Listening to mash-ups is basically one long of game of "Name that Tune". Rarely do they create a bona-fide, rockin', new song (Girl Talk you don't have to read this intro, we love you). Also, rarely does the mash-up utilize Canadian music...until now!
On Friday, the Empress of New Music Canada, Mary-Anne Korosi, passed me along to this wicked mash-up site called The Hood Internet. Not only do these two guys make wicked tunes but they use Canadian artists.
Here's an e-mail interview I conducted with them.
Chris Kelly: Who are you? Where are you from?
The Hood Internet: Me and ABX both live in Chicago and play in the same band, May Or May Not. The Hood Internet is something we do on the side.
CK: I was sent your site because it was the first mash-up I had ever heard with Broken Social Scene's music and as I scroll down I see you have sampled Feist and Crystal Castles. How did you get into the Canadian music?
HI: Well, Canada is the next closest country to where we are in the U.S., so it just makes sense. I think once we've exhausted sampling Canadian bands, we'll move on to Mexico...
CK: What made you want to put these two drastically different genres
(rap and indie) together?
HI: It's really about efficiency. We understand that people are busy and they don't have time to stay up on indie rock and hip hop. By combining the two, we are helping people cut their listening time in half, allowing them to have more time to spend with loved ones. And that's what it's really all about when it's not about efficiency. The Hood Internet brings people together.
CK: Explain the process of mashing songs up and how you know when
you've found the right match.
HI: Technically, you need a basic command of an audio program like Acid, Live, or CoolEdit. Spiritually, when the right mix happens, the motherf***ing clouds will part.
CK: Do you genuinely listen to both styles of music?
HI: Yes, we genuinely listen to and enjoy both styles. The only music I disingenuously listen to is that song "Pony" by Ginuwine. I just can't do it.
CK: What's the deal the legality of all this?
HI: It's not like we're selling these tracks for profit, so I think it's pretty legal. If any of the artists we're sampling actually felt their intellectual property had been compromised, then we'd take the post off the Hood... although once something hits the internuts, it's kind of hard to make it just disappear, you know?
CK: Oh, I know. Thanks!
(When checking out the site may I recommend listenig to "I'm a Flirt" feat. R.Kelly and Broken Social Scene or "Yoshimi Battles The Purple Robots" feat. Cam'Ron and The Flaming Lips)
