Whatever you've heard about how the
world is about to end, it's not true. This isn't a movie. This
isn't the end of society. The sun won't explode. The magnetic
fields won't reverse. The earth won't get sucked into a wormhole.
However what will happen is an event so massive that it will be
imprinted in the human consciousness forever. With the alignment of
the Sun, the Earth, and the black hole at the centre of the galaxy,
we will be in the perfect position to receive a vibration that could
change the world. What we have is an opportunity.
So you may have noticed that this blog
has been pretty quiet lately. I assure you that's only due to slight
case of writer's block. I have been busy processing everything
internally. This life. This city. The music. The fate of
humanity. Consciousness. The last month has been hectic like always
and I've been learning more and more about this art
formlifestyle
evolution of mind and spirit known as Hip Hop. And yet
there's so many avenues that I've yet to even peek around the corner
of, let alone venture down those twisted roads and hidden
passageways. We know it's a puzzle and there's so many pieces to
examine, each important in its own way, contributing to the bigger
picture, and once we're done we will stand back and admire it without
having to explain. It's an interconnecting web, like universal consciousness itself. I know that I'm just a beginner in this whole
scene. I was dropped into this microcosm of the movement known as
Sydney, Australia from places unknown. And maybe what we find here
isn't a good representation of the whole but it's done it's job in
increasing my understanding and widening my spectrum. There might be
a long way to go, but this scene is finally broadening and spreading
it's wings. Finally touching on topics that are important for
everyone and sparking a discussion. It's only whispered now, and
stuck beneath the underground, but soon it will be loud.
And mostly because it has to be. Here
we are on the brink of the most important time in our human history,
literally here we are teetering over the edge. If you agree that
Time is an illusion then this event will be the realisation of the
One Moment. We just need to make it last as long as we can.
I've heard that people are having
different reactions to what we feel is coming. Some feel an amazing
burst of Love as if something incredible is happening. I wish I
could feel this. I know we should only be projecting Hope and
Positive Energy into this thing, but for some reason I can't help but
feel Dread. It's got to be all that dead weight draining. It's like
we are being sucked into a drain, free falling and also spiraling.
Events occur closer and closer together. Our perception of Time is
actually shortening as we near the edge of the precipice.
The 21st won't be the end of
the world, or the end of society, yet rather a shift in consciousness and a shift in perception. The end of this Mayan calendar coincides
with the end of an age. And with the end comes the beginning of
something we can barely imagine now. We will transform from feeling
like separate beings to the realisation that we are One. Each a
piece of a whole that adds up to more than just the sum of its parts.
As we all feel the same vibration, we will then wake up with the
same idea, a sudden epiphany. What we make of it and if it lasts is up to us.
Everyone will possess the answers of
how to live and how to be. This is true enlightenment. No matter
what path you have chosen to get there it was the right one. All the
knowledge in the world together makes God. And so we need everyone
fulfilling every story, and waking up on the same level to recognise
that we are all one being, and God is in all of us. Whatever you want
to call it, if not God than that everything. The
connection that runs through all of us and vibrates on a molecular
level.
We have all had glimpses of it, deep
within the beats, deep in the clutch of the music. Together on cue,
moving as one being. Sweaty in the mosh pit with the energy all
around you, or quietly singing to the radio alone in our room at
night with headphones. We can feel it and envision it, and now we
will manifest. We can't let this slip. We can't let this pass like a
cloud. We need everyone to remember and use what they have learned.
We cannot sleep through this, we cannot afford to forget. It depends
on which conscious level you attain to what reality we create. I
think we can practice in our dreams too, it's up to you to follow
through.
Afraid of the apocalypse?
What can you do?
Research- the Mayans are still around,
let them tell you the science behind this period of elevated consciousness and explain what the pyramids they built are used for.
Visualise- create the world that you
want in your mind. Keep in mind Peace and Unity and Love at all
times. Meditate and dream as much as possible, so when it comes we
already know what to create.
Believe- you have to really believe in
your vision, maybe it's not exactly the same as someone else's but in
the moment you will see how they all converge on the same idea and
become one story of a world at peace. You have to be 100 percent
committed to this idea and dream it to reality.
