1.
You've achieved a significant amount of success in your career
so far. What do you have planned for 2003?
I've been
working like a mad woman on a few different projects. I'm releasing
my debut artist album on Nettwerk America in early summer, it's
something I've been heading towards for a long time so I'm very
excited and nervous at the moment. My radio show "Maximum
Rotation" has been chugging along. If you can't find us
on the air you can check out our website www.maximumrotation.com.
We have every show archived plus a great collection of live
Dj sets. One of the more different things I just got to do was
shoot a commercial for Motorola. It should be out this July.
2. Do you see yourself pursuing work outside of the
dance music industry in the future?
I have always
been a music junkie so I can't imagine doing anything else.
When I worked on the Motorola commercial, I couldn't believe
how much time actors spend waiting around. With music making
I'm constantly busy, so I can't imagine trading that for anything.
3. If you could team up with any group of artists for
an album, who would they be?
Massive
Attack is on the top of my list. They've collaborated with so
many great vocalists it would be wonderful to have the chance
to work with them.
4.
With many major record labels folding because of a crumbling
business model for the music industry, how do you see the methods
of music production and distrubution progressing from today?
There is
one serious dilemma affecting the music industry today; music
is overpriced and people would rather download it for free from
the Internet. This past year saw the first decrease in CD sales
since they were introduced in 1983. This year also saw an increase
in blank CD sales. What to do? You can decrease the sticker
price on music, but everyone already knows how to get it for
nothing. I'm not sure how the industry can recover from this.
Maybe create their own websites where you can join and download
quality sounding music. It will be interesting to see how this
problem is solved.
5.
With the increasing popularity of djaying - turntables outsold
guitars in 2001 & 2002 by at least 200%, as well as the
new focus on vocalists (such as reality shows like "American
Idol", launching a second season with record breaking viewership),
what advice can you offer to other struggling musicians?
I've always
wanted to make music, even at the age of four I told my mom
that "I was going to be a singer". Most musicians
can tell you early on they knew what they wanted to do in life.
I think the best advice is to have faith in what you're doing.
Respect the music and appreciate your ideas. It may not come
easily at first, but through time you'll figure out what music
you should be making. Some people are naturally gifted whether
it be singing or djing or playing guitar, but that doesn't always
matter. Making music is not always a talent contest (American
Idol). Making music is one of the most interesting ways to communicate.
Having sincerity flow through your songs is more long-lasting.
