Ben Kenney talks Playing for The Roots and Transitioning to Play for Incubus (by renmanmb)
Ben Kenney Interview (by Kayode Kendall)
Interview: Incubus’ Mike Einziger On His ‘Unexpected’ Avicii Collaboration
“We were definitely popping wheelies the whole time, you know?”
EDM superstar Avicii recently shocked the crowd at this year’s massive Ultra music festival in Miami by debuting new material that draws from soul, country and rock, with live instrumentation orchestrated by Incubus guitarist Mike Einziger.
“I was vaguely aware of his name. I totally knew his song ‘Levels’ really well, I think it’s awesome,” Einziger said during an exclusive interview with Radio.com about connecting with the DJ/producer, who’d expressed an interest in working with him through industry contacts. “So I was kind of curious to see what it would be like for us to get together and make music. I had no idea what would come out of it. We just got together to talk, and we ended up having a lot more in common that I would have imagined. Where he was coming from musically was really interesting to me.
“He wanted to make a record that was true to what he’d done in the past, but he also had this intense desire to do something drastically different and pave some new ground in that electronic world,” the guitarist added. “Being completely honest, I’m not all that familiar with the landscape of EDM music. The idea of a repetitive house beat…I just didn’t get it.”
Incubus’ Brandon Boyd Finishes Solo Album
Produced by Brendan O’Brien, the singer hopes to get his second solo effort released this summer … Also has a third art book on tap while Incubus is on hiatus
Incubus may be on hiatus, but that doesn’t mean the band members haven’t been keeping busy. Billboard recently caught up with Brandon Boyd who revealed that he just completed his second solo album.
“I wrote it and recorded it with Brendan O’Brien,” says Boyd who is currently in the process of securing a record label on which to release it. The plan, according to Boyd, is to release the project sometime this summer. “I’m ready for it to come out now but there is all this logistical stuff that has to take place before it can come out. That part kind of sucks,” he joked.
As far as what fans can expect, Boyd gave Billboard his “literal description” of how he would explain the record:
“It’s awesome. When you hear it, you’ll probably be reminded of sailors riding unicorns and unicorns farting beautiful gift making elves and things like that… rainbows, pots of gold… stuff like that.”
Following the album’s release, Boyd says he will most likely go out on a solo tour. He told Billboard that he’d love to share the stage with The Rolling Stones or U2, adding that he is anxious to get out on the road. “I’ll open for anybody. I’ll play for anybody…whoever will have me.”
(Source: Billboard)
Mike Einziger of Incubus with Slacker Radio at the 2013 Grammys (by slacker)
MTV Germany Interview 2002 Part 1
Model Glue: Talking Style With Ben Kenney
In our ongoing quest to find out what keeps models together, OKP talked style with Ben Kenney, former guitarist for The Roots and occasional t-shirt model (he can be seen above rocking the classic Mpozi tee, available now at the okaystore). Read on to discover the influence of Gundam robots on his formative style, his current projects and copyright issues with bottling his scent.
OKP: You got style. How would you describe it in 3 words or less? You got a style icon?
BK: Function, freedom and freshness. I try not to get into clothes that limit where the day can go. I don’t really have an icon. I just never want to be a ”got to go home and change first” type of guy.
OKP: Tell us a story from your childhood. Is there one story that your parents or siblings tell that encapsulates what you were like as a kid?
BK: I get roasted by my brothers cause I would do shit like put on roller skates and football pads and pretend I was a Gundam robot. I used to get embarrassed but fuck that. I was five.
OKP: Whats ur favorite item of clothing?
BK: I bought vegan Doc Martens a while back. I try to not wear leather/suede and I have been waiting for DM to re-issue these for a while. I’m pretty into them. Hey Adidas, how about some vegan Rod Lavers?
OKP: What’s your favorite item of clothing to remove from a female fan?
BK: That info stays in the bedroom (I really wanted to say something sexy like “her catheter” or “her swastika armband”)
OKP: If you had your own cologne – let’s just say you bottled your body odor – what would you name it?
BK: “Jameson,” but if we get into copyright issues with that we could call it “Kool Kief.” Okayplayer Fragrances 2013, let’s do this.
OKP: Name your spirit animal.
BK: The Narwhal.
OKP: What are you working on right now – any interesting projects? What’s going on with Incubus? How do find time for both your solo stuff + the band stuff?
BK: I just moved to Brooklyn. After ten years of living in California I felt like I needed to come back and reconnect with my family and friends. I’ve also been recording a new solo record. That should be out next year. Incubus is taking a break for a while and I’ve been itching to get my solo group on stage again. Time has been good to me so far. I’m not a patient person but the big things always seem to eventually happen when they need to.
OKP: Wait, wait one more!What do you miss the most about being in The Roots?
BK: I miss being on stage with Thought and ?uest. Making music with those guys night after night was the most important learning experience of my career. Those two are easily the most talented performers I’ve ever met. I still trip on it.
(Source: okayplayer.com)
Jose Pasillas – Incubus Interview
Incubus drummer Jose Pasillas is on the brink of releasing an original art collection entitled ‘Abstract & Rhythm Landscapes’ on November 1st. I caught up with him to find out a little bit more about his life away from music.
WC: So when did your love for art begin?
JP: From when I was a wee lad! I remember painting and drawing pretty much my whole life. My godmother used to give me a pad and pencil to occupy my time when I was five or six years old. I think it was that far back! But yeah, I’ve pretty much been drawing my whole life.
(Source: whatculture.com)
Brandon Boyd Full Interview (by renmanmb)
tMiM Interview Jose Pasillas of Incubus
Jose Pasillas has developed into one of music’s most prolific drummers since picking up stick at the age of 16 in Calabasas CA. as one of the founding member of Incubus. His art has been used extensively by the band on album covers and CD’s and now Pasillas will see his love of art and music combined by SceneFour in the collection “Abstract + Rhythm Landscapes” being released on November 1st. The collection will be limited to 100 pieces and, from what Jose tells me, will range in prices from $250 to $1,000 as a way to try and allow as many people to own the art that want to.
Jose took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk with us about the project.