Communicate- as we lead up to the event
verbally and non verbally connect with others so that we can share
our ideas and come to the solutions that work for everyone. We
literally need every person on Earth involved to manifest this thing.
Remember- the effects of the alignment
will be felt most strongly in central and South America but will
resonate all over the world. The more we tune into it, the deeper
our experience. Once we feel the vibration and achieve complete
synchronisation of our thoughts, we will feel like all the answers
are in front of us and we will believe that we could never forget
this information or this feeling of complete happiness and unity.
And yet after the three days of the alignment pass, the feeling may
begin to fade away and we may separate again. As much information as
we can retain from this experience will decide our fate. The longer
we can remain on this wavelength the better chance we have of
retaining vital information. It will be like a dream within a dream
but when we awake we're really wakening. Even if we can remember
nothing, at least hold onto that feeling.
Wake up and be
aware. It's all happening now, and this is the most exciting time we
could ever hope to experience. Tune in.
I want this to read like a personal
journal for those of you that wanted to go but couldn't, I want you
to feel like you were there and you wrote this. I want this to read
like a love letter for all of those that have continued to share
these experiences with me: to those that are always by my side (you
know who you are), to those that I now recognise in the crowd night
by night, and to those on stage in this crew that have never been
anything but nice to me, and have always taken the time out to talk
to me, and encourage me to ask the questions which will help define
their point of view. (And put up with me when I'm embarrassingly
drunk too.) I want this to read like a postcard for all of those who
haven't had the pleasure of experiencing this music yet. Cause it
says “Wish you were here,” in big bold print. The photo on the
front alone will be enough to make you want to dive in, but my
colourful prose will catch you on the hook and sink you for sure.
First a little background info, this
album/ tour is truly a family affair. Not only is the whole crew
involved but it's almost like the emcees drew names out of a hat to
see who got to work with who this time. Although there's some
familiar combinations- Loose Change, Daily Meds, Reverse Polarities,
True Vibenation, etc. There are also some new, not yet seen before
combinations (ie. Jeswon & P Smurf, Klue & Billie Rose, Mute
MC & Verbaleyes, and Tuka & Loose Change, Billie Rose &
Reverse Polarities). And the highlight of it all, is the posse track
where absolutely everyone gets to throw down a verse. That's 16 clowns squeezed onto an itty bitty stage for a BIG finale.
My journey to this particular show
actually began months ago when the lives of Kathy and I first started
to become intertwined with the members of this crew. I won't take
you through the details of how we became advocates, spokeswomen, and
top sticker distributors for Big Village. But one particularly
memorable night happened just before the first show of the tour, in
Sydney. Now it turns out that a lot of times, when I'm planning to
have a big night, it tends to get slightly ruined by the night
before. In this case, my friends and I had been planning on and
looking forward to the Friday night gig at the Oxford Arts Factory
for months, so what do I do? Well, I spent the Thursday night
drinking moonshine at a warehouse in Marrickville and... well I'm
sure you can already tell that this isn't going to end well... (or is
it?)
My favourite song off the Big Things
Volume 2 album, as I'm sure a couple people can attest to, was
immediately “Lingua Franca.” The song is a collab by Mute MC
(Reverse Polarities) and Verbaleyes (True Vibenation). Lyrically,
this song spoke to me more than any other has in recent times. It
communicates how music is the only absolutely universal language. It has
the ability to bring the people of every culture and background to
the understanding that we are all just one people. It's basically
everything that hip hop as a culture attempts to express.
On the night of the 13th
August, a special day on it's own, I partook in a particularly
special event, we did a video shoot for “Lingua Franca.” We may
have lacked the representation from all cultures of the world that we
had wanted to showcase in the video, but we all came with an earnest
desire to make something out of nothing and to give this song the
energy and communal feeling that it deserves. I'm pretty sure we
succeeded, although I've yet to see the video. I did get to rap to
the camera though, and I met Damon finally, after hearing so much
about how awesome he is, but that's a whole other story.
