Interview : The Optimen
August 11th 2010 11:39
With a five year wait between their debut and sophomore record, The Optimen have not rested on their laurels. MC K-West took time out to explain the reason behind the delay were Zombies, the influence of 80’s rap and parachute pants.
Whats been happening in The Optimen camp lately?
We've recently appointed scout master Sammsonite as camp leader. As such, he is now on permanent ghost story and marshmallow detail. He acts like he hates it but Sammsonite is all about being at one with the wilderness.
The new album is a cracker, give us a rundown on it?
Hate crimes and racist remarks aside (music media is always tryna keep the white man down), the album is essentially over an hour's worth of our shortlisted selection of works from recent years. We actually cut several songs we really liked just because they didn't suit the overall sound of the album well enough. The new album is very 'musical'. Sammsonite and DATS have crawled out of their insular, structure-centric shells and developed much 'bigger' beats this time around. We have some of our Boomtown fam on the album (Tommy, Rainman, Adverse, Kel, Archetypes, Lachie Laneous and Lazy Grey of course) as well as some of our overseas rap star idols (Jehst and Phil the Agony). It's really a beginning-to-end listening experience. You get much more out of it listening to it in its entirety.
The track ’80’s Babies’ pays homage to the eighties scene, who were some of your faves?
80s Babies was more a 'memory lane' sort of track about what we were doing before turning 10 (in 1990). The only rap I'd been properly exposed to in the 80s was Run DMC, Beastie Boys and, through no exploration of my own, 'White Lines' by Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel etc. It wasn't until highschool that I learned about Newcleus and Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie and Slick Rick and Cold Crush and everything else - some of my favourite old school music is Australian (Park Bench Royals and AKA Brothers - both so dope, san!)
Do you see any similarities to hip hop now as there was to those guys in the eighties?
Definitely. Motherfuckers still rocking truck jewels. But RIP to the back up dancer. Your parachute pants and bare-chest vest ensembles will be sadly missed.
Money, or the lack of is a constant theme on the album, how frustrating does it get when you’re establishing yourself in music?
There's good days and bad days.
Has there ever been thought of throwing it in and getting shitty jobs?
I already have a shitty job. Just so happens that it pays pretty well. It doesn't give me as much time to write the rap as I would like, but that's the price you pay for the life you choose. I used to be on the other side of the fissure: unemployed and getting up to not much good. That never gave me much fulfilment so now I'm aiming to fill the void with semi-expensive material possessions - Alright!
Are you always on the look out for samples to use in songs or do you choose once it comes time to record?
Always. I listen to 'original' music much more than I listen to hip-hop and this has been the case for several years now. I actually listen to hip-hop in the same way, most of the time:
I'm listening for a line to jack for a cut, or to base a theme around. Making music definitely sucks the enjoyment out of listening to it - haha.
It’s been 5 years since the debut album, why the wait?
We lost the master and so had to embark on an Indiana Jones-style adventure to retrieve it from the zombie Nazis. Turns out it was in the pocket of my OTHER pants all along.
Well, you can imagine how embarrassed I must've been.
The album has received positive reviews across the country, how gratifying is it to know that everyone digs the record?
It's definitely good to know that people like the album. It'd be even better if they bought it or came out to our shows when we come through your town!
It appears there is a real family vibe for all the artists in Red Tape, how important is those friendships when making an album like this?
"You didn't know? Friends make better music than strangers." - Evidence of Dilated Peoples on 'Caffeine'. I guess because we all came up in the same environment and very much around each other we can all relate to each other on some level and there is a lot of cohesion there when it comes time to put a track down. Also, Sammsonite has a monopoly on the Boomtown recording racket, so if anyone rubs him the wrong way, their new mixtape will be shelved for another year.
You’re in the midst of a national tour with the exception of Perth, why did they miss out?
Because not enough people bought our album. If it hasn't become obvious by now, we don't make our music for the masses or with the intention or aspiration of being 'the next big thing' but at the same time, we invested a considerable sum into producing, manufacturing, packaging and advertising it. We can only give what we get back with the sort of sales figures we have. We'd love to get out to Perth of course but, sadly, as it is, we're going to be cutting dates before adding any. If we can get flights paid for five of us and a reasonable guarantee, then get in touch! Haha.
You played at the FBi radio gala recently, how was that gig? How important is it supporting independent radio stations like FBi?
That was a great gig. The spirit of truly independent media (especially radio!) is a beautiful thing. Was great to have a chat to cats like Ozi, Hau, Rivals, but also to connect with some fans. We sold an album to some kids who were about to head off on a road trip across the country and wanted our music to be the soundtrack for it - that was pretty cool. Unless they get caught up in some John Jarratt / Wolf Creek kind of scenario - in which case, we assume no liability, but hope it turns out okay.
Finally, what would be the first track you’d put onto a mix tape?
I'm very secretive with music, so it depends who the tape was for. If it was for general public consumption, it'd have to be something to set it off in a big way - probably some MOP.
If it was for my iPod then probably some 70s prog rock with an epic, extended guitar solo with lots of distortion and some dope drum breaks.
