AUTOMatic hail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and bring with them a group of loyal fans. As far as their influences go, they cite Arrested Development, De La Soul, Herbie Hancock, J Dilla, Big Daddy Kane, and a multitude of others as their top influences. In terms of stage chemistry, they look to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince since they can “make it acceptable to kids and adults alike, without making it corny.”
As far as inspiration and writing goes, the process is more organic than you might expect. They employ the Biggie style of writing and “try not to physically write it down until it’s perfect. Once it’s on paper, it’s concrete.” When it comes to putting their lyrics on paper, it all comes together “like a jigsaw puzzle” and they don’t force it. It’s almost palpable in their music, that it comes from a genuine and true place.
Their collaboration with Speech from Arrested Development came about when the AD frontman heard one of their older songs on a local radio station. Speech then went and called the director of the radio show, and AUTOMatic’s manager received an email from him. The group lost touch with Speech for an extended period of time, before they shot him an email, asking if he was still available. It turned out that he was still a fan of the group and interested in collaborating, so they sent him a demo of their song “Rise and Shine”, and Speech sent them a verse back. Eventually he asked them to return the favor, and that’s how they came to be on Arrested Development’s new album.
While some musicians might enter the business to reach the same level of fame as Jay Z or Kendrick Lamar, AUTOMatic makes it clear that fame isn’t their main motivator. “We’re not really trying to be stars, we want to make something of significance.” You may hear old school samples or influences in their music, because they view themselves as “history teachers, like taking Slick Rick and making it more accessible to people today.” After opening for Naughty By Nature and working with Speech of Arrested Development, they remain humble and continue working towards releasing music for people to enjoy and creating something of significance that will last.
By Devon Pyne for RAPstation.com
AUTOMatic: The RAPstation Interview
AUTOMatic hail from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and bring with them a group of loyal fans. As far as their influences go, they cite Arrested Development, De La Soul, Herbie Hancock, J Dilla, Big Daddy Kane, and a multitude of others as their top influences. In terms of stage chemistry, they look to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince since they can “make it acceptable to kids and adults alike, without making it corny.”
As far as inspiration and writing goes, the process is more organic than you might expect. They employ the Biggie style of writing and “try not to physically write it down until it’s perfect. Once it’s on paper, it’s concrete.” When it comes to putting their lyrics on paper, it all comes together “like a jigsaw puzzle” and they don’t force it. It’s almost palpable in their music, that it comes from a genuine and true place.
Their collaboration with Speech from Arrested Development came about when the AD frontman heard one of their older songs on a local radio station. Speech then went and called the director of the radio show, and AUTOMatic’s manager received an email from him. The group lost touch with Speech for an extended period of time, before they shot him an email, asking if he was still available. It turned out that he was still a fan of the group and interested in collaborating, so they sent him a demo of their song “Rise and Shine”, and Speech sent them a verse back. Eventually he asked them to return the favor, and that’s how they came to be on Arrested Development’s new album.
While some musicians might enter the business to reach the same level of fame as Jay Z or Kendrick Lamar, AUTOMatic makes it clear that fame isn’t their main motivator. “We’re not really trying to be stars, we want to make something of significance.” You may hear old school samples or influences in their music, because they view themselves as “history teachers, like taking Slick Rick and making it more accessible to people today.” After opening for Naughty By Nature and working with Speech of Arrested Development, they remain humble and continue working towards releasing music for people to enjoy and creating something of significance that will last.
By Devon Pyne for RAPstation.com
