Nuanced. - 104. Quake Matthews: Canadian Rapper, Singer & Songwriter

Episode Date: April 17, 2023

Aaron Pete interviews Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter Quake Matthews. They discuss Quake's journey into music, including his start in the rap battle scene. The conversation also covers Quake's latest album, "The Myth X," with a focus on specific tracks and their themes. Quake also gives insights into his latest single 'Try' and his upcoming album, "The Dark Room," which is expected to feature more introspective and personal lyrics, exploring themes of mental health, relationships, and self-discovery. Quake Matthews is a Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his introspective and socially conscious lyrics. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Quake began his music career in the early 2000s and has since released several critically acclaimed albums, including "The Book of Matthew," "Rap Music," and "Celebrate the Struggle." His latest album, "The Myth X," released in 2021, is a collaborative project with producer and DJ, DJ IV. The album showcases Quake's versatility as an artist, blending elements of hip-hop, trap, and electronic music to create a unique and engaging sound. With tracks like "I'm Fine" and "Way Up," "The Myth X" explores themes of personal growth, mental health, and the challenges of navigating the music industry.Check out Quake Matthews: https://www.quakematthews.com/Chapters:0:00 Introduction1:41 Rap Battles5:23 Representing Halifax7:27 Working with Classified11:46 Way Up ft. Snak the Rapper16:30 Hailey's Comet Song20:12 I'm Fine ft. Bishop Bigante & Ghetto24:52 Try by Quake Matthews31:13 Upcoming Album 'The Dark Room'32:39 Tim's TakeSend us a textThe "What's Going On?" PodcastThink casual, relatable discussions like you'd overhear in a barbershop....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the shownuancedmedia.ca

This is the Bigger Than Me podcast. Here's your host, Aaron. My guest today is a rapper from Halifax, Nova Scotia. In his music, he talks about overcoming adversity, looking at it like it's an opportunity, being strong when the days are dark, and reaching that full potential that I believe everybody has. My guest today is Quake Matthews. Quake Matthews, it's such a pleasure to sit down with you, today. I'm a huge fan of your music. I can't wait to dive into some of the incredible songs that you've made. Would you mind introducing yourself for people who may not know you?

Quake Matthews, uh, hip-hop artist and producer at a Halifax, Nova Scotia. Um, been doing this thing a long time. First album dropped in 2010. New album is dropping later this month, so I'm still going strong and grateful to be here. Let's go. That's so exciting. Can you talk a little bit to start about coming from Halifax, Nova Scotia. It comes out in your music, you share, you're very proud to come from there. I'm just curious as to what that means to you. I mean, it means everything to come from Halifax.

I've traveled all around this country, done multiple tours around the country, and there really is no place like Nova Scotia. I feel like we're a special breed down here, and the vibe is unlike anywhere else you're going to go in Canada. And I don't think I'm being biased. I think it honestly is a fact. I don't know what it is, if it's the East Coast Air or if it's the rich multicultural history or what it is, but the vibes are immaculate here and definitely proud to be from here.

You got started on that battle rap scene, and I'm just curious as to how you got into this industry and how that impacted you. Yeah, so that was the first thing I kind of started doing to make a name for myself was battle rapping in clubs. and I was like 14, 15 years old, and I used to have to get a permission slip signed by my parents from the Liquor Commission, like the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission, to ensure that I was going to go in there and wait in the kitchen of the club and then leave immediately after performance and consume absolutely zero alcoholic beverages. And, you know, we had to put out, my parents had to sign off and be 100% liable because they're strict, you know, the liquor, if the liquor inspector comes in and sees the underage kid in there. They can lose their license. And so there's

a lot of money at stake in people's livelihood. So I had to, I had to behave myself. But I ended up being successful in those type of battles. And that's what really put me on the map in the city from an early age. Why rap? What pulled you into those rooms? What made you want to start to share your voice in such a unique way? I always loved the music from when I was younger. My parents always had records on at the house. It wasn't rap at that time, you know, but from like three, four or five years old, my dad loved Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart. And I just remember him playing the records and putting little pennies on the needle to weigh it down. And like, those vivid memories are still in my head. And so when I started school, of course, my parents would have to go to work

before school started. So I had to go to a babysitter's two doors down for that little hour or two hours before school started, and my babysitter had sons that were, I think, seven and nine years older than me, two older boys, seven and nine years older than me. And they had this extensive music collection from rap to punk rock. And, you know, at five years old, hearing doggy style by Snoop Dog, I think that was my first experience with rap. And I was like, what the fuck is this? Like, this is nothing like what my parents are listening to. I love this. And so I got into it that way. And I also liked punk rock at the time, Green Day and smashing hunkins they had and all different sorts of music.

