Doomtree Interview 12-5-09
By: Joe Toeben
Okay the first thing I want to ask about is the full-lengths coming out from Sims and Dessa. What and when can we expect it?
Dessa: my album drops on January 19th, it’s called A Badly Broken Code
Sims: We’re still working, we have it slated for fall 2010 but there’s going to stuff being released before that too.
P.O.S.: There’s a lot, we have a lot of material, and I’m working on a record. We’re still scratching ideas out.
What about Hand Over Fist?
Mike Mictlan: I’m working on my solo album right now.
I read somewhere; I think on Lazerbeak’s blog that he said that 2010 was the year of the Doomtree.
Sims: We got so much shit coming out.
What was the reason to join as a group rather than just doing solo careers?
P.O.S.: Well at first it was because I didn’t know anyone else that made hip hop music besides this kid (Cecil Otter). We were just friends; we couldn’t do anything without each other. Someone could book and show and someone else could do press and someone else could do this kind of thing. We formed kind of a co-op with resources, money and time.
What does Doomtree mean?
Doomtree: It’s kind of just a name. (laughs)
Cecil Otter: We got branches and we’re kind of doomed.
Do you guys like the term underground hip hop?
Dessa: I like it.
Sims: I mean I don’t like or dislike the term. As far as a label, if that’s what I am, I am going to take this as big as I can take it, to do what I do. When everyone is ready to accept what Doomtree is, then I’d like to be mainstream.
P.O.S.: It’s one of those things where we’re not trying to be underground; we don’t not want to do what we want to do. We want to make the music that we want to make, like individually and together. So if people are into that I don’t think we are going to fight that. The vibe of underground hip hop has changed so much in the past years.
Dessa: I really like the term. I think because of how it’s changed, underground used to be really low profile because they were competing with these monolithic major labels. So I like that the underground artists have become to be independent.
Because it’s almost like you’re separated from the major, famous rappers?
Dessa: Almost the other way around, I like it because the tides are rising for the underground. It’s almost become more effective to be independent. I think the mainstream is changing.
So it’s got to be huge for P.O.S. because he is running right now #1 rapper of 2009 for SPIN magazine. How huge is that for you guys?
P.O.S.: It’s exciting; it’s a month long contest. It’s pretty cool so far just to see everyone’s thoughts.
Aside from the new False Hopes, is there a new full-length as a group in the works?
Sims: It’s being talked about, we haven’t started yet but it’s definitely in the works.
Well that is all I have for you guys right now. Are there any other comments you have for your fans?
Sims: Doomtree dot net.
I apologize for the short length of this review. The interview took place in a back room of the venue and the noise volume was not optimal. I did the best to understand what was being said and only used clear parts of the interview.
