What do you love about making music?
Mouf: I like the fact it’s strait from my imagination. I can conjure up songs from my mind from scratch and produce anything I want with no barriers or anything to stop me. It’s freedom at its finest. So I guess the thought process of making music is what I like the most, getting in the zone and writing lyrics.
Ciec: I love the whole process from making a beat, writing lyrics, recording, mixing, mastering. It’s my therapy in this mad, mad world.
What do you hate about the music industry?
Mouf: Everything. It’s like anything, when money gets involved you get people that want to capitalise and turn something dope like hip hop into a money making scheme and use a bunch of puppets to flog it out till it’s a dead horse. Also I’ve got a hatred for rappers that get on their high horse as soon as they get some shine, they piss me off a lot.
Ciec: I hate that so many people’s skills get overlooked now ‘cause they don’t fit the new trendy, radio friendly hip pop music mould that’s being pushed down everyone’s throats by the mainstream. Other than that, I’m proud to see that the industry I helped build is still alive and kicking.
What’ve you got to sell CD wise?
Mouf: Maggots Anonymous, You’re All Ears, Runnin’ With Scissors, Meat N 2veg Mixtape, Magodatron Mixtape. Known Associates – Ashes To Dust.
Ciec: The whole Broken Tooth Entertainment catalogue. Peep it.
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed?
Mouf: Pretty much be prepared to work hard for ten years for free or fuck all and keep churning out music until they hit the nail on the head, that and a bit of luck and a shitload of drive.
Ciec: Same thing as always, persevere and build your skills. It really helps to be talented though.
What’s your favourite song and why?
Mouf: I’d have to say Never Would Admit It is my fave. It’s honest, deep and personal and the beats on some shit.
Ciec: Known Associates. Just a really good energy to it. We had fun making it and it smashes out.
How do you stop your pre-gig jitters?
Mouf: About two scotch’n’cokes and three beers and it’s all good.
Ciec: Deep breaths.
How do you balance making music with your other commitments?
Mouf: I pretty much put music first over everything. I finish studying soon then it’s time to get a real job but for now I’m doing music and that’s it. I haven’t worked in three years I quit my job after You’re All Ears because I wanted to go hard with music before I was too old and boring. Working full time and putting an album together is really hard – working for the man takes away a lot of the passion for music.
Ciec: My list of commitments grows rapidly, however most of them involve making music so it’s balancing out ok. I need to get more sleep though.
