Mike Shinoda (2015)

What does it start with?

What inspired you to bring back Fort Minor? I'm a huge fan Mike!!!

Edit: Oh and the new song, Welcome is fucking great!!

Hey Mike, thanks for doing this AMA! Here are my questions:

1. Do you remember the time in sixth grade when we had to set up a shop at the school’s “renaissance faire” and we decided to make masks, and you did all the art and I did all the menial tasks because you had talent and I did not?
2. Which of the 12 Mike Shinodas on Facebook is actually you?
3. Are you coming to the reunion (one of our mutual friends asked me to ask you this)

Sorry for the personal nature of the questions — I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for 15 years and failing, so this seemed like the best way! Feel free to PM a response. :)

did you know that your name is fun to say to the tune of My Sharona?

Hi Mike! I love your work both in Linkin Park and Fort Minor! Here's my question: do you have that one small hobby that you cherish most but don't tend to speak about?

Hey Mike, huge fan of all your work.

I've been a fan of LP since the beginning, and I never remember hearing about or reading about any kind of animosity or even a simple argument between the 6 of you. How is that possible when you've spent just about every day with the same group of guys for almost 20 years now?

Hi Mike

Where'd you go?

I miss you so

Seems like its been forever

That you've been gone

If Reddit got together to write you a rap, would you rap it?

Hi Mike, I recently started to listen to Linkin Park and I love it, but I have a small question.

Why did Linkin Park capitalize all the song titles in LIVING THINGS?

How did the mash up with Jay-Z come about? Also I loved seeing your moonshine posts on Instagram when you were in West Virginia (my home state)

LUPE FIASCO REFERENCE AND YOU'RE OFFICIALLY MY NEW BEDT FRIEND

BEST*

How did Fort Minor first meet/get back together? Also, will you be going to see Straight Outta Compton this Friday?

Hey, Mike. Big fan. Since the release of Linkin Park's The Hunting Party, I've been wondering, was it intentional that the riffs to Victimized and A Line In The Sand sound similar? If so, why did you do it?

What's your favourite Nintendo game?

Which is your favorite brand of beer?

Oh, I see, you're a Universe A guy...

Hi Mike!
First of all I have to get it out the way and say I’m a HUGE fan of both Linkin Park and Fort Minor. I’ve been a fan since I was 10 years old when I first listened to Hybrid Theory. It’s my 24th birthday today, could I get a birthday shoutout from one of my favorite musicians?!

Some questions:

1. “Welcome” is a great song and seeing Fort Minor back has easily been the best surprise for me this year. Can you explain the motivation to release a new FM track and could we possibly see more coming in the near future (not necessarily a full album, perhaps a 3-5 track EP)?

2. It’s no secret that Linkin Park is always willing to try new things when making music. Do you have a general idea as to which direction the band will head to and what you guys will try out when recording your next album?

3. I’ve recently gotten a lot into EDM and your collaboration with Steve Aoki played a huge role in that (he dropped A Light That Never Comes during VELD Music Festival and I can’t describe in words how awesome it was). How did this collaboration come about and are you open to collaborating with other EDM artists?

4. Would you fight 1 horse-sized Brad Delson or 100 duck-sized Brad Delsons?

Since Chester broke his ankle, do you guys have any plans to return to Canada for the shows that were cancelled? Specifically Edmonton?

Loved seeing you guys at Sonic Boom a few years ago, but I was working so I didn't get to stay for the whole show (only the songs media was allowed to record).

Thanks for all the great music!

Hi Mike! Another huge fan here! Do you have a plan if the zombie apocalypse happens? If so, what is it?

What about Asahi tho?

Hey Mike, what music, new or old, have you been jamming to recently?

Hi Mike, you are amazing. My question is: How do you feel about the next generation of rock/metall?

Mike what you recommend to get the success in the music industry???? (i love all songs of LP and tell chester that his screams make my wife cum)

Hi Mike, I'm a huge fan of Linkin Park, I have over 100 songs on my iPod...
My questions are: would you ever go back to having red hair?
Does it annoy you that some people think you're in "Wake me up inside" when it's 12 Stones?
Who is your favourite Pokemon?

