A challenging interview with DJ Joseph Hahn

A challenging interview with DJ Joseph Hahn

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

If you think that Britney Spears is the only young star to
have produced one of the highest selling albums, then think
again.

While Spears has taken advantage of dancing with a snake and
shaking her body with barely-there clothes, someone, or some
other young people to be exact have been selling more records
than she has. Without baring their midriff or cleavage, they just
scream loudly about insecurity and unhealed wounds.

You know, that teen angst stuff, which apparently is appealing
to some people.

They are vocalists Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington,
drummer Rob Bourdon, guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell
and DJ Joseph "Joe" Hahn -- the mid 20s L.A. lads who call
themselves Linkin Park.

Released in October 2000, the group's debut album, Hybrid
Theory has sold seven million copies in the United States alone,
and some 12.3 million worldwide.

Blending alternative metal, hip-hop and turntable, the album
was the best-selling record in America last year, trumping albums
by 'N Sync and Spears.

And not only that, Linkin Park is the only best-educated band
in new metal as almost all the members are university graduates
-- Farrell even holds a degree in philosophy.

They are also one of the best organized bands. Each member,
according to his expertise, is in charge of some aspect of the
group's artistic and business interests.

DJ Joe Hahn came here recently without his band mates, to
promote the band's upcoming album called Reanimation.

A remix album, it will present over 20 vocalists, professional
DJs and musicians, including Jonathan Davis from Korn, Stephen
Carpenter of Deftones and Aaron Lewis of Staind.

The album is aimed at reviving the community of Underground
DJs.

I got the chance to talk to Hahn in a short, one-on-one
interview, which was pretty challenging as Hahn did not talk
much.

He replied the first two questions while browsing a local
magazine. When he talked, he had this guarded, autistic-like
tone, and similar facial expression.

However, he sure has a pretty good sense of humor. For
example, when asked at what age he first jumped into
showbusiness, he said: "I was a diapers model. I was one of the
boys in Different Strokes. Later on I spent several years on
Saturday Night Live".

Well, here is an excerpt from the interview.

Why have you come here alone?

We've been touring for 23 months. Right now, we're doing the
upcoming album. It's crazy in L.A. I like to get out for a short
while.

How crazy is it in L.A.?

We're finishing the album. I directed a video (One Step
Closer), I also own a night club. So, there are a lot of things
going on ... I needed to get out.

So, tell me about the new album.

It's a remix album which is coming out in July. It is entirely
remixed, by different people, like Jay Gordon from Orgy.

I heard that there will be more hip hop than in Hybrid Theory.

Well, we don't stick to one genre. We never stated that we're
this or that.

So, there won't be any new material in the new album?

No, but it will sound like a new album.

What is your background in music?

I have none. I just picked up a turntable and played it.

When was that?

Seven years ago.

How old were you then?

19.

Where were you playing?

In my bedroom.

Whose records were you playing?

My records.

I see that other than music, each one of you is in charge of
some aspect of the artistic and business interests. Why not let
somebody else do it? (Hahn is in charge of the group's official
website and visual arts for videos and album covers)

When other people do it, they're not doing it in the right
way. We're capable of doing it, so why not? When we're involved
in it, it will be more personal. We're happier and more satisfied
that way.

What do you hate most and like most in showbusiness?

I do not consider it showbusiness. We make music, we have
fans.

As young musicians, how do you see the music industry in the
United States?

The music industry is crazy. It's full of smart people but
there are also people who pretend to know what they're doing.
It's a wild circus.

How wild?

(stretching his arms with the same plain expression). This
wild!

Now that you're successful, selling millions of records, are
there still things that you guys can be angry with and shout
about in the lyrics?

I think people relate to our music with its conflict,
complexity. Selling millions of copies doesn't mean you're gonna
be happy. We'll always have certain material that people like.

What if rap metal doesn't sell anymore?

We'll just keep on doing the same thing.