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Artist Interviews
Q&A: I.R.O.K.
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 11 August 2011
Psychotropic afro-punk ensemble The Intergalactic Republic Of Kongo, oft-abbreviated to I.R.O.K., first came about when one-time Dead Kids frontman Mike Title was inspired by the sights and sounds he witnessed at an African football match.
Having formed, they then divided recording sessions for their yet-to-be-released debut album ‘Yé Yé God Revolution’ between London and Morocco. For the uninitiated, you can check out how all this sounds when they play the Standon Calling festival this weekend. In anticipation of that, Mike Title gave us his highly original take on our Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
I started making music like anyone else. Music is not the blessing bestowed on people in ridiculous clothes. It’s in your blood, guts, bones, throat, dreams and soul. Dickheads have sabotaged and put barriers between man and music. Anyone is music.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
Morocco inspired it; mountains, the ocean, African football terraces, smoke, fire, drums, fucking and generally being ALIVE.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
What drives me to write a track is the same thing that drives you to keep breathing, or a shark to follow the scent of blood. Songs write themselves.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Funkadelic, Sun Ra, Crass, Rick James and Prince.
Q5 What would you say to someone listening to your music for the first time?
I would say relax, enjoy the ride, commune with us. The Intergalactic Republic of Kongo wish to lower their force fields and engage with your mind.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest album, and for the future?
I have no ambitions but to destroy everything I love before I die. To destroy everything. I want to sodomise you with my ideas. Maybe something good will come out of it.
MORE>> theintergalacticrepublicofkongo.tumblr.com