And it just made me feel something I never felt before. It was such a rebellious energy. And I can remember I was listening to music that my book buddies, my older book buddies were not allowed to listen to. They're like, how do you have this tape in your walkman? Like my parents won't even let me listen to this. And they'd be in like grade six and I'd be in great primary. I was like great primary. So yeah, I got introduced young.

just fell in love with it and it's been like that ever since. Is there something a catalyst that made you want to share your voice that made you think like I have something to say I need to get my voice out and talk about this? I have a bit of, uh, I'm super competitive for one. So anything that I'm interested in, I dive into and I want to be the best at it. That's number one. I'm very competitive and, uh, I feel like there's nothing I can't do. And I always wanted to be the best at whatever I did, whether it was sports.

or music or any other avenue I got involved in. So naturally, I was like, I think I could do this. And then I think I was, I don't know if I have OCD or not, but I was quite obsessive. Like when I would latch on and something, I would rehearse and study and practice to the point it was obsessive. And I just wanted to be the best. And I think that, you know, that frame of mind helps or help me, you know. One of the challenges I see from a previous generation now is this disconnect because maybe there isn't super famous rappers in your own community that you can look to when you're growing

up in comparison to like Detroit or other locations where they have giant names where everybody's like, I want to be the next M&M or Big Sean. There's those big names where everybody knows them. And it seems like you've helped kind of spawn and grow this industry within your own community. And I'm just curious as to what that meant to you because the industry, internet wasn't as big as it is now where people are so connected and you can start and have your music go viral from small communities. And I'm just curious as to how that came about for you. Yeah, yeah. That means a lot to me. That means everything to me. Like you said, there's not

really too many I could look up to. One in particular was classified though. And so when I saw him making a living and actually, you know, generating an income and a livelihood off doing what he loves, which is this music, it gave me hope. And I think that's super important. I think kids have to be able to see that it is possible. I think I read something one time. I forget the amount of time it was, but nobody ran a mile under whatever the time was. Like, no one ever did it. And then one guy did it, then all of a sudden, when he did it, a bunch of other people beat it. Like, you know what I mean? So it's like, I feel like us as humans, we have to see that it is possible to do something or to get that inspiration to feel like we can actually do it, to feel like it is attainable.

So if I can be that person for kids coming up and they can take it even a step further than I took it, then that's blessed. That's a blessing, man. It's evolution. And that's where I think sometimes the universities get too much credit for creating students because I would say you're a student of the game. You're always studying, learning, observing. And we don't give the same recognition, the same pride in people like yourself who are doing it behind the scenes. and not taking as much credit for it because it's not a formal institution, it's not an official title. But if we're talking about Classified, we have to talk about small talk. How did that song come about for you?

I mean, I've collabed with Class before, mostly on production, but there has been a few songs we did where other people were on. But I've never, we've never had one where it was just me and him. Never. Like, it was always either like a bunch of other people on the song or a couple other people. people or maybe part of a posse cut and i felt it was time that like all right i really need to do one with you man like i looked up to you all growing up you were a big part of my influence in my younger years um so i was like i think it's time and i was honored that that he did that with me and um i think that i don't know i think it was just such a natural conversation on the song

i'm so happy it turned out that way because that's exactly what i wanted i wanted to just talk to him as a bigger brother, as a role model, and get his advice and bicker back and forth as brothers do in real time for the world to see. I think we accomplished that. I think that that was one of the beautiful elements of it is there was a conversation taking place that I think happens so often behind the scenes, but we don't actually get to see people reflecting on how to grow and how to look at things because when you're coming up, it can be a challenge and you can feel like why like who's supporting me what's going on and being able to have that conversation of like you got to stick to it you got to keep pushing forward uh despite what

