Written by: Jo Ann L.B. Duggins
Full Name: Andrew Robert MacFarlane Nielsen
Age: 25
Currently Residing: Oakland, CA
Currently Listening to:King Missile "King Missile"
Current Release: This Gigantic Robot Kills
Being a geek myself, I have a thing for them. Something about being smart and witty hits me all warm and fuzzy like. So, when I heard about MC Lars, I had hearts in my eyes. MC Lars hails from a place in music that is dear to my heart...punk rock and old school hip hop. The interesting thing about Mr. Lars is that he does it in a very funny and engaging way. Tracks like, "Hot Topic is Not Punk Rock" and "Hipster Girl" bring humor and truth to light. He has deemed himself post-punk laptop rapper, which is quite fitting given he's an individual in his musical endeavors. He could be compared to a modern day Weird Al. The cool thing about MC Lars is that he's a real go getter. He has his own label Horris Records, he creates his own music with the mighty use of his laptop and his awesome low budget videos are an added riot. He's collaborated with such artists as Bowling for Soup and Perry Grip from Nerfherder and to top it all off his recent release "This Gigantic Robot Kills" was created around the memory of the great Wesley Willis. The kid's got smarts I tell ya.
You are leading the pack of a new genre of music, Nerdcore. how do you feel about this?
I call what I do "post-punk laptop rap", but have done shows with MC Chris and MC Frontalot, who are nerdcore, which is why people lump me in with it. I'm not comfortable with the genre term because most of it is really corny novelty music by white kids with no talent who are making a mockery of hip-hop. MC Frontalot and Chris have skill but most of the kids doing it nowadays should probably stop.
You have been influenced and are an instrument of the DIY scene...do you feel this is a working method in today's music industry?
Nowadays, "DIY" can mean anything to burning CD-Rs of your demo to give out at shows to having a MySpace page well maintained by an indie label with major label distribution. Having control of my masters and running my own label, Horris Records, has given me the resources to do what I need to creatively and make a living. I teamed up with a label called Crappy Records (a subsidiary of the LA indie label Oglio) on this new record, and they have been using their DIY approach and dedication to my project to make everyone winners in this scenario. They have stayed dedicated to the project such its inception and we are all friends who get along well.
You have been said to be a fan of underground hip hop and incorporate that into your own music...who is your biggest influence within that genre?
Sage Francis is an incredible writer and performer. As soon as I bought "Personal Journals" in 2002, I was hooked. I've met him a few times and always try to catch his shows.
What has been the best show you've ever attended and why?
"Weird Al" Yankovic's 1993 "Alapalooza" tour at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA. It was awesome to see my favorite performer in such a small venue - it was also my first concert which made it special.
What infuriates you about the music industry at this time and how do you think technology is making it better?
I don't really worry about what the major labels and pop bands are doing - most of it doesn't interest me. All I know is I'm doing my thing and playing by my rules. An example of how technology is NOT making it better is the infuriating T-Pain auto-tune on everyone's vocals. Talk about an overused effect..... please.
You've toured with a lot of acts, who has been your favorite touring buddies?
Simple Plan, Bowling for Soup, Suburban Legends, Patent Pending, MC Frontalot, Wheatus, the Aquabats and YTCracker have been my favorite acts to tour with.
Although you were born in 1982, how did such music as Fugazi enter your world?
I found out about them through Atom & His Package's cover of "Waiting Room" that I downloaded from Napster in 2000. I then discovered Fugazi and Minor Threat.
Which artist are you most turned on by and why?
Katy Perry. Because she is openly bisexual and that is intriguing for a Western Civilization that battles between chastity and hedonism. Artistically, I've been enjoying Dan Deacon recently.
Do you think because labels are becoming obsolete and artists will be taking over their own musical directions, do you feel it will lead to artists who actually are musicians and not some auto-tuned, manufactured action figure?
Labels are the "banks" that fund artists as "brands" who can monetize themselves as touring entities. But labels are crucial in the process, because baby bands aren't going to instantly be making $5,000 a night to fund their projects. Labels will evolved and change in the years - and if they spend money well and understand the types of artists they are signing and support them, everyone wins.
If you could claim any part of the universe as your own what would it be?
Earth. Because it's important to me for all that it's done.
