Published: December 29, 2007 7:59 AM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Photo by: ReggaeStone
Andrew Clark has an altar ego; he is a super talented artist/DJ that
goes by the stage name Brontosaurus. Coming from Hollywood,
Brontosaurus is always in the studio perfecting his craft. He is so
gifted that when one listens to his music; it draws you in the moment
you hear the first note/beat. Brontosaurus works his magic through the
use of mastering analog synthesizers into submission.
He has worked with several artists such as John King of the
Dustbrothers, DJ Quixotic, and Nathan Nice to name a few. We recently
had a chance to review his EPK (Electroninc Press Kit) on Sonicbids.com
(Music Submission/Resource Company) and invited him to do an online
interview with our publication.
Isaac-Joseph: Hello, how are you doing today? I hope all is well with you this Holiday Season?
Brontosaurus: Excellent! The Holidays went very well.
Isaac-Joseph: Let's talk about your musical training. You actually got
your start in elementary school with piano lessons and choir
rehearsals. Eventually you moved up to guitar, bass, and drums. How do
you feel that your vast musical training helped you professionally in
your current musical endeavors?
Brontosaurus: I think that every little bit helped. I end up
calling upon these skills with just about every track I work on,
whether it’s overdubbing a guitar part or playing a
synths line. But most of all I feel as if the ear training was
invaluable this is something that I didn't formally learn about until
college. When I decided I wanted to be a producer, I knew I wanted to
be a hands on producer; someone whose job description entailed more
than having an opinion.
Isaac-Joseph: While attending college, you were introduced to
computer music and synthesizers. After that first meeting of these two
types of ways of making music, how did your perception of making music
changed?
Brontosaurus: The first time I walked into a recording studio
was when I was still at Ithaca College, in upstate New York. I took a
class in electro-acoustic music or
analog synthesis theory, something of that nature... I remember walking
into the room and seeing a synthesizer (a Roland DJ-800) and just being
blown away with how cool it looked! I had not even heard what was
coming out of it but I knew I loved it immediately. After my first
introduction to making music with computers everything else kinda took
a backseat. But the more I progress at producing computer based music
the more things like guitar and piano playing seem to pop up.
Isaac-Joseph: You met up with Nathan Nice at California Institute of
the Arts and together you guys created an album. Elaborate of the whole
creative process of working with Nathan and making this album?
Brontosaurus: The first album was a strange and exciting
experience for me. I ended up only making 6 or 7 of the tracks on the
album but I helped record and oversee the entire
process. I think Nathan and I realized I was still getting my feet wet
with Hip-Hop and we were both down to cherry pick some of the best
stuff I was doing at the time and have other producers contribute there
own material to flesh out the rest of the project. My
enthusiasm for making music was really through the roof at that point.
I would make a bunch of beats every few days and just hand off CDs to
Nate and see which ones he was feeling the most. It took a couple of
years to create and at times the release seemed a little... premature.
But I suppose you have to start somewhere!
Isaac-Joseph: The follow EP was entitled "This is a Nathan
Nice EP". What were some of the lessons learned from the first time of
working together that you came to the table on this EP?
Brontosaurus: We really made the EP out of necessity. Up until
its release we had been working on an obscene amount of material but
had not really released any of it outside
of MySpace. In a way, it was a lot easier to finish than the first
album because we were under time constraints. Nate was just about to go
on tour with Fatlip, and slimkid3 from the Pharcyde as well as Omni and
DJ Cee Brown. So we decided to compile the best tracks we had done
together since the album as well as a few of my beats and compile it
into a tour only type release. We recorded mixed and mastered the
entire project ourselves as well as hand printed the CD covers. It was
pretty much a do it yourself thing...
Isaac-Joseph: After a year-long internship under industry
veteran Bruce Lowe and graduating from Cal Arts, what happened next to
help shape where you are
at currently professionally?
Brontosaurus: I was interning and at school at the same time so It was
all kinda in preparation for the "real world". After I graduated I
decided I had bigger fish to fry
was done interning. I met John King of the DustBrothers and proceeded
to email him for three months in hopes of getting a Job. At the time, I
think John was finishing up the 2nd Tenacious D album as well as a few
other projects and didn't really have time to take me on as an
assistant. But once his schedule cleared up I jumped at the chance to
work for
him.
