ComfortComes

Metaform

Hello, how are you doing today?

Hey John, doing great thanks. Thanks for putting me on.

There are some easy comparisons we can make to your music. But, who were some of your influences?

As you say, there are some easy comparisons, and I wouldn’t dishonor those influences by denying them. So for sure, without a doubt: Dilla, Shadow, RJD2, Primo, Pete Rock, Madlib, Chessie, Photek, and not to mention all the artists I sample from. But I’m also deeply rooted in rock music too, which I hope shines through in my tracks, I’m talking about: Deftones, Metallica, Tool, Sleep, QOTSA, Kyuss, a lot of Doom and Stoner Rock music that makes your head nod with that slower hip-hop type of drum beat.

How long have you been working on your record “Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants?

It was 5 complex years in the making. I was many different people over the last 5 years and so had different relationships with my music over that time. But, that is how old some of the tracks are; some tracks I remixed and refined over the years. Some of the tracks I seeded before then, but only developed them later. Some tracks were made within the last year.

Can you tell us a bit about the process how the songs came together? How you pick some of the samples you used?

It’s a very organic process for me, the music decides for itself. I try not to complicate the process too much by thinking about it. If I do get stuck thinking about it or making a decision then it’s time for a break or a new track.

I sample anything and everything, but mostly movies, records and my own instruments. Old movie soundtracks are often packed full of useful bits and pieces. I love sampling live drums and tweaking live drum loops.

As far as song construction goes, for me, it is a deep and meditative process that I need to be alone for. Again, I try not to ‘think it to death’, rather I let instinct decide. And to sink into such an instinctive mode, I cannot have any distractions. It can start with a drum loop, a bass line, a vocal sample…whatever. Just begin. Then it is a matter of tastefully adding layers. By tasteful I mean suitable for the beat, not every sample goes well with any synth bass or 808 kit.  Each sound needs to be chosen meticulously, like choosing grapes for wine making. Once I have the best mix, then I sequence some alternative takes, beats, and loops, for future comparison. Then I can come back later and decide which version I like the best. Transitions are also important, they gotta be smooth, which I hope mine are.

It says here that you split your time between Tokyo, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Has one place started to become home?

Kind of, not really. I feel at home in all 3. I grew up in San Francisco, so I guess that would be home. But I got family all over the place, so it’s hard to say really.

Also, I see you had a collaboration with JoJo Jackson on a record. Can you tell us a bit about this release?

Man, Jojo is one of the craziest dudes I’ve ever known, he’s always screaming. He screams all over my soul-beats, sleeps on my couch, and does a whole variety of “office chores” like setting up P&P and retail programs. The album is just something we did for fun, just to see what happened. And it was fun, but I still don’t really know what happened with it. Last I heard, the album was on Amazon for $40. And that’s just crazy.

Have you done many lives shows and if so what can we expect out of them?

Yeah I have spent some time on stage, or “we” rather, I rock shows with my man Takuya on the drums. You can expect some serious laptop rock with live drums and my comedy act between songs. Playing shows is a lot of fun, I love connecting with fans and friends and creating new ones.

What is the rest of the year looking like for you?

I’m going to continue down the rabbit hole. Haha.

Aside from remixing other artists and selling beats, I’ll be dropping “Beats from the Crypt” on November 15, 2008. That’s a collection of early works from 1998 on up. It will be a digital-only album available on the website (metaformonline.com), Itunes, Amazon, and the usual assortment of digital outlets.

By John Siwicki