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Train Of Thought member Level Headed has just dropped his long awaited solo album Spice Of Life. This South Australian took some time out to have a chat to our own G Force about the inspiration behind the album, the good and bad of being part of a group and the general state of oz hip hop at the moment.  Not to mention get you hyped up for what promises to be a hectic tour to launch the album.

First up congrats on the album Spice Of Life. 5 years since the Train Of Thought (TOT) album. Were their plans for another crew album, was the solo first up or did it just turn out this way?

It just turned out that way; Debate is master beat maker since the early days before TOT, since 96. He was still making beats whether we were doing anything or not. After TOT dropped I moved to the country to teach and half the crew went overseas so it fell apart a bit. It was hard to get everyone together. I had gathered a few beats from Debate, just making a few tracks to stay in it and it got to a point where we realized we could do an album. Then I heard from Hacksaw after 3 years missing and we hooked back up. Then TOT just jumped in. We somehow got verses from everyone and it sort of became a TOT album almost under my name. I am happy to rep though, anything out of Debate’s lab is under the TOT label or TOT productions. We don’t have plans for another TOT album though; it is too hard to get all 4 of us together to write on the same topics and wavelength.

Using Debate the whole way through creates a “complete sounding” album, were you looking at other producers at any stage?

I maybe would have looked but I moved to country SA and lost contact with a lot of the scene. I knew I could have asked Suffa and Trials but I know they are flat out. Reflux was meant to cut when Hacksaw was AWOL but he came back. Next album I will use a few more producers. I mean Debate has hundreds of top quality beats with a fair bit of variety, definitely not all the same but he is a good mate and regularly see him so we will have to wait and see.

There is an SA style on the album. If I didn’t know who you were and where you were from I could still pick it as an SA album. Where do you think this style comes from and are you even aware of it or am I just categorizing SA?

I think because we had such prominent leaders in the Hoods who led the way they influenced everyone with their style and people came out similar. Also the twang of the accent. I do agree though, I think Social Change and now Headstrong Company have that same vibe also.

There is a reasonable upbeat party kind of vibe on the first half of the album then it switches to a bit darker. Is this a play on the spice of life and the good and bad theme throughout?

The album definitely had a lay out which fitted best in my head, which is the way it felt right. I kind of wanted beats with guitars at end for some reason. I also didn’t want to blow people away with deep shit straight away. Light hearted to heavy. It also starts with the solo tracks, first five to run with then onto the tracks with features.

Of the heavier and darker tracks, “Too Late” really stood out, especially as you are a teacher, where did the inspiration come from for this track?

I was fascinated with the massacres and the issues behind them. Kids getting picked on, youth alienation and so forth. At first I had written the track addressing these issues directly but I thought it came off a bit soft, I wanted a bigger impact. Some people gave me advice to not do it as I was a school teacher. I try to keep it separate though; my students can’t buy my album off me. For the most part I tried to keep the album clean. Trials destroyed that with his huge amount of weed references in one verse though, haha.

So do the Kids and their parents know you are an emcee?

Yeah for the most part they do. I try not to swear when I spit to me swearing is not used to show lyrical ability. I try to keep topics a bit coded and subtle, using samples of tracks to highlight stuff about past shit like smoking.

8th degree on the track “Bring Them Down” is a Hed Pe kind of hook, is this something you have been trying out, how did it come about?

Yeah, more a sort of a Rage style I was keen on trying it out. I wanted to do something not many people have done and I had mates who we could work with. Everyone has chicks on choruses and orchestral stuff and it seems a bit unnecessary at times and people doing it just because it is what they think a hip hop track should be like. It was something different I wanted to do without compromising or selling out, but still different. Few beers later and we worked it out. 8th degree were a late 90’s metal band that I know, they are inactive now so it was kind of a shout out to them.

Besides that track most have a 4 bar emcee layered hook that would work well live. What is the importance of sing a long live show hooks?