Isaac-Joseph: If you had to describe the type of music you make, how would you describe it to our readers?
Brontosaurus: In short, I would say its electronic music with a
heavy dose of Hip-Hop influence. I use a lot of sampled vinyl for
inspiration and I use a few analog synths as well. Lately, I've been
going crazy with acoustic guitar based chord progressions in my beats.
Isaac-Joseph: If you had an opportunity to work with anyone in
the music business that you have not had a chance too, who would it be
and why?
Brontosaurus: I would love to work with Dan The Automator. It
was his work that really sparked my interest in Hip-Hop style
production. His production on Doctor Octagon,
Deltron 3030 and the Gorillaz first album are very inspirational to me.
All which are also concept albums. I can’t wait to make a concept
album!
Isaac-Joseph: Who has been some of your biggest influences musically that you feel had the most impact on your own music?
Brontosaurus: I listen to a lot of different stuff, hardly any
Hip-Hop these days. I think U2 had a huge influence on me; they were
one of the first bands I ever got into.
After that, I would say Tom Waits, a song writing genius who also makes
incredible recordings, so much character...
Isaac-Joseph: What is your overall goal that you would like to make with your music?
Brontosaurus: Creative freedom and financial security. But that’s
setting the bar pretty high when it comes to the music industry...
Isaac-Joseph: What has been the most rewarding aspect about making music so far in your career?
Brontosaurus: Recently, I was credited as a co-programmer on
Steve Earle's "Washington Square Serenade"; which also got nominated
for 2 Grammy’s. I am pretty excited about that!
Isaac-Joseph: What has been the most challenging moment about making music?
Brontosaurus: Working for my current boss is pretty tough. But its
rewards are great at the same time. A couple of weeks ago we were
working on a remix that required original
samples to be replaced with our own non sampled sounds. I would spend
an 8 hour day trying to replace a half second tone or horn stab and
still not get it quite right! It worked out in the end though.
Isaac-Joseph: Describe the feeling you get when you are performing on stage live?
Brontosaurus: Nate and I are currently creating a live set that
involves live improvisational beat making. It’s very difficult to do
this well. But it’s also great when we pull it off. Performing has
never been a high point for me; I’m more of a studio hermit.
Isaac-Joseph: What do you feel others can learn from each other in the music business?
Brontosaurus: Networking and contacts are so important! It’s ridiculous. Talent helps, but its not essential, unfortunately.
When you are listening to Nathan Nice on the mic,
his energetic raw presence easily comes across in his tracks. Nathan
has a way of making us “listen” to what he is conveying in his music;
and that is a good thing. In the age of nonsense lyrics, Nathan Nice’s
lyrics/flow is refreshing. This middle-school mentor by day takes his
night position of a Hip-Hop performer seriously.
Hailing from the Los Angeles, California area, Nathan keeps a busy
schedule that details graphic designing and local-level activism.
Needless to say, sleep is something that he does not have the luxury to
do these days. But, it is all worth it, once you get a sample of his
music. I recently interviewed his partner in rhymes, Andrew Clark,
Brontosaurus, and discovered another treat in Nathan Nice. I recently
reviewed his EPK (Electronic Press Kit) on Sonicbids.com (Music
Resource/Submission Giant) and was thrilled to feature Nathan in
Junior’s Cave.
Isaac-Joseph: Happy New Years Nathan. How are you doing today?
Nathan Nice: Thank you, Happy New Years to you too. I’m doing
well. I went to a big new year’s party last night, even though I
usually like to lay low on new years, and it was inspiring. I got to
watch a number of hip-hop legends perform and bounce around to dub step
all night. Today, I just slept in and took it easy, chilled with
friends and family.
Isaac-Joseph: How have the people from your old neighborhood
reacted to your music (being an entertainer)? What have been some the
feedback from them about your music?
Nathan Nice: My old neighborhood is still my neighborhood. I
left for a little while when I was going to school at CalArts, but I
was born and raised and still live in Echo Park. Everyone I chilled
with back in the day still knows I’m doing my music and they all
support. They come out to shows, ask if I have any new stuff out. I got
one song off my first album entitled “SIlver Lake,” (with Avid D of
Learning Curve) all about where we grew up. A lot of kids from the
neighborhood love that song; it’s kinda’ like our anthem.
