Behind ever album there is a story. These stories make the album worth so much more to the artist. For this reason, when a bad review is written it’s hard for the artist to understand, why. In light of this, we have created an interview format that will take the artist through each story that brought them to the completion of the album. The goal is to help bring the artist’s fan closer to the artist and hopefully help to make the fan feel the same as the artist when the album succeeds and or fails. Each question is designed to help bring the fans to understand why.
This Album Walk we speak with our Reverbnation contest winner Shinobi Ninja. Shinobi Ninja is a genre twisting rock circus with an explosive live show. Hailing from Brooklyn N.Y., the band’s six diverse characters mash up the sounds of Hip-Hop, Punk Rock, Metal, and Pop into something all its own.
With their music and D.I.Y. ethic, Shinobi Ninja has developed into a national touring act with a grassroots following that’s vigorously connected through the band’s social media and unparalleled live performances. Their 2011 debut album’s single and namesake, “Rock Hood”, was featured on Q104.3 FM in NYC and in the video game, NBA 2K12, which has sold over 5.5 million copies worldwide. Both “Rock Hood”, and their second single, “Slow Mourning”, were the band’s first adds to MTV, and MTVU that year. The band’s 2010 video game, “Shinobi Ninja Attacks!,” was downloaded over sixty-thousand times and was the first of its kind, spawning the album app generation (Time.com: “Jay-Z and the Mainstreaming of the ‘Album App'”). In June 2013, Shinobi released “Power Strangers”, the first single from their forthcoming second album, “Escape From New York”.
With their music and D.I.Y. ethic, Shinobi Ninja has developed into a national touring act with a grassroots following that’s vigorously connected through the band’s social media and unparalleled live performances. Their 2011 debut album’s single and namesake, “Rock Hood”, was featured on Q104.3 FM in NYC and in the video game, NBA 2K12, which has sold over 5.5 million copies worldwide. Both “Rock Hood”, and their second single, “Slow Mourning”, were the band’s first adds to MTV, and MTVU that year. The band’s 2010 video game, “Shinobi Ninja Attacks!,” was downloaded over sixty-thousand times and was the first of its kind, spawning the album app generation (Time.com: “Jay-Z and the Mainstreaming of the ‘Album App'”). In June 2013, Shinobi released “Power Strangers”, the first single from their forthcoming second album, “Escape From New York”.
Please give us the reason why you/the band started writing “Escape From New York”.
Basically it’s about being born in the biggest city in the world. And trying to get out. Or else wed get wasted. wastedddddddd.
What was the first song that was written for this album and did it make the final cut. If it did and or did not make the album please explain why?
The first song was probably Season For Treason. It mad Return From…
Tell us about how the first melody for the album was created? What brought the idea? Was it a drum hit, was it a synth? What brought it to your mind?
Probably from listening to King’s X & Mother Love Bone. A lot of that.
Please let us know when and how the overall concept of the album came about? Please tell us a funny story that occurred when this album was being written?
The making of this album wasn’t funny. It was fun. But it was serious business. Serious focus. Serious Music. Escape From New York. And do it.
What were some of the hardest parts in creating this album, from writing the lyrics to selecting the studio to record?
We have our own studio called the Sound Machine. Its our musical home. The hardest party of creating this album was the extreme focus. Wringing out the cloth till no water was left.
What song means to the most and why does it mean the most? What was the story behind the artwork?
Maybe Gloom Doom. That has the basic identity of the album. The artwork for the cover should it happen is a piece of art that was given to us as a gift. Looked at that face with the eyeballs popping out for about a year. Everyday.
How was the first single selected and why was it selected? Did you flip a coin, did management tell you to pick it ?
Power Strangers was selected because it sounds like a train. Best to come in to a party with a big POW.
Was there some thought going through your mind when selecting the order each song would play?
We assembled it. And recently. Reassembled it. Hopefully thats what it is.
What was the first though when the album was completed and you listen to it all the way through?
Sickkkkkkkk. Its a double album. So Double Sickkkkkkkk.
What were your thoughts when you got the first review?
Our first interview. Baby G was cold. Mr Knit was there. and we looked like we didn’t what we were about to become. But we became. And We Are. Shinobi Ninja. Brooklyn. Rock Hood!!!
Did you accomplish what you set out to do with this album? And what was the goal of this album?
Musically yes. The Universe has yet to hear the album, so its hard to say. Cant wait though. Let’s Get It!!!