Recently,the Civil family had the opportunity to interview the legendary DJ-Qbert, formerly of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz. This man really needs no introduction, as he single-handedly helped change the game of turntablism and inspire a generation of Djs/ Producers. He constantly elevates and sets the bar, laying a foundation for the rest.

CIVIL: What’s up Qbert,.. how are you doin today?
Qbert: Good! I’m in Switzerland right now as we speak…

CIVIL:What inspired you to be a DJ /Turntablist and how did you get started?
Qbert: I started doing it just for fun back in the mid 80′s, but it turned into more.

CIVIL:How have you managed to maintain your longevity as an artist?
Qbert: I don’t know… maybe it’s because I’m always learning and discovering new ways of creating music with skratching. it always becomes more interesting when you put in time, because then you will always come across new ideas.

CIVIL: What is the inspiration for Wavetwisters? Is there a sequel coming?
QBERT: I just wanted to do something different. i wanted graffiti to be animated to skratch music, and so i made it.I am working on another film right now!

Here is a snippet of the visual and musical brilliance/madness that is Wavetwisters!

CIVIL: I notice that Thud Rumble works with bboy events such as Out For Fame and Freestyle Session. I think its really sick that other elements of hip hop really support each other. How did Thud Rumble start?
Qbert: Yogafrog and i wanted to make a company that was all about helping the skratching world, plus incorporating the roots of true school hip hop like bboying, graff and mcing. We even cater to skaters… check out our boards at thudrumble.com!

CIVIL: How has technology changed the game and your work?
Qbert: With digital technology,I can now skratch pretty much anything. Although when i want to get intricate and precise,I have to press those sounds on vinyl so because digital is still not 100 percent correct. I love the analog sound with vinyl and that you can really feel and hear the sound in your fingertips when you skratch with with a non digital encoded record.

CIVIL: How do you feel about Serrato and its effect on the vinyl community as well creating a digital one?
Qbert: It’s great if you are a party dj, because you can just bring your laptop and not all those records. Most djs now only bring a small special handful of skratching records for when they want to get busy with some real juggles or skratching.

CIVIL: Do you have any new projects for 2009 that we should be on the lookout for?
Qbert: The main focus is the “Qbert Skratch University” online! where djs all over the world can send me video questions, and i can return video answers to them of how to do a certain skratch or whatever! also there’s a Superseal 3D record coming out for the skratch purists: it’s a skipless skratching tool with tons of samples to practice, record and perform with!
we have pre-release copies in our ebay store which you can access at djqbert.com

CIVIL: How do you feel about Abelton live and its ability to mimic a DJ live and match beats?
Qbert: I think all these tools are great and it helps get the imagination out of all creative djs.

CIVIL: I noticed that Free The Robots, Nosaj Thing and Gaslamp Killer had a live turntable session with you in the Octagon. How was that like? and What do you feel about the new generation of djs/ Producers?

(from earlier blog entry as well)

Qbert: It’s awesome and I’m always a student. I always learn so much from everyone. I think I have them on video and we will post up that stuff on our Youtube Thud Rumble

CIVIL: Favorite food?
Qbert: raw vegan
CIVIL: Whoa, thats crazy.. you’re hardcore!

CIVIL: What’s currently on rotation on your Ipod/Music player?
Qbert:Crystal Bowl Meditations by big secret music group.
CIVIL:haha, Thats ill and pretty Gangsta.

Q and D-Styles ( Question and Answer)

CIVIL: How would you like to be remembered as an artist?
Qbert:That i was letting people know we are all part of God, and since we have God in us, we should use those creative energies to make the world a better place.

Much Thanks and Respect to Qbert from the Civil fam

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