Written by Kevin Bessey
This Q&A with Dak was originally posted on IndieEntertainmentMagazine.com
I arrive at Cody McCracken (DAK)’s house in Las Vegas, Nevada just as he is getting home…
His car is full of preorder packages that he personally crafting for his fans. They include personal typewriter written letters, stickers, shirts, and the CD itself.
We enter his house and sit down in his kitchen. He offers me some water and a cactus. I accept the water and tell him he can keep the cactus.
I then ask him some questions about his debut album, Quarter Life Crisis, which he released September 1, 2017.
Dive into our interview and listen to this music with the Spotify player at the bottom!
Q: Are there any songs that you are particularly proud of?
A: Great question. It’s hard to choose, because every song was one I was excited about in the moment of creating it. This album took a long time to write. There’s a lot of versatility of styles, so it’s interchangeable depending on mood for me. “Recluse” is a brave way to start off a hip hop album. I think songs like “Opposites Attract” have some cool layering themes going on. I couldn’t pick a favorite off the album though.
Q: This album has been a long time coming, so some of the songs are a lot older. What was that process like? Was it harder to record older songs?
A: Over the duration of how long I’ve been sitting on some of these songs, my skill set and delivery have improved. I definitely wanted to re-record the vocals to some of the old demos and experiment with different tones and delivery. I felt like I did a good job of putting myself back in those places and recapturing the emotions that I felt. It was authentic to me.
Q: There was no support from a label. Apart from the minimal features and a few beats this was a solo project. What was that process like?
A: Great question! I don’t want to talk too much about the process because it’s a long answer and I go into greater detail in my prologue at tralse.com. But, in short, I started doing everything out of necessity.
I grew up in a small town and, so I didn’t have access to producers and I couldn’t afford studio time. I wanted to make records, so I had to do it on my own. As I started getting my debut album ready, I realized that doing it solo was my preferred method. But, that’s making a long story short.
Q: Quarter Life Crisis has a bit of rock influence, what’s your inspiration?
A: There’s not really anyone in particular that I’m consciously aware of trying to emulate. I listen to so many different kinds of music and in turn that becomes a goulash in my head that I pull from when I write. I think that’s why there’s a lot of unique stuff going on with this album. In high school I listened to a lot of scream-o. I think that contributes a lot specifically to that rock influence.
Q: What would you say Quarter Life Crisis sounds like?
A: A mix between Avril Lavigne and N.W.A.
Q: So, your writing is very distinct and covers a lot of topics that we don’t hear in rap for example, in “deVICES” you talk about our dependence on technology. In “We Get It” you talk about your concern with mainstream hip hop. Where do some of these topics come from?
A: Everything I write I want to be honest and meaningful. I make music because I feel like I need to. The songs almost create themselves. I have a lot of thoughts in my head and expressing them is therapeutic to me.
Q: What’s your go to jam in the car?
A: When I’m in my car, I need to hear musical ambience coming out of the speakers that makes me say, “Where’s the bread? Oh, here’s the bread? Thank you. Where’s the peanut butter? Oh, here’s the peanut butter? Thank you. You know why? Cause this is the JAM!” That’s the song I want. There’s a group of them, I can’t choose one.
Q: So, just any song that fits with the peanut butter and bread?
A: Yeah man!
Q: In Quarter Life Crisis, you have some interesting wordplay. Is that something you’ve always been into?
A: I’ve always loved to write and clever wordplay has always been a part of my rap. I like to use double entendre a lot. That’s why it was important to me to include the lyrics in the booklet. The writing is something I really pride myself in.
Q: Are there any lyrics that you really like?
A: There’s a slew of lines I’m proud of. Off the top of my head, in “Cruise Control” I like the line, “They tell you that it’s IMPOSSIBLE don’t listen, keep a STEADY DRIVE and TOM CRUISE CONTROL that MISSION.”
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist living or dead, who would you collaborate with?
A: Dessa. She’s the GOAT to me.
Check out Quarter Life Crisis by Dak – Available Now!