The Countdown Is On

I know a lot of my recent posts have been a bit Midwestcentric so I’m bringing it back to the Town for this one. Most of those familiar with this blog probably have at least a passing familiarity with the Let Go and its members. The Let Go is comprised of solo comedy rapper Type, Myspace beat mogul Captain Midnite, and of course the man of the hour, Kublakai. Next week Kublakai joins the ranks of The Physics, Grynch, Ripynt, and others to release free-p’s via the Internet this year. Kicking off what is already looking to be a blissfully music-heavy month, Kublakai is set to release "Lights for the Dark Nights" on September 1st for free download on his newly launched website http://www.kublakai.com/. Lights was exclusively produced by Slouch with guest spots from both Sol and the Gynch.

Tracklist (as of 1.01am 8/25)

1. Lights

2. New Day

3. Insanity Reigns

4. Appreciation w/ Sol

5. Story to Tell w/ Grynch

6. Beautiful Mind

Light's digital release will be followed by a physical release in October. The physical version will include an intro/outro and a remix of Insanity Reigns as well as an additional song. Last week Kubi and I sat down and chatted it up about the new ep, The Let Go and his Sol t-shirt. If you haven't heard it already definitely go check Appreciation featuring Sol already up on Kublakai's site as well as aboveGround Magazine, the track seriously bangs. I apologize in advance for my shaky hands, interviews make me nervous but I give you another Lovefest Exclusive, The Kubiview:

While the Let Go album has now been retired to collector's item status you can still pick up Kublakai's solo album effort, The Basics both on the road and at cdbaby.com. In addition to his solo grind Kublakai will also be touring with The Let Go in September for the Tie One on Tour with Rudy and the Rhetoric so check the myspace for dates. And if you're in the Twin Cities area Lovefest will be out in force for the 9/16 show at Big V's, don't miss out. (Also never fear Sioux Falls despite our confusion in the video there IS a date at Nutty's North.

Remember, next week, September 1st: kublakai.com. Lights For Dark Nights, FREE download. And because we know seven days is a very long time to wait we've gotten the go ahead from Kubi to give you a Lovefest sneak peak:

Kublakai- New Day (produced by Slouch)

Thanks Kubi, "I can't wait to see what comes next."

(photo credit for the live shot goes to the homie Derek, king of the flash in SoCal)

So You're Going to Beerfest . . .

. . . . Here's Someone You Should Be Familiar With


Most of us going to Black Clover Beerfest are already well versed in Mac Lethal and Soulcrate. Those of us that grew up in the Midwest may already be down with Prof, the newest Black Clover crew member. But I would bet that most of us hadn't heard of Akream - until now. I am here to solve the mystery.

Akream is one of the most genuine people I have never me and had the opportunity to interview this evening. On the verge of more national exposure with Mac Lethal guesting and producing his upcoming album, he will be hitting the road in November through 2010 and his album, "For The Kids," will be out in January. Akream's personal site - www.akream.com - is going to be getting a face-lift soon, so everyone needs to keep their eyes pealed. Until then - enjoy the Q & A.


Georgia (G)
You're traveling quite a ways for Black Clover Beerfest. How did it come about and what are you doing to prepare for it?

Akream (A)
I am! Further than anyone else I assume

G
it's true, i checked

A
I've brought Mac to Alaska a couple times for shows. Sku came the first time as well. We all hit it off pretty well. Then Mac asked me to come rock the Beerfest. While he was here in April, he offered to executive produce my album. Kinda oversee it creatively

G
How does one go about "brining Mac to Alaska"?

A
I contacted him, made an offer, bought tickets and made it happen. I'm linked with all the venues up here so it was a snap.



G
We tweeted earlier about your "hardcore past" what did that stem from?

A
Well my content has always kinda leaned that way. But I came up kinda fucked up and was involved in some unsavory practices for the better part of my life. I've chilled a bit the last few years.

G
"DP" is, what I gathered, a highly sexualized album - how has marriage and children affected your writing style?

A
It's not as sexualized as you might think. The title was an inside joke. I meant more of the hustle talk and all that. As well as my demeanor on my songs.
Marriage has help me to look at things from a different perspective. My goal now is while you're listening to my music, I want you to be able to smile the entire time. That goes for live performance as well. I may perform a little hardcore ish at beerfest though. IT'S BEERFEST! HAHA.

G
So talking a big game?

A
What I was speaking was complete truth. It's just a fucked up way to live and I have several friends in prison and have for years. I just woke up before I ever had to spend a day in jail. That was my life though.

G
Did the music help you get through all that?

A
The music did help. It was a constant reminder that I wanted better for myself than to be a life long drug dealer, ya know. I want to make people happy, not ruin lives.

G
A lot of people would think that hip hop and drugs go had in hand, there are definitely a lot of major label artists out there that started out dealing. Why do you think the two have become so closely related?

A
Well, i think when you come from nothing, drug dealing is easy to get into and I kinda grew up in it. Didn't have to seek it out. It was always there. the same people can't afford to buy instruments and start a band but anyone can rap. You have rappers now that didn't even listen to rap until 2004 and all of a sudden they are an MC. Hip hop was a fixture in my life from the time I was a baby. I was born in 80! That's what it was all about then.

