Whether it’s his outspoken nature when it comes to topics of nationalism or his unwavering commitment to grassroots music, things have really clicked for Levinson and his Elefant Traks imprint, particularly over the past year. Collecting the award for Best Independent Label at the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards, he capped off his 2012 with the release of his most well-received work to date, Smokey’s Haunt. Despite the plaudits and time he has put in, Levinson is never one to settle in a comfort zone and is always looking to evolve.
“People become jaded because they expect once you’ve paid your dues that music owes you something. If you put your life into music you’re well within your right to expect that music will repay you but perhaps it doesn’t always repay in the way you want.” He believes that artists should respect what music means to people, rather than using it simply for selfish means. “I think you always have to respect that music is this great privilege and it plays such a vital role in our society.” The veteran MC has grown to appreciate the value of remaining open-minded. “You can get stagnant with music and it’s a very sentimental craft. So you always have to keep thinking and keep changing your attitude as you go along.”
Balancing the roles of artist, live performer and label head, only taking part in projects he believes in, has kept Levinson excited, even at the expense of making a larger profit. “I really believe in all the music we put out. I don’t believe in putting out music that simply sells at the expense of having a soul.” Even while members of the Elefant Traks roster such as Hermitude and Horrorshow have attained success he is proud that their evolution has been organic rather than rushed.
“I’m happy that some of our artists don’t go gold or go platinum. I do believe they bring a real artistry to what they’re doing, they’re voice needs to be heard.” That is where much of today’s hip hop, both locally and internationally, doesn’t quite gel with Levinson or his beliefs. “The reality is a lot of artists out there really don’t challenge themselves because they’re either trying to hold on to their spot or they’re over-thinking what they think will appeal to kids. Get over it and start writing something that really captures something in your heart or something you really want to change. Go out there and be bold.”
Fresh from a slot at the Big Day Out leg in Sydney, Levinson is pumped to finally perform the material from Smokey’s Haunt for a live audience and with a new band. The tour will include a show at The Corner this Saturday, which is being recorded for triple J’s Live At The Wireless. “We’ve been rehearsing for ages, so it’s such a relief to finally take it out on the road. It’s such a great sense of an outlet, that you’ve finally gotta pull the curtain back and say ‘hey look what we’ve done’. You’re completely putting yourself out there on the line and I love it.”
The tour will make for an interesting change of pace for The Herd lyricist, after performing as part of the unique mash-up stage show Dr. Seuss Meets Elefant Traks at the Sydney Opera House in November. “It was like a hip hop gig on acid,” Levinson exclaims of the show. Through the course of preparing the show, he saw many similarities between the visions of Dr Seuss and Elefant Tranks. “This guy [Dr Seuss] was a maverick and he always poked fun at the elite corners of society and the ultra-wealthy. In so many ways we found what we’re trying to do with Elefant Traks is like a small version of that in music.”
BY ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY
