(Interview first printed on StarTrek.com 10.13.2005)
Star Trek: Enterprise star Anthony Montgomery (Travis Mayweather), never one to shy away from a challenge, has entered into the rap music world with his new mini-album "What You Know About ..." This four-song EP stands up as a bold musical statement from the multi-talented performer. We talked recently with Anthony about the album, the process, and the meanings behind the songs.
STARTREK.COM: Tell us about the genesis of this album. Who, or what, inspired you to make it?
ANTHONY MONTGOMERY: I got the initial idea to work on it about two years ago when we were in the middle of our second season. I love music, and I have very eclectic musical tastes, probably over a thousand CDs, from country to classical, but one of my favorite genres of music is hip-hop. After making some new friends in the music business, I wanted to see if I could take information and produce a result in a field I really know very little about. That's the simplest way to answer why I did it. I just wanted to see if I could. No one, especially if you're not focused on that as your career, no one's going to let you just go into their studio and mess around. A friend of mine, Dakari, one of the producers on the album, works down in Orlando and he has an incredible musical ear. So, I took my own money and, even though he's a friend, it's a business. I had him present me with some tracks, some beats, about 30 to choose from. I didn't like any of those, so he gave me about 25 more and I picked two of those tracks. We went through that process a few times until I got the tracks I liked. I'm very particular about what it is I want to hear, because I used to choreograph, I used to be a dancer. What happens is, I pay for the producer to create the music for me, and then I take the music, become one with it, feel it, and then I write my song.
ST.COM: The first song is a statement of sorts. What are you trying to say there with "Yes They Are"?
AM: "Yes They Are," the very first track, was written while the Lakers were getting beat by Detroit in the (NBA) finals. I was at my house in Indianapolis, and I was watching the game, and I had just kept sitting with the music, and then it just came to me!
It is me wanting to get the song out. I didn't have an agenda behind it. It was really me wanting to get the song done to tell an effective story without using profanity, la Will Smith. But I wanted it to have a little more substance. That is not to say that Will Smith does not have substance with his songs. Will Smith is Will Smith - I'm creating who I am in the hip hop arena. For me, it had to be a little bit more. I love Will Smith, I respect him so much as a rapper first and foremost, because that is what I first learned about him, and as an entertainer. The guy is incredible. I wanted mine to have a little bit more from me. I wanted to tell a story. I love all music, I love the gangsta rap and everything too, but it gets old. It's really that simple to me. I don't always need to hear about people talking about killing somebody, or selling this, or demeaning women, a lot of the things music can be, especially with popular music. Again, that's not saying anything disparaging against that music, because I buy it too. So to that degree I could be considered hypocritical. I'm not saying I don't like it, I just get tired of listening to it. I wanted some kind of alternative to that. Instead of just going out and going, Hey I wonder if this person is working on this or this person is doing that, I talked to my boy Dakari and I said "Dakari, let's see if I can do this." He said, "Man, let's go. Let's go!"
He's actually the one who inspired me to take it much more seriously than I was. Because that's what he does, he's music. That's what he does on a daily basis, music 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was a lot of fun to learn the process, and to be learning it with a friend, that was really cool for me.
ST.COM: The next track, "Gotta Believe" is obviously autobiographical.
AM: "Gotta Believe" was the first thing that popped into my head, and that song is very personal to me as it was written for my little brother. I wrote the entire thing. That's not me (rapping) at the very beginning, that's Dakari the producer, but I wrote every single word - every single if, and, the, but - the entire song. Then I went down to Florida and recorded it.
"Gotta Believe" was inspired by my baby brother, the person whose diapers I changed when he was a kid, who I actually got to watch grow into a man. Unfortunately when I had to leave to go and pursue my own career, be that in Chicago when I lived there or moving out to the West Coast, he had to keep growing on his own. He, unfortunately, got himself in a precarious position and I just wanted him to know that I love him, and I'm there for him. I'm always there and will always support him. And he's into hip hop so, for me, it was a no brainer. Instead of me doing what I've done my whole life and just sit him down and talk to him, you don't always want your siblings talking to you like they're your parents. But I've been put in that position over the course of my life and instead of doing it that way and just sitting him down and saying this is a challenge and not the end of the world, I just want him to know that I was there for him. That's literally the simplest way to describe that song. It's an ode to my brother.
