In this episode, El-P discusses the creation of his favorite solo album 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead', collaborating with Trent Reznor, and the stories behind tracks like Habeas Corpses and The Overly Dramatic Truth. The podcast also explores the power of music, the complexities of power dynamics in relationships, and the destructive nature of fascism.
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Quick takeaways
'I'll Sleep When You're Dead' is LP's favorite and most refined solo album, showcasing his growth as a rapper, producer, and writer.
The war-themed songs on the album allow LP to pay homage to dystopian novels and create abstract commentaries on the human condition.
LP's musical evolution on 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead' includes incorporating more melodic and epic elements and collaborating with artists to add new sonic dimensions to his songs.
Deep dives
Creating a Powerful Solo Album
LP reflects on his second solo album, 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead,' and describes it as his favorite and most refined work. He explains that the album was a step forward for him in terms of his skill as a rapper, producer, and writer. LP aimed to tell specific stories and make every word count, refining his craft and focusing on creating powerful songs with emotional content. He also discusses his inspiration from other genres, collaborations with artists like Trent Reznor, and his goal to create music that could be performed live with emotional rises and falls.
Exploring Dark and Complex Storytelling
LP delves into the storytelling on his album, highlighting the war-themed trilogy of songs: 'Dear Sirus,' 'Running Numbers,' and 'Habeas Corpses.' He explains the inspiration behind each song, discussing provocative themes like refusing to fight in war, the dehumanization caused by fascism, and the struggle to protect someone while lacking empathy. LP shares that these songs allowed him to pay homage to the dystopian novels that influenced him and create abstract, metaphorical commentaries on the human condition.
Mixing Different Musical Influences
LP discusses his musical evolution on 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead,' incorporating more melodic and epic elements into his compositions. He reflects on the diverse collaborations on the album, such as working with Trent Reznor and Cage, explaining how these partnerships added new sonic dimensions to the songs. LP acknowledges that his unconventional style and approach to music might not be easily accessible to everyone, but he remains focused on creating art that is true to his vision and resonates with those who understand and appreciate his unique blend of genres and intricate wordplay.
Balancing Artistic Integrity with Commercial Success
LP addresses the potential anxiety of pushing boundaries and stepping into a higher platform with his music. He shares that while he hoped 'I'll Sleep When You're Dead' would expand his career, commercial success was never his primary concern. LP emphasizes the importance of staying true to his artistic vision and not compromising for mainstream appeal. He acknowledges that his style may not be easily digestible for everyone, but he values the connection with those who do understand and appreciate his music on a deeper level.
The Sleep When You're Dead Blog and the Mustache
LP touches on the Sleep When You're Dead blog he created during the album's production, where he shared images, thoughts, and inspiration related to the music. He explains that the blog grew organically and became a mood board for him to organize his thoughts and imagery surrounding the album. LP also discusses the infamous mustache he grew during that period, as a motivational tool to force himself to work and stay focused. He shares the unintended consequence of the mustache becoming a hipster trend, which initially horrified him. He looks back on the blog and mustache as unique aspects of that time in his life.
In 2007 El-P released his second solo album I'll Sleep When You're Dead. In this episode El tells the story of creating this project which he calls his favorite of his solo works. He details his excitement at collaborating with Trent Reznor and explains the stories behind tracks like Habeas Corpses, The Overly Dramatic Truth and Tasmanian Pain Coaster
