September 6, 2006
Barfly
- by Chaps
Introduce yourself, crew affiliates etc.
My names is Barfly. I am a member of Seattle, Washington’s Oldominion Crew. I’m in a group called Candy’s .22 with Existereo of The Shapeshifters as well as a Seattle based pop rock group called The Saturday Knights.
How did you get started in hip hop?
Back before hip hop was so dorky, I got put on. Punk Rock was already dorky by then so I knew I had to act fast and get into something less dorky, so I got into Hip Hop, which it turns out is really dorky, too. I’m currently setting my eyes on the horizon, looking for something less dorky to come down the pike but it all looks bad from where I’m standing. It’s because I’m getting old.
Does the Pacific North West have a unique sound and what challenges or advantages are associated with being an mc from this region?
Yes, the Northwest has a unique sound. The challenge is getting people in The States to be excited about something unique so I can eat off this before some inspired motherfucker who’s younger, smarter and better looking pinches my swagger and does what I do better than I can, leaving me in the poorhouse while he gets group-rate bob jobs for his pornstar girlfriends. That’s my struggle. It’s never over, but always overrated. …Or was it overpriced? I can never remember that one.
How did you become a member of Oldominon? Can you give me an accurate run down of the current membership?
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. It goes, “I was chatting online and…”
I met Oldominion in Seattle back in ’99. Did a cut with them the night I met them all, moved back to Seattle a full-time contributor with them in early 2000.
As for a role call, I’m sure some people are big enough fans to sit here and read through a list of about 30 names that mean absolutely nothing to anyone but us as most of our membership are not recording artists. The most publicly active figures would be Onry Ozzborn & JFK (Of Grayskul), Mr. Hill, Sleep, Dim Mak, Coley Cole and myself but keep an eye out for Snafu, PeGee13, Iame, Anaxagorus and NyQwil. NyQwil is wild.
How did you link up with Existero and form the super group of Candy’s .22?
It was just mean to happen. We’re cut from the same cloth. Both of us grew up running around Hollywood, being fuck-ups. We have similar interests and backgrounds. I ran into the homie at a show in Seattle. Got really wasted, pimped his ass to the two chicks I was living with who proceeded to pet-rape him that evening and he’s been grateful and loyal ever since.
What is the meaning or story behind the name?
Simple math. Chicks are sexy. Guns are sexy. A Chick’s gun is compounded sexy, so we were gonna be a chick’s gun.
You have released two albums as a group how would you describe each and which one do you like best?
I have grown partial to Livin La Vida Boo Hoo. Factor really gave us a cohesive, well crafted album and I can’t wait to work with him again.
You teamed up with Canadian producer Factor for the Livin La Vida Boo Hoo album how did that come about and what was that experience like?
We recorded most of it one weekend in the desert East of Los Angeles. It was treacherous.
Your name would indicate that you enjoy consuming alcohol. What is your favourite regional beer?
Wildcat Strong! We can’t get it in the states. Anything called “Wild Cat Strong” is gonna be in my hand every chance I get.
You worked with Mr. Dibbs on your new Mixtape. How did that come about?
Mr. Dibbs owns Self Core Records, the label who puts out my solo work. We’ll be releasing my first solo effort later this year. It’s called, “I’ve Been Worse” and I’m very proud of it.
What is your best hip hop related experience or moment?
Going to jail and getting shot! (duh.)
What are you listening to these days?
I listen to Dios (Malos), Billy Squier, The Decembrists, Dip Set, Li’l Wayne, Ghostface, E-40, P.O.S., The Black Keys, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Art Laboe Oldies tapes, PGMG, Modest Mouse, The Shins and so on and so on, you get it, you get it, you get it.
What inspires you to create the songs that you do?
Listening to people. I might be a decent writer but that’s only because I’m a helluva listener. The shit that falls out of people’s mouths from day to day is amazing. Motherfuckers are poets and don’t know I’m just plagerising their lives.
Also, I had a rough life growing up. No Nintendo, no sock monkeys. Just cigarettes for every meal and a lot of gun play.
How would you describe your music?
It’s all wrong. My approach makes perfect sense to me but I know it comes across as disrespectful to the culture the way I straddle genres with no irony or apology. I’m just making music is all. Not really trying to describe it or label it.
What are you currently working on?
Working on finishing up The Saturday Knight’s album and getting that into the release phase. I have an indie release with Mr. Hill that’s done. New Candy’s .22 in the works. I’m in the crawling stages of developing another solo record. I’m feeling a lot of pressure to take a couple more steps forward in my growth as a songwriter, so I’m more critical than ever about the songs I’ve been working on for this.
Who would you like to work with in the future?
Juelz Santana, Ben Gibbard, Terry Date, Jane Weidlin.
What do you think of Canadian hip hop and who are some artists you like?
I like a lot of Canadian Hip Hop. I like D.O.A., SNFU, Cee!!!!!!!, Epic, Josh Martinez, Prev Wonder, Buck 65, Sixtoo, A Silver Mt. Zion and all that mess.
What does Barfly stand for and against?
I stand for old ladies on the bus and I stand against the wall when there’s no seats at the bar.
Do you have any stories, shout outs last words?
Petition your government to permit my entrance into your fine land. Either that or let me trunk it across in your ride!
And we love Crown Royal!
…and Hockey!
