Electronic Musician and Producer, Tobacco

26th September 2019

We’re thrilled to bring you our conversation with Tobacco! Earlier this year, Tobacco collaborated with Aesop Rock. Together they go by the name Malibu Ken. Tobacco is probably best known as the enigmatic figure behind the musical group Black Moth Super Rainbow. Their music is often categorized as psychedelic rock. But, if you ask Tobacco his music is much more than a genre. Tobacco opens up about the early days of Black Moth Super Rainbow. Plus, why the latest Black Moth Super Rainbow album Panic Blooms allowed him to open up about depression.

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Photo: Goaliedudegreg / Wikimedia Commons
Electronic musician and producer, Tobacco on the early days of Black Moth Super Rainbow, and the latest album Panic Blooms
We’re thrilled to bring you our conversation with electronic musician and producer, Tobacco!

Earlier this year, Tobacco collaborated with Aesop Rock. Together they go by the name Malibu Ken. If you’ve seen HBO’s Silicon Valley then you’ve heard some of his stuff – his track Stretch Your Face is featured as the shows theme song.

Tobacco is probably best known as the enigmatic figure behind the musical group Black Moth Super Rainbow. Their music is often categorized as psychedelic rock. But, if you ask Tobacco his music is much more than a genre.

The music is kind of dirty and unsettling. It’s made with a ton of  old synths, tape distortion. Plus, a lot of weird, processed vocals. It’s dark, beautiful and even when you can’t quite understand the obscure lyrics there’s a lot of feelings there.

Tobacco opens up about the early days of Black Moth Super Rainbow. He’ll tell us about some of his first synthesizers, and love of Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada. It’s often been noted that members of the band enjoy their privacy, and perform in masks – Tobacco explains the secrecy behind many of the members. Plus, why the latest Black Moth Super Rainbow album Panic Blooms allowed him to open up about depression.

Click here to listen to Tobacco’s interview on YouTube.

In this episode...

Senior Producer
Producer
Maximum Fun Producer
Maximum Fun Production Fellow
Video Editor

Guests

  • Tobacco

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Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

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Senior Producer

Producer

Maximum Fun Producer

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Video Editor

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