Interview #25 - Moshe

קען ניט זאָרגן ווייניקער

When I started up this series of interviews, Moshe was one of the first people I wanted to do one with. I don't know why I never got around to it until now, but better late than never I guess. Being the man behind Milled Pavement, one of my absolute favourite record labels these last few years, as well as releasing great music on his own was the main reason for me to invite him to do this. Him being devilishly funny and nice was another one.

Can you please tell us about who you are, your background and how you got in to this crazy thing called music?

What up?!, I’m Marc Shepard, some know me as Moshe. I began DJ’ing as a little dude, spinning tracks at local high school dances and parties in the late 80’s. Once I was old enough to play at clubs I started looking for a place to spin underground hip-hop – the unconventional shit at that time like Sole, Arsonists, Saafir, O.C, shit very few heads had on their walkman. I got my first turntable from high school friend Moodswing9, and learned to blend from a few local legends like DJ Nicotine & Dale Da Dred. After scratching records with a few different groups I started producing my own tracks. My first album was Milled Pavement release number 001.

I've heard rumors that you have a new EP coming up. What can we expect from that one, and how come it took so long to release it? 

The rumors are true, Suffering Makes for Great Bedtime Stories, will be released sometime this year on Milled Pavement Records. The album features vocal styling’s from Noah23, jamesreindeer, babelfishh, EVAK1, Brzowski, Monsieur Saï, THMS, Riddlore?, Swordplay and more. I started the EP over a year ago, but have been concentrating my creative side towards DJing filthstep, touring Europe with fellow brother-of-the-beard, Brzowski, and running the label. Winter in Maine is the perfect time to lock yourself in and make things happen.

You're the man with the plan behind Milled Pavement, the big cheese so to speak. Can you tell us about how the label all came about, and what are your views about its development so far? 

Milled Pavement goes beyond Moshe truly, we are a conglomerate of artists working together towards a common goal. I mean, I may have the final say, but it truly is a group effort.

Once I released a few of my own albums under the MP label, I figured I could help other like-minded artists do the same. I was meeting other producers & mc’s from all over the world on websites like Myspace and MP3.com who eventually became part of the extended family.

What does a typical day look like in the life of Moshe? What are you up to when you’re Marc and not Moshe?

I wake up, get coffee, smoke 40 cigarettes and see what happens. I don’t recommend this, however.

Apart from the EP, what can we look forward to from you in the future?

I’m currently working on an album with wonky producer 32french, a new Desert People project should be starting up soon with Mike Clouds, an upcoming 12” release and full length album with Brzowski will be started soon. I’ll also be releasing more filthstep mixtapes this year (if the dubstep producers stop making trap music and get back to the filth).

What are your influences? What made you the artist that you are today? 

As a youngster I was highly influenced by early death metal bands like Slayer, etc. and then 90’s hip-hop. As I grew older I was into a lot of downtempo beats, hip-hop instrumentals from artists on Ninja Tune, Shadow, etc.

You are without a doubt one of my favourite tweeters, because you never seem to care what other people might think of what you say. Is this a typical trait for you?

Absolutely! Ha. I’ve never cared what others think of me. That could be a curse, but I don’t care! Truthfully I enjoy making people laugh, and Twitter is a great outlet for that.

What do you want to accomplish with your music?

The music is the accomplishment. Having people listen, and enjoy what I do only makes the process that much more fulfilling.

Any final words?

Big ups to you for thinking of me! Shouts to the entire Milled Pavement Records fam, EmBen Digital and 2-99 Records.

http://www.milledpavement.com/
http://www.twitter.com/moshstep
http://www.facebook.com/moshemusic
http://www.soundcloud.com/moshe-1
http://www.mixcloud.com/moshebenyitzhak

Sadistik - Flowers for My Father

It's a true joy to see an artist constantly evolving, improving, reaching. Sadistik is one of those artists. Someone who doesn't settle for what's easy or trying to fit in with what everyone else is doing. He strives to bring out the personal in everything he does, and we as listeners get to enjoy beautiful music because of it. I really liked The Balancing Act when it dropped back in 2008, and ever since then he's slowly but surely picked out his own path with his music. 

Flowers for My Father is 13 songs of some of the best hip hop out there at the moment. Well, let me rephrase that, it's some of the best music out there at the moment. Simply defining Sadistik as a hip hop artist is only restricting him, and he's so much more than that. Flowers for My Father is a great start of the year for him and for Fake Four Inc.

Rating: 8/10

Serengeti - Saal

I like Serengeti. You never quite know what to expect each time he releases a record, and that's something I admire. When I first put on Saal I was really pleased. I liked the soulful, singy album that sometimes are as far away from typical hip hop as you can get. He doesn't really get away with his new style though. At times he borders on the sound of Buck 65, and that's a good thing. All too often though he borders on the style of another Canadian rapper that I won't mention by name here. And that's not a good move. 

Even if I still like the album, I get less and less impressed by it, and I don't think that this is one of the Serengeti records that I will return to very often.

Rating: 5.5/10