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JOHN ROLODEX Mix & Interview - FUCK THE SYSTEM Vol.2

Hello Friends,

It's been well over a year since we last corresponded like this. I hope 2006 finds you as well as it does me. Many of you have been wondering what the fuck happened to Tha Rolodex since the 2004 installment of FUCK THE SYSTEM. The simplest answer is that I decided to take a step back from DnB...

But I recently decided it was time to return and I have written some new material and finished some older material which I am now sharing with you.

As for FUCK THE SYSTEM... little has changed in the world since the first installement. Governments are still at war with each other and killing people over the greed of faceless string-pullers. People are still working in shit jobs cuz they have no alternatives. Fuel prices and living costs are still on the rise and margins are getting tighter and tighter. Consumerism is tugging at our materialistic coattails and eating away at the things we would otherwise value. So rather than calling the mix something like "THE WORLD IS OK NOW", I return with... FUCK THE SYSTEM VOLUME TWO.

So, my friends... download, press play and FUCK THE SYSTEM... Just do YOU.




**Click the cover above to download a FREE hi-res printable CD cver**




Tracklisting:
**gunshots, alarms, sirens and movie clips have been added to frustrate the biters**

1. FTS Cru - "Liquorstore Moshpit"
2. FTS Cru - "Whodunnit" (aka Gumshoe)
3. Johnny Bluntz - "Play it Loud"
4. FTS Cru - "Fat Ass"
5. FTS Cru - "Folding Space"
6. FTS Cru - "1873"
7. John Rolodex - "Funeral for My Braincells"
8. John Rolodex & Cartridge - "Lifeformz" (2006 Redux pt. 1)
9. Johnny Bluntz - "We Don't Give a Fuck"
10. FTS Cru - "Testing Grounds" (aka The Molotov)
11. John Rolodex vs. Carlfremmen - "Akira" (FTS Cru mix)
12. John Rolodex - "Sliver of Truth"
13. Typhoon - "Redline" (John Rolodex rmx)
14. Amenizm Vintage - "Oh God"
15. Amenizm Vintage - "Rudeboy"
16. John Rolodex - "The Dragon" (2006 redux)
17. John Rolodex - "Shadow of Death"
18. John Rolodex - "Visions of The Lost Continent" (2006 redux)
19. John Rolodex - "Tell Me When to Let Go"
20. Equilibrum - "Cold Blooded" (John Rolodex remix)
21. Amenizm feat. John Rolodex - "Amenizm Pt. 2"
22. Johnny Bluntz - "Click Clack" Instrumental



**Thanks to Exoduz, Demostreams.com, Solid Apparel, Eric Shoenfeld Photography, Grey Goose vodka and All the HATERS... keep on hating**



Interview

EXODUZ: You have disappeared for a while because of non-musical issues. You've obviously been planning something new, please tell us more about it.


John Rolodex: Towards the end of 2004 I had done everything I ever wanted to do as DnB artist. I was really burnt out from touring and bored with things in general. I decided it was time to take a step back, so I all-but removed myself from the music. During that time I did lots of stuff: drank a lot of grey goose, made some money, spent time with my family, told lots of people to fuck off, saw a lot of Canada, took a lot of pictures, fell in love a few times, and bought lots of shoes.
But I have decided to return to DnB and I have started a couple of new artist aliases; FTS Cru (which is sometimes solo and sometimes a collab) and Johnny Bluntz. Plus I am continuing the Amenizm project which will become its own label and involve more producers. Because 'Fuck the System' was so successful, I am introducing my newer music through FTS Volume Two. I am also doing a Fuck The System Brand of clothing to expand on the ideas that go with the project. I have also started a DnB artist development agency and have taken in a couple new artists to help them with their careers and hope to start shopping their new material shortly. To support these projects I will be touring again later this year; Europe in September, North America in October and November. Fuck the System Tour 2006.



EXODUZ: You value musicians who believe in their music. What kind of belief do you have in your own music? And how can people check if their belief is true?


John Rolodex: I've always felt that if you don't believe in what you're doing, you won't get anything out of it. I don't care if you're making music or knitting sweaters, you have to believe that what you're doing has meaning. When I sit down to write a tune, I try to express what's in my head. I usually have a certain sound I'm trying to communicate which expresses something about my life. It could be something very specific or just a vibe I want to create. For example I wrote "Visions of The Lost Continent" about a series of dreams I had about traveling to a continent that doesn't really exist. I didn't sit down and set out to write an 'ethnic' sounding tune, I actually wanted to create the soundtrack to those dreams. A friend recently told me that what sets my music apart from a lot of other stuff is that you can hear the amount of thought and detail I put into it. I don't believe in making music for the sake of making music, it should express something.



EXODUZ: You draw a lot of inspiration from movies. Please tell us more about it. (with examples if possible)


John Rolodex: I love film almost as much as music. There are a lot of similarities between what I do and what a filmmaker does. Tarrantino lays out his soundtrack before he writes his script. Sort of like a Dj playing a set. Both film and music are about telling a story and realizing your vision. I have certain directors who I follow. Scorsese, Lynch, Cronenberg and there are a pile of really incredible young directors right now as well. It's an exciting time in film. When I get writer's block I go to the movies. I always come away with new ideas. Sometimes I'll take a small concept from a film and turn it into a tune idea. "Folding Space" is a direct bite out of David Lynch's 'Dune'.

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Reg.: Aug 2006
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EXODUZ: What kind of fashion style appeals to you? Do you have any favorite designers?


