Go vote. Tomorrow. And Forever

Don't have a whole lot of time to post right now, but I do need to encourage the 3 or 4 people that read my blog to vote. It's really not that hard...

piece

Color me dope

On the week of turkey day, I had a series of unfortunately fortunate events. First, I dropped like $110 diggin with my buddy Options (who moved to Japan a little over a year ago, but visits us simpletons every now and then). Even though I didn't really think it was bad at the time, it really was. I got some dope shit, but I also got some shit. The worst part about it was that I didn't get paid at a gig in full that Saturday, then I had bills due the next week, then one of my roommates didn't pay their portion on-time--in order to keep my credit intact I had to pay the difference (keeping in mind that I'm like a second away from broke at this point--I didn't really wanna dip into the savings).

Needless to say, I wanted to pull my hair out--but, sadly, I have no hair to pull.

Hehehe...crazy right? Not really, some people got it worse than I do. Ehh...I survived.

Anyway, the FCS project is coming along really nicely. We've recorded 11 songs or so in the three weeks we've been in the studio. I won't go as far to say that we're ahead of schedule. What I will say is that we're going at a damn good pace.

thats all for now...i posted this late as hell so you're just gonna have to like it.

one

Didn't I blow your mind this time...

YESS!!!! We finally started the real work for this next project. Wa'Jee has dubbed it "Food, Clothes and Shelter"...FCS for short. I like it. His reasoning behind it was that the title was something everybody can relate to, hence making it something everyone needs. I guess each and everyone of us has our own genius in some form or fashion...

This album is going to be very, well, personal for Jee and the rest of us. Ken and I were talking about how FCS is going to be different from Younger Frame because of it's content. Younger Frame was an album for Jee to say "hey, I can write thought provoking shit, and I'm clever with it." It was an album to garner interest and intrigue those that were willing to listen. FCS is here to get everyone into his mind and his soul...to see who this brother really is. We're all excited about it and we can't wait to get it done.

On my side, I'm on a whole different plateau musically, mentally, emotionally--even physically. I'm going to have so much fun making this album it's hard for me to convey that feeling and passion to others. When December hits I'm going to have all the time in the world (at least until early/mid-January) to attack this project fully. I might even fuck around and get my own shit done (which I've been putting off for the longest time). Not to put my foot in my mouth and say something too outlandish, but I feel really good about the future. I'm leaving some things behind that have been really irritating me (changing schools is one of those things)--I'm starting to take action on what I've been thinking about for way too long.

In other news, I have a gift for you all. I'm aiming to make it a monthly gift, actually. I've started a podcast that I call "Astro Funk". It's a collection of random mixes of whatever I'm feeling at the time. I was going to call it "iPod de Issues" but that sounded a bit lame...
The link to the feed is http://issues.podbean.com/feed
For some reason iTunes hasn't listed it in their podcast section yet. I sent in the URL weeks ago, and I really don't know what else to do. So, in the meantime, just use that link to the feed and download it that way.

Here are some instructions to download it though iTunes without using the store (copied directly from iTunes, so please excuse the bubbly language):

A podcast I want to subscribe to isn't available in the iTunes Store.

It's easy to subscribe to any podcast using iTunes, even ones that aren't available in the iTunes Store. To subscribe, find and copy the podcast's feed URL. In the "Advanced" menu, select "Subscribe to Podcast" and paste the feed URL into the dialog box.

Welp, there you go.

I know you've been wondering "What the hell is that video at the top?" Well, I'm glad you asked buddy! It's a video of Eddie Hazel, the guitarist from the early days of Funkadelic, playing one of the most famous guitar solos from the title track of the Funkadelic LP "Maggot Brain". I was on youtube wasting precious time and thought I'd share it, seeing as how it's one of my favorite songs of all time. It really has nothing to do with this post, but it's good and I strongly suggest you sit and listen--standing is okay, too.

On that random note, I bid you farewell until next time. It's almost 3am and I got stuff to do early tomorrow...

piece

So what had happened was...

Hi. How long has it been? Way too long. I've been mr. busy busy working on various projects and such--most notably "Younger Frame, Older Mind" with Wa'Jee (you see that album cover above, don't you?). It feels really good to have my first project out on the streets...even if it isn't a major-label-everybody-holding-a-damn-press-conference-about-it release. I'm happy. I had the opportunity to work with one of the most amazing emcees around--and he continuously gets better. We have the next project in the works, not too sure what we're going to title it though.

