Cee Lo Green Lays it down

If a rock star shows up to a morning press conference wearing a bathrobe, I would just assume he’s a rock star. 8AM is a tough call for journalists, let alone musicians. But the airline lost Cee Lo Green’s luggage when he flew in to LA to discuss his new Fuse TV show Lay It Down with Cee Lo Green with the Television Critics Association. Green played it totally cool, as he will when he sits down with music’s hottest acts in an intimate studio interview and performance setting.

CraveOnline: If they hadn’t lost your luggage, what would your style be today? 

Cee Lo Green: I was going to wear something nice. I think I had a nice button down, very conservative and business savvy. I wanted to show that side of myself today but this is cool.

CraveOnline: If we turned Lay it Down on you, what would your process be? 

Cee Lo Green: Just let it be. I just let it be. I have things that I want. I have things that I’ve already addressed as far as an artist or an individual. This new album, Ladykiller, it addresses more of a sensitive side of me and a very romantic, loving, caring and generous kind of side to me so I would like that to be known. I’m just a well rounded guy.

CraveOnline: Why do you think rhythm dominated music has become the most popular prevalent form, as opposed to more melodic or harmonized music? 

Cee Lo Green: Because I think melody has to be something that’s lived in and experienced. Music has a transient quality that all you have to do is be in the right place at the right time. It’s generic enough to be appropriate to just about anyone, any walk of life, any kind of desire or listening preference. It just kind of works for everyone. It’s kind of unbiased, I believe.

CraveOnline: I appreciate this discussion of rhythm music. How can I learn to appreciate rhythm music more? 

Cee Lo Green: I guess just become an avid listener and be open minded about it. Things are different, people are different. Music should just match the mood that you’re in. If you’re in a mood where you are inquiring and really want to will that understanding towards you, just sit on that and then be patient with it because it’s a process. 

CraveOnline: There’s a danger of meeting your heroes. Did you worry about that on your show? 

Cee Lo Green: I mentioned Public Enemy a few times on there today and they are definitely heroes of mine, but no. I feel like I know them because I’ve grown with them. They feel like family to me. So I wasn’t completely nervous.

CraveOnline: Grown since you’ve been an artist or just growing up? 

Cee Lo Green: Oh, prior to. My fanship an artistry both run concurrent. I’m always a fan. 

CraveOnline: Did doing this show take you out of the recording game? 

Cee Lo Green: No, actually I was doing double shifts. I was recording and I was recording the show and leaving there and doing studio at night.

CraveOnline: Fuse has a show Mad Genius. Does that apply to you? 

Cee Lo Green: You know what? I thought maybe it did. Maybe they’ll come and interview me.

CraveOnline: Are you more of a scheduled worker or free flowing? 

Cee Lo Green: It depends. Sometimes you do perform under that pressure. Sometimes having a schedule and a deadline to keep, but I would prefer freeform, but you know, depends.

CraveOnline: What can you tell us about Ladykiller? 

Cee Lo Green: It’s a solo record. I’m almost done with it. I’m at the last stage. I’m at the mixing and mastering stage so it should be done way before it’s released, but it’s released November/December.

CraveOnline: Will we recognize any Gnarls Barkley in there? 

Cee Lo Green: Gnarls is always in there somewhere. Gnarls was never quiet, even before he had a name I guess. I’m sure there will be some remnants of Gnarls in there somewhere. Actually, Danger Mouse produced a song for the solo record too. He’s out supporting his project Broken Bells and I’m doing this. Normally we don’t like the music that we do outside of each other, so…