Railing Forward at the MN Fringe Festival

Yesterday began my stretch at this years MN Fringe Festival with Masterminds Dameun Strange and Erinn Liebhard for 'Railing Forward and other works', and it was spectacualur! They've put together a piece that jumps off of the story of John Henry and explores the growth of technology through rhythm, dance, a 13 piece orchestra and photography by Michele Spaise.

The production also features other works including 'Dream Variations', a song cycle inspired by Langston Hughes works. The ladder piece features another assortment of musicians including vocalist Sarah M Greer and myself, giving voice to Langston's words and some beatbox for good measure. I'm also performing some of my own work to open up and close the show. I've written two new pieces just for this event and I'm super excited to share them here, alongside such a high minded collaboration and presentation of music, photography and movement. Listen for 'Trains, Planes and Automobiles'(from my latest and greatest 'Architextual Design'), 'The Definitive Telling of John Henry's Tale' and 'Dream sequence #3'. Check out the facebook event page here for dates and times. Also check out the Strange Liebhard site for more info on their collab and this production.

It's been a while since I contributed to the Fringe, so this should be lots of crazy, artsy fun. Last time I took part in this staple Twin Cities arts event, it must've been in...2005 (living in Chicago and rolling with the Hermit Arts Crew to teh Cities), for Idris Goodwin's one act, 'Close to Victory' where I played a beat boxin', percussionizin', pot smokin' street artist by the name of "Special Ron". Although it wasn't my favorite performance of mine on stage, it had it's moments and was a lot of fun. I've had the pleasure of acting in a couple of my old buddy Idris' plays and it was always a blast. I wish there was footage of 'Pluto' and 'Sidewalk Etiquette'(much better work on my part, and definitely deeper, sharper pieces of Goodwin's) on youtube, but I'll have to settle for the video from the '05 Fringe show. On youtube, I think it's in 3 or 4 parts, it's been so long since I've seen it! So, if you're intrigued, follow side links and such for the other parts, they should turn up one way or another...





and here's another piece we did (in character) at The Ball's Cabaret Fringe Sampler that same year.

Welcome to The Boombox Emporium and a New Chapter...

SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE's Boombox Emporium; Purveyor of top quality, free musical goods since...well, last year.

Last fall I started a new free music series to offer various musical perspectives on what I do for the 2 or 3 fans I have out there (namely my mom, my brother and that girl from  that one show a while back). I thought it'd be fun to show people other sides of what I do, open up a glimpse of up coming projects and collaborations and to release tracks that have no home or are just itching to get out. It's all new and fresh off the press, but I might dig into some older work that was never released as well, from time to time, just for fun.

At any rate, I ended up taking a hiatus for a while, (and that's where the "new chapter" segment of this blog opens up). Not because I wasn't working on new stuff or didn't get around to posting new work, but because I've been in the process of finalizing my departure from local record label Tru Ruts. (?!) This is probably news to any of you who are familiar with me and TR, so let me speak to that for a sec, too. There was no major drama or anything, it's just that, as an independent artist and jack of all trades I felt like I needed to move on creatively and really get my own groove on. TR has offered me great learning opportunities and in some ways, really made some dreams come true for me. It's taken some time to finalize everything so I haven't talked much about it, but we've pretty much figured out the details and I'm goin' my own way, and not in that intense, anger-liberty/Fleetwood Mac sort of way. I'm just moving on and so are they. We're family and we'll continue to support one another and will always collaborate. You'll still be able to find all my releases with them on itunes and at www.truruts.bandcamp.com. Love.

So, that said, Here's a bunch of those tracks released through The Boom Box Emporium before working out the move from TR. I'll be continuing the monthly series soon, so watch out for more from the Boombox Emporium at www.seemoremusic.bandcamp.com soon!

"On the heels of his beat tape release, 'Breaks in the Clouds' (also at www.seemoremusic.bandcamp.com), producer See More Perspective returns this time as an emcee. Initiating a new free music download series, 'See More Perspective's Boombox Emporium', he collaborates with producer Julian Fairbanks, of Audio Perm, musical mastermind Dameun Strange, Guante and The Rube, and his brother Nye to bring you some far out, funky, fun and thoughtful music. A Twin Cities native with roots in Chicago, See More's music embodies the best of both cities. He has released a series of EPs, including 'First Impression' and 'Summertime Hip Hip BBQ Jam for the World', in addition to his beat tape concept album and his latest full length, the ambitious 'Architextual Design' (available now at www.truruts.bandcamp.com and iTUNES).




   Maintain Transcend (prod by Julian Fairbanks/Audio Perm) by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE



   Jack's Lament by Strange Perspective by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE



   Pyramids (Ganzobean Remix) by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE



   Shotgun Soliloqy (ragga remix) by Wake The City, produced by The Rube by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE



   Quiet Love by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE



   Nobody sleeps tonight by Strange Perspective by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE 
and here's an extra joint. An a cappella for the hell of it.

