Black Milk Tries (and Fails) to Make a Feel-Good Album on 'Fever'
"I feel like it came out probably a little more on this album because the way I use the live musicians," he continues. Live musicians have been a staple of his process since his 2008 sophomore LP Tronic. "There were records on here where it was all live, and no sequence stuff, no drum machine stuff on my end."
When asked how he decides when an album will become a solo project or an instrumental-only affair, he cites his gut feeling. "I've gotta keep it mixed up as much as possible to keep people enjoying the music, and interested in the music," he explains. The industry, though, has evolved so much since Detroit-native first stepped in the door. What keeps Milk motivated to continue perusing his particular niche in the game? According to him, it's these very changes that have broadened his drive.
"I feel like right now is the perfect time for a person that's just into doing what they do," he explains. "I feel like this is the perfect time where a person can just be themselves and have a certain level of individuality and carve their lane.
"I feel like there's no competition but yourself in this day and age. You're your only competition, because there are so many artists that are unknown and still got a crazy fan base. We're at the time when you can create your world, draw your audience and just feed your audience — the people that's into what you do."
Black Milk has been embodying that mantra, and Fever — for which he'll be touring in Europe in the coming months — is an excellent example. But listeners shouldn't get too comfortable. "I like to do different things that I haven't done yet," he says with a slight laugh. "That's just my mentality."
Fever is available now via Computer Ugly/Mass Appeal.