This has been a pleasure doing this online Interview with GPSONAR, and I was very impressed with the depth of GPSONAR. I think anyone reading this interview will instantly become a fan of GPSONAR's music. In addition, GPSONAR's music has a message that everyone would want to hear.
JUNIOR: When and why did you start performing?
GPSONAR: It was the year 1991. I was in love with art & music at the time. I was always trying to do everything, whether it involved instruments or singing. in 1996 I began writing poetry. At first, it was a hobby, (kinda something your parents want you to do to stay out of trouble) then it became a lifestyle. What better way is there to express yourself legally then through music? lol (laughing out loud). I feel the microphone is a friend that never lets me down. I look at life as if we where put here for a reason and you can't understand the world until you find your general purpose (gp), so creating music is giving me the steps each day.
JUNIOR: A brief history of GPSONAR:
GPSONAR I began writing poetry and lyrics in '96, and shortly after executing a unique but tentative style when I linked up with future Antistarz group member FreeSpace both in the lab and on stage. The mediocrity of everyday, mundane bourgeois existence that is so drastically nauseating as it is deplorable and infectious drove me deeper underground, which probably explains my eccentric personality and provided me with the perfect opportunity to further experiment with different sounds and writing techniques. After years in isolation, I reemerged into this so-called music world.
JUNIOR: What was the first tune(s)/flow/lyrics you learned?
GPSONAR: My first song was called "Jane". At the time I was fascinated with smoke tree so I used it as a metaphor with woman. Both can make you feel like King and both can make you feel like a servant.
JUNIOR: Is your family musical?
GPSONAR: No
JUNIOR: Describe your family member's musical interests and abilities. Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
GPSONAR: I could say The Wu. The ambition is unimaginable. They continue to put out records today regardless of the cookie cutter hip hop scene.
JUNIOR: Which famous musicians have you learned from? Who was your first musical teacher? Other teachers?
GPSONAR: Me myself and the Antistarz members
JUNIOR: Describe your first time performing in front of an audience.
GPSONAR: It was weird and one to remember. I was a hype man at my man Freespace's show. He asked if I could write a little something and play a few shows. I didn’t know what I was doing, but didn't make a fool out of myself.
JUNIOR: What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?
GPSONAR: Being in the lab. When you have a handful of talented people and all minds are on the same page, The chemicals produce energy and you don't want that energy to go away.
JUNIOR: Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
GPSONAR: Tapes like Tool, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pantera, Nothingface, Cypress Hill, the Wu, Boot Camp Clik, Death Row Records, Mos Def. I have such a variety of music I listen to, you'd be surprised if you looked through my music collection.
JUNIOR: Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?
GPSONAR: Rza, Soulfly, Saul Willaims, Esthero, George Winston, 40 Below Summer, Sage Francis, Ghostface, Kenny G(the slow stuff), Bob Marley, Rob Zombie. the list can go on forever.
JUNIOR: Have you been in competitions?
GPSONAR: Yes, but I don’t agree with who's better and who can practice more.
JUNIOR: Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV?
GPSONAR: Sure, I try to perform a few times a month whether in the Nyc or Li. I' m always ready.
JUNIOR: Why should folks listen to your music?
GPSONAR: It's what you've been missing. Feel good vibes mixed with fantasy to give reality a clearer picture.
JUNIOR: Very clever answer.
JUNIOR: How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
GPSONAR: Mistakes can be looked at like a cup of coffee. I like my coffee sweet, if there's no taste, you can always bring it up a notch. mistakes can always be played off as on purpose.
JUNIOR: Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?
GPSONAR: No, I used too. I love performing. I threw fear out the window years ago.
JUNIOR: What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
GPSONAR: Do you? Don't do what they say and imagine everyone is naked, cause then you might focus to much on the Queen in the crowd and lose your train of thought.
JUNIOR: Do you attend sessions? What makes a good session?
GPSONAR: Good company, no one like tension.
JUNIOR: How often and for how long do you practice?
GPSONAR: I write everyday; mostly poetry and ideas. The music I make when I have a few hours which is late night or on weekends.
JUNIOR: What do you practice - exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.?
GPSONAR: Old songs, new songs (there’s so many I never run out)
I practice using my voice along with my writing style and production.
JUNIOR: Do you teach others your skills?
GPSONAR: That's a question for my listeners. I try to teach my beliefs in every song.
JUNIOR: How do you balance your music with other obligations - mate, children, job?
GPSONAR: I always make time. sometimes I'll be late to work at 8am because I'm so into the song I just wrote. Music will always be there for me. I balance a 9-5 with no problems, my mother stopped nursing me years ago. I don’t have a choice (lol).
JUNIOR: Overall, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
GPSONAR: Signed and presenting my words for people ready to absorb them. Healthy, successful.
JUNIOR: What makes your music stand out from the millions of other music in your genre?
GPSONAR: As in an artist uses a brush to make pictures from his/her imagination, I use my voice to create those pictures, and my mind will remain my mind. My music comes from the heart. I'm here to give you the obvious, some are blindfolded. Not to bling in plastic and show the world how pretty my diamonds look. There's more to life then violence and jewelry and my music says that.
JUNIOR: What about sex appeal? how much does that play a part in your music?
GPSONAR: I love woman, I have songs for those special occasions. I don't see myself as a LL Cool J shadow but confident enough to make a woman feel like a Queen.
JUNIOR: Do you have any last thoughts you would like to let Junior's Cave's audience know about you?
GPSONAR: "In time there’s space for change. I will change this space in time", Gp. Keep a look out for the Gp debut album coming this summer.
Thank you for you time Junior Cave's-
The Official Website
