I guess I’m a Fite fanatic. . . As all you lovely MoB readers can tell by now, I’ve caught up with Tim a few times within the past few months in promotion of his most recent release, Fair Ain’t Fair. Since we had such a jolly time chatting the last time around, we had to exchange the actual interview questions via the world wide web. If you’d like to see this fine fellow live, you can catch him at the Hideout Block Party on the weekend of Sept. 20-21.
So since I already drilled you for MOB’s 5 questions feature last month, I felt I had to dig up a little more dirt on the mystery of Mr. Tim Fite. Here’s what I found. A) your last name is not indeed, Fite. It’s Sullivan, but Fite is pretty hardcore nonetheless, where did this alias stem from? Got any more secret identities up your sleeve you wish you would have gone with?
A long long time ago I was in a duo called mudfite. I was Tim Fite and my partner in crime was Keith Mud. Together we were mudfite! We were pretty hardcore. Any other secret identities must remain a secret. I have some not so secret identities, like George Lomanski, Karla Prostancia, and Marcus Luck-Plevin.
I thought you looked familiar when I saw you play CMJ back in 05 but I couldn’t quite pin down the resemblance at first, but low and behold, you are little T. Your track with One Track Mike, “Shaniqua” which I read was not your desired first single, was blasting all over MTV back in my freshman year of college. Do you ever run into many Little T fans that remember you from those days? Whatever happened to One Track Mike, you two still in touch?
I seem to have misplaced the part of my mind that was dedicated to that portion of time. When folks mention it, I feel a disembodied sadness.
I read that your first album was partially recorded in a dorm room and your grandparents’ basement; when you last answered my silly little questions you mentioned recording in a high school. What other unusual locations serve as your base of creation? What’s your preferred studio environment comparable to?
I have also recorded in a big red barn, a small metal teapot, and a condemned water closet. AND – Once me and Rob and Justin set the sky on fire, and recorded that. It was loud, and we almost died, but it was worth it. My preferred studio environment is at home in my underwear.
Forgive me for basing some of my research off the same MTV/VH1 online article I dug up, but you’ve been rapping since 6th grade? Do you still have any of your early original material? I imagine you as the illest MC on the playground. If my research proved false, what is your earliest memory of getting involved with music?
My earliest memory of getting involved with music is singing as a child. I have always loved to sing. Rapping happened later, but the more I think about it, that is still singing. A song of six pence – pocket full of rye.
You’re so over the board when it comes to experimenting in various genres, you’re folk, hip hop country blues and then you’ll swap into crazy screaming shrieks. Where and who gets you get inspired? Who would you cite as some of your major musical influences?
There are more sounds than anyone knows what to do with. I think sometimes this limitlessness can be daunting for music makers, and we stick to recreating the music that we most like to listen to. The true challenge is learning how to forget those influences and accept sound for sound and silence for silence. Then it is simply a matter of showing up to work everyday.
I also read you were a fan of Public Enemy. . . who will be playing Pitchfork tomorrow evening (Questions submitted prior to Pfork), any chance of sticking around for that or back to the grindstone with the lovely Watson twins?
Sadly, I can not stay and see Chuck, Flav, Griff, Terminator X, and the S1Ws do their thing. I have to go to St. Paul.
What’s it been like touring with the Watson twins? What have been some of your major tour highlights throughout the past year? How often would you say you’re on the road? I’ve seen you three times now in the past 4 months alone!
Touring with the Watson Twins has been splendid. The ladies and their bandmates have a gentle thoughtful kindness to them that shines through not only in the music, but in the way they treat the world around them. It is an honor to share the stage and the road with such talented goodhearted people.
I love your style. What goes through your head when it comes to fashion? You’re very bib overall chic.
In general, I prefer function.
What does your family think of your music?
I think they think it’s a nice place to visit.
Where do you call home? How often are you there?
I call Brooklyn, NY home, and I am there as often as I can be (much to the chagrin of my roommate, the gentleman with itchy legs).
What inspired you to record Over the Counterculture, and then give it away. . . for free online? You got a lot of critical appraise for that album, were you ever tempted to release it commercially? Why didn’t you?
I needed to make OTCC to get all my yuck out before making “fair ain’t fair.” I gave it away, because you can’t sell freedom.
If you found out your life story was to be made into a movie tomorrow, who would make the cut for the soundtrack?
Devin the Dude, Body Count, and Hawksley Workman.
Your co-hort in crime, dr. leisure . . . how did your two paths cross? How long have you two been beating out the sweet jams together now? How would you describe your relationship?
Dr. Leisure and I crossed paths on the day I was born. We have been singing officially together for 3.5 years, but unofficially we have been singing forever. We are singing brothers.
Your live shows boast a pretty colorful visual performance, almost as if your music is the soundtrack to the art show. I know the last time we did the Q&A thing you said that the two different art forms are supportive to one another, but how much time do you devote to your art? Those videos of you are pretty crazy, who gets the lucky job of videoing the schizo fite performers? Do you dabble in videography as well?
I wish I had more time to draw and paint. Those are my favorites. I am planning on spending some extra hours behind pen and brush. I am not a videographer, although I have been known to mess with the camera once in a while. Ryan Foregger is my video specialist. When I need something exceptional, I turn to him.
Explain the whole “Gentleman with the itchy legs” to me, you mentioned he’s your roommate?
He is my roommate. He is also my creative collaborator on many stories. When he is not too busy folding his rags, he likes to use them to breath ether. He is generally pretty grumpy.
Who are your top 3 currently most listened to musical artists?
Hawksley Workman, Lil’ Wayne, and The Apaches
Who would be your dream tourmate(s)?
Dr. Leisure, J-Ride, Shank, Porto, Jesse, Ryan, Mai, Lisa, Ashley, and Maria.
3 words to describe yourself . . .
Rock, paper, scissors.
Can you dwell on the storybook download project we chatted about to our readers?
This is the instant library project. I have drawn a rather extensive set of small storybooks that will be available for download on my website. People will be able to download, and print out one page pdf’s of these stories, then, after a few folds and one cut with the scissors, the one page print out transforms into a charming little book. If folks print and fold all the stories, they will be the possessor of their very own instant library.
Myspace: Tim Fite
