Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A Pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.
Nerdcore Poet-Laureate MC Lars has kept himself quite busy as a touring artist, a mentor, student and all-around Renaissance man. TGEFM had the opportunity to chat with lit-hop pioneer about his latest EAP-inspired album, what he’s listening to and even my youngest daughter’s fashionable accessories.
Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. First of all, congrats, in advance, on the release of Poe. Could you tell us a bit about this record and where it stands compared to 2012’s Poe EP?
Thank you for the interview opportunity. The new record, the Edgar All Poe LP, is a continuation of my exploration of literary themes and concepts in my music. It builds upon the ideas and sound of my previous EP, the Edgar Allan Poe EP, and represents a growth and evolution in my musical style, but also a continued exploration of his literature themes.
I think some aspects were pretty obvious based on last year’s Blockchain album, but what effect, if any, have the cultural and political landscapes of the last few years had on your music?
The cultural and political landscapes of the last few years have had an influence on my music, as they have on many artists, and have helped shape the themes and messages that I address in my songs. Basically, the main question anti-transcendentalism addresses is the repercussions of manifest destiny as a 19th century concept reflect in 2020s America, and how this is reflect in Poe, which was a theme from the last album too.
You’ve gotten down with some of the best literary minds of the past, turning the works of Shakespeare, Melville, The Bible and of course, Poe into records. Who are the next great thinkers that you want to explore on wax?
Thank you so much! As for literary influences, I am always looking for new sources of inspiration and am open to exploring the works of a wide range of authors and thinkers. I would love to write more about Steinbeck and Tolstoy, as well as Becket. I love writing literary songs because there are always more potential topics!
My 9-year-old uses her MC Lars tote bag as an “indoor recess bag,” (holds a sketch book, chapter book, Jenga, etc) for days when conditions keep her class in the school all day. Thank you for being so accessible! Your music is effectively pretty G/PG-rated. Was it a conscious decision you made to be all-ages friendly and does that affect your writing process?
Wow! I am honored, your 9-year-old has awesome fashion. Making music that is accessible and all-ages friendly is important to me, and I do try to make sure my lyrics and themes are suitable for a wide audience. This does affect my writing process to some extent, as I have to be mindful of the content and themes of my songs. But, some of my favorite artists don’t swear, like Al Yankovic, but is still funny and pushes the envelope. It’s an interesting balance, but I am glad my music has, for the most part, been appropriate.
A few years back you participated in a library tour. Tell us a bit about what that entailed, how you booked it, what the reception was like and if there will be more?
In terms of the library tour, it was a unique and rewarding experience to perform at libraries and other literary-themed venues in California. The reception was generally very positive, and it was a great opportunity to connect with fans and promote the importance of literature and reading. I am open to doing more library tours in the future, and it was nice to be done by the early evening, as libraries are not known for being open to the late hours of the night.
You’ve had your hand in quite a few pots, obviously you are writing and recording your own tracks, but you are also producing/mentoring new acts like Cowboy Coder and MC Evol, giving TedTalks, furthering your education, putting out the 27th Street Comic anthology (I’m ready for a new installment whenever you are), all while being a husband and a father. I need a nap after just typing that all out, what keeps you going at this pace?
As for what keeps me going at such a fast pace, my passion for music and my desire to create and share it with others is a big driving force. I also find that working on multiple projects and pursuing a variety of interests helps keep me motivated and engaged. But, I’ve heard other dads say this too, when you have a kid, your brain gets an “upgrade”, like a new iOS update, and suddenly you find you can do more, because you have to. I also do marketing with for a start-up called ar.io, which is really fun, and I am finishing my masters thesis in instruction design at Cal State University Monterey Bay. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way.
One of our obligatory questions in these interviews also tends to be the one I have found most important on a personal level. Who are some artists or authors on your radar that TGEFM readers may not know about, but you think they should?
In terms of artists and authors that readers may not know about, but should definitely check out, I would recommend exploring music by Mostly Matt, Ruled by Raptors, MC Evol, Cowboy Coder and Boy Pierce. They are all awesome and deserve all of the recognition they can get!
What’s next for MC Lars?
As for what’s next for me, I am always working on new music and exploring new creative projects. I am excited to see where my career and my interests will take me in the future. The Poe album should be out in 2023, and I am doing a podcast called “Hatchet Chat” with MC Snax where we explore the history of ICP and their music.
Was there anything I missed or you wish I had asked about that you’d like to share or dive deeper into with our readers?
I drop two new songs a month on Patreon, if you are interested, please check it out here: http://patreon.com/mclars
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
