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WT: What was your first introduction to the chiptune scene?
The Laohu: My younger brother has been involved in the chiptune scene
for about 6 years now, so I've been aware of it for at least that long.
However, it wasn't until about a year and a half ago that I got really
interested. One morning my brother called me over to the computer to check out
a video. It was Danimal Cannon playing 'The Big Crunch' live. I was blown away
and instantly fell in love with the raw and unique sound palette. The next day,
my brother hooked up the SNES and taught me how to LSDJ. Then, while perusing
Kitsch Bent's store for a gameboy cart, I heard Crack Pinocchio by Comptroller.
It was so dirty and delightful, I knew I had to implement chip in my music.
WT: You recently played the
pre-party for Superbyte, how did this come about and how was the experience?
TL: No big story as to
how that came about. Slots were on a first come first serve basis, so I hawked
the website and applied as soon as it opened. I was still trying to convince my
wife to let me go and I figured that playing would strengthen my case. As for
the experience, I loved it, although everything wasn't perfectly smooth.
My throat had been feeling a bit scratchy since that morning and just before I
went on, I realized I was losing my voice. It didn't take long after I started
for my voice to give out almost completely. My energy level was high, so it was
still a fun show, but my singing ended up as a lot more yelling and growling
than is typical. Another highlight was the lack of a mic stand for me, so
Squaremad and Bart from the Men of Mega ended up holding the mic for me. And
Superbyte in general was just a blast. It was great to see so many friends and
listen to great music by great artists.
WT: Have you played live anywhere
else?
TL: Oh, lots of places.
I've played at Ultrachip in Edinburgh, 8-bit Nights in Glasgow, a party in
London, and various other gigs around the US. And I'm always looking for more
opportunities ;)
WT: What prompted you to mix
guitars vocals and chip together?
TL: I started singing in
a band in high school and have been in many different bands since, picking up
guitar along the way. In the past decade I've moved around quite a bit, from
China to Utah, and I usually started a band wherever I went. It was somewhat
frustrating though, because I had to start afresh each time. By adding in chip,
I'm able to keep my sound the same wherever I go.
WT: Who are your biggest
influences musically?
TL: On the chip side, I'd
have to say Danimal Cannon, Comptroller, Knife City, Bright White Lightning,
Roboctopus, Ultrasyd, gwEm and Disasterpeace. On the other side of the fence, I
listen to Ben Folds, Weezer, Foo Fighters, Christophe Beck, Emery, Guster, Jim
Guthrie, Joyside, Deas Vail, We Are the Physics, Lost Ocean,
Radiohead, Rise Against, Shark Speed, Strung Out and so many others, but I've
probably written plenty already.
WT: What influences you lyrically?
TL: Because
inspiration comes from many different and random sources, I keep a notebook and
jot down bits and phrases when they come to me. Occasionally I'll be jamming
along on a new song and I'll sing whatever comes to mind and I'll just refine
those words as I go along. With that said, I typically try to write lyrics that
bring people up, not down. There is plenty in life to drag us down, I'd like my
words and music to inspire people, although some songs are just for goofy fun
(ahem, Party Pants).
WT: Could you talk to us a bit
about your releases please?
TL: Heh, releases doesn't
feel like quite the right word. I think they were more of experiments. The
first, Polish the Stars, was my first foray into chip, so I was just adding
chip to songs that I'd already written for a band, tying to see how the guitar,
vocals and chip could all work together. The second release was the opposite,
more of an attempt to really delve into LSDJ and strengthen my technical
skills. I'm quite pleased with how much my music has evolved since I started
writing chiptunes and I think my next release will more accurately reflect the
type of music that I want to make.
WT: What went in to the creation
of your WeeklyTreat?
TL: My weekly treat is
dedicated to all the friends I've made this last year in the UK, and especially
Scotland. I had a fabulous time living and studying in Glasgow and met so many
amazing artists and people, thank you all. This song is called 'Haggis, Neeps
and Tatties' which is (obviously) Scottish cuisine. The three different items
in this dish work well together to create a tasty experience and I hope this song
can do the same.
WT: What have you got planned for
the future of The Laohu?
TL: There are a number of different
delights cooking in the Laohu's oven. I have a few collaborations stewing, a
bunch of new songs brewing and I hope to start marinating people in warm sonic
broth now that I'm back in the US. I realize I may be talking about food more
than music now, so I think we'll end here and go get something to eat.
