Mix Master Mike for Stroeja.com

Български

Recently in Sofia there was an event that brought together on one place members of bands, dreamed to be seen in Bulgaria. Mix Master Mike, DJ Muggs, Rahzel and JS-1 were in town on 20th of November with their common project 5 ELEMENTS. As it is known, besides their solo work, they all take part in bands like Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill, The Roots, Soul Assassins. The four of them took rounds on stage during a 4-hour undescribable show. Thanks to the promoters of the show, DS Music, who for numerous time showed their sense and capability of making a quality event, Stroeja.com got the opportunity to meet face to face Mix Master Mike, DJ Muggs и Rahzel.

Our first interview to be presented in this sequence is with the magician from Beastie Boys. A lot can be told about him, but particularly about his performance in Universiada Hall that night can be said just one word-mindblowing! Mix Master Mike in the game! Let alone the purely technical skills he has proved as three times DMC champion, but besides being fluent with the turntables it takes certain feeling for the vibe, fantasy and talant. He managed to put together in a consistent set tracks like, and mind the variaty, Sex Pistols, System Of A Down, Rage Against The Machine, Deftones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana…, Josh Wink, Westbam, of course Beastie Boys and many others as most of the recognizible songs played no longer than a minute. So here are the things the first member of Beastie Boys ever to visit Bulgaria shared with us:

First of all, pleased to see you in Bulgaria.

Yes, it’s my first time here as a solo artist. I usually tour with the Beastie, so now I’m making my round.

Alright. Let’s first talk about politics and then about music. You just did a tour in the US with the BB, the “Get Out and Vote Tour”. Why did you do it, and how did you choose the opening acts (Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson…)? What was the whole idea about that tour?

You know, I think that we all want to play a role in changing our government. We try to tell the people to go out and vote, to do the right thing. The previous election didn’t go alright, and we felt we had to take a stand, to tell the people we need a change. So that’s what we did.

So what do you think of the results of the election?

Very happy, I’m pleased with the outcome. Our country needed a change and I’m very pleased to be a part of that.

Ok, cool. So now let’s talk a bit about your music. Your album ”Eye of the cyclope” has won the Best Electronic music album at the California music awards some years ago. So how would you define your music, since you’re a hip hop DJ?

4th dimensional, aggressive, hip hop, audio insanity!

And what about your music in the year 3000?

The same, on a higher level.

I’ve heard a rumor about you, that you attract aliens with your music?

You know, it would be stupid to think we’re the only ones in the solar system. It’s just people don’t want to hear about it….

How does a turntablist performance become a concert? How do you make it interesting for the audience? Because looking at a guy behind two turntables is not very interesting…

It’s all about the right selection at the right time. It’s about skills and stage presence. There are a lot of components. My definition of a DJ is somebody who can rock the crowd and entertain it. You must give people an experience.

In the last few years have appeared in Europe several bands doing a bit what you were doing with the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, like Birdy Nam Nam from France or Dj Grazzhoppa’s Big Band from Belgium. To what point do you think that you have been a major influence for them?

You know, we did the first ever turntable band. It’s amazing that the other groups do what we created. I think we played our role in making that happen. It’s great to see the different styles, the different bands.

Another rumor I heard about you, in order to join the Beastie Boys, you hassled MCA by leaving scratch messages on his phone. Why did you do that? You’ve always been a solo DJ, did you feel the Beastie Boys were the right band for you?

I’ve always been a fan of the BB. Their music, what they stand for. I wanted to be a part of that. I kinda stuck my neck out, and tried to contact these guys. That’s what it takes. If you have a dream, you got to pursue it. Everybody’s got to have a dream.

What’s the difference between a MMM solo performance and a Beastie Boys concert?

Oh, well. It’s quite the same, you’ve got me on stage for a whole hour. You got me up in your face for a one hour non stop audio assault. With the Beastie it’s also an audio assault, excepted that I have MC’s. It’s a MMM show with MC’s.

Are you going to record a new BB album soon?

In fact the guys are in the kitchen in NYC cooking it up right now. I’m also preparing a new record right now to be released in 2009.

What about your rock influences? You’ve played with Tomme Lee’s Method of Mayhem, Rob Zombie, etc.

I grew up with lots of rock bands, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath. I was mixing that stuff when I first started. I was mixing Metallica, Slayer, Led Zep when I first started, it has always been a part of me.

So what do you think about the Beastie’s early songs, their hardcore stuff. Egg raid on mojo?

The best. I love it. DO they love that hear? Punk rock stuff?

Yes, a lot. There’s a big punk/hc scene here.

Great. Do the people here like Sex Pistols, Ramones and stuff like that?

Sure they do.

Ok, cool. Because my set if pretty aggressive, I might add this to the bill.

SO what can we expect from the 5 elements tonight?

It’s great touring with those guys, the Legendary Muggs, the greatest beatboxer alive Rahzel. So the music just speaks for itself.

Do you invite local breakdancing crews on each show of the tour? To make them the 5th element,since you’re 4 on tour?

Definitely.

One last question, where did “Mixmaster” come from?

It’s my first ever name. A friend of mine gave to me years ago and it just stayed.

Interviewer: Lazar Anguelov
Intro: Martin Mihaylov
Editor/Translator/Photo: thearyn

thearyn: this three interviews, with mix master, dj muggs and rahzel, are what a true team work is! i totally wanna say great great thanks to my darling lazar who put so damn much enthusiazm in preparing this interview! and he did it brilliantly indeed! and real respect and gratitude to great mix master mike for promising us anarchy in the uk during our meeting and actually puting it on for real!!!