"Don't be afraid to love. Don't care about what people think of you. Conquer your ego issues."
Over at Altsounds, we had the chance to listen to the new Symmetry and Ryan Lewis album. In addition, we caught up with the man himself to get the Lowdown.
Altsounds: So tell me about the origins of Symmetry?
Symmetry: I started off very young with a love for poetry. I began to explore the world of hip hop in the early 90's and immediately was in love. Being that I loved poetry so much, I started writing my own and eventually, put two and two together and started writing raps. I began recording myself at sixteen years old and ever since then, have been infatuated with the art of song writing and recording.
Altsounds: What was it like emerging onto the scene and how have things changed over time?
Symmetry: I came at the end of a scene. The end of a local hip hop scene and the fizzling out of underground hip hop. I have always been an outcast and because of this, would continue to be. I think a "scene" is an awful thing. It creates everything bad starting with competition and ending with lack of creativity. I think people are much more creative with no outside influence from a scene. A scene creates a demand for a certain thing and I never want to be a certain thing. I emerged into a clean slate. I brought my own following with me. We were not, and won't become, a scene.
Altsounds: Would you say that you are a trendsetter, or do you have any unique aspects which set you aside from your peers?
Symmetry: I am definitely different. Some people don't understand my need to be and have often labeled me "delusional". I ALWAYS go against the grain. In this sense, I have often created things that caught on and were copied. It upsets me when people copy me because I am always trying to be original. So if I ever set a trend, I would just be more upset that my musical message was not conveyed to that person.
Altsounds: Working your way through the musical ranks, did you ever come up against any real criticisms or tough moments, which you have overcome?
Symmetry: Not really. No one is ever harder on me than myself. That is something I'm trying to work on.
Altsounds: Has your approach to play as many gigs as possible, or was it all about gathering the fans off the back of reviews and new music?
Symmetry: New music. I'm all about making the music. If it weren't the counterpart, I would not perform live. I am socially inept and would always prefer to be behind a pen or a microphone. I always have something to write and I love progress.
Altsounds: Presumably you started off your career without the live band for shows and as projects have evolved, you brought in this musical direction?
Symmetry: Correct. Two turntables and a mic were never for me. It just took me a long time and being honest with myself to realize and correct that. I love the band. They are as much a part of my music as I am. It's OUR music now and I'm very happy.
Altsounds: It’s not often musicians accompany hip-hop artists in a live setting, however it seems to really give you the edge. Has this helped your popularity?
Symmetry: I would say yes. But popularity is not the reason I do this. I just want to be clear, I grew.
Altsounds: More recently, you have worked with Ryan Lewis. How did this collaboration come about?
Symmetry: I had been working with another producer in Seattle (a funny chain of events). I met Ryan through that network. He was even more ambitious than myself. So naturally, we clicked.
Altsounds: What were your immediate thoughts going into the writing stages of the CD?
Symmetry: I wanted to destroy everything I had created in the past (musically). Hip hop (and music in general) is extremely critical. They are so hung up on not wanting to be cliché or corny etc. They are following the word in the same way as religion. Everyone is so sure that certain things are not right. I wanted to spit in their face. I see a lot of musicians as soldiers. Not in a respectable way. In a way that all their hair and their outfits are the same. In a way that all their footsteps follow the same pattern and time. So this record was me making ridiculous faces at them and having fun instead of giving a shit about if they thought I sounded like I had some lack of integrity. I broke the mould for myself and I am now free and already headed in new directions that are rooted in earth free of that pollution.
Altsounds: Whilst in the studio, were there any significant changes to the lyrical or musical compositions?
Symmetry: Yes. Ryan was influential for certain parts of the writing and I was influential with the production. We both did our best to respect each other's creativity. It was very difficult but we got the record out.
Altsounds: Was there an equal share in decision making, or is Symmetry the leader?
Symmetry: We fought to control everything. We are both very passionate. In the end we realized we both wanted the same things and made compromises. I think we are better people having done this, coming out in the end with a record.