G
How did Alaska influence your youth and your path with your music? How easy was it for you to get exposed to hip hop? (i grew up in North Dakota, it was hard enough up there)

A
Anchorage is a city like any other in America. The side of town I grew up on, hip hop was what was happening. I didn't listen to other types of music until I had girlfriends in my teens. See, hip hop was never a thing that I looked at from afar. My life was your typical hip hop upbringing. They just happened to have a name for it, ya know. I wrote my first rhyme in 88 when I was in 3rd grade.

G
One of our Lovefesters - Crista - is curious as to the scene in Alaska - how supportive are you all of each other? (some cities show more community love / respect than others)

A
Everyone is pretty supportive and we have a lot going on up here. I host b-boy events, I open up for every big act that comes up here. I won the Artist Of The Year Award at the Hip Hop awards here last year. I'm a fixture in the scene up here. A lot of people are inspired by the things I'm doing out of state now. Touring, beerfest, etc.

G
That's pretty remarkable- sounds like Beerfest is in for a real treat.

A
I surely hope so. I'm nervous because I'm not sure if I'm what they expect to see. I'm not a black clover boy. Kinda got my own thing going, ya know. But I come to rock!

G
Wanting to see bcr boys is why i wanted to cover you - so that people can get to know you before beerfest. So why travel for beerfest - how do you see that benefiting your career?

A
Well, I'm doing well enough financially to do it, first of all. I'll give out mad cds and sell merch and it gives me more time to bond and strategize with Mac and the boys. And he's my friend and he asked me to come. Some people go on vacation. I go rock shit around the world.

G
How did your label, Arctic Flow, come about?

A
Got the logo, got my paperwork in order, started recording and promoting. Pretty simple. It helps to be a good mc or else why would anyone give a shit? haha. At first, I just wanted to be respected in my state. A few years later, it was bigger than me and kinda took on a life of it's own. To the point where more people knew about the label than the artists on the label.Kinda became more of a group than a label. Kinda like wu-tang. but we were always solo artists. That's why when I wanted to sign someone else, I started my other company, Ice Box Entertainment so that there was no confusion.

G
5 things beerfesters should know about you.

A
1. I'm very down to earth and love being social. Not standoffish at all


2. I am in a transitional phase musically so they will notice a wide spectrum in my set

3. My upcoming album is entitled, 'For The Kids'. The kids being us, the heads, the general public who still dares to dream and loves to have fun


4. I'm a married father of 2 who wouldn't have it any other way


5. I often wish I could sing better or play a lot of instruments so that I had more to offer musically.

G
A lot of artists are going the way of the live band - do you see that happening in your artistic future

A
I won't say it wouldn't ever happen. When I can afford to tour with a band, I probably will. But I am also truly content with 2 turntables and a microphone~

G
What's the tour process like for you? how easy are the promoters to work with?

A
It depends. I personally do well with nearly no sleep, living out a suitcase, performing every night for a couple of weeks and still remaining mentally intact. The promoters are like anyone else. Some are on top of their shit and are a joy to work with, others make me wonder why they agreed to do a show in the first place.

G
Is it hard on the family situation?

A
It can be but my family is awesome. They don't make 'em like my wife anymore. She's a hardcore chick and she handles biz while I'm away. Being away from my babies is the hardest and they are too young to understand why daddy isn't home

G
Anything else you want to add?

A
Lovefesters do it better~


To Akream - Thank you very much for your time this evening. We are all looking forward to kicking it at Black Clover Beerfest.

To those going to Black Clover Beerfest - Make sure you get to the Pre-Party early so that you don't miss out on Akream.





(photos courtesy of Akreams's myspace)

Oh snap! The Lovefest family grows.

So we've kept this under our hats for a couple weeks but the more observant of you may have noticed a new name has appeared on our sidebar... Yes, we are PROUD, thrilled, over the bloody moon excited to welcome a new member to our little family. Izzie came into our lives around the same time we started Lovefest (fun fact: Lovefest was supposed to only be a working title.. oops!)and honestly if we'd met her six months earlier she definitely would have been on the original roster. I know we've neglected the East Coast a bit but with Izzie on board we should have the DC/Philly/Baltimore area covered. To help you get to know our newest member a little better I emailed her some questions to be answered in rhyme form. Check the video and welcome our newest correspondent, Izzie. We think you're really going to love her. Baltimore stand up! -Crista, Cody, Georgia, Jamee, Salina and Samiha



We also really think you should check out the Teddy Faley mixtape Miss Izzie mentioned. :)

More No Bird Sing in my Headphones Please (now available on Amazon)

So I know its been a hot minute since I poked my head in over here but I promise I've been working on some things that I think will be pretty awesome including another collaboration with Miss Samiha. Enough excuses, the real reason for this post is that I desperately need to get something off my chest: No Bird Sing is the best thing to grace my headphones in the last six months. Easily.

