By: Karen Steinberg
Photo By Benjamin Koelling (benko.creative)
Q) Your music is a mix of reggae, rock and hip-hop and much more. How would you describe your sound?
A) I’d say your description is fairly accurate if you had to pick a few main genres.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) My dad played a lot of Abbey Road and Full Moon Fever on the stereo growing up. In my formative years, alternative radio and anything on MTV were my main sources of input. I felt instantly connected to the music of Sublime and 311 when I first heard them. The internet exponentially opened up my influence, and I spent some of my younger years deep diving into underground hip-hop and DJs.
Q) Your album First Light is out now. What are some themes that you explore on it?
A) Self-acceptance and growth are a big part of where I’m at now.
Q) This new music sounds like a next level for Tropidelic. What was your song writing process?
A) We brought on a new combination of producers for this record, Craig Brodhead and Spencer Thomson, who really did a great job. Rob [Schaefer], who plays keys/trumpet in the band, wrote some killer productions as well. I also have gotten a lot better at seeing through an overall vision and project management. I think all those things were important to the sound of this project.
Q) Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) I do usually work off music first but keep a running list of lyric ideas and, once in a while, the lyrics will lead the way before the music.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) There might be sometimes where I’m not necessarily in the driver’s seat depending on the song, but I am certainly in the front of the car at all times as it relates to production. If anybody else was driving it was largely Craig, but Rob brought some near-complete productions to the table for this album including “No Fear.” Spencer was our mixing engineer who added a final layer of production to the tracks that really took them to the next level. Rex [Larkman], who plays drums in the band, was also very helpful on the production side as well as Chris DiCola who I worked with on all the vocals.
Q) My favorite tracks on the album are “Therefore I Am” and “Drift.” Which of these songs on the album hold a special place in your heart and why?
A) I am particularly fond of “No Fear” – it feels directly connected to my heart at the time I wrote it. It was one of Rob’s productions.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole – either as an emotion or message?
A) At this point in my life, I just want to uplift and leave people in a better place after having heard the music.
Q) You’re out on tour this summer. What can fans expect from a live Tropidelic performance?
A) You can expect the high energy show we’ve become known for with a mix of new and older songs.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) I enjoy the lesser seen parts of the country. Generally, anywhere we are appreciated, it feels good to be.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I’ve been listening to the Love Deluxe album by Sade this week. She is incredible.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you for everything and all your support on this journey. We are truly blessed to have you on this ride with us.
All Questions Answered By Matthew Roads