A tiny Toronto bar is crowded with dapper 20-somethings curious about the buzz surrounding Badbadnotgood ― hype fuelled by Odd Future front-man Tyler the Creator, and by fans of Waka Flocka Flame and Flying Lotus. Except this is a jazz show. Pianist Matthew Tavares, drummer/beatmaker Alex Sowinski and bassist Chester Hansen met in Humber College's music program, and bonded over a mutual love of new hip-hop. The trio first attracted attention in April, when they posted video to YouTube of them playing a jazz medley of Odd Future songs, with Sowinski in a pig mask.
Badbadnotgood's debut BBNG (available free on badbadnotgood.tumblr.com) mixes covers of Joy Division, Nas, and the Zelda soundtrack with sampler-fuelled originals. "Jazz is something that's already happened," Tavares offers. "The reason you play jazz standards is old people know the melodies. So if you play a hip-hop song that people know, they can hear your version and appreciate what's happening. A young person doesn't give a fuck how you play 'Stella By Starlight.'"
Read our Web Exclusive interview here.
Badbadnotgood's debut BBNG (available free on badbadnotgood.tumblr.com) mixes covers of Joy Division, Nas, and the Zelda soundtrack with sampler-fuelled originals. "Jazz is something that's already happened," Tavares offers. "The reason you play jazz standards is old people know the melodies. So if you play a hip-hop song that people know, they can hear your version and appreciate what's happening. A young person doesn't give a fuck how you play 'Stella By Starlight.'"
Read our Web Exclusive interview here.