It is safe to say our excitement about certain projects gets tossed around pretty frequently around Lovefest and among our extended family. I love that on a near weekly basis I get that "ZOMG" 3am text from Samiha quoting the most recent "best lyrics I've ever heard." And when Georgia recaps a show in which her "soul was touched" I can't help but smile. No Bird Sing makes me want to text everyone I have ever met at 3am all the time. To those who have actually received that text... I'm sorry, I hope I didn't wake you.

I was actually first introduced to No Bird Sing when they friend requested me on myspace believe it or not. I admit I physically cringe when I get a new myspace friend request from a music page, but I always find time to give whatever it is a listen before hitting deny. I think I barely got through the one song on their page before I was demanding to know where I could find more, following them on twitter and google stalking them. To save you the trouble the group is made up of members of both Hyder Ali and Abzorbr, they're described as "a cross between Crescent Moon and Black Keys", their cd comes out September 11th and they give me chills.

By now I'm sure we all know that a reviewer/critic I am not. So here's the part where I let you listen and draw your own conclusions. Those in the Twin City area may have noticed a certain young man who treks out to various shows and sets up his audio equipment in the back of the venue rain, snow or shine to record the sets. In case you were wondering many of those recordings can be found on Empty's Tapes. Among those recordings you will find No Bird Sing at the Triple Rock. I actually met John a few years back during the Mel Gibson and the Pants residency at the Nomad. After reading over that blog entry I realised he actually told me about NBS almost a year ago outside some show or other. I really dropped the ball on that one huh? In addition to these live gems you can also download ars poetica over at Culture Bully (where you can find plenty of additional NBS into) as well as Dead Leaves ft. Bo Ramsey over at Midwest Broadcast.

If all that isn't enough to pique your curiosity their upcoming album also features Eyedea, Kristoff Krane and Alicia Wiley. I can pretty much guarantee this will be in my top three releases of the year so if you are in the Twin Cities area or passing through I highly recommend scooting your tails on over to Eclipse Records on September 11th and the Triple Rock on September 12th for those release shows. Did I mention the 11th is ALL AGES and Big Trouble and El Guante+Big Cats! will also be performing? No excuses youngins. For all the old fogies (18+) the Triple Rock show will feature Black Blondie (be still my heart), Kristoff Krane and James Diers. Oh and the most awkward redhead alive (yes me) just might be in town for both.

I know some of you probably can't wait all the way until the 11th to witness a live set and I feel your pain... but you don't have to because you can catch them earlier in the month on the 5th at the Clapperclaw Festival... but you better tell me all about it because the line up for that is really great. How pretty is that? You know you want one.

*Update* Digital album now available on Amazon, $8 well spent.

grieving

While we wait to hear what his next move is after his departure from Black Clover Records, Lovefest would like to pay tribute to one of our friends and let let him know we'll be supporting him in all of his future endeavours. Here's to you, Grieves.

Love, Georgia and Crista

Fever Of Love

A few years ago, a friend introduced me to a band called "The Knife" a brother and sister duo from Sweden that made music similar to The Ting Tings, if I had to find a comparison. It was good, I suppose, and interesting. But when I stumbled upon the female vocalist Karin Dreijer Andersson's solo project "Fever Ray", I was deeply intrigued.
This past July, Fever Ray released a self-titled album. I was instantly struck by the monochromatic artwork that vibrated with intense linework on an album that seemed to be made out of a velvety-paper product that shone like vinyl. It opened up to have a poster of the same artwork with lyrics on the back, imagery that would suit my walls most definitely!
I played the album and was impressed with the first single, If I Had a Heart, a song for which I had seen the visually stunning and haunting video. The song starts with a pulsating piano note that echoes through your ears and leaves you wanting more. Karin's vocals are deep and full of effects that create this menacing character you can't seem to escape, paired with her authentic and small feminine voice. Her lyrics convey the feeling of what the audience must feel, if they are anyone like me. "More, give me more, give me more."
The second song "When I Grow Up" is a more upbeat song, with an almost euro-disco vibe infused with tribal drums and echoing voices. The video is equally strange as the lyrics "When I grow up, I want to be a forrester, run through the moss on high heels".
This whole album is filled with Karin's experimentations with 80's synths and tribal drums, unapologetic attitude and an "I'm coming to get you" feeling. Anyone that enjoys not knowing what's coming around the corner and being musically stimulated in unusual ways is in for a treat. And I'm not one to appreciate female artists for the sake of being female, because I think it is condescending to separate them from their deserved "artist" label, BUT I find Karin to be impressively intimidating: She wrote the lyrics, produced the beats, AND mixed the shit. If I do have to give props to a woman for being powerful and fiercely independent, then this girl gets my vote.


Songs I recommend:

If I Had A Heart
When I Grow Up
Triangle Walks
Concrete Walls
Keep The Streets Empty For Me


Find the Album Online Here

okay you're right i'm wrong

so lovefest rap friend Silentarmy just put a new FREE download on his blog...

download the song here - http://usershare.net/pnyjobccmxc7

check out his blog here - http://silentarmy.wordpress.com

You know I love it...

Everyone is aware of my love for Astronautlis...

Well he has a new side project Maxx Moon with Picnic Tyme.

You can download the first song for free here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/259658712/Urban_Outfitters.mp3

I would suggest everyone check it out.

I'm already itching for more.