Our resident Cardboard Angel, Rob, is a multi-instrumentalist noise artist hailing from Massachusetts. Creator of the netlabel, Cardboard Angels and an active member of multiple online collectives, such as Omnimortem and the net label Torture Pop, Rob creates music which crawls out of the darker and dirtier corners of the underground music scene, running the tortured gauntlet from harsh noise to dark ambient music.
Rob has made two appearances on THERUDDERSTREAM under different aliases. On his first appearance, playing as wav.mp3, Rob slaughtered listeners with full bodied, throat shredding shouts, accompanied by an unyielding inferno of microphone feedback. He then proceeded to inter our (figurative) bodies under blast beats and disharmonious synth chords. In their second performance as Killing Spirit, they flipped their sonic palette entirely, doing a faithful ambient cover of HANL’s ‘A quick one…’.
The diversity of Rob’s output, his unflinching sincerity, and his rabid experimentation make him an exciting and rewarding act to follow.
Enter Rob’s latest rap-based project, Pukwudgie, which I virtually sat with him to discuss for his (and our) first interview.
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Jack.
Can you give me a rundown of what Pukwudgie as a project and persona offers listeners?
And beyond that what kind of statement are you intending to make with Pukwudgie artistically, if any at all?
Rob.
Pukwudgie is a cliche rap persona that was made to give listeners multiple different feelings. I’m heavily inspired by the Memphis Rap scene & Witch House. So I brought those influences and the feelings they give to my project. I want listeners to be fully encased in the songs and really feel the experience of the music through the beats and the lyrics. I strive to throw people off but also drag them in as much as possible. Which is why I try new things with each song I make.
My main goal with this project is to show that anyone from any background can make a captivating musical experience through their influences, their stories & their personality. Pukwudgie of course is a persona, I never claim to have done the things I talk about in the lyrics… Besides the last 2 tracks on my first EP. Those were about the abuse I endured from my father as a child. And my poor mental state due to said abuse and bullying.
Jack.
You’ve been incredibly prolific, not just in terms of the volume of your releases, but with the amount of monikers you’ve created under…What led you from those projects onto this one?
And what from your previous projects are you taking into Pukwudgie in terms of your song writing, producing, and general creative approach?
Rob.
I actually started making rap before anything else. I started in 2016 with my friend Charlie. We would make tracks in a little closet in his basement. And as the years went on I wanted to approach more of my musical passions. Of course I love rap, but the genre in and of itself wasn’t the only stuff I listened to. So I wanted to bring more influences to projects. But as time went on with all my different projects (Killing Spirit, Wav.mp3, Mildew, Ratboy’s Revenge) I knew I wanted to take another go at rap. So after getting heavily into multiple different artists I decided it was time to try it again.
I never really had a formula of music production if I’m being honest. Still being a high school student means I still have higher priorities. But once a fire starts inside, or inspiration hits hard enough I know it’s go time and I dive into everything head first.
Jack.
With Pukwudgie, you are moving into explicitly ‘horror’ affected aesthetic territory- dilapidated cabins in dark woods; craven men with rusted machetes; crime scenes and body bags.
Can you expand on the influences which have most impacted the project?
Rob.
Musically, I’m a massive fan of early Three 6 Mafia, Insane Clown Posse, Sematary’s old stuff & Lil Ugly Mane. And each artist plays a role in influences for my creations. When it comes to making beats. I say I’m most inspired by Lil Ugly Mane. I love the aesthetics of the Memphis scene but with the higher production we have now. And sure people can say “Phonk” if they want. But I say I’m most inspired by horrorcore, witch house & the memphis revival of the early 2010’s
For other media. I’m mainly inspired by horror movies and weirdly enough… Adult Swim cartoons. Mainly Superjail!, Mr. Pickles & Metalocalypse.
I want the overall vibe from these influences to make people feel uncomfortable, uneasy and leave them with an overarching sense of anxiety. But in a good way if that makes sense.
Jack.
The ‘Pukwudgie’ moniker is sourced from some home grown Massachusetts folklore-
Can you tell me about how your home state has influenced your music in terms of the cultural and natural environment around you and also the music scene there ?
Rob.
I’m extremely proud of where I come from. Not even JUST because of the history. But because… It may be a little bias but some of my favorite music comes from my home state. Top 5 being
Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Unearth, They Might Be Giants (TECHNICALLY because both members grew up in MA. But they started TMBG in Brooklyn) & Pixies.
And every member of each and every single one of those bands are like minded weirdos that made it by doing what they love. And that’s what I want to do. Make a life out of doing what I love & what I love to do. And what I WANT to do. Basically. There’s no other way to say it. I just want to able to say “fuck it”. And go for it. Be able to put my beautiful state on the map. And represent it to the fullest.
Also we have the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics and they all rule so yessir.
Jack.
You currently release under the netlabel, Torture Pop and are active in a lot of online forums across the underground music webosphere. To what extent do you think internet culture has informed and shaped your understanding of music and art, and your approach to it?
Rob.
Although I only release Mildew and Ratboy’s revenge on Torture Pop. I think it was a great way to express more musical influences. And it even introduced me to the Rudder!!
Even though I don’t associate with the community anymore (for reasons I’d rather not discuss). I can’t answer this question without bringing up A2B2. I thank the short experience I had with A2B2 for helping express myself and get my art out there. Without that I seriously would not have been here. I met such fantastic people through A2 and it quite literally led me to the point I’m at now. Wouldn’t have met Luci Carcass who created Torture Pop, wouldn’t have met any of my homies in Omnimortem, wouldn’t have had the platform or following to show off my music. I feel no ill will towards Terry or Andy Morin. My time in that specific community just decayed. Though I still thank the 1st Night of Fire for showing my stuff to people.
The internet not just shaped my music and art. It raised me and made me into the person I am. I’m a walking embodiment of 2010’s internet culture. And even though I’m 17 and was mad young during the age of the internet I love. I go back to that. Because everything we love online is going to shit.
Support Pukwudgie @
https://pukwudgiiee.bandcamp.com
https://cardboardangels.bandcamp.com
https://torturepop.bandcamp.com
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Jack, 14 April 2023
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