And so the BIG night had come around
finally, I really meant to get there right when the doors opened. We
should have been the first people standing by the door, bright and
eager with our tickets clenched in hand, like little girls going to
see our first concert cause that's certainly how excited we felt. I
have been wanting to see Sketch the Rhyme which is, well what
is it? From what I can guess/ imagine- it's like a hip hop pictionary
game show, with lots of live freestyle raps and live art, you can't
get much more hip hop than that. It is such a cool concept and takes
a lot of skill. The ability to drop a tight freestyle these days is
almost like separate skill to being an emcee, when it used to be a
requirement. These kind of rapping games really keep rappers on their
toes and fine tunes their skill. Unfortunately, something called
“Fat Ass Scrumpy” (and that is a type of beverage) delayed our
arrival time by at least half an hour, so I missed out on the first
part of the action.
This was my first time at the Oxford
Arts Factory and I can see now why it's such a popular venue. It's
intimate without being too small, it gives the feeling of being in a
theatre (velvet curtain and all) without any seats to get in the way
of dancing. Immediately upon entering you could tell this was a hip
hop gig. Not like a 360 show which I've talked about before, or Illy
which I went to recently, where the vibe just felt a bit off. Here,
it was like there was something in the air, a highly contagious
airborne allergen that did the opposite of making you sick, in fact
as soon as you caught it you felt energised, alive, and connected to
all the people around you. It was like arriving home, and although
most of the people there were strangers, they were all people that I
wanted to know. My eyes were sparkling as I looked around. I was on
a drug but I wasn't. I was on the edge and about to jump.
Reverse Polarities was on now and I
went straight to the front of the stage as if we had assigned seats
and I had to take my place. Mikoen, P-Smurf, and Mute MC said their
hellos to me from the stage not like an artist communicating to a
fan, but like we were here together and we were sharing something. A
couple of songs into the set, everyone except P-Smurf mysteriously
disappeared from the stage, then out popped Jeswon to perform what is
most likely my second favourite song on the album, although it's a
close call. Lately it's only lyrics with a message that really do
it for me, Evolutionary Cells was a stand out from the first listen.
As far as lyrics and subject matter this song is right where I'm at.
It is time for evolution, come on people lets do this. BIG of course
came on soon after and I couldn't stop myself jumping around to this
insane beat. It's probably the catchiest song on the album, and with
Billie Rose joining them, they became Reverse Polarities- Daily Meds
hyphenated like a beautiful marriage of sound.
Security is minimal at these events.
It's not like at some shows where there has to be a big barricade
separating the performers from the audience, in case desperate
teenagers get overcome with lust and throw themselves onto the stage.
(I haven't seen it happen yet anyway.) And the inevitable fighting
that tends to happen at a lot of hip hop shows, was completely absent
this night. The vibe was excellent, it's like we were all friends.
Artists were also audience members, keen to see their friends
performances as much as we were. When the show was about ¾ of the
way through, Rochelle turned to me we both just looked at each other
in astonishment, we couldn't do much but just shake our heads and
say, “amazing.” She tilts her head and says, “this could be... the best?” “Yes,” I nod in agreement. “The best one.” we
agree.
It was all about the vibe this time and
the vibe was alive and the crowd was feeling something intense
together, the sets were tight. What can I say about the rest of the
night? Loose Change is a change from just your average Australian hip
hop. “Ode to the Beatmaker” is a performance and track to check
out from the album. Rapaport solo is truly unstoppable. He's got a
style that no one can touch. As he said during the set, “this is
like workout music,” you can't help but move around to the beats.
As proved by my video of “Claptrap” where he is joined by
impromptu dancers. True Vibenation bring the whole reggae, jazz
vibe, with the saxophones and love for all, and Bob Marley. It's a
good chill interlude. It was really exciting for me when Mute came
out and they performed “Lingua Franca” after working on it so
much the night before. It was a great energy song that got a crowd
response. Daily Meds just absolutely killed the night. I'm pretty
sure everyone literally went “Insane” and had to be removed from
the activities of normal society the next day. Daily Meds
have the most intense high energy performance I have yet witnessed.
