AGOL: Where did you grow up?
WALT: I grew up in the Northeast between Pittsburgh and Rochester, NY…I have lived in Atlanta for the last 12 years although.
AGOL: When did you know that music was going to be what you wanted to do with your life?
WALT: I did not get into music until I was about 19 years old. I played college basketball and basketball was my life…I saw that coming to and end and got into producing and recording with a guy named Kid Flash who worked with Kid-N-Play and as a D.J. at WDKX in Rochester, NY. Music and recording became my passion.
AGOL: What did you listen to in high school, growing up as a kid and all and has your taste in music changed?
WALT: I have listened to all genres of music when I was in high school…I liked anything different with energy. I listened to Rock, Hip-Hop, Alternative, House and Wave music. Much has not changed in the past years I still listen to anything and everything that is different and cutting edge. I like all styles of music but my taste in music has not changed …what has changed is my distaste for the commercial bullshit that major labels and media shove down our throat. There is still good music out there but it is mostly “underground” Rock, Bass& Drum, Alternative or non-commercial Hip-Hop.
AGOL: How did meet up with the Brew?
WALT: I did not meet the Brew…I went out and formed The Brew….The original MC members are myself, Ju-Ju and Al Simmons. When I met Ju-Ju we both were coming off some let downs from previous groups that had major label support. I was like fuck the labels lets start our own project and I will put it out on our independent label. Let’s “do us” and do something different. Then we added Malik from Knut and JD from Bullhead Clap as MCs and Front men and got the dope musicians of Mike Morris (guitar), Juan Garcia(bass) and Mike Barnes(drums) from Novocain and formed an Atlanta underground All-Star Band. I felt everybody was an All-Star and had a role to be in the Brew. In reality we are an All-Star Band. Everyone still has other projects and things they do as well.
AGOL: How does the collaboration work? Who writes, mixes or samples the music and who write the lyrics?
WALT: We all write the songs together. Sometimes myself or a member of the band might write the music and produce it. People send me tracks all the time and we collaborate on some tracks. We have worked with Sam Sneed who has done stuff with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and more as well as Keith Harris of the Black Eyed Peas as well as many other producers. Once we have a musical track we like myself, Malik, Ju-Ju and Al usually ride with it for a week or so then we get together and see who comes up with the best concept or idea to match the track. Then we write our verses and put it together in the studio.
AGOL: What do you feel was a pivotal moment for you and your band? When did you think you got props, respect and taken seriously?
WALT: A pivotal moment for us is when we got one of our songs picked up by an E.C.W. wrestler named C.W. Anderson of the E.C.W. wrestling league. Then about a month later E.C.W. got picked up on TNN and 60 TV stations nationwide. C.W. used our song on tour nationwide .It was on Pay-Per Views, TV and playing in Arenas nationwide. I started getting letters and e-mails from kids all over the country saying who are you guys?? Where can we buy you record …your fusion of Rock & Hip-Hop is incredible and stuff like that. The wrestlers would ask us for our autographs at shows…the letters (which I have saved) was all the respect I needed. I knew we had what the kids wanted because C.W. would call me from on tour and be like…Dude people are going crazy over your song and group…I felt at that point we started to get some respect.
AGOL:Have you met any of your mentors in music? Have they given you any advice that has worked?
WALT: I have been fortunate to meet a lot of artists and producers along the way I could start name dropping but that aint my style... Sam Sneed has been a good influence and has introduced me to a lot of Artists. I admire Sam because he has bounced back from his success with Dr. Dre and troubles with Suge and Death Row and stayed humble and a very hard worker. He also almost lost a battle with cancer and still stays positive even though things have not been easy for him. I admire his work ethic and talent since we have been working together the last 2 years. I have known a lot of top artists and producers in the ATL as well. They all say the same thing that our project is different and good and be patient cause our turn is coming. Most of them say …keep on doing what you guys do.
AGOL: So, tell us in terms of the Brew: where do you want to go?
WALT: I think that The Brew would like to go out and do a college tour, promote ourselves and then release our record. We know that a lot of people dig our music. We have elements that no matter who you are you can relate. We also have an energy and party movement that college kids and people in general like.
AGOL: When you reach success what do you want your audience to know your band for? What do you want your audience to associate you with? When your fans think about the Brew what do you want their first thought to be?
WALT: We want our audience to know us for good music, a great live show and real people. We are not fake or some pre-packaged label deal group put together by some A&R geek. We are good recording artists and the real deal. The first thought of our fans when they hear The Brew should be a fun, energy party band doing Hip-Hop-Rock we like and can relate to. We are the future of where Rock&Hip-Hop is heading and do it as good as or better than anyone !! Period.