It’s been a while since I was genuinely impressed by a new artist or group.  I’m from Massachusetts.  Home of extreme competitors and haters.  Just look at our sports teams.  I never would have guessed that a duo from Kentucky and Indiana would jump out at me and make me wanna do an interview.  I don’t usually interview people.  I rap.  The beauty of the internet and having your own website is being able to build with people in unique ways.  So I decided to build with these cats who go by Dr. Gonzo and Nacirema who just released a new project called “Scanners”.  Gonzo and I have been in contact for some time.  I remember the production he did for a previous album by Nacirema called “Jesus Piece”.  They had this joint called “Thundertown” which immediately sparked my interest on some real rugged, dark, hype shit.  Gonzo let me know that these two had a side project in the works called “Scanners”.  One of the first “Scanners” tracks I heard was “Fade Machine”.  After hearing this song I knew these cats didn’t play around in the studio.  When I listen to Hip Hop it always starts with the beats for me.  As a MC, this is one of those beats I wish I got to rock.  Weird syths mixed with jazzy keys and horns.  I was sold.  Nacirema comes in and holds his own.  His flow rides the beat lovely with a strong voice and stylish wordplay.  Since then the duo has released a full length album.  Dr. Gonzo and Nacirema Presents: Scanners.  

“Scanners” is from the 1981 science fiction film by David Cronenberg (The Fly, Crash, A History of Violence). What inspired you to make a project with the name “Scanners”? 

(NACIREMA) We took their slogan “their thoughts can kill” and ran with it. Two minds that can create some dangerous formulas. Its like a thunderstorm thought process. The thought patterns of a profound producer and visions of a peculiar lyricist that together create beautiful chaos.

Dr. Gonzo you live in Clarksville, Indiana and Nacirema lives in Louisville, Kentucky. For those that don’t know, your cities are real close. How did the two of you connect? 

(GONZO) Polio introduced us, and I did two tracks for him on Jesus Piece which was his previous album. We got to be really good friends aside from the music side of things and one day we were in the studio vibing and he heard the Fade Machine instrumental and just kind of looked at me like a lightbulb went off. He knocked the track out the next day and we decided to work together exclusively for a project that became Scanners. 

Dr. Gonzo, what is your process when it comes to production?  What are your weapons of choice?

(GONZO) I’m all over the place with my production. I use my Roland MV8800 along with my Soundforge alot. My beats usually bounce back and forth between all of my platforms before being finished. I love having alot of versatility so I actually have my PC ran into a channel of my Mackie Onyx 1640, that is ran into my quadcore MacPro via firewire. So basically my PC becomes an instrument. It allows me to set up beats on my PC on ACID, and move them over to my Mac for tweaking, and then I can tap out a drum loop on my MV8800 to suit the track I’m working on. Sometimes I’ll only use one platform for a track, but usually it bounces back and forth several times before being ready to go.

Nacirema, as a fellow MC, I found myself torn when it comes to writing in a notebook or my lab top. The labtop is much more clear and easier to read, but I can’t hold that damn thing when I’m in the booth. I always forget to print out my lyrics so I’ve found myself going back to using my good old notebook. What’s your writing process and do you use any new technologies?

(NACIREMA) I have become custom to both. I tend to use the laptop a lot due to being able to type faster than I write and still be able to read it. I still have a journal of lyrics though. I tend to head out to public places and sit sometimes and just write so the rhyme book is used frequently. Its funny you mentioned that about holding the laptop though because in the studio I stacked things up until it was eye level so I wouldn’t have to hold it so I know where you are coming from. 

Collaborating is alot different now with the internet and email. Artists can create albums without even meeting in person. Are you two able to collaborate in the lab together or do you send each other material back in forth?

(NACIREMA) As for Gonzo and I, we can work both ways. We tend to do most of the stuff in the studio. Sometimes though, he will be down there late and create 3 or 4 canvases and send them to me and Ill write at home then head over there when I complete the versus. I have collaborated with several artists over the internet from the states and other countries. I love the fact that you can connect with so many more heads this way. It gives you the opportunity to cross state lines and pick up on what’s happening in other places when it comes to the scene and culture. It gives you a chance to see how others perceive it and gives you the opportunity to share yours.

What is the Hip Hop scene like in Indiana/Kentucky for those that are unfamiliar? 

(NACIREMA) It has its up and downs. On one hand, there are a lot of rappers and not enough lyricists. On the other hand, there are a lot of dedicated artist and a lot that needs to be heard from both sides. I think there could be more unity and I honestly think if that would occur more of tent, it could put a lot of heads above water and get heard. Street teams are an important factor as well and its hard to locate that generally. Overall, we stay up on what is happening. We have our generals and guardians that breathe life into the elements and keep it alive.

With a new decade on the rise, we can expect some new developments in the music world for 2010. More artists are releasing their music as “Free Downloads” while making money in different avenues. How do you feel about “Free Downloads”? 

(GONZO) I’m really more into getting a buzz going in other area’s so I’m extremely open to free downloads. I will say at first when Nacirema approached me about selling our cd’s for 5 bucks, I was a little against it because of the work we put in it, and its an 18 track all original album. But now I’m open to anything that will let people hear us that normally wouldn’t get the chance. People like you are pivotal in helping spread our tunes, so if you download any of our stuff and dig it, please spread the word. If you’re interested in entire copies of the disc you can get at me.

What can we expect from you guys in 2010? 

(GONZO) There will be another Scanners album for sure, Nacirema and Baron Von Yuckmire (Weaver) will be putting out a new 245 trioxn album, I’ll be producing Polio’s second solo album, and alot of D.O.H. tha Jokers second album, And I’ll also be putting together a compilation cd that will feature mc’s from accross the country, maybe E’s gonna jump on it (hint hint). It’s gonna be a busy year for the Grimey Rhyme Regime.

Give a listen and learn more about their music by checking out “Scanners” here.  The new “Scanners” record is now available and you can show your support by getting a copy of the original CD here.   Special thanks to Dr. Gonzo and Nacirema for taking the time to build with Kinda Dusty.  

Scanners-Thundertown

Scanners-FadeMachine

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