With The Pharcyde in his rearview mirror and several albums deep into his solo career, Tre Hardson prepares us for his newest chapter with the upcoming album Slim Kid Tre’s Café. I had a chance to speak with Tre and ask him some in-depth questions about life, music and his clearest memory of the 12th-largest state in the country.

Toki Wright: Who were your biggest musical influences when you were developing your craft?

Tre Hardson: It’s like a conglomerate: New Birth, Sly Stone, Chaka Kahn, Earth Wind and Fire, Quincy Jones, you know?
TW: What have you learned about the music industry now that you are a solo artist?

TH: In the music industry you need to know a lot about networking and teamwork. What I mean is that a lot of kids are trying to rush and get on these [record] labels. You just need to have your internal team tight if a label pulls the rug out from under you. Don’t look around for other people to give you approval.

TW: From what I’ve noticed, a lot of so-called “underground” hip-hop audiences have lost feeling in the lower half of their bodies. By that I mean that people don’t dance as much as they used to at hip-hop functions. I also heard that you came up through the dance culture. Have you noticed any recognizable changes in how crowds react to hip-hop music?

TH: For some crowds. Sometimes shows are just social events. Some [people at shows] just react to their surroundings. Maybe they are trying to impress others. It’s monkey see, monkey do. Some artists can capture the crowd and make them move. For me I don’t give a shit. I do my thing and have fun. If you choose to be uptight, that’s you.

TW: [Laughter] No doubt. I feel you on that one. Quick question: 8-tracks, records, tapes, CDs or iPod? What do you prefer?

TH: Right now I’d say iPod because I like collecting music. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to make a mixtape, and it’s cool to compile all of your music on the computer.

TW: If we looked on your iPod right now, what would we find?

TH: I still need to move from my computer to the iPod. I’m pretty eclectic. I’m not really feeling a whole lot of R&B but I’ve got Donnell Jones, Van Hunt, Jamiroquai, Arrested Development’s Among The Trees album, waiting to hear Mos Def and Talib Kweli as Black Star again, De La Soul. Even some Fleetwood Mac and Led Zeppelin.

TW: I know you’ve been all around the world performing. What have been the best places to rock?

TH: Europe; they are really open to music. We had a show in Madison last night that was good. A lot of colleges are open to new music and new ideas.

TW: What is your clearest memory of Minneapolis?

TH: Shit man. Cold as fuck! It was the first time I had ever seen two buildings connected to each other like that [via skyway]. I was like, “This is colder than Montreal!” Minneapolis and Siberia are like twins.

TW: Are you into books? Is there anything you’ve been reading up on lately?

TH: I read a lot of Yoruba; I’m actually a certified Healer. I’m [also] into paranormal psychology.

TW: You’ve been in the game for a long time and have been out on the road with many acts. Who have been the best groups to tour with?

TH: The Roots were a good combination. Heiruspecs is really fucking dope, and I’m not just saying that to blow smoke up their ass. They are a real good example of that right combination.

TW: I want to make sure that each person I interview gets a chance to say what they really feel. Is there anything going on in the world that you want to shed some light on?

TH: [short pause] A lot of things. What’s going on in Sierra Leone. Living in America you have no idea of what goes on in life. People in the favelas [in Brazil]. We don’t know because we are in a small box. We really have it good. America is really like a Roman Empire. I really let the world be what is it. I’m kind of a spectator. It’s funny how we are having these natural disasters. Its like Mother Nature is slapping us on the hand…

TW: [Interrupting] I think we really need to look at that idea of natural disaster. If you look at disasters like Katrina, much of the reason why there is such a large impact is because of man. People make situations worse by being so focused on building and not cultivating. We need to take a second and think harder about the ramifications of building and progress in relationship to the land.

TH: There’s a lot going on in the supernatural. If you don’t have the knowledge you won’t understand. We have clones, seedless watermelon, but we can’t get rid of the common cold? Death is a business. The wheels keep turning and people become slaves. You really should check out the movie “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

TW: I saw that. It was real dope. I heard that the book is a lot better than the movie. So what can we look forward to from Tre Hardson at the show Saturday?

TH: I’ll have a compilation CD on sale with cuts from each of my records called Slim Kid Tre’s Café Radio. In March I’ll have an album out called Slim Kid Tre’s Café.

When artists say that they are not role models they are either not trying to take responsibility for others’ actions or flat out lying. No matter what, if you are in the public eye, there are some kids out there that are going to look up to you or at least pay attention to what you are saying. Tre Hardson has made a career out of spreading positivity through sharing his personal trials and tribulation. Tre is living proof that there is a crowd out there for every type of music, and that you don’t have to go along with what the radio, television or what I say is popular. ||

Tre Hardson performs on Sat., Nov. 26 at the Triple Rock Social Club with Sims and headliners Heiruspecs. 5 p.m. All Ages. 10 p.m. 21+. $10/$8 with a non-perishable food item. 629 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-7499.

For more info on Tre Hardson check out his official website at TreHardson.com and also his MySpace page at MySpace.com/TreHardson.