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Already one of the biggest underground records of 2001 and now signed to Credence Records, Green Velvet’s infectious ‘La La Land’ was released on May 13th
La La Lands’ refrain, “something ‘bout those little pills…” could only be the clubland voyeurism of Curtis Jones, (aka Cajmere) deliciously delerious alter-ego Green Velvet. Combining electro techno funk with a gritty bass and the catchiest of vocals, you cannot miss it, nor his album ‘Whatever’
Green Velvet was paying a flying visit to London, and Oilzine were lucky enough to meet and interview him.
Despite not having slept for 3 days, he was charismatic, looked far younger than he should have, and was full of humour.
V: Who would win a fight between a chicken and a penguin?
GV: Wow! I think a chicken, cos you know, they have cock-fights, & they’re so used to fighting, Penguins, they don’t do anything, all they do is sit on eggs, so a chicken would definitely win, hands down.
V: How did you get started in music? Was it connected with the saxophone?
GV: Yeah, cos I played the alto sax in High School, that was actually was my first instrument.
V: Was that while you were doing your Chemical Engineering?
GV: No, that was at elementary School, when I got to college, I got rid of the saxophone. Actually I can tell you this cos my mother won’t read this, but she bought the saxophone, but I had to pawn it you know when I left school to pursue the music stuff and I ran out of money, you know how it is.
V: Sure, so what are your influences?
GV: Well, I always say my idols are David Bowie, Grace Jones, Sly Stone, and George Clinton, you know Funkadelic, Flashlight, and then stuff from the 80’s the House people like Lil’ Louis, and Jamie Principle, Liaisons Dangerous stuff like that, yeah!
V: Any favourite Sly & the Family Stone track?
GV: Hmm, god which one is like my cut… If you want me to stay, (sings) well if you want me to stay…
V: Oh, yes, with that bass line!
GV: God right! That’s the jam!
V: Which musician, living or dead would you most like to collaborate with?
GV: Well I would say Sly Stone, but he’s not really all there now (laughs) god right, it would be a toss-up between Bowie & Grace Jones, for sure. I wouldn’t be able to do it, though, cos I’d be freaking out all the time, I’d just shut down!
V: What is your favourite desert?
Let’s just say the Sahara desert; it’s got a nice name to it. (Breaks into laughter), I’ve never been there, but it sounds nice.
V: It does… so what music are you currently listening to?
GV: Hmm, right, Actually, I just listen to old stuff, but you know what? As far as listening to new stuff, it’s like what do you call it, I’d almost say it was like New age music, but it’s more like meditation, so I can balance out my chakras, stuff like that, I also listen to some hip-hop, but most of it’s old stuff, just to make sure.
V: You posses a remarkable wardrobe, where do go to find such clothes?
GV: I just go to regular stores, you know, but sometimes I’ll alter the clothes. Like even if I get something from Gaultier, I’ll cut it up to make it look cooler because he can’t make it as cool as he really wants to, you know cos he’s got to sell the stuff. So I figure he could probably do some real crazy stuff, but he doesn’t because of the whole corporate world. Another person who I really like is Alexander Mc Queen; I think his stuff’s dope. I don’t think he makes stuff for guys, if he does he it doesn’t make it over to America. But anytimes I just go and get stuff from Gap, (bursts into laughter) this is Gap, t-shirt, & my mum made me this, (refers to crochet cap)
V: Now that is sweet, which fabric would you like to see abolished?
GV: Polyester, anything synthetic, get rid of it!
V: Which insect is your least favourite?
GV: Ok, let’s say la Cucaracha
V: Despite the song?
GV: (Laughs) The insect! Not the result of something else.
V: You have a track called Flash, so which of these is your favourite, Flash Gordon, Flash the software, Grandmaster Flash, or Flash that cleans baths without scratching?
GV: I think the Flash that cleans without scratching; I like that concept, (laughs)
V: Do you have a favourite year from this or the last century?
GV: Well I would just have to pick ‘67 that was the year I was born in, so it was a good year, (giggles)
V: Where were you born?
GV: Oh in Harvey, Illinois. A city south of Chicago
V: Where do you see yourself in say, 5 or 10 years time?
GV: Well, I mean I’m not that clairvoyant, but I’ll try… I’ll be married with kids, that’s about it... (laughs)
V: In which section of a library would you lose all track of time?
GV: Do they have like an adult section in the library? I’d try & lose time there you know, try and pick up a few tricks there... (bursts into Laughter)
V: I’ve been looking in the Geography section, in the atlas but I can’t seem to find La La Land?
GV: I’ll be honest. You probably shouldn’t go into the Geography section, you need to take a look at the yoga section, & they’ll probably have a section there on La La Land.
V: Ok, and lastly, who would win a fight between an apple & an orange?
GV: An orange, because it has a tougher skin.
V: Thanks, Good luck with everything,
GV: No problem, that was cool. |