everybody else is saying you can do this and that's really what came through in that song yeah yeah exactly that that was the the main objective so i had uh i had this other song um that he agreed to get off for that album and he was gonna it would have ended up being that and then at last minute i was like you know what i have this other idea let's what do you think of this and he loved it and it took us a while to finish that song like i think it took like probably like six sessions at his spot and then even when i wasn't at his spot we're still going back and forth from like sending shit back and forth and a lot went into that one that's probably like the song i worked on the longest in my entire career wow we also

need to talk about way up because it's it's gone very well on youtube it's hit a lot of people and there's one line in particular that stands out to me, but I'm just curious as to how that song sort of came about for you. Yeah, so that song came about, um, honestly, I just heard the beat and I heard the beat off my phone, um, Maddie Galaxy and my boy Big Joe, they sent me the beat and I heard it sometimes when I get beats, I'll listen off my phone and then if it passes the phone test, I'll go put it on my real speakers, but this day I was like upstairs, my studio's downstairs and I heard this beat on my phone. I'm like, man, this is different. Like I stood up out of my seat. I'm like, this is something. And yeah, so I went downstairs. And I don't know what

I was listening to at the time. I can't remember. It might have been something Travis Scott or something. I think it was like his adlet by her straight up. And I was like, I just started saying way up. I dragged it out a little more than his one. And I just started saying way up. And then I was like okay there's so many things that relate to way up like you know i'm way up like i'm way up you know there's a lot of possibilities for metaphors and similes when you just use that phrase so that's what i did i just put my own spin to it and then i had one verse and the hook for the longest time ever and i was like man this needs somebody like a big feature and i put it on my instagram story i was like who do you hear on this let me know you know just a little clip and then snacked

the Ripper hit me up like probably within like two minutes of the story beating up he goes take this story down i got you and i was like all right cool say less let's get it and then he did his verse super quick and i remember him putting something on his story like he hasn't been this inspired uh with a song being sent to him in a while or something so he was like genuinely into it and then the rest was history man i went on tour across Canada with him performed it every night went out there I shot a video with him, and it was the start of a beautiful song and a dope friendship, man. That's so cool. You have one verse in there.

I don't see nobody watching. Do it big and make my moves in silence. Work like puff till I got puffy eyelids up all night because I just trust the process. There's this inherent work ethic that you have of going behind the scenes, not looking for recognition of all the effort you're putting into these songs. And I just, I think that's so important because the greats do it all behind the scenes and then you see this finished product that's just incredible and we'll never really understand all the work that went in behind the scenes. Can you talk about that? Yeah, I want to break that down because I feel like this line might have went over a little head. So what you just said is very true, but there's also another layer to those lines. So Biggie said bad boys move in silence. Bad boy is the record label, you know. So I do it big. What I say, I don't see nobody watching, do it big, and I just move in silence, and then up all night, work till I got puffy eyelids.

Puffy alludes to, you know, Puff Daddy, Puffy. So bad boys, big, puffy, you know, just something little hidden wordplay in there for people who might not have called that one. But yeah, I think that's everything. Work ethic is everything. And I've seen it time and time again where hard work beats talent. pretty much every, every time. There's so many, so many people I've seen in all avenues, whether it comes from music or sports,

that have the most naturally gifted talent in the world, but usually, well, not all the time, but usually when people have that talent, it comes easy to them, they never have to put in the work so they don't become used to doing the work, so everything comes easy, so they fizzle off in the end. See, someone like me, I had a little bit of talent in the beginning,

but I wasn't always the most naturally gifted. So I learned how to have a work ethic. I learned how to have that hunger to want to get better. And, yeah, basically that's kept me going my entire career, I think. I think that's beautiful. And you also have talked about this bringing back this classic essence of hip-hop. And I think when I found you, that's what I felt was that there's this renaissance taking place of going back to some of the names you were describing. and I'm just interested in your style is very unique

in comparison to some people who are more just about the verses and the lines and an upbeat sound like you've got some of that more classic sound and I'm just curious as to how you've been influenced by other generations of rappers man like you said before in the interview I'm a student of the game and uh you know rappers when I was growing up was like

it was different man like they were literally like our religion like our religion like our are superheroes and we had favorite rappers whereas now I think I think kids now mostly like songs like different songs like I like that song from this guy or that song because it's the playlist era but I'm from the era you know we had the tape and you might not have listened to another tape for two you know two three four or five months a year sometimes and so I think that just made it so that we had more appreciation for the artist. Like we had favorite artists, you know, they weren't disposable.

