THE DROP: An interview with Cosmo Baker who plays U Street Music Hall this Friday

 
Mention the name “Cosmo Baker” in a circle of DJs, and cats get quiet and speak in hushed tones. I’ve seen it happen too many times to forget. It’s a quiet borne of reverence, borne of a man who is supremely talented at his craft, a guy who is a trademark of excellence in blending music that bridges genres and brings people together. Cosmo spins all over the world, but is best known these days for spinning at Brookklyn’s “The Rub,” alongside DJ Ayres and DJ Eleven, a party with a hip hop base that touches the stratosphere and comes back again. Cosmo Baker started as a DJ alongside Rich Medina and Questlove. Let’s rewind that sentence. Cosmo Baker started as a DJ alongside Rich Medina and Questlove. When you start there, there’s really nowhere else to go but to let your greatness trickle down and bless the masses. Cosmo comes to U Street Music Hall this Friday to spin Red Fridays alongside Sam “The Man” Burns and the Dirty Bombs crew of Deep Sang and DJ Meistro for a powerhouse lineup that’s certain to impress. I had the chance to interview the rising legend DJ, and got an education in response. Enjoy!

1. Growing up in Philadelphia, you had to have been touched by Gamble and Huff and Philly International Records. What exactly about their production style did you appreciate when you first broke into DJing, and what do you appreciate now about those classic recordings?

Well everyone in Philly has been touched by TSOP, whether it’s something that they consciously recognize or not. There really isn’t any other way of putting it other than it really truly is The Sound Of Philadelphia. I mean Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now may as well be the Philadelphia anthem you know. But I don’t know what it was about their production style that I liked when I first started DJing. Obviously like checking for samples and all that, and that’s always been a thing with my DJing like incorporating the old with the new. But these songs are classics, they’re standards, growing up hearing them they’re a part of your lineage. And I’ll always appreciate them for their what I think as their AMBITION, like “We’re going to make the most lush, fullest, most ground shattering sound ever” which is dope cause it comes from a bunch of dudes in Philly, a city that kind of didn’t really have anything.
2. Being adept at spinning so many various styles of music, where exactly do you find the thread that connects disparate sounds to each other? Is it a bassline, is it a sample, or is it an emotional place that the song takes you? When it comes to bending genres, what are some of your favorite records to mix together that show truly cross genre and cross cultural tie?

All those musical components help with what you want to do but really it’s more about a feeling than anything else. You want to tell a story, or go on a journey. You know like back when I first started going out to clubs you would hear rap, house, club, classics, rockers, so it makes sense that all these things have a flow where you can place them together. Shit back in the day Nicky Siano is playing James Brown, Motown, Traffic, fucking other wild shit, African shit… It’s just “party music.” So I kind of like to draw the parallel lines in my sets when I play.

3. You are an influential DJ to at least three generations of DJs. What to you separates a DJ from the ever growing pack, and do you still listen as fervently and closely to the top young spinners of this generation as you did to those you developed alongside and the generation after that?

That shit is crazy, I don’t even see myself other than just a dude who does his thing. And so I don’t really quite know if I have a real answer for this, because for me it was just always about me doing my thing even if it wasn’t popular at the time. But yeah the most important thing for me was always just finding and developing my own sound, and then just staying true to that and never compromising… not saying that a sound can’t evolve, because it has to, but not giving in to flavor of the month shit. So that’s important, and to answer the second part I definitely listen to the young dudes coming up. I was always the “youngboy” of the crew so now that I’m older and I have this weird “elder” position I’m still trying to fit into it I guess. And of course I got to take note of the dudes coming up – they’re gonna end up taking all my jobs one of these days haha!

4. The hipster movement spawned a lot of DJs. Coming out of Philly and watching the development of Diplo and Low Budget’s Hollertronix parties, what about their party and developing style at the start of that movement do you think informed the hipster generation as a whole, and what do you feel, if anything is lost by many DJs who attempt to replicate that these days?

Those dudes weren’t trying to recreate the wheel, so I think motherfuckers have this erroneous notion that when they first set out they were trying to develop this new and crazy scene and sound. No dude, they were just trying to have a hip-hop party. And they were doing blends and spinning wild shit the same way several generations of Philly DJs were. It just ended up catching on like at the right place at the right time… it was a dope party for real, real fun. I guess a lot of the rock kids and hipsters decided they were going to change their mind and start listening to music black people made instead of Belle & Sebastien – ironically at first but then a bunch of them said “okay this is really fresh” and then the movement kind of started. But because it was like a whole new world for these kids they just threw themselves into it without any pretension. So I dunno, people trying to catch lightning in a bottle as opposed from playing from their heart and soul.

