HipHopUG.com interview with Liz Fullerton of Dutch.

Dutch is a duo comprising of Jedi Mind Tricks's producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and sensational vocalist/songwriter Liz Fullerton.  Their debut album A Bright Cold Day, released on June 8, 2010 on Enemy Soil.

Stoupe full bio on HHUG
Jedi Mind Tricks full bio on HHUG

HHUG: How did the formation of Dutch emerge?

Liz Fullerton (LF): I was living in California and dating a close friend of Vinnie Paz's. Jedi Mind Tricks was on tour out west and we heard they were looking for a female vocalist, so we went to the show and I met Vin and gave him a CD with a few tracks on it, and it all started from there. Apparently Stoupe and Yan wanted to keep looking but Vin was sure I was the girl they were looking for. I flew out to Philly the next year to record a bit with Stoupe. I really dug the vibe of the city and we found it difficult to be collaborating on the project from opposite coasts, so I moved to Philly in February of 2007.


HHUG: Dutch's debut album - A Bright Cold Day - was released on June 8, 2010.  How has the reception of its release been so far?

LF: I think its been pretty well received, from the reviews and the amount of people who hit us up personally to say they dig the album. My girl was at a coffee shop the other day and car drove by blaring it, and it couldn't have been my parents cause they live on the west coast, which means we at least have one fan, so thats a good sign, right?

 
HHUG: How would you describe the album's musical style and its concept?

LF: The style and concept of the album were really decided by Stoupe's beats, he set the tone. It covers the whole gamet from jazz, latin, spy movie, folk, and even a joint we did in Spanish. But I'd say the tone of the album has an easy, languid, and familiar sound- it just came out that way.  

HHUG: Aside from Dutch, what musical style(s) do you pursue in your solo career?

LF: Right now I'm working on my first solo record, called Honey Watts. Its a folk record I guess, involving a lot of musicians from Philly, set to come out in the spring of 2011 I hope. So excited!


HHUG: For the average hip hop and Jedi Mind Tricks fan, what do you hope or expect they will gain from A Bright Cold Day?

LF:  Anything, really, something. I hope this album elicits some kind of feeling in people, even if its negative. I also  hope it shows what an insane genius Stoupe is, as if ya'll didn't already know...

HHUG: Was the musical aspect entirely produced by Stoupe, or were there other producers and/or live instruments incorporated?

LF: The bulk of it was Stoupe, but there was a collaboration between him and our sound engineer, Scott Stallone, who was able to transcribe the sounds Stoupe was hearing into instrumentation.  

HHUG: Although you have collaborated with Jedi Mind Tricks before on "Razorblade Salvation" (Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell) and "Death Messiah" (A History of Violence), how was your experience with Stoupe on this project?

LF:  My experience with Stoupe was visceral, exceptional, funny, and an amazing challenge. You'll never meet a man more dedicated then him, and he really allowed me free reign to write whatever was on my mind, even though he was convinced every song was about him. Stoupe is an incredibly generous person, in his personal life and artistically. There were some obvious challenges that I'm sure any producer has, of trying to get across what the hell he's hearing in his mind, but I think we did alright.

HHUG: How was the touring of A Bright Cold Day? Are there more plans of touring with Dutch?

LF:  We haven't toured yet but were getting it started soon

HHUG: What is the main motivation in crafting your music and lyrics?

LF: The music, the shape of the beats, the vibe of the tone. its like a color, it starts plain and kinda moves through me until it forms and then I see it clearly. Man, that's so corny but its true. I carry all kind of words and experiences and thoughts around, then the music makes a palate for them and there they go, tumbling out.

HHUG: What upcoming plans or projects do you have ahead with Dutch?

LF:  For Dutch, we're dying to get this show on the road. Were already coming up with a concept for a second album where everything will be homegrown, beats and samples. It will take our live performance to a whole new level.  

HHUG: What is your personal perspective on the current underground hip hop scene?

LF: I don't know shit about the underground hip hop scene, everything I know I heard from somebody else so I got no right to comment. I know its alive and well.

HHUG: Who are your top 5 favorite artists and why?

LF: Nina Simone- need I say more?

HHUG: Do you see yourself collaborating with different artists within the hip hop community in the near future? Artists outside the hip hop community?

LF:  Absolutely, right now I'm working on several things within the hip hop community here in Philly and with out. I'm realizing that there is a simple beauty that lies in making solo music, but the real strength for me is putting myself out there with other people, trying things outside of what I know.

HHUG: Thanks for taking the time for us, any closing statements you'd like to make?

LF: Thanks for asking.