WALE "FAMILY AFFAIR" VIDEO BY RIK CORDERO

LAZERBITCH "COQUETTE" MUSIC VIDEO!

NADASTROM "SAVED" EP RELEASE PARTY IN DC!

WILL EASTMAN & DJ TITTSWORTH TO OPEN U ST. MUSIC HALL!!!

D.C.'s Top DJs to Headline Their Own Club

D.C.-based DJs Jesse Tittsworth and Will Eastman have spun records and gotten audiences dancing across the globe, from divey bars to the biggest nightclubs, so you can figure they know a lot about what makes a great party spot. By early next year, they'll be starting up one of their own.

The U Street Music Hall is slated to open in early 2010 in the old Cue Bar location at 1115 U Street -- a basement-level space that can hold 250 to 300 people. Eastman says the place will have "a rock-club atmosphere with a high-end sound system. No bottle service or any of that."

"The whole place is going to be a dance floor. There will be a few booths and bar stools, but it's a dance club. It's for dancing, not sitting."

Eastman claims he never set out to open his own place -- when a friend suggested the idea few years ago, Eastman says his response was, "You're crazy. I'm a DJ. I don't know how to run a club."

But the thought stuck in his mind, especially because "there wasn't an affordable, no-frills dance club in D.C. There hasn't been a club to fill that niche since Red closed." So when he heard about an affordable space in the middle of U Street, he had to jump on it.

Eastman and Tittsworth's expertise is in rocking parties, not micromanaging them, so they're leaving most of the other details to the rest of the ownership team, which includes Eric Hilton and Farid Ali of Eighteenth Street Lounge, Marvin chef James Hilton (Eric's stepson) and Eastman's frequent partner Brian Miller.

For Eastman, it's a natural fit. "The ESL group brings experience in running nightclubs. Jesse and I bring experience DJing. Brian brings experience in design," [having designed the Gibson, Josephine and other D.C. hotspots]."

Just because Eastman has his own club, however, doesn't mean you'll find him there exclusively -- he plans to keep the electro-indie Bliss night at the Black Cat and he'd like to host more events at the 9:30 club, where the last '90s-hits-only No Scrubs party drew 1,000 people. "For what we do, we feel like there's room for this," he explains. "There's a lot that I do that doesn't fit at the Cat, [but] that's too small for the 9:30. We're going to be residents [at the new club] and DJ regularly, but we're not the only DJs. We're going to have national, international and local guests."

Other plans include spoken-word readings and DJ classes for area youth. We'll keep you posted on more details as the U Street Music Hall's opening draws near.

Via - Going Out Guru's...

MORE LOMO PHOTOS FROM OVP!!!

JJ BROWN EP 4 OF CONNECT THE DOTS W/ TRAVIS MCCOY OF GCH!!!

12 ANGRY WOMEN @ THE SOUNDRY

The Soundry will host our first juried art show entitled “12 Angry Women”, on display from September 26th to October 24th, 2009. The Opening Reception will be held on September 26th from 8:00pm to 11:00pm!!

Here’s the gist: Artwork in the show will ...be submitted by ONLY MALE ARTISTS and the jury will be comprised of ONLY FEMALE art professionals. 12, in fact. There is no theme or restriction based on subject or medium, and entry is open to non-Soundry-members as well as artists who are not local to Northern Virginia.

EDUCATED CONSUMER'S INTERVIEW!!!

From the good people @ Pen's Eye View...

It’s good to hear from guys that are as smart as they are talented – the duo of producer T.E.C.k! and MC SeezMics have been making waves in our backyard of Washington, DC for some time now – part if the Hip-Hop gathering around here called The Food Chain Collective. Educated Consumers is an example of chemistry in its purest form, as they’ll explain, “We are both exceptional at our individual craft and adept at blending our separate skills into a cohesive body of work. Most rappers focus solely on the rap, but we incorporate other aspects of performing and recording to ensure that our art is well-rounded.”

It isn’t just talent and smarts that power T.E.C.k! and SeezMics – they’re witty as hell. Just listen to their answer about music being a career for them: “I’ve always known we have the talent and maturity to walk the tightrope of making good art and getting paid for it, but there’s so much luck involved… it’s like meeting a girl you really dig but aren’t sure if she feels the same. It’s a big leap to put yourself out there and be 100% committed without knowing if things will go your way. But we’re at the point now where we told her how we feel and have a lovely weekend in Vermont planned if she’s interested.” Awesome. And we all totally get it.

