TMB-Music.com: Interview: The Cranberry Show talk Sex And Pencil Shavings

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Interview: The Cranberry Show talk Sex And Pencil Shavings

Pic courtesy of David Szymanski

Just look at their cover artwork and you know this project is gonna be something different. Sex And Pencil Shavings is just that. Different, eclectic and at the end of the day, enjoyable. When I hit play on their new project, I had only having heard one previous track from The Cranberry Show (Arcane and Young Focus). I knew I liked their sound and was curious as to what a full album would bring from the Milwaukee based duo.

Things kicked off with "Electric Girl." The production is crazy on the intro track and carries throughout the project. Tracks like "I'm Horny," and "Perks" continue to build on the have fun and live life attitude of S.A.P.S.. After several plays of the album, I can tell you that The Cranberry Show definitely didn't go the safe route. This album is who they are.

The rhymes won't blow you away but you will laugh and enjoy their word play, sometimes making you rewind to catch a punch line again.

The album will definitely appeal to a younger audience but not all old heads will write it off. It's a fusion of fun tracks and high energy, with a comical approach. It's worth a listen.

I reached out to the duo for a Q&A. Buckle your seat belts because just like their album, they don't hold back with the interview. Enjoy!

Pic courtesy of David Szymanski

TMB: How long have ya'll been collectively been doing music? Both from Milwaukee?

Arcane: Yeah, we we're both born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. We have been doing music together now for a good 2 years. It's been a wild ride.

Young Focus: Actually I'm not from this Mil-wau-kee you ask about. I'm from a small land inside of a woman called a Vaginero. See, many many moons ago there was a great war in the land of Testicalonia. It ended in a monumental race between the males and the females, though back then we were only pods with little tails attached. We bursted in and broke down the the walls of Vaginero. Then we raced to the safe egg in the realm of Ovareesha. Long story short I WAS THE WINNER.

TMB: How'd you explain your sound in five words or less?

A: SOUNDS UNICORNS MAKE WHILE MASTURBATING!

YF: Rock, Rap and Pop orgy

TMB: What's the concept behind Sex and Pencil Shavings? I mean, the name is random, to me at least. How did you guys develop it?

A: Sex & Pencil Shavings is metaphor for the beginning and the end. See, the "SEX" brings life so that's the beginning. And the "PENCIL SHAVINGS" are the end because its what you leave behind as you get sharper from life grinding on you. What we truly believe is our music covers all basses, from the beginning, middle to the end. So the name was really fitting.

YF: Actually it came from a wild one night stand I had with a pencil sharpener. I know what your thinking... and the answer is yes, yes it was worth the hospital visit. Next question.

Pic courtesy of David Szymanski

TMB: Who are some of the people you worked with on your project?

YF: We actually only have two songs on our album with features. The first song on the album features the vocal stylings of a beautiful young lady by the name of Shylea Marie. She gets backed up on that same song by the very talented Jonathon Frost. And there is another song called "Rock The World" which contains vocals from a true music renaissance man by the name of Nov. But we worked really close with a producer by the name of 40-Mil, so he produced most tracks on the album.

TMB: What's the one track on S.A.P.S. that speaks to who you guys are as a group?

A: I think the one track that really speaks to us as a group is the last track on the album entitled "THAT MUZIK". It's a rebel, fuck the world, rowdy track that will give people an idea of our stage show because of the high energy.

YF: The song I would choose is "Im Horny." I dont think i really have to explain more than that

TMB: What's the one track on S.A.P.S. that speaks to who you guys are as individuals?

A: I feel like the track "PERKS" is the track that defines me the most. It's a super steezy and cocky track, but also just laid back.

YF: I'd have to say the song "Electric Girl." It's very eclectic and percise while paying great attention to detail.

TMB: What's your overall favorite track on S.A.P.S.?

A: MY FAVORITE TRACK IS HANDS DOWN IS "THAT MUZIK"

YF: I would have to go with "Electric Girl"

TMB: Which track off of S.A.P.S. would be on the soundtrack of your life and why?

A: MOON SONG WOULD BE MY ANSWER. BECAUSE THE WAY I GREW UP I ALWAYS GOT MADE FUN OF BECAUSE OF HOW I DRESS AND LOOK. BUT THE OG'S RESPECTED IT BECAUSE I WAS DOING ME. AND NOW PEOPLE RESPECT IT. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE SONG!

YF: Most definitely "Rock the World." I picked this one because it's all about taking charge of your own destiny and making the world pay attention to you.

Pic courtesy of David Szymanski

TMB: Where do you guys wanna see your music go?

A: OVER SEAS!!! It's already creating a buzz in places like the UK and Japan but that's not good enough. I want it to be like, we go over there and they have a hotel with Madonna half naked, crapes and those pretzel filled M&M's (but only the blue kind). We wanna be the best thing since slice bread internationally so we have A LOT of work to do.

YF: I just wanna see it in every porno featuring big girls with midget men.

TMB: What's next?

YF: The World Pinky (brain voice) No, really we have a tour in the works as well as a mixtape dropping on Thanksgiving day.

TMB: What's one thing you'd like people to take away from listening to S.A.P.S.?

A: THAT IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT

YF: It's the herpes of the music world. Once you have it, it's a part of your life FOREVER!