A new video from the Chicago rock outfit.
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Music
These songs hit.the.spot.
Whoa Nellie (I had to)
Vagabond Maurice. The name brought me in years ago, and the music kept me around. Last year's album, The Dragon Who Devoured the Moon, still makes the rounds in my iTunes catalog. In preparation for Maurice's upcoming album, Watching Icarus Fly (Nov. 24) and with two singles already available, I spoke with the Chicago MC about movies, books, Bossa Nova, Liberia, and everything else under the star that Icarus tried to reach.
“further melding cosmic imagery through the often-melancholic spirit of autumn, the two arrive with a more energetic sound to the season. ”
Hey, how’s it going? Can you describe your surroundings right now?
At the moment I’m sitting at a desk, or at least the furthest corner of a desk, that is cluttered in music equipment, speakers, monitor and a keyboard. The first issue of the Black Panther comic book is settled on top of one of the speakers, and I’m drinking some black tea while listening to jazz music (Yusef Lateef as I type this, doing some music research and such).
For anyone unfamiliar reading this, explain yourself in a few sentences. Icebreaker shit.
Um, I’m an unapologetic Black Nerd who is literary like a motherfucker – to put it in the least amount of words.
What's a normal week look like for you?
It’s probably reminiscent of the Spike Spiegel/Cowboy Bebop scenario in the sense that there used to be a lot of freelance work and teaching I used to do. Now it’s composed of figuring out the next steps to making the music and writing life sustainable, so my days vary from creative to the practical.
Everyone has a story to tell. What’s your story? You can answer this as precisely or as abstractly as you like.
I don’t think I even get to mention this as often as I’d like to, but I’m the first generation born here in America. My parents are from Liberia. Funny story, they just retired earlier this year and moved back to Africa. Last thing my Pops and Mom said to me was, “Good luck” concerning the election. It’s also dope to have family out of the country, because my Pops always sends me articles about the US to read, so I sort of always have an outside outlook of our country too.
What’s the rest of the year looking like for you?
I’m bout to travel to the West Coast for the first time! Going to LA in December to hang out with Chinsaku and create. A brotha trying to stay up out the cold weather of the Midwest. Although I know it’ll be sort of cold in Cali (I mean, but really, what is even considered cold in Cali?) I know I’ll be good. Midwest tough skin, and all that jazz.
What have you been listening to recently?
A lot of Bossa Nova and Latin Jazz, and just jazz from different countries – a brotha just building up his chops is all.
Quick survey: favorite movie / favorite book / favorite video game.
Goddamn this a hard question. I’d have to narrow it down to Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door, Black Boy by Richard Wright and Chrono Trigger.
Do you have any advice for artists working on their craft?
Research, analyze and then practice your form, forreal. And make working on your craft a habit. Getting better at what you do is definitely work (that you may enjoy) but don’t forget it’s work. Clock in overtime for them ten thousand hours.
Do you have any final words/thoughts/shout-outs?
“Jesus was black, Ronald Reagan was the devil, and the government is lying about 9-11.”—A rather stellar quote by Huey Freeman, of the The Boondocks.
Kid Cudi returns with two strong videos that he directed.
What did you do in the last 96 hours?
Someone give this talent a trophy.
The Milwaukee wordsmith is back.
My first attempt at click bait.
It's a solstice celebration
brought to you by
Medicine Woman.
Along with performances
from Via Rosa, Jean Deaux,
Drea Smith, and Kaina
& Burn Twins,
you will get to hear
DJ sets from
nosidam. and Jaro.
Via will also be
selling mini apple pie
cheesecakes.
Bring your favorite holiday
movie and we will have
a raffle to play the selected
film on the big screen
during the show.
Arrive early,
stay late.
Did I mention it's free?
Atmospheric instrumental, coming right up.
Trapo's full length is not to be missed.
Two songs that should be in car commercials.
Two tunes from the Moon boys.
"El El Cool Che"
gets some crisp visuals
to accompany an already
hot #spacewave track. Shouts to
SXMPLELIFE, Durkin,
and Victor Radz.
The whole video
was shot with a GoPro
and features elegance
in slow motion.
Black EL dropped this song
a couple of months back
and now we get the video
in black and white,
showing off fancy cars
and helicopters that take
to the sky.
Be on the look out
for more from Black EL.
If you need a refresher
course, check out the
essential playlist below.
New single from Jean Deaux.
Plenty of artistry from Zach G.
Watch them Atlanta boys chop it up for Mass Appeal.