Altsounds: How did the fans of both parties respond to this partnership when it was announced early on?
Symmetry: Most people were excited. All very positive.
Altsounds: And did this change after they heard the music?
Symmetry: Yes they loved the music. So it became concrete. It was confirmed. Well, a small handful hated it. But who cares about them? Progress doesn't have time for negativity.
Altsounds: Have the growing resources online helped with your global promotion?
Symmetry: No. Now there is way too much. People don't know where to go and I don't know where to direct them. The internet is a mad, mad world.
Altsounds: Are you a big social network kind of guy, or have you shunned that side of the Internet?
Symmetry: I am awful with networking. I am a singer/songwriter. If I wanted to be a car salesman, I'd have dealer plates.
Altsounds: Have you had an opportunity to play any of the new Ryan Lewis and Symmetry album live? If so, did it go down well?
Symmetry: Yes. We have played some. We don't use it all that much for live really. We have found our set to be strongest without that material really.
Altsounds: Where in the world are you best received by fans?
Symmetry: I don't really know. I need to explore more.
Altsounds: What does the future hold for Symmetry?
Symmetry: A new album with the band. It's amazing. We are working hard on it.
Altsounds: Whereabouts can I find out more information of Symmetry and current releases?
Symmetry: Angle Side Side : Everything Music , SymmeTry on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
Altsounds: Now time for a few random questions for fun...
Altsounds: Favourite Dairy product?
Symmetry: I don't eat any diary products. Not being preachy! I just don't.
Altsounds: Favourite Nut?
Symmetry: Cashew. Easily.
Altsounds: Worst band name you have heard / seen?
Symmetry: Can't think of any. Band names are fun.
Altsounds: Favourite symmetrical shape or object?
Symmetry: Today, a square. So retro, so classic.
Altsounds: And finally...
Altsounds: Any last words for the Altsounds readers and fans?
Symmetry: Children are everything. Treat them that way. Don't be afraid to love. Don't care about what people think of you. Conquer your ego issues. Thank you for your time.
Altsounds: So tell me about the origins of Symmetry?
Symmetry: I started off very young with a love for poetry. I began to explore the world of hip hop in the early 90's and immediately was in love. Being that I loved poetry so much, I started writing my own and eventually, put two and two together and started writing raps. I began recording myself at sixteen years old and ever since then, have been infatuated with the art of song writing and recording.
Altsounds: What was it like emerging onto the scene and how have things changed over time?
Symmetry: I came at the end of a scene. The end of a local hip hop scene and the fizzling out of underground hip hop. I have always been an outcast and because of this, would continue to be. I think a "scene" is an awful thing. It creates everything bad starting with competition and ending with lack of creativity. I think people are much more creative with no outside influence from a scene. A scene creates a demand for a certain thing and I never want to be a certain thing. I emerged into a clean slate. I brought my own following with me. We were not, and won't become, a scene.
Altsounds: Would you say that you are a trendsetter, or do you have any unique aspects which set you aside from your peers?
Symmetry: I am definitely different. Some people don't understand my need to be and have often labeled me "delusional". I ALWAYS go against the grain. In this sense, I have often created things that caught on and were copied. It upsets me when people copy me because I am always trying to be original. So if I ever set a trend, I would just be more upset that my musical message was not conveyed to that person.
Altsounds: Working your way through the musical ranks, did you ever come up against any real criticisms or tough moments, which you have overcome?
Symmetry: Not really. No one is ever harder on me than myself. That is something I'm trying to work on.
Altsounds: Has your approach to play as many gigs as possible, or was it all about gathering the fans off the back of reviews and new music?
Symmetry: New music. I'm all about making the music. If it weren't the counterpart, I would not perform live. I am socially inept and would always prefer to be behind a pen or a microphone. I always have something to write and I love progress.
Altsounds: Presumably you started off your career without the live band for shows and as projects have evolved, you brought in this musical direction?
