SelfSays

S’more about Tour

SelfSays — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:25:23 +0000

The first show took place in Dijon, France. We played in this beautiful 16th century building. It was a pretty intimate space to do a show in. So during my set I do an a capella, but the crowd is not as responsive as I thought they would have been. It was a big reminder that i wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Why was that, because it was less of the not responding to it, and more so a language barrier issue. Now here’s where i saw real magic. I do a lot of crowd participation and during the set it wasn’t particularly connecting with people just as it had happened early. But then something changed they picked up on it and eventually tried to participate in the call and response. Broken English and all. They actually tried. Mind blowing just to see how music really connects with people. Language barriers don’t stand a chance against that type of magic.

heres a clip from that very show

Music is a beautiful thing.

9:40 AM

SelfSays — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:04:42 +0000

Running titles for today’s.
Ive been back home for about two weeks and some change now, and what a ride it was.
Touring was easily one of the greatest experiences of my life. I’m going off the dome here so forgive if my thoughts aren’t completely organized. Felt compelled to talk to you guys this morning. So yeah… Touring is something else man. It really is. It’s as exciting as you may think it is. There’s also this other layer to it.

For as busy as you are, there’s a lot of time where it’s just you and your brain. This is where the introspection comes in, the soul searching, the really learning about yourself phase happens. I needed that for my soul, my being. I gained some much needed perspective that i might have never gotten, had it not been for that trip.
I am definitely more inspired, more motivated and more determined than ever.

The shows were great. Amsterdam and Tours in France, were probably the best shows overall. Austria was the coolest we been too maybe. It was the only place we really gotta chance to take in and explore. We went to this really cool museum which was showcasing modern art inspired by the automobile. I was unable to get some pics in there as i am camera operatingly impaired (how the heck do i turn the flash off on this camera). Shigeto snapped this pic though.

I got some other pics as well. once their organized and such I’ll post them up for all you guys to see.

So what did i get out of my time on tour?. The main thing, the BIG thing is that I learned I can do this.

I am ready to do this.

P.S. new tunes on the way a 7 inch out through insect records, and an appearance on the homie houseshoes album “let it go” which comes out next month.

cheers

One

The Tour

SelfSays — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:11:14 +0000

i just wanted to drop a quick message, to say the tour is going great. One of best experiences I’ve ever had and I’m only 5 days in. Its been great hanging with my good friend Shigeto. Lot’s of moments made of gold already. Tour continues tomorrow night in Amsterdam at the Paradiso. Cheers

If there was ever a song that i made that could be

SelfSays — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:50:37 +0000

Classified as a hit. Its this one

Shot by Brandon Damon

Produced By the homie Feux
twitter.com/feux
soundcloud.com/feux
https://www.facebook.com/feux1

Cuts by my brother Dj Manipulator
twitter.com/dustymanip
http://soundcloud.com/dj-manipulator
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-Manipulator/66904735765

Blogging Pants

SelfSays — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:56:43 +0000

Captains Blog

So it’s been a pretty busy last month and half for me. A busy, that I would like to tell you all about

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak to students at Oakland University here in Michigan. I was pretty nervous leading up to it as I see myself as incredibly awkward socially and lacking in the public speaking department. However 5 to 10 minutes into it, I realized that how I see myself was so far from the reality. I loved it and it felt as natural as having a conversation with some my friends. I shared my life and experiences in doing this music thing thus far. I also shared some of the newer music I’ve been working on with the class. What I saw in that hour and 30 minutes, was people of all types connecting in a real way. To know that something I made helped facilitate that means a lot. It gives this music thing purpose. It gives me purpose. Thank you to Zooey for asking me to come to speak to his class and thank you to the students I met. You guys were so receptive and so awesome. Thanks

What else. Well this time 2 weeks ago, I was in Texas taking in the wonderful world of SXSW. Played some shows, spent a lot of time with my brothers The Kone, See Visions, Butcher Bear and did a lot walking. I also made some new friends as well. SXSW is admittedly sensory overload for the sensory impaired, still though good times were had. If you’re really trying to do this music thing it’s probably a good idea to check it out.

I’ve also been getting ready for this.

