Exposed Vocals Interviews Basement Bastardz
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Basement Bastardz: We heard about Exposed Vocals on Twitter. We were just networking on Twitter and reaching out for more followers, then we seen a DM from you guys. First thing that popped up in our heads was “Why not?”
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Basement Bastardz: Our story is pretty interesting I would say. I mean I’m pretty sure we can relate to a lot of main stream Artists today, but we originally, no pun intended, started from the Basement. I’ve heard some artist refer to the Basement as starting from the bottom, but our studio was in fact in a Basement when we first started. We grew up in the Tri-State area of NY in Schenectady, as well as Albany. Some of us are from NYC as well and spent some time there. What made us want to become artists was the simple fact that our talent needed to heard. We really have a lot in store for the Music Industry and We believe once we make it the world will see and everyone will be screaming Double B. We have plans to switch up today’s Hip-Hop from the downhill path it’s going. We still see a few official artist holding it down such as Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Drake, and a few others.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Basement Bastardz: Our name just came to us honestly, we were brainstorming and brainstorming, but nothing legit and catchy was being thrown out. So we started thinking of where we started from, purpose of doing music, and also what we have been called multiple times by different people. Haha. We started in the basement, and Bastard meaning multiple things… Our meaning is simply we are Bastards.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Basement Bastardz: Online music sharing was cool back in 2012 you know, just starting off and letting people be able to download our music and bump it on their own time while it’s on their phone… But then as we got spun up on this Music Business and the Industry it came to us how If you really believe in your art, True art is not free. We are not signed at this moment, even though we do have a couple deals looking into us… We do not charge people for our music, but we just leave it on our Sound cloud and other music profiles to where they can always access it. As we progress, we will eventually start charging and doing the Music Business thing that we will have to do.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Basement Bastardz: The tip we will give Artists and bands is simply this… It’s not all about creating music and posting it you know? Because then who are you really posting it to? Who is really going to listen? You have to make a foundation of yourself. Give people something they can look at as well as listen to your music. Make sure you show your passion for your art that you do. If you are dedicated… Supporters and Fans will eventually start to rise without you even realizing it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Basement Bastardz: Mistakes happen all the time. That’s just life. We have not made a mistake performing yet and we surely do not plan to make a mistake so we can not give as much input into the question, but if it were to happen we will probably try to play it off. If playing it off does not work, we won’t stop performing. We will keep the act going and act like nothing happened and just wait for the media to take its role and see all the hilarious posts. it’s just life, but some people have entertainment off of other people’s failures or mistakes… It’s sad.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Basement Bastardz: We have not been on tour yet, but we are funding for a tour. We are looking into possibly being able to go on a tour If not this summer, then most definitely will try and push for the winter time.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Basement Bastardz: Our process is simply find a beat, make the hook, and divvy out who is on what. When we listen to beats though… We don’t just say oh this beat sounds nice… No, the beat has to give us the ideas and speak to us. It sounds weird, but we do not make music about anything. Our music is typically about real life thoughts, situations, and how we feel.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Basement Bastardz: Yes we do. http://basementbastardz.blogspot.com/ is out main website at this point. We share our music on Sound Cloud. At this point we are in the process of creating accounts on other music sites, but it will be known and added onto our site for our fans to visit and support.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Basement Bastardz: Well I know for one of us you will find him always thinking he can sing. He always tries to make a singing song and it’s just hilarious, but other then that neither of us really have anything embarrassing.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Basement Bastardz: Invest, Invest, and Invest. Did I say that enough? We will probably set-up a lot of future tours, future collaborations, and get exposure in many different countries. It’s all about the music. I’m sure vacations will be nice or cruises or something, but that’s only if we have time and with a year off will still not be time off honestly. Someone can give us time off, but who are they to tell me what to do on my time off right? So bettering ourselves, and bettering Double B is definitely something we will do.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Basement Bastardz: There is always plans for improving our studio. Right now we are working out of a home studio and have pretty legit equipment. We are funding for better equipment at this point in time as well and something that can make our music sound that much better.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Basement Bastardz: We see how the tools and sites that other artists are on and have decent conversations about how much it helped, we research and study ways to get exposure. Knowledge is key. What works best for us is Networking. Branching out to others and supporting them and asking for nothing back except for them to support as well.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Basement Bastardz:
Our thoughts would be Tupac, Biggie, Kendrick, J Cole, Papoose, Remy Ma, Big L, Chance The Rapper, Chris Brown, Bryson, Wayne, Nicki, and Drake. Where? What ever city/state/country wants to see us. I choose them because they all have each inspired us to do what we are doing now… There are more, but those are a select few.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Basement Bastardz: Yes, our Mixtape coming to you this spring is called: “Tales From The Basement” we really have some interesting tracks on there I am not going to lie. We really have versatility and thought into that mixtape and we can not wait to hear our fans reaction.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Basement Bastardz: Making music isn’t stopping anything at this point. Everything coincides with each other so same thing we doing now. Going to school, Working, and one of us is in the Marines and one of us is in the Army.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Basement Bastardz: I do, Rell Godly, it was actually Drake’s first album. I brought simply because he is one of the best artist right now and back then I always knew he had it in him… Even in his Degrassi days which was my only favorite show, BOOM, I exposed myself. Haha.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Basement Bastardz: Time management is key. If you do not know how to manage your time and set priorities, then you will find yourself being set back. Time can not be giving back… You just have to do what you have to do.