Hey Mike, do you and Chester do any special preparations when you perform at high altitude locations like Colorado or are you two used to it?

Also, what are your favorite pizza toppings?

You realise the irony in this sentence right? Right??

Hi Mike Shinoda,

I'm not too familiar, but how come is it that I remember your name?

Hi Mike! I’ve been a huge fan since Hybrid Theory and I was an original member of the Linkin Park Underground. I also love the work you did with Fort Minor.

Here’s my question: As a long time fan, I often get asked if I prefer “old Linkin Park” or “new Linkin Park”. I always respond by saying that nobody is the same person that they were ten years ago, and I love ALL Linkin Park. You yourself have acknowledged that you are not the same person who told us “to forfeit the game”. How do you feel about the change in your music style, and what do you have to say to people who don’t appreciate your evolution?

Thank you so much for doing this!

Hola Mike, greetins from Ecuador. My question is: Hablas Español?

What do you think of lpfiction?

Dear Mike,

Thank you so much for doing this IAmA. I have these questions for you:

1) Why was the song A.06 (A-Six) excluded from Meteora album, and why was only the instrumental released? Can we expect A-Six with full lyrics to be included on some of the next LPUs?

2) Why were songs Part of Me and Carousel (from Hybrid Theory EP) never played live?

hi Mike, thanks for doing this AMA, Big fan :p

MY Question: LP is kind of known for its large spectrum in music-style. Is there a change LP will make an album that is heavier than HT or meteora?

See you at Pukkelpop

What's the darkest most insane early 2000's record label scum bag story you have? Honest question. I love hearing shit like this.

I've never been this early to an AMA before! Long time fan of both LP and Fort Minor so thank you first!

What's your go-to sandwich?

Hi Mike! Long time listener of LP. Here's my question:

• I recently heard on the radio that you guys are "Free to be creative on your new album, as finances aren't hold you back". Can you elaborate on that?

What inspires you the most when painting/drawing? And where do you get all the great ideas?

Also, if you could, for one day, be someone else who would you be, why? :)

Keep up the good work :)

Hi Mike,

You have done a lot with your creative life, from music to art and I am sure you have learnt a lot along the way. What advice have you learned from your experiences that you could share with us all? You know stuff like how do you manage your time, all your ideas and demands and everything you want to do to ensure you actually get shit done and make it a reality?

p.s I have your signed skate decks from Glorious Excess on my wall and a signed hunting party vinyl from an LPU meet + greet on my walls, my most prized possessions! Thank you! :)

What is your favorite dinosaur?

Mike! I've seen Linkin Park live on stage several times. You guys are great. Keep being daring with your music and you'll always have a fan in me.
My questions:

1) Who were your mentors, how did you find them, and what big lessons did you take away from them?

2) What advice do you have for people trying to find success in artistic fields like music or video production?

3) Are you still doing work in Haiti? Are there opportunities for us to help you in your side projects like that?

4) When LP was just getting big with Hybrid Theory and you used things like Instant Messenger to connect with your fans, did you ever use a screen name of SunggleFuzz something or was somebody just pretending to be you and trying to kill me?

Hey Mike! Great to have you doing this AMA.

I have a couple of questions:

1. If I recall correctly, you mentioned in an earlier interview that you guys (Linkin Park) don’t really jam when coming up with new music. How, then, do you start conceptualizing a new album, especially considering that every record (aside from Meteora, arguably) has been a significant evolution from the previous one?

2. A Thousand Suns was a drastic step away from Hybrid Theory, Meteora, and Minutes to Midnight, and was therefore received with both praise and criticism. Similarly, Living Things and The Hunting Party both had their individual themes, causing many listeners to separate the “old” LP from the “new”. After reading all the reviews and fan opinions, how do you guys react to it? Do you change the way you approach the next album? How do you manage a possibly divided fan base and attempt to unify it again?

Again, thanks a ton for this AMA. I’ve been a fan ever since I can remember, and love you guys because I can never predict how your music will change. I also hope you manage to make it to India some day!

Hi Mike,
Any plans of making another art show like Glorious Excess in the near future?