You cannot help but dance to the music. Well it helps that they have
a song called “Dance” as well but, you would anyway. Tuka and
Ellesquire are the smoothest lyricists. Their raps are thoughtful
and their singing soulful. They both have a soothing, yet eye
catching stage presence, it was certainly interesting to see these
two form a pair and bring us something new from their combined
greatness.
Ellesquire and Tuka
Going to the Newcastle and Blue
Mountains shows turned out to be a beautiful last minute decision.
Three weeks had gone by since the Sydney show already, and the BV'ers
had taken a massive bus all the way down to Melbourne and then up to
Brisbane. Our decision to go to the Newcastle show was a last minute
one as it was. And then following mine and Kathy's normal procedure,
we left about a hour and a half later than we had planned to. But
I'm sure it wouldn't be half as exciting to get there if we weren't
always racing the clock. This time we raced the clock all the way up
the coast, half hoping that the show wasn't actually over when we got
there. Lucky it wasn't too bad, we made it in about halfway through
Loose Change's set. Saying to ourselves of course, it's ok we'll see
the whole thing next time. Hahaha....
The Newcastle show was a little bit of
a disappointment. I don't know if we were just a bit put off from
the start by one very strange coincidence, a chance meeting. But
the whole night certainly had a very different feel to it. After the
super high energy of the Sydney show, this one felt a bit strained
and a little bit awkward. But that just goes to show how every show,
even though it's exactly the same, can have a completely different
feel just depending on the crowd. The performers feed off the
crowd's energy and give back whatever they get magnified tenfold. A
disinterested crowd will always get a slightly disinterested
performer, but when it's on, it's on.
True Vibenation
Have you ever had the experience of
witnessing an absolutely incredible performance, and then afterwards
you just feel completely drained? It's like coming down off of a
high. That's because you have given up all your energy to that
performance as well. The performer has received an incredible burst
of energy from the buzzingly excited crowd and was able to use it
all, to gain almost inhuman abilities, giving it all back with the
best performance possible. The performer and the audience form a
special bond. It's why I go to the shows night after night, it's what
I live for these days. That one moment where you're not just
yourself anymore, the moment that the performer and the audience
creates together, where the whole room is on the same level. We drop
over the edge. We all feel the same feeling. The one moment. The
posse track, This Is That, which of course was the last song of the night
describes this push and pull between the audience and performers
perfectly. “We got the energy to give it out, give it back... what
you want is what you get, keep it all in check, come on.”
How to sleep in a car. Where are her legs??
Anyway not to say that the Newcastle
performance was anything less than awesome. But compared to what we
had already seen and what was to come, it definitely lacked energy
and crowd participation.
Getting to the Blue Mountains was
painful. This was the same day we left Newcastle, drove back to
Sydney and then off again to Katoomba. Of course we were late again,
and the rain was so heavy as we turned onto the highway that lead
into the mountains that we almost had to pull over. Lucky it wasn't
a tad colder or we would have been blanketed with snow. I'm sitting
in the back of the car with the rain bucketing down on us, completely
covering the front windscreen. Kath is trying to drive but we can
barely see a metre ahead and I'm just thinking to myself. “Why the
FUCK are we doing this??” We parked down the side of the building
so we could smash a few drinks before we went in and we could hear
BIG just barely coming through the wall, of course we missed the
whole beginning of the show AGAIN! We made a sneaky side entrance so
as not to attract too much attention. The room felt old but
friendly and comfortable. Small town vibe, everyone was friendly.
There was so many familiar faces in the crowd. And then all the
hassle of getting there, sleeping in the car the night before, the whole day of driving, everything was worth it. We had made home again.
It felt so good to get out of Sydney
for a little while. I moved down from North Queensland about 8
months ago, chasing some excitement, something happening. I
certainly found what I was looking for, but I realised that I haven't
left the city since about March (except to go to Canberra, which
doesn't really count cause it's a shithole, sorry) and it was so
relaxing just to chill somewhere were people aren't always rushing to
get to the next thing. The small town vibe is definitely a needed
break for the mind.