ST.COM : Now, the title of the next song is "Trek." I've heard that somewhere, but I can't quite put my finger on it...
AM: (laughs) I've been doing this for four years, of course I've got to take my own experiences and weave them into what it is that I'm doing. Sci fi has a very minuscule representation in the hip hop world. For the most part, hip hop and sci fi don't go hand in hand. There are some incredibly talented producers out there that have been able to marry the two. Kanye West is phenomenal. The Neptunes, phenomenal. I wanted to give those guys, give the sci-fi world more of a voice in hip hop as well. Sci fi is not just a couple of computer nerds sitting around talking about what the possibilities for the future are, sci fi is an actual movement. Science fiction is not going anywhere. Hip hop is not just a few guys selling drugs and talking about their experiences selling drugs, it's not demeaning women and making songs about that. It's an actual movement, so in my own way, I wanted to merge the two.
I like the title being what it is. I can't call it a tribute because I'm not saying specifically "the show," but I took personal experiences and wrote a song that, for me, honors an incredible legacy and some remarkable fans. When fans get it, I think they will really get it. I look forward for Trek fans to get the CD, then, while I'm at the convention, they can actually rhyme it with me. I can't wait for that!
ST.COM: You plan to perform your songs at conventions too?
AM: Heck yeah, that's the point! I'm going to Amsterdam and London. Someone in Rome asked if I'd be interested in performing in his club when I'm in Europe ...
When I came up with this idea, I didn't have any intention breaking into the hip hop world, I literally just wanted to see if I could do it. And then, in playing it for music industry professionals and getting validation from them, that my music can stand up to anything that's out there, I've said, Why not. If I don't do it, then I'm limiting myself. That's impetus for me.
ST: COM: How can fans get it?
AM: www.anthonymontgomery.com
As you can tell, it doesn't sound like me. This is a completely different side to me that [fans have] never seen before. There are snippets on the Web site to listen to, and I will have it at the conventions. We are working on getting it into some stores in L.A. and around the country. I'm working on putting together my first official stage performance, which is going to be in my hometown of Indianapolis. I think we are looking at the weekend before Thanksgiving or even the Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving. I was thinking that I'm going to go right into acting as soon as Enterprise was done, so this is quite honestly an opportunity that has presented itself in a way that I didn't really realize was going to. But I'm going to embrace it.
ST: COM: You like to challenge yourself. Is there anything you've tried that you didn't like?
AM: Cross-country skiing. That was pretty boring, it didn't do a whole lot for me.
ST: COM: What about new experiences or accomplishments? Something you would like to try?
AM: I want to go skydiving. I did it once, but now I want to do a solo dive. They said it takes about 5 hours to train. I would also like to see about getting a helicopter pilot's license.
ST: COM: The last song, "Midwest to Wild West" is about your physical, and mental, journey. Would you say your outlook on life is to challenge yourself?
AM: Yes, and to bring clarity to the reasons why if ever I'm not pushing myself and not being fulfilled. This is my life. My ultimate goal for myself is to live my life powerfully, to live a life that I love. Period. I'm just trying to live this life the best way I can and help others along the way. I've said this many times: This truly is me. There is no right or wrong. When I came out to Hollywood, I think I was coming out with the idea of figuring out the "right way" to make it in the industry and to have a career. There is no right way!
The right way is the way that works! For me, the way that works is the one without me having to sell my integrity in the process. If a person does not want to do anything with their life, that is a choice, that is one way to live. (Doesn't make it right or wrong.) You may not be excited about life, but it's still a choice and that is one way to live. I, on the other hand, choose to live this life like I don't get another chance!