Isaac-Joseph: If you had to describe your music to someone, how would you describe it?
Nathan Nice: I like Brontosaurus’ description: “fat beats and
sonic gems over a bed of hard hitting drums and tripped out melodies.”
Like a bomb salad; It’s much more musical than most. Changes,
progressions, real instrumentation... something you can enjoy and get
hype to or just chill with in the background or really sit down and
study. The sounds are super diverse from track to track; there are
traces of jazz, dub, electro and even folk and rock influences.
Overall, it’s grounded in that traditional boom bap though: bass, kicks
and snares, analog shit, flipped samples. As much love as we get from
hip-hop heads, I’m always surprised by the comments we get from people
who don’t really like the hip-hop they’ve heard, or who have very
little experience with it. Saying things like “I didn’t know it could
be like this” or “finally, something my ears can enjoy.” It makes me
think our music has a much more universal appeal then I usually give it
credit for. The lyrics are thoughtful and there’s a lot of
improvisation and spontaneity going on too. I should probably figure
out how to answer these “describe your music” questions more succinctly
like, “if Bob Dylan was an MC, and Air and Dan the Automator
collaborated on beats...” Actually, I kinda’ like that.
Isaac-Joseph: You wear many hats Nathan. One of your hats
consists of being a middle-school mentor. How do you incorporate what
you do as a Mentor with what you do as a performer? What do you think
you bring to Hip-Hop from your experiences as a Mentor?
Nathan Nice: When you work with kids, you constantly find ways
to engage them in the experience, to keep it interesting, connect with
them and connect them to previous lessons. Whether if it’s chess, math,
water color, writing stories or whatever. So I definitely find that
seeping into my live shows. Or maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe
my live shows sink into my work at school. Either way, I have to be
totally present and aware when I’m with my kids. If I ever come to work
tired or grumpy or my mind is somewhere else, they pick up on that real
quick and they’ll call me out on it. You have to respect your students
just as much as you expect it. And hip-hop is no different to me...
when I get up on stage, I look the audience in the eye, speak clearly,
be visual. Basically, I’m giving them my full attention.
Isaac-Joseph: Your range of topics is what makes your music so
diverse. How important is it for you as a performer to continue to
keep/maintain conscientious lyrics?
Nathan Nice: It’s the lyrics that first got me into hip-hop,
it was my element. I’ve been a writer since I was little, but putting
it to a beat just made it way more exciting. Out of all the hip-hop I
heard growing up, when the lyrics were as powerful as the beat, that
was always like a golden moment for me. That’s where my first attempts
to rap stem from: being inspired by MCs with something relevant, even
urgent to say. Public Enemy, KRS-1, Rakim, Ice Cube, Brand Nubian. It
made me want to make an impact in some way too. Then I found that
making words rhyme just feels good regardless! It’s like therapy. I’m
always trying to find undiscovered rhyme schemes, crazy connections,
I’m addicted. As far as my content though... I’m not gangster, I’m not
a pimp or a revolutionary or some mad scientist rapper. I’m not hard or
emo. There’s no constructed role, I’m just a student of my own life
with a genuine love for this. That’s what I’d be even without my own
music and that what shows up in what I write.
Isaac-Joseph: Your influences include such iconic rap giants
such as KRS-One, Nas, Modest Mouse, Hieroglyphics, Slick Rick and Ani
DiFranco. What have you learned from these rap legends that you have
incorporated in your own musical performance?
Nathan Nice: Not all those you mention are rap legends, Modest
Mouse is an indie rock band, and Ani DiFranco is a punk-folk
songwriter, but they’re just as influential to me as those rap artists
are. They all have an ability to tell stories and bare their souls...
masters of rhyme, rhythm, deliveries. KRS-One is especially inspiring
to me. The way he came from poverty and homelessness, intent on being
not just an MC, but a relevant one: putting social issues smack on the
table, teaching sucker MCs along the way. He was also the first to
really clarify MCing to me, as opposed to rapping. To rap is to merely
spit rhymes, but to MC is much more. It means you know how to engage
with your audience, to conduct that moment exactly the way you want it
to go, leading and uniting. That’s what I aspire to do, to be a
positive force. All those other artists influence me in the same way.
