Pedro 'DJ Complejo' HernandezQ: First off, who is Pigeon Hole and how do you guys differ from Sweatshop Union as a whole? Why did you decide to go with this particular pairing? Was Pigeon Hole in existence before Sweatshop Union or did it form afterwards?
A: Pigeon Hole is Dusty & Marmalade from Sweatshop. With Pigeon Hole we experiment more with song ideas and recording techniques. We produced all of our stuff and play most of the instruments ourselves. Lots of samples, synths and lo-fi shit. We were working on music together when our moms still knitted our sweaters.
Q: You guys have been very successful as part of Sweatshop Union, why did you decide to release this album at this time?
A: We wanted a chance to make a full album with our own sound and vision. Full input from top to bottom on every last thing. That’s something you can’t really have as part of Sweatshop.
Q: Has it been a challenge carving out your own identity apart from Sweatshop Union? How does the Pigeon Hole differ from the Sweatshop Union?
A: It wasn’t something we ever really focused on until recently. It feels awesome introducing ourselves to listeners now. People don’t have set expectations for us yet like they might with Sweatshop. With Pigeon Hole everything is new.
Q: You state this album is a “boom-bap psyche rap,” what do you mean by that and how does the sound of this album differ from your work within SU?
A: I think one of the biggest parts of our music is the sound, textures etc. We try and incorporate the sounds and textures that inspire us into our music. Our sound is just a mash up of all that good shit we like. Breaks, samples, lo-fi synths and vocal effects. We’re rap music on drugs.
Q: You guys are from Vancouver, what is the hip-hop scene like there and how was it growing up?
A: We’re actually from the island. The scene was really cool in Vancouver when we first got into it though. As a small town kid heading over to the city it was a trip meeting all these other mc’s and promoters who were actually doing shit. There was a lot happening in the city back then. Everyone was cool with each other too.
Q: Your album shows a wide range of music influences, was hip-hop your first love or did you guys delve into other genres growing up?
A: We were serious, serious borderline religious hip hop fans growing up. That’s ALL we listened to. If you didn’t like rap music, I didn’t like you. I don’t know why, that’s just how it was. When rap blew up it didn’t feel like it was mine anymore. Then we slowly got into everything. Now i listen to Rod Stewart, Bootsy Collins, Arcade Fire, Hank Williams….it doesn’t matter.
Q: You chose “Bonfire” as the lead single, why go with that song? How did the video come about and what were you going for with it?
A: We had it all planned out to lead off with something else. One day I got a call from Stuey Kubrick who had an idea for the Bonfire video. …that kind of changed everything. We wanted him to direct our first video and he wanted to do something all psyched-out and that suited the album. ‘Age Like Astronauts’, 60’s space age trip-hop, right? It turned out great. He kills things.
Q: What is your favorite track off the album and why?
A: Voodoo. I always wanted a song with a west coast 90’s ‘g’ synth in it. Now I have that. I can rest.
Q: Why did you guys decide to sign to URBnet for this album? Do you plan to follow up with similar projects in the future?
A: Their roster is killing things. We wanted to be a part of it. I’d been watching what they were doing for their artists and was impressed. They’re on top of their shit and support our choices. They’re like your cool uncle. Can’t wait to follow up with more stuff.
Q: Any words for your loyal fans?
A: Thanks. You are the coolest. We’re starting to work on more stuff. Hit us up at all our sites: agelikeastronauts.com, facebook.com/PigeonHoleOfSweatshopUnion, and @PIGEON_HOLE.