Sometimes when you reach out to an artist to steal some of their precious time for an interview, you really don’t anticipate a reply. After sending a couple of hopeful emails to Astronautalis‘ management, I wasn’t expecting much. He got back to me within 12 hours.
The humility of the Florida native is obvious if you’ve ever watched one of his interviews or been to a gig. When you go from the humble beginnings of freestyling about Lost in tiny venues to being regarded as one of the most credible rappers around today, it’s very easy to lose sight of things. Our exchange proved to me that age does not imply arrogance as the artist who’s known as Andy to his friends is still as relatable as he was when I first heard him at 15 years of age with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and something illegal in the other.
We talked about his upcoming album, a certain Mr. Feathers and British dialect in one of my favourite interviews since we started this kooky crusade called Cultured Vultures.
Hi Astro, how are you?
Hi! I am well. I just ate a ton of food and took a nap.
You just wrapped on your latest album. How has the whole process compared to earlier releases?
It was the most fun I have had recording one of my albums, and just as stressful as every other album to mix.
What can you tell us about it? Any exclusive information you can slip us?
I think it is the best record I have made, and I am super proud of it.
Can we expect something similar to This Is Our Science? I still listen to that album at least once a week.
No. If my new album ever sounds like my last album, please tell me to quit making music.
Should we be expecting to hear more from Jason Feathers soon or is he on a long holiday?
Jason Feathers is forever…like herpes.
If you had to bring another artist into the project, who would it be?
Into Jason Feathers? DJ Screw. but he is dead…sooooo…
We asked our readers for a couple of questions to ask you. The first one is: “What were the origins of Skeleton (Everybody’s Favorite?) and the inspiration behind it?“
I was crashing on the floor of my friend’s house in Denton, TX when I read a story in the newspaper about a couple that threw each other off a highway overpass. And I was feeling pretty low. Sometimes, that is all it takes.
And the second: “Do you ever listen back on your old freestyles? I still love the ones about Lost and Kanye West’s mom”.
Nah. I get no joy out of watching myself perform. It stresses me out.
I just watched you (amicably) try your hand at some British dialect. What has been your favourite bit of slang that you picked up when you’ve visited before?
“GET AMONGST IT, BOYO!”
What would you say to any artist who’s just starting out?
Work harder, because no matter how hard you work…someone is out there working harder than you.
Do you see a big change in your style from the early You and Yer Good Ideas days? Do you think it’s one your early fans will appreciate?
God, I hope so!
If I looked back on my old work and realized it sounded like my new work…man…that would feel like I was swimming in circles. As for fans, people will always be nostalgic for a certain phase of my career that rang true for them. I am the same way with artists I love. My only hope is that they will appreciate that i am trying to constantly change, grow, and push myself as an artist and a person, therefore, they will always keep a finger on the pulse of my work, and maybe even grown with me.
And finally, if you had a pet vulture that was particularly cultured, what would you call it?
Trick Daddy (duh).
Some of the coverage you find on Cultured Vultures contains affiliate links, which provide us with small commissions based on purchases made from visiting our site.