The need to be original is mad important too. A lot of MCs who came up
in the 80’s and early 90’s, when I first fell in love with hip-hop,
EPMD, Digable Planets, De La Soul, Biz Markie, Digital Underground and
a grip more... it was so important for them to each have their own
unique styles, beats and rhymes. Biting was the ultimate sin, so you
really had to work for your shit. The hip-hop community was much
smaller than it is now too, so you could easily notice copy cats. It
was strict. Nowadays, you can’t differentiate between a lot of artists.
A lot of heads are just trying to do what works, boiling up their
little success formulas. I just let my work float, being honest with
myself and working hard at my craft. That’s the only way I’m gonna be
able to make music that I’m proud of, that other people can respect.
That’s what I learned from all those artists I listened to growing up.
Isaac-Joseph: Recently, you completed a successful 18-city
U.S. tour with half of the legendary hip-hop crew The Pharcyde, (Fatlip
and Tre Hardson). Describe your experience of working/touring with one
of my favorite groups of all time: What lessons did you learned from
this collaboration that you feel will enhance your own music?
Nathan Nice: Oh man, it was amazing. I learned so much about
myself, about them, about hip-hop and just America in general. Too much
to say all here. The conversations on the tour bus alone! A friend of
mine told me right before I left to just be open to whatever came my
way, not to try to do too much or be disappointed in what I did or
didn’t accomplish, to just be open and learn and experience. I really
heeded that advice as much as I could. I’m used to performing anywhere
from one to five shows a month and this was 18 cities in like three
weeks. Pretty much back to back to back. I was handling a lot of the
tour manager stuff too, and that was nuts at times. Everything quickly
fell into a rhythm though, I caught my breath and it just became
effortless and fun. I love being on tour. My stage presence got crazy
strong out there too. Watching Tre and ‘Lip bust every night, they had
every crowd on lock. Seeing them fine tune and evolve their set at
every sound check, by the time we got back to LA it was razor sharp.
There was this pivotal point for me where, just as I was about to go up
on stage, I suddenly realized that I felt no fear, no butterflies,
nothing; just pure awareness. I’ve done a lot of shows, and even when
I’ve been totally comfortable with the situation, I still kinda get
that little anxious feeling. So maybe it was because of the repetition
or whatever, but all the sudden I just didn’t give a fuck; Total
freedom. That was one of my best shows ever too. We were in Bozeman,
Montana, and the spot was packed with so many people, bodies pressed
right up to the stage. I just went out and blasted on ‘em. I kicked off
my shoe by accident, I was rapping so hard. Freestyling call and
response shit, had them saying “Nathan Nice” at the top of their lungs.
I never do that! After that, it was like I had figured it all out.
There are memories from that tour I will take all the way to my
deathbed for real.
Isaac-Joseph: Describe the one event professionally that
happened to you in 2007 that you feel was the best moment in your
career so far:
Nathan Nice: It was like a week ago... I even know the exact
day, December 26th, 2007, ‘cause it was a show I did with Brontosaurus
and DJ Frenetic at The Knitting Factory, the night after Christmas. We
were performing alongside Learning Curve, Human Beings, Lost &
Loaded and others (all local Los Angeles hip-hop crews). That was my
first show since I had been back from the Pharcyde tour and it was
really just for the homies. But it was that night that I really saw my
growth as a performer reflected back at me. I didn’t feel too hype
while I was actually up on stage, just doing what I do, but afterwards
people were coming up and telling me they noticed a change, like an
evolution. I was more daring, more focused and relaxed on the mic. It
didn’t really hit me till the next day, but I’m really feeling so at
ease with where I’m at right now. I have these new ideas that I’m
really excited to expand on in our upcoming shows... to get
uncomfortable again, if that makes sense. It’s a good foundation for
where I wanna go from here. B-saurus and Frenetic and I are working out
a much more interactive live show with new songs, live drum machine
button mashing, freestyles, theatrics, a few secret weapons. Cold Lamp
steez! This is that moment.
Isaac-Joseph: As the New Year begins, describe your plans for 2008:
Nathan Nice: To stay grinding and focused. To put together at
least a couple small tours and maybe book a big one, definitely travel.
