The Heartland Panic: go DJ, go DJ, go DJ!

What’s most noticeable about The Heartland Panic is the music behind the words. DJ Absolute’s production on this album is top-notch. Each track gives you something a little different, from a funky groove on “Clouds In My Head” to a throw back 50s groove on “Think About Me.” There was clearly a vision laid out that lent itself to a fluid collaboration between rappers and producer.


A Def once mentioned that when they started making music together, he and Dirt Dee sounded like the same person. "The Heartland Panic" gives Attn: Def and Dirty distinct voices; in tone, rhyme patterns, and lyrics.

With the classic instrumentation you get the feeling that "The Heartland Panic" should have a dance accompanying it by the same name, much like "The Hustle", "The Jerk", or "The Monster Mash." Everybody do "The Hearthland Panic!" You can’t help but move, or at least strut down the street, when you hear this album.

This is the best way to explain what I felt the first time I listened to this album:






In case you forgot:


Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores TOMORROW
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

On the 12th day of Soulcrate . . .

If you remember nothing of an album you listened to, more often than not you at least remember the last track. In the case of "The Heartland Panic" the last track, "Learn From It," combines a rock guitar and marching band snare to back an empowering lyrical anthem. This is a track that delivers a "grit your teeth and get on with it" message. The hook is one that anyone who has faced a struggle can relate to. "Learn From It" is one to blast on your headphones while holding your head high.



Keep an eye out tomorrow when we post our over-arching thoughts on "The Heartland Panic." In the meantime - get your copy (and other dope ass merch) over at Lethalville. Also - starting on the 19th of March, you can find Soulcrate, along with label master Mac Lethal, and friends of Black Clover - Prof and Akream on tour in a city near you.

The Thirteen Days of Soulcrate: Electric Heavy Glow

On the fourth day of SOULCRATE my headphones gave to me.....

DRUUUUUUUUUMS!

Perhaps I'm partial to a damn good drum beat due to my deep roots in percussion, but this song is off the bloody hook!! (One of my favorite sticking techniques is a dulled, single-stick drum roll on the snare -- which you can hear every other measure of this song). The heavy hovering over the trio of hi-hat, bass & snare, complemented by electric guitar, will set you up for people to look at you sideways when you've got your ear buds in, in public-- First the knee bend, then head nod and the swaying back & forth...


These guys are going pretty hard on this track, spitting some bold lyrics in yo' face! Now, the two have always had a unique style of flow that can essentially be heard throughout most verses in their songs. Its what would allow one to differentiate between them and other artists in a "name that group"-type listener response. But with this song, they tend to step aside from that at moments to branch out and try something new; it certainly works for them. You will feel the glow from the fiery blaze left after the songs time has run out, 'cause this song is FIYAH!


"Oooooooooh"... and by the end of the song, this fairly simple yet fun hook will have you join in unison. If you're trying to jam out, I say go grab the album March 9th and skip to track 4;

"Get set, Ready, GO!!"

Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The Thirteen Days of Soulcrate Music: Clouds In My Head

From the beginning of track three the staccato horns, sax riffs, and funk guitar set the pace for the lyrical groove about to follow between Attn: Def and Dirt Dee. The hook soon becomes infections; one you'll find yourself rapping to yourself on the bus long after the album stops playing. This is sure to be a live show regular.


For a great in-studio interview and performance check out these videos our good friend Ron dug up from this summer.









Don't forget (as if we'd let you):

Soulcrate Music

The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute
All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee


Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The 13 days of Soulcrate: Evil In It

Track two, isn't the typical song I think of when I think if Soulcrate Music. It's a little bit darker, and a little bit louder, but they took it there, and they killed it.

When I think of "The Heartland Panic" this song is just that. It's a soundtrack song, for driving late at night in the bitter cold playing loud. The drums, hit hard, and the bass line is strong. The layered vocals showcase just how A Def and Dirt Dee are a force in making music together.

This is one of those stand out tracks on the album, maybe not the party song or the single. But it has significance, it's that track that talks to you.

Soulcrate Music

The Heartland Panic

In Stores 3/9/2010

Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.

All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:

Keys-Jonathon Hegg

Trombone-Joel Broveleit

Saxophone-Matt Wallace

Guitar-Xopher Smith

Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

The 13 Days of Soulcrate: Let It Shine

- artwork by the lovely Jamee


In anticipation of the new Soulcrate Music release, "The Heartland Panic," we at Lovefest will be posting our thoughts on and reviews of each track. Keep an eye on the site for the next thirteen days, a number appropriate for for the Black Clover family. One track will go up each day with the last day being dedicated to our over arching feelings on the record. We can't wait for you to hear this album and know you'll be just as blown away as we have.

It was no secret we were about to listen to something special when Jeremy Willis asked us to participate in the pre-listening, but when the introduction swelled and and the horns punched, special soon became an understatement. What a way to set the tone, gentlemen. This is one classy and sophisticated album as made apparent from the first track on.

Much like "Cardobard Intro," "Let It Shine" is a track you can see A Def and Dirt Dee making an entrance to. The production by DJ Absolute is musically thoughtful and the band incredibly in sync. This track is a statement as to what's to come, not only with the album but the artistic growth of Soulcrate Music.


And then THIS happened : )




Look for it:


Soulcrate Music
The Heartland Panic
In Stores 3/9/2010
Black Clover, distro by Fat Beats.


All Tracks Produced By: DJ Absolute

All Words By: Attn:Def & Dirt Dee

Supplemental Instrumentation:
Keys-Jonathon Hegg
Trombone-Joel Broveleit
Saxophone-Matt Wallace
Guitar-Xopher Smith
Vocals And Guitar-Nick Thomas

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)

After a full length tour that took them across the country Black Clover Records artists Grieves and Soulcrate Music are back on the road this time bringing with Silentarmy and Type.

I caught Type (of The Let Go) on tour with Grieves and Mac Lethal a couple years back (when they stopped in Fargo, ND) and I couldn’t wait to catch him on the road again. Same with Silentarmy whom I saw at the Soundset ’08 pre-party at Minneapolis’ own Dinkytowner. I guarantee both of these acts are going to be a major force in the independent hip-hop world.

It would turn out to be a couple years before I’d get to see Type and close to a year before I’d get the chance to see Silentarmy. Luckily - I killed two birds with one stone on March 3rd in the beautiful state of California.

Selling out the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, 110 of us showed up on a Tuesday night to support Grieves on his first headlining tour.

Unfortunately for this blog I’m terrible at remembering set lists, and I failed to take notes. The PBRs probably didn’t help either . . . .

So instead - I’ll recap in photos


(That way it also spares the definite possibility of me gushing over Soulcrate Music. How could I not though? They are the highest energy performers I've ever seen live. That and they're from South Dakota. We were practically neighbors)

California clearly had love for Grieves. A recent transplant to California it was apparent who the crowd came out to see. Giving 110% to the 110 of us Grieves was on point from beginning to end.