The TOT album only had two tracks with actually hooks the rest were cuts and it was awkward and weird live. So I learnt from that in what works better live, I continuously progress with live shows in mind. I really just wanted something to do during hooks! Hip hop is going towards a more hook related style with more focus on song structure. I don’t see why everyone needs to use birds on every hook though, bit of overkill. Some tracks I am enjoying are killed when a chick starts to sing on the hook when it really isn’t needed and I switch off.

Who chose tracks on the interlude “bring ya back to life”?

Me and mates sat down and chose them together after recording on weekends for the whole first part of the year. We had 30 tracks at the start! They were all well known, and it was hard to cut down anymore. I wanted a unique skit. We have a live rendition of bring ya back to life, juggling then into the scratches of that interlude, smashing it.

Back to SA, bigger crews blowing up, Oars, Hoods, has it affected the scene there and expectations?

Probably not too much, I mean Hoods are alone when it comes to their level but Oars are probably on the same level as some Obese and Elephant tracks artists. Like anywhere you have a top tier of artists and it then works it way down. There is a lot of respect in the SA scene and people know who has been around for a while. I would say the younger people who are killin it though would be Riverland, Social Change. Dialect. The expectations are high but I think people are meeting it. Of course you gotta check for Vents, Oars, Hoods and also Headstrong and Trane.

So where do you stand on young kids releasing product early? Do you think people should be releasing EP’s, demos or Full Lengths? Is the scene swamped?

To an extent, no one is saying you have to press 3000 copies. I have received good feedback on my CD but now my distro company Amphead has folded so I have to do self distro. There is no one stopping you doing it, so if kids want to press up stuff they can do it. CD cost $2, sell it for $5. No one is buying Cd’s, so it is still just to get your name out there then you need to focus on Merchandise and shows. Having an album, 12 tracks instead of 6 is where it is really at though; no one can fuck with that feeling.

So you think it will go back to people hustling their own stuff, backpacks as a way of selling?

It is disappointing but I don’t know whether it will ever go back to the old school way of slinging CD’s. People still download; they just don’t want to pay for it. iTunes has fucked it. People tell me, hey I heard ya CD but they didn’t buy it and friend just loaded it onto their iTunes. They don’t realize the effect it has on artists. Create another medium, MP3 sticks that blow up like James Bond after downloading. I pressed 2000 copies after we sold 3000 of Moving Heads. I am confident in the album but two weeks after it dropped there are 30 sites to download it and there is nothing you can do about it! If someone shows enough interest I would give them a free copy rather then having them download it. I want people to have it and the artwork and see the work put into it and have people appreciate it. Read about it and get involved in it. We are a bit saturated though there is so much music to get and gather. I understand people can’t afford to buy it all.

You have a Reason Collab from Melbs but the rest are from SA. Anyone else you wanted to collab with Aus Wide?

Reason and I are both teachers and this is something we had in common, I met him through uni and stayed with him in 04 while on tour with TOT. He is a legend and we get along real well. I jumped on his album Life’s a Lesson and an 8 bar verse on jump ahead. So we did the 24 to one remix. It was a fucking nightmare to do, took weeks to write. It was really hard to do, hard to feel it, I really wanted it to be more than just a count down, and it had to sound concise. As for other artists I am too far away, I would like to work with Thundamentals and Dialectrix. I don’t want to work with people unless I have had beers with them though and get along. We have just had City Wide from Geelong, jump on as a clothing sponsor with 3rd Chapter clothing so I am pretty sure I will do something there. I mean Pressure owes me a verse and he knows it. Suffa owes me a beat. But I am not one to seek charity or push mates, I am not going to cash in off their success.

Tour upcoming? What can we expect, looking forward to it?

We have written a new intro, coming out to an old song with specific intros for each state. We got Headlock and Trials in Adelaide with their verses, Reason in Melbourne with his. It is just a vibing show, want it to be a fun show. We have spent a long time rehearsing with better integration of the DJ. I want to turn the DJ into a part of the group lyrically. I have seen a lot of live sets try this and not do it well but I reckon we got it locked. I would love if I could jump on the decks like Finesse but I can tell you that ain’t happening!

www.levelheaded.com.au
www.myspace.com/levelheadedmc

Goto to check the new Video from Level Headed titled “The Hills”

Pick up Spice Of Life from all good Hip Hop outlets and check the launch coming soon near you! Check the flyer on your right for gig details!

