the FAQ's right here...i've answered allthese a million times so jsut read this here if you think you're about to ask a typical question.

What equipment do you use?

- A turntable, monitors, and an Ensoniq ASR-10 Sampling Keyboard.

What sort of records do you sample?

- For the most parts its just random records I get from dollar bins.

What sort of influences do you have when making songs?

- This is gonna sound odd, but I honestly don't think in influences. When I make a beat I just sit down with a shit-load of records and listen for samples and work from there...the beats basically kinda go in their own direction. I never sit down thinking "I'm sad today. I'm gonna make a depressing beat." The records dictate the direction I go in...no candles or incense... I basically just listen to samples...when I find one I think I can work around I add drums.

How do you make a beat?

- I record samples into the ASR-10, where I do most of the sequencing. It then gets taken to an engineer running Pro Tools (I don't own or operate Pro Tools) to get mixed. I add a lot of shit on Pro Tools and all the effects are from Pro Tools. But the basic skeleton is from my ASR. I'll add like a sample or two on Pro Tools but only cause I'm out of banks on the ASR. Sometimes I'll have live guitars and drums.

Are you coming to my city on tour?

- There are no current plans for touring, but I will post tour dates when they are available. I don't decide where I go either, that's all up to my management.

Do you have to pay sample clearance?

- Ninja Tunes takes care of it when needed, but my samples are for the most part fairly obscure and I stay under the radar as far widespread exposure goes so most of the time it is not an issue, although its is becoming a bigger one now a days

What do you think of…(insert music equipment)?

- I don't know anything about any equipment, hardware or software, except for my ASR-10 so I can't give you a good answer probally.


How do you do a live show?

- I do sets using Ableton Live. It's just me on a laptop basically. I have an outline that I improvise within. Basically, the skeleton keeps it all the right length and in case I do fuck up, it can't get that out of hand. But it's like live sequencing pretty much. I only use Live for performing though, not for producing.


When's your next album coming out?

- Uncle Tony's Coloring Book will be coming out sometime during or after Spring this year. It will just be a limited release in the U.S. only (which is kinda how I saw the project when I initially made it) and it won't be on I-Tunes. So everyone has to go and actually buy the CD. Support sampling!

How much do your beats cost? Can I get one?

- While individual prices vary, they are all over $1000. I usually only do beats for people that I'm friends with, but if the price is right I'm down. If one is so inclined they can hit up my manager at gabe@gdhmedia.com..he'll fill you in on details on that kinda shit.

Did you have anything to do with the Music By Cavelight music videos?

- No, that was all done by other people.

Why didn't you sign with Def Jux?

- When I was shopping around Music By Cavelight Jux already had RJD2 making instrumental albums so I figured they didn't need two of us. I sent it out to a bunch of labels and Ninja Tunes got back to me and the rest is history.

Do you ever rap?

- In the early 90's I did, but I realized I was whack at it so I focused on producing.

Why the name Blockhead?

- I got my name from when I used to mc. I have a square-ish head. It's that simple.

Will you listen to my music and give me feedback?

- Sorry, but no. If I listened to yours I'd have to listen to everyone's and I don't have the time to do that.


Do you have any advice to help me start my music career?

- It's a lot harder now then when I started out to make a career out of this. It's good to try and follow your dreams, but you have to be realistic about it at the same time. To make it you pretty much either have to A) Come up with a rapper (like me and Aesop) or B) Know people in the business.

How did you meet Aesop?

- We met at Boston University.

When did you decide to pursue music professionally?

- I was at Boston University for a year. I kinda knew it was a doomed attempt from the jump cause I was always hating school. So, I figured I'd save the money and just drop out. I was in the general studies program so I was studying nothing in particular. The choice to pursue music was kinda all I had. That or work in a bakery the rest of my life...

Do you have a regular job?

- No, I haven't had a job outside music since 03'

What type of music do you listen to?

- Mostly old school rap and some other random stuff. I don't listen to much current rap or instrumental stuff.

What are your hobbies?

- Watching TV, playing b-ball, eating, and drinking vodka.

Do you regret making the blog?

- It's a mixed blessing at best.