Optamus - Producer Appreciation Month Interview

Bomb Scott (AKA Optamus) Interview

 

Hey all, how are ya? I've managed to grab Optamus from one of Perth's most well known Hip Hop groups "Downsyde" for an interview. Read below.

When did you start and what got you into making beats?
The first album I did production on was the Downsyde demo in 1996 called 'Behind The Bucket'. Music software was not really around or affordable so Shabaz and I produced all the loops on a really old emu keyboard which would 'trip the sound' over. It was a long process and I really appreciate how easy it is now to make loops and arrange them.


What are your musical influences and how do they effect your style?

9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Evidence, DJ Muggs, Rage Against The Machine ,ACDC, Soul (Genre) - Too many to name, 'Old Big Band Conductors' like Burt Bacarach etc, also obsessed with anything that has good piano chops. They influence my style by - Sonic bounce, arrangement, stereo spread, head nod - In lots of ways.

If you could choose 10 rappers to produce for who would they be?
Zack De la Rocha, Eminem, Black Thought, Big L (RIP), Big Pun (RIP) Q Tip, Jay Z, NAS, Guru (RIP), Immortal Technique.

What projects have you worked on so far?
Downsyde
* Behind the Bucket - Independent (1997) demo cassette
* Epinonimous - Syllaboliks (September 2000)
* Land of the Giants - Hydrofunk/Virgin (HF 30) (March 2003)
* When the Dust Settles - Obese (OBR026) (December 2004)
* All City - Illusive Records (ILL014CD) (4 October 2008)

Optamus
* Forever and a Day - Opt Shop (SBX023) (12 June 2010)

Production:
Downsyde
* Behind The Bucket - Yirra Yaakin (1997) Whole Album
* Epinonimous - Syllabolix MGM (2000) 2,4,5,6,9,10
* When the Dust Settles - Obese (2004)3,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,18
* All City - Illusive (2009) 1,2,5,9,10,11,13

Clandestien
* Clandestien - Clandestien (1997) Track 1, 2 and 3
* Clandestien - Syllabolix (2001) Track 4

Hunter
* Done DL - Syllabolix (2002) Tracks 11, 16, 18
* Culture Of Kings II - Obese (2002) Disc 1, Track 2 (Jam Roll)

Matty B
* The Courageous LP - Obese (2002) Track 7

Culture of Kings III (2003) Track 1 (Obese Records)

Bias B
* In Bed With Bias - Wordburner (2004) Tracks C1, D3
* Been There Done That - Obese Records (2007) Track 9

Drapht
* Culture Of Kings III - Obese (2004) Disc 1, Track 1 (Misunderstood)

Fdel
* Audiofdelity - Invada Records (2005) Track 8

Hunter
* Going Back to Yokine - Obese Records (2006) Track 15

Omni
* Batterie - NatAural High Records (2007) Tracks B1-B3

Guest Appearances
* 2001: "Lord of the Flies" (from Clandestien album Clandestien)
* 2002: "Have a Drink With Us" (from Hunter Album Done DL)
* 2002: "Co-Conspiriters" (from Hunter Album Done DL)
* 2002: "Jam Roll" (from Culture of Kings II - Hunter track)
* 2005: "Dusty Fingers" (from Fdel Album Audiofdelity)

What projects are you working on in future?
Currently working on a new Downsyde album, Bitter Belief album and Hunter album.

Who do you think is holding it down for Perth right now?
What... Besides Syllabolix ha ha Too many to name. Keep an ear out for Bitter Belief, Smiley and Complete.

What gear are you using to make beats?
The brand new Fruity Loops yo!! ( I stay dedicated )
Midi Controller, and some nice vocal recording gear - avalon etc..

What are the top 5 beats ever made to you?
Mad Lion/KRS 1 produced 'Take It Easy'
Cypress Hill/DJ Mugga produced 'Insane In The Brain'
DJ Premier - Too many to name - 'Moment of Truth' is a masterpiece!

Where can we hear some of your work?
Everywhere!!