Interview #29 - Tenshun

The Untitled Tracklord 

For fans of dirty distorted beats and noise, there are few people out there at the moment making it better than Tenshun. Both as a solo artist and together with his different crews, he's been making sure that there's always interesting and dark music to be heard. So I decided to look him up and ask him some questions. 

First off, would you mind sharing with us a bit about yourself? Who’s Jon and who’s Tenshun?

I'm Jon Calzo from San Diego, California. I make music under the name Tenshun and am part of Creatures, Kilowattz, Skrapez and Dtm.

What made you realize that you wanted to create music, and how old where you at the time? Was there a lot of music around you in your family growing up?

I have always been interested in sound ever since I was small and was really curious to how it was created. My older brother was into hip hop and he introduced me to mixtapes and records.

I remember hearing mixtapes and the DJ would be going off on the scratches and I would be thinking "how the hell did they make that sound?"

Or hearing beats and thinking to myself, "Did they hire a whole orchestra to create those sounds?"

And then later on as I found out about samplers and equipment and how people were actually taking sounds from records and other things and re-flipping them to create something totally different. From there I was hooked! Mike Russel from MRR ADM hooked me up with a Tascam 4 track and I was making beat tapes and looping records with a old Gemini mixer which had a 12 second sampler on it and a beat up turntable.

How would you describe your music and could you briefly tell us about the music-making process?

I would say my style of music is a mix of Turntablism / Noise/ distorted drums, feedback and improvisation.

The core part of my music is usually the drums Or a loop that has some type of pulse to it.

From there I find sounds which fit the mood of the rhythm.

Only a few people seem to be as productive as you when it comes to releasing records. Do you feel a need to have your music as physical objects or how come you like to release records so often?

I feel like music is one of the only things out there keeping me sane in this crazy world. Without it I would probably be getting into trouble.

For me making a album is like creating a limited edition art print which starts from creating the sound to making the album artwork. Each album that gets made is totally different then the next album. For some people the whole process of duplicating the music, drawing the artwork and printing them may seem like a lot of work but I like doing all of it.

I love getting albums that have been hand crafted. It shows that the artist put a lot of time & effort to really create something to present to the world to have.

People might have heard the name Skrapez. but might not necessarily know what lies behind it. Could you perhaps enlighten us all? And please tell us what influences/inspirations you have?

Skrapez is Psychopop and I. We have known each other for quite sometime now. We have always been into the same style of music. I remember back in the days we would always smoke a blunt before we go digging for records. We have always been into hard hitting drums, psychedelic music and jazz and art. So when we got together and jammed out it just clicked and Skrapez was formed. Our first Skrapez show was with Sumach back in the day. We just bum rushed the stage and started killing it on some Sun-Ra steez.

I usually get my inspirations from daily living and whats around me. I try to capture all the good and bad things going on in this world and transfer it into my music.

Or I listen to some of the homies stuff to see what they been working on and get ideas & inspiration.

What do you wish to accomplish with your music?

I just want to inspire people out there to make music and art & to do something positive.

Instead of focusing those negative thoughts on trying to kill someone, you could focus those thoughts and energy into some evil, dark sounding music or art.

What are you up to when you’re not making music? Any other passions besides music?

When I'm not working on music I'm usually out riding my bike trying to do tricks or working my job at the library.

I'm a fan of making guitar pedals, circuit bending and drawing and film.

Any upcoming projects that you like to share with us?

As for projects coming out, I've got a few projects in the works with Son of a Bricklayer, Stuntdouble, Psychopop, Mike Tappen and Deathpera.

Shout outs?

Creatures crew, Skrapez, Kilowattz, drums turntables mpc, San Diego and all the people out there that listen and who I have met.

http://shootyourfuckingheadoff.tumblr.com/
http://tenshun.bigcartel.com/
https://soundcloud.com/10shun-tenshun
http://tenshun.webs.com/

pavleisdead - Predestination for the Labyrinth

I love coming across artists I never heard about and know nothing about, and then really like their music. That's the case with pavleisdead. The only thing I know of the man behind this album that he's a 19 year old guy from Croatia. 

When I first listened to Predestination for the Labyrinth I wasn't really feeling it at all and was more than willing to dismiss it. But one morning I let it stay in my headphones on my way to work, and then it slowly opened up to me. It's like the soundtrack to a non-existing movie with a lot of layers and unexpected turns. Well, now I lied a bit. There actually is a bit of film to watch while listening to this, but I was just making a point. It's dirty and distorted at the same time as it's frail and beautiful. And what really speaks to me is how it all sticks together so well, it's a really well formulated album. Probably not a record for most people, but I'm at least happy to have made this acquaintance.

