Interview: Mayer Hawthorne
We caught up with Stones Throw soul artist Mayer Hawthorne, also known as DJ Haircut from the hip-hop collective The Athletic Mic League, as he was getting ready to perform in Detroit. He’s currently touring with DJ Houseshoes and Nikki Jean and will be joining up with Passion Pit here soon for the a second section of his tour. We took a moment to speak with him about his recent debut album as Mayer Hawthorne and about his outlook on everything now that its out on the shelves and on tour.
Could you tell us a little bit about what your outlook was going in to making this project?
When I made the first couple demo songs, I never had any plans of actually recording an album of soul music. It was something I was doing for fun on the side. It was an experiment. I usually make rap music. So I didn’t really think about it at all. And then when Peanut Butter Wolf asked me to record a whole album of soul music I tried to really maintain that same philosophy of not over thinking anything and letting it come out as it is.
What has been your reaction not that you put the record together, released it, and took it on tour?
Man it’s a trip. This whole thing is completely surreal. Somebody could of never predicted that this thing would connect with so many people and receive the kind of attention that it did. We never had no idea that it would be this big. So to be rolling around in a tour bus and playing in a different city every night with people coming out and singing along, people that are really invested in the music. Seeing how many people its touched is unbelievable. I’ve got to wake up and pinch myself everyday.
Tell us a about the band?
I call them The County, there my band when I perform life. On the record I played pretty much everything. When it came time to put a live show together I called up my favorite musicians. Most of which who I grew up with in Michigan. I said that I got a chance to go on the road and do these tours and fortunately for me they were all down to roll
What are you doing and what are the plans for the future?
I’m going to keep recording and releasing music. I’m going to really see what I can get a way with here. I’m making all kinds of music to. Hip-hop, I’m cutting pop vocal records. I just did a remix for Snoop Dogg. I’m doing new waves stuff, boogie funk stuff. I’m going to really try to release as much music as I can while I got the opportunity and hopefully people with stick with me.
It’s always interesting to here a record from this day and age with so many inspirations from different styles and periods of music. Especially given the drastic difference in the technology used in the studio recording process these days and the current industry sounds.
Well, you know is that it also feels new. I never wanted to create a retro or throwback album. I’m not into being a retro artist at all. I’m more into making sure that I move the music forward and create something new for my generation.
What have been some of your favorite experiences from this tour?
Man, I’m a food guy, so it’s all about the food for me. Getting my Hoover’s BBQ in Austin, TX. Nikki Jean is who I’m touring with, she’s excellent cook and baker, so that’s been a highlight of the tour as well. I’m in Detroit right now. I’m about to hit Lafayette Coney Island.
www.myspace.com/mayerhawthorne
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