Who is Falside? Please tell us more about yourself.
It's much more than making beats. I'm neck deep in a sub-culture I will never give up on. I'm humbled by my small successes and I've had an even better time watching the artists I've been fortunate to work with flourish. Making music has been the most gratifying process in my life, and I will continue to create.
What's your first encounter with Hip Hop?
I was exposed to the local Providence, Rhode Island (US) scene at a very young age with a quick embrace. I was listening to local artists like my Poorly Drawn People fam on an obsessive basis before I even knew who about any underground luminaries who I've since been able to work with. I discovered alot of mc's through different genres of music (Jeru the Damaja via Electronica group Groove Armada / and Mos Def via Massive Attack). After I did my research I became infatuated with Hip Hop music - and the rest isn't history because I'm not done yet.
Where did you get the inspiration from to become a beatsmith, and when did you start producing?
I was really into UK triphop and electronica before I started listenig to hip hop and started playing drums at a young age. I slowly started to discover underground Hip Hop and it's legendary staples (Wu-Tang, Gangstarr, Heiroglyphics etc.) and my dad's soul/psych/blues/rock/jazz records. I was more interested in the composition of the songs rather than the messages. I figured out how they were making beats and started fucking around with equiptment at local music stores while my mom was food shopping. I purchased my first turntable (STR 8-30 - which I still use today) and borrowed a shitty Gemini mixer from a friend in high-school (which I later traded in to a record store for wax). My dad was a disc-jockey on a local rock station in the 70's and I had access to all of his records. I started sampling and composing beats until I got the process down and was making 3 or 4 beats a day after school. They were terrible, but I knew I was on to something.
What equipment do you use?
I use very non-conventional equiptment. My trusty STR 8-30, various midi-controllers and out-dated software - I'm just stuck in my ways. True school heads usually complain about my process, but never have an issue with what I'm making.
How much time do you invest in making music?
Every hour of the day is dedicated in some way to music. I try my best to make beats or mix songs everyday. When I'm not creating anything I'm usually smothered with e-mails and doing promo/pr shit. I'm fortunate to have alot of supportive people and helpful resources around me, and I'm most confortable being completely independent (I'm just used to it). I spend alot of time staying up to date on what else is going on with other producers and artists. When I'm not doing any of that, I'm always thinking about my next move.
Listening to your work it becomes clear you're very versatile with your productions. What would you recommend to someone who's new to your music to begin with?
I make all types of beats. I've gotten some shit for doing this but If I want to make it, I'm going to make it. I'm inspired by everything I hear and see, and I think my production makes that evident. My beat tapes are all over the place. Electronic to Boom-Bap. For new listeners, my Dollars Make Change mixtape which dropped last year is filled with my thick boom-bap. My recent Fall, Stand the Fuck Up beat tape is a stellar display of my different evolving styles.
Few know you also do graphic designs and video work for other artists. Please tell us more.
I went to school for graphic design and come from a family of artists. The design and video work just comes naturally. I just so happen to be involved with an outlet where I get to make more than just music.
You are a member of the Poorly Drawn People collective. Can you tell us more about it?
PDP is my foundation. They had my back from the start. My first show I ever attended was Storm Davis' (PDP) record release show. I gave him a beat cd, and it took them about 3 years to induct me into the ranks. Poorly Drawn People are a Providence based hip-hop collective that includes Reason, Storm Davis, Dox (producer), Entity (Dj), and a slew of other talents contributors and fam. It feels good to be a part of a Providence staple. Check out http://www.poorlydrawnpeople.com
2010 has been quite a productive year for you. You've released the "Meet'n Veggies EP", "Cold Feat", "Dollars Make Change", "Jesus Shaves" and "Stand The F*ck Up", you did production for artists like Dirty Hank, Reason, PackFM and for a couple of compilations. What can we expect from you in 2011?
Right now I am working on a slew of new projects/mixtapes/beat tapes that will drop this year. My first full length album will be dropping later this year with UGHH. It will feature artists such as Jeru the Damaja, Planet Asia, Copywrite, PackFM, C-Rayz Walz, Stalley, Apollo the Great, Emilio Lopez (Demigodz), Dirty Hank, Reason and many others fully produced by me.
What's your best work to date in your own opinion?
I really can't say. I'm proud of every release.
Are there any artists you want to work with in the future?
I could list 1000+ people I would want to work with. I will spare you.
What artists do you like listening to yourself? Do you have any recommendations for our readers to check out?
Check out my fam Rite Hook, Juan Deuce, and Poorly Drawn People. Dope shit.
Any last words?
Be on the look out for my new full length album Creative Capital Beatsmith coming late spring/early summer.
Thanks to Falside for the interview.
Visit www.falside.com & Falside's Facebook for more info.
Make sure you check out Falside's music from our archives here
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