Teh Nizzim (Tallahassee, USA)

17Feb/110

This is it, this is what keeps me going, this is what fuels my rocketship on this long journey through the Rift. Listening to the music, naturally, but also talking to people who create this music, and being surprised every single time how very different they are but how similar they are in their dedication to their music and how this dedication makes them more enlightened and... alive? than the rest of us. Some of them are more alive than the others Like my today's guest Riley Content, whose solo project Teh Nizzim caught my attention with its crafty beats, and who is also a part of two hip-hop projects and is publishing two blogs. Absorb this energy, 'cause he's got some!

tipkin - You are a man of many faces! Can you tell us about Enigma MC, The Greater Numbers and Teh Nizzim? Which project(s) is/are more important to you?

Riley Content - Hah yeah, I've got many different sides of the cube going on I suppose. I'd always tried to stay as versatile as I could musically ever since I began writing and arranging in early 2000. It's good to have multiple avenues and to always be constantly trying your hand at new things. I've even got some things you don’t know about! But as far as importance goes, it’s like asking Paul McCartney whether his solo work or The Beatles was more important, not by mere comparison of course. But, to each his own, and as a writer, your personal endeavors are always important, but a group effort is also a very big commitment and means a ton to each person involved (hopefully heh).

t. - A question from a non-musician - when is the realization comes that a certain tune doesn't need any lyrics and is able to exist as an instrumental track?

R.C. - Ah, sometimes that is just the key to making or breaking something. In today's musical frame, people are of course less likely to listen to something that isn’t lyric reliant, or that doesn’t have a catchy pop chorus. I’m of course speaking commercially on that, I would hope everybody enjoys a good jazz jam record now and again. It really depends on the project, and even down to specific songs. For The Groove Pile, I just wanted to make a dance mix that was... well... groovy. Sometimes the music itself says everything you need.

t. - Music fans can find your thoughts about hip-hop (among other topics) on your blogs The Groove Pile and Greater Numbers, but what's your take on electronic music? I feel like in the US it's been kind of under the radar and mostly populated by European club DJ's and their American imitators. And trip-hop/abstract trip-hop is practically ignored by media.

R.C. - Man, electronic music is something that will constantly amaze me. Skrillex has a sample in one of his songs saying "they aren’t artists because nobody here can play the guitar" as sort of a sardonic comment on electronic music. It's really become quite the technical branch as of the last 5 years. Of course people have been making digitally composed works for decades already, but it’s really been getting better by leaps. I'm always aspiring to learn more, and the people putting out heavy records really should be commended, it’s about being a master of your craft (pun intended). It lacks commercial support, but honestly, if you go to a show, the turnout is decent, people seem to support it. Downloading music, and electronic music especially, is just no longer fought against, so that battle will always be uphill. Again, all preference, but I give my support.

t. - What is trip-hop to you? How do you feel about Teh Nizzim being called "trip-hop project"?

R.C. – Trip-hop to me is a sort of blending of the basic fundamentals of good hip-hop rhythm and feel, mixed really with that aural-atmospheric feeling, the introspective outlook of psychedelic drug use. I'm of course not condoning that openly, but admittedly, I'd been through my phases with it, and there’s a whole mental world involved with it. Music can take you any- and everywhere. Teh Nizzim being considered trip-hop would probably be right up that alley, I'd never been opposed to that title. It’s sort of... hip-hop that makes you think even deeper than usual. Stellar type stuff.

t. - What's it like being an independent DJ/producer in Tallahassee, FL? What is local music scene like? Is it hard finding promotion, gigs, etc.?

R.C. - The music scene here is alive, which is really awesome. Slews of kids all craving that "something more". Trip-hop heads if you will. It’s a great feeling really. Granted, I've been a bit timid, and have been focusing more so on cultivating a solid live performance, so as of yet, have been holding off, but I don’t think I'd get boo'd out, the people here are just like you and me, open and willing to hear something new and something dedicated. I have many friends that are producers and performers in the area here, DJ's and rappers, all seeking that feeling. The future holds the promises there my man.

t. - What is planned for 2011? Are we to hear more from Teh Nizzim? Any collaborative work with other musicians maybe?

R.C. - As always, if you are determined, as many electro/hip-hop artists do have to be, you will continue grinding and coming out with new things. I'm always trying to get my name out, you know, I don’t think I’m all that terrible, at least not bad enough to NOT collaborate with bigger names, or do some tours (fingers crossed). As a lover of music, wherever the path takes me is a gorgeous one, sampling, writing, composing, recording has always been my passion and I'm gonna go until my prime is passed. Keep tha lookout though SONN. Thanks for the time dude.

No, thank you dude! Thanks to all the dudes not givin' a damn and creating them beats, phases or not. We're here and we do want "something more".
Check out Teh Nizzim and other projects by Riley - Enigma MC and The Greater Numbers.