Rating: 7/10

Misanthrop - Filmmusik

Misanthrop has been responsible for some great music these last couple of years, but I think I personally have slept about on his skills as a musician and producer. So when Filmmusik now I arrived, I was keen to check it out. This is his first full length instrumental album, and I was looking forward to just paying attention to the beats and productions. And there are some nice tracks on this one, and I can definitely get the feel for a soundtrack to a film. There is something missing though. It feels that I need something more for this album to completely work. Maybe a film. Maybe lyrics. Worth checking out though.

Rating: 5/10

Interview #28 - a.hymnz

California Love

One of this year's most interesting albums is Second World by an emcee calling himself a.hymnz. Some of you might not have heard about him, but you should lend him your ear. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. 

I suppose that not everyone out there know who you are. Would you mind sharing some light on that subject? Who is a.hymnz?

a.hymnz, born Jason Scott Furman in '78. I was a b-boy, graff writer turned mc/vocalist from a little village in central California by the name of Kingsburg. The second son of a Leo and Pisces as a Gemini that grew up on the west side of the tracks and ran with misfits and hoodlums. An ex skate boarder whose only real offence was curfew violations, herb possession and vandalism so I don't got no stripes. A poet turned nerd rapper, an abstract surrealist! who ventured to Long Beach in 97 to attend a now bankrupt school for design, Brooks College, where he expanded his mind and outlook on life, art and spirituality in which I mesh together in my music. Probably ate too many hallucinogens in college, but that just added to the styles,tones and energies that I learned to manipulate. I use to sit at the edge of a b-boy circle and take it all in, and by the middle of the night be able to mimic what I saw. Never really had anyone to show me how to do things but got tips along the way, for the most part I felt my way through it all. I was fortunate enough to have experienced the L.A. underground and jungle scene in those days and that experience helped to shape who I am as an artist today. 

I saw AWOL One and Circus at the school I went to get booed off stage by a bunch of materialistic fashion police, and to me that was the best shit ever. Not that they got booed. but to see the reaction between real hip hop and rap. At the time I understood and followed the underground path with no thoughts of being signed or going mainstream. And as a graff writer and b-boy I enriched myself in all of the elements of the hip hop community and culture as well as spiritual welfare, something that resonated with me all of my life and tends to bleed out into my music, and the message I try to convey. not everything or everyone that claims to be good really is, and a lot of those that are deemed bad really are not. I learned to be a better judge of people and to see through peoples masks at that point.

Working a lot with my boy Murdoc or David Samuels, founder of Mind Theater Records and Articulate Sounds, I developed my style and honed my craft. A lot of who I am can be contributed to the support and time that he gave me as well as other close friends that really pushed me to do something with my talents.

a.hymnz, Jacobz'Ladder, Aux.Inx. These are three different names that I associate with you. Is it classic hip hop schizophrenia looming, or what’s the story behind these names?

I have gone by quite a few names in my past from yo’dif’runtone- yodif cause in college people would call me yoda, runt one – cause I was always a runt and I have always been a little different. Also been know my zonk and poe~wiz da dub dukted kalf, but a.hymnz kinda is the one that stuck.

a.hymnz or artcher hymnz an archer of hymnz, a to z with hym in the middle is the embodiment of all of the lives I have lived present, past and beyond. Jacobz'Ladder - jacobz' plural is the connection and path that I started long ago and was a label that I wanted to start when I was yonger. Aux.inx was a name auxillary ink being the vocal painting of my style and was also a crew name that myself and Murdoc had a few years back. Murdoc and I grew up together breakdancing and writing and both ended up making music. When we first really came together we had a group called nophuralmindz with his cousin Kiko and friend Lupes. But everyone kinda went their own ways and branched out. David and I are the ones that really took it further and continued. Murdoc and Lupes created Broken Language and released an album under that and then we all came together as a hip hop band Semantics adding other members and elements to that sound, but I eventually left the band due to personal issues I was having at the time and focused on my own path as a.hymnz.

What do you wish to accomplish with your music?

