Big Village – Record Label Launch

Just received some info on a new independent Aussie Hip Hop label starting
up in Sydney with a great roster upcoming talent.  Check em out and make
sure you go to the launch.  Sounds like a great night.

Big Village – Record Label Launch

Sat 7th August
Sandringham Hotel, 387 King st Newtown
8pm $10
Tickets available from Moshtix

Big Village is an independent record label representing the
new wave of Sydney’s finest Hip Hop artists.

Tired of jostling for recognition as individual groups, Big Village artists
came together to forge a joint identity and carve out new opportunities on
their own terms. 


To celebrate the label’s formation, they will be throwing a massive launch
party at the Sandringham Hotel on Saturday August 7th. 
Performing on the night will be the full Big Village stable, consisting of
Daily Meds, Loose Change, True Vibenation, Tuka (Thundamentals),
DJ Max Gosford, DJ Morgs and hosted by Jeswon.

The label was founded by the artists it represents and members of all the
groups contribute their expertise to the running of the organisation.  With
True Vibenation, Loose Change and Daily Meds already having released
projects under the Big Village banner, 2010 will continue to see more high
quality releases from the BV stable including a Big Village mixtape and
debut solo albums from Tuka (Thundamentals) and Ellesquire (Loose
Change).
______________________________________________________

The night will be presented by Freshly Squeezed, Newtown’s monthly
dose of quality live hip hop entertainment. Now in its fourth month at the
recently renovated Sandringham Hotel, the night is building a reputation
as a new home for the Sydney hip hop community and has been host to a
slew of exciting NSW and interstate acts and enthusiastic and diverse
crowds.

www.bigvillagerecords.com.au
www.facebook.com/bigvillagerecords

BUCK 65 Australian Tour 2010

Great news for fans of abstract hip hop.  Buck 65 will be back in Australia this coming September with his unique style of hip hop - baked on the gravel of a dusty highway and washed down with a peyote cocktail.  An expressive live performer who slips between mic duties and turntabalism to create an exciting and energetic show, not to be missed.

Australian East Coast Tour this September

Thu Sept 16 - Melbourne, Corner Hotel

Tix: www.custommade.com.au (ph 1300 762 545), Corner box office (11am-8pm Mon-Sat : ph 9427 9198), www.cornerhotel.com

Fri Sept 17 - Sydney, Factory Theatre (an official selection of the 2010 Sydney Fringe)

Tix: www.custommade.com.au (ph 1300 762 545), www.factorytheatre.com www.factorytheatre.com (9550 3666)

Sat Sept 18 & Sat Sept 19 - The Spiegeltent, Brisbane Festival
Tix: www.brisbanefestival.com.au (ph Moshtix 1300 438 849)

'LOOSE CHANGE' - FREE DOWNLOAD

When you think of the words "loose change" two things usually come to mind - someone begging for money and the popular 9/11 conspiracy theory documentary of the same name.  Once you've heard the debut album from Sydney based hip hop crew, 'Loose Change' those two images will soon be replaced by the smooth flows of MC's Rapaport and Ellesquire gliding over the head-nodding melodic jazzy beats provided by producer P major.

This is a very impressive debut album displaying ease and confidence without the usual self-conscious Aussie hip hop staples of pubs, beer, fights and bbq's, reminiscent of early Downside & TZU.  Their topics of life and love are more universal and bring to mind the early releases of Mos Def, Common and Soul Of Mischief.  They even manage to get away with matters of the heart (what a lot of hardcore heads would consider soft) on tracks like 'Call Me', 'Look Around' & 'Those Days', sounding more like Pete Rock & CL Smooth than LL Cool J's 'I Need Love'.

Over all a consistently dope album release worthy of repeat listening and what makes it even more impressive is that they are offering for FREE!!  That's right, free!  Follow the link below, download, listen, comment and help support this incredible new group from Sydney, because, as opposed to asking for handouts in the tough industry of Aussie Hip Hop they are giving and deserve to receive.  Perhaps the next time you hear someone mention the words 'loose change' rather than looking the other way you'll be able to give a high five and quote some 'Loose Change' lyrics.

Free download here...
http://www.loosechangehiphop.com/

P2P Bloggers vs. Record Company Execs

There are many bad things you can say about P2P sharing and the blog revolution that has swept like an ill wind through the corridors of big business record companies which are now lashing out in a fevered panic, trying to prevent the punters getting their ungrateful mits on music that was made for them.

Of course it's easy to villianize the industry, but what about the artists who receive little return on the profit their art and passion has provided?  When they have signed the rights to their vision they have an obligation to make good on the advance given to them to produce and promote their baby.  The record companies can act like a corporate version of 'Paulie' in Goodfellas sometimes.  They loan you some money and you have to make good on the arrangement...

"Someone uploaded your album before it was mastered?  Fuck you.  Pay me."
"Everyone already has a downloaded copy?  Fuck you.  Pay me."
"Oh, your album didn't get a good run in the outlets?  Fuck you.  Pay me."

