The Music News Round Up! Tuesday, July 31, 2012

8. Interview Magazine interviews Blood Diamonds, a.k.a Mike Tucker. An artist who prides himself on producing "fun shit," he spoke with interview about touring with Claire Boucher (Grimes), his love of R&B, and his thoughts on the TOP 40 charts. His EP Phone Sex features many collaborations with artists like Grimes. [InteriewMagazine] [Mike Turner via] Check out highlights from the interview below! On how Blood Diamonds started gaining momentum. "It was definitely the internet. Anything can be posted on the internet and get distributed so fast. Blogs started posting the track I did; "Heart", and that started making a dent on some music blogs. That's what really got things going." On how he met Grimes. "We met in Vancouver at my first show. It was her third show. I thought she was like 16, so, I was a little bit scared to go and talk to her ‘cause I thought she'd think I was some creep. She was wearing some fucking New Balance or some shit. Or Skechers? I was like shit, she really is 16 ‘cause her dad brought her gear in and I was just like positive she was mad young. But, as it turned out, she was three years older than me." On what inspires his music. "That's tough because it's definitely in there, but, I'd have to say what drives my music the most is what I listen to on a daily basis—like, music my friends send me, all the way up to good radio, like Top 40 shit—it all inspires me, really. Also, just chatting with producer friends of mine about what's happening now and how we can push it further collectively. Most of all, though, the public ear is the best filter. People know what they want. Especially now, when it's become so democratic with music online and stuff. I like that it's not about having a huge label behind you to get you where you want to be today... you can get recognition if you want it."