Sinergy Crew aren’t the most well known rappers about the traps but where they lack in recognition they make up for in skill. We catch up with them for a brief chat:

You’re both from Melbourne, How did you guys get together in the first place?

(R)oyalz: We met through mutual bong smoking graff head mates back in high school. He had me at ‘hello’.
(C)hains: The humble mixbowl has always been good at bringing people together.  That’s really what the middle east needs.  Sit down Palestine and Israel with a mix, a buge, and a copy of the Matrix.  Problem solved.

Sin City has been out a few months now, what’s the general reaction/feeling you are getting from heads?

R: The response has been pretty positive so far. The softer sounding hip hop has been blowing up recently, but some people are still wanting the rawer stuff and we try to punch people in the face with our music.
C: Yeah it’s been pretty positive.  In general hip hop around the world, and in Australia, has been gradually losing its edge.  We’re not really conforming to the ‘easy listening’ movement as such.  We also keep in mind the live aspect of our music, most punters want to go out and have a few drinks and let loose, and we provide a vehicle for that.  I don’t know many people that want to stand in the corner being depressed and wiping away tears.  The scene seems to have become a bit emo of late though.  As far as we know we’ve been getting some radio play in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Perth on the independent radio stations.

It’s been 4 years since your Chaos Theory Mixtape, how have you  both evolved since then?

C: It’s hard to notice personally as you go along because it’s gradual.  It’s really when you listen to old tracks lined up against newer material that you can see how far you’ve come.   I think one of the biggest changes you notice is delivery and presence, which grows along with confidence.
R: We started rhyming around the same time so we’ve seen our style grow and become more polished over time. What Chains said is true though. I had a listen to Chaos theory the other week and you can tell a massive difference, both lyrically and beat wise.

Royalz you are also doing beats now? Did you always make beats?

R: I started out as an emcee first, but picked up making beats early on. With my first beat I actually used the same Debbie Does Dallas sample in Funkoars ‘Boxeaters’. I was really proud of myself until Turps showed me the Funkoars track and I crawled back under the rock I came from. Luckily I kept at it and have a sharper cleaner sound then I did back then.

Tell us a little about Sin City.

C: I’d describe it I guess as having a somewhat dark, uptempo, boom-bap style to it.  Hip Hop production should get your head nodding, and the lyrics should get your mind ticking over.  And not only the first time you hear it.  I like it when people pick up on a new metaphor or something even after listening to a track a number of times.

You have a few Aussie collabs including Raven from Hungry Humans, how did they come about. How was it working with similar artists? Do you think you blend well? Where there any problems?

C: Collaboration is a great part of the artform.  We recorded the track with Raven in his bedroom haha. He’s on a similar tip to us and we’ve always loved his music so was great to work on a track together.  The DBO Track was a bit of a problem logistically and was recorded in fits and spurts, and the A.I track was hard to pin Esvee down from Ballarat, but it all worked out.
R: Yeah although it was logistically difficult, I think working with similar artists and being with them at the studio helps the chemistry that hopefully translates to the tracks that we collaborated on. We don’t pay for myspace verses.

What’s your focus at the moment ?

R: We’re currently working on a free mixtape called the GRHYME Lab, which will feature new tracks from Sinergy Crew, Broken Aesthetiks and our crew Associated Illness. Then we’ve also got the Associated Illness album in the works. Dudes aint ready haha.
C: Yeah just doing Sinergy and A.I shows, the mixtape and then 2010 will be the Associated Illness album – gonna be a banger!   There’s also a focus on building up the GRHYME name, as the distribution situation in Australia isn’t great – so were trying to build a platform to release ours, and soon other head’s music.

What’s your hustle game like ?

R: I don’t do drugs.
C: As independent artists on our own label – that’s the only game we can play!

Sinergy Crew are hustling around Melbourne and you can check gig dates and pick up a copy of their LP below. If you like ya shit grhyme – cop this now.