All my homies across the pond, i hope i get to see ya real soon

twordle.

SXSW

SelfSays — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:14:31 +0000

Playing a couple of shows here are the details

Exploded Drawing Thursday March 15 at The Volstead doors at 8:00 1600 E. 6th Street Austin, Tx I go on around Midnight.

The UP collective Friday 2326 E. Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702

And at Pawn Takes King Saturday Metropolis Apartments (Poolside) 2200 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Austin, TX

come check a rapper out

Key & Peele

SelfSays — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:01:14 +0000

Comedy Central may never be able to recreate the magic that was the Chapelle’s Show(Chocolate News and to even lesser extent Mind of Mencia), however they may have come very close with Key & Peele. It’s a different show than Chapelle’s, at the same time they remind me of each other. Both shows tackle matters of race and identity doing so in a very humorous, yet very smart way. They also have this ability to go from satirical social commentary, to just silly absurd goofiness. If you know me, then you know the latter is something near and dear to my heart.

Props to Comedy Central for that hot young second season renewal.
Keep it going Key & Peele!!!

It just goes to shows…

SelfSays — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:32:51 +0000

I played a few shows this past week. It was also my first time performing some of the new material of which you will be hearing throughout the year. The first show took place this past Wednesday, opening up for the homies Doomtree. The turnout for an Ann Arbor wed night was pretty impressive, and as a result I got to play for a lot of new faces. The crowd was really receptive. The set went well as it could have, and in short I ended up having a great time. Special thanks to my brother Illingsworth for backing me up and extra special shot outs to the gawds Doomtree for having me apart of their Michigan stop. It’s a good show when you leave the venue inspired, and a good show it was.

I played my second show of the week that Saturday in Ferndale, a city about 20 minutes north of Detroit. Local record store Hybrid Moments sadly will be closing its doors soon, so I was asked to play its final show. It was a cool show. Seemed like people came out to have a good time and did my best job to help make that happen. If good times were had then I’m doing okay at my job. Daps to the gawd Kwesi of the Anonymous, for asking me to kicks some raps for the fine people of Ferndale.

To all the new friends I’ve made this week, you are appreciated. To know that I’m truly connecting with people through this rap stuff means a lot. Knowing this, I promise to make the best tunes I can, and put on the best shows I can.
I pinky swear.

More shows on the way,
Deets coming soon

P.S.
When I’m not here writing to you guys,
you can find me on the tweets or on the facebooks.
Hit a rapper up

Cheers

Music is my message

SelfSays — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:11:29 +0000

Fine words, coming from my good friend DJ Manipulator.
If you guys have heard my EP or have listened to the song little things (its one of the music players directly to the left of here), then you already familiar with him as he is the person responsible for the cuts at the beginning of the song. He just dropped a real slick video for his track Negris Punjabi.

Feast your eyes on this

If you digs please feel free to share it amongst your friends.
and don’t forget check him out online here.

Thanks

Sum Tymez

SelfSays — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:54:00 +0000

Sometimes the hardest thing to do in trying to pursue this music things is maintaining the focus and motivation required to really win. You know, it really is a struggle and sometimes the biggest roadblock between you and your goals is you. It’s easy to forget but if you really want it, you’re going to have to work for it. That’s with anything in life. It’s going to be a challenge but when those small wins start adding up, you’ll know it was all worth it. With struggles and challenges come dreams realized and goals reached. And with dreams realized and goals comes a sense of accomplishment. This is something NO ONE can take away from you.

Here are some quotes I want to share with you. I hope you find them as inspiring and motivating as I did.

“Craft 1st, Brand 2nd” -Waajeed

“Work on your craft, express your truth in your own voice, avoid clichés, and as long as you feel good about what you do…you win. That’s all”.- Sage Francis

“the biggest difference between being self-employed and unemployed is what you decided to do with each day.” – Todd Buck

“I’ve had my good days and bad days as far as being inspired goes, but i think that’s just part of the job, and the process of making music is always challenging and exciting.”- Blueprint

I’ll add more to the list, as I come across them.

Shot outs to the gawd Blueprint for inspiring this post.
You can read the one that prompted my own writing here. You’ll notice two of the quotes come from there.

Hopefully this helps.