There's a guy named Kirk. He beatboxes for me from time to time. He's rad.
Often I play out with the band called the Bloodthirsty Vegans which is an ever changing line up of folks including Mike Delaney, Janna Willoughby, Dave Harter, Glen Gafter and several others.
Sometimes I rock with the band called Ibis which includes Jon Attea, Steve Rao, John LaRusso & John Kidder
Sometimes I do a kind of funk poetry thing with musicians from Gruvology and other local poets and we call it soundverb
some lyrics:
Green to tha Earth to tha Al
I'm your planet Earth pal
Porque polucion tabien es muy mal
My rap name is Alex
My real name is Alex
Black, white, poly
plus I'm down with the chalice
So how now brown cow
How you like me now?
I got the two year old shoes blues
How's that for style?
And these the cleanest clothes
I've had on in a while
So you better hug me now
By tomorrow I'll be foul
I'll rock this mic
for any crowd that you like
Get around town on a rickety bike
If that ain't cool...
I don't care what cool is
If I just drank some wheat grass juice
that's my biz...
more lyrics:
If we could be PEACE
the women could be safe one the streets
and no bombs would drop from 30,000 feet
all children could have plenty to eat
And the superstars could be the ones who cure disease
Be PEACE and every day could be hugs, kittens and apple juice
Israel and Palestine could call a truce
And we could love the Muslims and the Jews
And report it on the news that you no longer have to choose
Influences
Rap Influences:
Chuck D, Zack de la Rocha, Michael Franti, the Coup, Mystic, dead prez, PARIS, Head-Roc, etc. Also, a lot of local Hip Hop artists.
Other Musical Influences:
the Bloodthirsty Vegans, Lara Buckley, Janna, the Priestesses, Hal Walker, Kevin Wykoff, David Rovics.
Life Influences:
My Mother, Heather, Buckleys, A series of really great public school teachers, Anna Walsh, Liz Mariani, Amy Upham, Anne Huiner, Sophia Robberts, A really cool city/community full of awesome people.
I rap a lot. I didn't used to. I used to be really shy. But I had all of this heavily political ranting that I wanted to do. I wrote a bunch of it in my books, but a lot of people didn't have time to read many books. Sign of the times I guess. So I put the messages from my books into rap songs and posted them on the internet.
There were some people on the internet who thought that just keystyling on the internet without actually getting up in front of an audience was weak (like a koala). I disagree. But I did, however, understand that being able to get up on a stage would add a much deeper dimention to the lyrics I was writing.
So I started performing in front of a person or two. I started getting encouragement. I had good days and bad days trying to rock a mic. Most people don't decide to become MCs in their mid 30s. I have never cared what most people do. I do my own thing. I discovered that people really liked it when I did my political ranting really LOUD and moved around a lot. So I started doing a lot of that. THen I started getting invited to perform a lot more. I've performed for crowds of 300 and 400 people now. I'm getting used to it.
Live Performance w/ Ibis: "Breakers in Space"
If you are a fan of my political ranting, please know that I appreciate it. Thank you.
I'm generally down to collaborate on whatever, pretty easygoing about people using my voice and lyrics in things, happy to show up for a good cause, of good humor and and good cheer. However, it can be said that I have a low tolerance for injustice and apathy. Sometimes I look pretty hostile, but I'm probably just thinking with intensity.
"Hip hop is NEVER afraid to let anyone be who they are... has a low tolerance for phony though. "
Hey thanks for enjoying it. Check us out this Thursday at Merlins, or April 25th with Peanut Brittle Satellite at Central Park Grill , or whenever you can... plenty of dates up on our page.
just wanted to tell you that my boyfriend is in the boom bash on march 27 at nieztches 248 allen st at 10:00pm the group is called type relevant we need your votes to support the local hip hop in buffalo hope to see you there.If you want more info go onto artvoice.com click on the right hand side where it says boom.Hope to see you and your friends there.
Heya Alex, thanx for the “add”, much appreciated. Like ya sound, good to see others in different countries comin from similar places and sayin it loud, all the best mate. Hope you enjoy our music and message.
CHEERS, in solidarity, keep kickin' SCART guitarist, vocalist & writer for THE MOLOTOV
FRIDAY *5.2.08 Battle of the Live Hip-Hop Bands @ Nietzsche's 4 Live Hip-Hop Bands, all live instruments,battling for Studio Time, Cash, and Prizes from our sponsers,Scion, Wasteland Studio, Allentown Music, and Deep Thinka Records - Askews Livematic Vibes / Kinda Like Dreamin / Narrow Minded Youth / Atherton (Toronto) also headling the evening is TYPE:RELEVANT & Q Boogie Da Poet 248 Allen st. Cost : $7 18+ The Biggest Show in Town.
Thanks for adding me. ¶ People hear only what they want, so facts alone won't wake them; they need inspiration too. ¶ This world's evils have a common root: Bullies, liars, thieves, & murderers — particularly those in public office — believe we're all separate, motivated only by self-interest, by greed & fear. They want us to share that belief; they use it to justify themselves, to manipulate us, to shape the world's political & economic systems, perpetuating war & poverty. ¶ But you & I have found something better inside ourselves & our friends. It's in everyone, if we can just wake them; we're all one flesh & blood. Let's spread that vision, for until we do our other advances will be minor & temporary. (I've been sending out emails to promote ideas by Lakoff, Waldman, & Hartmann about *how* to spread the word.) ¶ In the ideological struggle, no one can afford to be just a spectator. Join the movement, if you haven't already: get involved in whatever way feels right for you. Question authority. Keep fighting, loving, hoping, singing. Hand in hand, we may still be able to heal this world. ¶ For now, let's see if this meme will spread: "CLOSE GITMO BY BASTILLE DAY. PASS IT ON. " ¶ Love, Eric
