Interviews
A collection of interviews and Q&As published between 2005 and 2024.
- Thomas Dolby Interview ()
Thomas Dolby might best be introduced by TED, where the musician is acknowledged for “blinding us with science,” before mention is made of his propensity to have “always blurred the lines between composition and invention.” Since first assuming his place as one of the pioneering stars of MTV in the early ’80s, Dolby, born Thomas […]
- Culture Bully’s Best of the Decade Guest Posts ()
To close out the decade, Culture Bully solicited contributions from artists sharing their favorite albums of the 2000s. 14KT: Favorite Albums of the Decade Gnarls Barkley St. Elsewhere2. Kanye West The College Dropout3. Slum Village Fantastic Vol. 24. Erykah Badu Mama’s Gun5. Radiohead In Rainbows / Jill Scott Words & Sounds Vol. 1 (tie) [Reigning from […]
- Estate Interview ()
Recently landing a pair of spots on national television, Minneapolis’ Estate is continuing to expand its audience outside of the Midwest. Recently speaking to [City Pages] about the new found exposure, the duo of Dan Kramer also Josh Johnson also spoke candidly about their unique approach to performing live and their affinity for creating remixes. […]
- Avenpitch Interview ()
This weekend the TC electropunk scene is celebrating the release of its fifth compilation with a show at Club Underground. In preparation for the event I had a few words with Todd Millenacker of Avenpitch, the band which will be headlining the show. In addition to giving away free copies of the new album to […]
- Har Mar Superstar Interview ()
The more you get to know about Sean Tillman, the more it seems like the guy never stops living the American Dream. That is, of course, if your version of the American Dream includes becoming a spokesman for a vodka company. And winning an onscreen dance-off with Ben Stiller. And making out with Kate Moss. […]
- A Plus D Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? A Plus D: We made our first mashup back in 2004, when we mashed up Missy Elliott with The Cure, and produced “I’m Really Hot Hot Hot!!!” Back in those early days of bootlegging, someone once said that your first mashup should always be made with either Missy Elliott […]
- DJ Schmolli Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? DJ Schmolli: I did my first mashup in summer 2000 (Creed vs. Destiny’s Child); after doing a couple more I decided to go for other musical projects as I am a live musician too. I rediscovered the bootleg scene in autumn 2005, going strong since then. Was there any […]
- team9 Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? team9: In their current form I started probably about 2002. I think the first one I did was Shola Ama vs. the Pet Shop Boys, I’ve got no idea where that is now–long deleted. I used to mess around with mixing tapes into records though back in the ’80s. […]
- Copycat Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? Copycat: Depends on what you categorize as a mashup. I’ve been laying tracks on top of each other since the ’80s. But as regards the modern equivalent, doing it on a computer, using parts of different tracks to create entirely new ones, I’d say around 2002/2003. But I didn’t […]
- Illuminoids Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? Jells Mayhem: Back in 2006, after listening to some CDs that where floating around, and we would always listen to DJ Paul V.’s Mashup of the Day that used to air on Indie 103.1. And we became so fascinated with the whole concept. And then seeing that there was […]
- dj BC Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? dj BC: In about 2004, after hearing some made by other folks. But before that I was making them for a few years outside the ‘computer realm’ and was thinking of them more as hip-hop remixes. But Sony Acid opened up a whole new world for me. Was there […]
- Ben Frost Interview ()
To call Ben Frost unique would be an understatement. The Australian-born experimental composer now resides in Iceland and is on the brink of releasing By the Throat, his second release on the Bedroom Community label. The album is a chilling listen that scans Frost’s environment, picking up on the majesty of nature, and the welcoming […]
- Dj Doc Rok Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? Dj Doc Rok: I first started doing remixes of songs in late 2006, the first one was Mims “This Is Why I’m Hot.” It was a vehicle to promote my production skills, I didn’t mix it with another famous song I just put my own beat underneath it instead. […]
- Fuck Knights Interview ()
Last December Minneapolis’ Fuck Knights released its first album FuKn Live! Vol. 1, a compilation of songs recorded live from a variety of the band’s performances. Now following it up with a second release, Vol. 2 contains 12 tracks recorded throughout the Midwest from January to May of this year. The album will officially drop […]
- dj Erb Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? dj erb: In keeping with what I’ve actually heard from quite a few DJs and producers, it probably all started with a dual tape deck. I always loved Pantera and metal music where there’d be just a groove to it and there would usually be a breakdown part in […]
- Mally Interview ()
