aim: daniela speaks
[insomniac]=
.me.
"You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby"
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Shabooty Interview Series: Daryl Palumbo of Head
Automatica & GlassJAw
Superman isn't when you drop a load on a chick's back
when she is passed out and when she wakes up the bed
covers are stuck to her back like a cape... (right
Chrissy? -I promised I'd mention her name). Superman is
Daryl Palumbo. Daryl Palumbo is 'teh fux0ring man. He's
from STRONG ISLE, and created GlassJaw, a post-hardcore
band that will make you rush to grab your subutex, and
shove it under your tongue. Well, apparently Superman
can shape-shift as well. Daryl is also the frontman for
Head Automatica, the powerpop/electronica band I have
come to love. His collective of artist friends (El-P,
Cage, Shia LaBoeuf, Aesop Rock, Yak Ballz, etc) AKA
CardboardCity+Weathermen (CCWM) are transforming the
music and art world.
I had asked CCWM member, and your friend El-P this
question in a June interview, but I will ask you the
same to get it in your own words.
How would you describe the CCWM movement/collective?
Our collective is simply a group of like minded
creative individuals who enjoy creating & performing
together. Since we each have our own identities and
became family, we decided to identify the whole with
its own name.
How did Cardboard City come about and did you always
think of it as a collective that spanned various
industries and art forms?
We were just artists that would build, hatch schemes
and "dream aloud" together. You do that long enough
with people you're close to, you start envisioning a
bigger plan. The idea of having some already
established artists/musicians networking with and
through eachother was a motivating factor from the
jump. Our "peer group" already did span many
genres/mediums. We just organized it from there.
What is the origin of the name?
It is a relatively commonly used term.
When you see a guy rocking chanel (CC logo), what pops
up in your head first --ode to Daryl Palumbo/CC or
Metro-sexual?
A guy? I'll tend to come to the conclusion that he
probably has enough cheddar to afford tacky chanel
sunglasses.
How did your friendship with Chris Palko (Cage Kennylz)
come about and grow?
I had been a huge appreciator of Chris' music since I
was young teen. Over the years his music changed my
life in a large way. I was introduced to him about 6
years ago by a friend who knew the impact that Cage's
music had made on me. We immediately starting plotting
to create something bigger than the two of us the night
we first spoke. Chris is one of the closest friends i
have ever and will ever have.
Will there be another Chris homage or reference in
future Head Auto albums? As a fan of you both, I
personally get a kick out of them.
There will always be [chris] palko references in
everything I do.
I imagine the Cage/WeatherMen connection has turned a
lot of hardcore hip-hop heads on to your music.
Yes, and vice versa obviously. When we do events or
shows together, the crossover audience is the biggest
indicator that what we are trying to do is reaching
some people.
You're very multifaceted with you being in several
bands all with unique sounds and styles of music --how
do you pull off wearing so many different hats --and
are you constantly pulled in different directions with
concurrent projects?
Each project is so completely different that my
identity in each band defines itself. I don't have to
devise a new identity. I never quite feel "pulled".
Since you're boys with Shia LaBoeuf, will we see a
Daryl cameo in the next Indiana Jones?
Yes. I signed on to all 3 of the next E.T. movies. I'm
also in the "Howard the Duck" remake starring myself,
Ringo Starr and Andy Rooney (of CBS's "60 minutes"
fame).
Will there ever be a cardboard city+weathermen tour? I
would love to see El-P, Cage, and Yourself all on the
stage at once.
Yes. There will be. We have already done numerous
tours, shows and parties together.
Are you surprised as to how fast the
CardboardCityWeathermen (CCWM) phenomenon is spreading?
--down to mainstream examples of "throwing your C's
up." (The best was the Shia LaBoufe CC's on SNL).
Shia's amazing right? I personally couldn't even
believe he did it.
Standing right there next to Avril Lavigne in front of
millions of people, repping cardboard city like a
champ. Yes, I am quite surprised at how fast people
have identified with us. Its incredible flattering and
inspiring seeing so many people connect with our
identity on the whole, considering all of the
individual parts are so distinctly different. My
girlfriend has worn an old CC sweatshirt of mine to go
shopping and has had kids throwing up CC's at her in
the mall. Bewildering.
If El-P can do a song with Trent [Reznor], can you see
yourself doing a song with Warner Bros. label mate,
Murs?
I never though about that. I don't see why not. I've
known murs for a while now. He's quite a nice, smart
gentleman.
Has Shia introduced you to Rhianna yet?
no.
Are you mainly out in the west coast these days?
I've been spending most of my time lately between CA
and NY.
Aes[op Rock] has done stuff for Nike, El[-Producto] has
done things for Adult Swim, [Alex] Pardee is doing his
3-D Chadam movie deal, are you working on anything like
that, that goes beyond the typical?
Cardboard city bar soap. Yak ballz cereal. El-P scuba
doll with removable wet suit.
Who are your pop-culture influences growing up?
Godzilla.
I've read you're a hip-hop head from way back --the
first question is Biggie or 2pac? and who are your fav.
hip-hop arists?
Biggie. not 2pac. faves? Redman, artifacts (TAMEONE),
epmd, kmd, cage, public enemy, casual, kool g rap,
masta ace, big daddy kane, camron, old heiroglyphics,
the motherfucking wu (The Ghost), blackmoon, smiff n
wessun, lord finesse, O.C., 89.9 WKCR stretch & bobbito
show (RIP).
I asked a superfan to summarize Glassjaw and Head
Automatica;
they likened Head Automatica as "fun for drunken dance
parties,"
and GlassJaw as: "raging/wilding out in the car!!!"
Would you agree? -how would you describe your two bands?
I guess each band serves its own purpose, yes. Glassjaw
is a temper tantrum. Automatica is a night out.
F-MARRY-KILL
You have to: F one, Marry one, and Kill one:
Lindsay Lohan, Rihanna, and Lucy Lui
i am terribly impartial to all three of those people.
Just an idea --as you may know, Eminem has the Shade45
channel on sirius satellite radio --could you see a
CardboardcityWeathermen satellite radio station?
Since the family is so diverse I think that would be a
good place where the different artists in the
collective can come together regularly and reach out to
fans.
i wouldn't mind that, though I'm sure a few million
people would.
That's all.
CCWM.07+Shabooty
i like traditionals