Star Trek: Enterprise star Anthony Montgomery (Travis Mayweather), never one to shy away from a challenge, has entered into the rap music world with his new mini-album "What You Know About ..." This four-song EP stands up as a bold musical statement from the multi-talented performer. We talked recently with Anthony about the album, the process, and the meanings behind the songs.
STARTREK.COM: Tell us about the genesis of this album. Who, or what, inspired you to make it?
ANTHONY MONTGOMERY: I got the initial idea to work on it about two years ago when we were in the middle of our second season. I love music, and I have very eclectic musical tastes, probably over a thousand CDs, from country to classical, but one of my favorite genres of music is hip-hop. After making some new friends in the music business, I wanted to see if I could take information and produce a result in a field I really know very little about. That's the simplest way to answer why I did it. I just wanted to see if I could. No one, especially if you're not focused on that as your career, no one's going to let you just go into their studio and mess around. A friend of mine, Dakari, one of the producers on the album, works down in Orlando and he has an incredible musical ear. So, I took my own money and, even though he's a friend, it's a business. I had him present me with some tracks, some beats, about 30 to choose from. I didn't like any of those, so he gave me about 25 more and I picked two of those tracks. We went through that process a few times until I got the tracks I liked. I'm very particular about what it is I want to hear, because I used to choreograph, I used to be a dancer. What happens is, I pay for the producer to create the music for me, and then I take the music, become one with it, feel it, and then I write my song.
ST.COM: The first song is a statement of sorts. What are you trying to say there with "Yes They Are"?
AM: "Yes They Are," the very first track, was written while the Lakers were getting beat by Detroit in the (NBA) finals. I was at my house in Indianapolis, and I was watching the game, and I had just kept sitting with the music, and then it just came to me!
It is me wanting to get the song out. I didn't have an agenda behind it. It was really me wanting to get the song done to tell an effective story without using profanity, la Will Smith. But I wanted it to have a little more substance. That is not to say that Will Smith does not have substance with his songs. Will Smith is Will Smith - I'm creating who I am in the hip hop arena. For me, it had to be a little bit more. I love Will Smith, I respect him so much as a rapper first and foremost, because that is what I first learned about him, and as an entertainer. The guy is incredible. I wanted mine to have a little bit more from me. I wanted to tell a story. I love all music, I love the gangsta rap and everything too, but it gets old. It's really that simple to me. I don't always need to hear about people talking about killing somebody, or selling this, or demeaning women, a lot of the things music can be, especially with popular music. Again, that's not saying anything disparaging against that music, because I buy it too. So to that degree I could be considered hypocritical. I'm not saying I don't like it, I just get tired of listening to it. I wanted some kind of alternative to that. Instead of just going out and going, Hey I wonder if this person is working on this or this person is doing that, I talked to my boy Dakari and I said "Dakari, let's see if I can do this." He said, "Man, let's go. Let's go!"
He's actually the one who inspired me to take it much more seriously than I was. Because that's what he does, he's music. That's what he does on a daily basis, music 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was a lot of fun to learn the process, and to be learning it with a friend, that was really cool for me.
ST.COM: The next track, "Gotta Believe" is obviously autobiographical.
AM: "Gotta Believe" was the first thing that popped into my head, and that song is very personal to me as it was written for my little brother. I wrote the entire thing. That's not me (rapping) at the very beginning, that's Dakari the producer, but I wrote every single word - every single if, and, the, but - the entire song. Then I went down to Florida and recorded it.
"Gotta Believe" was inspired by my baby brother, the person whose diapers I changed when he was a kid, who I actually got to watch grow into a man. Unfortunately when I had to leave to go and pursue my own career, be that in Chicago when I lived there or moving out to the West Coast, he had to keep growing on his own. He, unfortunately, got himself in a precarious position and I just wanted him to know that I love him, and I'm there for him. I'm always there and will always support him. And he's into hip hop so, for me, it was a no brainer. Instead of me doing what I've done my whole life and just sit him down and talk to him, you don't always want your siblings talking to you like they're your parents. But I've been put in that position over the course of my life and instead of doing it that way and just sitting him down and saying this is a challenge and not the end of the world, I just want him to know that I was there for him. That's literally the simplest way to describe that song. It's an ode to my brother.
