Backstage Pass - Wyldthang - Interview

ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview?

WYLDTHANG

I'm WYLDTHANG pronounced WILDTHANG. The "Y" is in my name because I am apart of the "Y' generation.

ATP

What is your band's name? How did you come up with that name?

WYLDTHANG

I was given the name by famous German Go-Go dancer Shade. Few people know that she is also an AMAZING singer. I mean like Lauryn Hill dope! Anyway we have known each other for a while, and are really GOOD friends. One day she had this "Ah Ha!" moment and called me in the middle of the night. She said she say it all, my name should be WYLDTHANG because of how I grew up bouncing round a lot, and how I should substitute the "I". The excitement in her voice was unreal at 4:30 AM in the morning so I believed her. She was exposed to a lot of my earlier recording and was a great sounding board. She said, "Your sound is different because the sounds you are making are you. Very few artist can be themselves in-front and off-camera, but your music is who YOU are...and THEY can never be YOU...My name is spelled uppercase to signify, take notice, I really have something important to say and sometimes I post it like this: W Y L D T H A N G....because that looks dope.

ATP

So who's in the band and what instruments do you each play?

WYLDTHANG

I consider myself a creator. I am a Urban Hip Hop artist. I have the 52 Week Rap Challenge going on right now. Then their is the single 'GOOD GOOD' featuring R&B crooner Ray Wonder and Platinum recording artist Shawnna formerly of DTP/Def Jam. I'm presently also working on my debut album "RIZE'. That joint gone have from 8-10 banging tracks on it. Also, I write songs for all kinds of different genres, I have wrote several R&B songs that have been recorded by artist like Ray Wonder and Intellectual T. I am a author, I am wrapping up Intellectual T's debut memoir 'Life's Tattoo's' that I co-authored. Presently I am writing on my personal memoir 'Through the Valley'.

ATP

How would you describe your sound. What makes you unique?

WYLDTHANG

Well, I really speak from inside. You know what I mean. I speak my mind and I talk from my heart. Some people say J.Cole'ish or Big Sean'ish even Wale'ish. Right now I am making fun music. You know how you feel once the storm has passed and the very next day is perfect & beautiful? Well, that's the vibe I'm on for the most part right now. I'm different because my music isn't diluted or distorted or extorted...People that like my music are ambitious,hip, fun people who know how to have a GOOD time.

ATP

What bands have influenced each of you?

WYLDTHANG

I like different stuff. I write songs listening to Norah Jones or Amy Winehouse, while smoking a L. My Uncle legendary Jazz Musician Milton Hopkins stays on my play list, and I have wrote several songs while I was under the influence of his timeless hits. The greatest concert I have ever attended was the Rolling Stones, in downtown Houston at the Compact Center...Mick Jagger even over the age of 60, let his nuts hang all across the stage. It was unreal how he controlled the audience, almost like he known's something know-body else knows. I need to meet dude just so I can ask him the secret. I believe I know it...I just want to hear it come out of his mouth.

ATP

How experienced are you on the stage, a virgin or whore?

WYLDTHANG

I am a born again virgin stage whore. Meaning this is my first time out as a solo artist. People most familiar with me know me from my rap group the Despradoz.

ATP

How would you describe your shows?

WYLDTHANG

Interactive. The interaction between the audience and me is unreal. Every time I perform I want to connect with people. Just like how Mick Jagger and the Stones connected with me at that concert.

ATP

Tell us about your favorite show and why?

WYLDTHANG

I would have to say the performance at a previous South By Southwest Festival. Along with key members of the Despradoz I was able to share the stage with world renown artist like Bun B and Wale. That how is so important because that was my first big taste of what a massive inter-action on stage felt like...It felt like the greatest moment in my LIFE!

ATP

Tell us about your worst show and why?

WYLDTHANG

Man, I was booked with the group to do a radio interview,album signing, concert and after party at the hottest club in Bryan, TX several years ago. Everything was locked in solid and was ready to go. We hoop in the car and the damn thing wouldn't start. I don't mean like want start because of a battery or alternator...no nothing simple like that. I mean like the WHOLE DAMN ENGINE GAVE OUT. Just a moment earlier we had used the car to go to the store and back. That was the worst show because everything was in place and the car decides to give-out.

ATP

Tell Us About Your Dream Show, who you'd like to play with and where?

WYLDTHANG

Easy, I want to perform with The Rolling Stones.

ATP

Do you have a street team and how can you join?

WYLDTHANG

Yes you can join my online street team by sending a email to wyldthang@wyldthang.net with the subject line: Include Me. Their is also a sign-up on the front page of my site wyldthang.net. My street team right now is called the Rado Gang and it is a lot of like minded people from different backgrounds. They post, share music and introducing me to friends. We are kicking off the New Year with Giveaways to reward the folks who introduce my music to the most people.

ATP

Do you have a record label and if not are you looking for one?

WYLDTHANG

After a long drawn out negotiation process. I finally signed a deal with my own label Desprado Entertainment. I must say it is a pretty sweet deal too. I mean really, I'm looking to do the Ryan Lewis and Macklemore thing. Meaning, I want to be able to hire record label staff to perform vital task for my company. Or team up with one of my Sponsor's like Clique Vodka and go on a nationwide Tour, and shoot a couple of national TV ads to further our partnership, and get new music out their. Then turn around and do a Rap/Rock Tour partnering up with Arm The Pit...Ya dig?

ATP

What are your plans for the future, in a year, 5 years?

WYLDTHANG

This upcoming year my plans are to complete the 52 Week Rap Challenge, Continue to promote my single GOOD GOOD, we really believe it is a remarkable song. So we plan to take our time and really give it that long push it needs to reach the masses. Five years from now I plan to be, dropping my 4th solo album, running my label Desprado Entertainment as a full service company. Songwriters, music producers, tour coordinator and brand managers all under one roof. I really like technology and want to continue to touch people using it.

ATP

Finally, do have any words on what Arm The Pit means to you?

WYLDTHANG

It means the essence of music. You guys at ATP are the new age Taste-masters. Y'all expose to people what's next. Appearing on this site is dope, and to be along side so many other talent artist who are hell-bent on getting their music heard. Got me feeling some kind of GOOD right now. I like rock music...al ot, a GOOD friend of mine is the lead singer for the punk rock band Los Skarnales. I think my music blends well with that feel. Kind of like blue jeans and tennis shoes...Thanks, again hommie!