The Livest Ones

People continue to put out records that sound great in the living room, the car and the headphones. Seriously, it's quality music from reputable artists. But then something happens- the live show. Attending live shows is an increasingly risky enterprise for a couple of reasons:

1) They're expensive (relatively speaking)
2) They require a lot of time (travel time, ticket line time, waiting time)
3) They require a lot of faith ("I really hope this cat group/band/act doesn't have an off night on my dime.")
4) Most are extremely uncomfortable to sit through (i.e. long periods of standing in crowded, cramped spots)

With all this on the table, why even bother going? It's simple. We hope to see our favorite group deliver that same explosion that came through on wax x 2. We want to see what can't be captured digitally- the crowd going nuts, the energy, the lights, the mood, the power that only a live experience can deliver. So, when our expectations aren't met, the disappointment goes waaaaay beyond what we would have endured with a wack CD. The whole damn night is shot. We're broke, tired, pissed and our faith in the artist dies just a little more.

Artists can't seem to figure this out. Standing in front of a mic isn't enough. Long drawn out speeches and unrehearsed rants aren't going to get it. Your song selection and sequence is important. How many artists do you think truly put a strong effort into their shows? I mean, really. How much rehearsing and planning do you think goes into them? Especially, hip hop acts. Please don't overestimate the entertainment value of you standing in one place and spitting monotone, mumbled verses Mr. Emcee. Where's the showmanship? Where's the ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!??? I'm through wasting my dough and energy. Until you all get it together, you're on time-out.

-Kendal

Peep some heads that knew how to get it started. God bless 'em.

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NJPAC Afterparty Performance

Moments with Def Dom

As we prepare to release our second project, we felt it only right to share some behind the scenes stupidity, give you a quick peek at our latest track and let you in on some of Def's innermost feelings about life. Enjoy the nonsense.

-Kendal

Know the Difference

I have to say that on behalf of my belly's hunger for the glow of creativity that truly moves and stirs, I've looked into some intensely hailed artists (of various disciplines) during my short tenure on this here little stone only to discover a blaze of mediocrity and banality. Then the search becomes exhausting and we get lazy. We look so hard for something to inspire us that we settle for damn near anything that comes close to standing out. When we're dying of thirst in the desert and there's no water, do we drink the sand because we're thirsty or because we don't know the difference? ( "The American President" Michael Douglas. Go watch it.) I honestly wonder.

But when the ocean is presented, there is no question.

Crystal Clarity is one of the most stunning visual artists that I've ever come across. She sees in a way that I (and most people for that matter) can't. I met Crystal the summer of 2002 while working in a little shop on 8th St. across the way from Electric Lady Studios. I got a chance to peep glances of her sketch book here and there and was impressed, but as the artist in her has grown over the years, she has reached mind bending status (at least for me). The connective tissue between her visual work and her obvious love of the soul/hip hop/jazz/house music that has given us all reason to breathe is probably what continues to pull me in. The speakers sang, and she drew us the city...

-Kendal

See more of Crystal's work

http://www.myspace.com/phenostar