Alternative Addiction: Okay, first things first. Whenever someone in an established outfit pursues a side project there's always the speculation of dissatisfaction causing that person to branch out. What is there for you that Linkin Park isn't fulfilling?

Mike Shinoda: My situation with Linkin Park is fine-we're actually hoping to get another album out there in that later part of next year. I think I started Fort Minor because of a sense of dissatisfaction in another way: in hip hop, I felt there was a void. I wanted to fill that void. Hip hop right now is mostly based on rigid, programmed keyboard music. One of my goals of the Fort Minor album was to keep the big sound of a hip hop album, but make it using live instruments and hand-played keyboard parts. When you hear a tambourine, bass, or guitar, it's played by hand.

AA: The project's name, Fort Minor, has been explained as a play on words where something big and strong is contrasted against something diminished and weaker. Is there another play on words in calling the album "The Rising Tied" as T-I-E-D instead of T-I-D-E?

MS: Yeah, "The Rising Tied" is a play on words. This album is about a group of people who are "tied" together musically. They are "rising" up in the world of music together. The "tide" group of people in this case include Black Thought of The Roots, Common, John Legend, Jonah Matranga, Kenna, Styles of Beyond, and Holly Brook.

AA: When Linkin Park was formed, the label brought Chester to the table. Was that a period of adjustment for you, and did the experience have any bearing on how to form a line-up for Fort Minor? Was everyone handpicked by you?

MS: Actually, the label did not bring Chester to the table. A lot of people started rumors around that time saying we were "manufactured," but that wasn't the case. We met Chester through a mutual friend, and he was part of the band when we got signed. I actually deal with some of the negative things about that point in time on a song called "Get Me Gone," on the Fort Minor album. One guy actually wanted our DJ to be more of a "gimmick," and suggested that he wear a cowboy hat and a lab coat.

AA: Speaking of being chosen, how did it come about that Jay-Z produced the album?

MS: The LP guys and I got to know Jay while we were doing the Collision Course mash-up album. After that, we just kept in touch. As for his role on the album: I tend to be pretty versatile, and can make many different styles of songs, which can be a great thing. But it can also be a problem. I wanted the Fort Minor album to have a consistent identity-there's a fine line between having a diverse album and having a disjointed album. I wanted Jay to keep me on track, to make sure I stayed consistent, by telling me which songs were done, which ones I should keep working on, and which ones to save for another day. But it was my album, so I had veto power!

AA: Do you feel like you have big shoes to fill, or something to live up to because you're going into this with the experience of something so huge like Linkin Park?

MS: Being part of Linkin Park means, in a sense, I only have my own shoes to fill. This project is just another step in the journey.

AA: What are your expectations for Fort Minor? Are you even thinking about that?

MS: I never really focus on expectations of record sales too much-they're out of my control. All I can do is make a good album and hope people connect with it.

AA: Of course I have to ask about a tour. Assuming that's in the cards, what kind of venues do you plan to hit?

MS: I don't know how much touring we will do, but I think it will be more quantity over quality: I want to play good shows, but I won't play often. So if I play in your town, come see it, because I may not show up again soon!

AA: For the younger crowd out there, do you want to be conscientious to booking some all ages shows?

MS: I'm sure we will end up in some venues that are all-age.

AA: "Petrified" and "Remember the Name" have been available for download since the beginning of October. Has there been much activity in that for you, and what does radio have its hands on now?

MS: We are about to put out a song called "Believe Me." Styles of Beyond are on it. I really like the song-it's really unique. It has a classic-rock sounding string loop, big 90's New York hip hop drums, a melodic chorus and Latin percussion.

AA: What is it that has given you your philanthropic streak? Were there childhood experiences that have struck your heart and molded you this way, or is it a product of what you've gotten to see in this world from the stature you've achieved?

MS: I think all the guys in LP feel that, since we've been blessed with so much, it's our responsibility to give back somehow. Besides supporting United Way, AIDS Project L.A., and a number of other great charities, we started an organization called Music For Relief, which has benefited tsunami and hurricane relief.

AA: In differentiating yourself from Linkin Park and branching out into something new, it's a time to give pause. What have you learned about yourself and what do you want people to know about you?

MS: I am really excited about the diversity in the fans of Linkin Park and Fort Minor. In particular, I've gotten a lot of great feedback from fans, some who never listen to hip hop, some who only listen to hip hop. The hip hop heads are saying that they like the uniqueness of the Fort Minor album, which to me is a huge success. The fans who don't usually listen to hip hop usually tell me that they like the lyrics on The Rising Tied because I'm not talking the same stuff most rappers talk about. In both cases, I am extremely happy with the response so far.