Teebs: The UK is always blowing me away
People who are good at everything can be seriously annoying. Bearing this in mind, Teebs should be really irritating, but actually he’s very humble and friendly. He’s best known for being signed to Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label, but his talents don’t start and end with producing sit-up-and-listen beats, or performing shows that see the audience leaving with their hearts in the mouths, the California native is also an accomplished artist and skateboarder.
He’s performing at a one-off show at London’s XOYO with equally hip beat makers Nosaj Thing and Eskmo.
Is there anything you’re not good at?
Remembering actresses’ names when I talk about movies.
The shirts on your BigCartel page are really great – are they your own designs? If so, how do you approach visual art compared to aural art?
Awesome for checking that…Yeah, that’s all my work. I approach both in the same manner really and I think that is always changing with whatever is happening that day.
Are you working on any new material?
Yeah, a lot actually. An EP’s worth of music made specifically for an art opening I just had will come out online when the showing is over in September. A collaboration with Prefuse 73, more of my own solo work and some other one-off collabs with other friends in the next few years. Man, the list goes on it’s wild.
Are you excited about the show with Nosaj Thing and Eskmo? What can people expect, will there be any visual elements?
Very excited. Nosaj is someone I made some music with when I mentioned friends up there and Eskmo is a champion. Visuals I don’t know. I might bring some stuff to seal a vibe in, but I really am working on something proper for next year.
Describe the current California scene in five words.
Family. Everywhere. Tacos. Summertime. Estara.
Are there any UK acts or labels that you’re in to at the moment?
Too many. The UK is always blowing me away.
Are there any acts on Brainfeeder you really enjoy right now?
Everyone on there hurts my soul in some way really…but Jeremiah Jae is the one for me. Also Samiyam. I’ve never heard a Sam Baker track I didn’t like.
What equipment are you using to produce and perform live right now?
Production stuff varies – mainly my SP404 and some pedals now with a PC. A 404 for live sets.
When it comes to remixes, do people come to you or vice versa? Who would you most like to rework and why?
People usually just ask me but in the case of the Flying Lotus remix on his ALT cosmogramma takes. I just did it for no reason and sent it to him. Had no idea it would be used for anything. I would like to rework a Danny Brown song. Or just work with him in general if the time and sounds are right.
Is there anything you are listening to at the moment that people might find surprising?
Yeah I bet a lot of it would be found as surprising. I’d rather leave that alone though.
How do you spend downtime when touring?
Museums are always a treat but not favourites. They all blow me away and I usually just make art in the hotel or walk around a lot.
What was the last book you read and what did you think of it?
This book on the wonders of kite flying and making, ha ha. I think it made me shed a tear it was so good. I remember when I was in Hong Kong with a friend, that was all we did on our time off when we were not painting together in his studio. Two hour hikes into the mountains overlooking lush islands, max the kites into the sky and smoke a bit.
What’s been the most extravagant meal you’ve ever eaten?
Wow. Too many. I really can’t tell which can take top rank, but some countries have it soooo gooooooood.
Do you have any film recommendations for your fans?
Ninja Turtles. The one with Vanilla Ice in it.
What’s been the funniest thing that’s happened to you this year?
I had a conference thing once that I spoke at with two other artists that both had longer names than I did, but the people putting it together could only manage to write ‘Te’ on everything instead of Teebs.
Teebs plays XOYO, 32-37 Cowper Street. London, EC2A 4AP Thursday 12 July 2012, 8pm – 1am, £9.50 adv from www.soundcrashmusic.com/teebs-nosaj-thing-eskmo/
Tagged in: Eskmo, flying lotus, Jeremiah Jae, music, Nosaj Thing, Samiyam, soul music, TeebsMost viewed
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