Vinyl Exchange

Maker: Get Off My Cloud
Galapagos4, Comeups Sound System
May 2008

Maker Chicago beatsmith and vinyl junkie Maker is known for his production work with Galapagos4 artists Qwel (The Harvest) and Mestizo ("When The Camera's Off"), the group Glue (with Adeem and djdq) which is now three albums deep, several 7" singles, as well as his awesome solo LP, Shooting the Breeze. We caught him most recently in March at SXSW, performing with his crew The Comeups Sound System and the one and only Steinski. And then again at the end of April here in San Francisco with the homie from Rhode Island, Joey Beats. We chatted about all the moves he's making.

VE: How did you start producing music?

Maker: On accident. Me and my homie were in his basement working on a mixtape and peeping out some new records. He had a sampler, I had an idea... There's a couple beats I had on a tape and my homies would freestyle to them and they would always ask for the tape. The rest is history I guess.

VE: How did you get involved with Galapagos4?

I knew a bunch of them just from being around and we got to talking. Hanging out. Working on music. It was a natural thing with no worries in the world. The first real project was The Harvest with Qwel. Things took off after that.

VE: What are your tools of the trade?

Right now I am using Cakewalk Pro Audio, Kawai sx240, Korg ms2000br and a bunch of records!

VE: How did the Comeups Sound System come about? What have you guys done?

Maker and Stef Dj Intel and I have been playing together for years. We already knew Pickel and he moved back to Chicago from S.I.U. and we all started playing together and starting up nights. Next thing you know we had numerous weeklies and monthlies around Chicago. Working on mixtapes and remixes and started bringing out special guests. We decided to posse up and give it a name.

VE: What were the highlights of this recent tour with Joe Beats? How do you know each other?

Oh, Joey and i go back. I don't even remember how we met. We chop it up often and were talking about doing things together for a while. We recently did a 7" together on Shake It! Records out of Cincinnati. Highlights included learning about the N.B.A. cover up and scandal. All the shows were awesome. The live beats dance party in S.F. All the awesome folks I met out west and all the good friends i don't get to see very often.

VE: Are you working on new music with Glue?

Who wants to know? What are you, a Narc? Get off my cloud mang.

Maker at Moog VE: Is there another solo Maker album in the near future?

Yeah, sometime soon. I am working on it little by little.

VE: What other projects/artists are you working on/with? What's up with DJ Stef and The Mexicans?

Right now i got so many things planned. I am doing some new work for Adeem's solo record, Psalm one, Greyskul, Qwel, Stef & the Mexicans!!!! And many other peoples that are in the planning stages.

Also working on a mix tape series this summer. Several volumes focusing on different genres of music. First three I'm doing right now in my head is a lowrider oldies mix, psych rock and modern soul steppers... more to come. Oh and maybe a couple more limited 7"s as well. La Stef y Los Mexicans--Exitos y Balladas coming soon. ¡No duermas!

Keep up with Maker at MakerFinishedtheInternet.blogspot.com and MySpace.com/makerwon.

The Vinyl Exchange started as a four page newsletter in 1995 for DJs and vinyl junkies and continues to provide a forum for exchanging records and news and information about hip hop vinyl records. The VE is based in San Francisco, California.