Vocalist for THE LOCKSMITHS, Turntablist for THE JELLEY FUND. Freelance engineer and producer specializing in dope hip hop.
Influences
I'm mostly influenced by Life, Love, Lust, Liquor, and Long walks on the beach.
Also, sometimes I find inspiration in other creative minds (in no particular order other than my train of thought) such as Cozmos, Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, The Pharcyde, Madlib (Quasimoto, Lootpack, Yesterdays New Quintet), MF Doom, The Roots, Chris Sinn, Tyrant, Myster DL, J Rukiz, The Jelley Fund, Murs, Ant, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Justin Bua, Roni Size, Incubus (at least their old stuff), Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Mike Patton, Buju Banton, Rakim, Sublime, Salvador Dali, J.R.R. Tolkien, Bob Marley, Amon Tobin, Barrington Levy, Swollen Members, Edgar Allen Poe, Wildchild, George Orwell (1984), Nas, Maynard James Keenan, Pharoah Monch, 311, Glue, Chuck Palahniuk, Roots Manuva, Matisyahu, Dilated Peoples, DJ RNDM, LTJ Bukem, Sage Francis, MC Escher, A Tribe Called Quest, Mayan Tamang, The Losst Unknown Crew and all B-Boys and B-Girls, Da Bushbabies, Big Daddy Kane, The Rocksteady Crew, James Redfield (author of The Celestine Prophecy).....and many others whom slip my mind at the time.
As far as production goes, Cozmos is quite ecclectic with his beats. I'm not really sure who he sounds like, but his shit is definately hot. The Jelley Fund has a sound all their own as well. With me...I don't believe that there is another MC who could sound like I do. No one else has lived my life, and I haven't lived anyone elses...therefore, I SOUND LIKE TONY MANTIS.
My name is Anthony Altieri (a.k.a. Tony Mantis) and I am a 28 year old MC and poet from Dracut, MA (although I now live in Austin, TX). I first began rapping in 1997 when a few friends in highschool brought in a recording from a karaoke machine of them spittin' over a Fugees beat. Those friends, who would later be known as Chris Sinn and Tyrant, inspired me to write some rhymes of my own. In the beginning, there was 6 of us and we called ourselves Six Deadly. Later, some moved on and some new faces arrived and the Sub.Herb.In Poets were formed. This group included myself, Chris Sinn (called Sinister at the time), Myster DL, Tyrant, and J Rukiz. After about a year of working on tracks together it was obvious that creative differences existed. However, this was an integral part of honing many of their lyrical abilities. At this point, I got in some legal trouble and went away for a few months. Upon release, Chris Sinn and I went on to form Surreal with DJ RNDM. Some really hot tracks came out of that collaboration. We had similar lyrical ability but completely different styles, playing off of eachother quite well. We played shows from Manchester, NH to Lowell, MA and had a small but loyal following. After Chris and I went our seperate ways, I linked up with sometimes Surreal producer Cozmos and formed THE LOCKSMITHS. We released our debut self titled disc in August of 2006. It was about 3 years in the making and fuses hip hop, drum 'n bass, jazz, and a little spoken word poetry. It has been recieved well by all who encounter The Locksmiths' sound. We released our second album, titled "Skeleton Keys" on April 20, 2008. This project has a much darker mood and embraces more live elements, with Mark and Bob of the Jelley Fund providing some of the drum and bass work as well as some live violin on a few tracks by Starr Cooper. Pick that shit up NOW!!!!!
Also, GO LISTEN TO THE JELLEY FUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and ummmmmm....
PAWN SHOP ENTERTAINMENT IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought the Locksmiths CD at Urban Renewal a few months ago. I thought you would appreciate the randomness of this. It was almost like a sign that a higher power wanted me to have this cd. Also now i can say Everybody Loves the Locksmiths but Outwrite Bought the Album.
Things are solid here. Got my studio apt right in the downtown area and a job at a music store. It did snow today (kind of), which was a shocker, but it's all good. I'll let you know if I'm ever in Austin. later. -J
what up!!! i would LOVE to come visit you guys some time of course money is a huge factor but if I find a cheap ticket i'm comin to chill! If you ever end up in NYC i will HURT you if you dont hit me up ;) How's the livin down there? and best yet how is the whether. its freeeeeeeeezing here already. had i nuts, they would be frozen off.
YOOO MANTIS!!!!! I've been up in NH on some Zen Retreat type shit. Enjoying myself man. Bean is the Bean, as you know. Glad you things are doing good for you down in Austin. I'm around tomorrow night, let's catch up via phone. Peace man! MIZZLE
Yo my boy put you guys in his TV pilot... looking good fam... I'm working for this production company now doing big time videos commercials you name it we got it,
Check this video out, I got a new phone but lost all my contacts so make sure i get your number again.
Ez, come check out the new Mindstorm tune "Off The Radar" recently added to the player. This track along with 15 more original bangers will be featured on Mindstorm's second album The Invasion coming this summer. Feedback is always welcome and always appreciated. =) Peace!
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