Prefuse 73
Guillermo Scott-Herren Genius is, as genius does: Guillermo Scott-Herren reveals the innermost thoughts of his two new albums
Guillermo Scott-Herren, aka Prefuse 73 is regarded as one of the most important people in hip-hop. His albums under a range of different guises have shown him to be one of the most experimental, wide-ranging and all encompassing enfants terrible working in the world today. As he
releases not one, but two new albums – an analogue odyssey entitled
“Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian” and a band collaboration under the name Diamond Watch Wrists (Ice Capped At Both Ends) with drummer extraordinare Zach Hill –
he takes time out to talk to Subba-Cultcha’s Chris Merriman.....
....
Does
is it put a lot of pressure on you, as an artist, when people talk
about you in terms of being a “visionary”, a “genius” and “important”?....
What
a heavy question! Being put in a category of any of the three
descriptions above has to be something seen in perspective on my end.
The pressure that is applied by what others might think of me, if they
think this "highly" of me, I can only be thankful and humbled by that
as a compliment. If I internalized in my own mind that I was a
visionary, genius or important - I'd run into a brick wall that would
indeed take away the free thoughts and curious aspect I find in making
music. Pressure from the outside whether positive or negative shouldn't
create effects on one's artistic outlet. ....
.. ..
What sort of pressures?....
The
pressures may sometimes arise from comparisons and stigmas attached to
each project. For example, if I do something minimal opposed to
something "full on" or "beat oriented", that project might be compared
to another project of mine with a totally different objective and not
fully shine as it should. Either way, that's just the way it goes.
People are entitled to opinions, so you really can't apply opinions
into pressure on yourself.....
.. ..
In
the end, I will simply say that I am someone with many "visions" and a
desire to execute them and see them through. As far as being a
"genius", I am far from one. I know for a fact that I'm "important" to
my son. ....
.. ..
The new album was recorded using analogue equipment. What qualities does an old reel-to-reel machine have to endear it, over a digital desk?....
There
is no way to properly emulate analog machines with digital plug ins.
Theoretically, that's impossible, so all of the happy accidents that
happen via analog can't really happen any other way opposed to manually
striking the tape as an effect and depending on your ears and speakers
opposed to screens and drawing volume
fades, automating, etc... What you throw to tape and get back is quite
unexpected and can't really be fixed. This album is meant to be
listened to from start to finish as one long tapestry of sound. The
indexes are insignificant and only signify time, there is no "hit
single" for the club, etc.. This a way to just put on headphones and
throw yourself back into different eras of hip
hop, machine funk, and the likes thereof past and present. This album
isn't a showcase of digital trickery, It's more like time travel. I
thought the analog route might be the perfect machine to take that ride
in.....
.. ..
You
are responsible for some fascinating remixes. Do you see it as an
extension of your creativity, or a necessary evil? Are there any that
you’re particularly proud of?....
Thank
you! Most of the remixes I do are usually done out of some sort of
connection I already have with the band or an exchange of some kind. I
do enjoy doing them when I have time to do them and they are without a
doubt a ....
testament
of how far you can take your creativity. If you are given full reign
and freedom to do as you wish, I try to flip it up as hard as I can and
make turn into a whole new song. Recently, I've been doing straight up
covers of people's songs or turning the instrumental into a vocal track
as the remix. ....
.. ..
I
usually do a remix out of the experience of working with different
source materials and ideas other than my own. If I can allocate the
time to do it, I'll usually do it.....
Your
new project Diamond Watch Wrists sees you stepping into the limelight
as a front man. Is that something you’ve always wanted, or are you a
dreading it a bit?....
I
was just having this conversation with a friend. With any of my musical
outputs, I never wanted the music to be seen as a person over the sound
first. I'd wear a mask over my face while I performed "Diamond Watch
Wrists" live if I could see what I was doing and sing clear.
Unfortunately, that is impossible with this project, so if people need
a visual image of me for it to make sense, then there is no way around
it. As far as my words and thoughts being conveyed lyrically opposed to
just instrumentally, that makes me feel a bit insecure but it's the
plateau I've taken my music to naturally at this point.....
.. ..
It
can sometimes be difficult for such complex music to be conveyed live.
What do you do to engage the listener in the live experience?....
I
try my hardest to expand and explore every song beyond what people may
recognize it as on record. The people I play with live and myself,
practice hard and try to reinterpret the songs from the albums and add
dynamics and extensions that don't exist on the recordings that they
hear in their home. Every time we tour and go out, we take it a bit
further into other realms while still trying to keep the initial ideas
in tact. The most important part is that we have a good sound person
when we play live or it can turn into a big ball of noise.....
.. ..
Given
that you’re touring both projects together, you expect fans on your
work as Prefuse to be fans of DWW? What are the common factors? What
are the differences?....
I
have no idea actually. I don't expect the crowd to expect the same
thing because there are no true common factors if they have heard it
prior to the show.. The projects stand on their own as two distinctly
different things so it's naturally up to the audience themselves as far
as reaction is concerned. Yet, the drummer I play with in DWW (Zach Hill)
could probably do a solo for 45 minutes and Prefuse fans would probably
be satisfied based on the fact of how incredibly odd and extraordinary
he performs. I rarely tour with bands that sound like: "Prefuse 73" as
it is, so most people know to expect a varied show beforehand. The only
difference is that I'm in both bands this time. ....
.. ..
Despite your revisiting of old technology for the new album, are you a gadget dude away from the studio? Like, do you Twitter for example?....
I'm
the most clueless person when technology is concerned. I am interested
but I don't know where to start? No, I don't Twitter but I can write
some seriously "epic" emails, that's about it. I do have an I phone
that I make beats on when I take the subway or having a coffee alone...
That's fun as hell, I'm easily entertained. ....
.. ..
Your sound is so encompassing. Is there an area, a style or a genre that you haven’t yet tackled? Any plans to do so?....
I'm
generally open to all styles and genres and have been since I began, so
if something new comes up and I'm invited to be a part of it or I do
something on my own - my plans will act accordingly as long as it's a
sincere endeavor.....
.. ..
The
world is getting smaller. Is it still important to get yourself to
different territories, and not rely on technology to spread your gospel.....
Indeed!!!
I'm an "analogue dinosaur" and believe in touring, vinyl, physical
products, going to basement record stores, talking to "real" people and
learning from all of that. If someone asks me to play, d.j., or speak
somewhere in whichever territory - I will be there as long as there's
nothing stopping me that I am previously engaged to.....
.. ..
If it all ended tomorrow, what would you like to be your musical legacy? (Being called “Artist of the Decade” is a good start!)....
I
would simply like to set an example that nothing should stop your
explorations in music. To ignore the "hype machines" and industry
people that expect you to be someone you are not and release certain
forms of music in a preset format to turn a profit. If you treat music
communally and see it as a way to help and exchange with other people,
that truly matters. Putting the world and other people in perspective
before our own self endeavors is great way to generate a pure and
driving form of artistic motivation.....
.. ..
“Ice Capped At Both Ends” from Diamond Watch Wrists and....
“Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian” from Prefuse 73 are both available/upcoming on Warp Records. ....
CHECK OUR REVIEW: http://www.subba-cultcha.com/article_album.php?id=9312....
Thanks to Martina @ Warp