Written By Israel Lerma
Photos Coming 11/8 By Israel Lerma (after his Houston Concert)
IL) How are you doing ?
T.CAT) Doing quite well on this day
IL) We gotta talk about Distracted. Your last album It Is What It Is came out April 3, start of quarantine. Now exactly 6 years later Distracted came out. What was happening in these 6 years to brew this album? Any Distractions that arose and kept up the wait.
T.CAT) Man, at that time life was trippy you know. With Distracted it was weird cause some of the songs were made like in 2022 and 2023 with some others being recorded this year. I would not say I was Distracted. I was just waiting to see what would hit me. The only distraction was really me and being glued to technology. But other than that I lived life naturally just seeing what sort of inspiration was going to hit me.
IL) With Distracted, you worked extensively with Greg Kurstin after years of having Flying Lotus as such a central creative partner. Was there anything about your own songwriting that Greg brought out of you that you hadn't really explored before?"
T.CAT) Greg did a lot for me on this project. He is just a different man. He made me think about every decision, especially musically in a way I never thought of. He would also just keep pushing me to do more work and just be different you know ? Hearing the stuff he played and his raw ideas was dope and it motivated to take my time with all of it.
IL) You've spoken about how Erykah Badu helped you embrace the name Thundercat. Now you're collaborating with her again after all these years. What do you think she recognized in you back then that you hadn't fully recognized in yourself
T.CAT) I do not know autism? Hahah yeah but I am not sure what she did back then. I think that she just thought I was special in some way and kept calling me Thundercat. But actually, I am not sure on what she saw and never thought about it. I do not even think I would like to know neither. I feel like not knowing would be better for us all. This probably would have been a better question for Erykah, sorry.
IL) The Alchemist has a distinctive sample-driven production style, while your music often incorporates intricate jazz and funk arrangements. Did working with him challenge the way you approached this song?"
T.CAT) So when we recorded They Ain’t You, it was different vibe for sure. You know the Alchemist is him. He has been doing his iconic style for so long that I respect. When we got together, I thought it was going to be a little weird but it worked out. I am not the type of person to be featured on a song and like take over it you know. I did the bass guitar myself cause I was asked to and just did me. Me and Erykah got in there and cowrote the hook together. Seeing them work is so cool though. Their whole project is very very nice. But yeah, it was a different experience for sure, but we always figure it out and learn a thing or two.
IL) This next question I am stealing from one your friends James Blake x Lil Yachty interview. What is a song that you wish you made ?
T.CAT) Not going to lie. I do not have an answer for this one. I actually dont like the idea of aww man. I wish I made that. I do not like envying people or feeling jealous of something I did not create because what is the point? Maybe something like Thriller would of been cool, but even with that I dont want to envy MJ. I do not want to take that away and the originality from the artist.
IL) What about even just a song you wish you were featured on?
T.CAT) Yeah again like if it was meant to happen it would have happened. I go through this world just trying to see what is going to happen. I do not really chase features or working with someone. It sorta just happens or they reach out to me. It is also just a envy thing again. If it was meant to be, then it was meant to be.
IL) Moving at Light Speed came out with Button Masher for Sega 35th anniversary of Sonic The Hedgehog. I seen the Sonic chain and a Sonic-themed bass. Can you just talk about your love for sonic?
T.CAT) I love all of Sonic bro. Ever since a kid I have love that man and the whole franchise. So when making this track, me and Button Masher always wanted to work together. So, we pitched it to Sega, it got accepted and we got to work. We wanted to perfect it and pay good homage to the whole franchise. It was something we cannot take lightly. Creating the whole song was just a fun time hahah. We picked out the ring sample, which is just to funny. But yeah I think we made a pretty good thing that everyone seemed to enjoy.
IL) What is your favorite character of the Sonic Franchise?
T.CAT) hahah I really love Metal Sonic. He is just special to me. I mean he literally is a robotic sonic which I just find funny. He is like the AI of the sonic world. I also of course love Shadow The Hedgehog. There is not much to say, I mean its shadow. He got his own game on the Wii hahah.
IL) What are your thoughts on the movies
T.CAT) hahah I love the movies bro. They are all just so much fun and do a good representation of the sonic franchise. When they F*cked up the original design of Sonic, it was mayhem. The whole fandom and myself bro we hated it. That was Sony’s one sort of f*ck up and thankfully we as the fandom rioted to get them out. Because this new sonic design blows the other one out. The other one was like a half human bro. The Sonic Fandom is so powerful that we really had them listen up and they did.
IL) on your IG, you posted recently a comic displaying your character in Star Wars debut as the Modifier in The Book of Boba Fett. Now I know you were contacted by Jon Favreau's team to act not for music. As someone who grew up loving comics, anime, and science fiction, what does it feel like to literally become part of the illustrated Star Wars universe.
T.CAT) This is the most surreal feeling ever. You know I am a nerd and the fact I could be apart of the nerdiest franchise ever was so cool. At first, I thought I was going to make music and help them out with that. But when I was told they wanted to use me to display the Modifier, I thought that was even better not going to lie. The fact that I am cemented in the franchise as a character for me and everyone to look back on is surreal. I hope they can bring me back in some way, or even just musically. I really love the franchise and would love to help out always.
IL) Your instagram this last month you been posting just random edits with your songs. Im all for shitposting but what is this? Do you make these edits?
T.CAT) Man you need to get off my instagram man hahah. But yeah damn bro how much did you look into me. You gotta get off the social sometime. But man I don't know again, I just find it funny you know. These random videos on the internet I just compile them and post it. Then add my own songs for fun. They just be random bullshit together which is just so funny to me. I do not do it for interaction or anything like that, I just find it very funny lol.
IL) To wrap it up, tour is coming to a midpoint, excited for the Houston show myself, but what is next after this finishes? Are we getting a Europe Tour, New Music or what’s up?
T.CAT) You know I cannot say much, but I always be working man. Breaks are rare for me. But yeah just know everyone I always be doing something. I wish I could day you will see what is when it comes out. It is an exciting time for us all.
IL) Actually before you leave, I mean you mention technology a lot and being distracted by it? Why is that ?
T.CAT) One thing for sure is I am not addicted to my phone. I have pretty normal screentime hours. But phones and technology as a whole I feel has really impacted the world and how we see everything. People are so consumed and distracted by what they see online. That it takes away from what the world is now. It is saddening but not defeating. I mention sometimes in my music man, but most of it is just me having fun. In this life I just want to have fun and be distracted with things that won't take me away.
IL) Last question, what are your thoughts on AI then?
T.CAT) Welp, in a music context I am not a fan of it obviously. I do not know why you should be. It is just not original nor creative, and does not do anything to better us as musicians. It is just bland, and we are not. It is as simple as that. When it comes to other things, who knows what man. I feel like people should look into it for certain things nowadays but is just kinda weird this thing can just think and do for us. I am not scared of AI taking over because if it happens it already happened you know. It really is just up to us make sure everything around us remains stable.