Daily Meds
This show was much
smaller than the Sydney one, and it started off slow, even by the
time we got there the crowd was a bit sparse. But I think what we
got to in the end of that show exceeds where we were at in the Sydney
show. I felt like all of us together were building and building up
to the last moment. The ultimate push and pull, the energy flying.
I think because we had already seen the show a couple of times now,
we weren't particularly focused on each set like we had been, but
that meant that we had plenty of time to connect with friends. And
it gave us the ability to throw all of our spare energy into that
last all important moment, in the last song. And it paid off. That
end result that I try to describe? It can't be mimicked or faked, it
can only be felt deep inside. And if you know what I mean then you
know now, or else you have a new aspiration to achieve. This hip hop
thing is slowly killing me. And letting me breathe. If you don't
know what I mean, then get onto this thing.
I'd say we're
pretty close to starting our own society, yeah? Big Village.
(you'll see me rep
that in the street)
I think you'll find all your needs will be taken care of here.
Check it out, Tuka's 2nd solo album "Feedback Loop" will be released this Friday, 26th October!
I know I've been majorly lagging in the updates department lately. Where are all the gig reviews?? I thought you loved hip hop Jen?! Well the thing is this month has been absolutely crazy for me. Not only in relation to six months ago when I was just a small town Townsville girl, but compare this schedule to anyone you know and you'll see that hip hop has become my full time job. Not only that but all this is juggled in between working at my actual full time job. I originally meant to update this blog every Wednesday and I would like to go back to that, but lately it's like Friday, Saturday, sometimes Sunday is a gig, Sunday is a totally written off hungover day, Monday I'm too tired to think, Tuesday I need to catch up on some much needed sleep, Wednesday and Thursday I have some time to write, if I don't have other things going on, and then before I know it it's Friday and time to do it all over again.
So here's a quick overview of the gigs that I attended in the last month, some definitely deserve longer entries and I am working on it, patience people. Please stay with me.
27th July - Daily Meds & Rainman @ Fbi Social -
My first gig in King's Cross and it certainly could have been sleazier, it was definitely lacking on the sleeze factor. But it was made up for by actually being a classy venue with a good hip hop vibe to it. My girl and I had a few too many drinks at home and we were delayed from showing up on time due to a shaken Coke bottle incident in the kitchen. We went for the Daily Meds but stayed to see the incredible Rainman. From what we got to see the Daily Meds were hard hitting as usual, everyone in the place was up and dancing when we burst through the door. I'm so glad we got introduced to Rainman this night, he blew me away. He has been described as "Queensland's best kept secret" if so he won't be a secret for long. His song "The Valley" just won in the Urban category in Queensland's music awards. I just got his album two days before this show and I was already hooked by the time I saw his performance. His lyrics are direct and honest. His voice is soulful. He sounds destinctly Australian without the bogan factor. He has fun easy songs mixed with deep and thought provoking songs. He's got that something extra. He's basically everything I look for in Australian hip hop at the moment, I can't believe I have only just heard of him. He has quickly become a new favourite of mine for sure. My especially favourite song of his is called "Darling" and it's a tribute to his relationship with hip hop. Check out my video below, really quality footage.
28th July -Kade & The Karneez @ The Annandale Hotel -
Kade was gearing up for his official album release by throwing a big party at the Annandale with free beer. Even after an epic hangover there was no way I was missing this one. It turned out to be a bit quiet though, for a night which included the promise of free beer. Kade wasn't a disappointment, just the crowd. A normal part of the act is when an emcee from the crowd will jump onstage for a freestyle battle with him, but no one was feeling it that night. Good thing Kade has plenty more gigs to come, including a headline show at FBi social on the 4th October and the Sando in Newton on the 11th of October.