All I have ever really wished to accomplish with my music is to progress and be heard to keep climbing Jacobz'Ladder and growing as a person, artist and human.when I was in school I had trouble getting up in front of my class and speaking, I was quiet and inverted, still kind of am, but through hip hop and my music I have been able to conquer fears, find confidence and develop into someone that I am happy to be. I don't see artcher as a alter ego or split personality, but myself as one person now. I grew as a vocalist in garage bands and playing music with my friends most of them played acoustic guitar and so listening to a circle of them I stepped in one day and began to scat in which my freestyle ability developed from. I played percussion in marching band so I learned timing from that the art and creativity I got from my mom and structure from my day, depth I attribute to my grandparents. So I guess I have accomplished what I set out to do originally, but now I see it as a way to meet new people and hear others stories. I really enjoy collaboration as it reminds me of being with a band or crew, and I love that live energy

You’ve been working quite a lot with variex. How did you guys hook up initially?

I met variex. off of MySpace and was a fan of his music for quite some time. Funny thing is I had a dream one night that I was hitting Factor up for beats, and he told me he was extremely busy but I should hit variex. up. I did that next morning and off the beaten path was born. variex. is a great dude and has helped me pull a lot of shit together through out the years and I am so thankful to have been able to work with him.we have started a crew called Universal Roots that actually started back in Brooks College with my souls twin brother Habitat or F8th Folson of TasteBuds Records back then he would be getting on the mic at underground parties and I would be rocking the circles. We roamed the L.A. underground together for a few years and developed Universal Roots, but this last year brought in Variex, Oracy and his brother Leaves or Hiru the hidden light whom was on the off the beat path album. We all meshed well together with our own styles and artistry and I am excited to bring this full circle and what the future holds for us working together.

How did you get into rapping to begin with? Early influences?

I began rapping because after band after band broke up I felt it was the only way for me to develop my craft. I began freestyling with my boy Rick and started a local group called Next of Kin. after that another friend Jacob started acquiring tables and records, and he would drop instrumentals and I would rap. We put out a mix tape called Time Travelers and is the real birth of Jacobz'Ladder. Smoking herb, drinking, bbqing and having fun. My first influences where Del and Hieroglyphics, Aceyalone and Freestyle Fellowship, Visionaries, Outkast, Brand New Heavies, The Pharcyde, The Nounce, Living Legends, Atmosphere and a lot of other California hip hop, and bands like Portishead , Rage Against the Machine, Madness, Operation Ivy and Rancid.

Back in the 90's there was a music station called The Box. Before The Box I listened to whatever my brother listened to, death metal, ska, rock, and what ever played on the whack radio stations. The Box really opened my musical influences up to a whole new world and hip hop just resonated with me and gave me a way to find myself and to channel my creativity in a positive direction.

Do you mind sharing your creative process with us?

These days I do a lot of ghost writing. On my way to or from work, when ever a thought comes to mind. I use to do a lot of word play but as I get older I am working on bringing some more solidity and depth into my writing. Then I look into beats and what writings match. A lot of the times I would mismatch verses and edit it all together into a cohesive track. Although if I get a beat that just speaks to me which I feel are my more solid tracks it just kind of flows out of me. I really look for those types of beats these days, kind of like painting I do a bunch of motion sketches and paint what I see within those lines or positive and negative spaces. For the past few albums I have used a Boss digital 4 track recorder that took a lot of time and had no way of punching in and fixing shit, so I would have to do it all in one take. variex. or Oracy have really helped in cleaning up my vocals for me and I am eternally thankful for that, ‘cause without them my music would have not been what it is. I finally was able to upgrade and now have a better working method for recording and look forward to learning more of that process in the upcoming projects I am working on

You've been working with some of my favourite emcees and producers on your records. Do you have any dream collaborations?

Dream collabs for me would have to be Adeem, The Chicharones, Aceyalone, and David Ramos, and to do more tracks with Ceschi and James P. Honey. I have such appreciation for the music they make and the people that are, but other than that I've always dreamed of being a part of a crew the size of Wu Tang, Living Legends, Heiro or Visionaries. I just love the energy between people and how creativity sparks and the brotherhood in it all.

I’ve been talking to other artists about this. What is your view of the so-called scene? It is a real international scene where artists from all over the world create music together without necessarily ever meeting. Does that make it harder to get a good vibe going when creating a song?

I am actually a big fan of this international scene and honored to be considered a part of it, and to be honest I have found it easier to work on stuff with artist abroad then with a lot of artist in my local area. It is more supportive then the local scene and I find a lot more like minded and humble people out there then I do at home. Now don't get me wrong, there are a handful of dope artist in my local scene and I respect what people are doing, but I find it more accepting in the international realms. So I tend to aim more of my creativity towards that while working with local artists that deserve more respect than they have gotten from our local scene. Oracy, Leaves, Splynter, Murdoc, and E.Rose  Just to name a few are all dope local cats that should get more recognition. They are all dope in their own way, along with countless others that I haven't worked with.

