Q&A with Electro DJ Pumpkin

SoundCheck Arts&Entertainment Artist: The xx Artist: Bob Dylan Album: Coexist Album: Tempest Genre: Post-club rock Genre: Folk BY MYKEL VERNON-SEMBACH BY DANIEL DAW hen The xx opened up ew artists are as ubiquitously with “Intro” on their well-known as Bob Dylan. His self-titled release, the impressive career has spawned F35 studio albums, his most recent be- Wsimple rhythmic guitar became an overwhelming beginning to an ing Tempest, along with several live album that completely dominated and compilation albums. With over 40 both its own genre along with addi- years of performing, there is little to tional genres (Exhibit A: Rihanna’s say about Bob Dylan that hasn’t already “Drunk On Love” samples “Intro” been said. as its harmony.) Tempest showcases Dylan’s lyrcal When The xx opened up with mastery and a unique mix of styles, in- “Angels” on their second release, cluding folk, rock and roll, swing and Celtic. Coexist, it was a disappointment, (Photos courtesy of Pumpkin) to say the least. Unless releasing The album starts off strong with the worst track as a single is some “Duquesne Whistle,” beginning with a new publicity technique, front duo nice swing guitar line that sets the tone Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim for the rest of the song. You can hear Q&A with electro DJ Pumpkin made a mistake even placing it on Dylan’s age in his voice, sounding rasp- BY THOMAS STEINHAGEN the album. ier and deeper than in his earlier work. This starts looking up by Even if some consider his voice weaker he Lumberjack reporter Thomas Steinhagen and I love so many different kinds of music. Early on “Chained” and “Fiction,” but im- in this album, he more than makes up recently sat down with electro-remix artist in my career, I would play some shows really late at mediately goes back to sleep when with his lyrics and musical variety. Pumpkin before his performance at The Or- night and close to sunrise, and by that time you don’t Title track “Tempest” has a more Tpheum this past Friday. have to try so hard to help make people dance. And “Try” comes up. The xx’s producer, Jamie Smith, explained in an in- Celtic sound, featuring the fiddle and The Lumberjack: Why did you choose the name, that timeslot catered to more melodic type stuff that terview late this past year The xx accordion, and clocks in at six sec- “Pumpkin,” and where did you get all of your influ- I love and I recorded a couple of promotional mixes was aiming for a sound inspired by onds shy of 14 minutes — this is the ence? that were sort of all over the place genre-wise. And, “club music.” Not sure what club longest track on the album. The track Pumpkin: “Pumpkin” was one of the nicknames really, the only thing tying them together is that most music they were listening to, but is about the sinking of the RMS Ti- my mom had for me when I was growing up, and also of the songs have lyrics, and most remixes out there with the exception of a few tracks, tanic. Through his lyrics, Dylan paints my friends. So, it’s been a nickname that’s just stuck take only one lyric or one hook, when I try to keep the Coexist would put most clubs co- a beautiful yet terrifying account of the with me. It kind of happened when I first started DJ- original song intact. matose. While Coexist has drum disaster, which includes references to ing; it was under a different name. And then, when LJ: Tell us about your coming release, an EP machine beats, its lyrics are awk- and details about the wreckage, how it I got more into the stuff I’m doing now, it’s more coming out in a few weeks? Tell us a little about that. wadly soulful relationship lullabies. sank and how different passengers and melodic, and cute, for lack of a better word. And the P: Yeah, we’re tying up a lot of the loose ends, but Fortunately, they managed to crew members were thought to have name “Pumpkin” just fit in there — it just sort of fell we’re aiming to drop something at about the three- make some tracks like “Reunion” acted — as well as references to James in place. week mark. There are a few tracks up on Soundcloud and “Sunset,” both which provide Cameron’s Titanic. LJ: One thing I noticed is you like to blend to- where I collaborate with EVeryman, like “Good Day,” a good prequel to an evening of “When the Reaper’s task had end- gether a lot of different beats and styles together, and and my Zee Avi remix of “Concrete Wall.” I’ll also Top 40s and copious amounts of ed/ Sixteen hundred had gone to rest/ you create your own unique sound. Tell us a little have a few cover songs, new releases, remixes. I’m overpriced liquor. Yet, these tracks The good, the bad, the rich, the poor/ about going from one side of the spectrum with a re- very excited about that and I have a new side-project try extremely hard when it comes The loveliest and the best” exemplifies mix of “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Ma- doing the collaboration with EVeryman. He’s such to establishing rhythm (something Dylan’s dark and tragic lyrical style and chine to your recent collaboration with EVeryman. a good guy and we vibe so well that out of that one Baria Qureshi did very well before subject matter. Very few artists could Tell us a little about what influences your style and song, we decided to make a little side project making she left the band permanently). get away with a 14 minute song without why you want to make music under a broader genre ‘90s, good vibe style hip-hop. We sat down to make Coexist is a lame excuse for a main chorus. of electronic music. one other song, and wound up making a whole re- The xx as an album and because of Tempest is a strong album. The P: Yeah, man. With that, I feel so fortunate, be- cord. So, we have a new little side project called Little its mediocrity, falls from alt-indie musical qualities and world-class lyrics cause a lot of DJs and producers have to play with a Giants, and sometime in November, we hope to drop grace for the time being. show Dylan in his natural element and particular sound. If there’s a big dubstep producer, that. it is safe to say Dylan is still kicking. you can’t just go and make a house music record, be- LJ: That’s the whole reason why you’re perform- Best Tracks: “Reunion,” Best Tracks: “Tempest,” cause it will throw a lot of his fans off. So, it just works ing and we can’t wait to see you then. Again, thanks so “Sunset” “Roll On John” out that I have such a broad background of music much for your time. Sept. 20, 2012 - Sept. 26, 2012 | The Lumberjack 23.

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