For more on MC LARS:
Since I understand this so very well living here in NY....Here's the video for "Hipster Girl":
Back to Sounds
Full Name: Andrew Robert MacFarlane Nielsen
Age: 25
Currently Residing: Oakland, CA
Currently Listening to:King Missile "King Missile"
Current Release: This Gigantic Robot Kills
Being a geek myself, I have a thing for them. Something about being smart and witty hits me all warm and fuzzy like. So, when I heard about MC Lars, I had hearts in my eyes. MC Lars hails from a place in music that is dear to my heart...punk rock and old school hip hop. The interesting thing about Mr. Lars is that he does it in a very funny and engaging way. Tracks like, "Hot Topic is Not Punk Rock" and "Hipster Girl" bring humor and truth to light. He has deemed himself post-punk laptop rapper, which is quite fitting given he's an individual in his musical endeavors. He could be compared to a modern day Weird Al. The cool thing about MC Lars is that he's a real go getter. He has his own label Horris Records, he creates his own music with the mighty use of his laptop and his awesome low budget videos are an added riot. He's collaborated with such artists as Bowling for Soup and Perry Grip from Nerfherder and to top it all off his recent release "This Gigantic Robot Kills" was created around the memory of the great Wesley Willis. The kid's got smarts I tell ya.
You are leading the pack of a new genre of music, Nerdcore. how do you feel about this?I call what I do "post-punk laptop rap", but have done shows with MC Chris and MC Frontalot, who are nerdcore, which is why people lump me in with it. I'm not comfortable with the genre term because most of it is really corny novelty music by white kids with no talent who are making a mockery of hip-hop. MC Frontalot and Chris have skill but most of the kids doing it nowadays should probably stop.
You have been influenced and are an instrument of the DIY scene...do you feel this is a working method in today's music industry?
Nowadays, "DIY" can mean anything to burning CD-Rs of your demo to give out at shows to having a MySpace page well maintained by an indie label with major label distribution. Having control of my masters and running my own label, Horris Records, has given me the resources to do what I need to creatively and make a living. I teamed up with a label called Crappy Records (a subsidiary of the LA indie label Oglio) on this new record, and they have been using their DIY approach and dedication to my project to make everyone winners in this scenario. They have stayed dedicated to the project such its inception and we are all friends who get along well.
You have been said to be a fan of underground hip hop and incorporate that into your own music...who is your biggest influence within that genre?
Sage Francis is an incredible writer and performer. As soon as I bought "Personal Journals" in 2002, I was hooked. I've met him a few times and always try to catch his shows.
What has been the best show you've ever attended and why?
"Weird Al" Yankovic's 1993 "Alapalooza" tour at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA. It was awesome to see my favorite performer in such a small venue - it was also my first concert which made it special.
What infuriates you about the music industry at this time and how do you think technology is making it better?I don't really worry about what the major labels and pop bands are doing - most of it doesn't interest me. All I know is I'm doing my thing and playing by my rules. An example of how technology is NOT making it better is the infuriating T-Pain auto-tune on everyone's vocals. Talk about an overused effect..... please.
You've toured with a lot of acts, who has been your favorite touring buddies?
Simple Plan, Bowling for Soup, Suburban Legends, Patent Pending, MC Frontalot, Wheatus, the Aquabats and YTCracker have been my favorite acts to tour with.
Although you were born in 1982, how did such music as Fugazi enter your world?
I found out about them through Atom & His Package's cover of "Waiting Room" that I downloaded from Napster in 2000. I then discovered Fugazi and Minor Threat.
Which artist are you most turned on by and why?
Katy Perry. Because she is openly bisexual and that is intriguing for a Western Civilization that battles between chastity and hedonism. Artistically, I've been enjoying Dan Deacon recently.
Do you think because labels are becoming obsolete and artists will be taking over their own musical directions, do you feel it will lead to artists who actually are musicians and not some auto-tuned, manufactured action figure?
Labels are the "banks" that fund artists as "brands" who can monetize themselves as touring entities. But labels are crucial in the process, because baby bands aren't going to instantly be making $5,000 a night to fund their projects. Labels will evolved and change in the years - and if they spend money well and understand the types of artists they are signing and support them, everyone wins.
If you could claim any part of the universe as your own what would it be?
Earth. Because it's important to me for all that it's done.
For more on MC LARS:
Since I understand this so very well living here in NY....Here's the video for "Hipster Girl":
Back to Sounds