Today we had the pleasure of catching up with Mad Squirrel to talk a bit about his history in rap plus his new EP with Erik Solo!
Can you give a little history about your journey as an artist?I was out in the Bay Area doing my dissertation on underground hip hop and I was hanging out with The Latter—that is, Feller Quentin and Edison Victrola—when they talked me into recording some songs with them. I had written a few raps in high school and college. Next thing I knew, the Forest Fires Collective was born, which was pretty much me, them, and a few other folks who recorded at the house. Other opportunities to record and release music just followed from that. What was the spark that set off this project with Erik Solo? Did it come together organically, or was it a planned collab from the jump?Erik Solo and I have collaborated on a few things. We recorded “You Need to Grow Up” a few years ago. I think we just both found ourselves in a period where we were actively writing and recording—as you get older it’s more fits-and-starts. But I had these tracks. I invited him to get on them. It sounded dope. So we decided to make it a project.
Any plans to continue on with the collaboration after “Three Rap Songs?” We’ve done it before and I like what we’re doing. I’m going to keep recording music and I’m always down to record with artists and people I like. There’s no specific project in the works but I think it’s a pretty solid bet that you’ll hear more from us.
Any other projects in the works? I’ve got this underground tape that I recently put out there. I got an album I recorded back in 2021 with Blake Nine that I still need to get out. And Eddie Vic and I have a project called “Lodge Work.” Once all that’s done, I’ll get back in the lab writing and recording.
Big thanks to Mad Squirrel and shout out to Erik Solo! Be sure to check out their new EP titled "Three Rap Songs" out now on limited edition Cassette, CD and Digital Download via Mad Good Records