5. You’re spinning at Red Fridays, which is primarily known as a house music party. When Rich Medina (a frequent colleague) spun the party a month ago, he expanded the definition of what a “house music” party was in the eyes of many by tossing in Original Bongo Band’s “Apache and the Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Running.” Do you employ that same open ended method when spinning “house parties,” and if so what are some of your favorite “non-traditional” tracks to drop?

Yeah man no question man, like HOUSE is HOUSE and there’s no question about that, but again like I said it’s all about the journey and the drawing of parallel lines and shit. IT ALL FITS is kind of my philosophy. Like I’m definitely going to play new and classic house but you never know where that’s going to take you, and I think that’s a shame that not as many DJs allow themselves to go with the flow like that. Motherfuckers are too rigid, DJs are made conservative, and then the crowd gets rigid too. People need to let their hair down and have fun, get funky, let the freak flag fly you know! It’s all about the party so let’s make it happen. As for what I’m gonna play well we will see.

6. Having broken in with Questlove and Rich Medina back in the early 90s, who were some of the key teachers and what were some of the key lessons that you learned as DJs and promoters that you feel bear a necessity to be mentioned to the younger generations?

Well honestly I’m one of those dudes that got his turntables and took to it like a fish to water, but there’s one name that is never really mentioned about and that was my man DJ Storm, who put me down in the very early 90s. We used to play at this place Sugarcube which was an all ages, predominantly black crowd that was just down to party to hip-hop, rockers (what we used to call dancehall) R&B, club, “Luke” what we would call Miami bass) and more. I would open for him and then he would get on and I would just watch him the way he would read, and develop the crowd and the dancefloor. Then I would go to The Nile and that’s where my perception changed. Nile was a gay club, 99% black I would say, and here I was this young kid that I don’t even think I was 18 yet, and Storm was like “Come with me to Nile to learn what house music is about.” So I would go up there and they would be playing all this crazy shit, wild house, even club cause in Philly the gay clubs were playing Baltimore club in the house sets way before hipsters embraced it. So yeah, you would have DJ Donald Stone (RIP) up there playing doubles of “My First Mistake” for 30 minutes while all the drag queens would be having their voguing competitions and serving everyone, then playing new house, Cajmere, Strictly Rhythm shit, harder shit, but then always back to the classics… Changed my life. That’s my perception of real house music, and it’s thanks to DJ Storm who opened that door for me.

THE DROP: The ATB Interview

“9 PM (Til I Come).” Everybody knows the track that in 2001 turned the EDM world on its head. However, the ever emotive German trance DJ and producer behind that track, Andre Tanneberger, otherwise known as ATB, has had quite the successful career since that point, and now with his current ranking at #11 in the 2010 DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ ranking intact, he returns to play the Electric Zoo Festival on Randall’s Island in New York City over Labor Day Weekend 2010. I had the chance to catch up with ATB and ask him a few questions reflecting on his career, his current release Sunset Beach DJ Sessions, and his future aspirations.

http://www.youtube.com/v/oF-ojEjFkRM&hl=en_US&fs=1

ATB “9PM (Til I Come)”

DOWNLOAD ATB’s AMAZING SET FROM ELECTRIC ZOO 2009

1. Having had the tremendous global success of 9PM (Till I Come) so early in your career, has this relieved the pressure of having to feel like you must create another giant international hit, or has that success weighed like a burden? Why or why not has this been the case?

Of course 9pm was a wonderful start, it could not have been better for a musical career, but surely it was also very hard for me in the beginning to be suddenly thrown into the spotlight and feel the pressure of worldwide success. Because of this I decided for me very early to show the people that the music of Andre Tanneberger can be much more than just one sound, and that it contains much more variety. I have released 8 studio albums so far, and with every album my aim is to show this to the people and to present something new to them.

2. You have been known for crafting symphonic trance that is highly evocative of particular moods. Are there any emotions that you feel more in tune with than others, and in your creative process, how do you find the precise sounds to match the emotions?

