Allow me to reintroduce myself: Kid Koala CBC Music - Free Streaming Radio, Videos, Songs, Concerts & Playlists

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One of the world's most mesmerizing and inventive turntablists, Montreal's Kid Koala juggles multiple projects like they're records. He's so prolific and ambitious, it can be difficult to keep up with him, but the Kid wouldn't have it any other way. This week, he's doing three shows at 918 Bathurst (one on May 3, then two peformances on the evening of May 4) for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, bringing his most recent book to life with the Space Cadet Headphone Concert, which promises to be a huge treat. We caught up with Kid Koala ahead of his latest venture.

What was the first hip-hop record you ever bought and where'd you get it?

I bought Public Enemy's Night of the Living Baseheads on a 12" single. I remember spending my own paper route money on it. At the time, I probably made enough money to buy one record a week so a new record was a pretty big deal to me. I would spend the entire week learning every drop, cue and break on the vinyl. That was one of the first records I started counting rotations on. I remember dropping this record at some parties and scaring all the kids off the dance floor. Mind you, they were house parties and I was in high school, so there was no dance floor per se, but everyone would either gather around the turntables and ask "What the hell is he doing?" They would either do that or just go to the kitchen.

Where did the name that you perform under come from exactly?

I used to be known as DJ Shredmaster Evil E, but the record label A&R people thought I should change it to something kinder and gentler.

What was the last book you read and how was it?

For my current Mosquito book project I've had to draw a lot of "old-timey" lettering. So I've been studying a lot of fonts recently. I've been reading a lot of old Sears catalogues from the early 1900s. They are interesting reads for sure. Too bad I can't order any of the stuff anymore. You could buy an upright bass for five bucks back then.

Where is your favourite place to eat on this planet Earth and what are we having?

There is a ramen shop near the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. I stumbled upon this place when I was over there on tour once. It's a tiny restaurant run by an old Japanese couple. They have raised the idea of broth to the level of art. That was the best bowl of noodles I've ever had.

Which artist, living or dead, would you most like to collaborate with and why?

That's a tie between Emiliana Torrini, Cat Power and Karen O. They all have such wonderful voices.