This album was recorded during the first two months of 2009 on a zero-$ budget on Coast Salish (Lekwungen) Territory, popularly known as Victoria, BC, Canada. "Infinite Potential" is a moody journey through richly textured soundscapes and abberant philosophy, examing topics such as food security ('Modern Man,' & 'Chocolate Dumpster'), institutional and systematic violence ('Violence,' and 'Just Can't Ignore It'), and human rights ('Human Rights'). Using only their voices and a digital effects processor, The Outspoken Wordsmiths combine elements of hiphop and SLAM Poetry / spoken word traditions -- beatboxing, rhyming and singing (sometimes sweetly, often gruffly) -- experimenting with a variety of robust flavours, including smokey jazz (thanks to guest vocalist Chloé Smith), throat-singing, and gloomy metal. Uplifting and inspiring, this album is littered with golden moments and unique sonic treats.
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strong.cottonwoods -------------
strong.cottonwoods was (re)named by trees during the Dionysian dream that was a hiatus from his studies at the University of Victoria. Since then he has root'd himself in the mysteries of language and geometry. If the bastard lovechild of Walt Whitman + Billy Corgan were an M.C. Escher painting the canvas would surely hold the symmetry of a Mandelbrot s.cott.
His studies in the theatrics of professional wrestling have served s.cott:onwoods well during performances at Burning Man, the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, the Tell~n~Show, and a growing number of assorted venues across Canada. This beatboxing slam poet performs solo & as part of projects such as The BeatBoxing Pirates, Victoria Slam Team ('05 & '07), The Outspoken Wordsmiths & Odditory Presence.
Having since emerged from the gauntlet of institutionalized education, s.cott has begun what promises to be a decades-long process of unlearning & relearning. He's dedicated to building community, facilitating open and honest communication, and inspiring others to express themselves with reckless abandon.
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BLANK-SPACE -------------
Blank Space (myspace.com/314blankspace) is an individual independent artist that has been honing his various skills for the last 8 years. Alex is currently rooted in West Coast Salish territory (Victoria, BC), yet still performs all over the Canada on a regular basis, by self-managing / organizing tours/events on his own, and with the help of others. He also runs the startup cell of the National Microphone Association, an independent distribution association (http://myspace.com/NMAdistro), and tables shows/events across Turtle Island.
Holding the title, Halifax's 2006 DJ Olympics Beat Boxing champion, Blank Space has come to look in hindsight at the last two years of touring, as half of both the Soapbox Poets (myspace.com/thesoapboxpoets) and The Outspoken Wordsmiths as a load of experience under his belt and a satchel of knowledge over his shoulder. He has molded his art & expression into stage performances that have enthralled all ages, races and walks of life with his forward and cleverly-written Spoken Word, Slam Poetry and hip hop lyricism. Alex is also known for his spontaneous creative talents like beat boxing, breakdancing and freestyling, so don't miss his live performances.
About "Victoria, BC"
The first people on this land were the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. They are a part of the Coast Salish ethnic group and descendants of the following family groups:
Kakyaakan, Teechamitsa, Whyomilth, Kosampsom, Swenwhung, Chilcowitch and Chekonein. Their ancestors lived in large cedar houses, in extended family groups that were self-governing. All household groups claimed specific living areas and areas where they could hunt, fish, and collect plants.
They occupied the area from Albert Head to Cordova Bay to the San Juan Islands (This includes what we know today as Victoria) . The language spoken was a dialect known as Lekwungen.
In another view Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, Canada, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The city of 335,000 is renowned for its natural beauty and mild climate, while the Pacific Ocean and majestic Olympic Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop.
Influences
Slam poets & emcees everywhere,
Saul Williams, Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, Jon Lennon, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Charlie 2na, Jurassic Five, Fresh Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff, NOFX, The Offspring, Tom Waits, CR Avery, Mike McGee, Shane Koyczan, T.O.F.U., Barbara Adler, The Fugitives, RC Weslowski, Beastie Boys, Green Day, Josh Martinez, Kaleb Simmons, Rahzel, Buck 65, sixtoo, Rancid, Operation Ivy, Sublime, Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine, Michael Franti, Gill Scott Heron, Factor G, Vison, Aesop Rock, Nolto, Freestyle Fellowship, Sole, Alias, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Ani Difranco, Bruce Cockburn, Tracy Chapman, Buddy Holly, Steve Taylor, Pink Floyd, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Andy Kaufman, Abby Hoffman, Weird Al Yankovich, Adam Sandler, George Carlin, The Jerky Boys, shayne avec i grec, Dragon, Shadetree
....... the list goes on + on
National Microphone Association (NMA)
Sounds Like
A thundering lullaby that'll put your cynicism to sleep.
