Music
Monday, 04 May 2009 09:05
Written by April Fong

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Yep, there’s actually more to Canadian music than Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne and Nickelback (shudder). Just check out Socalled and his mixing of traditional European Jewish music with fat hip hop beats and various artist collaborations.

We talked to Josh Dolgin, the Montreal-based multi-tasking solo musician of Socalled, about his upcoming show in Shanghai.  

So, what’s behind the name “Socalled”?
I had a stupid hip hop name in high school, Heavy J. This rapper I worked with started to call me “So-called Heavy J” and then I just dropped the “Heavy J”. It’s good to find your hip hop name organically, not just come up with something.

Your blending of hip hop and klezmer music isn’t exactly commonplace.  What do you think people in Shanghai will like most about Socalled?
They will like the freedom on stage. All the musicians know what to do with each song, but the form and the parts of each piece is open and will be different every time. This makes it crazy and fun for the musicians and the audience.
Which of your songs will have the most appeal among your audience in Shanghai next week?
I have no idea what the tastes are for this Shanghai audience… do they like traditional hip hop? Do they like folk music? House? Do they like funny or sad songs? I have no idea.

“You Are Never Alone” is my biggest hit, it has a beautiful catchy melody sung by Katie Moore and a funky simple beat. Two million people watched the video for this song on Youtube, maybe they will like this one? Or maybe they will like “Richie”, which is on the next record and has some drum programming by a house music legend, Derrick Carter. Or maybe “These Are the Good Old Days”, which is a real party song. I can’t wait to see what works.

Have you toured in Asia before? Are you excited?
Never toured Asia before. Very excited, wish I had more time. It will be insane!

What do you think your music says about the Canadian music scene?
I think it says many different kinds of people from different backgrounds can come together and make music. I have 40 invited guests on my last record, and it’s such a beautiful mix of genres and generations and styles and rhythms and stories, that’s what Canada is all about.

How do you find a balance between traditional klezmer and hip hop in your music?
I use Klezmer as an inspiration, to find sounds and melodies and rhythms.  Also, this traditional Jewish music made me search for my own roots in Eastern Europe so it opened me up to Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian and Ukrainian music, and also Gipsy music. But I’m from the hip hop generation, that’s really the music of my community.

What was it like working with Killah Priest from Wu-Tang Clan?
Very cool. He heard the beat and just started bopping his head and writing an amazing text. It was very smooth – coming from such different backgrounds, but able being to make music together. It was a real honour to work with such a great rapper.

Your last album was released in 2007. Do you have another album in the works right now or are you working on other projects?
Almost finished the next record. There are maybe fewer guests but it has the same vibe, the same impossible mixes and different collaborations… It’s less experimental, more poppy. But I’m also busy doing other projects as well, for sure, as always…

Socalled plays at Yuyintang on Saturday May 2 at 9pm with Jets Overhead and Sonnet.
Tickets are RMB 40 at the door.

For more on Socalled, visit www.myspace.com/socalled or www.socalledmusic.com

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