The Optimen “The Out Of Money Experience” is available now through Red Tape Records.
Whats been happening in The Optimen camp lately?
We've recently appointed scout master Sammsonite as camp leader. As such, he is now on permanent ghost story and marshmallow detail. He acts like he hates it but Sammsonite is all about being at one with the wilderness.
The new album is a cracker, give us a rundown on it?
Hate crimes and racist remarks aside (music media is always tryna keep the white man down), the album is essentially over an hour's worth of our shortlisted selection of works from recent years. We actually cut several songs we really liked just because they didn't suit the overall sound of the album well enough. The new album is very 'musical'. Sammsonite and DATS have crawled out of their insular, structure-centric shells and developed much 'bigger' beats this time around. We have some of our Boomtown fam on the album (Tommy, Rainman, Adverse, Kel, Archetypes, Lachie Laneous and Lazy Grey of course) as well as some of our overseas rap star idols (Jehst and Phil the Agony). It's really a beginning-to-end listening experience. You get much more out of it listening to it in its entirety.
The track ’80’s Babies’ pays homage to the eighties scene, who were some of your faves?
80s Babies was more a 'memory lane' sort of track about what we were doing before turning 10 (in 1990). The only rap I'd been properly exposed to in the 80s was Run DMC, Beastie Boys and, through no exploration of my own, 'White Lines' by Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel etc. It wasn't until highschool that I learned about Newcleus and Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie and Slick Rick and Cold Crush and everything else - some of my favourite old school music is Australian (Park Bench Royals and AKA Brothers - both so dope, san!)
Do you see any similarities to hip hop now as there was to those guys in the eighties?
Definitely. Motherfuckers still rocking truck jewels. But RIP to the back up dancer. Your parachute pants and bare-chest vest ensembles will be sadly missed.
Money, or the lack of is a constant theme on the album, how frustrating does it get when you’re establishing yourself in music?
There's good days and bad days.
Has there ever been thought of throwing it in and getting shitty jobs?
I already have a shitty job. Just so happens that it pays pretty well. It doesn't give me as much time to write the rap as I would like, but that's the price you pay for the life you choose. I used to be on the other side of the fissure: unemployed and getting up to not much good. That never gave me much fulfilment so now I'm aiming to fill the void with semi-expensive material possessions - Alright!
Are you always on the look out for samples to use in songs or do you choose once it comes time to record?
Always. I listen to 'original' music much more than I listen to hip-hop and this has been the case for several years now. I actually listen to hip-hop in the same way, most of the time:
I'm listening for a line to jack for a cut, or to base a theme around. Making music definitely sucks the enjoyment out of listening to it - haha.
It’s been 5 years since the debut album, why the wait?
We lost the master and so had to embark on an Indiana Jones-style adventure to retrieve it from the zombie Nazis. Turns out it was in the pocket of my OTHER pants all along.
Well, you can imagine how embarrassed I must've been.
The album has received positive reviews across the country, how gratifying is it to know that everyone digs the record?
It's definitely good to know that people like the album. It'd be even better if they bought it or came out to our shows when we come through your town!
It appears there is a real family vibe for all the artists in Red Tape, how important is those friendships when making an album like this?
"You didn't know? Friends make better music than strangers." - Evidence of Dilated Peoples on 'Caffeine'. I guess because we all came up in the same environment and very much around each other we can all relate to each other on some level and there is a lot of cohesion there when it comes time to put a track down. Also, Sammsonite has a monopoly on the Boomtown recording racket, so if anyone rubs him the wrong way, their new mixtape will be shelved for another year.
You’re in the midst of a national tour with the exception of Perth, why did they miss out?
Because not enough people bought our album. If it hasn't become obvious by now, we don't make our music for the masses or with the intention or aspiration of being 'the next big thing' but at the same time, we invested a considerable sum into producing, manufacturing, packaging and advertising it. We can only give what we get back with the sort of sales figures we have. We'd love to get out to Perth of course but, sadly, as it is, we're going to be cutting dates before adding any. If we can get flights paid for five of us and a reasonable guarantee, then get in touch! Haha.
You played at the FBi radio gala recently, how was that gig? How important is it supporting independent radio stations like FBi?
That was a great gig. The spirit of truly independent media (especially radio!) is a beautiful thing. Was great to have a chat to cats like Ozi, Hau, Rivals, but also to connect with some fans. We sold an album to some kids who were about to head off on a road trip across the country and wanted our music to be the soundtrack for it - that was pretty cool. Unless they get caught up in some John Jarratt / Wolf Creek kind of scenario - in which case, we assume no liability, but hope it turns out okay.
Finally, what would be the first track you’d put onto a mix tape?
I'm very secretive with music, so it depends who the tape was for. If it was for general public consumption, it'd have to be something to set it off in a big way - probably some MOP.
If it was for my iPod then probably some 70s prog rock with an epic, extended guitar solo with lots of distortion and some dope drum breaks.
The Optimen “The Out Of Money Experience” is available now through Red Tape Records.
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