Can you tell us what you have released so far and who you have produced for?
I have released a few different things over the years, all of which seem to be in various forms and formats. In 1999 I had done an instrumental song for a Thrasher Skateboarding video, entitled Skateboarding 101. An honor for me because I’m a skater (not a good one, mind you), but still, I remember when skateboards were banana-boards..hell, I remember metal wheels! Having seen that to what skating had evolved into, and to make music for that, was incredible. Later, I met up with two people who came to be very good friends of mine, Dreas and Meatyogre of Heardrums Records. The label itself was based out of Chicago, IL and released limited edition 7”s (500 pressed each time) and released some of the most beat heavy, head-nod, and trance inducing bangers I was hearing at the time. This spoke to me, the rarity, quality, and being on a 7”. For me it was an honor and privelege when Dreas said that he was down to put out a track of mine “Sunset At Midnight” with Meatyogre as the flip with “Summer Child” (this seemed like fate to me since we are both summer children, who, being Leos, are ruled by the Sun). From there things picked up pace a bit, and I met more people, made more connections, and tried to put more out (albeit still a little too slowly). I co-produced a track for Adeem, the title track off his “Sweet Talking Your Brain”, followed by producing a track for Refinery Records’ first release (as well as serving as A&R to obtain half the tracks). I then began to work with Galapagos4, producing all the interludes and an instrumental beat for Mestizo’s “Life Like Movie”, and have since been part of various compilations including their 2G4, Our Christmas Bonus, etc.. I have also done a mix in which I’ve mega-mixed the entire Heardrums catalog (something I plan on re-issuing), and of course you know about my current release “Reheated Naan & Curry” on Galapagos4.
I have heard only snippets and tracks on your myspace but it´s obvious that Reheated Naan and Curry is heavily influenced by the oriental music. How did you discover this genre?
Yes, you can hear two of the tracks off the album, “The Arrival” and “Silk Dealers of New Delhi”, on my myspace page (myspace.com/deejayom), and the music itself is heavily influenced by both Middle Eastern sounds/music and Western music. My intention with this was to make a psych/beat/garage song, a gangster rap beat, Bollyfunk dancefloor madness song, spiritual jazz, etc. all of which would fit under the “Middle Eastern” umbrella; and all of this was mega-mixed in order to provide the listener with a journey. I discovered all of these styles of music through my love and interest in music, whether it was listening to The Beatles “White Album” when I was 12 years old, hearing The Skullsnaps “It’s a New Day” for the first time in college, watching a Bollywood movie with some friends in SF, or something like digging through thousands of records to find a Ananda Shankar record. I’m just a student, I listen, observe, take in, and do my best to create something new and different because of it.
I came up with that title. The idea to call it “Reheated Naan & Curry” came out of my deep love for Indian food, and food/cooking in general. I’m what you would call a foodie (although, being a vegan I’m a very picky one…haha), and I love food and I love to cook, and have been doing so for over 25 years. The title is about naan (one of my favorite breads, ever!) and curry (delicious, fragrant, spicy) and the idea of reheating is to take what was already there and make it hotter.
Your album was mastered by the guy who worked with hip hop legends like 2Pac, E-40 or Too Short. How did that come about?
The man’s name is Ken Lee, and he is a legend in the Bay Area. He’s done far more than just rap/hip-hop, including things like Sonic Youth’s first album, the Original Mastered Recordings for Pink Floyd “Dark Side of The Moon” and Bob Marley’s “Exodus”, and much much more. It was an honor to meet him and to have him work on my project. I was put in contact with him through a friend who does all his label’s mastering with Ken. He was nice enough to allow me to come through and talk with him and hang out for a bit, then I had to leave so he could down to business. It was an amazing experience, and the highlight was when Jeff, owner of Galapagos4, and myself were at his studio getting ready to listen to the mastered version of my album. He sat at his computer, facing the studio monitors, his back to us, and he was bobbing his head to my beats asking “what do you think of it?”. To see him moving to my music was one of the highest compliments, and he said he really enjoyed the album!
I heard that each press kit is supplied with a small bag of curry powder. Who came up with this idea?
This was my baby, so I came up with everything, from start to finish: to put naan on the cd, to have it rest in a bowl of garbanzo beans with curry, the back and front. Of course I got help! My graphic designer is probably one of the best in game right now (David Castillo of dwcastillo.com). I gave him the concept of the cover (me in a suit holding naan and curry, with a the heart behind me and the rays), but what he gave me back was exactly it! I wanted it to have a psychedelic feel and to fit in with Bollywood soundtrack album covers. He did above and beyond his job and it was very eye-catching, but I know how the music business is, and how hard it is to really make an impression or a mark on someone. So, I thought, hey 85% of memory is olfactory (smell) based, so why not add a bag of curry to the promos. That way when someone opened the package it smelled like curry, then they saw the title of the album…bang! I thought that would have a great impact, I know it would for me if someone did that with something they sent me, plus it’s those little cool things that make art great. I wanted to be able to stand behind this album 100%, from cover art to music to promotion…everything! And I feel like I’ve made something I can stand behind.
With you being from San Francisco, how did you hook up with Galapagos4?
Through Meatyogre. He’s been a good friend of mine for a number of years now, and he’s really helped me out more than I can say. He’s introduced me to a lot of people, and been a great friend. Besides all of that, he’s probably one of my most talented friends (I have a lot of talented friends mind you), but he is an amazing drummer, dj, producer, singer, songwriter, and an all around great dude. I’ll save how I met Meatyogre for another time, but I’ll just say it was while I was out digging in Chicago for a business trip. We’ve been great friends ever since.
What is your beat-making process like? What goes first? The drums? The sample?
It’s always different. I don’t follow a pattern, because then I think I’d get in a rut, or just be monotonous. I am always trying to evolve, and with that I have to be a student of many different styles. I’m trying to experiment more, and make music that will be appealing to my fans, something that can be interesting, captivating, fun, danceable, contemplative, or just straight up head-nodders. It’s important for me to express my different styles and emotions in my music.
What´s going on with Heardrums? Is the label still in the game?
Still in the game! We’re about to release a new 7-inch which will blow your dome. The new Meatyogre beat is ridiculous! Seriously banging. I’ve spoken with Dreas, owner of Heardrums, and he said he plans on putting out more records, and more regularly. So, definitely be on the lookout!
I read that you are into fengshui. Can you tell us more about it?
Well, feng shui is the practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. It’s basically a way of trying to make it so that there is a “flow” and harmonious feel to your environment. Currently, my girlfriend and I are working to make out house something which is calming, flowing, and welcoming. If you come out to San Francisco, you’ll have to let us know what you think! J
