It’s been a while since I posted one of these and for that I
apologies, but hopefully I can make up for it. This week we sit down with Professor Elemental one of the
most prominent members of steam-punk hip-hop or “Chap Hop.” Never heard of Chap Hop? Then clearly you didn’t read my previous write up on him. However, it might
be better to let the good Professor explain.
For our readers who
are just meeting you, who is Proffesor Elemental?
I'm
an explorer, inventor, animal manipulator, exotic dancer, tea lover and Hip Hop
emcee.
What is Chap-Hop?
It's the world's smallest and most
polite musical genre. Basically Hip Hop with a slight lemony twist- rap music
served with gin and cucumber sandwiches. It's everso much fun.
Where do you get your
beats?
Beats for the Professor come
exclusively from Tom Caruana.
He is the best Hip Hop producer in the country and constantly inspires me with
his prolific output and excellent tea making skills.
Where are the
inspiration for you songs come from?
Deep inside my ever fizzing brain.
I read a lot of comics and listen to some very odd music, so that helps a
bit.
You’ve worked with a
few collaborators in your career. How do you think that effects the
creative process?
Well, I made a decision only to
work with people who I actually liked, so most times my collaborations are also
excuses to hang out with people who's company I enjoy. Everyone has a very
different approach. I tend to be enthusiastically slapdash for example, where
as someone like Jon Clark (my partner in rapping in the group 'special school')
is polished and meticulous- in a good collaboration you both learn a bit from
each other.
Do you think your fan
base is different from different musical genres?
Hmm, Well I guess so, a bit. I am
lucky enough to be involved in the world of Steampunk, which is populated by a
tribe of nerdy, committed, polite and funny folk- all of whom have been really
nice to me over the years. I think the main difference is that I consider
myself to be friends with nearly everyone who listens to my music, or at least
and an acquaintance. That's why gigs are so much fun, we are all involved on an
equal level.
What’s been your
biggest change musically between "The Indifference Engine" and
"Professor Elemental: Father Of Invention?"
Well,
musically I wanted to keep the vibe pretty similar. There's nothing worse than
a band with a successful album who then throw it all away to do their second
album in a new style, thus alienating their audience. That said, this album is
broader- with some more numbers to dance to, a little darkness and much more of
the character and day to day life of the professor.
Are there some other
Chap-Hop artists on the scene you enjoy?
No. Well, that;s not true actually.
I was engaged in a rap beef with Mr B the gentleman rhymer, but he turned out
to be a lovely fellow and I now thoroughly enjoy his tunes. That's really it
for Chap Hop, there's only us in it! Plenty of good hip hop to recommend
though: Homeboy Sandman, Dizraeli and the Small gods, Torae, King Porter Stomp
and on and on...
Any new music in the
works? (And when can we expect it?)
Tons and tons- there are three Hip
Hop albums that i have worked on in collaboration due out in 2013 (with Crespo,
The Menagerie and Mr Simmonds), plus there will be a collection of B-sides and
remixes from 'father of invention' entitled 'the attic' and due out in the
Summer. Beyond that, I have grand plans... you can hear the seed of them on the
hidden track at the end of 'Father Of Invention'.
Gosh, it’s great to have interviews
back! I’d like to thank Professor
Elemental for taking the time to talk with us. Now all that’s left to do is end with a song. Here’s the 4th track off the
Professor’s new album 'Father Of Invention.'
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