Asandir's interviews with Newgrounds forum users

When did you find Newgrounds and why did you join?

Luke:

"I was in fifth grade and there was this kid named Carlos that I'd always hang out with, one day we got talking about cool websites and he mentioned Albino Black Sheep, Gaia, and Newgrounds. The same week, my friends down the street (who have now all moved on in life) were talking about Frank's Adventure. This strange Brazilian kid walked past us and overheard, he said we should play those games on Newgrounds because it is a better site for that sort of thing.

So, there it began. I didn't discover the BBS for a few years after that though. Was too busy watching cool flashes to even care."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

You were formerly knows as EpicFail. Why did you choose that username and why did you change it to Luke?

Luke:

"I still remember the day I moved accounts to make that name, I was known as luke734 before I was EpicFail. EVERYBODY was saying EpicFail, I think I was in seventh grade when I made the account (2007, makes sense). It was just a popular saying, so I thought to myself one morning before heading to school, "Somebody is going to take this name... And I need it", so I gave it a shot and was actually quite surprised that nobody was using it. I guess that was a lucky little day in my life."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Do you think that you changed over the time you were here, as user, or also in real life?

Luke:

"Oh yeah... Big time, there's no doubt about it. When I first signed up with this account I was quite young, 13 I think. That was a big age for me because I was just getting in to the females, I was getting in to a lot of things really. The big one was drugs, and that turned me from a kid who was passing school to a kid who was now dropping out of school. So from the time I registered on here in seventh grade, up to 2 years ago, it was constant downhill spiral with me and I believe my earlier posts will show that. I had a shit attitude and I was probably a really shitty person to deal with. So definitely in real life, and now I have changed yet again in the past 2 years, I've found something that I enjoy doing with my time, and I keep a positive attitude when the goings get tough.

As a user, definitely. I care more, because I look at the forums differently than I did when I was when I first came around. Then, it was just fun and piss people off, or try to. Now it is a place that I respect and also appreciate. The BBS has become a huge part of my life, even though I have slowed down my posting quite a bit lately.. It's just that I'm busy with other things now. But this is my home away from home, and a place on the internet I feel extremely comfortable being a part of."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Are there any other users that you like, and how do they affect you ?

Luke:

"Believe it or not, my best friend was found on here. His alias is Gergaloth actually. We met back in 2007, he was just pissing me off and I was just pissing him off - But the two of us know it was all just in good fun, so we kept talking and talking. He was there for me when I was going through my depression/suicide stage in eighth grade, he was there for me aways since then. 2007 would have been almost five years now, if I'm doing my math correctly. To keep it simple, from about the first week of this account existing, there was Gergaloth in my life. And now I have a friendship with his family too which is super cool.

We thought by now we'd have met in person, but it isn't easy considering he is in the states and I am in Canada, but we will meet one day. I talk to his mom, his friends, his ex girlfriend was a friend too! (until they broke up) ... Ultimately, they're all super cool and I am VERY lucky to have met him on here."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Are there any users that you would consider enemies or that you just don't like?

Luke:

"Lol - Yeah, there are definitely some users on here that I don't like - None that I hate, and none that I'd ever hold a grudge against. We're all here for fun really, so they're doing their thing and I'm doing my thing, I just don't like their thing that they're doing...

It's cool though - It makes the BBS interesting, and I've matured enough to not make huge scenes about drama and shit anymore, so it's all fun and it's all good, really."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

You have over 10.000 posts. What do you think about Newgrounds forums? Do you consider yourself as a forum regular?

Luke:

"The forums are a lot of fun - I think a lot of people believe it's going downhill or whatever, but there are still some great threads and I really have no issues with any of the people who post on it as far as post quality goes. There are the few that leave pointless posts that are only a few words, but we're all guilty of that at times.

I definitely consider myself a regular on the BBS."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I guess that you have an opinion about the moderators of Newgrounds. Do you think that they do a great job or not?

Luke:

"They keep shit in order, so yeah. Without them it would be a disaster on the forums. So I can't complain about any of them and I think for the most part, all of them do a great job in the bigger picture. There are times where I disagree with some of them, but it's their responsibility to do that, and the fact that they do it in their own time is important to remember, it's all volunteer. So really, nobody should be complaining that they take care of things and get nothing in return."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Would you like to become a moderator on Newgrounds? If so, what kind of moderator?

Luke:

"If the opportunity came around, I definitely wouldn't decline... But that isn't to say I would want to be one, things would be a lot different if I did become a moderator as far as my posting habits go, etc etc. But it would be fun and it would make me glad to be a part of keeping Newgrounds user friendly, and a place everyone can enjoy.