To kill all these projects and start new ones. To put more energy into
my visual art and graphic design. To learn Dreamweaver and Flash and
put ‘em to work for us. And definitely to chill with my friends and
family more.
Isaac-Joseph: Elaborate on your new album that you are working on currently as well as other shameless plugs:
Nathan Nice: Brontosaurus and I are working on a few projects right now: my next album To Meet You and some mini-projects that I can’t quite talk about yet. We also founded a new crew together, Cold Lamp,
which includes Frenetic on turntables. It’s our live shows we’re most
focused on with that for now. There’s also another project involving a
lot of raw sugar with my girl Anita Savior. I’ll be exploring some
alter-egos with that, it’s gonna be crazy. A few other collaborations.
Check www.nathannice.com, www.myspace.com/bsaurus and www.myspace.com/djfrenetic, for more good stuff...
Isaac-Joseph: We call this our Shout Out time. Give props to anyone and everyone that matters:
Nathan Nice: Shots out to Brontosaurus, DJ Frenetic, Cold Lamp in 2008,
Anita Savior, I Am Julian, Solrac Sevein, Twist One (R.I.P.), Learning
Curve, Sirah, DJ Troma One, Noah-san, Molman, Omni, Fatlip, DJ Cee
Brown, Tre Hardson, Cesl Rock, Farce One, The FutuRelics Crew, Shroom
Tang Clan, JAKA, Comah, FA2HQ, The I.V. League, 2 Damn Hype Crew, Josh
Stone, Zel 1, Amelia Burn$, DJ Aquatic, Joe Caluya, Solista, Destruct,
Mariella, Bastard Artist, The Los Angeles Airliner, all my kids and
co-workers at LACER and everybody else.. they know!
Isaac-Joseph: Final Thoughts from the mastermind performer Nathan Nice:
Nathan Nice: Just do what you have to, to do you what you love... that’s it.
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Junior's Cave Online Magazine/JC Internet Radio Staff Team,
Published: January 16, 2007 7:23 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Photo by Caren Idy
Once you are introduced to this next group you are going to love their
overall style. Even better is their music. The Los Angeles, California
Psychedelic/Soul group, The ATMA, is making music that is certainly
appealing to a large fan base. We recently discovered them on the music
resource community, MusicSubmit.com and knew that we wanted to feature
them on Junior’s Cave. Here is their spotlight, through the eyes of the
band's lead vocalist, "The Oblivious Driver':"
Isaac-Joseph: What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
The Atma: What excited me most about making music is the
opportunity to explore sound and thought in a new way. I love to
surprise myself and find that making music is very healing. I am
usually inspired when I stumble upon a new piece of music and manage to
mold it into something usable.
Isaac-Joseph: What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?
The Atma: What discourages me most about making music is that
its really hard to get your music heard and to get everyone into what
you’re doing. Sometimes it feels like, “What’s the use, no one’s ever
gonna hear it.” But we do it anyway because inside I think we have
faith that people will eventually catch on.
Isaac-Joseph: You guys have been around since 2002. What keeps
you motivated to want to continue to make music and stay together?
The Atma: The fact that our sound and idea about the band is
constantly evolving is exciting. It’s great to watch your friends grow
and deepen in their musicianship and find new ways of creating
together. I think we have a lot of respect for another’s abilities and
it feels like a winning combination.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you up to right now, music-wise?
(Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments,
top-secret projects, etc).
The Atma: We are waiting for the final mixes of our new
record, “machetes of gold.” There’s a lot of anticipating, we haven’t
been practicing as aggressively since there’s been a lot of work to do
regarding the album, but we are planning what to do what the record’s
done, how we’re gonna release it, etc… We still jam and song-write
because you’ve always got to have that going on or a band gets stale
and loses their edge. Also, there is always the next record of songs to
start writing as well, so it’s a never ending process.
Isaac-Joseph: What's the most unusual place you've ever played
a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect
the show/recording?
The Atma: For us, recording at Blackbird was something very
new and different feeling. We had been playing gigs and recording under
so many uncompromising and unflattering circumstances, the notion of
being in a place with unlimited freedom and equipment and quality was
mind bending. I think everyone got kind of electrocuted by the whole
experience and our creativity went ballistic in the studio. There are
so many more layers and ideas going on this record musically than on
our last. We were really inspired by the opportunity and I think we
made the most of it definitely.
