JRE #171 – Everlast (Part 2)

12/28/2011

#171 – Everlast (Part 2)

This podcast, featuring Joe Rogan and musician Everlast, dives into the creative process and personal experiences of the artist. Topics range from musical inspirations and techniques to his personal views on life, death, and the world around him. Provocative and thought-provoking discussions on subjects like alien technology, the nature of consciousness, and the absurdity of modern society create a compelling and engaging conversation.

Here are some of the major topics explored in the podcast:

Everlast’s Unique Songwriting Process:

• Everlast doesn’t write lyrics down, instead relying on a vivid, three-dimensional mental visualization of his songs.
• He describes this as a form of “visual poetry” where the lyrics exist in his mind as a complete picture.
• He believes that writing down lyrics diminishes the song’s impact and emotion.
• This unique approach results in songs that are raw, visceral, and deeply personal.

The Evolution of Everlast’s Music:

• Everlast started making music as a way to exercise his mind and express himself creatively.
• He was initially drawn to hip hop but later expanded his musical horizons to include blues, rock, and other genres.
• He embraced experimentation and collaboration, working with various musicians and producers.
• His willingness to blur genre lines has resulted in a unique and diverse musical catalogue.

Everlast’s Near-Death Experience and Its Impact:

• Everlast suffered a life-threatening aortic aneurysm that required emergency heart surgery.
• He describes the experience as “intense” and a realization of how short life is.
• He also recounts a “familiar voice” that told him “you ain’t ready yet” during the surgery.
• This experience instilled a sense of gratitude and a renewed appreciation for life.

Everlast’s Views on Consciousness and the Universe:

• Everlast embraces unconventional and philosophical thoughts, reflecting his introspective nature.
• He questions the nature of reality and explores ideas of alien technology and interdimensional consciousness.
• He ponders the potential of a universe teeming with intelligent life beyond Earth.
• He challenges listeners to consider the vastness and mystery of the cosmos, encouraging a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Everlast’s Perspective on Modern Society and Technology:

• He finds amusement in the absurdities of modern life, like the reliance on technology and the fascination with celebrity culture.
• He questions the impact of technology on human connection and the potential for societal collapse.
• He expresses concern about the dangers of over-reliance on technology and the potential for it to control our lives.
• He believes that human nature and our reliance on simple, essential things like fire are often overlooked.

Everlast’s Thoughts on Art and Creativity:

• Everlast collects art, particularly graffiti and street art, as a passionate hobby.
• He sees art as a reflection of the human experience and a way to express our creativity.
• He highlights the importance of supporting artists and recognizing their contributions to society.
• His personal collection showcases a deep appreciation for art and its power to inspire and provoke.

Everlast’s Perspective on Personal Safety and Awareness:

• He emphasizes the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and taking precautions against potential dangers.
• He shares his own experiences with feeling stalked and the importance of trusting one’s instincts.
• He advocates for a sense of personal responsibility and preparedness in an uncertain world.
• He believes that staying vigilant and maintaining a certain level of paranoia can help to ensure safety.

Everlast’s Reflections on Fame and Privacy:

• He values privacy and prefers to maintain a low profile, despite his successful music career.
• He enjoys simple pleasures like going to the grocery store and watching sports without being recognized.
• He understands the challenges of maintaining privacy in the public eye.
• His approach highlights the importance of balancing fame with personal life.

Everlast’s Candid Thoughts on the Music Industry:

• He acknowledges the importance of luck and timing in achieving success in the music industry.
• He discusses the challenges of navigating the industry, from label pressure to personal conflicts.
• He emphasizes the importance of artistic integrity and staying true to oneself.
• He shares his insights on the evolution of music and the ever-changing landscape of the industry.

Everlast’s View on The Absurdity of Life and Society:

• Everlast finds humor in the unexpected and the contradictions of life.
• He acknowledges the ridiculousness of certain societal trends and the often nonsensical nature of human behavior.
• His observations encourage listeners to step back and examine the world with a critical and humorous lens.
• He embraces a sense of absurdity as an integral part of the human experience.

Memorable Quotes from the Podcast:

• “I don’t even know how to make music, man. I’ve been faking it for a long time, dude. I’ve just been picking up things and making sounds that I’m like, I like this sound. I’m gonna make this sound, you know.”
• “If you’re gonna masturbate and you’re gonna masturbate, stop fucking around. This is technology from masturbation.”
• “I’m like a beautiful mind kind of an idiot. It’s a lot. You know? You know? You know? It’s Doesn’t that Jake? No. I I don’t even know half the chords I play on the guitar, man. just copied them from other people.”
• “It’s like a roller coaster, like, you know, going on this roller coaster, you told us the scariest roller coaster of all time, and you’re waiting to go on it. And probably the whole time you’re waiting to go on it, motherfucker, probably really scary. Then you get on it and you ride it once and it’s probably really scary. But then, you know, if you if you get off it, and get right back in line. You know, the weight in line isn’t so scary, and then you get back on the ride again. You’re just like, I that’s what I compared death to.”
• “It’s amazing. It’s incredible. I have to take lent inner for the rest of my life. So a clap doesn’t form around it and break off and go into my brain.”