You've probably never heard of him. Maybe you have. Either way, when revealing a new persona, there is an air of mystery, dare I say, intrigue that seems to trail along. This is natural. Speaking of nature, here is an associate of mine (who like many, is waiting for me to finish my side of the collab;) who I'm very happy to present to you. A producer with a certain je ne sais quoi. He specializes in down-tempo Hip-Hop, but don't let that categorical box define your limits. I think he's got a flavor that is unique in and of itself. It seems to draw from the very air itself. (If the suspense is killing you, scroll down to the music links and take a listen before reading the interview!) Besides his story is as extraordinary as the next. I bring to you, with pleasure, NATURETONE.
12:51: Hello Naturetone! Can you please give us an introduction?
NATURETONE: I've started making beats in the early 90s as a producer and MC with Swiss rap group 3TP (Three Tree Posse). We were heavily inspired by the Native Tongue movement and released two independent albums in 1993 and 1995, before we disbanded. After nearly ten years away from the craft, I have made a quiet return to the world of hip hop focusing on remix work and building a catalog of new beats.
12:51: What are your inspiration(s) for such a laid-back, yet very sophisticated sound?
NATURETONE: My inspirations range from music and literature to personal experiences. While working on my first solo album Nihon (released 2010) I was thinking a lot about my first trip to Japan in 2005. The cover of the album for instance is a photograph I took in Kamakura. I've also started to listen to traditional japanese music while making the album, artists like Aiko Hasegawa, Masayuki Koga and Yoshikazu Iwamoto. It was then when I fell in love with the sound of the Shakuhachi, the japanese bamboo flute. Since 2011, I practice the Shakuhachi myself.
NATURETONE: For my second album Turnings of the Sun (released in 2012) I was mostly inspired by literature. First I have read a biography about Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890) who went to Africa to search for the source of the Nile, venturing disguised into the forbidden cities of Mecca and Medina and traveling through India, the Near East and Africa. Around the same time I've also read T.C. Boyle's Water Music, a semi-fictional story about Mungo Park (1771-1806). After reading these books, I felt like making beats. In the process of making Turnings of the Sun I was listening to music from Nothern Africa and the Near/Mid East, artist like The Taksim Trio or Anouar Brahem and others. Of course, Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul and Funk records are always an inspiration too.
12:51: Your favorite piece of equipment and maybe a short story on gaining a break-thru with that piece of equipment or event involving that piece of equipment.
NATURETONE: I don't have much equipment. All my beats are made with Logic on an iMac, a Roland E-Piano and a Maschine by Native Instruments. What I really love is my Komplete Bundle (a set of virtual instruments by Native Instruments). It's easy to use and has great sounds from drums to sythenzisers. I love equipment that I can use almost instantly. Of course I'd love to have more equipment but I just don't have enough space at my home studio.
12:51: Name one of your favorite producers in any genre.
NATURETONE: I actually don't have a favorite producer. I guess I have to name more than one. First there is The Bomb Squad. I just love the sound of the first three Public Enemy albums. Hank Shocklee and the Squad did a great job. It was something new, it has so many layers of sound and noises and the soundscape they have created matches perfectly Chuck D's voice and lyrics. I am still enjoying these albums today.
Then Prince Paul. It was 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul that triggered my "I wanna make beats myself" feelings. Stetsasonic were cool and his production for 3rd Bass was great too (so was the Bomb Squad's). And of course DJ Premier. I just love that rough New York sound.
12:51: How big of an effect does nature have on your sound?
NATURETONE: Nature always had an effect on my music. Three Tree Posse (my group in the 1990s) was an ecological Hip Hop crew. Our lyrics were mostly about rainforest destruction, ozone layer, exploitation of sources. Unfortunately the situation in the world hasn't changed a lot. These days I am not rapping anymore, so I try to incorporate nature into my sound. Like I said earlier a lot of inspiration comes from places I've been to or literature I've read that makes me see pictures of landscapes in my mind.
12:51: Closing comments, product advertisement or links the people should know about.
NATURETONE: You can download my music for free on BANDCAMP (naturetone.bandcamp.com)
You also can follow me on FACEBOOK,
and on TWITTER (twitter.com/naturetonemusic)
And make sure to check out other artists from WORLD AROUND RECORDS!
NATURETONE PLAYLIST on YOUTUBE
