CHIN INJETI

INTERVIEW BY JEREMY POWER REGIMBAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN TYLER CLOSE

—

Chin Injeti doesn’t need to be told that the music industry isn’t what it used to be. He’s way ahead of you, he’s lived it, he’s been swallowed by it, he’s been saved by it, and now he’s out to conquer it. He doesn’t like the term ‘one hit wonder’; like it or not it’s hard to escape the story of the rapid success his band, Bass is Base, experienced as they rose through the Canadian charts in the early 90’s with their song “Funkmobile”. Unlike many artists who drop from pops as fast as they top them, Chin survived and went on to work with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, such as Nas, T.I., Talib Kwali and Dr. Dre. We caught up with him to discuss disappearing genres, Garage Band and why Vancouver is poised to make a bigger musical impact than ever before…

JEREMY—Hey Chin thanks for coming in, even though we’re only 4 floors down from your studio. How was the elevator ride? [Laughs].  Ok. Let’s kick this interview off. How long have you been in this music game professionally and who got you started?

CHIN—I would say I’ve been doing it for about 12 years professionally. My father, who just recently passed away, got me into it. He always kept music around the house and made me respect music as a craft.  I had polio when I was young, so I spent a lot of my childhood in the hospital singing to myself. I realized at a young age that this kind of feels natural to me. At the time I didn’t even know I was producing records and I fell into amazing opportunities like Maestro Fresh West and various other records. After university, instead of going to teachers’ college like I was supposed to, we created this group called Bass is Base. Long story short, we got signed to a major recording contract, and I started doing it professionally ever since.

J—Was the bass guitar your instrument of choice when you were learning and first getting into music?

C—[eyes light up] Yeah it was, and still is, my main instrument.

J—What would you say have been the biggest changes in the music industry since you’ve started, in particular in Vancouver, but also globally? And what are you doing to embrace this new world?

C—The way I think it’s changed is that it’s come full circle. When I started in this game, professionally, I had to do everything for myself, to the point where I had to learn how to record my own music. My father built a studio in my brother’s bedroom. I was out promoting the group, playing gigs, like anyone else. But what I was doing that nobody else was, was shamelessly going out and saying, “ Hey! Come to my gig”. It could be summer, winter, it didn’t matter, I’d be the guy on crutches slipping all over the place or on the ground saying “Come to my gig”, you know? Now, fast-forwarding to today. That’s what’s happening again. I’ve gone through that whole experience of being signed, of having all that notoriety, doing the music videos, being on Muchmusic, touring, did all that stuff. The world is a small place and music is so immediate right now. I’m sure every musician is talking to you about the Internet, YouTube, and whatever else there is out there, but for me it’s just full circle, it makes our job easier. Now I can literally record a song in one day and with the press of a button, I can make it go to a thousand places and have people all over the world listen to me and create a presence where people want to get to know me. It’s come to that place where lifestyle and art truly exist together. If one doesn’t happen the other won’t happen, so it’s going to make it harder for those fake musicians. Technology makes it easy to record music, but to carry out that belief system around your music, you gotta come with a lifestyle. That’s the sincerity and authenticity in the music.

J—Your positive outlook in music and how you choose to live your life is truly inspiring. I mean ever since I met you and started working beside you, my whole outlook has changed on how I see the world and how I treat people, honestly! I thank you for that. Where would you say your drive and inspiration comes from?

C—My drive and inspiration comes from people around me. I’m a strong believer of community. The reason I am who I am is because my whole life I’ve had to get help from people. At one time I felt some shame for asking people, “Could you pass me that thing”, you know, but now, I embrace it. As much as people help me just to do simple things, I just want to help people. What I realized is that I have a lot to offer. I find that inspiring.

Continue Reading This Article 1 2 3 4