FeaturesRHYTHM NATIVES
This feature is a long time coming…
I had interviewed two members of the Rhythm Natives back when the CA site still had the whole wood background thing going on. Nothing ever came of it except for two simple blog entries. Sorry, guys. But it makes sense for me to drop this feature now.
The boys released their debut self titled album to the world today.
When I first started my interview sessions, I was just learning who they were as individuals and as musicians. This time, I got to ask my best friends the questions. As other sites and writers review the album, leak tracks, and play videos today, this feature exists to show off the band’s personality. With 5 questions to answer, get to know each member of the Rhythm Natives – the band that’s changing the way you view hip hop and the way you see live performances.
Jon "KreativeThought: MC/bodyboarder/my source for all things R&B
Outside of being an MC for the band, you're also a producer, having produced two tracks for Bambu on "I Scream Bars for the Children". How do the two jobs compare? Has one craft taken you away from the other?
One has definitely taken over the other. I definitely enjoy being an MC for the band, more so than being a producer. Not that I don't like producing. I enjoy producing too but it has taken a backseat the past few years. Maybe I'll get back into it someday but my heart is with MC'ing.
What's the easiest topic to write about?
Through experience, the ones that were the easiest to write for our album were the relationship based ones like "Trust Me" and "Make Up Your Mind".
Who would you want the Rhythm Natives to share the stage with? Dead or alive. Give me your top five.
1. Michael Jackson, 2. Earth, Wind, and Fire, 3. The Roots, 4. Wu-Tang Clan, 5. Jay-Z. This may change on a weekly basis.
What's your favorite song on the album and why?
"Trust Me". If I were to ever create an album for myself, it would sound like this. I'm a sucker for the Fender Rhodes. I also think it's one of the more mature songs on the album.
Last words.
Buy the album! If not, you will be reminded every Friday until you do so. LOL! With all jokes aside, THANK YOU to everyone who has ever shown us love. We appreciate it. RHYTHM NATIVES BAAAAAABY (in Lil' Wayne voice)!!!!
Glen "eXAKTOh": MC/idea man/sometimes talks to me in Tagalog
You're originally from the Philippines, and in the track "Miss Universe" you reference Andrew E as a hip hop influence. How does the hip hop scene in the motherland compare to that of the US?
Unfortunately I have no access to the hip hop scene in the Philippines and can only talk about what I loved growing up. I do know of a cool party that a friend throws out there, it's called Dubplate. They fly in top djs from all over the world to Manila, some of the pasts guests were The Gaslamp Killer, Shortkut, Kode 9, Free The Robots. I need to visit soon.
Tell me how your writing process starts and ends.
It starts off in our rehearsal studio, while the band jams, I jot down song ideas that will fit the beat, once we get a solid structure of the music Jon and I will share ideas and finalize what the potential song will be about. If I cannot finish my verse at that session, then it pretty much ends where it started at the following scheduled rehearsal, I make some edits, and make the tune as funky as possible.
What's currently in your playlist?
Lazerproof Mixtape
Rhythm Natives Album
Parokya ni Edgar - Inuman Sessions
Kickslab x BeatJunkies -BABU: WARGAMES
Marc Spector, the unreleased music he gave me. He's next.
Give me 5 cities you'd like the Rhythm Natives to tour. Why those 5?
1. Rio de Janeiro, the crowd will be beautiful. Créu Créu Créu. 2. Tokyo, because it is the mecca of all music. 3. NYC, 'nuff said son! 4. Manila so that we can inspire our people and let them know that dreams do come true. Plus to hang out with fam. 5. Barcelona, I can just imagine what food we'll have backstage.
Last words.
Lifeswell baby! Bounce it back when you get hit with it. Rest in Peace Eyedea.
Matt "Chooboy": bassist/the serious one/skater
Besides being a bassist for the Rhythm Natives, you are also a golfer. Who would you rather spend the day with - Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers or Tiger Woods? Why?
Since my day job requires me to be around golf all day, I'd much rather spend a day jammin' tunes with Flea while listening to some crazy tour experience he had. I like playing golf, but I LOVE to play music. Plus, I think Flea's a Lakers season ticket holder. I would never turn down tickets to a Lakers game.
What song did you last sing out loud?
Air Supply "Makin' Love Out of Nothin' at All" (don't hate)
Describe the best gig you've had.
The band and I will always have great gigs for years to come. With that said, I'd have to say my favorite gig thus far would have to be playin' a Weezer cover set with my brother and cousins at a recent family reunion. It was just such a blessing to share a stage with family.
What's your favorite song on the album? Why?
"Like This" feat. Bambu - I like the heavy rock influence on this track. Since I come from a rock background, I felt free to incorporate some riffs that would otherwise not fit into our more hip-hop influenced tracks. I'm always trying to sneak my rock style in.
Last words.
Sorry, this is only the beginning ... ask me again on my death bed.
