Q & A: Rat Boy
UK prodigy Rat Boy has finally unleashed his long-awaited EP ‘Get Over It’, an eclectic combination of slick samples, hip-hop, and indie punk. We asked the British artist some awkward and in-depth questions to get to know him and his music just a little better!
So we’ll start off just by asking the obvious, have you seen the ‘rat boy’ scene from The Simpsons and was this an influence on your name?
Yes I have, of course! I love that scene but no, it wasn’t an influence for me naming the project…maybe it was an influence on people calling me it. I just liked how it has three letters and then another three letters. It was symmetrical and I spent a lot of time doing street graffiti and it looked pleasing to the eye for me. So it stuck with me!
Have you yourself ever chewed on dry wall or something you really shouldn’t have?
Yes! I’m sure I have. I do a lot of things I’m sure that I shouldn’t do. I pissed myself after a show because the band dared me and said that I wouldn’t, there’s a picture somewhere…
We were also having a look at your website and the fact that you have to use the cursor to move yourself around is hilarious, what was the inspiration for that?
I just find a lot of websites are the same and boring and just basic old school style. I wanted something different and that felt a bit like a video game…it probably came from my love of video games actually.
Your fan base on social media is certainly entertaining as is your Rat Boy guide ‘to not giving a f*ck’, what would be your number one tip for anyone out there trying to start their own band?
I’m not sure because every person and situation is different…probably learn an instrument or have something to say.
What are the main inspirations or influences behind Rat Boy’s music?
Inspirations are life around me – the every day things, the poor the rich, the struggle and the good, the bad the glory, the sad things around all of us, the people of England and everything that’s happening everyday. There’s more than enough inspiration around!
For the uninitiated, how would you describe Rat Boy’s vibe and live shows?
I would say for a while now it’s been crazy energy and people going mad…stage invasions, crowd surfing, and people losing it. Losing their minds, losing their clothes when they’re throwing things they wear (laughs). It’s just good, young energy.
We’re loving your track Get Over It, what’s the inspiration or story for the song?
Musically I’ve been getting into sampling and playing around with different tempos, there’s a bit of a MF Doom feel to it and lyrically it’s about how there’s too much time spent on comparisons these days instead of just enjoying new music and people.
Lastly, what are the three things people should know about your upcoming EP ‘Get Over It?’
- You’ve got a cool Knucklehead’s sample at the end of Cash In Hand.
- It was all done in 13 Studios and mixed by my good friend Steve.
- ‘Kicked Outta Tape’ is a mixtape version of what will be on the album.
- And one more… I did all the artwork of course!
