We’re only a day away from Coachella and I have a special surprise for you!
Travis Barker and DJ AM will be at Coachella on Saturday, but they both took the time to do an e-mail interview with me.
If you don’t know, Travis is from Fontana and lived in Corona for a while.
Check out TRV$DJ-AM in the Sahara Tent on Saturday night at Coachella.
Many thanks to Jenni Weinman for setting this up as well as to Travis and to DJ AM for taking the time to answer.
Also, the interview with DJ AM will be posted here later today.
There’s a print story running in the paper on Friday, but here is the interview with Travis. He talks about Coachella, Goldenvoice, his solo record, and his favorite spots in the I.E. He also alludes to the plane crash that he and AM survived last September. However, he didn’t talk about the blink-182 reunion.
Enjoy!
The Press-Enterprise: Why decide to do Coachella?
Travis Barker: Because they asked and it’s the coolest festival ever.
PE: What makes it such an important festival?
Barker: The diverse bands, dj’s and artists make it different, everybody waits all year for it.
PE: How did the two of you first start collaborating?
Barker: I approached Adam a couple years ago with the idea and the rest is history. We got in a studio and never looked back.
PE: What can fans expect to hear at the Coachella set?
Barker: Everything from Justice to Michael Jackson, The Who, Biggie, Queen….the list goes on.
PE: Have you been working on new music? If so, will we hear it at Coachella?
Barker: I have begun working on my solo record again, as for AM and I, we rarely play the same set twice. We always keep it fresh.
PE: What do you love about performing together? What makes TRV$-DJAM special to each of you and how does it push you creatively?
Barker: I mean there is only really US in our own genre, there isn’t a lot of drummer/dj’s that do what we do. It’s such a breath of fresh air. I play things I’d never play in a band when I play with AM, really different for me.
PE: How does the creative process work for you? Does it start with a drum beat, or a hook?
Barker: We just listen to music, jam out on it, see how we can flip it or make it different and then starting putting things together depending on tempos. AM is amazing.
PE: What drives you as artists?
Barker: Life, living, breathing, the opportunity to play music, fashion, the world, everything I come in contact with.
PE: Has the way you approached music changed at all?
Barker: Being able to play music period after my 16 surgeries has made me appreciate it more now then ever.
PE: Travis, you had the surgery in February on your ulner nerve –how did it go? Did you regain feeling in your left hand?
Barker: My hand is still numb and I’m hoping eventually the feeling will come back. I’m still supposed to be resting but I couldn’t pass on Coachella.
PE: What made you know you wanted to pursue music as a career?
Barker: I loved music since the first time I heard it. The Beatles, Elvis, The Beach Boys, Run DMC , Slayer. I was exposed to all of this at a young age and I never wanted to do anything else besides play music and ride my skateboard.
PE: What’s next for TRV$-DJAM?
Barker: More shows, more festivals, good times.
PE: What are you the most proud of so far?
Barker: That I’m alive and I have my family, my music, my friends.
PE: What do you still want to accomplish?
Barker: The list is too long. You will see as the time goes on. I can’t rest or not do anything . I am a person that likes to stay busy and creative and continue finding ways of expressing myself.
PE: Growing up in the Inland Empire–what are some of your favorite places out here–restaurants, hangouts, stores?
Barker: Miguels and WaHoo’s are my favorite. Anytime I’m out there those are my jams.
PE: You were living in Corona for a while, what made you decide to move out to L.A. full-time? Do you ever see yourself moving back out here?
Barker: My wife and babies at the time lived in LA so I couldn’t not be with them . I live out in LA cause that’s where I end up working a lot being in studios usually 10-12 hours a day. However other business’ of mine still live in the IE. My FAMOUS STARS AND STRAPS BRAND as well as KILLER DISTRIBUTION are in Ontario and Corona. I love it there
PE: Do you still come back to the I.E. at all?
Barker: Yes, once every couple weeks, I have family out there still as well.
PE: With the new arena in Ontario and restoration projects of the Fox in Riverside and the recently completed Fox theater in Pomona, is the Inland Empire becoming more of a draw for entertainers?
Barker: I hope so, our music scene as a kid was always thriving thanks to 98 Posse and Goldenvoice. I had amazing venues and concerts every week / weekend. I saw so many of my favorite bands play growing up out there.
Remember, there are more Coachella interviews and goodies to be had at our special online Coachella section.
I will be posting the interview with DJ AM later today, so check back. Also, I will be blogging like ca-RAZY from Coachella this weekend. It’s the best of the fest without risking sunburn. Keep checking here or follow me on Twitter.