Aleister X is known for his original sounds, eccentric videos, and unorthodox approach to music, well, and life in general. He dropped a scintillatingly new EP last October, The Git, which he describes as ‘trip rap’. The disc is wrought with ominous beats, looming choruses, thumping baselines, powerful vocals, and dark rhythms. I had the opportunity to interview the intriguing musician and he gave me a sneak peek into his unique, mysterious, and all around unconventional lifestyle.
Have you ever been through Denver?
We’re off to a slow start here. Sorry, no, never been to Denver? Is it nice? That’s the one they call 'The Mile High City', innit? Innit that the city where the Fool’s Gold Sandwich comes from? The massive one: can ‘o peanut spread, jar ‘o jam, and pound ‘o bacon on a loaf of bread? The ones Elvis flew from Memphis in the middle of the night to get some for him and ‘es boys? Is that the one?
Give me a bit of insight into your surely sensational songwriting process.
First I go to sleep for an awful long time. Then I wake up, immediately fire-up the Pro Tools, put the kettle on, ‘n get crackalackin. I’m not embarrassed to tell you I get my best song ideas in the shower. I take showers all day so I’m never at a loss for ideas. There’s something about all that water splashing off my head and body. I like the way my hoodie soaks up all the soap.
And when I’m in one of my extremely rare, positive mood swings, and my nonstop writing flow is interrupted, I have a psychic drum machine that can channel the spirits of past and future beats. But that has to be used sparingly, and with great caution.
What is the weirdest thing that's ever inspired a song?
A really weird chip shop with a haunted deep fryer I went to. Let’s just say, in a dream. They had this secret batter recipe and believe you me, these were the best. But when I looked over the counter, into the deep fryer there was nothing but tiny black skulls bubblin’ up ‘n down in dark, ghastly frying oil, laughin’ at me. So many hideous, awful laughs. First I thought it was cute. But when they started calling me a wanker, and worse, I got sore. I tried to curse em out but couldn’t make a sound. I tried to leave the chip shop but the door disappeared, and all the windows too. Then I took a closer look at a picture in a frame on the wall above the register. It said “Sole Proprietor.” It was a picture of me. I started going mental and went out. When it finally wore off, er I mean, woke up, I instantly wrote my upcoming song, “Black Skull Fish N Chips.”
How have your worldly experiences shaped not only who you are as a person, but also how you approach music?
That something better than digital is coming and couldn’t I just be that instead of this? I mean I would even be an mp3 or better yet a WAV file. But I really think I should wait and see what’s coming before I commit.
What is one thing you can't do without on the road?
Beyond gigs and GPS, my hardcore-living past has trained me to be able to do without anything. Things don’t really matter that much anyway, especially on the road. That’s why I like to keep a flat; for my material world inventory.
If the music of Aleister X could talk (aside from the lyrics), what would it say?
“WTFTW?!” That’s a trademark, copyright, all rights reserved. In case anyone’s thinking about aping it. Of course you are, it’s brilliant, and it’s ALL MINE!
If you could grace the cover of any magazine, which one would it be and what would the headline read?
“High Life” British Airways inflight magazine.
Headline: ALEISTER X FLYING HIGHEST!
If you could pick anyone in the world to be your #1 fan, who would it be?
Follow me on Twitter!
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