As described on his myspace:

“Chokeules is but a slice of the mighty pie known as Toolshed, an ancient rap force brewed in Southwestern Ontario. Ever since forever, Choke was loud as hell. Born into a mangled world, he was all 'ga ga goo goo fuck this shit.' Then he heard music, saw art, and it wasn't so bad. New album Hypergraphia now available.”
http://www.myspace.com/chokeules

The Interview

mym: What or who inspires you to make your music? Has this always been the same?

Choke: At the risk of sounding vague as hell- everything and anything. You never know when inspiration might strike- could be from something you overhear on the subway, could be from arm wrestling with Tom Hanks. One of my biggest inspirations is the music of others- when friends or artists make something I really feel, it gets me that much more stoked to throw my own ideas into the melting pot. 

mym: Why did you choose to name your album Hypergraphia? And for those who don't know, what does it mean?

Choke: Hypergraphia is most easily defined as the opposite of writer's block. It's basically a condition that creates an uncontrollable need to write- for better or worse. As someone who often comes home and empties his pockets of paper scraps, napkins, matchbooks, receipts- or whatever else I might've scribbled good or bad ideas on throughout the day, I definitely could relate to certain aspects of the so-called midnight disease. It seemed fitting. 
 
mym: Do you find you have a lot of pressure put on you for being a hip-hop artist in Canada? Where the hip-hop scene maybe isn't as prevalent or recognized? If so, how do you deal with this pressure?

Choke: I guess there's always a certain amount of pressure you put on yourself as an artist, but the fact that Canada may have a less recognized scene than elsewhere is almost freeing in a sense. If you're not sure who's gonna hear your work, you're less likely to make the music you think people want to hear...and more likely to stay true to your own vision. 

mym: Do you have any embarrassing stories you'd like to share that you've experienced throughout your career?

Choke: Hmm...I don't embarrass easily, but I'm sure if someone showed me footage of the shows we were doin' in '98 or so it might be a little hard to watch.  Kids goin' crazy on stage, freestyling, still learning how to do shows. Actually, now that I think about it, I'd love to see that footage- I just wouldn't want too many other people to see it. 
 
mym: Was being a hip-hop artist a childhood dream of yours? Or did you have other aspirations?

Choke: Like a lot of children, I sang along to my favourite artists and pretended I was in the spotlight- but back then I wasn't too worried about whether it was Fat Boys, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, or the La Bamba soundtrack. I think my main aspiration was probably wanting to be a ninja...and it still might be. 
 
mym: I'm sure being an up and coming hip-hop artist in Canada can sometimes get stressful. How do you deal with this stress? Who do you go to or what do you do to blow off some steam?

Choke: I think the best way to blow off some steam is just to write and make more music- so any stress that comes from being an artist can just be used to refuel your art and drive it even further. It's a vicious cycle. 

mym: What kind of an outlet does music provide you with?

Choke: Infinite outlets, endless possibilities. You can express every mood you feel, tell any story want, be as serious as you need to be, or just have as much fun as possible. 

mym: Do you enjoy any other styles of music? Any favourite artists?

Choke: Pretty much every style, but hip-hop was my first love/obsession- which eventually led to an appreciation of everything it borrows from. It'd be tough to list my favourites, there's far too many to mention. In chronological order it'd start with Robert Johnson, in alphabetical order it'd be Abstract Rude. 

mym: What advice would you give to an aspiring musician?

Choke: Make sure you love what you're doing, because then all the hard work is worthwhile whether it ever gets recognized or not. Actually, look up the poem 'so you want to be a writer' by Charles Bukowski- his advice to writers works just as well for aspiring musicians.
 
mym: Any final words of wisdom?

Choke: Just want to give a big shout out to my group Toolshed- Timbuktu, Psybo, Fresh Kils, and DJiRATE...And make sure to look up my crew, Backburner- we're takin' over in 2010. Thanks for the memories...Chokeules out.