While going through all my social media outlets I came across a message informing me of  Dream aka Fate from the AKA Evil Needle + Chaye Tione project from last year being chosen for a best of September 2014 playlist in France. Shouts out to Antoine for coming across my music and reaching out. Sorry I didn't get to you sooner brethren. The website http://adra-matic.com/les-meilleurs-sons-de-lannee-2014-40414/is in French.  But thanks to Google translator, this is what it reads:
Here is the list of the best songs of the year, those whose rating is higher than 80%, based on Lyrics - Theme - Production - Vibe - Flow - Construction.

I emphasize that this is not a ranking of my favorite songs, I try to be as objective as possible even if there has biensur subjectivity.

If you scroll through the list you'll see yours truly in the mix.  Also big ups to Evil Needle on production. Hopefully this reached him at one point in time out there. Se la vie

CT

Today I decided to reach out to the one and only Raw Vegan. We have made some of my personal favorite songs. But today I wondered….Why does he do it? I wanted to know more about this eclectic, talented, humble, down to earth dude. And thanks to good ol’ FB chat and a gap in my schedule I was able to squeeze in some questions. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
-CT

Chaye Tione: Where art thou brethren?







Raw Vegan: Ok










CT: Cool, what up?











RV: Mars










CT: 
When did you start making music











RV: Well shit I think I started making sounds when I was little I would always be trying to beatbox and shit. I used to get mad shit for making weird ass sounds with my mouth all the time but I guess it was my only way to get these ideas out at the time. Did a little choir and band in Jr High ha











CT: What was your first instrument?





RV: I think the first thing I had to play on was a piano at my Grandmas house. But in school I was so broke so I couldn’t really afford to rent anything but the violin
I gave up on that shit quick and then in Jr High band I started to play baritone and trumpet




But I didn’t learn music theory at all. I just learned the fingerings to keep up in class











CT: Cool and when did you get on a synth?










RV: My homie Dave used to have this little microkorg at his house and I would always bug the shit out of the dude to try it

I didn’t have a chance that often but in maybe 2008 I purchased my first microkorg and I was into it  And of course I started using reason at the SBCC (Santa Barbara City College) studios lol & reason has tons of synth stuff to mess around with

CT: Dope, 
who are you listening to nowadays?










RV: Shit, now days its hard for me to even keep up with peoples names haha. I used to rock the winamp radio stations back in the day.. now days I think I push a lot of sample stuff that I’m not sampling and alot of music that my friends around me have made.



Dimlite 
Samiyam




 Esta




 Petit Abri




dam funk




 thundercat




 I play alot of counterstrike so its hard to listen and play at the same time ahha











CT: I always wondered where your sound stemmed from










RV: MOP











CT: when do you get inspired to create music? 










RV: I think im inspired often just by saying...hey thats cool




to anything really




life is full of inspiration and I think I don’t really have a time that I’m inspired the most… just these feelings that change











CT: Word, what’s your creative process like
?

 Do you start with a melody or do you just start to play?










RV: I find that just with alot of things in my life




i just have to get in and start fucking around




not really with any plan or idea but just making noises and letting myself into this world of sound making




once im in thats when i start to actually get into the music




its kinda like a trance




i just zone out and let my brain be a little kid




i find that if i try and go in with some kinda set plan of attack. i get stangant and i cant think out of this box of heres my melody now put some kicks in or w.e

(whatever)









CT: w.e?

(I’d never seen that abbreviation before :/ )




RV: like if i get stuck in this basic flow of add chords heres a melody heres some hats and a little synth lead i kinda feel like



im too rigid




and i like to resample my stuff and like add reverb and make it into something wierd




before i bring it back




to something less




GO ABSTRACT BRING IT BACK











CT: When do you you know a beat is finished?








RV: Idk..thats such a hard question lol




is something ever finished? like sometimes i just gotta export it and soundcloud that ish and let some of my homies hear it and if they think its on point or w.e (whatever) then ill un-private it or something.
Im really into the moment with alot of stuff




and i feel like when i come back to stuff it may be with a diffrent attitude and mindset and that might change the song into something totally different




i just like the moments as they are for whatever reason











CT: How do you feel about music today and your influence on its future?










RV: Im into people just being people




Idk if i have a place in its future i just like to create while im here




We are all gonna die one day..and id like to think that maybe even if im long gone




that i have some piece of me




on the internet




and out on cd




  s




and in peoples minds 




thats pretty special to me hah









 
CT: Man thats deep,
i feel the same way about my lyrics










RV: yeah aslong as im cool and im inspiring somebody down the line to do something they love..hey thats all im worried about.




the LOVE











CT:
 Word man thats our time 




i got more than i expected...




one more tho, 




where did loopertshmock come from?










RV: 
hahah.




id always pass the blunt the wrong way or like across the circle or whatever




and my homies would allways call me the loopert




but dude bit me so now i go by raw vegan 




lol











CT: 
lmao




 biters gonna bite










RV: hahaha




 SOmething about the over-consumption of processed shit made me go vegan...











CT: 
Man that’s the best










RV: yeah dude mostly fried chicken and carrot juice











CT: Word, I gotta get back to work










RV: GO! thanks for the interview hah
i felt like i was gonna get a job

I was about to turn down for the day and decided to check in here. the journey I have embarked on as an emcee has offered the light I wish the spread as well as the darkness which keeps me away from this space. Sometimes I ignore what I know needs to be done to further my music and reach. Other times I focus on the possibilities of the universe and potential of my talent to the point where I watch my dreams become reality. No one enters this life with a handbook. And aside from being blessed with a gift with words, I am learning how to become a well rounded artist in this day and age. I heard yesterday that there is no real wrong way to approach this whole deal, so here I am. Thank you to all who have continued to spread that which comes through my pen. And thank you to those who ask me about my developments and what's up next. Those inquiries and encouragement keep me motivated and creating. Light and Love.

CT