Introducing: Mouse Sucks

Despite his name, this talented teen’s music doesn’t suck at all.

Mouse Sucks. We thought that it had something to do with disliking Deadmau5, or the cartoon Tom & Jerry. Turns out we were wrong.

We received a submission for Mouse Sucks’ single “Isis” from his album “The Ginyu Force”. If the album title sounds familiar, it’s a group of villains from the anime Dragonball Z. We actually really liked the song. It has sort of a video game sound to the music, which made it pretty catchy. Definitely a great start to what we hope becomes an even better music career for Mouse Sucks.

We got a chance to speak to this talented 17-year old, and find out more about him, and “Isis”.

Why is your name “Mouse Sucks”? Seriously, where the heck did that come from?
My name used to be just boring old “Mouse” and my campaign slogan was “Mouse Sucks”. Then Capital Ode convinced me to make Mouse Sucks my name.

How many people are a part of Mouse Sucks?
Some would say Mouse Sucks is just me, but I feel like Mouse Sucks is me and “The Dream Band”…. That’ll be explained one day.

The name of your album is “The Ginyu Force”? Are you a big Dragonball Z fan?
Dragonball Z is a LIFESTYLE! I grew up watching it every day. I would even watch reruns over and over again. It’s by far my favorite anime. Vegeta was my favorite character for some reason.

What is your music background?
Well, I was born in Canada and my mother is Jamaican so I was exposed to a little bit of reggae music early on. I had a lot of hip hop, rock and pop around me. Back then I really liked No Doubt and Redman. Heard a lot of Celine Dion, but I just recently became a fan.

Wait. “Became a fan” of Celine Dion? Why? Because she’s Canadian?
Well, the fact that she’s Canadian is probably why they played her music so much in Canada but one day I just got a chance to sit down and listen to songs like “When I Need You” and “Because You Loved Me” and I really got to appreciate the genius in her music.

“Isis” is a great song, especially for your first single. How did you come up with the lyrics for the song?
I’m under 18 so I shouldn’t tell you how I got the inspiration for “Isis” but, I really love Isis Taylor. She’s wicked dope. Honestly, she makes me want to sing. So one day I was wondering what she must think about her career and I thought about a scenario in which I could be closer to her and steal her inner thoughts.

Not to seem stupid, but who the heck is Isis Taylor?
Isis Taylor is the Queen of The Universe but she spends her spare time acting in various films and posing in Magazines.

Oh… She’s a porn star, huh? Nice. You kinda gave it away with your “under 18″ comment.
Yeah, I was thinking that. As long as people get curious, it’s cool. (laughs)

Curious, huh? Um… Yeah. Well, we’d have written a song about her, too.
I’d love to hear your song about her.

Who produced the song?
Gabriel aka S.D.G.V produced Isis.

What does S.D.G.V stand for?
You know, that’s funny. I don’t know what S.D stands for but G.V are his initials.

We really liked whole “video game” sound of “Isis”. What made you use that type of sound?
“Video game”? (laughs) I haven’t heard that comparison before. I wanted to use this type of sound because in my mind it felt like it placed Isis in another realm. When I was writing the song, it felt like I was writing about a girl that didn’t exist.

Are you going to keep using sounds like that? Or are you going to try to mix it up a little?
I definitely plan to use more sounds like this. Actually, S.D.G.V produced two songs on The Ginyu Force so there may be another song with a similar feel to it. At the same time, I did try to mix it up a lot on The Ginyu Force. There are a bunch of different sounds on the project that represented moods for me.

Why do you want to record and release your own music?
Music for me is therapy. When I started writing didn’t plan on making music for others but I thought about how artists like Charles Hamilton and Lupe had a huge impact on me through their songs and I felt like I could find an audience who relates to me and my music.

Who are your fans?
Who are my fans? That’s a good question. I would say the people on the other side of the scope that download the music and give me feedback but honestly I see those people more as peers.

