A Conversation with Louie P of The Celestics

Remember The Notorious B.I.G. preaching that money and blood don’t mix? Keeping your family and money completely separated might be a good idea in a lot of industries, it doesn’t necessarily apply for the music game. Kaytranada and his brother Louie P have formed The Celestics — the latest in the line of countless sibling musical duos that have left a mark in this industry. While The Celestics’ discography is just starting to blossom, their Supreme Laziness Ep, which was released earlier this year, definitely whets the appetite for more. Earlier this month, they treated the interwebs with their Waldo-powered single “173,” and things seem to be taking off the real way right now. We caught up with Louie P, who offered us an exclusive update on the group and told us what’s more to come.

Tell us about The Celestics. How did you guys started? Was this something that has been planned a long time ago, or has the idea of you guys forming a duo developed recently?

The Celestics first started as The God Monsters, there were four members. We started around 2004-05. We were just doing covers of rap songs, saying gibberish over 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop” instrumental and all these popular tracks. That group eventually slimmed down to Kay and I. We then, evolved into the Celestics and taking our tracks more seriously hoping we get some sort of following by doing that. Kay was doing his thing on the side and got big by doing that. But the main projects was the Celestics.

Where did you get the name from?

Our last name is Celestin, and we were kind of short on name ideas, lol, (just look at “the God Monsters”). So I thought to myself, how about we take the letter “n” and pivot it 90 degrees to the right. It makes a “c.” “Yeah that sounds nice.. Celestics… that’s dope lets keep it at that.” And that what it was.

How will this project coexist along with your each other’s solo careers?

I look at us at like the new Madvillan (not literally though). The way Madlib is doing his thing and MF Doom is also doing his thing on the side. Kaytra is active on his side, I’ll do my best to be as/or more active than MF Doom. I don’t think the chemistry I have with Kay can be reproduced with any other producer. This project is kind of my baby too, so it will definitely always be around.

How do you feel about the response “173” has received so far?

I’m very satisfied by the results we have with that track. In a few days hitting 200k plays on soundcloud is a privilege I don’t get to live much. I’m blessed to have worked with kay and the big homie Waldo. And seeing a project that im part of in some of the blogs that I visit is always a great feeling.

Will there be a video?

I’m hoping there’s one soon. Some of our friends are great video directors. We could definitely get something crackin’.

When will hear a full-length project from you? And what can we expect from it?

I’m now staking up tracks to drop an EP in the near future. With Kay touring a lot it’s pretty hard to get beats from him.

As a brotherly duo, do you guys fight a lot or are you rather harmonious?

We don’t fight a lot, but we argue when we talk about the music industry. But that doesn’t change anything in our relationship cause he’s kind of like my twin. The way we make peace… I hit him with that stone cold stunner. YU FEEL ME!

What’s next for you as a solo artist?

I wanna start working with other producers and making more music. Probably drop a solo EP? I don’t know. But I’ll be putting out much more singles and try to find my comfort zone. Also for those who don’t know, i’m also a DJ (Disclamer, Im not using vinyls or whatever. Im a laptop dj) so I definitely will be doing some of that in Montreal from time to time.

How does your schedule look like until the rest of this year? Are you touring a lot?

My schedule is pretty tight right now because of school. Hopefully I’ll have a couple of touring dates here and there. But I’d definitely love to go on tour with Kay during the Holidays or whatever.

What’s your dream collaboration for you as a solo artist and the Celestics?

I don’t really have a DREAM collaboration. But I would LOVE to have a Madvillan X Celestics track. That would be crazy. Or like a Disclosure X Celestics, on some brotherly love shit hahaha. On the visual arts tip, like videos and stuff, it would be a dream to work with Takashi Murakami. I think he’s just amazing at what he does.

Any final words?

FOLLOW YA BOY ON TWITTER! @Louiepcelestic. Follow Kaytra on Twitter @kaytranada. Follow the Celestics on twitter @thecelestics. Follow me on Instagram @Loupeez. And like the Louie P, Celestic pages on Facebook… as well as The Celestics… and uhm… yeah get ready for some more hot shit coming soon.