The past decade has seen one of the nation’s strongest hip hop scenes develop in the Twin Cities, with acts such as Atmosphere, Brother Ali, P.O.S. and the Doomtree crew, Eyedea & Abilities, I Self Divine, and Toki Wright gaining national and international acclaim. But for every Slug there are a dozen MCs below the […]
- G3RSt Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? G3RSt: When I was younger, I used to make a lot of tunes and remixes using tracker software on the PC (ScreamTracker, ImpulseTracker, that kind of stuff). Most of it was very experimental and not very good. Ha! After a few years, my interest in that waned, so I […]
- Divide & Kreate Interview ()
When did you start making mashups? Divide & Kreate: December 2004 Was there any other mashup producer, or producers, that inspired you to get started? Divide & Kreate: I think it was that Soulwax As Hear On… that got me started. Have you had any legal threats or issues arise surrounding any of your bootlegs? […]
- Raine Maida (of Our Lady Peace) Interview ()
Growing up in Canada, there now remains a short-list of bands that released music during my time there which will forever be burned into my mind. Groups like the Tragically Hip and the Headstones come to mind; but somewhere near the top of that list is Our Lady Peace. Now releasing its seventh studio album, […]
- Patterson Hood Interview ()
As one of three vocalists for the Drive-By Truckers, Patterson Hood shares the role of leading one of the most well-rounded Southern rock bands on the planet. In branching out with the release of his first studio recording, Hood is now reflecting on the past decade and a half of thoughts, songs, memories and stories […]
- Big Quarters ()
Four years ago, City Pages ran a cover story on a young, burgeoning hip-hop group by the name of Big Quarters. The article followed Brandon “Allday” Bagaason and his younger brother “Medium” Zach as they traveled through Illinois, documenting performances, ideologies, and personalities. The most remarkable development captured during the trip wasn’t the struggle of […]
- T.Q.D. “The Appetizer” EP Interview ()
Following the release of the Background Noise Crew’s Everybody Does This, the group’s T.Q.D. dropped an extremely limited release of The Appetizer EP as a supplemental CD in preparation for the emcee’s sophomore album, Clench, Grit, Breathe. Speaking of the EP T.Q.D. explained, “When I was making my full length Clench, Grit, Breathe, I wanted […]
- The Evening Rig ()
Listening to the Evening Rig is a bit like going back home and eating one of grandma’s hearty, home-cooked meals—especially if your grandma is a heavy drinker who has an odd preoccupation with Reckless-era Bryan Adams. You’re likely to hear yourself in the music as it fills you up, and chances are that you’ll hear […]
- Dan Israel “See The Morning Light” Interview ()
In 2007 Dan Israel worked with a number of friends and musicians in releasing his most critically acclaimed album to date, Turning. Noting of the release in his sparkling review, Luke Torn wrote in the the U.K.’s Uncut Magazine, “The world-weariest songs on Turning continue to prick at the emotions and insecurities of the strive-a-day […]
- Propagandhi Interview ()
For over two decades Propagandhi has offered a blunt alternative to the transparent punk that the genre has come to represent. Within the vessel of the Winnipeg-based band’s blistering music are lyrics grounded in a foundation of compassion and humanity that reflect well-considered ideals rather than superficial presumptions. Speaking to Jord Samolesky via email, the […]
- Cloud Cult Interview ()
The Cloud Cult documentary No One Said It Would Be Easy will be released on April 21, and with it comes another credit for a band who for the past decade has been tireless in creating their art. Lead singer Craig Minowa and the film’s director and editor John Paul Burgess took some time to […]
- Chris Chu (of the Morning Benders) Interview ()
Following last year’s show at the Fine Line Music Cafe where the band opened for the Kooks, the Morning Benders are returning to play the Triple Rock Social Club tomorrow night. Culture Bully’s Chris DeLine caught up with the Benders’ Chris Chu recently, talking about the band’s upcoming album, tainted peanut butter and the split […]
- The Submarines Interview ()
Currently winding down their North American tour, the Submarines and the Morning Benders will be retuning to Minneapolis Wednesday night when the bands play the Triple Rock Social Club. Culture Bully’s Chris DeLine recently caught up with the Submarines’ Blake Hazard and John Dragonetti to discuss the recent split single they did with their tour-mates, […]
- Kyle “El Guante” Myhre and Jessica Rosenberg Interview ()
On January 23, the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis will host Hip Hop Against Homophobia, a concert sponsored by Culture Bully, Twin Cities arts collective/record label Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records, and activist organizations Join the Impact Twin Cities, OutFront MN and the Twin Cities Avengers. Artists include Toki Wright, Maria Isa, Kredentials, Alicia Leafgreen, See More […]
- Annuals Interview ()
Initially lauded as standouts amongst a pool of grimly labeled “blog bands,” Raleigh, North Carolina’s Annuals are now relative veterans amongst a continually shifting indie rock landscape. Following a string of EPs, the band released its full-length sophomore album late last year, entitled Such Fun. The album signaled a shift in direction for the Annuals, […]