MC Lars
MC Lars hails from Berkley, California and although is credited with being one of the pioneers of 'Nerdcore' hip-hop from the press (a form of hip-hop whose lyrics are based on the science fiction and video game culture) he prefers the term 'Post-Punk Laptop Rapper'. Lars got the first opportunity to show his talents in high school when his teacher wanted the class to write a parody of Macbeth. Lars wrote a rap inspired by the Witches chant; “Double, double toil and trouble / fire burn and cauldron bubble” and created the song 'Rapbeth'. This earned him the admiration of his peers, and gave him the confidence to continue writing raps from that point on.
MC Lars has released many albums and songs over the years, and came to prominence in 2006 in Australia with his song 'Download This Song' ; which was his take on the music industry and the evolution of MP3 format music along with peer-to-peer filesharing sites, which would eventually put music companies out of business.
MC Lars does not just focus his music on the Science Fiction and Computer Games culture, but also looks to literary masters for inspiration. Songs such as 'Ahab' (Mody Dick); 'Mr Raven' (Edgar Allen Poe); 'Hey There Ophelia' (Hamlet) and various other tracks, show his English Literature background from Stanford University. However, this is all information that can be found on the MC Lars bio page. Now to the good part!
At the time of writing this MC Lars is touring the UK with Wheatus, and in between performances and intermitten internet access, he was able to answer a few questions for me, which you can read below;
MC Lars has released many albums and songs over the years, and came to prominence in 2006 in Australia with his song 'Download This Song' ; which was his take on the music industry and the evolution of MP3 format music along with peer-to-peer filesharing sites, which would eventually put music companies out of business.
MC Lars does not just focus his music on the Science Fiction and Computer Games culture, but also looks to literary masters for inspiration. Songs such as 'Ahab' (Mody Dick); 'Mr Raven' (Edgar Allen Poe); 'Hey There Ophelia' (Hamlet) and various other tracks, show his English Literature background from Stanford University. However, this is all information that can be found on the MC Lars bio page. Now to the good part!
At the time of writing this MC Lars is touring the UK with Wheatus, and in between performances and intermitten internet access, he was able to answer a few questions for me, which you can read below;
The Interview
1) When you first performed ‘Rapbeth’ at the age of 16, what gave you the courage to stand up in front of your peers and display your creative talent? Knowing that you could be the subject of ridicule had it not gone right? Did that even enter your mind?
The trick to being an artist is not worrying what people will think of you. Fear kills creativity. I've always used music to relate to people, I've always been flamboyant and outspoken so I was never worried. Music is a constant experiment, you it's never technically 100% prepared so you have to follow your heart and have no fear. When I had "Rapbeth" I had no idea it would be a ten year component of my life... writing quirky, literary raps.
2) In 2006 you had a hit song in Australia with ‘Download this song’, how did it make you feel when you realised that you had enough support in a country to make your single a hit?
It was awesome. What was so funny was that people were buying a song that advocating stealing music. I'd turn on the TV and see the video when I was on tour there that summer. We had distribution and support from a label called Shock that had their hands in a lot of channels down there and helped the track get exposure. I still get emails from people who remember that song - it was surreal to experience a finite moment of mainstream recognition in a far off country. My father is Australian and I have cousins there and they all told me they heard the song on the radio. So cool.
3) Has there ever been a point throughout the years where you have felt that you wanted to give up? What got you through those times?
I think the music industry can be stressful - there is a lot expected of you and 90% of the time, success or the lack of it is out of your control. Certain
things react and get exposure, other things don't, it's really not ultimately up to you. Through the ups and downs and financial struggles, I've stayed true to myself and made the music that I wanted to make. The passion of hearing that perfect mix or playing to a big, excited crowd is what has kept me going so long. I'm lucky I've been able to do this.
4) Most people that are creative will at one point or another suffer motivational issues. If you have ever found yourself in a situations like that, what have you done to kick start your creative side again? What helps you break through that mental barrier that can derail a person?
I was lucky because I was able to do this right out of college. Music was always just a hobby that happened to become something I could do as a career.
Travel and collaborating with people is a great way to find inspiration if you don't feel it.
5) What advice do you have for people that have received a bad review or feedback of their work?
We all get criticism at one point or another. The trick to longevity is not care what the press says about your work. Why should you care about what someone
you don't know has to say about your art? If you love it then that's all that matters.
6) Finally, given the chance, what would you change about the way you pursued your career, if anything?
From 2007-2008 I was trying to write songs to please a management company, not songs from my heart. This led to writers' block and frustration.
If I could go back I would have created more from the heart than from the mind. I feel blessed that I was able to work with the people I had but letting your business get in the way of your craft is always creatively problematic.
The trick to being an artist is not worrying what people will think of you. Fear kills creativity. I've always used music to relate to people, I've always been flamboyant and outspoken so I was never worried. Music is a constant experiment, you it's never technically 100% prepared so you have to follow your heart and have no fear. When I had "Rapbeth" I had no idea it would be a ten year component of my life... writing quirky, literary raps.
2) In 2006 you had a hit song in Australia with ‘Download this song’, how did it make you feel when you realised that you had enough support in a country to make your single a hit?
It was awesome. What was so funny was that people were buying a song that advocating stealing music. I'd turn on the TV and see the video when I was on tour there that summer. We had distribution and support from a label called Shock that had their hands in a lot of channels down there and helped the track get exposure. I still get emails from people who remember that song - it was surreal to experience a finite moment of mainstream recognition in a far off country. My father is Australian and I have cousins there and they all told me they heard the song on the radio. So cool.
3) Has there ever been a point throughout the years where you have felt that you wanted to give up? What got you through those times?
I think the music industry can be stressful - there is a lot expected of you and 90% of the time, success or the lack of it is out of your control. Certain
things react and get exposure, other things don't, it's really not ultimately up to you. Through the ups and downs and financial struggles, I've stayed true to myself and made the music that I wanted to make. The passion of hearing that perfect mix or playing to a big, excited crowd is what has kept me going so long. I'm lucky I've been able to do this.
4) Most people that are creative will at one point or another suffer motivational issues. If you have ever found yourself in a situations like that, what have you done to kick start your creative side again? What helps you break through that mental barrier that can derail a person?
I was lucky because I was able to do this right out of college. Music was always just a hobby that happened to become something I could do as a career.
Travel and collaborating with people is a great way to find inspiration if you don't feel it.
5) What advice do you have for people that have received a bad review or feedback of their work?
We all get criticism at one point or another. The trick to longevity is not care what the press says about your work. Why should you care about what someone
you don't know has to say about your art? If you love it then that's all that matters.
6) Finally, given the chance, what would you change about the way you pursued your career, if anything?
From 2007-2008 I was trying to write songs to please a management company, not songs from my heart. This led to writers' block and frustration.
If I could go back I would have created more from the heart than from the mind. I feel blessed that I was able to work with the people I had but letting your business get in the way of your craft is always creatively problematic.
The Music
Below I have included some music videos from MC Lars' starting off with the song that captured a nation, 'Download This Song'. Enjoy!!
Latest Clip
'Flow Like Poe' is from MC Lars' latest album the 'Edgar Allan Poe EP' which is now available for sale on his site
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MP3's
Below you will find some of my personal favourite MC Lars songs. Simply click on the arrow and the song will begin playing as well as display the name. Don't forget to visit his site here and check out the albums here.
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