They’ve released a new LP titled “Hello Big Mama”, their latest in an impressive line of work that includes their self-titled debut, a second record called “Aisle 2”, a third one titled “Write Hear”, as well as a free EP they released last year called “The Waiting Room”. Big Mama is basically Educated Consumers at their best – sure, you should probably check out all of their work, but if you only have one choice – this is it. It mixes the old school with modern intelligence into something significant. And they’re ahead of the curve when it comes to getting “Hello Big Mama” out there by selling it exclusively via dropcards. I’ll let them explain – “They are plastic cards with a code on the back. You enter the code at educatedconsumers.com and can then download the album. Vinyl will always live, but CD’s are being Darwined out so we want to get off the island.”

Get your hands on a dropcard if you can, because the music is available. And check out the schedule – Educated Consumers don’t plan on taking many breaks in the near future. There’s a lot more to learn below, so get into the XXQ’s.

XXQs: Educated Consumers



PensEyeView.com (PEV): What goes through your heads the minute you walk onto stage?

Cole: I’m focused on executing the planned material and finding a handful of things to mention that the crowd can immediately relate to. I always get a rush of healthy nervousness before going on stage, mainly because my jokes are pretty corny and I think I saw some kid holding a tomato.

PEV: Hailing from Washington, DC, what kind of music where you both listening to growing up? When did you find the love for music?

Cole: Jason was, and still is, a 100% HipHop junkie. He began collecting records at 15 and eventually managed a record store for several years. His record collection is all encompassing in regards to genre, so his influences are very eclectic. He has an innate love for music that is enhanced by the fact that he makes it.

I grew up in the ‘burbs and swallowed whatever pill was given to me by the radio and television. It wasn’t until I got to college that I was exposed to the independent world of art. I’m a narcissistic person and my love for music is driven primarily by the fact that I make it, but I’m a super fan of artists who inspire and humble me.

PEV: A Hip-Hop duo, what do you bring to the table that others do not?

Cole: We are both exceptional at our individual craft and adept at blending our separate skills into a cohesive body of work. Most rappers focus solely on the rap, but we incorporate other aspects of performing and recording to ensure that our art is well-rounded. I used the “thesaurus” and “pretentious” functions to write this answer.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live Educated Consumers show?

Cole: We understand that there are a handful of people who don’t know all of our songs by heart, so we spruce up the live performance with subtle jokes and props. However, we reward fans who take the time to know our songs by segueing seamlessly using tangible tangents. We are very precise live and don’t lean on ridiculous vocal effects or a squadron of useless hype men. One more thing: We take requests, but only if they’re written on your breasts, no shouting “Freebird!”

PEV: Tell us about your first live performance. How have you changed since that first show to where you are now?

Cole: Wow. We weren’t bad, but we were very raw and unsophisticated. I don’t remember the specifics of where and when, but I do remember it being pretty amateurish. Eh, to be honest, it was pretty god damn terrible. I remember thinking “This rap thing isn’t going to work out, I need to focus more in school and prepare for a life of economical servitude.” Nothing has changed.

PEV: What can fans expect from your new LP "Hello Big Mama"?

Cole: If you liked our previous albums, “Hello Big Mama” will be an instant classic. If you didn’t like our previous albums, I will passive-aggressively acknowledge that everyone has the right to their opinion and I respect yours. But I don’t.

Our first record, the self-titled “Educated Consumers”, is a very traditional rap record. “Aisle 2”, our sophomore effort, is much more abstract and does not rely on the conventional structure of most HipHop albums. “Write Hear”, our third album, is an homage to the golden age of boom bap records. “The Waiting Room”, an EP we released for free (you cheap shmucks!) in October 2008, is a blend of all three of our prior approaches.

“Hello Big Mama” is almost like a “best of” album. The older songs (see “creative time” question) are absolute bangers that are still relevant and cutting edge. The newer songs are completely different in terms of structure and content, but everything fits cohesively and flows the way an album should. The songs are also very conducive to a live show, which is important since we’re touring like nobody’s business. Based on our intense listener-feedback polls, “Hello Big Mama” is also the best showcase of t.E.C.K!’s beats on one album.




PEV: How is this album different from other albums out today?

Cole: It’s good. Yeah, I said it: Everything else is sonic puke when compared to this album! We are also selling the album exclusively via dropcards. “But Cole, what are dropcards?” They are plastic cards with a code on the back. You enter the code at educatedconsumers.com and can then download the album. Vinyl will always live, but CD’s are being Darwined out so we want to get off the island. “But Cole, technology frightens me!” Meh, we may some CD’s too. But you should know that CD’s cost the artists more to manufacture and therefore provide less profit, as well as create more junk for the Earth to digest.