My whole creativity is influenced by emotions, specially by the feedback the people give me when I play for them at the weekend. For a creative person it is hugely gratifying to come this close to ones’ audience, to see their reactions first hand and to receive their instant unfiltered feedback to your work. I take these emotions, feelings and vibes back home to my studio, and they help me create new tracks and sounds. To capture all this in a track is highly challenging, but I like challenges and trust my intuition.

3. For your latest, Sunset Beach Session release, how many times have you had the opportunity to play while surrounded by a beach landscape, and do any of those moments stick out as particularly memorable?

At the beginning of this summer I had a private summer party with my family and friends. I think this was the birth of the idea to make the “Sunset Beach DJ Session”. And a few weeks ago I played at the Baltic Beach Festival in Latvia, and the stage was directly on the beach. So it was the perfect surrounding to play a few tracks from the “Sunset Beach DJ Session”.

4. Who are the musicians you listened to growing up that made you want to take the path of having a career in music? Do you still listen to them now, or have other artists become more important over time? If so, who are some of the recent additions to your influences?

When I was young, and still today, my idols of electronic music were Jean Michel Jarre and Michael Cretu. Their music is really timeless and prepared the path for todays’ electronic music. When I Was asked to remix a Jean Michel track it was like being knighted. I also got to work together with Michael Cretu at his studio.

5. Having had the opportunity to play all over the world, where are some of your favorite places to play, and why? Are there any particular sets that have really stood out as of late?

It’s no secret that I love to play in the US. During my last “ATB THE DJ 5” world tour, there was this really special gig at the Heat Ultra Lounge Anaheim, that I will never forget. The club is really small, just up to 500 people, but the atmosphere on that night was absolutely incredible.
Of course there are also many other great clubs all around the globe that I love to play at. For example some weeks ago I was in Singapore at Zoo Club for the first time. It was also one of the most unbelievable nights that I will always remember.
6. You are one of the few returning artists to the Electric Zoo festival in New York. How was the inaugural year? And what does it mean to you to play this kind of festival in NYC?

To play at the Electric Zoo festival is really an honor, and it is always a highlight of all gigs I play in New York. I have already come to known the New York audience from the many gigs I played here over the last year, and to celebrate with them at the Electric Zoo is a delight. The audience here is great for partying, they show a lot of emotions and it is always a night full of unbelievable feelings and great moments.

INTERVIEW: XXXChange plays DC’s U Street Music Hall on Thursday night!

East coast clothing giant Cmonwealth  once again hosts another giant night of turntable dominance at DC’s U Street Music Hall on Thursday night joining with TurntableLab.com as Richmond’s top mixer Viking joins alongside top notch Brooklyn spinner and producer Dre Skull, musical chameleon and Ghostly International Records head Michna, and the man we interview here, XXXChange. Baltimore born and NYC bred, the DJ, producer and remixer is a cornerstone of the underground sound, having produced for cornerstone artists like Spank Rock, Pase Rock, Amanda Blank and Kid Sister. As well, he’s remixed a laundry list of top names including but not limited to Robyn, Lily Allen and Bjork, showing himself to be a true professional with taste and style. Having produced Bloc Party’s Kele Okeyere’s solo debut and with a hand in The Death Set’s latest he continues to stay forever eclectic and important. I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his inspirations and creative process and about DJing in general. Enjoy!

1. What has been your most fulfilling moment as a producer? What was the album or piece of music that you assisted in creating that you felt the most passionate about in completion?


Each new thing I do I feel like is a step closer, towards where I want to go musically I guess. Right now I’m doing new stuff with Amanda Blank, Deathset and Gang Gang Dance, and it all feels really exciting. In a few months it’ll be something else probably. I try and only work with people who I can relate to personally and musically.

2. How do you approach the creative process with an artist? Are there set in stone ways that you work with everyone, or do you work differently with an Amanda Blank as you would Kele Okeyere?

It’s all over the map, with Amanda I’ll usually supply all the music and she’ll write a song to it then we’ll finish it together. With Kele, he sends me rough demos and then I produce them, sometimes I write a bridge or something but usually he’s got most of his idea already there.

3. Having been born and raised in Baltimore what either specifically or in general about the cultural melting pot in that city has assisted in or defined your work as an artist, producer and remixer?

It’s hard to say. I moved away to New York as soon as I turned 18. as far a cities go, NYC has had a really big musical influence on me. I still love my Baltimore club records though. I was never part of the scene in Baltimore or anything but I used to love to get the records. there’s something raw about that music that I love. I think a lot of people connect with that part of it too. those are some of the best records to dj at a party because people just go buck wild to that stuff. doesn’t matter if you’re playing in Baltimore or Sweden or Japan or whatever people just immediately connect with that stuff.

