"There Were Times When I Felt Like I Was Getting Really Weird" – Mike Shinoda

As part of our world exclusive cover feature with Mike Shinoda in this week's issue of Kerrang!, we asked the Linkin Park man about the creative process behind his Post-Traumatic EP.

On the personal video series that accompany the songs, he didn't hold back.

“To be honest, there were times when I felt like I was getting really weird (laughs)," he told us.

"By the time I had the songs, I knew I was going to put these out into the world. One way or another, they were going to come out. So I wanted them to have visuals that were also as personal as they could be.

Place To Start

Understandably, given the extremely difficult circumstances surrounding the EP's creation, Mike oversaw every aspect himself, including the visuals.

"I didn’t want anyone else touching them," he explains. "I didn’t want anyone else holding a camera. So I basically shot stuff on my phone, edited it in Final Cut, and there it was."

Over Again

“I wanted it to have a feel, kind of like when you’re Facetiming or Skypeing with someone; or you’re on a live stream and you know the other person is there on the other end, especially on those first two songs."

Speaking of the raw, unflinching nature of the video recordings, Mike also had an instinctive feel for what was required and how to execute his vision.

"I wanted the most visceral version of the idea to come across. I think sometimes with videos, when they’re made to look very beautiful, sometimes they become better, but there are other times when it’s the ugliness the makes it powerful.”

Watching As I Fall

This is of course a snippet of what our interview with Mike entails. For the whole thing you'll have to pick up a copy of Kerrang!, available for purchase anywhere in the world when you order online from Newsstand – while stocks last, so hurry! Otherwise it’s available in UK shops right now. Don’t miss out.