The Outspoken Wordsmiths are sitting satisfied at the end of the !Forbidden Texts! Tour. We gave over 50 performances in 33 cities across Canada and the Northeastern United States in a 17 week period. We had the opportunity to perform with scores of talented artists, promoting our new album "Infinite Potential", which was met with resounding appreciation. Check out the details of our adventure on our blog (links above).
"Anti-Atlantica Beatbox Medly" Blank Space has lumped together (and remixed) samples from songs to create a Beat Box Medly. This was written (remixed)and performed during the "STOP Atlantica" demonstrations taking place in Halifax in the summer of 2007.
Tomorrow Always Comes filmed & edited by Dragon, in Victoria, BC (2005)
lyrics, recording & production by Blank Space
beatbox & Vocals by Beat Boxing Pirates (Mike Sheely, Dragon, strong cottonwoods, Blank Space), Michael, Chloe & Belly Strudle Laugh
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Hey Guys, just poping by to say hey, and to let you know we are rocking a big dance party style show at Lucky Bar this Friday with The SubCity Dwellers, Nine Mile, and the Novamatics. Hope to see you out. Word.
The New World Side order needs views to win M3 video contest from now until Sept 30 2009. The videos are creative and highly entertaining. Please view to help. This message is brought to by MINDSpray Records
The New World Side Order -“Spiders, Roaches, Bed Bugs, Etc” Video Click or Cut and Paste Link Below to View
I'll try and come to your show at the Orange Hall on August 7th. I also want to work with you and I'll see where I can fit a show in this fall. I've been thinking about it (trust me;)
Peace and Respect,
Dane
PS - See if you can make it down for Pato Banton & the Now Generation Band w/ Jon Bone & the Karuna Movement on Sunday, August 9th @ Element...
hey gents, hope the roads are treating you well. I'll be out in Ontario in October, heading cross-country on a CD release tour. Hope to cross paths somewhere out there. Cheers, best,
I would love to have you on the air to read! Come check out the show today if you have a chance!
The Speakeasy is the number one international internet Spoken word Poetry show which airs every Thursday at 4:00 pm west coast time, 7:00 pm east coast time.
The poets have built an amazing, inspiring and supportive community here! Every form of poet and poetry on one stage (radio show mic) It is truly amazing!
I would love to have you come by, log in to join in the Poets chat while you listen! Remember we would LOVE to have you CALL IN to read! =)
It is as simple as a phone call! Be sure to call in early!
Always yours in poetry, Nyla
JOIN US TONIGHT for the SPEAKEASY CAFE OPEN MIC POETRY RADIO SHOW!
Thank you so very much for your kind donations and contributions to The Hope Road Wellness Retreat. As we develope into our new awareness and began to see the wonderful manifestations that are being created, I think that it is wonderful and very important that we help each other in spreading the word about The Light and Love that we posses. All donations are being directly used for the construction of our facility, our new web page and also for our new blogtalk radio show...hoperoadwellnessradio. We accept all donations no matter what size, we are just highly appreciative and greatful for your energies and love. Thank you once again.....lets manifest this wonderful place together where we can all someday laugh together and rejoice together.
Oh, I will be guest appearing on quite a few blogtalk radio shows this week throughout the month of September. Please check back from time to time or make it a note to read your comments because I will be posting up show times and giving the world detailed imformation about the direction and intentions of The Hope Road Wellness Retreat.
Negus Moshe The Hope Road Wellness Retreat Peace,Love and Oneness
hey i just got back to halifax today. newfoundland was a blast; friendlyest folks ever! i'm slowly makein my way west for bookfair time! see ya when i see ya <3
The Outspoken Wordsmiths are sitting satisfied at the end of the !Forbidden Texts! Tour. We gave over 50 performances in 33 cities across Canada and the Northeastern United States in a 17 week period. We had the opportunity to perform with scores of talented artists, promoting our new album "Infinite Potential", which was met with resounding appreciation. Check out the details of our adventure on our blog (links above).
