Interversity: Odd Nosdam

Level Live Wires is the kind of free-thinking collage album anyone with a keen fondness for sounds will enjoy. The man behind its broad sonic spectrum is Anticon.'s Odd Nosdam, aka David Madson, and he kindly joins us this week to answer some Interversity questions ahead of the album's Tuesday release date. Read, digest and enjoy the hell out of this album. We still are.














Odd Nosdam - Fat Hooks - Level Live Wires (Anticon. 2007)

1. I hear a lot of shoegazer in Level Live Wires, but there's a plethora of sounds hidden throughout. What sorts of ideas and sounds were you looking to most closely for this album, and how are they different from past efforts?

Im always lookin and listenin for anything that moves me.

2. What do you make of the whole downloading thing, and how often does it come up with other members of the Anticon. collective?

I personally dont seek out and download music. it does have it's advantages though. I mean, I make music and some of my music I wanna share with other folk. I cant control how people find or hear my shit. but the least I can do is give people the option of experiencing my music as close to how I want it experienced, on vinyl or CD and loud.

a couple friends of mine will often float me mp3s online through sendspace. I suppose everyone should just enjoy stuff while they can, regardless of how they get it.

3. Level Live Wires is a title open to a number of interpretations. What did it mean to you when you were christening the album? Has that changed at all since?

the way it looks on paper. the way it rolls off the tongue. a rusty pin removed from a bible...

4. The idea of a bonus ambient EP of the sounds that constructed the album is really interesting. At what point did you decide to use it in a limited edition version?

over the years, I collected a bunch of shit in itunes like early versions and raw sounds of LLW tracks. when LLW was done, it made sense to put together a companion CD of this stuff.

5. How much did Odd Nerdrum paintings influence Level Live Wires, and do you have a favorite of his?

I havent thought about Odd Nerdrum for a long time... one painting that comes to mind is his self portrait with an erection. that is dude is a fucking twisted modern day Rembrandt.

Audiversinquiry (10 questions we ask everyone)

1. What did you specifically remember listening to as a child that triggered a notable response?

my parents had Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' on wax. the synth sounds and the cover photo of the dude on fire used to freak me out.

when rap got big, I was way into scratching. it was the craziest stuff Id ever heard. my favorite was the scratch "solo" on The Furious Five's 'Step Off'. The vocoder used on 'Scorpio' was pretty wild. mid 80s rap was the first music I took seriously. I used to dub stuff off the radio, never knowing what the hell I was listening to. 'La Di Da Di' was the first song I memorized.

2. You are heading across town this moment and will have time to listen to one complete album during the trip, what would you listen to?

'Revolver'

3. Are there any other media that you draw inspiration from? Books, authors, painters, actors, movies, celebrities, etc?

I love the work of Dali, Basquiat, Bosch, David Lynch, Akira Kurosawa, the Cohen Bros., Kids In The Hall, The Chapelle Show, Mr. Show, Monty Python's Flying Circus. Ive watched John Lennon's 'Imagine' like a million times. skateboarding. I really enjoy reading music biographies.

4. Where do you go to discover new music and sounds?

'Out The Closet', a non profit thrift store on University in Berkeley. Ive scored hundreds of great LPs there. for most everything thing else its Amoeba and Rasputin's in Berkeley. and I have a few generous friends that hook me up with random shit.

5. What question do you get most often that you hate answering?

dont get it as often anymore but Ive been asked "whats the future of hip hop?" way too many times. another one, regarding my music: "is this hip hop?"

6. Favorite instruments or specific sounds?

Favorite instruments: SP 1200.

specific sounds: 50's - 60's vinyl. drones.

7. The record store is closing in ten minutes and you are hell-bent on buying something before they close, what section do you head immediately towards?

"oldies" vinyl

8. What is the last notable daydream you had and where did it take place?

[N/A - Ed.]

9. What is the perfect album to you? Are there any? Is it possible?

De La Soul '3 feet High And Rising'
The Beatles 'Revolver'
Flying Saucer Attack 'Distance'
Serge Gainsbourg 'Histoire De Melody Nelson'

10. Do you keep up with blogs? Which do you read if so?

no.