With the "Younger Frame, Older Mind" project, we were learning how to do everything the most efficient way. I had just met Wa'Jee through S.O.G. Entertainment, an organization of which I am now a part of, and I was really taking my time learning the way everybody worked in the studio. I look at this project like losing my virginity--I really didn't know what the hell I was doing until the end. Now that I've been fuckin' for a minute (continuing with the metaphor), I'm getting close to Mr. Marcus status. This next project is going to change the way people look at hip-hop--most importantly one of those people will be me. So much has happened since we wrapped up YFOM--particularly outside of the music. I mean, so much, well, SHIT has happened that I feel like there's no where to go but up.

I've been on the edge of depression and giving up, but thank whatever god or God that you pray to that I have music on my side. I'm not really a religious fellow, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I don't know where I would be without music. I honestly think that I'm being tested to see if I can withstand the pressure--and I'm doing pretty well. The way I see it: if I wake up in the morning; if i can walk, talk, see, breathe, etc., then I don't really have much to complain about. SUCK IT UP!

In other news, I've paid much more attention to my bass. For a while I couldn't find time to practice, now I make time to practice everyday. I've gotten so much better over this past summer than I have in the year plus I had it. In addition, I'm takin' a jazz class that forces me to practice all the time. That's pretty much the only thing school is good for right now...

Enough about me...My guy Options is visiting from Japan a couple of weeks from now. Our little triad--Options, Dave and me--and a new addition my buddy Sam, are going to go on a long overdue diggin' extravaganza. Since the diggin in Japan is like super-expensive, we gonna hit like every thrift store and bargain bin in the chi. I can't wait, cuz I've been diggin' alot on my own, but it just ain't the same without my friends around. It's really something when I'm around people that I can really talk music with--I just hope someday we'll all make it in our respective fields. The crazy thing about musicians is that we all tend to have vastly different backgrounds, yet we always connect through the music.

I'm going to start podcasting my mixes for you all--as soon as I figure out how to do it for free. I know there's somebody out there that'll host a podcast for free--Ima get around to googling it pretty soon...

In the meantime, enjoy "Younger Frame, Older Mind".

Download it here

Until next time...Peace and blessings

- Issues

Nina Simone:

Long time no see...you'll get a full update within this week. just watch this in the meantime...

Back In Ack-Shun...BITCHES!!!

her eyes on the horizon

poet/emcee @ the dmc us finals

co-worker @ 31 flavas

revolution

cityscape 01

cityscape 02

cityscape 03

i like taking these serene pics...

supa staaaaahhhhh!!!!

Noble

Memo

You Know Who @ the sonotheque in september

the taste of chicago

WELCOME PEOPLEZ!!!

It's Me!!! I'm Back!!! For all five of you that read this, I apologize for the long hiatus. I've got tons of pics and music to share...well, mostly pics, cuz SOMEBODY HAS BEEN NOT SO NICE WITH MY BEATS!!! they'll remain unnamed, but that's the last time I post my beats up for people to download. Hit up myspace: http://www.myspace.com/therealissues for new music and such.

now's time for me to catch you up on stuff...just enough, so you don't get bored.

I've been workin on the beats daily...thought I haven't been diggin much (i got too much shit to go through as it is).
I'm goin to Madlib's show on saturday...
i've been learning spanish
i moved from the wild 100s to hyde park
i had to circumsize my set-up in the process
i bought some turntables...and a mixer
i'm djing now
i just found (5-10mins ago) my stash of drum breaks that i completely forgot about
i need a damn stereo
somebody screwed me over on half.com (it was only $15, its the principal that made me angry)
I think I'm moving outta my Dilla phase of beat making...i didnt try to do it, it just happened
im addicted to brazillian dance music and bossa nova

i've discovered that hugh masekela is the shiznit kaboom schnip schnap schnap

Ethiopian funk is some of the funkiest stuff that i've heard...in my LIFE

chuchito valdes is also the shiznit kaboom schnip schnap schnap. i saw him and band at the hothouse a month and a half ago...and im still stunned. pics coming soon.

