Interview w/ MC Homeless

Matt a.k.a MC Homeless

Cover of the split 12" with Homicide

Band hip-hop D.I.Y yang berasal dari Youngstown, Ohio ini memulai perjalanannya dengan aktif di beberapa acara Punk. Merepresentasikan masalah-masalah sosial seperti konsumerisme, krisis lingkungan, dan imperialisme. Lirik tipikal Black Flag, Poison Idea, Crass, Jedi Mind Tricks, dibalut dengan beat hip-hop ala Freestyle Fellowship, KRS One, Public Enemy yang tidak sekedarnya. Merilis debut albumnya "Trapped Under an Ohio Sky" di tahun 2005 silam dan split 12" dengan band fenomenal bandung Homicide yang dirilis oleh Dis.eased Record. Bulan november kemarin merilis album terbarunya bertitle "27" yang dinaungi oleh Milled Pavement record.

Cover of  "Trapped Under an Ohio Sky"

What do you want to make someone thinking of with using the name "MC Homeless"?
Homeless: I dont want to misguide people with my name but they will think what they want, regardless.  My most asked question is "are you really homeless?".  I actually have some homeless fans but I have also offended some homeless people as well.  The name just sort of fits my lifestyle of travel although it started out as a joke.

Cover of the new album "27"

How about the making of your debut album "Trapped Under Ohio Sky"? And anyone involved in it?

Homeless: I recorded that album in 2005, mostly in Kent,Ohio while I was still a student.  I was trying to find my style on that album and it shaped up to be pretty interesting and surprisingly well received in the DIY underground.  As far as people involved in it, Chrismick and Doug Dennis of Knuckles and Nipples recorded most of it.  I collaborated with alot of my friends on that album like Chrismick, Geneva B, Ceschi Ramos, K-The-I???, Mic Ra and a few others as well.

Can you tell me about many things you spread through your songs from that album? i see there's a matter of political and criticism in it.

Homeless: I was definitely interested in spreading the idea of hope for a better world at the time.  I talked about police brutality, American imperialism, the environmental crisis, consumerism, war, etc.   I said what I needed to say on that album so theres no need to beat a dead horse in the future and do a repeat album. 

Are your lyrics based from your life experiences?

Homeless: My new album "27" is completely personal to the point where it makes me feel kind of naked and vulnerable.  Its definitely not a tough-guy,macho posturing hip hop album. My debut album, "Trapped Under An Ohio Sky" was a mix of the personal and political.  I mostly pulled from my own experiences and feelings though.  I didnt want to write generic, sloganeering political lyrics so I added my own perspective. 

Why do you interested to playing hip-hop music even though your references are many hardcore punk band?

Homeless: I grew up on hip hop music but started to get into punk in the mid nineties.  Hip hop seemed boring at the time and I was really sick of the materialistic lyrics that had nothing to do with my life.  I'm not rich so why is it cool for me to listen to someone brag about money?  I dived right back into hip hop in the late nineties and early two thousands though.  I saw that all this time there was a healthy and vibrant hip hop underground filled with intelligent and critical thinkers, using interesting styles.  I guess I can thank the internet for that.   

You've doing tour to some cities and playing in many good show, What experience do you get from that all?
Homeless: I am trying to see the world and build up a fanbase and support network at a grassroots level.  I am my own manager, my own booking agent,publicist, etc.  At times its really fulfulling and at times it sucks and you feel like nobody really gets it.  Essentially, everybody wants to feel understood and appreciated.  Theres no way that I would see Eastern Europe or get to travel like I have if I didn't have my music so I am really grateful.  I have had incredible experiences and it doesnt matteer if I am ever rich and famous or on MTV because I have already done what some people would deem as close to impossible.

Recommend some releases are you current consumption and referenced.
Homeless: I have been listening to alot of different music lately.  As far as hip hop, I think Milled Pavement,Fake Four and maybe one or two other labels are the only ones putting out interesting stuff. If there is more, I apologize.  I dont know everything! I would recomment that people also pick up Paper Cranes by PT Burnem.  As far as non hip-hop, I have been listening to alot of Lemuria,Total Abuse and Warpaint.

Any last word.
Homeless: Check out my new album "27", out now on Milled Pavement here http://www.milledpavement.com/MP035.html .  Also download some free MC Homeless albums at http://ugsmag.com/2009/12/mc-homeless-still-trapped/  and  http://www.diseasedrecords.com/pages/homeless.htm  .  Email me at mchomeless@hotmail.com or follow "mc homeless" on facebook to be in touch.  I try to write everybody back that writes me.  Also, I really want to play in Indonesia!!!!