They weren't hot one day and then, oh, he's not cool anymore than next. And there wasn't as many. So it wasn't as, it wasn't like things get lost in the shuffle and there wasn't as many choices to choose from. So I think that just me having that fandom and having that, looking up to these guys, it really shaped who I was as a man and it's stuff. with me the entire way through, you know? I think that's so important because we lose that connection and then we don't understand

the lyrics as you just described as thoughtfully because when it's just about the next song and the next line, we don't have that same connection to the depths and the connections that your songs can make when you make a new song and you reference the old song and all of these things. I think there's a beauty in the connection that you make with an artist. Of course. Of course there is. And it's, yeah, Like you said, it's a beautiful thing And I think it still exists today Like I think we are also on the other hand

Quick to say, well, it's not the way it used to be Like, I think there is There's tons of great music and there's tons of artists I see Making a strong connection with their fans And building their fan bases and doing it independently It all exists, you just got a mind for it So you can find whatever it is that you're into You just got a mind for it these days

It's all out there, you know? Absolutely. Haley's Comet is another one that I think is elegant because it has this connection to a bigger idea. Obviously, Haley's Comet. And you have this line here, look, I ain't still have my firstborn, but when he gets here, I'm going to show him how to work for it. I'm going to teach him that happiness is within. If you're checking underneath the skin, you ain't really got to search for it. Ain't no greater gift than the present.

You've got to cherish this very moment. It only happens once in a lifetime, Haley's Comet. Mm-hmm. How did this song come about? How did you get inspired by Haley's comment? I think just, just, I think that Haley's comment means being present. Like, it happened, like, this second, me talking to you, this very second happens once in a lifetime, then it's gone. I'm never going to get that second back.

And I think I was learning how to become more present because they say that anxiety is worry about the future and depression is worry about the past. And when you come to just be more present, the mind is free. The mind is relaxed. And I think that's basically just what I was trying to say was I was sick of searching for happiness and all these external places and external validation. And if this comment says my shit is good, it's good. And if this, I wanted to end all of that and just look within and find the happiness from within. And I think that was my point.

And I think the way to achieve that. is being more present and stop worrying about the past and worrying about the future and just be present and take life as it comes because each moment only happens once in a lifetime, Haley's Comet, you know? How did you connect with the idea of Haley's Comment? Were you watching the news? Because you tie in an actual news broadcast about Haley's Comment in your song, which, again, I think is just so beautiful.

Mm-hmm. I don't know how that exactly came about. I think I just had like the once in a lifetime thing. And then I was like, it's just like a puzzle. I'm like, okay, what's a metaphor that, what's something that happens once in a lifetime that's a beautiful moment and that brings light? And it just came to me, you know, and that's how the artist's brain works, I guess, sometimes. Sometimes you catch lightning in a bottle and it's a beautiful thing that's just inexplicable. Yes.

And you also in that song talk about raising your firstborn and the ethics and the values you want to teach them. And I think you've got a really adorable video on your YouTube of you guys going back and forth, I think over this pop stick or this food. And I just, I'm curious as to the ethics you're trying to raise your child with. Yeah, that's actually, I'm a step-parent. So I still don't have my biological firstborn. But, yeah, man, I started dating a really lovely girl. And she has a little daughter.