Isaac-Joseph: In what ways does the place where you live (or
places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your
taste in music?
The Atma: Where you live for me doesn’t affect my music. I
always look for new places and new ways to song-write, whether it’s on
my porch, in my closet, on the sidewalk, so my environment is always a
variable. I am usually in my own world while creating so the rest is
just peripheral.
Isaac-Joseph: When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?
The Atma: Last time I wrote a song was today. I was inspired in
my backyard, had a smoke, and started jamming a random idea which led
to this new Piece in six. I was very stoked that it can together very
quickly, as the best ideas usually do. I haven’t hammered out lyrics
yet, it is still in the gibberish and mumbling phase of completion, but
it’s a good skeleton for something pretty hot I think.
Isaac-Joseph: As you create more music, do you find yourself
getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new
music made by other people...and why do you think that is?
The Atma: I listen to just as much music as I always did, I
just listen to it differently. I analyze the elements more. In that
way, I don’t fall under the spell of songs as easily as I used to
before I started deciphering the craft. But I always try to keep my
perspective evolving musically. Wade helps me with that as he brings me
lots of cool new stuff to listen to.
Isaac-Joseph: Lately, what musical periods or styles do you
find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music
like yours or different from yours?)
The Atma: I think there has been great music in every decade
so I make mixed CD’s of all kinds of stuff and just dig it all really.
I try to listen to a lot of different stuff for different reasons.
Sometimes I listen to music cause I want it compliment my mood or
feeling, sometimes I want to listen to lyrics so I’ll throw in Dylan or
Leonard Cohen.
Isaac-Joseph: Name a band or musician, past or present, who
you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's
one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?
The Atma: A new band I flat out love… the last band that
really just knocked my socks off, live and on CD was definitely The
Entrance Band. The vibe was so psychedelic and the lyrics were so raw
and surprising. There is an energy about that band that is very
electric and I think if they stay together and stay alive, they will
make some great records in their time.
Old bands I love, there are too many to list… : )
Isaac-Joseph: Currently, what is your favorite track/song to perform on stage and why?
The Atma: With The Atma, my favorite song to play onstage right
now depends on the venue and the night and what kind of mood I’m in. If
I’m in sort of a kick-ass mood, Kittens and Mittens can shred pretty
good live, and so can the Snorkler’s anthem. We’ve been bringing guests
on stage lately too in order to perform songs from the record, and I
also enjoy having that fourth voice with us on stage.
Isaac-Joseph: When I am making music, I feel (complete this sentence).
The Atma: Different kinds of songs are written in different
frames of mind. Sometimes I make music when I am confused and when I am
pumped up and when I am really down and out and when I am high and when
I am low so I feel the full spectrum of human emotion. Writing a song
is like giving birth to a painful truth. I think the great artists are
not the one-trick-ponies out there whose songs all sound the same, but
the people who can capture many different sides of themselves and the
universe of musical possibilities.
Isaac-Joseph: This is what we call our Shout Out time.
Elaborate on any and everyone that matters the most to you.
The Atma: Right now a lot of people really matter a great deal to me. I
give thanks for my amazing girlfriend Caren, my family, my manager, and
all the friends in and out of the band’s circle. I could make a list,
but I might forget someone and then I would feel terrible.
Isaac-Joseph: Final thoughts that you would like to leave us:
The Atma: Here’s a poem I wrote recently. Maybe someone might dig it:
What use is trying to get at something anyway
Your thought is a stupid piece of laughter
Bouncing off a play ground wall
You can scratch at it like a wild scatterminded mongoose
Trying to nab the heart of the moment
But it will slip through your wet spaghetti noodle paws
You can wait like moldy Incan statue
But there pausing in anticipation
You will never lift the veil of the moment’s own bride
All of existence is smiling heinously
And my only goal is to surprise myself
For the rest of my life.
Published: November 27, 2007 10:29 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Alternative / Acoustic / Experimental.
Remember when bands like Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains to name a few
exploded on the music scene back in 1980’s. Their electrifying presence
commanded respect and admiration to the masses. It also pushed the city
of Seattle, Washington into the mainstream of the music industry.
