Music
The wisdom of Thundercat in 6 enigmatic quotes
We chat to the eclectic Californian bass maestro that all the coolest people in music want a piece of
If there's one thing you can say about Thundercat, it's that the dude is versatile. Over the last few years alone, the Californian-born musician has worked, played and collaborated with everyone from hip-hop hero Kendrick Lamar, to soul icon Erykah Badu, to punk band Suicidal Tendencies, to jazz star Kamasi Washington, to experimental electronic pioneer Flying Lotus, to... well, you get the picture.
We were lucky enough to shoot the breeze with him recently at the Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal, where he was mentoring the next generation of musicians to do big things. Here's six quotes that give an insight into his unique genius.
1. Improvisation is a good thing
"That's been a challenge for me, growing up – having to pay attention to the song I'm playing, compared to what I'm supposed to be doing which might be soloing or improvising. I feel like it meets in a very interesting place with music, because there is a place where the format of a song can guide what's going on – which is almost the complete opposite of improvisation, where it's in the moment and inspired. But I feel like they work together – and that's where jazz exists and a few other art forms. I dunno; I try to use as much improvisation as possible in my music."
I try to use as much improvisation as possible in my music
2: You should never stop trying to discover and learn from new music
"I've actually taken a step back because I feel like after the Kendrick album, the push for me to be involved with him would be a bit overwhelming. That's another reason I appreciate Red Bull, because I feel like there's an open door to collaborate in the right way, when people are not trying to take advantage of my name as an artist. I do find that every time I take part, I enjoy it.
"Right now, I'm enjoying the fact that I'm getting a chance to play again. There's a few possible collaborations in the future, but I don't wanna necessarily throw them out there until they actually start to happen. I'm just trying to stay clear-headed, open-minded and listening to new music. A few of the [RBMA] participants have actually turned me on to new music to check out, so it's almost giving me life a little bit. People forget that that's the essence of what we do – communicating in different ways, showing ideas that we're into and sharing those things with each other."
3. There is a time and place for politics – and it's not Twitter
"The politics thing... it's almost like everybody's always bombarding you with it, and even if you didn't want to have anything to do with it, you just have to. It's uninspiring, sometimes, when somebody's consistently pressing an issue when it comes to certain stuff. I'm always on Twitter talking stupid shit, but that's the reason I never talk about anything serious on Twitter – because it's just a waste. It's already jumbled up in there, it's a bit overwhelming so again, you have to go in a bubble sometimes, take a break, take a step back."
I never talk about anything serious on Twitter – because it's just a waste
4. Spirituality is cool
"I think people are so scared to have a bit of an opinion, that you hide it for the sake of the bigger idea – but those things are actually still things that make up your person and what causes you to connect to things that are bigger than you. So you can't deny it or put it on the backburner because it's not popular – it still exists, y'know? It's something that a lot of the music and creativity can stem from, too, so we can't downplay those ideas just cos they're not popular opinion anymore – like 'Just cos we have the Internet now, there is no god'. (laughs).
"I definitely agree that spirituality and the things that define a person's spiritual make-up directly affect you – even when it comes to views on everyday life, it's always a part of the process. I think the intent in the original is beautiful, so if we can always find those moments that are connecting points again with communication, there's always a chance and always an open window to create, and an open window to connect. I think that's essentially what's important – because at the end of the day, it's not like we're not gonna die. It's not like there's this one guy that's like, 900. Maybe Nosferatu, but I dunno."
Peoples' personalities come out in the studio – and sometimes in the worst way
5: Studios are not cool
"Oh man, I hate studios – I gotta be honest with you. It feels a bit fractal. It's almost like that one scene at the end of Enter the Wu where he dies and he's going over the rooms and can see the different versions... it's like being able to walk into somebody's bedroom over and over again. You catch 'em off guard, you catch 'em on guard, it's beautiful. I'm just completely fucking with everybody – bust the door and say 'What are you doing?!' [laughs] I might walk in with a bass or a big-ass bottle of wine, and say 'Play me your music!' and then I'll just show them faces of death and leave [laughs]. "I've had some great and terrible times in the studio with people. Peoples' personalities come out and sometimes in the worst way. What they expect of you sometimes... especially with major labels, it can get really weird."
6: Being a touring musician is great, but so is going home to his cat, which is named 'Turbo Tron Over 9000 Baby Jesus Sally Hot Carl'
"I've toured on the road for so many years, so that's the life that I actually know. It's nice to come home and have a moment to chill, but I'm moreso gone than I am home. Even with this [RBMA], I've been here for almost two weeks – you'll go home and pet your cat for a little bit, be like 'Hey, Tron!', try not to burst into flames as soon as you walk in the door, maybe watch TV for a little bit and then leave again. (laughs) That's just how it works."
Drunk is out on February 24 via Brainfeeder.
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