Mixed Green's Artist: Jumbo Smooth
How did the band's name come about? Was it a group effort or an
epiphany?
I was trying to come up with a name/persona for my new music. I come
from a punk rock background but was moving a little more towards hip hop. I
wanted to come up with a name that was a little larger than life like alot
rapper names you hear (Biggie Smalls, Eazy-E, Ice-Cube, Chamillionaire,
Snoop Dogg). I was sitting at my desk at my boring office job when I
looked down at a box of paperclips. The paper clips were catagorized as
"jumbo smooth paper clips." I said to myself, " Thats perfect." And Jumbo
Smooth was born.
Did you get into music for the art of it or was it all because of the
groupies (Male and Female)?
I'm a visual artist as well as a musician. So I'd have to say I got
into for the art, but I have been know to enjoy a groupie from time to time.
How do you feel about being a part of Mixed Greens?
I am ecstatic to be part of Mixed Greens. Its always good to get more
music out there.
How about the personalities of the group? Who's the wild one, who's the
business one, who's not paying attention?
Jumbo Smooth is the wild one. Dr. Whitesuits is the business one.
Mike Biagiotti isn't paying attention. (These all represent different
aspects of my split personality.)
Who's your idol or inspiration for your music?
Earlier on I was inspired by the raw honesty of Kurt Cobain. Now I'm
not quite sure who inspires me. Tim Armstrong of Rancid is someone who has
been doing his thing for a long time and has been branching out from his
punk/ska roots. So I admire that.
Where do you feel music is going in the next couple of years?
Things are definitely getting more and more blended. And with the
affordability of home recording combined with the internet, there are a lot
of new ideas constantly getting out there.
How often do you write songs & how do you come up with your song
concepts?
Since I've been working my full time day job its hard to create as much
as I would like... but a man's got to pay the bills. I generally don't
worry about writing or concepts. Usually an idea randomly hits me and I run
with it. I don't go out looking for inspiration. I do my thing and let
inspiration find me.
Mixed Greens is a Blended Musical Compilation how do you describe your
music?
My music comes from a punk and old blues background. Now I've been
expanding on that. Taking the edge off a bit and seeing where it goes.
Whats the best part about creating your own music?
I definitely get off on having an idea hit me then taking that small idea
and making a complete song. I enjoy the whole process of having a song
take shape. I never have a preconceived idea of how a song will sound when
its complete. I like to let it grow naturally. Let go where ever it wants
to.
What was the name of the first song? Could you please write down a
couple of bars of that song?
I believe the first song for Jumbo Smooth was "Lotsa Flava."
If you put me to a test I hope that fail,
If you talk about yourself I hope its not a tall tale,
I don't wanna hear about your famous ex,
And how he treats you like shit and you think its a test.
I like a woman with lotsa flava,
A woman who will make me crave her,
Ignite my passion then you keep it strong,
No hot then its cold and you tell me I'm wrong.