Now the time is 2007 and Seattle, Washington is once again pushed into
the spotlight with this next artist. 3CE, who not only sings but plays
guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, is making music that speaks from
the soul. If you are looking for something new and refreshing, then 3CE
is your man. With 4 albums released under his belt, 3CE is in the
studio quickly working on his next album.
Isaac-Joseph: Hello, how are you doing today? I wanted to first thank you for doing this online interview with the magazine.
Isaac-Joseph: Describe who is 3CE and where did the concept of your name come from:
3CE: The name actually just came to me while I was recording
“FALL ASLEEP,” which was the first officially recorded 3CE song. It was
my third band/recording project, so the “3” is loosely related to that.
Kinda a “third times the charm” type thing. As far as who I am, I’d say
I’m a musician who strives to make good/catchy music with no real
regard for normal genre restrictions. I’m always trying to come up with
a unique style that’s never been done before.
Isaac-Joseph: You have a total of 4 albums completed; what can
we expect from this album that may be different from your previous
ones?
3CE: Well, when I started it I thought it would be more
hard-rock related. Now, as I start to finish tracks, I’m realizing that
the style is once again going to be all over the place. There’s
definitely some unique stuff happening already. I don’t think people
will be disappointed.
Isaac-Joseph: Your music really can not be placed in one
genre. Is this something that you consciously created when you started
working on your music? Why or Why not?
3CE: I’d say yes and no. I always wanted to blend styles
together, but when I get in the studio it usually gets more out of
control than I planned on. Sometimes when I record a track, I will just
start laying down different instruments with no idea of where the song
might go. It’s nice sometimes to just let music create itself without
planning it out.
Isaac-Joseph: What makes you want to do music; what is your driving force?
3CE: Well, I’ve asked myself that a lot lately. I really enjoy
the creativity of making music, and I thrive on the energy that music
seems to possess. There have been a lot of ups and downs as far trying
to make it as an independent artist, but every time I try something
else, I just come back to music wanting to do it even more. I guess
it’s just what supposed to do.
Isaac-Joseph: Describe the energy that you get when you are performing live on stage:
3CE: I think the energy from performing comes from the
audience. I love to see people enjoying the music and that’s what can
make a performance so much fun.
Isaac-Joseph: You have a nice selection of influences ranging
from Foo Fighters, Goo Goo Dolls, to Rage Against The Machine to 50
Cent, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg to name a few. How have these
entertainers’ help shaped the way you make your own music?
3CE: I definitely have been heavily influenced by all those
artists and many more as well. I think any good music has a way of
inspiring me and showing me what might be possible to create. Then it’s
my job to use that inspiration or maybe the influence from several
other artists, and take it to the next level with my own music.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you want to be famous or would you be happy to just get your music across to a select devoted few?
3CE: At this point it’s not about me being famous, but I want my music
to be famous in the sense that everyone’s listening to across the whole
world. I want it to be as successful as possible.
Isaac-Joseph: If you had a chance to do something else in life, would you do it or is music in your blood?
3CE: Music is definitely in my blood. Whenever, I do something else it just makes me want to do music more.
Isaac-Joseph: What advice do you have for young kids who are trying to get into the music business?
3CE: I’d say find a way to get some kind of computer recording
setup and then start writing and finishing your own songs. I think the
key is to finish songs that you start and then find a way to release
them on the internet. Everything seems to be changing in the music
industry and direct digital distribution from the artist is probably
going to be even more significant in the future.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you most looking forward to for 2008?
3CE: I’ve taken some time off from promoting my music on the
Internet, and I’m really looking forward to releasing my new album in
2008. After that, I want to immediately start working on the next album
and hopefully release it in 2008 as well.
Isaac-Joseph: What have been the biggest and worst moments in the music industry yet?
3CE: I’m not sure if I can speak for the industry as a whole,
but I haven’t been very pleased with alternative/rock or any “band”
music for the last few years. I think that side of the industry has
become very conservative lately and I think the result is unoriginal
and boring music. I want to change that when I release more of a hard
rock album.
Isaac-Joseph: Time for shameless plugs: Let’s us in on what’s new with you or coming
up.
