Atmosphere perform live in The Current studio
by Mary Lucia, Atmosphere and Leah Garaas
June 17, 2014
Between yesterday's announcement of their big gig at TCF Bank Stadium opening for electronic rockers Imagine Dragons as a part of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game weekend and their late night performance on Conan this Thursday, June 19, Atmosphere (Slug and Ant plus Plain Ole Bill) stopped by The Current studios to play a few songs off the new Southsiders record and chatted with Mary Lucia.
"Bitter," the first single off Southsiders was inducted to the Chart Show Hall of Fame on June 11 after 12 successful weeks in the top 20. Since Atmosphere debuted the second single "Kanye West" back in April, Slug has taken notice to fans' reactions. There's no beef, he says. Slug points out that he's been name-dropping celebrities in lyrics and song titles since 2001. In Feb. Atmosphere dropped a video for "Bob Seger," and back in 2003, they gave local rock band Lifter Puller a shout-out on Seven's Travels. Slug's side project Felt with Murs and Aesop Rock has its fair amount name drops, too. The hip-hop trio pay tribute to Christina Ricci, Lisa Bonet and Rosie Perez on all three of their releases. And as a self-proclaimed internet junkie, he's not looking for clicks either.
Listen to the full in-studio to hear Slug talk about Atmosphere's "Bad Bad Daddy" appearing on season two of Orange is the New Black, what it was like writing an album with a new baby on the way and what his relationship with Conan O'Brien is like.
Songs Performed
"January on Lake Street"
"Kanye West"
"Mrs. Interpret"
All songs off Atmosphere's latest album, Southsiders, out now on Rhymesayers.
Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