And it's honestly changed my life. it's changed my life a lot and I learned so much from that little girl it's incredible it's like I don't know man it's so inexplicable

it's like when the kid just the way from observing a kid you learn from your own mistakes in a weird way somehow it's like a mirror holding a mirror up

and when the kid makes you feel a certain way you're like oh man maybe that's how I made my mom feel when I did that when I misbehavior you know what I mean I don't like, it's kind of like, I don't know, it's such a beautiful thing, and it's taught me so much. But all I can really do is hope to be a positive role model and teach her that to be a good person

and to be driven and motivated and treat others with respect and love and kindness, you know. Incredible. One of my favorite songs by you is I'm fine, because I think it hits on a really important piece that people go through when they're creators, which is this drive behind the scenes but there's doubt mixed in with that and i'm just curious as to what inspired that song i just everything was everything was on its head the whole entire world was upside down we were in the middle of this pandemic uh mental health was down everyone was drinking everyone was out of shape eating terrible staying in their homes and i think it was a lot on a lot of people and you know what

is the first thing somebody says who is not doing so well when you asked them, how are you doing? Are you okay? Usually they say, I'm fine. I'm fine. So that was my idea behind the song. It's like, you know, I'm fine when really everything is not fine.

It's oftentimes the opposite, you know? Yeah. Can you talk about the lyrics? I love being the underdog, counted out and slept upon. I thrive when the pressure's on, so right about now I'm extra on. I think that that again, goes to this idea of being the underdog and being willing to own that and put in the work

and prove yourself not based on any one talent or skill, but based on the dedication. Yeah, I think, again, it just comes from me being competitive and I want to prove people wrong. I want to do everything you said I couldn't do. And I'm kind of like petty and spiteful sometimes too. Like, yo, I want to do this just to prove you wrong. You know, that that's my fuel, that's my fire. and a lot of times that is some of my inspiration

a lot of my best music sometimes I write with a chip on my shoulder or anger or any strong emotion for that matter. My music is used as a therapy for me. That's my outlet and so anytime I have an emotion on my chest, my music

helps me get it off my chest so it's competitive, it's emotionally driven and yeah, that's what it is man. I love it because the other line was, I learned to master the pain. I learned to cope with the feet, birthed in the ash and the rain, and I came back on that day and rose to my feet. And I think rising above those things and trying to reach whatever your full potential is, and I regularly say this, but I think at a certain point we stopped telling people that they could reach their full

potential, that there is something more in them that they need to bring out for all of our benefits so we can learn from them, so we can be inspired by them. And I think that that was one of messages in that line. I think the way to do that is to tell people that to embrace failure and to fail forward because we're so scared to fail because of we're in such of an internet era. We're scared to put something out and for it not to work because of judgment what other people are going to think. And it terrifies us and it almost stops us from trying. But the thing we're overlooking is that every loss or everything you do that doesn't work is actually a lesson on what not to do next time. So me, I've learned to embrace my failures, and it's much like the

Phoenix. The Phoenix had to crash and burn before it could soar again, and I think that's a strong message, and I think that in life, you have to fail. There's not one successful person walking this earth who just had a straight line to success without failure. It's not how it works. What do they say, calm waters do not make skill sailors, or whatever that quote is, you know, you need the waves to be choppy in order to learn that skill on how to be a good sailor. And I think that's the same in life. You need bumps in the road and success is not linear. So it's cool to fail forward because you're actually learning.

I love that because the one that I always think of is that trees only get stronger by facing strong winds. Their roots only go deeper when they experience that. And I think so often we forget that. So often we see the person when they've reached the pinnacle, when they've reached success. And we go, well, it only made sense that they were going to. get there and they don't see all the moments of doubt that preceded that. No, they don't.

So there's a clip I like from Nipsey Hustle and he's like, I felt every single emotion you could imagine. And the only genius thing I did was keep going and not quit. That's the only distinguishable feature that he did from everyone else that didn't make it was he just didn't quit and kept going. And I think it's true. And I think a lot of times when you look inside, you're closer to where you're going and then from where you started.

So the only thing to do is keep going. Because it's a longer way to go back, turn around and walk back, you know? Man, you are motivational. I also have to ask about your recent single try because that whole piece, that whole project looks fantastic. You highlight Halifax.

You highlight some of the cool spots, the beauty, the elegance, I think of like the rawness of the community, the real look of it. You weren't looking for just the glamorous water shots or anything like that. You really connected us with the area. That was actually shot in Hamilton, believe it.