How did you hook up with New Cocoon?

I hooked up with New Cocoon through variex., and have been a fan of what they are doing before that. They are a talented group of artists that have bonded together to put out some really dope music and I am honored to be a part of the collective. I am inspired by what we are doing individually as well as collectively.

Upcoming projects?

Universal Roots = myself, variex., Oracy, Leaves and my boy F8th Folson are working on putting together an album and building for the future. As well as I am working with wormhole to get a New Cocoon compilation together and I am working with my boy Splynter on an EP. As well as starting work on a new solo a.hymnz album in which I will feature some dope artist that you have as well as haven't heard of. I am constantly writing so who knows what else will be on the list of things to come but those are the ones I would say to look out for.

Final words/shout outs/last thoughts?

I'd like to give a shout out to everyone that has been supporting this scene and the music we all make. Shout out to everyone that is supporting the Free Ceschi campaign, if you don't know about it you should defiantly look into it. Ceschi has not only helped in building this scene but has really supported all of us. I would like to thank Epic cause without the track Side Effects most people wouldn’t even know who I am. variex. and Murdoc for always having my back and helping me to grow and find my own style and voice. All of New Cocoon, I love my tribe and all that we are doing. And to Michael at beats, breaks and big smiles 2.0, much respect for everything you do for us artist and exposing our art form to a wider audience. My wife Andrea and kids Kylee and Levi who keep me grounded and focused on what matters most in life, and to everyone that has ever listened. You have all help me become the man I am today and to continue to grow. Be on the lookout for the new projects in the near future and the video for Light Posts feat. Tommy V, Thorts, and variex. from off my last album Second World coming really soon.

Peace and blessingz

a.hymnz

http://www.newcocoon.com

http://ahymnz.bandcamp.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/ahymnz

Gajah & Graves 33 - Your True Colors

From an upcoming collaborative EP between Gajah & Graves 33 comes the video to the track Your True Colors.

Psychopop - 13

There is only one bad thing about this tape from Psychopop. It's way too short! 2 tracks, 13 minutes. But at the same time, it's an amazing 13 minutes and the sounds and emotions that the music provides is more than most full length albums out there. Quite simply, I love it! Unfortunately the physical tape, released on I had An Accident Records, is sold out, but do yourself a favour and check out the digital tracks if you can. You won't be disappointed. 

Rating: 8/10

Ancient Mith - Melungeon

I saw this video a while back and I'm glad to see that the public will now be able to enjoy it too. The track Melungeon is taken from Ancient Mith's album And the Dead Shall Lie There. Enjoy!

"Melungeon" from Ancient Mith on Vimeo.

Blindspot - Mars Athletics

In the beginning of last year, Blindspot released their album Apart. This duo was a new discovery back then, but I felt that they had some interesting stuff to offer so I've kept a lookout for new music from them ever since. 

Now it's the time for the follow up, Mars Athletics. And it's clear that they have come quite a bit since last time. Even though Apart was good, it didn't stand out in any way. It felt like they hadn't quite found their own personal signature at the time. Mars Athletics however stands much stronger, and feels like a more complete and focused album. No hits, but who's really looking for hits in this genre. 8 solid tracks, what more can you really ask for in a record? Keep an eye out for these guys. I have a feeling that we will hear more good songs from them in the future.

Rating: 6.5/10

Swordplay and Pierre the Motionless - When the Hurricane Comes

From Swordplay and Pierre the Motionless's amazing Tap Water comes the video to When the Hurricane Comes.

Equinox Records is No More

Sad news today. One of my favourite labels out there today, Equinox Records, have decided to call it quits. It's sad to see the label go, but I tip my hat to Günter Stöppel a.k.a. DJ Scientist who has brought us so much good music. See you around! If you want to read more about why he made this decision, please read here.

F. Virtue - We Are Not the Shame

At the age of 23, F Virtue is no newcomer to the rapgame. These last few years he have released records with people such as Emoh Betta and his Fameless Fam crew as well as collaborating with Mac Lethal and Watsky amongst others.

When it comes to putting your heart on your sleeve with your music, there is always a fine line between coming across as sincere, or more as a poser. There are great examples of people who at first seem to produce heartfelt music, but quite soon is discovered as nothing more than a emo crybaby looking to get laid. But this is not that Canadian. F. Virtue have just chosen to show us all who he is, telling us that it's ok to just be yourself and that skills and heart has nothing to do with being cool, it's about being human.

Do yourself a favor and pick up We Are Not the Shame here, you won't regret it.

