DJ Shadow Celebrates Indie Metal and Smashing Stuff With 'I Gotta Rokk'

Posted on Jun 29th 2011 5:00PM by Dan Reilly
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Kristian Dowling, Getty Images

Heavy metal and destruction are two great tastes that taste great together. That's just science. It's also the basis for the video for DJ Shadow's 'I Gotta Rokk,' the lead single from his upcoming album 'The Less You Know, the Better,' due out Sept. 5. Starting Aug. 11, Shadow will be on the road with the Identity Festival, a 20-city tour featuring some of the biggest DJs in the world. Spinner recently spoke to the turntable master about 'Rokk,' the album and the trek.

Where did you come up with the idea for 'I Gotta Rokk.' Was there a certain song or sample that inspired it?

I have been slowly getting into indie metal from the 80's for some time, although when the song first took shape I wasn't sure what direction it would take. I just let it take its own course. Initially I was just intrigued by the main sample that bounces from right to left, and liked the crunchy, hard-to-define qualities of it. What I love about samples in general is that immediately I'm in a completely different sonic framework from the stock sound/synth crowd.

How many samples are on here, and where did you get them?

Lots of samples ... I don't know, I don't count them. I get them from anywhere and everywhere.

Watch DJ Shadow's 'I Gtta Rokk' Video

Who is your favorite hair metal band?

Not sure I'm really that into "hair metal" as a genre, but if the question is who is my all-time favorite metal band, it would be between Sabbath and Metallica. For an example of the sound I like, check out a radio show on my site called 'The Audio Arms Race.' It's a great compilation a friend of mine made of indie metal by unknown but kick-ass bands from the early '80s.

The video for 'Rokk' is amazing. How did you arrive at that concept and how long did it take to compile?

Honestly, the video is the way it is because of budget -- we didn't have any! So knowing that there wouldn't be any opportunity to set up some elaborate shoot, we decided to just go guerrilla style. It took a few days. I just had two concepts: Having large things smash into other large things, and playing with some of the more amusing footage that's available of the metal genre. Although the video is definitely fun, my appreciation for the metal genre is not restricted to irony. There genuinely is some amazing musicianship from that time.

Is this song representative of 'The Less You Know, the Better?' What else can we expect from the new material?

'I Gotta Rokk' is just one facet of what I think is a very diverse album. To some people, diversity on an album is a negative; to me it's a positive. I listen to all sorts of music, so why should I restrict my influences? I think the album covers a lot of musical ground successfully.

What inspired the album title?

I live in Silicon Valley, which means I'm a test subject. Every day, I'm bombarded with information and being told that there's a new product that's going to save my soul and make me happier. We live in an age of excess information, and I believe it's making us a dumber, passionless society. Compared to some places on earth, America sometimes reminds me of a nation of walking dead, staring at their cellphones while the sun rises and sets unnoticed.

How do you think the Identity Festival will go? Do you think it's going to be the start of a big trend?

Not having a crystal ball, it's difficult to tell whether it will catch on, although I hope it will. I like the idea of different types of music occupying the same arenas that have traditionally held rock dinosaurs and pop catastrophes. I like to think that the fact I'm even involved signifies a small triumph, almost like 'Uh-oh, who let him in here?' No matter what happens, I'm appreciative of the platform and opportunity to share what I do, which is the only thing I know how to do -- make and play music. I've been a DJ for 27 years, and I think I have something valid to contribute to the genre, even if most people there have no idea who I am. Hopefully they will when it's over.

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