The Dirty Sample earned his name off his fascination with dusty vinyl after he turned to production to provide the beats his then 3-year-old rapper alter ego, Planit, wasn’t receiving from other producers. Now, nearly 30 albums in, the Calgary producer has a catalogue that includes instrumental works, remix projects, and collaborations with the likes of Roc Marciano, Guilty Simpson, Myka 9, Kirby Dominant, Moka Only, D-Sisive, Merkules, Snak the Ripper, and many others. He is probably best known for his single “Three Sixty Five” with Roc Marciano from his production album Raw Produce (Phonographique, 2015).

In this interview feature, we chat with The Dirty Sample about influences, the new project, the technology driven music world and more.

Full Q&A along with links and streams below.

Who is The Dirty Sample? Where are you from?

I am The Dirty Sample aka Apeface aka Professor Mandrake aka Crash Silverback aka Alpha Papa Echo. I am from Western Canada

What style of music do you create? What attracted you to this genre or style?

I create many styles or genres of music but focus mainly on hip hop.

Who or what influences your producing?

Many things, from other artists to personal experiences and ideas.

How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?

Since I was 17, so about 20 years

What motivates you to keep going?

You just have to. There is no choice. It’s just part of me.

Why should people listen to The Dirty Sample?

I don’t know how to answer this……… why shouldn’t they?

What is your new release? How is it different from the previous ones?

New album is called Tuesday Nights on Cardero. This album is different because all these joints were previously unreleased tracks from 5-7 years ago. And there is some Illions [production duo of The Dirty Sample and Metawon] production on it also.

Did you set out to accomplish anything specific with this album?

Make rap music with multiple talented rappers.

Where is the best place to connect with you online? And to discover more of your music?

Google and handsolorecords.com

Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

Buy a tape from handsolorecords.com and support the cause. I don’t have a preference to any online streaming app thing. Whichever cuts me the biggest cheque per quarter, that’s who wins.

What about vinyl, CDs, and MP3s?

Vinyl & Tapes…. I’m an old ape.

As an indie musician in the digital age, how does the technology help and how does it hinder your art and career?

It helps by making music more accessible to a wider audience but that has its faults also. I just make music. I don’t really try to focus on that world. I’m more about spending time making the albums.

What are your other biggest challenges in attracting an audience to your music?

I don’t really try to attract them, that’s the challenge. I just make them beats.

What was the last song you listened to?

Dr.Hook and the Medicine Show – “Freakin’ at the Freaker’s Ball”

Do you tour or play live? Where can music lovers find out where to see you perform?

I do play live shows though there are few I do now. I’m hoping to put something together for the winter or next summer with a few artists on the roster.  To find out where and when, I would say keep them eyes and ears open for something in your town or if you wanna bring us through your town get at me through any of the social things. @thedirtysample

What’s next for The Dirty Sample?

Probably eat a cheeseburger…..

Also, got an instrumental album coming up on phongraphique.com and a new Alpha Papa Echo album being self released next month.

Any last thoughts, shout outs, or words of wisdom?

“Find what you love and let it kill you” – Charles Bukowski