MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
MK Ultra: No problem. I am a big fan of MuzicNotez.
At first it was just listening to songs around the age of 14 and trying to figure out what made a song. I meet my producer and musical partner Aaron Bagley and I am proud of all the different types of music we have made together.
He is a huge part of the award winning album Documentation. We got a hit for MK Ultra “Killing Angels” and we are now working on the follow up album “Kissing The Enemy”. We are on another cloud with this one. He is an amazing producer.
He is part of the MK Ultra live band so we are still dudes that love music. We don’t do it for the money (MK Ultra Laughs)
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
MK Ultra: I don’t look to my favorite bands and rip off their songs (Smiling) I like to put my influences in a melting pot. MK Ultra is an electronic rock project that someone who listens to hip hop because of how we produce. Dre Eminem and Tyler The Creator are big influences but I’m not going to rap on my albums. The back beat has that influence.
My vocals and songs are close to NIN Placebo and a smashing pumpkin timber. I try to approach a song they way it is supposed to be sung. It’s all about deliver. I don’t try to change my voice to sing like my favorite bands. If you do that it makes you a copy. There is only one NIN there is only one MK Ultra.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
I won performer of the year at this year’s LA Music Awards. National TV and a packed Avalon Theater. I write big songs so I picture the crowd reaction. It’s edgy. Some people love it. I’m sure some don’t that’s cool too.
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
MK Ultra: I’m really happy where I am. My goal is to be a great songwriter. I just want to get better and better. I’m not the type to say “I’m the best.” That’s called faking it till you make it. What does making it in this industry even mean?
MuzicNotez: You were nominated for ‘Best Alternative Artist of 2014’, how’s it feel to be recognized like that?
MK Ultra: A huge honor. As long as people are listening I’m cool.
MuzicNotez: You’ve recently wrapped up a tour along the east coast, what was that like?
MK Ultra: That was really a warm up. In order to get the sea legs going for me as an entertainer and I really concentrated on having a great time with my audience. It worked. We sold a lot of copies of “Documentation.” As I said as long as people are listening I’m cool.
MuzicNotez: Last fall you released your debut album ‘Documentation’, what’s this album about to you? Do you have a favorite track?
MK Ultra: Documentation is a story of my life after nearly dying in car accident. It’s about the doctors and the drugs that I was prescribed and how the aftermath was just as bad as hanging on to life in the moment. The whole album is a story of my life at that time. My next album I am working on now called “Killing The Enemy” will be another tune. However I always write about what is happening in my life.
MuzicNotez: You have been through a lot between your struggles with drug addiction and several car accidents. Did this give you a stronger sense of determination? How has it affected you as an artist?
MK Ultra: I don’t really consider myself a drug addict. I still functioned and took my daily medications. If anything I am anti-drug because the side effects are awful. I try to get this across in “Documentation”. Weed is the best way to go but I just kept listening to my doctors. I have chronic pain and it works well.
The near death car accidents helped me grow as an artist. I played in bands that were successful before but….. I had to let it all out with MK Ultra.
MuzicNotez: Working on anything new? What can we expect from you in the future?
MK Ultra: Yeah. The new album Kissing The Enemy we are working on now in between touring and award shows where we are performing. We will be releasing a single from the album probably in Spring.
I am also putting out an album with MK Ultra’s live members Aaron Bagley and Dan Kramer called Dreams In Stereo this year. The album is done it’s just a matter of timing.
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
MK Ultra: To my fans thanks for listening and buying “Documentation.” I won’t let you down.