Rating: 6.5/10

Factor - Woke Up Alone

I've never really been a fan of concept albums. Not because I don't like the idea, but simply because they seldom work. Often they come out sounding forced, fragmatic and sometimes downright silly. So when I heard about Factor doing a concept album, I got a bit worried. 

But there was no need for that. Canada's finest producer manages to tell the tale of a man losing his wife and attempting to bring her back from the dead without, even for one second, letting the music itself suffer. It's a dark and sad story that is brought to life with the help of people such as Jeans Boots, Ceschi, Myka 9 and Astronautalis. Factor is without a doubt one of the best producers out there today, and Woke Up Alone is another medal for him to pin proudly to his chest. 

Rating: 7/10

nosunnofood - nosunnofood

I've been meaning to review this album for quite some time, but I couldn't. Not because I was too busy or anything like that. The album scared me in some way. I didn't know how to put words to what edison under the moniker nosunnofood have managed to accomplish here. It's the frailest, most beautiful music I've heard in a very long time. Instrumental lo-fi hip hop with an indie vibe. That's what it feels like, but it diminishes what this album has to offer. It is so much more than those simple words, it's music for everyone, for all moods and for a bright new future. See what I mean, I'm just rambling here. I can't do this album justice. Luckily enough the album is more than able to speak for itself. A real masterpiece that you can find here. Support one of the true musical geniuses out there!

Rating: 9/10

Kodacrome - Strike the Gold

Brand new video from my favourite boy and girl in Kodacrome. Strike the Gold is taken from their forthcoming album. The horse scares me, but the track is finding the duo taking their music a bit further and I like it a lot.

a.hymnz - Second World

A topic that I have touched upon several times in different reviews is solo albums that contains a lot of different producers and guest vocalists. There is always a big risk that the artist himself gets lost in it all, and it mostly come out sounding like some kind of compilation album.

When sitting down to listen to Second World for the first time, I was a bit worried that it would end up sounding like something else than a solo full length from a.hymnz. That wouldhave been a shame since I've been a huge fan of him ever since listening to off the beaten path that he released together with variex. back in 2010.

Fortunately my worries were uncalled for here. Second World sounds and feels like a coherent album no matter what producers are responsible for the individual tracks. And there are some really good ones on this one; Factor, zöen, Pierre the Motionless, variex. and Chuckchee are just some of the people serving up great stuff for a.hymnz to do his thing to. And even if I might feel that the number of vocal contributions from other people are perhaps stretching the limit a bit, you can't really go wrong with awesome emcees such as Thorts, Hobs Sputnik and 2Mex. 

I have a hard time picking favourite tracks on Second World, mostly because I feel that they all complement each other. I must however say that Light Posts stick out amongst the others, mostly because of Tommy V. He truly is the unsung hero of this underground rap game.

A great album I think that you need to check out.

Rating: 7.5/10

Walter Gross - Rotorcraft

Walter Gross. One of the guys you can always go to if you want those nasty, dark and dirty beats. Productions filled with distortion, noise but also wicked melodies and a lot of heart. It's not beautiful perhaps in the classic sense, but who cares when the music is as good as it is. As quite often on this blog, this might not be everyones cup of tea. I drink it almost daily though.

Rating: 7/10

Tigermoth - Duality and the Infinite

Like I have said plenty of times before, sometimes you just hope that all rappers and emcees could keep quiet because you're sick of their voices getting into your head. At times like that, it's always nice to pick up some instrumental music to clear your head for a bit. Unfortunately most instrumental records when it comes to the hip hop genre can't really stand on it's own. The music isn't strong enough to survive without the help of a vocalist. 

Melbourne based Tigermoth however has no problem with that. On his third full length, Duality and the Infinite, is a nice collection of heavy beats, turntable and sample heavy productions that comes together to give you just what you need. Not memorable perhaps, but good enough for the moment, and that's what music is all about most of the time. 

Rating: 6/10

Now streaming: Swordplay & Pierre the Motionless - Tap Water

Want to enjoy one of the more interesting albums this year. Then feel free to listen to Swordplay & Pierre the Motionless album Tap the Water here on the blog. 

The digital version of the album will be available tomorrow and on July 20 the vinyl version will drop through Dora Dorovitch. Please get familiar with these slept on artists and support good music!

Esh & Arc - The Third Tit feat. Romen Rok

The second video off Esh & Arc's Nightworks EP. Like the sound of it? Then you can download the EP here for free. 

Wordburglar - Croque Monsieur

The video for the third single from Wordburglar's third studio album, 3rdburglar, was inspired by 70s cop shows and the French sandwich the song is named after. Music to make you smile.