Mart: guitarist/funny man/newest member, but plays like he's been around for years
I've known you to be the "rock" guy, meaning that most of your musical influence comes from that genre. How does that help or not help you as a member of a categorized hip hop band?
Not as tricky as it seems. I guess the only challenge would be me getting familiar with more hip-hop artists than before. It's more of what the listeners get out of it more than what i do to blend into the genre. I've always considered our music as something that anybody can enjoy, as it's more about being a fan of the music than being a fan of rock or hip-hop.
How did it feel when you were asked to be a part of the band? (Mart joined RN late last year)
I didn't really know what to expect at first. But overall I was really surprised at the pace these guys are at when I came on board.
Would you rather be a guest guitarist for Incubus or Jason Mraz?
The bigger dream would be jamming with those two artists with RN in one show. Or even sharing a marquee with them. Or have Brandon or Jason featured on our record.
Ideally, where do you want to go with this album?
As faaaar as weee liiiike! As faaaar as weee liiiike, ba-by!!!
Last words.
Tricia is the beyst! [Thanks, Mart!!]
Boj01: drummer/photographer/my stylist
Who would you rather take lessons from - Travis Barker or ?uestlove?
Oh man, that's tough...Both of them are major influences in my drumming. But if I had to choose one it would have to be Travis Barker because he really made a name for himself as an individual drummer from a punk/alternative background and now doing sets with hip-hop artists and DJs. It really diversifies his way of drumming now.
What is the best advice you've received regarding your career?
Never stop chasing your dreams.
Ideally, where do you want to go with this album?
Ideally, I just want people to appreciate our music and maybe get inspired by all the hard work and dedication that we've put into it. If by any chance we get picked up by a label then so be it. Then i can finally do what I truly love full-time.
If you could pick 5 words to describe your life right now, what would they be?
Those five words would be: grateful, blessed, humbled, loved, and blissful.
Last words.
Live LIFESWELL.
Chezzy Chez: keyboardist/kind of dude that has a natural talent for everything/musical director for RN
As the "musical director" for the band, how do you feel about the evolution of the band's sound? And where are you going with the sound for future projects?
It's crazy seeing the band evolve throughout the years. Just looking back from the times we use to just jam in Bojo's garage to where we are now is sometimes surreal. Each member has gone through so much growth musically and as a group I think we've developed into a band that has a unique sound, but also a band with the versatility to create music in different genres. When you listen to the album, each song draws upon a different type of feel. It's very diverse. And it's challenging when you try to create a certain type of song when we all come from different musical backgrounds, but we were able to do that. So ultimately, I think the listener will appreciate number one the work ethic, and number two the creativity that we all put in this album. With that said, I think the diversity of this group will make it much easier for future projects. Each of us are able to venture outside the band to collaborate with other artists but still to represent Rhythm Natives. So we'll probably let this first album seep in for a little bit and we'll start working on the next one real soon. Working on music will stay constant as long as we love what we do.
I imagine you sitting at your keyboard and just playing the keys until a beat just flows. Is that really the case when creating music?
The creative process is difficult at times. Sometimes I just sit there not knowing what to play so i just get up and dance around, haha. Other times I'll come up with a beat that the band will dig but then I'll forget it the next day. It's hard to come up with something really new and original but when we're in the studio I usually start with a little chord progession and then the rest of the musicians will add their own flavor to it. If the emcees feel they could work with it, they usually have me record the beat and send it to them so they could write to it. Then collectively we would get together to structure an actual song. And I think we work better that way because we're all open to each other's ideas and we somehow find a way to have the musicians compliment the emcees and vice versa. It's easy to make music with a group of friends sharing the same passion. And it's just fun!
Give me 5 cities you'd like the Rhythm Natives to tour. Why those 5?
Manila because it would be nice to go back to the homeland. I wouldn't mind going on Wow-Wow-Wee and and having my mom see me on TV. Tokyo because of all the art and culture that surrounds the city. I think they would really embrace the music that we put out. New York would be nice, one because i've never been and two hip-hop was born there. Chicago because a lot of my musical influences come from that city. And Vegas!
What inspires you to do what you do?
Inspiration comes from the people around me. Val, the fambam, and of course the rest of the band. I think what motivates me musically is witnessing the progession of the band - the work ethic, the drive, and the dedication to their craft. When I see someone bringing something new to the table I get inspired to do something to kind of match that, it makes me want to step up my game so that the music can only get better. And I think having that competitive nature within the group makes us better as a whole. Teamwork and patience, along with the support from our friends and family allowed us to make the album a success.
Last words.
Find something you really love whether it'd be a keyboard, drums, emceein, djayin, tamborine. Practice, practice, practice and eventually you'll see yourself improve. Stay humble and use music as an expression of yourself. To the top!!!
Again, the album is out today. Please cop it! Also, be on the lookout for more info on this release in the weeks to come on their official website, www.rhythmnatives.com. Let love be what you do.
by: triciaCA