3rd AugustTrue Vibenation & Jackie Onassis & Skryptcha @ The Standard
There was a lot of competition on for gigs this night. It was a big night for Australian hip hop for sure. That I settled for Skryptcha was a last minute decision, although I wasn't disappointed. What I missed out on was Def Wish Cast at the Annandale (absolute dopeness when I saw them with Funkoars earlier this year) and Mantra with Mphazes at the casino. It's funny cause I normally would have chosen one of the others, but it turns out that I met a couple of new friends here so it was meant to be.
me & Rochelle, new gig buddies
Honestly, the group I most remember was True Vibenation. They had a funky, reggae hip hop vibe that I was really feeling. From what I remember Jackie Onassis was good too. The whole night was a bit of blur though. I had a conversation with Kai where I told him that my blog was really in depth and I don't do one or two sentence reviews. And here I am doing just that, damn hypocrites. Luckily I get to see them perform again when they open for Illy so can give them a bit more time and attention for that one. Skryptcha honestly let me down a little bit. The only thing that really stands out in my memory was that he sounded a bit too much like 360 for my liking. But again he is opening for Illy as well so I'm willing to give him a closer listen. The stand out song of the night was when he got the Spit Sydnicate boys on stage. Nick was rocking the gold chain bling, and Jimmy seemed a bit sketchy, hanging out around the shadows on the side of the stage except for his verse. Strange things from those two..
It was a good night over all, good atmosphere in the room, a lot of familiar faces, a lot of love for hip hop. But the music that night seemed to take a backseat for me, to the company I was with.
4th August -Briggs &Horrorshow & Hilltop Hoods @ The Hordern Pavillion
I will be writing an extended article about both of the Hilltop shows that I went to this tour. Just briefly, Horrorshow really ruled the night for me, they burst onto stage like they owned it, feeling very comfortable with their hometown after just returning from a brief stint in Europe. These boys have much improved in the last year that I have been following them. I can't wait to share this new video with you. Their new song "Dead Star Shine" is hauntingly beautiful and right in tune with their style. You can tell people where getting into it, just on this first listen. Check it out for real...
10th August -Thundamentals & Mantra & Dialectrix @ Canberra University-
Mantra, rapper and comedian
I think never has a more talented group been brought together. Thundamentals are top of the list for me in Oz hip hop right now (Bliss n Eso excluded). Mantra is certainly a good story teller and a tight rhymer. And Dialectrix I haven't heard much from but what I have is top quality, especially the song "Inner Heart Beat" off the album Audio Projectile. He has quick rapping and good lyrics. This gig was more like a private sesh with friends than an actual concert. We thought at first it really would be a private concert as there was only about 12 people there when we got there. More people trickled in during the night, but no where near the crowds that these groups are used to playing to, which was good for us. But despite it's small size, Canberra has a decent sized group of hip hop fanatics, it's a shame that this city gets missed out on on most tours. Actually, wait when did I start praising Canberra? This is not like me at all. So what do I remember most about this concert? That maybe I get to drunk to remember most concerts. But if you haven't done it yet get in to see a live Thundamentals show cause these guys know how to bring a room to life with just a DJ and two mics, no gimmicks. But they usually bring a live horn section with them, so it's definitely worth a trip out. I think their facial expressions bring a lot of emotion into the songs as well and they are very energetic, not just bobbing around, but dancing and doing hand gestures that coincide with the rhymes. They draw you in right away and you can't help but feel a connection with them when they're on the stage.
11th August -Hip Hop Odyseys @ Spaceport One, Marrickville-
Broken Thought Theory
I'm just letting you know right now, this is your new favourite venue. Hands down, no argument. Whether it's hip hop, rock, punk, or an all out rave this is the place to do it. Amazing warehouse used as a creative space for a variety of art forms. I attended the first ever hip hop night here, and despite not having a huge turn out, I think it was a raging success. Everyone there was very respectful and relaxed. The artists all felt very comfortable, like they were just performing for friends. Great performers. Saw what I reckon is the best beatboxing I've ever seen that night by, Ettoman. (Check out his youtube page, this guy does insane things with his mouth and lips.) This is going to be a monthly event so I'd love to see a few more people head on down next time. Awesome people, awesome place. Beyond amazing music and atmosphere.
