INQUIRING MINDS.: TEAM SHELLS REVOLUTION! THE INSIDE SCOOP!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

TEAM SHELLS REVOLUTION! THE INSIDE SCOOP!

"INSIDE THE MIND OF SHELLS"

AN INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY DJ MINDCONTROL

It's that time of the year again! Time to drop mix-tapes and seasonal releases.

For those who know I have been hard at work myself recently on two albums, both collaborative efforts which have given me a great insight into many more new artists.

Along with great talent comes those who live, eat, sleep their craft, always fine-tuning and ever engaging along the musical journey.

This year has been a great year for many. One fine artist I'd like to introduce to you, or rather for some re-introduce...

Shells of Team Shells Productions!

One of the hardest working B-girls in the industry bar none!

Welcome to "Inquiring Minds" to Shells! I'd like to first say I've recently joined forces with Shells on some things, and also with crewmate Inseyet of Kozmoknots.

JP- For those who are inquiring, who are you and where do you rep?

I am Shells Head Producer/Engineer/Instrumentalist/DJ & founder of "Team Shells Productions" which is a group of artists (producers/DJs/emcees/singers & graphic designers) Even my manager is part of the team. There is nothing better than knowing you are part of a group of trustworthy individuals.

I recently had to make some changes as a business professional to the Team however it was for the better as the past half a year has shown the success of the new setup and few people that come together to bring something unique and complementary to the team.

2011 will be the official debut of the Team and it's permanent members.

JP- So can you tell us in short some releases you've done in the past and some of the artists you have collaborated with?

Shells- 2010 was a good year for me. I released tracks with Prof, Sab The Artist, Orikal Uno, Anonimust, The Continental Duo... And the list goes on.

What to do by Shells
Tomorrow by Shells

Also I have done some exclusive Team releases (just with the mates). I also do some mainstream work, mixing and starting to produce for big mainstream artists but my love is always in the underground.

Many more artists are piling up so 2011 is going to be a big year. I have gotten a lot of recognition this past year and have worked mostly with artists from the Twin Cities, where my personal fav. hip-hop comes out of.

JP- Sweet, I definitely enjoy the different styles you hold down, and the collaboration aspect strikes home as well as I'm huge on collaborative efforts. Where did this come from for you as far as reaching out to so many artists?

Shells- I have always loved to work with others... "Team" is in my blood. Inspiration for me comes a lot with just the presence of another creative mind... I started reaching out to unsigned artists years ago that I hand selected to make music with. The people I pick are my biggest fans.

All the different genres I make are a result of starting early with the steel drums on the islands then onto the guitar (90's alternative rock mostly). Then straight to DJing at clubs in NYC at 15-16 years old, all rave-style music.

It wasn't until years later when I got into hip-hop majorly again and it now serves as my base if you will.

JP- You have an overwhelming amount of tracks/beats and then final songs online...

I can see you spend a lot of time in the studio. What does a regular day for Shells look like?

Actors by Shells

This time tomorrow by Shells

Shells- Honestly most songs online to me are still a work in progress. I will even touch up an album release if needed... Whats final to me is a master. However I have released a lot of music this year with pretty good mixes I think for everyone to enjoy, with loads of different artists.

Well, a regular day: When it's studio/work time... Wake up, do some online promotion and usually speak with my manager to get the week/day rollin'. I take a few puffs on the green and get to work! I have just recently updated my entire studio as a result of the enormous amount of work mixing that came in a few months ago.

Also every beat I put out is a rough outline. I finalize the mixes as much as possible when I get vocals back and mix the entire track together. I am a POST Freeeak. And a true engineer as well.

JP- Talk a little bit about working with Orikal Uno.

Shells- I first heard of him, then saw him freestyling in a video on a radio show with Analyrical... After that I followed his stuff for years hearing just a little here and there but loving him more and more. He is one of the most talented emcees to come out and also one of my personal favorites of all time. We put out a bunch of leak tracks this year... I also just put out a huge tribute album with a 15 minute track just for him (an EP within itself), all snippets from when he came down to my studio in Chicago. We had a 4 day binge. That track is called "Uno Snacks"... It is a little prelude of what's to come in the future.

JP- What's next for Team Shells future releases...?

Well we have the seasonal "Round The Track Series", The 2nd release will be out in the Spring. I am also working on a bunch of production/DJ collaborations, always working with random artists and I have a few solo projects to finish mixing and to start some new stuff on. Expect a monster drop from "ECLIPS3" this year, "Kids Like Us", "The Continental Duo" and then I will be working as a featured producer on many other albums in 2011/2012 including reggae/pop/straight up club to acoustic live indie rock etc. I do it all. I also work with film and had the opportunity to score an entire indie film trailer and will be starting another one around early spring of 2011.

Also the "Xmas Tapes" was something I have been meaning to put out every year, this is the 1st! Last year I put a prelude track to this years EP. This year features you (DJ Mindcontrol) on cuts with all production by me. All downtempo, dubstep. It is seasonal! Also this first installment was the big one. In my head it was being worked on for over 6 years... The other will only be 5-8 tracks tops.