So, after a week long break from the blogosphere, I sat down to interview a Ron Sulewski, and Dylan Lawrence of Nice lab music for this weeks edition of Tunage Thursdays! Interview after the drop.
BTL: So, to start off, what's the name of your group? What's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before?
NL: The name of our group is Nice Lab, it’s pretty much been that way from the start. When we were starting out, somebody asked us what our goals were and we told them that when it was all said and done we just wanted to have a really nice lab, like a dope studio. In response they were like you should be called “Nice Shit” which eventually evolved into our tagline…Nice Lab, Nice Shit
BTL: Please list the name, age, school, and what each member in the group does.
NL: Well we got three guys working with Nice Lab right now. There’s Ron Sulewski, who works the turntables. He’s 19 years old and plans on going to CMU in the fall. Then we got Dylan Lawrence. He’s a 22 year old who specializes in working with the APC 40 (Ableton Performance Controller). Lastly we have “just” Dan. Dan is 19 years old and is an amazing drummer who currently attends the Recording Institute of Detroit.
BTL: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
NL: There’s not really a genre out there for it, but I would call it Gangster Electro.(Ron) We have a ton of influences some of the main ones are Benny Benassi, The Swedish House Mafia, Girl Talk, DJ Godfather, and Dead Maus.(Dylan) Also, I’ve worked first hand with Mckinley Jackson (father of Detroit’s late rapper, Proof). He taught me many things in the studio. Those sessions were very intense, but I will always remember them.
BTL: If you could work with any artist who would you choose?
NL: We really appreciate Method Man and Redman. We would love to work with the two of them.
BTL: When did you form your band?
NL: Nice Lab came together in late 2009
BTL: Where have you performed?
NL: We do everything from live shows to backyard graduation parties. Recently, we played a fashion show at the Commune Lounge in Royal Oak, there was a really good turnout there. (Ron) One of my most memorable performances was when I opened for Mike Jones at the Eagle Theater. I was really nervous, but I pulled through and got a lot of really good exposure.
BTL: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list?
NL: Lately, we have been playing a lot of Dada Life, Savoy, Swedish House Mafia, Disco Villains, and a lot of stuff off of our 2nd album, Nice Lab Nice Shit Vol. 2.
BTL: Who writes your songs?
NL: Well right now, we have been working on a lot of original stuff; in the past we’ve just done re-mixes, but currently another local artist, Zoë Smith and she’s been writing and recording some verses for us.
BTL: Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
NL: We listen to a ton of music. Music is our inspiration. If we hear something that we like, a dope hook, or a really cool beat, we take it from there. Usually we take a song that inspires us and we dissect it piece by piece. Then we take it and make it into something we can call our own.
BTL: How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
NL: Well not much has changed. I guess in the beginning, we were more hip-hop primarily. We’ve begun to shift more to the Electro side of things. Also, like I said, we’ve been trying to crank out more original work as opposed just focusing just on mashups. We’ve got some big plans that I’m sure you should look out for.
BTL: What has been your biggest challenge as a group?
NL: I guess that the biggest challenge is just getting your name out there and networking.
BTL: Is there a lot of competition out there?
NL: Well, there is competition in every field. Nowadays, anyone can put his or her shit online. I feel confident in saying that there is a lot of competition, but rest assured, we are competitors.
BTL: What's your ultimate direction for your group? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
NL: We’d like to just keep playing. Right now, we are putting in a lot of work for a little pay. In the future, when we are more established, we’d like to be able to put in a little bit of work for a lot of pay. As far as fame and fortune go, of course we would love to have both of them, but generally speaking we just want to be able to live comfortably.
BTL: What advice do you have for people who want to do what you’re doing?
NL: Don’t. If you are willing to make sacrifices and take your licks then more power to you. It’s like working out. Most people who start out really stick to it for about two or three weeks and then they drop it. It’s all about dedication. This is what we do, and we don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
BTL: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
NL: Hah, I guess we have to thank Sue Sulewski on the financial side of things. Also, we’d like to thank Becca Bibby, Madison Ortiz (for designing our cover art) and our parents for putting up with all of the noise that we make in their basements.
BTL: Would you like to say any last words?
NL: Yeah, be sure to support “good” local artists. And Come to our shows, just support local shit.
Alright there you have it. Thanks to Nice Lab for sitting down with me last night. Be sure to check them out and support local artists.
Here is a new remix that they just did of a song called "Our Time". Be sure to give it a listen.
Warning: This song may cause SEVERE fist pumping sessions.
More Nice Lab Links
Spring Electro Mix 2010
If you have any comments about Nice Lab or suggestions for artists to feature in future editions of Tunage Thursdays. Please write them in the comments section below.
If you have any comments about Nice Lab or suggestions for artists to feature in future editions of Tunage Thursdays. Please write them in the comments section below.