3CE: I’d just want everyone to download my last album, 3CE:2006, off iTunes and also to checkout my website 3CEmusic.com for the latest news and new material. Thanks for listening.
E . A . R . T . H . E.verything A.round R.evolves T.hru H.ip-Hop
What is E.A.R.T.H.?
E.A.R.T.H. is an acronym for (E.verything A.round R.evolves T.hru H.ip-Hop)
"In the middle of EARTH is ART representing all forms of music." - NoE
E.A.R.T.H. is a multi-cultural hip hop group bridging the gap between different social and ethnic background such as; Black, Persian, El Salvadorean, Filipino and German, E.A.R.T.H. is not just a name but a global movement.
Our music is a blend of West coast rap ranging from The Game to
Jurassic 5, with punch lines that resemble East coast artists such as
Rakim and Nas. As a group we embrace using poignant, witty, positive
lyrics and songs that can hype everybody at a club or party. We have
the mass appeal to create music whether underground or mainstream.
Their first debut album self-titled "E.A.R.T.H. (E.verything A.round R.evolves T.hru H.iphop)"
- was released in September 2005. This album sold out (10,000+copies)
on the streets with their hit single "Feelin' Good Feelin' Great"
played in many internet radio stations creating a buzz around
California, Southwest and Oklahoma.
E.A.R.T.H. is currently in the Maseed studio recording their sophomore album entitled “Grass Roots: From The Ground Up,”
It is a highly anticipated album after a good response on their first
debut album. They are a force to be reckoned with, bringing various
inspirations with the passion to bring their new sound and contribute
to the hip hop community. If you are a true lover of hip hop, then
Everything Around Revolves Thru Hiphop, and E.A.R.T.H. reflects to
that.
E.A.R.T.H. SHARED STAGES
Fabolous - Rick Ross - Rich Boy -Shop Boyz - Crime Mob - Monica -
The Pack - Defari - 2Mex of Visionaries - E-Swift of The Alkoholiks -
Copywrite - Far East Movement - Killer Mike
"The group performed like a finely tuned engine and was right
on cue with one another. Their musical influences register all over the
musical spectrum as it ranged from jazz and blues artists to more
contemporary artists of hip-hop such as Nas, De La Soul, Mos Def, RZA,
Dr. Dre and Saul Williams."
Stephen Loh Arts & Entertainment Editor
Highlander, Vol. 54 Issue 27
UC Riverside, May 9, 2006
“The group is currently one of ten finalists for this
month’s mtvU’s Best Music on Campus. Based on students’ votes, the
winner will receive a record deal with Definitive Jux Records. Vote for
them at BestMusiconCampus.com”
Angela Kim Arts & Entertainment Editor
Highlander, Vol. 54, Issue 14
UC Riverside, January 16, 2007
"This song (Feelin' Good Feelin' Great) will get the party
started, keep it going, and take you home. I haven't looked back
through my play lists for the year but I guarantee this track would be
at the top of the list for most spins. Love this group and this song.“
Dj Emily of Break thru Radio
“E.A.R.T.H. is a talented group
of mcees and lyricists that display inventive, deep, and powerful
poetic rhymes. Take time to pay tribute to the hidden underground
movement. It will make you remember the basics of how hip hop was
created.”
Rain Man Music Review
Coexistence Magazine
"With acts such as Common, Mos Def, The Roots, Nas, and Little Brother keeping the Hip-Hop Movement alive, E.A.R.T.H. has bounded on the scene to keep the evolution moving. From their catchy name, E.A.R.T.H.
(Everything Around Revolves Thru Hip-Hop), to their fresh funky style,
this group will be giving the Hip-Hop Culture something to boast and
brag about again."
Isaac Joseph Davis Junior Music Spotlight
Junior's Cave: Online Magazine
Message to E.A.R.T.H.lings (Fans)
We, thank you for supporting our music and showing love.
We appreciate all your help and spreading the word about E.A.R.T.H.
Your messages, feedbacks are appreciated.
Keep on supporting the E.A.R.T.H. movement.
Don't forget to sign the guestbook and add the rest of the group.
"We hope to get the masses influenced by our sound of hip hop.
Many have come before and never will they be forgotten.
We are the newcomers to a tradition that must be upheld" - E.A.R.T.H.