4. In crafting and creating remixes are there any artists or remixers that you tend to look to or listen to for inspiration? Who, and why?

It’s always changing because dance music is so trendy, but some of my long time favorites include Erol Alkan (for his taste), Fake Blood (sound), and Blaqstarr (swagger). Also I’m always listening back to my favorite old Baltimore records from the late 90’s – early 00’s, to DJ’s like Technics, Rod Lee and KW Griff for inspiration.

5. Do you still enjoy doing live DJ sets, or is it now more a broader part of everything that you do musically? What records have you heard in the least year have been particularly motivating or inspiring to you?

I totally still enjoy doing dj sets. Generally when I do remixes I remix the track to be something I would play in my DJ sets. Lately I’ve been doing so much more producing though that DJ gigs are kind of few and far between.


6. Before you even decided to be a musician, who were some of the influential artists and/or songs in your life that you feel steered you in that direction?

I think I started playing right around the time I got interested in music so it’s kind of hard to tell which came first. Definitely Michael Jackson was a big one, also Guns ‘n’ Roses. Just pop stuff I guess, nothing too obscure or anything like that.

7. If you were pressed to give a description, in your mind, what best defines “DC music?”

Go-go…lots of drums

TGRIOnline.com presents…THE INTERVIEWS…Sit down discussions with rising, top and legendary musical giants!

Looking for an archive of TGRI interviews? Look no further. Compiled below is the entire history of interviews that TGRI has provided for you, our readership. Constantly updated, do take a second, kick back, and enjoy!

Teena Marie – An enlightening and pleasant 45 minute sit down with the legendary R & B diva. Discussions of her career, Rick James and her perpetual inspirations as a singer are discussed.

Blaqstarr – As enigmatic as he is ultratalented, Baltimore club producer Blaqstarr sat while at SXSW in 2009 for a rare longer interview, speaking for 15 minutes about his background, crazy road stories, his production concepts and his favorite club tracks.

Roxy Cottontail – A 30 minute discussion with the NYC DJ and club promoter about the background and history of the Hollertronix movement, her development into a club promoter and DJ, the DC area’s influence on the present hipster dance craze, and discussion of her future plans.

Claire Hux – A 35 minute conversation with the Unruly Records signed hip-pop electro duo. Discussions of their unique recording process, and interesting background given as to the development of the local DC and Baltimore dance scene.

Miz Metro – The Brooklyn dance pop recording artist/art house curator/4.0 GPA student takes 25 minutes out of her schedule to sit and talk with TGRI about her background, how she got her name, and where exactly she finds her drive and passion.

D-Fuse – The Austin, TX minimal house DJ sits and talk for a quick 15 minute chat about his background and live drums set with Mike Hiratzka.

Rattler – DC’s own hardcore/metal send up band sit for the most ridiculous nine minutes you’ll hear anywhere.

Warren G – G-Funk era maestro with hits like “This DJ” and “Regulate” sits for a 20 minute discussion of his background, his brother Dr. Dre, touring and being a star internationally, his hits and future plans.

Gina Turner – Bicoastal breaks, freestyle and electro princess of the wheels of steel discusses her background as a NYC club kid, working with Laidback Luke, freestyle music, and her inspirations.

Andy Butler (Hercules and Love Affair) – Butler, the auteur behind the orchestral disco of 70s recalling act Hercules and Love Affair talks about the meteoric rise to fame of the ensemble piece while at the Electric Zoo Festival just prior to a set with house music legend Frankie Knuckles.

Dmerit – DC’s most unheralded but widely respected duo of Micahvellian and Outputmessage sit for a fun and unexpectedly entertaining 15 minute discussion of their backgrounds, the top names they’ve produced, how they got their name, and hilarious stories of playing out.

Stevie Boi – Top fashion designer and the originator of the fabricated glasses craze that has taken over pop music and culture, Stevie Boi sits here for 20 minutes and discusses his broadening fame and influence, music career, background, and unabashed love of Grace Jones.

Young B – Famed for single “Chicken Noodle Soup” with DJ Webstar, the young chanteuse sits for 10 minutes to discuss her rapid rise to fame, handling it, future plans, and her work with Stevie Boi.

