These Doomtree guys must get bored quick. It was last month that the hip-hop crew took over First Avenue and blanketed our collective consciousness with its acclaimed "No Kings" album.
But with the new year comes new Doomtree music -- this time in the form of speaker-crushing instrumentals by the group's go-to producer, Lazerbeak. On Tuesday, the real-life Aaron Mader released "Lava Bangers," a collection of 20 unreleased beats that went unused during Doomtree's rise to prominence. His wingman here is DJ Plain Ole Bill, who mixed the songs together, creating one seamless soundtrack.
We reached Lazerbeak by e-mail Saturday, rolling through Omaha in a minivan, as Doomtree set out on the first leg of its 50-city "Kings" tour.
Q: These beats sound like you made them on the set of an action movie -- but you crafted them in your basement, right?
A: Ha, ha, yeah, all in the basement. The "Legend Lair" as I've dubbed it. I made most of the beats in house shoes and a huge robe my mom made for me with "BEAK" stitched on the back. Hopefully with the millions I stack off this record I'll be able to create the next album on the set of "Mission: Impossible 5," though.
Q: On your last solo album, "Legend Recognize Legend," you sang. Why no singing this time?
A: At the time I made [that album] I hadn't sung or played guitar since the Plastic Constellations called it quits some years back. I think every four years or so I'll probably get that urge to sing (it'll be like the Summer Olympics or something), but right now I'm just focused on production. Plus, me singing on records has generally equated to tens of thousands of non-recoupable dollars. Ha ha.
Q: You seem to be obsessed with all things "legendary." Who are your top three favorite legends (legends among legends, if you will)?