PEV: What is it you like so much about the Hip-Hop genre? What first drove you to it more than any other?

Cole: For the most part, HipHop heads accept different styles as long as the artist has solid fundamentals. I like that the culture demands that individuals pay respect to the collective ground rules, but also allows for originality once those ground rules have been acknowledged.


PEV: Tell us about the creative time behind the making of the album? What was it like creating this?

Cole: There was a time when we were recording several times a week, so we had a surplus of songs that didn’t fit on “Write Hear” or “The Waiting Room” for one reason or another. As a result, most of the songs on “Hello Big Mama” were recorded years ago. Initially, I worried this album would have a “thrown together at the last minute feel,” but we tightened the loose screws on a few of the songs and came up with some really dope segues to tie everything together thematically. We were also fortunate to get some great guest appearances which really tied the room together. I mean album. Sorry, I’ve watched The Big Lebowski a million times.


PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about both of you?

Cole: Well, it’s pretty well known that I am very hairy. Fun fact about Jason, he is actually hairier than me but his hair is so light you can’t really tell. Pet him some time, you’ll see.

As for me… I have a really bad temper and very little common sense. People who only know me through music say I’m always so calm and thoughtful, but I’m pretty quick to yell and I get lost while driving to places I’ve been a million times. So it goes.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you and you were determined to make it happen?

Cole: I’ve only recently started to think of music in terms of a “career,” and mainly because I’m in debt from printing up CD’s, shirts, etc. I’ve always known we have the talent and maturity to walk the tightrope of making good art and getting paid for it, but there’s so much luck involved… it’s like meeting a girl you really dig but aren’t sure if she feels the same. It’s a big leap to put yourself out there and be 100% committed without knowing if things will go your way. But we’re at the point now where we told her how we feel and have a lovely weekend in Vermont planned if she’s interested.

PEV: What one word best describes Educated Consumers?

Cole: Normalcy.

PEV: Traveling is now a large part of your life. How is life on the road for you? Best and worst parts? Any fun stories?

Cole: Pros: getting to sleep in, long drives lead to funny/insightful conversations, meeting women, seeing new cities

Cons: not getting to regularly play basketball, sleeping on dirty floors, having to masturbate quietly, getting lost

There are a ton of “you had to be there” stories on the road. You develop a pack mentality and tons of inside jokes that don’t always translate to outsiders. Like this one time, I had been in the car for hours with my homey Dez and I said, “It’s so funny it’ll make you piss out of your armpit.” We laughed for about 20 minutes, but I guess you had to be there.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your musical careers? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

Cole: My parents are still iffy about it, and rightfully so. They spent a lot of money on my education and worry I’ll quit the cushy job I have now. However, the only show they’ve ever been to was when we opened for Atmosphere at a sold out 9:30 club which holds 1,200 people. As far as they know, every show is like that.

My dude friends do the normal dude thing and rib me about not making any money, but when it comes down to it they are very supportive. My lady friends are always supportive for which I am thankful. Hometown shows have been increasingly awesome for us because we are building a bigger and bigger audience of people we don’t personally know. There’s a great conglomerate of DC HipHop heads called The Food Chain Collective. It’s comprised of several acts from the DMV area and everyone supports each other, so we’ve benefited from being a part of it.

PEV: What can we find each of you doing in your spare time, aside from performing?

Cole: We’re both huge sports geeks, so we watch and read and eat and sleep sports. We’re both news geeks too. Jason has two cats, one of which isn’t batshit insane. I don’t have any pets so I watch a lot of movies, read a lot of books, and ask my friend Virak if he has any leftovers since he’s such a good cook.

PEV: Is there one artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?

Cole: We were fortunate enough to tour with Eyedea & Abilities in May 2008. That was an awesome experience because they’re incredible musicians and cool people. Brother Ali is a good friend and I think he’d sound great on a song with us. We’ve been fortunate enough to work with several artists we really dig to this point and I’m sure that will continue in the future.

PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
Cole: Dezmatic, Dood Computer, Cubbiebear, Head ResiNators, DJ cam-one, Food Chain Collective, Icon The Mic King, Poorly Drawn People, Lush Farm, and The Caverns to name more than a few.

PEV: If playing/writing music was not your career, what would you most likely be doing?

Cole: Hosting a sports talk show.

PEV: If we were to walk into your practice studio/space right now, what would we find?

Cole: Jason has an incredible record collection and his recording studio has all kind of cool trinkets. I’m an ardent minimalist and keep my place pretty bare. In other words, you’ll never find my porn.

PEV: So, what is next for Educated Consumers?

