As I have said before one of the very best things about having a clothing company is meeting people that have similar interests to you and making friends. Mayer Hawthorne Stone Throw records’ latest signing is one of these such people, he managed to take some time out to chat to T BIRDS about lots of things. Click on the video to hear his latest single.

Hello Mayer Hawthorne, How’re you?

How do you do? My single is out, Obama is in. Life is great!

Music seems to be something that you are rather good at, what on earth made you want to do that?

My parents were both very musical. My pops played bass guitar and taught me to play when I was 10 years old. Moms made me take piano lessons which I hated and quit. I wish I would have stuck with it! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Who are your influences?

I love all kinds of music from Rap to Heavy Metal to Jazz - but as far as Soul goes, Smokey Robinson and Curtis Mayfield are my biggest influences.

How on earth did you get signed to Stones Throw?

I moved to LA about 3 years ago. A mutual friend introduced me to PB Wolf at a party and I sent him some tracks. He didn’t understand what they were at first, but once he realized that I wrote, played and sang the songs, he signed me the next week.

We here at T BIRDS love your retro sound is there any special way of recording it?

I record almost everything in my bedroom at home. It’s important for me to feel comfortable and take my time when I record. Sometimes I’ll play a bassline 100 times until I get the feel I heard in my head. I’m obviously inspired by the classic doo-wop / motown sound but it’s important to update it - it’s not just a retro thing. I think that’s where a lot of artists go wrong.

I hear that Mark Ronson likes you, in a musical way, how does that feel?

I just met Mark for the first time in New York. He doesn’t take the music (or himself) too seriously which is a great thing. He’s produced a lot of incredible music, so I’m definitely honored that he’s diggin my songs.

This is a question I want to ask you, why is the first vinyl single red and in the shape of a heart?

I wanted to do something memorable for my first single. I have an old Bobby Caldwell single that’s on red, heart-shaped vinyl. I asked the label if they would press my single like that and they did it! Thanks to Joey Joints and Stones Throw for that!

Lets get down to business when can we get your album?

I’m almost finished recording the album. We don’t have a release date yet, but look for it in 2009.

Is there any special treats that we can expect?

Yes, but I can’t reveal anything just yet…

Now for a quick question round. Tupac or Biggie?

I’m gonna catch some nasty flack for this in LA, but I gotta go with Biggie!

Michigan or California?

Michigan will always be my home, but I’m loving Los Angeles right now!

Tea or Coffee?

They both put me to sleep haha!

Football or Soccer? (Bare in mind we are an English site!)

Believe it or not, I played Soccer for many years growing up. I watch more football nowadays though. Go Lions!

Thank you very much Mayer Hawthorne is there anything else that you would like to say or people to say hello to?

Big up A-Side Worldwide, Alex Robinson and the whole UK massive!

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