Oh, okay, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we shot that, a friend of mine who passed away, Pat stay, rest in peace, that we're up for in Toronto for a battle rap event that the proceeds were going to his family. And I had this song, and ETG, who is from out west as well from BC. He was in town, and he knew I had this song because I showed it to him. And he's like, let's try to shoot.

something so really we had no plan for this video no treatment written we didn't neither of us have been to hamilton before that just happened to be where he was staying because his cousin lives there so there we were he's like can you meet me in hamilton i went to hamilton and i think we had like three days to do it but those in out of those three days we had like two or three hour windows so we're pretty much just like driving around like the day oh we found that house it was one of his cousins like, yo, can we use your house? And then things just started lining up. Like when the train goes by, that was not planned. Like, nothing in that video was planned. Um, but I think that Hamilton was the perfect city for that song to capture that song. And I'd never been there

before, but it, but it was, uh, I don't know, everything just lined up. Sometimes it starts a line and there's no explanation for it. It seems like a really healing song like you were processing some heavy thoughts. And I'm just curious about that. Yeah. Um, So the song is not necessarily about me. When we created it, when we created it, I was going through a lot of stuff, like I said, losing my best friend, tragically, losing a relationship that, you know, with the girl, I thought I was going to bury at the time. And so I was going through a lot, and we were in the studio in New York when that came about. And there was a girl in the studio who was friends with the producer, actually, who was doing it. And we didn't really have any idea.

he was just playing this guitar thing and she started telling me her story about how she's faced depression and addiction and she was going through a lot and, you know, I was comforting her and telling her, you know, I'm going through a lot too. I lost my best friend, you know, broke up with my girl.

And we had this beautiful, like, hour-long conversation going back and forth. And you know what? As the conversation was going and that guitar was playing, as soon as we stopped that conversation, that's when I pretty much wrote the entire song pretty quickly. Like, I would say

probably like half an out whole entire song, yeah. And just because the emotion was so fresh from that conversation, it really inspired the entire song. That's incredible. Yeah. The other thing you do really well are these food reviews.

You're, again, showing that light, shining light on great local places. I'm wondering how that came about for you. Honestly, they came about, they started in New York. I was in New York for like two months, two months just recording and working on this project. And I had my cameraman there with me to shoot behind the scenes content. And I mean, there's only so much in studio you can do, like me standing in front of a mic rapping, like how many shots of that can we get? So we had

this idea, you know, because I'm a big foodie, we started trying all these different food places. And I'm like, yo, what if we filmed this and reviewed it and just made it funny? And, you know, people might like it and then I started doing that in New York and people started liking it but then it started really catching on when I started doing it locally when I started doing it in Halifax the numbers seemed to go up because I think it was that people or the audience could actually go try these places and there was more of a communal connection with it so it's great man we've done a lot of places some of the business owners have said we've helped their business tremendously since we've been in there like one guy one place.

these deli said their business was up like 40% it's been flat out since we were in there and I love hearing stuff like that like it just means a lot to me man it's it's it's like you know it people get to see my personality and and you know keep my name fresh in their ears

and I'm helping local business at the same time I mean it's a win win and I think it's just a fun thing to do to um it's another full of expression you know I think that that's great because I hear so many rappers and artists talk about how They're so honed in on their music that they start to lose a love of it because it's everything they do all day every day that there's no zooming out. And this is just an opportunity to do something else to mix it up and stay creative. Thousand percent.

I don't make music every day. I don't. I don't make music. I don't know if this is right or wrong. I'm just telling you my process. But my music is when I have something to say. I can't just go. There's been so many times where I'll go and listen to beats for eight hours and try little things.

And I'm just forcing it. like I have nothing really important to say, and it doesn't work. But when I actually have an idea or something I need to get off my chest, it happens fairly quickly because it's natural to me. And then I learned, you know, in my process, I don't need to force myself to make music every single day. And another thing for artists, up-and-comer artists watching, if people get a chance to see your personality,

because I know like a lot of people do the mysterious thing these days, which is cool if that's you, that's your thing, do the mysterious thing. but if you have a personality and you're funny and you think people would like your personality, that's a way for people to go and start messing with your music too because there's been countless times where people I don't like their music necessarily

or I don't check for it. And I'll see their interview and be like, damn, like, that guy had some smart shit to say or that guy was a really cool, funny guy. And it makes me go then check out their music. So I think it all ties back. At the end of the day, you're a brand as an artist and things that make sense with your brand

to work together, I think creatively put all those things together and packets it into one brand. That's what I'm trying to do. That's brilliant, because I think it's important that you're having fun when you're doing this because there's going to be tough days, discouraging days. It does sound like you have something on the horizon, a new project coming soon. Are you able to talk about that at all? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So my new project is called The Dark Room.

