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)

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.