Antagonist

So for those don’t know tell us who you are and what you would consider to be your achievements in the music industry so far?

What’s good HHB – I’m Antagonist producer/artist/song-writer and CEO of CaliFlorida Productions Inc.  I’m most proud of the support I’m beginning to build worldwide. Some of my achievements are: Hip Hop Track of the Day on GarageBand.com, Voted Next-2-Blow Producer/Artist by YoRaps.com, and gaining over half a million internet impressions worldwide on over 200 websites.

What would you has been your biggest track so far to date and does it have a music video on You Tube?

I have a lot of tracks that have gained attention in different markets.  Two of the biggest would have to be: “When the Lights Go Down” Ft. Dawn Jameson which gained 3 awards on GarageBand.com and my remix of Plies “Co-Defendant” which has gained over 10,000 hits on YouTube alone.

Who produces your music and what record label are you on?

I produce a majority of my own matierial but I also work with a stable of great producers such as Stupid Genius, JacoJack, Adlib, Anno Domini, WMS Sultan, and more.  I run my own independent record label called CaliFlorida Productions Inc.

What are your thoughts on digital distribution? Is MP3 really the way forward?

Weather people like it or not, digital distribution IS THE FUTURE of music, and that future is now.  As far as .mp3 being the way forward that’s a tricky question because right now .mp3/.mp4 are the staple of online music, but due to sound quality, and compression sizes there are many more formats that are coming along the line very soon.  Bottom line though, if you want to be viable in the next 10 years as an artist or producer, you better start learning digital distribution and it’s technology right now.

Have you had much radio support and mixtape features? If so, what DJ’s are supporting you?

I’ve had a fair share of independent/internet/college radio support ever since my debut on KCPR back in 1996.   Since then I’ve been featured on radio stations in over 96 countries and countless websites.  As far as DJ’s, DJ Ames out of the UK is my #1 dude right now who’s shown me a ton of support. Other than Ames I’ve worked with DJ J & Purple Sub out of Germany, DJ Ken, Biggy Jiggy, Slip N Slide DJ’s, and DJ Billy Gotti.

What subject matters and concepts do you cover in your songs?

I have an extensive background in music, so my style is very versatile.  I cover a variety of topics, and never pigeonhole myself into a single genre.  I’m a musician at heart, and I’m as comfortable spitting a venomous hip hop track as I am screaming my lungs out to a punk/rock song.

Tell us about your latest release.

My most recent release was DJ Ames Presents: Antagonist “Green” which is a 23 song mixtape filled with solely original material.  It’s basically my salute to all the doubters, and an introduction to Antagonist for all those who’ve never heard the name before.  I worked with a grip of talented producers and artists around the world, and created what I feel is one of my most pure and compete projects to date.  There’s something for everybody on that disk, and the energy level is over the top.

Outside of music how do relax? What other things are you into doing?

I grew up in California, and extreme sports are my bread and butter.  I mountain bike, surf, snowboard, and atleast once a week you’ll find me on the golf course.  Basically I like to stay active, and try to live a healthy lifestyle.  Oh and if you want to get your game on, you can find me on XBOX Live Gamertag: BIG ANTAGONIST  LOL

What can people expect to hear from you in the near future?

You’re going to hear a constant evolution of me as an artist. I’m currently working on a lot of collaborations, so I’m looking to release an “Antagonist and Friends” disk very soon.  After that, there’s going to be a debut retail Antagonist album, and also an Anthony Masters album which will be not as hip hop oriented.

Where’s the best place to buy your music?

Honestly part of my grass-roots plan was like the age old drug dealer philosophy. LOL Give em a lot of product for free, and once they’re hooked, they’ll be back to buy some.  So for the past year I’ve been flooding the market with a ton of free material.  You can download all my stuff at www.mrantagonist.com.   Very soon though a retail album, and several singles will be available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, CDBaby, and all the major retailers, so stay tuned for that.

Are you on all the social networking sites? MySpace, Facebook and Twitter?

www.califloridaproductions.com
www.mrantagonist.com
www.myspace.com/leftcoastrider
www.garageband.com/artist/califlorida
www.reverbnation.com/mrantagonist
www.twitter.com/mr_antagonist
www.soundcloud.com/antagonist
http://califloridaproductions.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/mrantagonist

In closing I would like to thank Jonathan Miles, and HHB Radio for giving me the opportunity to shine on their website, and my dude DJ Ames for spreading the word overseas.   I am dedicated to bringing top quality music with every release, and promise to not let my fans down.  You can reach me on any of my websites, I’m very accessible, and love to speak with my supporters.

Thanks

ANT

Interview questions by Jonathan Miles