You may have first heard Lyrics Born’s best known song “"Callin' Out" on a Diet Coke, MLB, or Motorola commercial. Though few of his other songs have received as much wide spread media attention, Lyrics Born albums are full of other songs that that will keep you singing along for long long while. In addition to being an incredibly talented musician, Lyrics Born calls the Bay Area home, making him the ideal target for an SFist interview. You can check out Lyrics Born tonight headlining as part of Noise Pop. Get there early to check out his sweet ride and be prepared to get down.

Lyrics Born + The Coup-- Thursday March 1 @ The Fillmore... AA, $23, doors 8pm

Best show you've ever played
There have been so many, that's tough. I always love playing Austin, Sydney, Portland, London, Melbourne, etc. When you've been playing as much as I have for as long as I have, it's tough to narrow it down to just 1.

Favorite venue?
Again, that's also a tough one because of the reasons given, but I like the Metro in Sydney where I recorded my live LP, the Fillmore in SF just cause it's so historic, and Cool Haus in Vancouver. Outdoor shows are my favorite however, like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Reggae on the River, etc.

Where are the best fans?
I like shows where the people come out strictly to party. No pretense, no crossed arms, just ready to get down. You paid a lot of money to come see me, you might as well get your money's worth.

Dream musicians to perform with?
Prince, D'Angelo, Memphis Horns, anyone of James Brown's bands.

Favorite collaborators?
KRS-ONE, E-40, Lateef, Joyo Velarde, Cut Chemist.

Where can the Bay Area see you next?
Headlining the Fillmore March 1.

Lamest request from a crowd?
Someone hella loaded in crowd requesting the song I just played.

Any advice for aspiring musicians in the Bay Area?
Get your skin thick.

Name:
Tom Shimura p.k.a. Lyrics Born

Introduce yourself in one sentence:
Asian-American, Talks With A Twang, Walks With A Swagger, Boss In This Game.

Age and Occupation:
Timeless musician

Home Town:
Berkeley CA, The Yay Area

How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where
Been in Berkeley since I was 5, can't leave because it, because I love the culture, the food, and the weather, and of course, Mom.

Favorite place to spend time online
Craigslist. I'm a collector and consumer by nature some I'm always looking for shit.

Favorite local business:
Genova Delicatessen, North Oakland.

What I'm currently Reading:
Effortless Mastery, Kenny Werner, and every other fucking pop culture magazine that promises I can spend all my money on a dream.

Best Deal in San Francisco:
Rolo Garage

Favorite mode of transportation:
6-8 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Convertible

Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area:
Jimi Hendryx

Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it:
That it's multicultural. Still true comparatively speaking, but definitely not like it was. Even white people will tell you that.

Favorite local hangout:
Ashby Flea Market, Kitty's in Emeryville, Shattuck Down-Low (but only w/the old school homies), and Top Dog (Telegraph).

SF has the BEST:
Burritos

You've never lived in SF until:
I've never lived in SF.

Favorite Bay area politician of past or present:
Angela Davis

Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?
Jerry Brown.

You can tell someone is a local here IF:
They say "Hella"

SF would be soooo much better if only:
The bridge toll went down. Unbelievably expensive.

Best Burrito:
Cancun, then Farolito.

Best Restaurant:
Angeline's in Berkeley.

Best movie scene filmed in or about SF:
The Mack, but that was Oakland.

Favorite artist to come out of the bay area:
Jimi, Sly, or 40.

Favorite author to come out of the bay area:
Lyrics Born

Place you always tell visitors to check out:
Haight Street

Favorite Bridge in the area:
I don't like any of them, they cost far too much.

You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do:
15 bucks will cover the price of your coffee and parking at a meter (25 cents/sec), and 2 hours will cover you looking for a space and waiting for your beverage to be served.

I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist:
Studio furniture/gear, records, my wife (just kidding).

I want all the SFists out there to know:
They should hold on to their homes.

Tell us a San Francisco Story:
I gave a homeless guy 5 dollars and he looked at me like I was nuts. I began to walk away, turned around, and he was sending someone a text message on his sidekick.

Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview:
Where are all the old people in SF?