Cole: “Hello Big Mama” will be available September 3rd at educatedconsumers.com. “Hello Big Mama” tee-shirts and album release party tickets are available at 1vsM.com/hellobigmama. We will be touring the east coast September 3rd through the 19th to support the album, check the site for dates and locations. The album release party will be September 19th at Expo, 1928 9th Street NW DC 20001. Thanks to Sammy Popat of the UMCP Alumni Association for arranging this interview, and thank you Richie!

CANDICE NICOLE'S REVIEW OF "CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP!!!

So, I totally had to miss this great event that I sponosred :o(, because I had to accompany a client to Fashion Week that weekend. I reached out to Twitter (my BFF) lol and asked who would be interested in covering the event and @TheDMVHistorian reach out. She is a dope writer and has shown me love ever since she has started to follow me! :o) Check out her recap of the event! Enjoy!



“Salt-N-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine/hangin pictures on my wall/every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl, “(Notorious B.I.G., Juicy). Only, this past Saturday—September 12th, 2009, the images on the walls of Dahlak Restaurant & Bar, located at 1771 U Street NW Washington DC, were DMV music artists in action.

Inner Loop Records on-staff photographer and ”Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” event curator, Chapi D, called on area photographers: Overok, Seannie Cameras, Q. Ledbetter, Lady Glock, David Fahrali, LaVan Anderson and Gabi Brutus, to exhibit their shots of DMV music artists. He explained that, “With so much going on in the music scene, it would only be right to showcase the talent through a different medium.” The displayed images of DMV music artists K-Beta, XO, DJ Alizay, Ra The MC, Judah, DJ ID, Phil Ade, Lyriciss, Laelo Hood, The Paxton’s and others, express just as much about the artist’s as your favorite clip on YouTube.

Owner, Daniel Nesiseni, explained that Dahlak is named after his birthplace on the Eritrean Island, Dahlak Archipelago. So, it’s easy to expect an island-bred restaurateur to host artists that would likely rent a booth at DC Caribbean Carnival rather than artists that would likely buy a bottle at area nightclubs. Nesiseni, who has spent three satisfying yet grilling years as owner and operator of Dahlak, welcomes a variety of DMV artists to showcase their work in his establishment, simply because he enjoys their artistry.

On the Technics that evening, directing the “Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” event score, was host, Inner Loop Records’ executive and photographer, Overok. The event score consisted of soulful R&B and old school Hop-Hop. Songs that were quite reminiscent of the sounds you’d hear at a family reunion, and what a family Inner Loop Records www.innerlooprecords.com has. The kinship possessed by the entire Inner Loops Records family, matched with the love of their actual family members, serve as a model of the support system needed to develop a successful business. As Inner Loop Record’s Event Coordinator, Chris ‘ML’ Bates, explained “….there is no competition within Inner Loop Records…..only positive energy.”

All age groups and nationalities entered the comfortably lit, brown hued Dahlak, for the unveiling of the “Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” exhibit, which will be on display thru September 30th, 2009. Supporter, Jabari Magid, selected G5 Clive Stop Sign, shot by Gabrielle Brutus www.gabriellebrutus.com, as his favorite image. He explained that it was the stop war message in the picture that he connected with the most. Brutus, who has shot images of well-known DMV brands such as, Wale and Commonwealth apparel, explained she really didn’t want to take a picture of a stop sign because it is so cliché. But, when she developed the stop sign image, taken under the encouragement of emcee G5 Clive, Brutus saw it as one of the best pictures she’s ever produced with her eye, hands, soul and camera lens.

Recently signed, Inner Loop Records emcee, Lyriciss selected DJ Alizay & K-Beta, 89-09 Shoot, shot by Inner Loop Records visionary, Overok, as his favorite. In the black and white picture, both DJ Alizay and K-Beta give each other hand gestures of approval. It looks as though their saying, “This guy….no this guy. He’s the one….no he’s the one.” Which once again falls back on Chris ‘ML’ Bates statement about one of Inner Loop Record’s ethics, “….there is no completion within Inner Loop Records….only positive energy.”

It’ll take a keen eye to recognize the psychedelic gift in, Seannie Cameras’ Flex Matthews, which is a shot of emcee Flex Matthews. It’ll take an experienced photographer to understand the science behind producing such an image. Seannie Cameras’ explained how he took a 1-second exposure then he, “…flipped (inverted) the camera as the lens was open, and captured the second image of the subject.” Seannie Cameras’ creativity and knowledge of photography, is what likely enabled him to become a contributing visual designer at vimby. Log onto, www.vimby.com, to see Seannie Cameras’ quality video work of DMV brands, including XO, Marky, Stussy, Soulstice and Oddisee.

