24hourhiphop.com sits down with upcoming singer, guitarist, and drummer Gene Walker. Take a look below at what the Michigan musician had to say!
24HHH: Intorduce yourself to everyone that doesnt already know who you are?
GW: I am a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter and emcee from Kalamazoo, Michigan. I grew up playing piano, viola and standup bass. I am a self-taught guitarist and drummer. I record each instrument separately and layer them piece by piece to create my songs.
24HHH: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?
GW: I grew up listening to my mom’s records: Carol King, The Beatles, and Simon and Garfunkel. I wasn’t exposed to any hip-hop or really any modern music until I was 10. I was in a record store and there was a bin by the door with free tapes where I grabbed Hieroglyphics’ “Third Eye Vision”, Tupac’s “Me Against The World”, and Rage Against The Machine. That was a huge turning point in my life. From there I branched out to Outkast (pretty much my favorite of all time) and The Roots. Currently I am really into stuff coming out of the south like Big K.R.I.T. and Currensy. But ya know I like cheesy stuff too like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and even The Beach Boys. Kalamazoo is a very musical town and the guitar is very highly regarded in the music scene because it’s where Gibson Guitars were based out of for decades. So my city definitely had an influence on my obsession with guitars.
24HHH: What was the hip hop scene like for you growing up where your from?
GW: There wasn’t much of a hip-hop scene growing up in Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo is a college town and lies half way between Chicago and Detroit. One would think its setup perfectly to have a budding hip-hop scene, but it is pretty weak. Ann Arbor is really the closest place where people are taking hip-hop seriously and venues will actually book hip-hop acts. After playing a show with them in Jackson back in 2007, Ann Arbor’s rap group Tree City put me on to what being around other hip-hop enthusiasts felt like. Kalamazoo also lacks rappers who take themselves seriously.
24HHH: What makes you unique as a artist and different from other rappers out now?
GW: As an artist I strive to make my music as intricate as possible, while keeping it catchy. What makes me different from any rapper out now is that I can actually sing and play all the instruments that you hear in my songs. I am tired of karaoke rappers who perform shows by plugging their iPod or laptop into the PA and push the play button. That is not hip-hop to me. Where are the DJ’s and the cuts??? If you come to my show you are going to see real musicians. If you listen to my songs you are going to hear my real voice with no pitch or timing corrections. When recording, I start from the ground up, with a real drum set and a real bass guitar. From there I add guitar or piano and then finally vocals. No rapper out there right now is doing that.
24HHH: Tell us about what you are working on?
GW: I am currently working on my next music video. I am in the progress of building a moving platform from a golf cart frame and other props for it. I acquired some new overhead microphones and tracked drums with them for 3 new songs last week.
24HHH: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
GW: I have yet to work with any producers. All my songs are recorded with live instruments, that’s kind of my thing. I used to reach out ya know, try and work with regional producers around Michigan. However I soon realized that people are not reliable when it comes to getting a project finished in a certain time frame. Also you get stuck having to purchase beats from producers, which doesn’t really make any sense when I can do it all myself for free. I was influenced by Outkast’s use of real guitars and other instruments to give it a more human sound. Although I totally see myself working on a project with a producer (or producers) in the future, right now I am trying to get my songwriting skills on point. I don’t simply want to take a pre-made beat from someone and then do my vocals over the top. I think emcees should be following the lead of Big K.R.I.T. and start producing their own music. You might be able to rap, but what’s stopping you from broadening your music making skillz as well? I am all about the instruments and the key changes within the songs. Regardless, I could see myself working with Nunca Duerma of Chicago or Nima Fadavi of Oakland.
24HHH: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?
GW: I am humbled by all the feedback I have received, especially at my shows. Since “Get Out Of Dodge” spans several genres, critics have had a hard time reviewing it. Regardless, it has been getting some really great reviews.
24HHH: In todays free download age, what do you need to do to make your self a household name?
GW: Well the market it over saturated. Releasing an album independently is kind of like jumping into an abyss. My goal is to just keep writing and recording. I only release my best. I really liked it when Kendrick Lamar talked about not releasing a mixtape of songs that didn’t make it onto the album. I have a lot of tunes laid down, but I don’t intend on releasing them because I am working on the next set of tunes. The key to getting there is only releasing your best and to play shows as frequently as you can.
24HHH: How do you feel about the current state of the hiphop scene?
GW: The hip-hop scene is better than ever! Today’s recording technology allows people to collaborate from opposite sides of the globe. Access to recording equipment is totally widespread. There is this awesome renaissance going on in the way music is recorded and heard. It has brought more positive things to the hip-hop community than negative. The number one album in North America right now is a hip-hop artist, Wale. That’s got to be saying something. If you look at it from a “purest” standpoint though, hip-hop has been kind of in ruins for over a decade. However, I believe that change is good and that all genres of music morph into something new. That is what hip-hop is going through. If you are criticizing every new rapper with the “90’s golden era” point of view then of course you are going to think that hip-hop today sucks. To me though, things are better than ever.
24HHH: Outside of the music what else are you currently working on?
GW: Outside of music I stay very busy. I am raising a 6 year old on my own and have been working the oil field in North Dakota. I am moving to Toronto in August to get a masters degree in geology. Toronto’s music scene is epic. I am super stoked to start playing shows out there.
24HHH: Where do you see yourself going in 2012 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
GW: 2013 is gonna be all work. I am working on my new video, new songs, and bringing my live show to the next level. My plan is to start looping acoustic drums and other instruments during my show. I have a new manager who is totally supportive and working hard to get my music heard.
24HHH: How can fans go about contacting you?
GW: Get at me on twitter @genewaltermusic or www.facebook.com/genewaltermusic
24HHH: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
GW: I appreciate your time and to all my potential fans, any love you send my way I always send some back!
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/get-out-of-dodge/id662083584
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gene-walter
Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEnV8EFOVsA
Official Website: http://www.bignoisenow.com/genewalter.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeneWalterMusic
Twitter: @GeneWalterMusic
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