The Stu Reid Experiment: TSRE Wonders: Exclusive Interview with Jason Drake of Cassettes Won't Listen

We here at The Stu Reid Experiment had a chance to catch up with Jason Drake of Cassettes Won't Listen for an exclusive interview this week. We asked him about his experiences as both a remixer and original songwriter, how hip hop has influenced his work, and what his favorite article of clothing is (and he gets bonus points for a picture!). Check it out below:

TSRE: If you had to give someone an introduction to your music, before they had ever heard any of your songs, what would you tell them to listen for? How would you describe your music?

CWL: I always start off by saying I'm a producer or electronic artist mixed with singing/songwriting. From there you can usually tell if the person knows exactly what I'm talking about or if they have no clue. If they know then we're all good, if not then I usually say I play guitar.

TSRE: Would you start them off with Into The Hillside? Or would you take a more chronological viewpoint?

CWL: Into The Hillside is an album that is very specific to where I was over the last year. If I were to start them off I would probably go earlier and play them "Cutting Balloons" from 2005, give them a remix or two I've hooked up for other artists, and finish them up with something from Small-Time Machine.

TSRE: We first got exposed to you via some of the remixes you have done – Pela, El-P, Asobi Seksu, and many more. Which do you prefer, remixing or creating original tunes? How does your approach differ when attacking remixes vs. covers vs. originals?

CWL: I approach remixes and covers with much less anxiety and feeling of helplessness. Both have somewhat of a structure to work with and some sort of direction. Original songs are the most rewarding while also being the most terrifying. I have to make sure Im experiencing something big in life to pull inspiration from while writing songs. I don't want to sing about how I'm sitting around watching TV. That's what twitter is for.

TSRE: The remix table was turned on you, recently, when you were remixed by Diplo and DJ Avia. What’s it like to hear one of your own tracks get the remix treatment?

CWL: I love it...... when I like the remix, which is most of the time. It's sort of hard to deal when the remix doesn't compliment the track. When remixing, there is a fine line between genius and a complete strike out.

TSRE: You work(ed?) for Def Jux at one point. How did your experiences there affect your music? Do you feel like your music has been influenced by hip hop?

CWL: I still do work for Def Jux and have been for a while now. I came on board around the beginning, right around when Aesop Rock's Labor Days was coming out. The label has become almost an extension of who I am, if I grew another arm I would probably call it Def Jux. Being constantly surrounded by El-P, Cage, Aesop Rock, etc has always had an impact on my music and career. They've all been very supportive. I grew up listening to hip hop so it will always have a place in my music.

TSRE: As a musician with some marketing experience, what’s your feeling on the “blogosphere”. Is it good for musicians? Is it good for music? (No need to candy coat, we have thick skin).

CWL: Seems like that's a trick question. It's great but then it's not great. It's great because it opens the scene up to so many new bands / music that you would of never heard before. But that's the blogosphere's downfall. Too much music and too many bands to listen to. Everyone has a presence online nowadays so it sort of ruins the scene by spreading it too thin. Our artist on Def Jux, Cage, says that the underground doesn't exist anymore. It's true. I remember riding the bus up to Manhattan to hit record stores that stocked music you couldn't get anywhere else and I loved it! Now you can just download it. I probably would have hated the internet growing up but now Im addicted to it. Who wants to travel two hours to go to a record shop?

TSRE: What’s your favorite piece of musical equipment?

CWL: I've finally gotten into software synths and started recording with Logic. I'd probably have to say that my computer is my favorite instrument. Although I've recently bought a Monome so you'll have to ask me once I've had more time to fuck around with it.

TSRE: The last three albums you listened to beginning-to-end?

CWL: Wow, thats a hard one. I think they were the new Wu-Tang comp that just came out, One Foot In The Grave by Beck (reissue), and Cage's Depart From Me.

TSRE: One thing you haven’t done in music yet that you would like to do?

CWL: National / World Tour