ST.COM : Now, the title of the next song is "Trek." I've heard that somewhere, but I can't quite put my finger on it...
AM: (laughs) I've been doing this for four years, of course I've got to take my own experiences and weave them into what it is that I'm doing. Sci fi has a very minuscule representation in the hip hop world. For the most part, hip hop and sci fi don't go hand in hand. There are some incredibly talented producers out there that have been able to marry the two. Kanye West is phenomenal. The Neptunes, phenomenal. I wanted to give those guys, give the sci-fi world more of a voice in hip hop as well. Sci fi is not just a couple of computer nerds sitting around talking about what the possibilities for the future are, sci fi is an actual movement. Science fiction is not going anywhere. Hip hop is not just a few guys selling drugs and talking about their experiences selling drugs, it's not demeaning women and making songs about that. It's an actual movement, so in my own way, I wanted to merge the two.
I like the title being what it is. I can't call it a tribute because I'm not saying specifically "the show," but I took personal experiences and wrote a song that, for me, honors an incredible legacy and some remarkable fans. When fans get it, I think they will really get it. I look forward for Trek fans to get the CD, then, while I'm at the convention, they can actually rhyme it with me. I can't wait for that!
ST.COM: You plan to perform your songs at conventions too?
AM: Heck yeah, that's the point! I'm going to Amsterdam and London. Someone in Rome asked if I'd be interested in performing in his club when I'm in Europe ...
When I came up with this idea, I didn't have any intention breaking into the hip hop world, I literally just wanted to see if I could do it. And then, in playing it for music industry professionals and getting validation from them, that my music can stand up to anything that's out there, I've said, Why not. If I don't do it, then I'm limiting myself. That's impetus for me.
ST: COM: How can fans get it?
AM: www.anthonymontgomery.com
As you can tell, it doesn't sound like me. This is a completely different side to me that [fans have] never seen before. There are snippets on the Web site to listen to, and I will have it at the conventions. We are working on getting it into some stores in L.A. and around the country. I'm working on putting together my first official stage performance, which is going to be in my hometown of Indianapolis. I think we are looking at the weekend before Thanksgiving or even the Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving. I was thinking that I'm going to go right into acting as soon as Enterprise was done, so this is quite honestly an opportunity that has presented itself in a way that I didn't really realize was going to. But I'm going to embrace it.
ST: COM: You like to challenge yourself. Is there anything you've tried that you didn't like?
AM: Cross-country skiing. That was pretty boring, it didn't do a whole lot for me.
ST: COM: What about new experiences or accomplishments? Something you would like to try?
AM: I want to go skydiving. I did it once, but now I want to do a solo dive. They said it takes about 5 hours to train. I would also like to see about getting a helicopter pilot's license.
ST: COM: The last song, "Midwest to Wild West" is about your physical, and mental, journey. Would you say your outlook on life is to challenge yourself?
AM: Yes, and to bring clarity to the reasons why if ever I'm not pushing myself and not being fulfilled. This is my life. My ultimate goal for myself is to live my life powerfully, to live a life that I love. Period. I'm just trying to live this life the best way I can and help others along the way. I've said this many times: This truly is me. There is no right or wrong. When I came out to Hollywood, I think I was coming out with the idea of figuring out the "right way" to make it in the industry and to have a career. There is no right way!
The right way is the way that works! For me, the way that works is the one without me having to sell my integrity in the process. If a person does not want to do anything with their life, that is a choice, that is one way to live. (Doesn't make it right or wrong.) You may not be excited about life, but it's still a choice and that is one way to live. I, on the other hand, choose to live this life like I don't get another chance!
