Exclusive Interview with 'The Meskimo'

The Meskimo crafts sonically pleasing audible frequencies that cross genres and time periods.

His latest track “The Brothers McKenna Drop Out” is a celebration of Terrence and Dennis McKenna’s contributions to the psychedelic scene and to scientific research on the therapeutic uses of psychedelics for a range of mental health issues.

This song is a psychobabble that attempts to capture the fervor and vigor of Terrence’s lectures. Terrence was an excellent lecturer who had the power to hold your attention, stimulate new ideas, and alter the way you view the world.

My father introduced me to psychedelic music when I was young, and I still enjoy the wide variety of bands that are currently making music in this style. This song aims to evoke memories of vintage psychedelic bands while still sounding novel and fresh. This song can be enjoyed by those who take psychedelics in the beginning stages, but it is most effective when heard during the “peak.” Check out the single & the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?

THE MESKIMO: I was born along the shores of Bristol Bay. During the early hours of that day, the northern lights were putting on quite the show. Music runs back generations in my family, my father has been a tremendous influence.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

THE MESKIMO: Mostly self-taught

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘The Meskimo’?

THE MESKIMO: Little Feat and Pink Floyd were my favorites growing up. Alt J and QOTSA have been big influences as well. I’m from Alaska and when I consume 5 grams of mushrooms I become a magic eskimo, or Meskimo

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

THE MESKIMO: Always something psychedelic. I make everything from trip hop to acid jazz, hip hop beats to shoegaze and almost everything in between. I create audible frequencies that span genres and eras, sonically crafted for aural pleasure.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?

**THE MESKIMO**:
I just create. I’ve always got so many ideas floating around in head. I have found it best to run with whatever is happening in the moment. I grasp onto an emotion and do my best to make it translatable for the listener, without vocals.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

THE MESKIMO:

All of the above. 39 songs in 18 months and many more to come. I’ve made protest songs and love songs and odes to lost friends and the most delightful dirge you’ll ever listen too.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

THE MESKIMO:

I am obsessed with music. Composing and arranging it. Working on sound design. Mixing and mastering it. I absolutely love every aspect of it. The fact people enjoy is just a bonus.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

THE MESKIMO:

I work alone unless there is a vocalist or guitarist involved. I generally will have the rhythm in my head and get that recorded. That will often start to evoke some emotion or memory and that’s where the narrative starts to take direction. I then will focus on that theme that has come about and build the rest of the song around that.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

THE MESKIMO:

Watching people I love be destroyed by substance abuse.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

THE MESKIMO:I am tickled fucking pink I get to make music and share it with people! I genuinely love hearing from fans and/or other artists. I respond to everyone and enjoy very much making connections with people who I’d never know if it weren’t for music. It’s wild how vibrations you can hear draw people so close to each other from all over the world. What a time to be alive!