a friend of mine asked me to contribute a chi-centric piece for his zine recently, i managed to nab the hood internet to share some updates on recent works in a brief interview. not sure when the publication will be pressed, but i'll make sure to share any links or hard copies when they're available for those of you interested. it's an original interview for the mag, something a part from my typical muzzle of bees works, but i don't think homie will mind if i throw it up on here since only a handful of my beloveds actually check my ramblings here. i think it's a pretty well-read q&a though, so for those of ya'll who share yer love with me for all things hood, check it out below.
You dudes have been at the mash-up game for almost three years now, how do you feel about where you’re at today compared to the post that started it all, “Rock Yo Sea Legs,” (The Shins + Crime Mob)? What have been some of your favorite Hood tracks to date? Did you ever see this leading to nation-wide tours and major music festivals?
STV SLV: We had no idea it would ever get to the level it's at now. When we started making tracks and posting them up the website, it was basically something we thought our friends and some random visitors would come across. The success of it has totally encouraged us to work harder at it, and along the way I think we have made some pretty awesome tracks. ABX's Trillville x The Knife, R. Kelly x Broken Social Scene, Dead Prez x Grizzly Bear are all some of my favorites.
You’ve been on the road a lot more as of late, with several upcoming shows both regionally and on the west coast. What are some of your more memorable sets? Any specific dates that you’re particularly eager to play? Do you have any details on your upcoming SXSW sets?
ABX: We played some awesome summer festivals this past summer. Lollapalooza crowd was crazy and we had a giant computer on stage with us. We played the Silent Disco at Bonnaroo where people wear headphones to listen to our set and dance which was a lot of fun and pretty hilarious if you're not wearing headphones. SXSW this year is still taking shape. Should be doing a bunch of stuff there.
How would you compare performing on the road versus the scene here in Chicago? There’s a solid overall music scene here in the Windy City, particularly on the dance party/hip hop front, who would you recommend our readers keep on their radar?
ABX: Chicago is definitely playing to the home crowd and always great. But we've been getting really good crowds of Hood fans all over the place. Being mostly internet-based definitely helps our reach.
I loved how The Hood vs. Chicago showcased several established Chi artists such as R. Kelly, Kanye, Lupe and Common, yet showed love for more up-and-comers such as Yea Big + Kid Static, Dude N Nem and Hollywood Holt. If you had a chance to do it again would there be any others you’d include the next go-around?
STV SLV: So many good things happening in Chicago right now. Off the top I'd say: BBU, Mikkey Halsted, Pugs Atomz, Que B.I.L.L.A.H., Drea, Reno Chinati, Freddie Gibbs (Gary IN is pretty close to Chicago), John James from Da Phedz, Tight Phantomz, Vacations, Smith Westerns, Skybox, CAVE, Warhammer 48k, My Gold Mask, SHAPERS, Post Honeymoon, Moneypenny, Driftless Pony Club, Coupleskate, Bird Names, Pool Of Frogs, Old Fake, Lasers & Fast & Shit, Bear The Bell...
Speaking of Chicago based projects, I caught word of a collaborative effort of local video performance artists who are working on a mad workout video. Word on the street is you’ll be assisting with the score, what can you tell us about this project?
STV SLV: Nothing right now. TOP SECRET.
Keeping things locally, what are some of your fave nightlife digs? Venues, bars, eats?
STV SLV: Some of my favorite bars in the area are Club Foot, California Clipper, and Hungry Brain. Food: Hot Doug's, Nightwood, Avec. Venues: Metro/Smart Bar, Hideout, and the brand new Lincoln Hall.
I know you two started the Hood Internet while you played together in May or May Not a few years back, can you talk to any additional current musical projects you’ve been working on?
ABX: For me it's just The Hood Internet right now. STV and some of the other former May Or May Not members are in SHAPERS. I have one of their songs on my alarm clock. I finally got to see them live opening for Atlas Sound and they were great.
Back in June of ’08, you posted the Estelle/Kanye +Ting Tings track, “Shut Up, American Boy.” Fast forward to the 2009 Brit Awards in February where we witnessed this magic come to life on stage – was this something that ya’ll played a part in? Or was this just a case of mad telepathy action? That must have been pretty huge to check, what were your initial reactions to the event?
STV SLV: We had nothing to do with this... as far as I know. Though a few years prior at the Brit Awards, Kylie Minogue performed the already-existing Erol Alkan mix of "Can't Get You Out Of My Head" with New Order "Blue Monday." So if at this year's awards they have Kid Cudi performing with Sunn O))), we'll know something's up.
I hear you’re working on an actual forthcoming album, vs. your typical mixtape – got any deets on what’s in store or when fans can expect a sneak peak? Would this be a live collaborative kinda format or more mash-up material? Any top secret special cameos? When do you anticipate this project coming to fruition?
ABX: Can't give any details as it's still pretty early in the process. It won't be mash-ups, but all original production where we get a bunch of people to contribute pieces of tracks and piece it build it from there. As for a timeline, this will come out some time in the future.
I know personally, I have you two to thank for my long overdue affair/discovery of hip hop. Coming from southern Wisconsin, I definitely did not have the exposure or appreciation for the likes of Lil Wayne, Clipse or Ghostface—but thanks to ya’ll throwing that noise on top of the likes of Go! Team and Modest Mouse, I stumbled upon some of the greatest classic and new artists in the rap and even mainstream pop game I never normally would have. Do you think the art of mash-ups and djs in general have made it acceptable for kids today and members of the indie scene to listen to music they normally wouldn’t have?
STV SLV: I'd say the fact that a music fan like yourself got turned on to hip hop via The Hood Internet is a testament to the notion that mashups can help to inform people about music they weren't yet aware of. Once in a while we'll get a comment on our website or someone at a show will talk to us, basically saying "I had never heard of ______ but since you guys mixed it with ______ I decided to check it out and now I'm a really big fan." Obviously we're not reinventing the wheel here, but in the eternal scheme of more people appreciating different kinds of art/music, I feel that's a good forward step.
Two years ago, my first submission for my good pal Ryan's super rad music site, Muzzle of Bees, was an interview with the hood. So thanks to DJ STV SLV, ABX and Ryan for helping me get my foot back in the music journalism biz. For realz. You can read that shit hurrr.
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