New interview with John on Noisey
There is a new interview with John on Noisey, the blog of the long-running Vice portal. He’s talking about hip-hop production, revealing some of his favourite examples that he has not spoken of before, explaining the Trickfinger name and much, much more.
You can read the whole thing at this address and here is an excerpt:
How did you start making electronic music?
About a year before I rejoined the Red Hot Chili Peppers I could see in my head that my style of songwriting and electronic instruments would work really well together, synthesizers and drum machines and stuff and breakbeats. It wasn’t until 2006 that I started to become aware of the instruments that a person like me could really sink their teeth into. So, you know, my discovery of all the old Roland instruments from the 80s, those are the kind of instruments that would appeal to somebody with my kind of mind.
What’s your favorite rap album of the last few years?
Oh I don’t like any, I don’t think.
What’s missing for you?
In the last twenty years, I’ve wished hip-hop had more samples. I love whenever RZA makes hip-hop. He’s my favorite producer. Dr. Dre’s first couple of Eminem albums were, for me, the most ambitious example of an artist trying to preserve the essence of hip-hop without employing the free use of samples. But in general I like older music. When something’s brand new you don’t know what it’s leading to, you only know what it’s coming from. I should point out I don’t make hip-hop because I love hip-hop any more than any other kind of music. I find that hip-hop is a really malleable form that absorbs any other style of music. With hip-hop it can be synth pop, it can be classical, it can be jazz. As long as the beat is hard, melodically the music can be anything.
