215: I’m sure you get allot of comparisons to The Roots. Would you say that would be a fair comparison or just an easy answer?

Noesis: Well, we both play live hip hop. We both realize that the “live-ness” is drawn out of sampling - you can never really get away from sampling. But I think there are many differences. First, the roots will stick with one loop for longer, whereas Philly Slick will come with more composed songs. So The Roots’ instrumentals have a tendency to come off more as beats (which is really tough to do), and our music comes off more as songs. Of course, we have horn and strings players integrated into the band, so we’re writing parts for them constantly. There are tons of differences, but we’re both making Philly hip hop.

215: From an MC’s point of view, what do you think the advantages and disadvantages are of having a live band, as opposed to working with producers?

Noesis: Well, they both have different kinds of freedom and limitations. With a live band, obviously the musicians can play whatever you want them to, rhythmically and melodically. The challenge with a live hip hop band is to be able to keep the music fresh. Even though we’re writing songs, they’re still mostly loop-based, so you need to be able to keep the loops fresh and the musicians from being bored. With a producer, you might not be able to bend a sample to the pitch or length you want, but there are certain qualities (usually from the original sampled recording) that you just can’t imitate with a live band. Melodically, many beats are very similar. It’s the differences in production that separate them.

215: Having a group that large, I would think getting everyone on the same page might be difficult at times. How does everyone deal with so many different personalities?

Noesis: Right. It is difficult. Our string players are classically trained, so we transpose sheet music for them. Zach, who writes most of our tunes, can’t read or write sheet music very well. Our drummer grew up on rock more than rap. And this is all stuff we deal with after everyone is in one place at the same time: it’s tough to get 10/12 people in a room at once, and to find some place that can fit us all. You know, email helps, and also, the musicians are so good that they can pick stuff up pretty quick.

215: Philly is known for its very picky hip hop fans. How has the band been received by the hip hop crowds?

Noesis: Pretty well. You know, I grew up listening to all hip hop, from the Roots to Das Efx to Mobb Deep. I want cats that felt “The Infamous” to feel my shit. Obviously, I’m not coming from the same position that Prodigy and Havoc came from, but as long as it’s real, I think people will like it. I’ve really only had positive feedback from hip hop fans.

215: The new record is Culture Industry. What exactly does that mean?

Noesis: Culture Industry is actually a philosophical term that was used by Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer in the early 20th century. It means that there are entities, businesses, corporations, that consciously produce culture. Today, we’re talking about companies like Clear Channel and MTV (Viacom) who produce a very docile, consumer based culture. They’re intent is to make money, and that’s it. The first two lines off the title track is “You call yourself industries, and when your incomes are published/any doubt of your social utility turns to rubbish.”

215: What would you say is the ultimate goal for Philadelphia Slick?