Lady Glock, who received her first camera at the age of seven and spent her youth taking photos in historic Washington DC neighborhoods, took it to the streets with Mean Mug.

The pic, which is currently being used as 93.9 WKYS @djalizay twitter default picture, is dominated by Dj Alizay’s buddy with an under bite, Phife Dawg. Lady Glock’s Mean Mug was taken on a day of a music video shoot, as was Chapi D’s Hip Hop Kids, GNB No Love Video Shoot. This may be the most historical shot on display as it features K-Beta, Lyriciss, Benji, Ra the MC, Laelohood, and XO.

“Can’t Stop, Won’t f/Stop” was an event so well produced event that it undoubtedly left its sponsors: Clockwise Clothing, Candice Nicole PR, Fusicology, Studio 43 and I Got it For Free, feeling like that was a sponsorship well invested. I Got It For Free visionary, Byrd, expressed that, “this is something no one has done before.” So if you too, have an appreciation for DMV music artists, then it will likely be time well invested for you to stop past Dahlak and experience the artists in another realm.

…..and please don’t stop there. Be sure to Google these photographers, sponsors and music artists to see what else they have going on and how you can support this historical DMV movement. It is up to you to decide which of them will go down in the books.

-The Historian

VIA - http://candicenicoleinthecity.com/

JOHN MAYER & JAY-Z = STRAIGHT G'ZZZZZ!!!!

PANACEA ON CURRENT.TV!!!

Damu(Y-Society), and K-Murdock of Panacea, both explain how the MPC is the backbone tool, used in their musical production repertoire..

-SC-

OVP PRESS, IS GOOD PRESS!!!

"Sean O'Grady, of One Viision Productions, gave an informative talk about the local music scene and how he documents it though photography and videography. Also new technologies that have been created by photography and videography.


The New World That Technology Has Created
Date: Jul 16, 2009
Sean talked about how market trends are changing towards web based technologies and how they will eventually blend into all markets (i.e. phone, TV, etc.).
One way the new web based technologies could work is for example "someone is watching a video on the web. If they like the performer's shoes, they will be able to click on the performer's shoes and purchase them."

He also touched on the "New Journalism" that has been created by everyone with a camera. Now anyone can be an on the scene reporter by snapping some photos or a quick video to capture the moment."

VIA THE ROTARY CLUB WEBSITE

NEW MIXTAPE COMING SOON FROM UNDERSOUND MUSIC'S, EMAJOR!!!

SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD: SARGE PART II OF II!!!

Survival of the Dead: Sarge (Part 2 of 2)

CAVERNS ON 97.5 DISSONANCE RADIO PODCAST (DOWNLOAD)

Tracklist & Download...

Playlist:
...
Oxes - Boss Kitty |
Frodus - Red Bull of Juarez |
Lungfish - Cleaner Than Your Surroundings |
City of Caterpillar - Maybe They'll Gnaw Right Through |
Autechre - 6ie.cr |
Tyondai Braxton - Stand There |
Converge - Concubine |
Mogwai - Killing All the Flies |
Ink & Dagger - Lolita |
Burning Airlines - Pacific 231 |
Tortoise - Glass Museum |
Botch - Japam |
Need New Body - Hot Shot |
Dillinger Escape Plan - Clip the Apex...Accept Instruction |
McLusky - KK Kitchens, What Were You Thinking? |
The Out_Circuit - Glasgow |

Direct Download link, on this page...

http://dissonance.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=522044

SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD: SARGE PT. I OF II

Survival of the Dead: Sarge (Part 1 of 2)

NEW GEORGE ROMERO - SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD PROMO!!!!!

BTS George Romero Sneak Peek

MORE JJ BROWN PROMO FOR CONNECT THE DOTS!!!

J.J. Brown - Pure Grind. featuring Reef The Lost Cauze from Well Done Entertainment on Vimeo.

CAGE/VIMBY.COM/ONE VIISIION PRODUCTIONS!!!

VIMBY - Cage

Clean ILL STREET GROOVES - J Scrilla vs Kev Brown 8.31.09!!!

On this momentious occasion the ISG crew pits famed, local producers/artists, Kev Brown [Low Budget Crew] and J Scrilla [Inner Loop Records], against one another in a friendly sound clash and interview focused around their careers and release of their respective new albums, Random Joints (Kev Brown) and Culture of Honor (J Scrilla).

Follow the link to listen to the show, and/or download it...

http://illstreetgrooves.podomatic.com/entry/2009-08-31T23_59_30-07_00