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LAist Interview: TD Camp of Bored Stiff
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Things got off to a rocky start between us and TD Camp. We think he possibly knee-jerk reacted to our review of the new album "From The Ground Up" (see the comments), and wanted to give the San Francisco native a chance to tell his side.
Bored Stiff's album comes out today, click here to check it, blah blah blah... OK! here's the interview:
LAist: Whats life like as a musician/record label owner?
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TD Camp: I'm a producer/DJ/record label owner. That means lots of late nights in the studio or clubs and endless work on the computer.
What's cool about your new album?
Bored Stiff's album is very authentic. The music is mostly sample based using rare soul, jazz, and funk sounds, and the lyrics really capture the way the group was feeling while recording. It's smooth sounding, but raw in sincerity and originality. You can listen to it on our website.
What is the hardest part about your work?
The work never ends. I love my job, but right now it's a 24 hour a day job...
Do you smoke weed? If you do, or if you don't, what do you think about medical marijuana?
I do smoke from time to time, but I've found that I get more done when I don't smoke often. I was taught to give thanks when smoking and respect weed. Clients in my studio smoke all the time. There aren't many rappers I know that can go to the studio without a couple blunts. As for medical marijuana, I'm all for it. Sure people abuse the system, but that's because it's stupid that it's illegal to begin with. I think it's great that there are stores all over the Bay Area that sell really good trees, but it's a shame many youngsters don't know anything about Rastifarians and their history.
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LA has the best.....?
Plastic surgeons, clothes & underground Hip-Hop crowds and scene.
When are you going to tour, and when does LA get to see you?
That's still in the works... Promoters, get at us. We're getting plans together for a San Diego to Seattle tour, but none of the dates have been set yet.
What do you do for fun?
I love what I do for a living, so DJing and making music are at the top of my list, but I also like to get together with friends and clown each other. Traveling somewhere new & good food is always fun too.
What other things are you working on?
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I have an album coming out later this year called "Face to Face". It has songs I produced with artists like Snoop Dogg, Hieroglyphics, Mac Dre, San Quinn, Planet Asia, Q-Bert, Goapelle, Zion I, Bored Stiff, and others. It's a tight balance of artists mostly from the Bay Area. I'm also working with a group called Co-Deez. Their second album will be out in 4-5 months or so. Their debut album "Royalty" is really good music. Look for all of that stuff on our website.
What do you think about the geography of hip hop? Like the way they do it in the south vs. the Bay vs. East Coast, ect.... What do you like, what don't you like, and why?
I listen to everything, but my favorite music is stuff that references, samples, or builds upon music from the past. Since I'm a DJ, I feel it's really important for me to find my favorites, and figure out what works with different crowds. Sex and violence sells so the club scene usually wants strip club music from the South, and others want to act hard. Now the Hyphy movement up here in the Bay, is mostly youngsters from the suburbs. Most of the rappers I know think that shit is played out and silly. I get tired of the monotony and feel like there's a lot of people left out. Music of the 70's & 80's had a mature side, a soulful side, a playful side, and a serious side to it. But since the corporate music industry is tryin all it can to survive, it's dragging music on a whole through the mud tryin to sell the lamest shit. It's a shame cause kids listen to it all, and have nothing to learn from it.
What are your favorite movies, shows, and music about LA?
About LA??? Movies/Shows: "Lords of Dogtown", "Training Day", "Rob & Big", "Threes Company" too many...
Music... I like old skool. Bobby Jimmy & the Critters, Pharcyde's first 2 albums, Ice Cube " Amerikkka's Most Wanted", "King Tee "Act a Fool", The DOC "No One Can Do It Better", Jaylib...
What is your LA pet peeve?
Since the entertainment industry budgets are mostly in LA, everybody moves there and seems to forget where they came from. A lot of people from LA are real snobs, and look down at the Bay (not all of y'all)...
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It's 9:30pm on a Thursday. Where are you, and where are you going?
I'm at my studio, just finished engineering a session. Now it's time to make a radio/clean version of Bored Stiff's new album, so the bigger stores can play it. Nothin all that exciting...
What last words would you like to say?
Help put the soul back in music y'all... Support good independent music. It make a big difference. Trust... One Love, TD Camp
Photo via Hella Records
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