i have an urge to go to brazil, spain, and south africa (not exactly sure about the order yet)

i'm in 2 battles next month, one with a grand prize of $1000

i'm slowly getting addicted to sneakers, matching, and dressing well...and my wallet is getting very light because of it.

i need a canon digital rebel xt, or a nikon d50/d70...NOW

umm...alot of my friends are getting married now. i feel left out...still, im definitely not doin that until three or four years from now.

i got an artist now!!! (finally) His name is Wajee, and the man writes really, really good. We haven't decided on an album title yet, it's got to be something outside the box.

my beat cds are floating around all over the place. i guess letting people download them was okay afterall...i mean, i got tons of beats in my arsenal just waiting for somebody to spit over. come on people, get 'em while their cheap. in a year or two they'll be too expensive to listen to.

dont say i didnt warn you...

i forgot the other stuff i was gonna say.

im watchin an ebay auction for a stereo that i've been chasing after ever since i heard it.

stay tuned for the next episode...i got a million more photos that are waiting for y'all to post up on your wallpapers and such.

peace and chicken grease
- issues

make sure you hit up the myspace
http://www.myspace.com/therealissues

Back is the Incredible...

kids in the field playing

girls jumping rope

kids in the field playing ball

jumprope...again

some guy sleeping on the bus

funny little kid

a new sport...boccer

pretty girl by the lake

YO!!! WHUT IZ DA DEAL??? LONG TIME NO SPEAKY!!!!

If that didnt say it all, sup y'all?? I've been so busy with all of my music and such that i haven't had much time to do anything else. I dont even remember the last time I posted...I promise it wont happen again...i swear.

Anyway, I moved my studio to a larger area... and in the process, I DROPPED MY PC!!! It was like my whole life flashed before my eyes--because i hadnt taken the time to back up anything before doing so. Luckily, none of my work disappeared...but I lost my dvd burner, and haven't bought another one since. In order to burn things, I have to use my little itty bitty flash drive and transfer my songs to a computer that has a burner...and thats an authentic P.I.T.A., or Pita, or PAIN IN THE ASS!!! I've been so broke, or not broke, just saving up, that spending money is a death sentence. I'm trying to get to LA within the next couple of weeks to go to the J Dilla Issue release party and Adidas originals...Stones Throw is sponsoring, and I'm well over due for an LA visit.

In other news, I picked up a digi001, which means that I can finally track out my beats into pro tools...FINALLY!!! Because i didnt have such software, I learned to use my mpc as an all in one machine...meaning any little special effects were done on there with no outboard gear...Oh, i almost forgot. I bought a bass guitar a little over a month ago. It's difficult, but as soon as I get a "bass for dumb-asses" book, I'll be straight. I wanted some live instrumentation in my music, and I love basslines...so naturally, I picked up bass. And it was really cheap, too.

I got a powermac g4, and it runs pretty smooth. Its one of the lesser models, but it gets the job done and thats what matters. with all of the moving and shaking and such, I've grown into a more comfortable setup. My turntable is right where it needs to be, my speakers are positioned so i dont have to turn them all the way up, and my mp is at my fingertips. I couldn't ask for anything but a bigger desk, because I have to play my keyboard on my lap...oh well, it doesnt limit my creativity--the most important thing.

As far as photography goes, a friend of mine showed me how to use photoshop to make things look 100000000x better. The evidence of this is above. As a matter of fact, I'll give a "before and after" shot in the next couple of days (I got a meeting in less than a half hour!!)

I damn near forgot...

I applied to the Red Bull Music Academy. It's being held in Melbourne, Australia this year. I hope i get picked...click on the link cuz I dont have a lot of time to go through it rite now.

As always, i have new beats for you all...I didnt feel like posting everything, so just take these 2wo and be happy.

Midi Swing - umm...i really dont have much to say about this one
Monotony - Tempo changes all over the place

hehe, just kidding
here's my Red Bull Music Academy demo
download it, listen to it, its free...take it while it lasts
or
http://rapidshare.de/files/23338672/rbma_demo_issues.zip.html

peace
Peace and blessings and everything in between
- issues

contact info
2manyissues@gmail.com
(773)398-7625
www.myspace.com/therealissues