The Hood Internet drops new mixtape, talks mash-ups
By Marshall Pearson, Staff Writer
June 12, 2008 | noon
With the May 27 release of its new mixtape, The Hood Internet vs. Chicago, the self-proclaimed “internet platinum” group The Hood Internet further secures its spot as the leader of the “mash-up” pack.
The Hood Internet is comprised of Aaron Brink, who goes by ABX, and Steve Reidell, who goes by STV SLV. According to an interview with the group on Muzzle of Bees, the two musicians went to different colleges (Brink attended the University of Michigan and Reidell attended University of Wisconsin) and met while playing in separate bands. They moved to Chicago independently before playing music together in the band May or May Not, of which Reidell is still a member. Since its inception, The Hood Internet has shared the stage with popular artists such as The Cool Kids, The Go! Team, The Hold Steady, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Diplo and Flosstradamus.
The tracks made by The Hood Internet are commonly described as “mash-ups,” a term that refers to the mixing of vocal and instrumental elements from dissimilar songs. ABX and STV SLV are known for their infusion of popular hip-hop vocals and indie rock melodies, and this unlikely mix has garnered the duo a large internet fan base of both hip-hop and indie rock fans-- resulting in over one million downloads on their Web site.
“Both [the hip-hop and indie] communities seem to be into what we do. I'd say the reception has been warm,” Brink said.
In addition to impressing its fans, The Hood Internet has gained the intention of some of the artists whose original songs were sampled.
“We've heard from a handful of artists like Crystal Castles and The Pack, [and] others have posted our tracks on their sites, like Ghislain Porier and Xiu Xiu. Response is generally pretty positive,” Reidell said.
The members of The Hood Internet have been involved with music since a young age, both having played a wide array of instruments before making electronic music.
“I've been playing guitar for 12 years, and I used to play the Omnichord,” Brink said.
“I played the trumpet starting in fourth grade, then switched over to the euphonium aka the baritone around eigth grade. I picked up the bass guitar in tenth grade, quit school band and starting playing in rock bands, which I've been doing ever since," Reidell said. "ABX and I have both been doing editing and mixing stuff since college.”
The Hood Internet has become the most-downloaded mash-up group on the internet, but Brink and Reidell took inspiration from hearing other mash-up artists and combined it with their own experience with the genre.
“ABX and I were both making tracks for our own rap groups back in the day, sampling things like Paul McCartney or The Unicorns," Reidell said. "But in terms of the Hood, hearing tracks from people like Them Jeans, Certified Bananas, Flosstradamu and Girl Talk certainly gave us some ideas.”
The music of The Hood Internet is crafted on laptop computers using various software programs. Initially, ABX was using a program called Cooledit, and STV SLV was using one called Acid, but both members have recently switched to Ableton Live for creating new tracks. Because of Brink’s recent move to Brooklyn, the group is rarely able to create music together in person.
“Generally, we work on our own tracks individually, but collab[orate] on things like the mixing,” Reidell said.
The group’s newest mixtape, The Hood Internet vs. Chicago, was released on its Web site on May 27 and samples both famous and up-and-coming artists and bands from the city that helped birth The Hood Internet. STV SLV says the mixtape recognizes the quality of Chicago’s music scene and has received a warm reception from fans.
“There's so much cool shit coming out of Chicago right now, and there has been for years, so it seemed like a good time to put something like this together," Reidell said.
Admiration for The Hood Internet extends to Athens. The town has an active dance music following thanks to Dance or Die and the plethora of parties, and many Ohio University students appreciate the group’s music.
“I think The Hood is great because you can throw it on at any party and everyone will be able to dance,” sophomore Alex Helbach said. “Also, the dudes are really musical, and it comes through in their music.”
“It’s technically and musically put together, but the music really unites kids at parties who may listen to either mainstream rap or indie,” sophomore Brian Jackson said. “That, and you can just rage to it.”
Brink and Reidell create their music with one simple mantra in mind.
“Awesomeness is our guiding principle,” Brink said.
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