 

www.myspace.com/SinergyCrew
www.myspace.com/GRHYME1

OG Turnatablist, DJ ROC RAIDA of the X-Ecutioners passed away Friday, following complications from an accident during a Martial Arts session. Roc Raida was one of the first turntablists to visit our shores and I remember that gig in Albert Park like it was yesterday. RIP The Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida.

From his management …

Anthony Williams known to the world as The Legendary Grand Master Roc Raida has passed away unexpectedly today Sept 19 2009. Raida was recently in an mixed martial arts accident. Although he had under gone 2 surgeries with great success, in a rehab center and was in great spirits the past few days. This morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time.

Fans can visit his Myspace page here http://www.myspace.com/rocraida.

Revolver Upstairs, McKenna Bourban and Triple R are proud to present the 11th Annual Revolver MC Comp.

Eleven years of unsurpassed talent battling their skills for a heavyweight title that has been held by such greats as The Tongue (NSW), Bias B (VIC), Justice (VIC) and Delta (SA).

The winner prize pack is valued at over $8,000, and consists of cash plus a flight voucher, goods from sponsors including McKenna Bourban, Revolver Upstairs, Triple R, All Of The Above, Burn Crew, Chapel Tattoo, Colonel Tan’s, Factory Sound, Final Outline, Fur, Implant, Inpress, Madman, Obese, Ozhiphop, Razor Paint, Seven Milligram and Sneaker Freaker.

On the night the MC Comp will be hosted by legendary Aussie rapper Bias B, with beats supplied by the legendary DJ Ransom.  So head down on Thursday 17th September to Revolver Upstairs and support the battle with doors opening at 8pm.

You think you’ve got it?  Well we want to hear what you’ve got, and so do the judges. If you are interested in entering the Comp download a form from www.revolverupstairs.com.au, or fill one in at Revolver Upstairs, 3RRR or Obese Records. Revolver, McKenna Bourban and
Triple R presenting the Aussie hip hop MCs of the future!

Thursday September 17 at Revolver, Chapel St, Prahran

Click Here for an Entry Form YO!

“Talking shit with a hero of yours, that’s a good vibe,
As good as the first time you saw Hilltop Hoods live”

The first time I saw Hilltop Hoods live was way back in 2001 (when most of you probably didn’t even know Australian Hip-Hop existed). It was the album launch for Left Foot, Right Foot at Cherry Bar in ACDC Lane – a venue that holds about five people. How far they have come since then, playing to thousands at sold out shows, and tens of thousands at festivals in Australia and around the world.

I have gone to a majority of the shows the Hoods have played in Melbourne over the years, including the Big Day Out and the massive Stopping All Stations Tour at Festival Hall, as well as two or three of the phenomenal four sell-out nights in a row at the Corner Hotel in 2004.

So did I enjoy this show as much as all the others? Well to be honest, no, not really. It was the same hits from the previous two albums that I’ve already seen a number of times before, with the addition of songs from the latest album, which besides Chase That Feeling (in my opinion one of, if not the greatest hip hop song to come out of this country) I’m just not really feeling.

It was great to see Chase That Feeling live, but aside from that, I spent the most part more in awe of seeing the huge crowd all getting into it. While the show itself I could take or leave, seeing three guys from back in the day rocking the stage, and thousands of adoring fans singing along to their songs and loving every minute of it, is a fantastic thing to see. We’ve come a long way from Cherry Bar…

And the atmosphere really was amazing, with the Hoods performing with the same energy as they always have. They are consummate performers, and second to none in this country.

If you’ve seen the Hoods before, you don’t need a review to tell you about their show because you already know how awesome the Hoods are live.

And if you haven’t…well, you’re missing out on a good vibe.

By Fat Ho aka Patrick Ho

Image provided by Kez Photography.

State of The Art is availble now, well, everywhere.  For those after a copy of this on vinyl,  it is now availble for a whopping $100.00. You might want to call a head before heading down to your local record store because chances are they aren’t stocking it and you will need to pre-order. I have no idea why it is so expensive but apparently it’s been blessed by a pope and the wax is actually made from the tears of small children. Ed