Symmetry: Correct. Two turntables and a mic were never for me. It just took me a long time and being honest with myself to realize and correct that. I love the band. They are as much a part of my music as I am. It's OUR music now and I'm very happy.
Altsounds: It’s not often musicians accompany hip-hop artists in a live setting, however it seems to really give you the edge. Has this helped your popularity?
Symmetry: I would say yes. But popularity is not the reason I do this. I just want to be clear, I grew.
Altsounds: More recently, you have worked with Ryan Lewis. How did this collaboration come about?
Symmetry: I had been working with another producer in Seattle (a funny chain of events). I met Ryan through that network. He was even more ambitious than myself. So naturally, we clicked.
Altsounds: What were your immediate thoughts going into the writing stages of the CD?
Symmetry: I wanted to destroy everything I had created in the past (musically). Hip hop (and music in general) is extremely critical. They are so hung up on not wanting to be cliché or corny etc. They are following the word in the same way as religion. Everyone is so sure that certain things are not right. I wanted to spit in their face. I see a lot of musicians as soldiers. Not in a respectable way. In a way that all their hair and their outfits are the same. In a way that all their footsteps follow the same pattern and time. So this record was me making ridiculous faces at them and having fun instead of giving a shit about if they thought I sounded like I had some lack of integrity. I broke the mould for myself and I am now free and already headed in new directions that are rooted in earth free of that pollution.
Altsounds: Whilst in the studio, were there any significant changes to the lyrical or musical compositions?
Symmetry: Yes. Ryan was influential for certain parts of the writing and I was influential with the production. We both did our best to respect each other's creativity. It was very difficult but we got the record out.
Altsounds: Was there an equal share in decision making, or is Symmetry the leader?
Symmetry: We fought to control everything. We are both very passionate. In the end we realized we both wanted the same things and made compromises. I think we are better people having done this, coming out in the end with a record.
Altsounds: How did the fans of both parties respond to this partnership when it was announced early on?
Symmetry: Most people were excited. All very positive.
Altsounds: And did this change after they heard the music?
Symmetry: Yes they loved the music. So it became concrete. It was confirmed. Well, a small handful hated it. But who cares about them? Progress doesn't have time for negativity.
Altsounds: Have the growing resources online helped with your global promotion?
Symmetry: No. Now there is way too much. People don't know where to go and I don't know where to direct them. The internet is a mad, mad world.
Altsounds: Are you a big social network kind of guy, or have you shunned that side of the Internet?
Symmetry: I am awful with networking. I am a singer/songwriter. If I wanted to be a car salesman, I'd have dealer plates.
Altsounds: Have you had an opportunity to play any of the new Ryan Lewis and Symmetry album live? If so, did it go down well?
Symmetry: Yes. We have played some. We don't use it all that much for live really. We have found our set to be strongest without that material really.
Altsounds: Where in the world are you best received by fans?
Symmetry: I don't really know. I need to explore more.
Altsounds: What does the future hold for Symmetry?
Symmetry: A new album with the band. It's amazing. We are working hard on it.
Altsounds: Whereabouts can I find out more information of Symmetry and current releases?
Symmetry: Angle Side Side : Everything Music , SymmeTry on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
Altsounds: Now time for a few random questions for fun...
Altsounds: Favourite Dairy product?
Symmetry: I don't eat any diary products. Not being preachy! I just don't.
Altsounds: Favourite Nut?
Symmetry: Cashew. Easily.
Altsounds: Worst band name you have heard / seen?
Symmetry: Can't think of any. Band names are fun.
Altsounds: Favourite symmetrical shape or object?
Symmetry: Today, a square. So retro, so classic.
Altsounds: And finally...
Altsounds: Any last words for the Altsounds readers and fans?
Symmetry: Children are everything. Treat them that way. Don't be afraid to love. Don't care about what people think of you. Conquer your ego issues. Thank you for your time.
