Isn’t it obvious by now that singer, songwriter, DJ, rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Mayer Hawthorne, born Andrew Mayer Cohen, was made to create sweet music? And to think this LA-based music maven has only been around since 2008. For some interview snippets with him, follow the jump.
For the full story about Mayer Hawthorne, grab a copy of our film issue. -RAYRAE
How many instruments do you play? Which is your main weapon, and why?
MH: I played most of the instruments on the album. I learned bass from my father and piano from my mother. I picked up the drums on my own. I’m probably the worst at guitar.
I have the heart-shaped Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out vinyl, and I think it’s genius. How did the idea come about?
MH: I wanted to make something memorable for vinyl junkies like myself. Both of the songs were about love and heartbreak so I asked the label if they would press it on a red heart.
Kids these days react to the term “LP” with a “WTF?!”. It’s an iTunes (+)/torrent (-) generation. If you had it your way, how would you have people experience your music?
MH: People should experience it how ever they like. I personally prefer vinyl, but I also love my ipod. Really, the more ways, the better. Try them all!
Justin Timberlake has let it be known that he listens to your music. What do you think of his?
MH: JT is great. He has a ton of talent and takes his craft seriously, but also knows how to have a lot of fun with it.
What’s it like being signed to Stonesthrow/working with Peanut Butter Wolf? It seems like a haven of artistic freedom.
MH: Working with Stones Throw is amazing. PB Wolf puts out music that he genuinely loves and he doesn’t worry about whether it will be commercially successful. That’s a really rare thing.
I need you to share a bit of your story for inspirational purposes; coming off being a hip-hop DJ and producer, trying to make it as a rapper, then almost by fluke, getting recognized for some mess-around-on-the-side-type stuff. Does the dream validate the path, or does the path define the dream?
MH: I’m a firm believer that you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to. But there’s no such thing as overnight success. You have to be willing to work long and hard for it. Blah, blah, cliché, cliché, but it’s true.
Photo via mmmlele