John Rolodex: I like a lot of different styles. Anything that really fits on a personal level. If you dress like a punk rocker, you have to BE a punk rocker. Otherwise you're just a trend-hopping jackass and students of human attitude, like myself, will spot you a mile away. As for my style personal, I don't dress too outlandish (except maybe my jewelry) because I'm a very practical person. I do have a lot of kicks though; mostly Airforce ones. As for designers I'm really feeling Scott Langton right now. He has a new men's line called Artful Dodger NY which is inspired by bar fights and it is baaaaaad.
I'm not too fond of a lot of this 'metrosexual' style you see a lot of men wearing these days. I think men should dress like men.



EXODUZ: You're starting your own Fuck The System Brand. What is the concept behind this life ideology of yours and what motivated you to start a clothing line?


John Rolodex: The concept is sort of an anti-brand. We're doing t-shirts right now which I designed with a lot of hidden meanings and political commentary. Sort of a punk ideology for people who don't necessarily like punk music (though I do listen to punk music). The designs challenge a lot of institutions around us; big business, government, law enforcement, mainstream media. People need to question things a little more.
One of the clothing lines that sponsor me (Solid Apparel) offered to let me design my own line with their help on the production and distribution front. I didn't hesitate for a second since doing a clothing line was something I had always wanted to do. I'm doing the design myself and I'm having a great time with it.



EXODUZ: You believe that world is a food chain, where people are becoming a fast food for the system. So, how can someone fight against the system?


John Rolodex: The system is making it very easy for people to give up their individuality. People are conforming to the needs of major corporations and multinational organizations for simple convenience. We eat the same food, wear the same clothes, drive the same cars and think the same thoughts as the people next to us. But this isn't being imposed by dictators, WE are imposing it on ourselves with the help of McDonald's, CNN, Exxon, Wal-mart and dozens of other organizations we've never heard of.

Fighting the system, to me, simply means looking at the forces around us and understanding that people we don't know are always trying to pull our strings; then taking our lives into our own hands and making decisions for ourselves. We can't let media and convenience dictate what's best for us.

FUCKING the System, however, is something much more personal and individual. Once we understand how the system is running most of us, we are then able to FUCK THE SYSTEM in our own individual way. I would never presume to tell people how to do that. I simply want to give them a soundtrack for it.



EXODUZ: You seem like a very realistic person, you harbor no impossible vision of a perfect utopian world, you know your strengths and weaknesses, and you don't indulge in either arrogance or false modesty. How does this reflect in your music?


John Rolodex: I disagree. I tend to be unrealistic with my expectations and I pride myself on a certain degree of arrogance. You have to have a certain arrogance to be successful. It doesn't necessarily have to manifest negatively; I always try to show people respect. But when it comes down to it, my confidence is definitely to the point of arrogance. In terms of music, I have a right to arrogance. When I finish a song I know nobody could have realized my vision for that tune better than I could have. That's my goal when I write and produce music and I don't let myself fall short of that.



EXODUZ: When you do music, you do it well, from both pride of craftsmanship and a good marketing sense. Is this the origin of your idealistic perfection?


John Rolodex: My Grandfather had a saying "if you're going to do something, you might as well do it right". I try to carry that attitude through everything I do. Where many artists can bang out a track in four hours, I average around forty. It's a matter of pride for me. Plus I’m a Virgo and we're supposed to be perfectionists.



EXODUZ: You have quite a lot of good unreleased tunes. Why did you decide not to release them with any labels?


John Rolodex: There are two main reasons: The first is that I simply haven't made the time to shop the tunes, or even stay in contact with people who might be interested in them. It has a lot to do with losing interest in things in 2004. From my perspective the industry was stagnant and I was bored. The second reason is that I am a business man. I have three quarters of a business degree and have owned a few businesses; and I don't see too many people I care to do business with in DnB. Too many people are disorganized, uncommitted, and completely unreliable. I find that frustrating to the point that I only want to work with people who have the same values I do.



EXODUZ: Are there any specific labels that you would like to work with this year?


John Rolodex: Hard to say. I would love to see the "Machinegun Funk" and "Sick and Twisted" get released on Metalheadz, as originally planned in 2004. People are asking for them, But I don't see that happening for reasons that escape me. I'd be very interested in working with some of the 'jump up' labels that are making moves right now. Full Cycle has always been one of my favourite labels. Though I'm known for my dark material, I'm not committed to any specific sound. I love all the styles of DnB so it's simply a matter of the right people asking me for music. I'm up for working with anyone who can deliver what they promise and believe in what they're doing.



EXODUZ: Your new mix is very diverse in its nature and you're only using four artists now. Is there any special reason behind this?


John Rolodex: I produced or co-produced all the tunes in FTS volume two. I have reached a point in my career where I don't have to rely on others for music. I like my music because it's a direct reflection of me. When I Dj I can murder with a set of only my material because my repertoire is as diverse as my taste. One of the things the Fuck the System mixes illustrate, is that a DnB artist doesn't have to make only one sound. (Though differentiating your styles with aliases can make things easier for your fans.) I'm very proud of
fact that I can produce this variety of music while maintaining a high standard of production across the board. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.



EXODUZ: Which non-musical skill has helped you the most with with music?


John Rolodex: Organization. I am a very organized type of person. I can't conceive of doing anything without a plan and a backup plan. I can do things spontaneously but I always have a long-term objective in mind.


EXODUZ: Are there any life mysteries that you're trying to solve?


John Rolodex: I love trying to understand women. But I don't think I ever want to figure them out because the mystery is way too much fun.


EXODUZ: Thanks a lot for your words, John. Stay strong, killah!

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