If it were up to me, probably a forum moderator - Since that is where I spend most of my time, it just makes sense to me."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Christmas will be there in a few weeks, a special time on Newgrounds. Are you looking forward to experience Christmas on Newgrounds?

Luke:

"Well, I look forward to Christmas with my family more than anything... I don't know what there is to celebrate here as far as Christmas goes, I expect a lot of threads about people getting cool things, and that's really awesome to see what people get, it also tells you a bit about the person by how they act and how excited they are for something... So that's really cool. But at the end of the day I'm going to be more concerned about spending time with my family on Christmas, rather than spending it on Newgrounds."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The redesign is rumored to happen within the next months, are you looking forward to it? What kind of changes do you want to see?

Luke:

"I was looking forward to it, but now it isn't a huge deal to me... The wait has kind of killed that - It's just that we waited and waited and were told it was coming, and it hasn't yet... So I'm not really excited for it any more in all honesty. But it will be excellent when it comes around, I'd say it's time to switch things up a bit.

I know a few things about what's to come, but most of all I'd like to see everyone be happy with it, the first person I see bitching about the redesign is going to get an e-smack. I think change is great, I hope the art portal is fixed up, I look forward to the changes in the audio portal considering I have quite a few submissions in there, and I frequent it regularly... I look forward to it all, and I don't have many changes I want to see, I'll appreciate it for what it is, really."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

You bought a poster in the Newgrounds Store. Do you appreciate the possibility to buy merchandise from Newgrounds? Is there anything that you would like to be added to the store?

Luke:

"I like the idea of Newgrounds having their own merchandise, definitely. What I like most is that they sell things like Retarded Animal Babies and things that the staff members didn't create, but the talented artists that come here. It's excellent and really amazing how well the community is on here to be able to allow that sort of thing. One thing I'd like to see in the store is talking Tankmen, we have the Tankman figure, but how cool would it be to have the Tankman figure with a button, and about ten different quotes from the series? That'd kick ass..."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

You are a member of the Elite Guard Barracks. What are you doing for the group and how did you become a member?

Luke:

"I'm not doing much of anything for the group. I'm not active in the thread of the forums - I joined because somebody told me I should, and that's about it. I like the idea of the EGB, but I don't have the time to dedicate myself to it like I thought I would. I became a member by applying, and then the members vote to say yes or no about me joining. I guess I was approved."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

6 flashes were submitted by you. Would you consider yourself a flash artist? Is there a flash that you are most proud of?

Luke:

"They all deserve to be deleted. I did those out of pure boredom and never took them seriously. I look at them now and think they make my account look pretty gross. The real art of mine is in the audio portal, that is where my heart is - Especially in my recent submissions. I'm not proud of any of my flash submissions, and I am not anywhere near a flash artist."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I think that everyone knows that you are making music. Please tell our readers how you started to make music, what kind of music you make and what plans you have for it in the future.

Luke:

"To be as detailed as possible without boring people... I started in 2010, April 12th to be exact. It really came out of pure interest as well as complete boredom. My friend irl, who is also a member on Newgrounds got me in to a rap sub-genre called 'horrorcore' it was really cool to me at the time, so I started doing it since I was dropped out of school and had a lot of spare time to do that sort of thing. Since then I kept improving and eventually I'd take it really seriously. I got networked with producers and other artists in the genre pretty quick through Facebook and it all started there, I met some local artists in Saskatchewan here (Saskatoon specifically), and that is where a lot of recent inspiration has come from. Just the past month or so ago, I have left 'horrorcore' and now I am doing my own thing, which is sort of nerdcore with my own style.

I'm moving to more of a generic sounding style of rap/hip-hop and have a lot of plans in mind for what to bring in the future. I'm starting a side project with two other acts, and we will hopefully be releasing a full length mixtape if things work out as planned.

I want to learn more and more about producing as well eventually, and I may actually be going to school for audio-engineering to hopefully make some money on the side doing that sort of thing professionally. But one step at a time, I'm just doing it out of pure love for the genre, and soon I'm working on spreading my name more locally, hopefully do some shows and see where music can take me... I'm just in it for the ride right now, and I'm loving it."

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

What can we expect from you in the future, Luke?

Luke:

"More music... I don't know what else to expect from me, I can't make any promises outside of music, but I can let everyone know that there is more music to come and there is not any chance of me stopping with that. So, to those interested... Keep your eyes peeled, 2012 will hopefully be a great year for me as an artist, and every year I will have improved greatly (this is proven by my first submission, and my latest.... Wow my first one's in 2010 sucked!). So yeah, just music is all I can promise. And I hope people can enjoy it, I love making it and I love hearing people's feedback!"

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =