Entrevista: Trackademicks

For those of you who, like myself, were quite distressed about the bleak outlook for hip-hop's future, take note. I have found the knight in shining armor who has come to ease our fears: Trackademicks. Been craving originality? He's got it. Been missing the finesse and personality (not a bad attitude) from a true entertainer? He's got that too. What about professionalism, a strong work ethic and consistency? Yep....he's your dude. Thanks to Trackademicks and his Honor Roll crew, hip-hop is back and it's better than ever! From flawless lyricism and making crowds go crazy, to producing bangers that make 'em go dumb and remixes that make you wonder why the original track even bothered, Trackademicks is ahead of the class! I'm so pleased to bring you this interview with the Bay Area tastemaker. Students, take your seats......class is in session!


WANLS: Tell me who you are and what you do in 3 sentences.

TRACKADEMICKS: My name is Trackademicks aka The Cool Collar Scholar, representing the Bay Area's Honor Roll Crew. In a Nutshell, I create lush, breezy synthphonic-soulectronic-neo-funk-infused sophisti-slapadelick-soundscapes enriched with socially relevant ramblings about the human experience in celebration of the culturally diverse world we are blessed to be a part of! Though, some may simply refer to me as an artist/producer...


WANLS: What's the last song you listened to?

TRACKADEMICKS: Todd Rundgren "Love is the Answer"

WANLS: What gets you started in the morning?

TRACKADEMICKS: Promise of a better tomorrow gets me in gear to tackle the tasks of today.


WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn’t been for ___, I would have ___.

TRACKADEMICKS: If it hadn't been for meeting the core members of the Honor Roll in high school, I would have never developed such a broad, idealistic yet realistic view of the artist I could potentially become.


WANLS: What's #1 on your priority list right now?

TRACKADEMICKS: Getting the right look/reception for all of the first round Honor Roll projects dropping this year. When we put our best foot forward, everything else will fall into place. Going 100% is the only way to meet God half way in getting were you're supposed to be!

WANLS: Tell me one song that everybody should listen to and why.

TRACKADEMICKS: Everybody should listen to "Blue" by Wham!, because if you have ever been or have the experience of knowing someone at the brink of falling apart at the mercy of someone else, this song will perfectly articulate the passion in the pain of that moment. Just saying...

WANLS: What’s one thing people would never guess about you?

TRACKADEMICKS: People would never guess that I usually can careless about the small details. I'm big picture all the way.

WANLS: Fill in the blank: Ten years ago, I just knew I ___.


TRACKADEMICKS: Ten years ago, I just knew I could never be a musician, because "what 'normal' dude from Alameda can really make a decent living doing hip-hop?!?" Joke's on who? Hmmmm...

WANLS: Fill in the blanks: But as long as I can listen to ___’s music, I know everything will be alright.

TRACKADEMICKS: But as long as I can listen to Sade and Tears for Fears' music, I know everything will be alright.

WANLS: Throw your sets up! Where do you live and why do you love it?

TRACKADEMICKS: I love living in Trackademia because everything here, in my own headspace, everything is of my own volition.

WANLS: Fill in the blank: One day they’re probably gonna name a ___ after me.

TRACKADEMICKS: One day they're probably gonna name a Chill Pill after me.


WANLS: Favorite tour or show so far?

TRACKADEMICKS: N.E.R.D Live At Fillmore in San Francisco June 14, 2002.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=korlItQ0Yy0
This show was magical. So magical in fact that they threw it on the re-released enhanced CD of In Search Of... This show was the epitome of what I have been enlisted to do as an artist. It’s all about bridge building and cultural connection. There were so many truly different people in the room that night. People create Art. Art is Life. Life is Good. It was achieved that night. You can see me in the front row if you look hard enough.


WANLS: Fantasy tour lineup/show location?

TRACKADEMICKS: Sade and Tears for Fears somewhere in the UK, circa 1985-86.

The Trackademicks Process (Extended) from Dave The Dopeman on Vimeo.

Yes, class is in session...lucky for you guys, there are online enrichment courses, as well:
Trackademicks' Official Blog
Trackademicks on MySpace
Trackademicks on Twitter
FREE DOWNLOAD of 'The [Re]Mixtape Vol. 2' from Trackademicks

Just Cause I'm Watching it Right Now....

The drums are amazing in this song and the video is just amazing. And if you aren't striving to make music at least on this level.....learn to swim:)

I Get Around....

Greetings and Salutations!

I am honored to now be a regular contributor to Bold As Love, the site of writer extraodinaire, Rob Fields. My assignment is to cover the Bay Area music scene, and my first piece features Oakland based HOTTUB!


This site will, of course, continue to be my first love, but I hope that you will all follow me and support the projects I'm working on elsewhere, as well.

Here is the link to my Bold As Love piece: http://www.boldaslove.us/2010/01/town-business-hottub.html
It went up this morning and is already getting some press...this makes Sierra very happy:
http://www.theroot.com/buzz/blog-noir-bold-love

Stay tuned folks, I have recently taken on a few other projects so look out for those in the near future. Until then...

Love and light!

Congratulations Are In Order...

So I was stumbling around the internet and I came across an Austrian commercial for European wireless phone company, 3 Mobile (or simply 3). What's so cool about that, you ask? The track playing on the commercial is "Another Fine Lesson in the Art of Cool" by Ezra Bang & Hot Machine! WANLS loves those guys (and gals). I offered a free download a little while back that featured another one of their bangers, "What You Can't Kill U Must Envy." If you've been slippin on your pimpin, you can still download it here.

I know the commercial came out last year, but congrats guys! Now back to my web hunting so that I can bring an Ezra Bang & The Hot Machine interview to you guys....stay tuned!

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!!!

Oh boy, oh boy, folks! I'm super pleased to bring you brand spankin' new music videos from Peekaboo Theory and Game Rebellion! Peekaboo Theory's vid was released to the world only moments ago, so it's my pleasure to give my readers the chance to be among the first in the world to view it:) Both tracks are amazing, both videos are insanely hot....enjoy!

Entrevista: The Whooligan

In March I will be moving from San Francisco to the greatest city in the world, Houston, TX. As you may have gleaned from previous posts, Houston is my hometown and there is definitely no place like it, in my opinion. As I prepare to leave the Bay Area I'm reflecting on the culture and community that I will be leaving behind. In that spirit, I have decided to post a series of interviews with Bay Area movers, shakers and whatnot (don't you just love that word?...hehe).

First up is The Whooligan. I've had the occasion to witness the craft of many dj's since I've been here in the Bay, and of those, very few have actually impressed me. The Whooligan most definitely has. As genuine personally as he is ridiculously talented on his turntables, Whoo is a staple in the Bay Area's music scene. I'm pleased to bring this interview to you guys, and even more pleased to call The Whooligan my friend:)
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=42197


WANLS: Tell me who you are and what you do in three sentences.

WHOO: My name is Julio Galvez and I am known as The Whooligan. I am a resident DJ and producer for a variety of clubs and collectives; some include 40Love, Sole Vibe Music Group, The Park, Foreign Legion, Eve Lounge and Om Records. I am co-founder of the #cRitGAWD special: eggs, spinach, brown rice, hashbrowns & coffee- pretty much a standard 'round these parts.

WANLS: What's the last song you listened to?

WHOO: My roommate and brother-from-another, Derek Taylor (drummer of famed rhythm section The Park) just put me onto John Mayer's new album, "Battle Studies." It's 7:45AM and I listened to the LP front to back on the way home from the airport. A peaceful morning in the Bay with a great sound track and beautiful tones. As I am writing this interview though, I'm listening to DJ Sneak live @ the Forum in Waterford, Ireland 2008- definitely in need of some coffee now.


WANLS: What gets you started in the morning?

WHOO: Woah, woah, woah. Take it easy...

WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn't been for ______, I would have_____.

WHOO: If it hadn't been for witnessing my parent's late nights playing salsa records, drinking wine, dancing and enjoying company (as a very young child), I would have never known the true essence of sharing good music with the people you love most.

WANLS: What's #1 on your priority list right now?

WHOO: Connecting with my people, your people, their people, our people and spreading love. All day, every day. And you know, that other stuff like paying my bills and staying healthy.

WANLS: Fill in the blanks: Everybody should listen to _______, because _______.


WHOO: Everybody should listen to whatever moves them. Don't pigeon-hole yourself. Listen to it all, even if you think you will absolutely despise it. Appreciate music for good or for bad, because whether you're feeling it or not, there was a process involved to create and capture something pure. Fela, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Osunlade, Flying Lotus, Nina Simone and Johnny Cash never hurt nobody either.


WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that _______.

WHOO: People would never guess that I am of Buddhist spiritual beliefs and chant on the daily. I give thanks to those who came before me and will eventually follow me. Self reflection has changed my life.

WANLS: Fill in the blank: Ten years ago, I just knew I ________.

WHOO: Ten years ago, I just knew I wanted to play professional soccer. As a kid, it was always salsa records and soccer. That's all we could afford to eat. I played competitively growing up and a couple years in college. I am super thankful to have met someone who would later refer me to Amoeba Music. For 5+ years, I worked next to some of the smartest and most knowledgeable music nerds west of the Mississippi. The rest is history.


WANLS: But as long as I can listen to _______'s music, I know everything will be alright.

WHOO: But as long as I can listen to music, I know everything will be alright. House, Broken Beat, Salsa, Classical, Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Techno, Boogie, Rare Groove, Soul, Jazz, Afrobeat, Bhangra, Rock, etc etc and so much more. Bring that chit on, mane.


WANLS: Throw your set up! Where do you live and why do you love it?

WHOO: I love living in San Francisco because of the people, the culture, the weather, the music, the food, the inspiration, the record nerds, the sunday fundays, the herb, the best bartenders, artists, promoters and service professionals in the world, and because our afterhours parties trump yours. I'm just sayin though.

WANLS: Fill in the blank: One day they're probably gonna name a _______ after me.

WHOO: One day they're probably gonna name a Nacho Libre remake after me. Pfffft!

WANLS: Favorite gig so far?

WHOO: I would have to say my favorite gig so far was rockin with a marketing company in NYC, as well as MTV a couple years back. For a few years I was on national tours opening for folks like Diplo, Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Sister, Buggz in the Attic, Plain White T's, Brooke Hogan, Taylor Swift, Lloyd, Bobby Valentino and hella other artists rocking 8,000+ crowds. But really though? My MOST favorite gig? Life, because one day we rock for 10,000 people and another day we rock for 10. Experience is everything.


WANLS: Fantasy gig?

WHOO: My fantasy gig is to tour the world with my friends and family. One super wild festival tour with everyone I love to listen to and rock with on the daily. Peace and Love.

WANLS: Tell me where you see or would like to see the Bay Area's music scene head this year.

WHOO: Honestly, I would like to see everyone step their LIFE game up. Too much petty beef, too many childish mistakes and too many people saying they want to do this and connect with this person... which never happens. Again, being on both sides of the artist/business spectrum, I see and hear a lot nonsense that honestly saddens me. How you live your life and how you treat your neighbors and community dictates the music you create. The Bay Area is too fresh and musically diverse to not be recognized on a national level. No offense, but really? Hyphy is the only "genre" known to come out of the Bay? We create beautiful soul music; hip hop to house and it's time the world recognizes our talents. How is this going to happen? Genuine support, honest communication and love for the energy and hard work we all, male and female, put into our craft. And I'm not saying you have to connect with everyone who makes music or everyone who claims they can rock a party. If you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it, and that's ok- just keep it to yourself and stay positive. In the words of Jay Electronica, "Someone being great takes ABSOLUTELY nothing away from YOUR greatness. Stop Hating."

WANLS: Where can we find you on the internet?

WHOO: Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thewhooligan
Official Blog: http://brimlow.tumblr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thewhooligan
Bandcamp: http://40love.bandcamp.com
Eve Lounge: http://www.eveloungesf.com



Photo Cred: Scott LaRockwell (color photos) and Melissa Fuller (B/W's)

Today in Rock History: Sex Pistols

On this day in 1978, punk pioneers the Sex Pistols played their final show together. Known for jump-starting the punk movement, the London natives changed rock and roll forever, influencing the music of bands from Pure Hell to H2O to Sum 41.


Although they had more than their share of pitfalls (including bassist Sid Vicious being charged in the stabbing death of his longtime lover, Nancy Spungen), the Sex Pistols will forever be icons in the world of rock.

Check out the legendary punk gods performing one of their most popular records, "God Save the Queen:"



And here's a clip from the infamous Sex Pistols interview with Bill Grundy (which later ended Grundy's journalism career):



For more on the Sex Pistols, check out their official website. Until next time....rock on ya'll!