The Bag Messenger- Coolout Interview
- Apr 06, 2010
-
Making it happen has a always held high importance in society, and with the advent of the internet the show and dance has intensified exponentially. The do it yourself mentality has really swept into the music industry. With the influx of glittering myspace music pages, and gimmicky teen groups it is safe to say that genuine talent has become obscured. Some days it is almost hard to wallow through all the muck. It seems people spend more time getting "out there" then they do honing their craft. Perhaps its misplaced, but with the new music marketplace being what it is, you can't blame folks for chasing the buck. Few people are more dedicated to their craft then COOLOUT, a man put here for one reason, to make music. His attention to detail is precise and his work ethic is unshakable. Chances are as you read this, he is in the studio working on new stuff. Perhaps he is tracking vocals, or maybe he is re-scoring a silent film. One thing is sure, he won't stop, and we just did your music collection a serious favor.
-THE BAG MESSENGER
The Bag Messenger: How did you first get involved with music?
COOLOUT: I was that nerdy kid that hated playing outside, especially during the summer. I'd rather stay under the air conditioning and read. My mom played a lot of music around the house. Combine a healthy obsession of technology and art...that pretty much describes my life. There's a whole world that exists in my head when I'm alone.
The Bag Messenger: What did the young Coolout listen to?
COOLOUT: I remember my mom playing Motown, Earth, Wind, and Fire, War, CTI jazz stuff, and Disco. I would always dance around the house. Equally important was what she DIDN'T play. She didn't play a lot heavy funk like P-Funk or Rick James around the house. She kept the music real light. Also we were Presbyterian and the music at church was really solemn and dry...unlike a some of the more hyper, sanctified denominations. Of course I was into Micheal Jackson, but only up to about half of Thriller...after that it was pretty much straight up hip-hop for me. That was my rebellious music. The first record I bought with my own money was Kurtis Blow's “Eight Million Stories” on 45. That was only because they were sold out of RUN-D.M.C. In high school I was pretty active in the local hip-hop scene, making beats for various neighborhood rappers, but I also would crash college parties and got really into house music because I love to dance.
The Bag Messenger: How has your taste changed throughout the years?
COOLOUT: My taste hasn't really changed at all. It has only expanded. I've had to discover a lot of music on my own and find things that speak to me. Of course like most hip-hop producer cats I'm completely into jazz, funk, and soul, but I also love classical, experimental electronic music, and some rock. DJing different types clubs and events has made me research and appreciate stuff like Latin, Indian, and Caribbean or whatever.
The Bag Messenger: When did you first get involved with making beats? How did working with Count Bass D come about?
COOLOUT: When I was in 8th grade my next door neighbor was a local music producer. He put a real Roland TR-808 in my lap and let me program it. From that point I was really obsessed with drum machines, samplers, and synthesizers. Once I started working my little teenage jobs, instead of spending a lot of money on clothes and things to look fly, I bought music equipment, computers, and records. I gained a reputation for beats and met Count through a couple degrees of separation. We started working together. I produced some demos that led to his first deal with Sony and worked on his first record in the early to mid 90's.
The Bag Messenger: What other kinds of projects have you produced?
COOLOUT: After working with various local rappers over the years, in 2002 I became fed up enough to concentrate on developing myself as a artist and started working on solo projects. I'm a one-man movement now. I've self-released at least 6 albums, most are available for free at my website: www.cooloutmusic.com Overall, 2009 was a pretty good year for me. I put out The Long Goodbye which was named Best Hip-Hop Album of 2009 by Nashville Scene. Also I produced, co-wrote, and engineered a Latin-flavored lounge album by Mia Calderon. In addition to various chops and beats, I released a bunch of remixes of the Stones Throw Records catalog.
The Bag Messenger: I know you have been DJing for some time. When did this become your job?
COOLOUT: In the late 90's I started DJing as a second job to buy more music gear. It came pretty easy because I was already chopping samples and matching tempos. With my flexibility and ear for music it quickly took over into being my full-time day job. I've played in well over 50 different clubs and venues.
The Bag Messenger: How has it affected your life?
COOLOUT: Spending every weekend night surrounded by drunks can cause you to sleep in the daytime and rarely enjoy being around people. I have a whole Bruce Wayne/Batman thing going on.
The Bag Messenger: What is one piece of advice you wish you had received going into this as a career?
COOLOUT: Work harder than everyone and don't be afraid to be your quirky, weird self. Take what people say with a grain of salt, because everyone has their own motivations, agendas, and point-of-view. There are no hard and fast rules.
The Bag Messenger: Can you let us know what you've been working on? What can we expect from you in the coming year?
COOLOUT: Now that I've moved up to Philly and I'm in my zone, 2010 is off to a good start. In February I put out a remix album for The Long Goodbye. I have another solo project I'm finishing up and a instrumental project that's almost done. It's a soundtrack to a silent film. I've also been making a bunch of house/indie dance stuff that I'm going to start putting out this year. Mia has one of our songs on a compilation album and I did a house mix for that. I'm also writing stuff specifically for her next album. Count Bass and I just started sending beats and vocals back and forth...plus I'm shopping 30-40 beats. On the DJing side of things I'm busy every weekend spinning at whatever random bar, bowling alley, retail store, nightclub, boat, restaurant, or cabin that wants me to pay me. I'm probably forgetting something big but that's pretty much it.
Need to get from here to the studio with your stuff? Get the North To South Messenger bag here.