Interview With Deuce Maxwell
January 15, 2009 | Author: OfficiallyHipHop
What artists or producers do you look to for inspiration in your music?
Deuce: Umm…this could be a long list, but I’ll do my best [laughs]. As far as artists go, I always go for the underdogs, for example cats like Martin Luther, or Cody ChestnuTT. And as far as my Hip Hop goes, I’m into cats like Talib Kweli, Little Brother, and Mos Def. But for inspiration sonically, I love anything produced by Quik, Shock-G, or Devante from Jodeci. To me, these cats were and still are music geniuses. So if anything, I’m striving to get in their category someday, that’d be fly right?
How long has your debut album “The Plushcat Sessions” been in the works?
Deuce: It’s been in the works for a minute I guess you could say. Initially it was just supposed to be a free download that my manager and I were gonna use to generate some buzz for a deal. But I started getting all kinds of love out there from Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, and the UK, so we kept it going. Once it got to Jake Records, I had to make a few changes due to sample clearances but that gave me the opportunity to add some extras and perfect my album.
What is one of your favorite tracks from the album? Why this one?
Deuce: I would say my favorite on the album would be my ode to “Sade” cause I really wanted to make a record that had that dark soulful sound that they have as a band. I always wanted to know what they would think of it, if they ever had the chance to hear it. That one is special to me. It’s like my trump card on this album. It’s different from every other track and the people that have heard it, don’t even believe it’s me singing on the record.
Where does your debut album title originate from?
Deuce: Well I always thought “The Plushcat Sessions” sounded like a cool lounge type spot and my album is supposed to be the noise in the background providing the atmosphere.
You’ve been in the music scene for nearly ten years now. What has been one of the best experiences so far?
Deuce: Well getting positive feedback is always the high point for me, but I would have to say when I was in the studio with Digital Underground while they were recording the album “Who Got The Gravy” up in Alameda, California. I brought some heads with me, and we just couldn’t believe how cool these n***az were. Man it was just surreal.
I also understand that “Shock-G” was in the studio at the time too. How was it seeing him?
Deuce: Well when I was up there, Shock-G was busy mixing a track called “Purple Scream Theme” that didn’t make the album, but just being in the studio with my favorite group was bananas. So we kicked it and he played my demo. He also played some records he had just done with Saafir, Mac Mall, and the Dungeon Squad. It was all peace…he’s a real cool cat.
