5 Questions with A-Trak
5 Questions for A-Trak:
Madison Music Review (questions were written by Seth Clayton) had the opportunity to interview the Montreal DJ and turntablist, A-Trak. We are looking looking forward to catching his show at the Majestic on Friday, May 6th @ 9PM with Special Guests, Kid Sister, The Gaslamp Killer and Vinnie Toma . Make sure to get your tickets soon, they are selling quickly.
1. MMR: How old were you when you started spinning and what got you into it?
A-Trak: Legend has it I was 13 when I started. I simply got hooked to scratching, trying to figure out every scratch I heard on records.
2. I notice you use a great deal of pop music to make a different type of music that has more of a cult following. What are some of your favorite artists/influences?
Yes I mix up a lot of genres and cross-references. My favorite artists… the Beastie Boys, Kanye West, Daft Punk, Mobb Deep, J Dilla, Mr. Oizo, Three 6 Mafia, Soulwax/2manydjs, Siriusmo, to name a few. I have other favorite artists who I just listen to but don’t really influence my music (Zeppelin / Stones kind of stuff, obviously).
It was surreal. I think it took me a few years to really comprehend how unique that experience was.
I don’t know if I would call it life lessons but I definitely absorbed a lot, especially from Kanye. I only briefly worked with Jay-Z. But Kanye is a close collaborator. His artistic integrity is admirable, and so is his drive, the way he pushes himself to always be better.
I have never been! I’m looking forward to it.
