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| Picture taken from the first page of Google Images and used based on that hat. |
For those who may be unfamiliar with your work please could you tell them who you are and what you do?
My name is Paul. I'm a Scorpio. I sell art for commerce to pay my mortgage.
The logical place to start would be the film you have in progress, can you tell us a little about Adult Rappers please? Who can we expect to see in it?
Adult Rappers is a documentary film that features a lot of passionate people that make a living off their art. However, none of them are not household names. A fact most people probably sees as a contradiction.
What was it that made you want to cover this part of Hip Hop rather than say a specific area's scene or the work of a specific artist? Where did this idea originate?
I've tried every step of the way not to make a hip hop documentary. This is a film about people. We've tried our best to avoid hip-hop cliches and retread familiar ground. The idea originated as a joke. Honestly. My phone rang one day and I said to a friend in passing, "I have too many adult rappers in my life". That's how it began.
Now Adult Rappers was KickStarter funded and seemed to do very well on there, how did you find that whole experience, obviously waiting all that time to see if you'd hit your funding and also coming up with rewards you felt were a fair trade for buying into the project?
I was actually well on my way down the road towards making this film when we launched the Kickstarter. I had piggy backed interviews onto other jobs anytime I could, baking interviews for close to a year. The Kickstarter, while successful, was never about "funding" the film. It was about finishing. I figured now we have a strong story - I need to be able to jump on a plane, grab a small crew and shoot when and where I want to wrap this up.
One thing that was evident during the KickStarter was the interest some people seemed to take in it. For example a guy on Twitter (@Egyptoknuckles) essentially became a PR man for the project, retweeting everything and spreading the word practically non-stop, how was it to see that a passion project of your own was resonating so strongly with other people out there?
For sure. That was the unexpected upside to the Kickstarter campaign. We had a great deal of passionate people come on board as ambassadors for the project - for no other reason than they believed in it. We didn't raise $1 million, but you can't put a price on what those people like @Egyptoknuckles brought to the project. It was also validation that we had tapped into a story people were interested in seeing. It was like free focus testing. The fact that it resonated so strongly with total strangers only strengthened our resolve.
What is the plan for the film? Will it be doing the festival circuit/limited run or are you looking to get a DVD out there as soon as possible?
Our plan is the festivals first. We'd love to see this premiere at SXSW. It just makes sense given the artists involved, the timing and the themes we're exploring. That said, if the festivals don't provide us the golden ticket we have some other ideas about the best way to share the story with the people that want to see it most. Ultimately, it's for them.
Obviously I imagine all your focus is on getting this film right at the moment but do you have any plans for what you will be doing beyond this film?
There's life beyond this film?
Now to get to Adult Rappers and the world of documentaries you've come via a fairly unconventional route, I believe you are currently a commercial director and you are the former DJ /producer of the tremendous group Hangar 18! That's a pretty unique C.V. How on earth did that happen?
Good question. I have no idea how I got here. I'm very, very lucky. People say that and usually it's some bullshit. I'm telling you legitimately, I know I am very lucky. My parents worked blue collar jobs. I went to public school. I'm not all that smart - I've been able to try on the life of a musician and decide it wasn't for me...not to mention I think I was horribly average. Most people don't even get that shot. I remind myself of that constantly.
So how did this happen? How did I get here? I love telling stories. I love moving pictures and I love poop jokes. I'm able to make a living doing two outta three. That gives me the opportunity to pursue passion projects like Adult Rappers. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the sum of all those experiences. I'm a lucky bastard.
Now I've seen it stated in previous articles and on blogs online that both yourself and Windnbreeze pretty much lost interest in the music business. Is there truth to this or was it just a case of people trying to attach a reason as to why a band with such a strong output just stopped?
Well, you're very kind. First, yes, the business of music is bullshit. As I said, I don't think I was very good at either the music or the business part. I think we all burned out on the business first and the music shortly thereafter. Second, my wife and I had our first child and her first year on earth coincided with our second LP. Something had to give on my end. I think I made the right choice. Musically it felt like the writing was on the wall too.
Do you miss that part of your life at all or was it very much a 'that was then' situation? Do you still make beats at all?
I love that part of my life. We had a fucking blast. I shared a tour bus with Shock G! Are you kidding? Every night I was like, "what are we doing here?" I just was not built for the life of a road dog...I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It was amazing. I still boot up the MPC now and again, just for fun, I never save the beats.
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| Who wouldn't want to share a bus with this guy? |
One of questions I always like to see artists I'm a fan of answer, whilst cliched, is... who inspires your work and why?
Oh, man. Too many to list. I'm a 70's baby, so basically all the shit that's popular now that everyone who's under 30 thinks is the new shit.
The main purpose of the blog is to try and put people on to new stuff so we have a few favourites/recommendation questions for you. First given that Adult Rappers is going to give a fresh new perspective on Hip Hop, what other film around Hip Hop culture would you recommend people check out?
Old school. Style Wars. New School. Tha Carter. Both classics in their own right.
Have you watched anything worth checking out lately?
Does the Twilight saga count? For sure, the one film from the last year I'm amazed how many music and film people haven't seen is Drive. If you're one of those people first get some friends to flog you with soap in the sock, Full Metal Jacket style. Then watch it. Best film of 2011 bar none.
If you could put people onto any three films what would they be and why?
3?! 3 films??? Jesus.
Let's go recent docs then;
1) "It Might Get Loud" - because it's creative oxygen for anyone that's needed a little inspiration.
2) "Bill Cunningham NY" - because, New York.
3) "Inside Job" - everything else is derivative when it comes to current history.
Are you reading anything currently?
No, any suggestions? Last great read was "Check The Technique" Brian Coleman.
What three books would you say are essential reading for one and all?
The Bible
The Koran
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
What are you listening to currently?
Mike Eagle - 4NML HSPTL
Suicidal Tendencies - Self titled
Any Band of Horse LP
Alaska's new demos and whatever SYFFAL sends me.
Finally, why should everyone check Adult Rappers?
I think it's a story that's relevant to anyone that grew up a part of generation X. Anyone who's parents told them "go to school, get a "real" job work hard, get married and everything will work out"...especially if now you're out of work, half crazy and wish you took a different path - or at least tried. If you pump NWA "Straight Outta Compton" even with the kids in the car, this film is for you. Now I'm confused. What was the question?
So that's the interview, hope you all enjoyed it and make sure you keep an eye out for Adult Rappers mainly because it looks like it's going to be spanking but also because Paul Iannacchino is clearly a good dude, I'm not sure too many people would have agreed to do this interview! I'd like to thank him for agreeing to it and thank you all for reading.
Almost forgot, if you want to keep up with the progress of Adult Rappers or if you just think Paul seems like a decent sort then follow him on Twitter @pawlmadethis.
Laters
Mechagodzeala
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