The iQ: Z-Trip

We capture a mental fingerprint of some of our musical and cultural heroes and preserve it in cyber-amber for the wonderment of future generations. This is the Insomniac Questionnaire.

What was your favorite toy as a child?
My favorite toys were LEGOs. The building possibilities were endless. It’s also cool to realize later on in life that LEGOs taught me the art of symmetry. If I see some lying around, I’ll still pick them up and build something.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten? Did you take it?
“If you do it for the sake of loving it—and you don’t care whether you’re seen or not or paid or not—all that stuff will come. But enjoy the process! If you start doing things for the sake of selling up front, for rewards, then it’s going to catch up to you. The other guys not chasing money are going to outdo you in the end, because real innovation and grit come from loving the process.” And yes, I took it.

What part of your day do you most look forward to?
It’s a tie: either the first sip of coffee, or the first sound out of the studio.

What’s the best time you’ve ever had without spending money?
When my Aunt Rose sat me down to teach me our secret family recipe for Italian meatballs and sauce.

What is your most treasured possession?
My first boombox. It was a double cassette recorder that my mom bought for herself. As soon as I put my hands on it and realized I could dub from other cassettes, it was a wrap. She never saw the thing. I tend to think that was the beginning of it all.

What is your favorite word?
Dope!

Do you owe anyone an apology?
Not that I know of. I try my hardest not to step on anyone’s toes or hold grudges… or have them held against me.

When was the last time you were really scared?
The last time I went to get my hearing tested.

What is the last thing you googled?
The second movement into Beethoven’s Third.

What’s the last sound you would want to hear before you die?
The longest 808 bass tone.

Do you have any recurring dreams or nightmares? If not, what’s the last dream you remember having?
I remember the last one I had was pretty intense, but I don’t recall the details at the moment. I do remember there was a lot of running in it, though.

How do you measure success?
By the amount of good times I have in my life—the amount of good times I can share or experience with other people. If I’m happy more often than not, and the people around me are also happy and safe, that is success.

If you could have one magical or super power, what would it be?
I would have a power that eliminates all traffic for the rest of my life. Maybe teleportation is better suited for that purpose. Or I’d have the power to heal people, physically and mentally. I imagine there is nothing better than giving someone an extension or a pass when they think it’s over.

Have you ever had a brush with the paranormal or the supernatural?
I didn’t just have a brush with—I toured with Supernatural… best freestyle MC in the game! But yes, I’ve had some paranormal things go on before. I think we probably all have at some point. I sometimes like things that have no real correct answer but force you to question everything you think you know.

What do you remember about your first kiss?
The feelings inside were great, all fuzzy or whatever, but I remember something didn’t feel right physically. I think her lips were too thin.

What four words best describe you?
Music. Knowledge. Love. Sharing.

What’s the last impulsive thing you did?
Packed up and moved my life, my girl, and my studio to a new place based off the feeling the place gave me/us.

Do you have a pet? If not, what is your ideal pet, and what would you want it to do in an ideal world?
My ideal pet is a medium-size dog who has crazy discipline and travels with me from show to show—on the planes, hotels, backstage, onstage, everything.

What is your best personality trait?
A never-ending desire to want to share all this wonderful music I hear and create with everyone I come in contact with.

Do you believe in any conspiracy theories or urban legends?
Of course, too many to describe in detail, but I will say this: Don’t believe everything you’re told. Question everything. Question motives, agendas, all of it. Dig for the truth; it’s always at the bottom.

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