Sparks Across Darkness – Q&A Interview

Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?

I’ve been making hip hop for about 10 years of my life. I started off as a DJ but found myself listening to instrumentals and writing more often than working on scratches. From that point I got into slam poetry and creative writing to work on my words. I was born in Sacramento but moved around a lot when I was little. I was living in Hayward, Fremont, Livermore and most recently I was in San Francisco. Then I’d go visit my Dad out in Idaho growing up too. I would say I take my art seriously and I definitely pull inspiration from all the areas I’ve lived.

What influences you in making Hip Hop?

I would say listening to many different musicians and just life experiences. If I don’t have anything happen to me and I live in a box watching TV all day then there’s no inspiration for me. I need to have life smack me in the face hard enough with truth that I have an overwhelming need to release it. These songs and beats really help me let out my demons. Everyone needs an outlet. This is one of mine. I love hip hop, it has saved my life. No kidding.

Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?

I would say, I’m always looking for that new sound that I want to hear. I search for other MCs and bands that are creating the sounds I want. But, ultimately I’m only satisfied when I finish a track and can hear what I’ve been craving. My music is introverted at times or wild and out there with funny shit. I like to mess with rhythms that aren’t always the easiest to emulate. More recently I’ve been trying to find this ‘happy place’…Like in Happy Gilmore…where the flow goes perfect with the beats rhythm but I can sprinkle in some of these spastic movements for my own selfish reasons. HAHA

Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?

I have collaborated with Jason Norris most recently and “The Imposter” that was featured on your blog was created with him. I’ve collaborated with Nozebleed, Joe Human, White Horse, T.R.U.E., Ceruleon, T.I.P. Vicious and many more. I’m working on a track with Task1ne and another couple mixtape type tracks with my buddy Boney-Jay. I would love to collaborate with local groups DLRN and Sister Crayon. My dream collaborations would be with (MF) Doom, Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast and Nas.

Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?

Well, when I was first getting into it EL-P, Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, The Roots, Jurassic 5, Sage Francis, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and so on were “Underground Hip Hop”. Now, I mean, I can’t say most of those groups or artists are underground in the way that they were originally. My thought on the matter is hip hop is hip hop. If a small group of people know that you’re dope than that doesn’t change the fact when a million people know.

Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production?  And who would you like to work with?

I pull a lot of influence from electronica and early hip-hop beats when I make them myself. On early Sparks Across Darkness tracks I would produce the beat, write the words and Jason Norris would kill shit on the bass or guitar or both. Then our buddy Keith Mello-Hall helped us out on the drums. With this new stuff I’ve been getting a lot of help from producers and friends. So far, White Horse, T.R.U.E., themes, Joe Human, blacktrash&treasure and Chris Larsen from Buildings Breeding have all contributed to the creation of this record. It’s really shaping up nicely. I’m really interested in making a backing beat with programming and laying drums over it. Always have been, always will be. I love Portishead and Radiohead. They just both happen to end their names the same way. HAHA. I would love to work with Hit-Boy, Boards of Canada, DJ Premier, Phantogram, Why?, Tyler the Creator, The Neptunes and pretty much anyone who’s making great stuff.

Who is your favorite Bay Area MC?

Well, that’s a trick question. Can I say Tupac? Oakland or LA… I’ll say Del. He’s up there. Deltron 3030 is a classic in my book. And the stuff he did with the Gorillaz is still in my steady rotation.

Any current or future projects you are promoting?

Working on the creation of this new record and I’m shooting for an early 2015 release date. I don’t have an official title yet. There’s a track called “Find My Way” featuring T.I.P. Vicious and we’re working on a video for it this summer. That’s the first video for the album. Also, I’m playing a show August 31st at Amnesia in San Francisco to debut some of this new stuff.

Where can we find your music and info?

You can find my music on soundcloud and information on facebook. Follow me and ‘like’ me to stay up to date. You wont be disappointed.

10-Any shout outs?

Shout out to all of my family and friends for your continued support. You guys always reassure me when I have doubts. Your love is enough. Shout out to White Horse for sending me some amazing beats that inspired me to start this record. Shout out to the haters. Shout out to my true day oners. Shout out to [Working Title]!