It's an EP, seven songs. It's the most personal, heartfelt, introspective music I've ever. made in my entire life. As I said, 2022 was a difficult year losing my brother tragically, losing the girl that I thought I was going to marry. And, you know, even the pandemic was still weighing. Everything was all coming to ahead. And I let it all out in the music. And I think it's going to move a lot of people. I think a lot of people are going to be going through similar things. And I think a lot of people are going to relate to what I'm talking about on this project. So I can't wait for everyone to hear it.

I can't wait to hear it. I can't wait to tune into those songs. Quake, thank you so much for sitting down today. This has been such a pleasure. You have such insightful thoughts. Is there anything you want to leave the listeners with? Say, man. Let's go out there and do the best you can every day. Be you. Do you. We got one life. Live it. Enjoy yourself. That's it. Be nice to each. Be nice to each other. God, darn it. There's not hate in the world. I couldn't agree more. Thank you again so much for doing this. And salute. I appreciate it. We did it. We did it. Yep. What'd you learn? I'm always fascinated because you are tapping into people I've never heard of. So I'm getting at least used to, I'm going to go to YouTube and I'm going to search for Quake. And I did watch one video, the try one. And I thought it was, oh, okay, this is really cool.

And you're right. It has more of a nostalgic feel than some of the other folks that you've put. And I've been to Halifax a few times. I love it there. Oh, beautiful. Yeah, go lower decks. Lower decks. What does that mean? It's a particular waterfront area with amazing food. Yeah, he seems to be very proud of the food, and that makes me interested, because I love when people do it, and it feels natural, and you're having fun with it.

So no other genre that I know of between rap and hip-hop. People have pseudonyms. Do you know how and when that started or why that is? I don't know why that is but it's definitely been since the beginning and I agree in my opinion with Vin Jay that I do think that in a lot of ways rappers are the new prophets

and so they don't, when they're talking it's not them, it's often like the message that they're trying to share and I hear and listen to a lot of rappers actually struggle with it because one of the people who's actually coming here at the end of April echo He talks about how, like, I don't think people would love me, would enjoy my music, would, would care about what I have to say if I said I'm Jeff Thompson.

Like, I don't think that they would have that connection. And so for whatever reason, it's almost like their alter ego and definitely Eminem influence to that by going from Marshall Mathers to Eminem and then having Slim Shady and putting that hat on and you're getting a different vibe when you hear that. But certainly other artists have done that over the years. Yeah, that's interesting because it seems, and not being an expert in the show or whatsoever, that much of it is autobiographical, auto-biographical, easy for me to say. And yet they use a pseudonym, maybe it's easier to tell those stories under that guise. I don't know. I do notice that more and more artists outside of it are starting to move in that direction.

Like I interviewed an indigenous lady, Alia, and she switched that to be her title. on her music and so I think it's just owning whatever state you're in because the weird thing is like when Justin Clancy talks about like the music comes from somewhere and he's just channeling the energy that trips me out for days. Carrie Lynn talking about how she sees these images in 3D landscapes and then she goes and tries to put it into a 2D medium it was like where does it come from and she was like the creator like the source of all sources and it's like, what does that mean? From a logical, legal perspective, that is, like, incomprehensible to my brain. And so I think that that may be where it's coming from. Yeah, I think you're also

describing dreams to a point. Like, where does that come from, right? So, yeah, but it is some sort of inspirational thing that's going on in your brain, I think, I don't know. I find it really inspiring. I don't have it. I'm able to ask people questions about where it comes from for them. That's my skill set for sure. Cool. Another great interview. Thank you. As always, go subscribe on the Substack Newsletter, subscribe on YouTube, rated on Apple Podcasts, and share it with your friends. That definitely makes the biggest difference when somebody gives their own. I like this podcast. You should go check it out. That's more than Twitter advertising could ever do or any other form of marketing. It's that word of mouth kind of spread.

You know, I'm going to be