Schroeder: How about an introduction?

Custodian: Peace. This is The Custodian of Records. I'm an up and coming producer out of New Jersey. My album, "Burton Music", is on Itunes and Amazon and it features Wyld Lyfe Federation, Solzalez, Thirstin Howl III, Murdoc & more.

Schroeder: With a name like The Custodian of Records, I would think you're an avid record collector. How often do you go diggin' for records? What is your most prized record in your collection?

Custodian: My name actually derives from a title in adult films. If you notice, right after the federal warnings, it mentions "the custodian of records". I thought that would be kind of a humorous name and I'm also into collecting records, of course. Right now I don't have a job so I haven't been out digging much. The last place I hit was too cluttered to even walk around in, so I just went to the wall where all of the 45's were and tried my luck there. I try and go everywhere I can for records be it a yard sale, record expo, mom & pop store, goodwill, flea market or radio station storage room. Some of the best stuff I've gotten was off of someone's personal collection because sometimes they might have two or more records by the same artist. As far as prized records go, I would have to go with the first rap records I got when I received my Gemini start up kit in 7th grade. I don't go on antique road show to appraise my water damaged wax or anything ha..., so I'm not sure if I have anything super rare, but I definitely try and unearth the less common shit. But yea, the first hip hop 12''s are my prized joints because they hold the most sentimental value. As far as samples, I've got some crazy shit that I'm not even going to spill the beans about.

Schroeder: What is your process for making a beat?

Custodian: I usually hit the basement and either start on the drums first or the samples. It's always good to have a hi-hat for getting everything on beat, but most importantly, next to drums, I've got to have an ill sample ready. I'm not that creative to just flip some booty shit ha.... It's got to be melodic or have a cool instrument. Sample selection is incredibly important to me. I'm not too into all of that tutorial shit. I keep it simple and effective and if it takes too long to make something work, then it's not working and I quit while I'm ahead. I'm not a robot so I can't just make beats all of the time. It's got to come natural. Things like a girl you like, a heart break, a rainy day, a movie or a dope beat you heard from another producer can inspire you. It all depends.

Schroeder: What equipment are you currently using?

Custodian: An MPC 2000XL, Technic 1200, the same Gemini mixer I've had since 94, an old Korg synthesizer I rarely use and a gang of records. That's basically the meat and bones. The music is the soul I guess.

Schroeder: How did you hook up with Domination Recordings?

Custodian: I've known the CEO, DJ, for a minute and I'm feeling what the label is doing. I like their artist roster and it's the kind of label that I've always wanted to be down with. I don't think Tuff City is flickin' the lights back on any time soon ha..

Schroeder: Can you get into the creative process for your debut album, "Burton Music"?

Custodian: Man... the creative process was me twisting peoples arms to get on my raggedy beats and then paying the studio to get everything mixed.. ha.. Some cats on it I chill with and some are internet connections, so there was some emailing of mp3's and giving cats beat CDs. One song on there is over 3 years old but I thought it would have been a shame to just let the joint collect dust and be lost in obscurity. Since i don't own a lab of my own, it's usually a more under the gun setting. Time is money. I've just been fortunate enough to have two cats that can capture the sound best that I'm looking for. Keep in mind, every asshole has a Pro-Tools set up now and thinks they're a big time engineer, so i had to weed out a lot of clowns. Also, being that I was making a hair over minimum wage, I couldn't afford to be as creative as I wanted to be in the studio, which ultimately took away from the project's quality. For instance, I might have tracked maybe one beat on the whole damn thing! I didn't even get the album mastered. But that being said, I think the shit came out dope as hell even with all of the limited resources. This is exactly how I wanted it to sound at the end of the day. I'll wait until I get that Will.I.AM scrilla to get creative ha..

Schroeder: What is the Garden Variety? How did it come about?

Custodian: The Garden Variety is a monthly showcase I do at the Armory Tavern in Newark where I have artists from all over New Jersey come through and perform their music. Past guests have included El Da Sensei, Tame One (separate ocasions), Kice of Course, Poesh Wonder and Fel Sweetenberg and many other incredible emcees who aren't as known yet. I wanted to create a positive outlet for heads around the way while strengthening the unity here in Jersey. It's not just a bunch of mixtape guys trying to be from New York over here. The history in Jersey is as rich as any other place. Actually, we're way more significant than the industry thinks!!! My peoples Subtraxshun and Dat Kidd gave me the green light to start throwing shows there and it's been a great ride ever since. Any artists who want to be a part of it can email/send mp3's to: fiverowsback@gmail.com

Schroeder: What are you currently working on? Are there any projects we can look forward to?

Custodian: Right now I have an instrumental album out ("She Hate Me") that you all can download for FREE at Slangcorp.com!! My criminally slept on compilation "Burton Music" (Out on Domination Recordings) is available on Itunes and Amazon. Please support this if you're tired of the same boring ass underground shit and need a change. The Solzalez EP/LP is coming real soon along with NASCAR Dads. It's gonna all be dope as fuck. Any questions, feel free to write to me at fiverowsback@gmail.com.

Schroeder: Top 5 favorite producers of all time?

Custodian: Hard to answer but heeeere we go..

1. DJ Premier
2. Marley Marl
3. Prince Paul
4. The Beatnuts
5. The late great Tony D!! (R.I.P.)

Schroeder: Top 5 favorite artists from New Jersey?

Custodian:

1. Redman
2. Chino XL
3. Wise Intelligent
4. Tame One
5. Young Zee

Schroeder: Top 5 best things about New Jersey?

Custodian:

1. The pollution
2. The condensed population
3. The bitches
4. Kevin Smith's earlier work
5. Every place is like a different country out here. You'll be on one block and it will be all Spanish but the next block is a whole polish community, so its not hard to get away from one mentality and see another way of living. Everyone hates each other but it's actually really diverse in a lot of ways.

Schroeder: Top 5 worst things about New Jersey?

Custodian:

1. People who claim to not be from Jersey who are
2. Guidos
3. The hate
4. The shallow ass hoes
5. The fuzz

Schroeder: Any parting words?

Custodian: Shout outs to Stuck In The Past because I feel where you're coming from. Only thing I got left is nostalgia and hope for the future. My dudes No Name Society, The Armory (A.T.F.), Essex County. Get my free instrumental album on Slangcorp.com. Fuck the world and I'm out.

Check out The Custodian of Records at www.myspace.com/custodianofrecords and be sure to pick up “Burton Music” out now on Domination Recordings.