What are your songs about?
I make music about what goes on in my life. One day it could be lusty infatuations with celebrities that I wish for (Polliana), or just the way I’m feeling on a particular day. Every song I write comes from a specific moment or thought in my life.

Do you write your own songs?
I absolutely write my own songs. I want to tell MY story and talk about MY feelings so I believe it’s only right that I’m the one writing it all.

Who are your musical influences?
I’m influenced by a lot of musicians that I hear. There’s Lupe Fiasco, NeverShoutNever, Charles Hamilton, AC-DC, Capital Ode, My Morning Jacket, KiD CuDi, Paramore – The list goes on and on.

What are your immediate music career goals, in the next 1 to 3 years?
In the next year or so I’m working towards building up my audience and mastering my craft of expressing my feelings. I plan on getting a lot of shows lined up and getting my name out there. In 2012 I plan to release The Ginyu Force and see if I can score some dates with Isis Taylor.

How would you define the word “success”?
I think of “Success” as achievement in the happiness industry. Obtaining whatever it is that makes you happy and makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something.

Do you have any personal contacts in the music business?
I have tons of contacts in the music industry. Jay-Z is my uncle – Just joking. No I don’t have contacts way up there on cloud ten.

Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal? Why?
I’m looking for an independent deal to push myself as an artist and build a solid fan base before jumping to a major record label.

What live performance experience have you had? Any industry showcases?
I perform all the time. I’m only 17 right now though, so it gets me pretty peeved whenever there’s a good opportunity to perform but they have age requirements. Thank God for fake ID’s. That was a joke.

How do you rate your live performance ability?
I’d say I’m the WORST performer of all time!! You definitely don’t want to see me perform. (laughs) I’m having too much fun with these jokes right now.

Is there anyone that you’d like to pair up with on stage one day? If so, who and why?
I’d love to perform with Mouse Sucks. He’s pretty awesome.. Other than that, I’d love to maybe do a duet with Demi Lovato. That would be interesting. I always listen to “Don’t Forget” and get chills.

Demi Lovato? Really? Why?
I remember back in 9th grade when I first heard Demi Lovato. Her voice is insane. Ever since then, she’s held a special place in my headphones – And in my heart. (laughs)

Have you recorded any previous CD’s or posted any audio files on the Internet?
The Ginyu Force is my first musical project. I started writing it during my senior year of high school and changed the track listing to what it is today right after I graduated. I do have some material floating out there on the friendly web. There’s a song called “The Habit” that I did with the producer Safe2woSay for a project titled “Good Kid Bad Habits”. That project has kinda been shelved as we work on our solo projects.

How do you sell your music?
I haven’t gotten to the point of selling music yet. My music is free diary entries for anyone who cares to listen. Once I get around to my album (Maybe in 2013), I’ll sell the project with whatever the latest technology is.

Have you affiliated with a performance rights organization?
I haven’t yet affiliated with any performance rights organization. Hi Performance Rights Organizations! I’m up for grabs!

Have you had any print, broadcast media exposure, or reviews?
“Isis” has actually played on the radio in New Orleans and Chicago and I’ve gotten a couple of reviews. I never got to hear it play on the station that picked it up in Chicago and that always eats at heart. But hearing my song on the radio is dope.

Who handles your daily business activities?
All business concerning my career thus far has been handled by “The Dream Band” and myself. MG, Mousey, and me, Mouse Sucks.

Facebook or Twitter?
Feel free to “Lead” me on Twitter @MouseSucks and you can be MG’s (Mikal George)friend on Facebook (laughs). Also, I started blogging again so you can check out my new blog, DearPolliana.blogspot.com

How can potential fans hear more of your music?
If you want to hear Mouse Sucks’ horrible music you can check out childsplayme.blogspot.com , freehrs.blogspot.com, soundcloud.com/mousesucks and definitely follow me on Twitter for my next surprise performance in your town. Cheezers!

We’re sure that you all want to hear “Isis” now, right? Well here it is, and let us know what you think.