Last summer, I spoke with graphic designer and prolific artwork guru Elyn Kazarian. The Californian (L.A.-based) has worked with Italdred Records, SoulEtiquette, Team Supreme, Omar Rodriguez-Lopz, ROM, SiR, Lege Kale, and Blink-182 (whoa) and is now the creative director for Fête Records. When we first spoke, I asked about preferred mediums and ideal creative spaces, tapping into her self-proclaimed style as "an atmosphere of orchestrated pulse." While that phrase really struck with me, it wasn't until after the interview that I really started noticing her philosophies. Both her Instagram and Facebook accounts are full of positive statuses and uplifting messages that focus on doing what we love, escaping our mind-numbing routines, and showing support and care for those around us. For our second interview, I made sure to dig a bit deeper, while also allowing the artist of the hour to talk about new companies, focused directions, and disco.
“The purest and truest form of creativity and innovation is the result of taking risks.”
Hey, how's it going? Where are you currently? Tell us a bit about your surroundings.
Hey Ben, things are pretty good on my end. I am currently living in Los Angeles in a quiet neighborhood just north of Glendale.
Since we last talked in the summer of 2015, what's changed? How have you grown?
Wow, I can't believe it has already been a year. A lot of things have happened since then. I was hired by Deckstar, a music management company, back in March of 2015, and worked there for over a year until my lay off this past May. Two days later, my father passed away, so you can say that this year has been a challenging one for me. Although, I think it has been the year that has allowed me to grow the most amidst all of the obstacles and the feeling of not knowing what will happen next.
Your social media presence is very motivational and inspiring. How do you stay positive? How do you combat hardships?
There's so much anxiety in our society nowadays around the idea of "followers" on social media. People can't seem to ever get enough. It took me until earlier this year to finally open an Instagram account, actually. It's not that I don't care about getting my work out there, but it's that I prefer to have supporters that truly believe in me and see something in me...it's not about the number of followers, that doesn't justify anything in my opinion. What's important for me is quality, and at the end of the day, my work gets across to those who understand where I'm coming from. I know that the right people have come my way and continue to do so. It's hard to stay positive sometimes because quite frankly I do become doubtful of myself, but I combat that by reminding myself that nothing happens overnight.
Have you always been optimistic or do you feel like your outlook on the world has grown over the years?
I've always considered myself a realist, and I truly believe that by maintaining a certain level of positivity, things begin to progress. People think by being positive or optimistic means that you're always happy, but that's not the case. It's about maintaining hope and putting into action what you dream of, even amidst hardship. My perspective on life changes over time, always growing and opening up to more possibilities.
Going back to music, what have you been listening to recently?
I can't say that I've been listening to anything in particular recently, because I find myself always listening to a lot of different genres in music. But I have been absorbed in Disco for some reason lately.
You seem to be the exclusive designer for Fête. How did you form that relationship with such a strong music outlet?
Yes! I'm their Creative Director, and have been working with them for over a year (since they started up, really). The guys that started Fête, Abhi and Robert, are two of the most dedicated and open guys I've worked with. We initially connected on Facebook I believe, and they had me create the cover art for the "1AM" EP and it all grew from there. Our relationship grew very organically, and continues to do so.
What can you tell me about this new endeavor of yours, Slug Agency?
Slug Agency was started by Fool's Gold Records artist, BOSCO this year. BOSCO and I have been following each other on Instagram for a while, and I saw her posting these teasers about how they were looking for designers in ATL. I was intrigued regardless of the fact that I'm in LA, and reached out to one of the other members she was working with to see what it was all about. They loved my work, and after a few email exchanges, BOSCO told me that I'm one of the other lead designers. There are four of us, and we're currently working on our launch for early next year.
What's the rest of the year looking like for you?
To be quite honest, I have no idea. I think that's the beauty of it for me right now. I'm allowing myself to see every angle, to be open to what's next. It's been a hard year, but I know great things are ahead.
“So many creative professionals on social media get caught up with satisfying others with their work rather than satisfying themselves. Not even creatives alone, a lot of people in general. Don’t get caught up in the anxiety of pleasing someone else, chasing followers, and being fake.”
Last year when I asked for advice, you said, "Be open to learning as much as possible. There’s so much out there. Don’t ever let failure upset you or stop you from growing. That’s the only way you’ll grow." Any advice updates/elaborations?
I can say that that piece of advice will always hold true for anyone. I will add by saying that there will be a lot of challenges and setbacks in your life/career/you name it, but all of the things that happen need to happen for whatever reason. What truly shapes you are those obstacles, and the reaction that you have towards those hardships will determine your future.
Any final words/thoughts/shout-outs?
I want to thank Elias and Eliot, the two that gave me my first ever album cover art job for their label Modern Filth back in 2012, and for whom I've worked with for over four years. I want to thank Abhi and Robert, the Fête Records boys for believing in me and giving me the creative freedom to express myself. Thank you truly to anyone that supports me, it doesn't go unnoticed. And thank you Ben for speaking with me!
Music as smooth as the artwork.