I thought this would end up being a very different show to the last one, considering the much smaller venue. But hip hop acts these days don't seem to change their set list much (if at all) night to night which is a disappointment as I think it would be fun to play around with song arrangement and make a unique show every night. But that's a rant for another day. The main difference here was that we got a lot closer to the stage for Horrorshow, but then got out and to the back again for Hilltop. We must have got stuck in the middle of some parent chaperon group during Hilltop's set because all the people around us were older and they didn't seem to know any of the songs. What a disappointment. My main problem with Hilltops though is that for the level that they are at, and the money that they have coming in, I think they could do a lot more with their show. I have a lot of respect for what they have done for Australian hip hop, but I don't think they are utilizing their fame to the extent that they could be, to get a real message out there. I can't help but compare them to Bliss n Eso who have risen to about their level of popularity and influence, and they have brought so much more to the table, lyrically and for entertainment value at their shows. It's like Hilltop waved their arms around and got everyone's attention, but then as soon as we thought they were going to say something profound, they just made a fart joke instead. (I'm probably going to get crap for this.)
17th August -Rapaport "Patterns" mix tape launch @ Good God Smallclub, Sydney
Killer beats, mad rapping, dope freestyle, and too many patterns..... grimy as fuck.
Raport is comfortable on stage, always on point, has a sick flow with a unique voice and is the head of an amazingly talented crew- he couldn't be happier. Look out for Big Village cause they are doing BiG Things. If you haven't already (and I don't see why you wouldn't have) check out the album Big Things Vol. 2 which is a collaborative effort by the whole label. A whole lot of talented people banding together to do what they love and get it to us by the simplest means possible. Tour coming soon, can't wait to see the whole crew on stage.
19th August -Broken Thought Theory (and friends) @ Brighton Up Bar - I went to a charity event at Brighton Up Bar on a Sunday. I basically went to see Broken Thought Theory but had the treat of seeing Madam Wu and Elise Graham perform before them and I was inspired. It's pretty rare to see all girl hip hop acts. Broken Thought Theory put on an excellent show as usual. This was only my second time seeing them perform but there is something very comfortable about their performance for me. When I hear the songs, I feel like I already know them, even when I haven't heard them before. And not because they sound like everyone else, but more like a sense of déjà vu, remembering something that hasn't happened yet. Which is probably how you'll feel when you hear these emcees: State Advanced, Ear-Relevant, and Skase Ak. They are three of the dopest emcees you haven't heard of yet. And they are so happy and look like they are having so much fun on the stage together, it makes me literally want to join them.
Now I'd like to take you back in time a bit further to....
7th July -Last Kinection & Daily Meds @ The Annandale Hotel
Kathy and I: rockin' the spot..
I have to go back and mention the Daily Meds and Last Kinection gig on the 7th of July- This one sticks out in my mind above all the others lately. And not just because someone was giving away free money, although the irony was not lost on band members and crowd members alike when Mikoen sang the lyrics, "hey you in the suit and tie acting like you're the man/ we're not impressed by your money sonny/ none of us care/ so put your wallet back in your pocket..." from the song "Hey You" just as a random that had jumped on stage pulled out his wallet and showered the front row with a cloud of fifties, twenties, and ten dollar notes. Mik stumbled his lyrics and crowd members started at red, yellow, and blue pieces of paper for a moment not sure if they were real. The timing, if planned was dead strange. If unplanned, turns out it was just as strange. A lot of people simply missed it as they were so caught up in the music, which is right where you want to be anyway. And that alone says a lot about how great the Daily Meds performance is, if it can distract people from cash being waved around in front of them.
This was the first time I got the pleasure of experiencing either of these groups lives. They are respectful enough of each other to call the show a "double headliner." They both brought mass amounts of energy to the stage and the crowd was right there animated and pumped up to the max. This gig was everything a hip hop show should be. There was a lot of love in the crowd, both for the music, and for the other fans. Everyone just knew, if you were here, you know what's up, and you definitely know what good music is. Last Kinection are unique and soulful. Their lyrics are powerfully political and something that every one of us needs to listen up to. We need more indiginous Australians a part of this culture. They are a piece to the puzzle that we could all learn from. Daily Meds just burst onto the stage with insane amounts of energy, commanding your attention . Their quality beats make it almost impossible not to dance, and their lyrics are ones that command your attention, no soft pop songs here.
