Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Last time I corresponded with Jason Chung a.k.a. Nosaj Thing was right before 2011′s FYF. I thought I’d get back in touch with the Los Angeles-based experimental electronic musician before he plays this weekend’s show alongside heavyweights like TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and My Bloody Valentine… Yes, he’s as cool as his music is heavy. MW: You mentioned to me that you moved from Pasadena to Downtown L.A. Has the different environment, architecture, and energy affected your outlook or approach to music? JC: I’ve always been sensitive to my environment. Downtown has brought out some of my old self somehow–I think in a good way. MW: I haven’t seen you since the Octopus/Drift days. Will I even recognize you or your music at FYF this time around? JC: Probably. I just got older and depressed! MW: How was your recent trip to Asia? JC: I actually just got back. Feeling inspired. I don’t know what it is but Tokyo woke me up. I need to move there sometime. Vibes… MW: I was stoked to find the Mary Anne Hobbes session on your site. I know that’s ancient history to you, but can you tell me about it? JC: She’s been a longtime supporter and I just thought I’d do a special mix to play some unreleased music from friends and myself. I’m working on a new mix now. MW: The recent Chance the Rapper project was really interesting. How did it happen and unfold? JC: The guys from Yours Truly reached out and thought it would be a good fit. I was already feeling Chance’s style and everything came together naturally… It’s a special track. MW: It’s rad that you’ve worked with members of Blonde Redhead and M83, as well. I love those bands. Anyone else on your wish list? Maybe someone at this weekend’s shows? JC: Karen O, please. Find out more about Jason and his music at nosajthing.com and then dig his set at FYF on Saturday, August 24. Shockingly, there are still some weekend passes available for the fest in beautiful Downtown Los Angeles.
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Last time I corresponded with Jason Chung a.k.a. Nosaj Thing was right before 2011′s FYF. I thought I’d get back in touch with the Los Angeles-based experimental electronic musician before he plays this weekend’s show alongside heavyweights like TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and My Bloody Valentine… Yes, he’s as cool as his music is heavy. MW: You mentioned to me that you moved from Pasadena to Downtown L.A. Has the different environment, architecture, and energy affected your outlook or approach to music? JC: I’ve always been sensitive to my environment. Downtown has brought out some of my old self somehow–I think in a good way. MW: I haven’t seen you since the Octopus/Drift days. Will I even recognize you or your music at FYF this time around? JC: Probably. I just got older and depressed! MW: How was your recent trip to Asia? JC: I actually just got back. Feeling inspired. I don’t know what it is but Tokyo woke me up. I need to move there sometime. Vibes… MW: I was stoked to find the Mary Anne Hobbes session on your site. I know that’s ancient history to you, but can you tell me about it? JC: She’s been a longtime supporter and I just thought I’d do a special mix to play some unreleased music from friends and myself. I’m working on a new mix now. MW: The recent Chance the Rapper project was really interesting. How did it happen and unfold? JC: The guys from Yours Truly reached out and thought it would be a good fit. I was already feeling Chance’s style and everything came together naturally… It’s a special track. MW: It’s rad that you’ve worked with members of Blonde Redhead and M83, as well. I love those bands. Anyone else on your wish list? Maybe someone at this weekend’s shows? JC: Karen O, please. Find out more about Jason and his music at nosajthing.com and then dig his set at FYF on Saturday, August 24. Shockingly, there are still some weekend passes available for the fest in beautiful Downtown Los Angeles.
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FYF Festis coming up on Saturday, and I can’t wait to bake in the sun, wait in line for whatever meatless food is available, and use stinky port-a-potties. Namely because the annual show has a killer lineup with a lot of GR favorites including Descendents (canned coffee drink reviews as ALL way back in GR12), Strange Boys (mag interview), OFF! (online interview), and Weakerthans (Robot Power). And then there’s Jason Chung a.k.a. Nosaj Thing, whom I met through the Free The Robots guys and interviewed at The Crosby prior to the release of his debut album. On the cusp of seeing Jason play in a huge festival setting, I felt like this was a good time to catch up with him. MW: You just played with LL Cool J and De La Soul. Now you’ve got the Descendents. Has playing with legends gotten old yet? JC: No way, it’s been an amazing experience. I never thought I would be sharing stages with artists like that. MW: You always adjust your sound for the audience or occasion but are there certain changes you makes for these sorts of punk or rock situations? Like Coachella… JC: I do like to change up my sets for different shows. Depending on the show, I’ll make some quick edits or remixes, but I tend like to keep most of the song songs true to the original sounds. MW: As everyone gets bigger and tours more, is it hard to keep in touch with local peers like the Glitch Mob, Free The Robots, Daedelus, etc.? Or maybe I’m just projecting that there’s this scene of friends/group of artists coming up together at this time… JC: Not at all. I usually stay in touch via chat and see them at Low End Theory when I’m in town. MW: It does feel like you’ve been on the road nonstop since the album came out. How do you carve out time for new music? JC: I toured non-stop last year and focusing more on recording this year. I hope to be done with the next album really soon. MW: Who are you excited about seeing or meeting at FYF? JC: I’m looking forward to checking out Four Tet, Girls, Simian Mobile Disco, Decendents, and Explosions In The Sky. Hear Jason’s music and find out the latest at nosajthing.com and then say hi to him (and me) at FYF. His set will freak you out!
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