An artist's passion becomes a commodity that must turn over a profit. 

With CD sales declining in the current economic climate and today's youth growing up in a world where everything is free and available on their home computers, how can artists earn a living?  Court cases have proven to alienate audiences and copy write protection is easily circumnavigated, so what is the point in sharing your vision?  Simply, that is what music is meant for.

As the internet has opened up artistic visions to a world wide audience and social networking sites offer an outlet for self promotion, the role of the record company is quickly becoming redundant.  No wonder they are scared, for now the artist has more control over how their vision is marketed and distributed. 

More and more artists are using the format of albums as a promotional tool, offering it for free to increase exposure and entice people into attending their live shows, which for a musician is where the real benefit is - not just financially, but also the instant gratification of hearing their songs echoing back to them from an excited adoring crowd. 

As we journey into the 2010s the best way to progress in the entertainment industry is to embrace the technology and use it to our advantage.  With home computers now capable of producing studio quality albums we can cut out the men in suits standing between our art and our audience and advance musically without accountants making us sound like the last group that went platinum.  We now have complete artistic freedom and we should use it.

Following this article I want to highlight a few Australian groups out there doing it for themselves and sharing their creations with the world for free.  Their generosity should be commended and rewarded wherever possible, whether it's by attending their shows, buying new releases or merchandise, giving the love back by leaving favourable comments wherever they are present on the web or sharing their music with a friend.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the gifts that follow.

Jah bless,
VVP

FREE KOOLISM TRACK

Long time no talk,

Got a lot of projects on the boil at the moment, but 2010 is gonna be a great year and we will check in more regularly for anyone out there tuned in.

Here is one good reason to celebrate the beginning of a new year...

BRAND NEW KOOLISM TRACK. FREE DOWNLOAD

The KOOLISM boys decided to share this instant classic with cyberspace.
Hard beats and rhymes combine with DANIELSAN concocting a dope hypnotic groove as HAU paints a tale of heavy handed cops disturbing the peace of people vibing at a party.
If this is the kinda material that didn't make the forthcoming THE UMU album, then it's definitely gonna be worth the wait.
Download it now and play that ish again and again and again.
Nuff respect.

Get it at...

http://www.koolism.com/tracks/hanz%20high/hanz%20high.xml

KOOLISM LIVE!

Greetings,

Back in July we were invited by KOOLISM to film their first gig in a little while. They were performing with THE HERD to a packed audience at THE PRINCE in St Kilda, Melbourne. The boys threw down an awesome show, packed with classics from their albums 'NEW OLD GROUND' and the ARIA award winning 'PART 3 - RANDOM THOUGHTS', plus a whole bunch of tracks from their new album, 'THE 'UMU', which we are greatly anticipating.

Here's the promo we put together. It's in HD with multiple angles. Just a sample of the KOOLISM LIVE experience you have to see. So, get those tickets, they should be in your town soon.



I've had the privilege of hearing some other songs off THE 'UMU and it sounds incredible. They're definitely gonna blow people away with DJ DANIELSAN producing a diverse range of beats (while still retaining that distinct KOOLISM vibe) and MC HAU showing depth as a song writer, delving into social and political topics while serving up dope word play with skilled delivery. You can get into THE 'UMU on many different levels, whether you're in the mood for some banging hip hop or looking for something to engage with. If there's one album you should buy this year, make it KOOLISM - THE 'UMU.

For more info check out...

www.myspace.com/koolismcrew

www.koolism.com

http://koolism.blogspot.com/

http://hauiebeast.blogspot.com/

Street Art Not Vandalism One

Greetings one and all,

Back in March 2009 we were asked to bring some cameras along to Robinson Reserve - West Preston, Melbourne for an event called STREET ART NOT VANDALISM ONE. The local council had donated a wall and writers were given paint to transport artistic visions from their mind to the cement wall for all to enjoy.

While the air was filling with the intoxicating aroma of spray paint fumes, a who's who of emerging Aussie hip hop talent were blessing frequencies with their diverse styles.

As the sun went down the party moved to a bar where a room was awaiting re-decoration and a huge line up of Australian, UK and USA hip hop artists gathered to grace the stage.

Here's a little taste of the event...

First up is SETH SENTRY dropping a phat rhyme over an old school break, reminiscent of the classic ALKAHOLIKS track, 'ONLY WHEN I'M DRUNK', proving that you can't beat the timeless appeal of the so-called "golden era" of hip hop.



The next installment is from one of UK's finest hip hop groups, NINE HIGH, with mc SCOTTY HINDS killing it with his solo rendition of their hit 'FUGS NEED HUGS'. Two of NINE HIGH's mc's (FRAKSHA & SCOTTY) relocated to Melbourne two years ago and have been blowing up the scene with their relentlessly dope UK stylings.



Be sure to check back in for more installments and news on the upcoming STREET ART NOT VANDALISM TWO.

For more info...

www.myspace.com/sethsentry

www.myspace.com/ninehigh

www.myspace.com/streetartnotvandalism