Dave Nada – One half of the duo Nadastrom, as well as one of the top DJs and producers of note internationally, Nada, in a near decade long career has played with almost every major name on the international underground. He sits with TGRI and discusses his history, the development from being a punk guitarist to top DJ, and how he stays humble in the midst of his burgeoning fame.

Darude – Legendary Finnish trance producer and DJ sits for an enlightening 45 minute discussion about his mega smash, 2001’s “Sandstorm,” as well as notes on his history, development and future plans.

BURNS – Genre bending electro DJ and producer from the UK making much noise internationally as a rising young DJ talent. Associated with Calvin Harris, this 20 minute discussion takes note of his interests, influences and sonic development.

DJ Sega – Philly club wunderkind DJ Sega and the self proclaimed “Philly Club King” has produced some of the most wildly entertaining tracks in the storied history of the sound. He sat on a visit to DC for a bit to discuss his unique sound, K-Swift, and his rapid rise to success as a performer.

Robert Francis – Atlantic Records’ old soul with a calming touch of classic 70s AM rock sits for 15 minutes and discusses his unique family background with two performing parents, as well as his sound and development into a very self assured young artists.

Dirty South Joe – Club music crew Brick Bandits’ Philly general, the Mad Decent and Ol’ Head Records affiliated Joe is a music maven, holding down positions of note, influence and importance at key venues and places in an unbelievable career. In a phenomenal 30 minute conversation, his history, the importance of club music on the Philly cultural and youth scene, his embrance of dubstep and constant evolution as a DJ are topics of discussion.

Rakim – While in town supporting his album The Seventh Seal, hip hop legend Rakim discussed his history, his place as a hip hop legend, his future motivations, the origin and development of his legendary tracks and the nature and state of hip hop music.

Wiz Khalifa – The Pittsburgh native stands as one of the hottest emcees in hip hop’s underground and is poised for major moves in the industry. Discussion of being an independent artist, his creative drive, plethora of tattoos and partying with Snoop Dogg are all discussed.

Jon Horvath, Fort Knox Five – DC funk outfit with international credentials the Fort Knox Five are a winning combination. Discussion with band member Jon Horvath centers around the era of good feeling surrounding the DC musical scene, and discussions of the yet to open at that point U Street Music Hall. As well, a bit of discussion of the Fort Knox Five’s history, and the at that time, forthcoming Haitian earthquake benefit are discussed.

DJ Quicksilva – “Where They Do That At?” Local DC area mega DJ, DJ Quicksilva has been a drive time DC and Baltimore area staple of urban radio for the last decade. As a DJ he is an acclaimed professional and Pepsi supported East Coast DJ representative. Now, he’s added music artist to that litany of accomplishments. After 25 minutes you have a solid clue that Quicksilva is more than a DJ, he’s a brand, an artist extraordinaire and someone to be envied and respected.

Jonny Blaze – 20+ year veteran of club music, Jonny Blaze is a Baltimore legend. Now, after years of making some of the most ribald and sexually suggestive club music in history, he’s changed up his style and is now serving up a more religious themed sound. Still one of the more entertaining interviews in the region, the always funloving Balze discusses his career, his production style and so much more.

DJ Lemz – Baltimore electro and dubstep producer DJ Lemz is a rising star on the underground. Having DJed for Rye Rye on her Australian tour, he’s already had a taste of success and is hungry for more. A favorite producer of your favorite DJs, this serves as a wonderful intro to the extremely talented young man.

Roll Wit Us All Stars – MCs Malik Starx and Mr. Clif are one of the most lyrically adept duos on hip hop’s underground. As comfortable flowing over boom bap as they are handling the hottest electro tracks, the duo sit for an entertaining 30 minute story of their development as performers. Growing into a tandem recalling Outkast and the Doog Pound from an early history of not being on the same page, you’ll agree they have a bright future ahead after reading this interview.

DJ Quartermaine – Brooklyn and Bronx native DJ Quartermaine is a cornerstone edifice of the DC hip hop and underground community. A member of the Low Budget crew of hard grinding and supertalented local emcees, producers and DJs, he’s renowned locally with premium national and now international buzz for his efforts. In this entertaining 30 minute chat, we discuss his personal development as a DJ, the trip to Europe, DC hip hop, the local party culture, and even some discussion of classic DC venue State of the Union, and some discussion of how to re-unify party culture in the capital city.