And this weekend is Illy with support from Jackie Onassis, Skryptcha, and my good buddy Elemont. Check him out below, kid's got killer flow.
Walking the street one day I came upon a graveyard, and as I was passing by, I heard it call my name. It beckoned to me with its little blue flames. But I couldn't stay. Because when I entered through the gate I laid under a tree in the shade, and it was reminiscent of the grave in which I laid too many times. That darkest winter, alone and blind- still living through that borrowed time of days and nights just marching by. And when spring finally did come, was it years or months until it stopped and I was born again? And as I contemplated, the wind picked up and shook the trees and sprinkled me with autumn leaves. So I knew it was about that time again. Why do I remember it? And why do I linger so long now? So I got up to leave, I got out of that sleep that was pulling at me. That old sense of familiarity. That haunting, calming, alluring dream. I tried to leave but the full moon above the trees was beaming down on me, rainbows cascading over me. Hypnotized, it stopped me dead. And as I stared into its encompassing beauty, the wind passed over me, surrounding me, it was holding me. And as shadows passed by they whispered to me. They said, don’t leave, there is someone we’ve been waiting for you to meet.
Picking my way through the graves, the whispers drove me to this certain place. A grove of pine trees with an opening where the moon was beaming down with it’sfull intensity. And as soon as my eyes spotted it, my mind was tripping over memories, and I slipped into a different dream. The stars were moving rapidly until their images where no longer one clear spot, but a solid stream, white lines painted on a canvas of black ink. I fell, but was that in the dream or in reality? I awoke to a familiar smell- a match. And then I saw the smoke of a cigarette- curling, dancing- then disappearing into the blackness. Slowly you brought it to your lips and that single puff was like a kiss. From where do I remember this? Then I realized I was on my knees, as in prayer, still in the clearing and you were there, looking at me indifferently. Lingering purposefully in the shadows so I could barely see your face. But I knew instantly that I was safe. I recognized you from those images in my head as I lay in the grave. But as I walked toward you, you turned away as if maybe you’d forgotten what had already taken place. In frustration I screamed to the trees, I demanded the moon tell me what was happening. But I wasn’t the only one waiting to see. Soon others were there, surrounding me. Everyone was questioning, but their identities were unclear to me. Soon I felt as though we all were in a sea. Riding waves of uncertainty, drifting endlessly, just waiting to be saved. The faces bobbed in and out of my vision, but no one seemed to realize the division between what was a dream and what was really happening. And no one seemed to notice me. They were all lost in a hell of their own questioning. For what were we waiting?
I slipped under the water and found that I could breath easily, but all around the the others seemed to be drowning. I saw you again as you swam beneath me. You turned and smiled at me. And then once again I was standing- with you next to me. The world held its breath with the waiting. The leaves weren't rustling. No one was whispering. Was it majestic orhaunting? I might have seen it first about the earth as if it were a distant star. A point of light so far away. It came upon me suddenly- the biggest flash, the brightest light I had ever seen. And when it covered me I thought finally. But it was instantly. It seeped into me, filling me, engraining itself fully into every particle of my being. I left my body and I was free. I was released. And when I went into it I knew everything. It wasn't like the sea because there was no more questioning. There was no uncertainty. The light became seamlessly part of me. I was that thing. I was everything. The world was before me to see, and I was absolutely stunned by its beauty. This connection that runs through everything. I still felt you next to me. Surrounding me, inside of me, all around me. This is our journey. You're an integral part of me. And we're just floating through that stream, where history has no meaning because it's still happening.
I knew this couldn't last because I have a soul not yet complete, but these lessons are becoming easier. I see everything with a soul much clearer. So maybe I'm nearing a day when I can spend eternity inside this Perfect Unity where all information is available to me. And I can access anything and live through it as if it were part of a dream. And flow forever through this never ending stream with stopping points along the way.
Then I awoke as if that were my dream. But I remembered everything. I knew it was reality. I understood what was shown to me. And then I turned over in bed to look at you. Because I believe now is the beginning of our life where you can remember it too.
Peace and Love my lovelies! Stay tuned for more reviews next week!
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