   Frank Lloyd Wright (in the fan accapella) by SEE MORE PERSPECTIVE

Thanks for reading, listening and thinking.

Vermont/SIT trip and Video from the road

As you may have read in my last post, I hit the road for 24 hours to Brattleboro,Vermont where I visited the School for International Training (SIT) for the Governor's Institute on Current Issues & Youth Activism. I set out with family, tons of music and snacks and a bucket full of chocolate covered espresso beans. The drive in was grueling but that early morning mist over the high roads and mountain tops were well worth driving the last shift. Nature really is the rawest form of inspiration.

Between hikes, mountain top meals, campfires, random antique import yard sailing, riverside bbqing, going to an excellent farmers market and swimming in an incredible dam surrounded by lush mountains, I facilitated a workshop on collaboration and art with meaning. I had a group of almost 50 students and there was just a whirlwind of ideas swirling through the space. In two hours every group conceived, wrote and performed a complete performance, to which every participant contributed. A lot of these folks haven't even written a line of poetry much less performed in front of a group of their peers. I hope this set some sparks for kids that they'll use to light torches they carry with them from here on out.

I also performed a set for the whole camp and their facilitators and masterminds of this top notch youth training experience. Let me just say that this crowd was absolutely incredible. This group was making up dances based on movements of my delivery and sang along with songs they didn't even know. This group was open to some mind blowing hip hop and I gotta say, I obliged. I'm not real into tooting my own horn as it were, but I am into being real about what I have to offer and the special thing here was a moment in time with a group of smart students from all over the east coast as well as Germany and Turkey. There was true magic between crowd and artist that night...before I go on and on about it, I'll just stop there.
I had hoped to get a bunch of video on this trip but since my backpack of supplies carrying my camera (as well a slew of other artist necessities) was left behind at our stop in Indiana, I wasn't able to document it in the way I had hoped. However, as I did recover my supplies on the way back, I did have my camera for the last leg of the trip from Indiana through Chicago back to the Twin Cities...so I recorded this video below. It felt appropriate. Enjoy.

Midwest Road Dogg Trail Mix

Like Willy Nelson, I'm on the road again. I've got a big trip ahead of me. St. Paul to Indiana then Indiana to Vermont. Sumn like 24 hours total. I've had a lot of great road trips and have very fond memories of the people, places, mixtapes and landscapes along the way.

I've also enjoyed some great food and am a connoisseur of road snacks. Below is a very precise recipe for something known as a "Midwest road dogg trailmix". I actually just made that name up and I've only really done this once. Traveling does weird things to you.

1. Stop by a greasy spoon diner anywhere along the way.
2. Order what ever you but include some kind of sampler or share a bunch of deep fired food with your travel companions.
3. Take the leftovers in a doggie bag (an actual bag is best).
4. Shake, throw in the back seat for 1-3 hours.
5. Dig out doggie bag from mound if CDs, clothes items and promotional materials.
6. Enjoy in responsible moderation.

not religious

New piece from April. I wrote it specifically to bring sumn new to the EQ show at the Loft on 10th and Washington. EQ is curated by Bao Phi and it's the best spoken word series I've ever experienced. I was humbled and honored to participate and perform with some truly great poets and genuinely good people. 

I can probably workshop this piece a little, but I feel like I've waited long enough to post it. I hope you feel it. Thanks for reading.

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“I’m not religious, I’m spiritual.”

I respect that (and I would say I’ve said that but…I say that)

what does that mean though?

What does it mean that we feel good when we get high?

Empty when we breath slow?

What does it mean when we just get to feel good about whatever selfish habits and careless emotions we whim because we are just so into ourselves?

Does it mean that we are so in love with the idea that we exist that every fragile step of our narcissism is in exultation of our very own presence? (Cuz that’s kind of what some of these folks look like, right?)

what is that? What is spiritual And Why don’t we know?

Why can granola spirituality be just as hallow as regurgitated dogma?

Is it because we don’t know who we are? Is it because we are not encouraged to give a fuck? That our spiritual leaders are so into themselves that when we ask questions all they really hear is the echo of their own ego?

might it have anything to do with our own lack of imagination?

Maybe spirituality is imagination is inspiration is action is reality.

I am not religious…

I am eyes on a heart beat walking to the horizon (cuz if I can see it I can get there)

A compass with closed eyes (I am exactly where I’m supposed to be)

Blind darkness in a dream’s basement facing a gruesome ghost (because spirituality is not just feeling good for the sake of ignoring a gaping pain)

I am hope like the grip of a flare gun

A shamanic dreamscape where I met god in the sky and man on a stake

A white shroud covering my anxiety

A voice in the sky telling me to find my family…not matter what

to not get involved with the dying of a false prophet

a war against shadow

and flooding moment of light from the throat of a tortured soul aflame

released cool blue by someone who gave a fuck

I am…someone who gives a fuck

collecting and dropping seeds trying to keep some water and sunshine on hand…

just hoping they break earth…just hoping I break earth…

just hoping I can grow from, through, beyond myself,

splitting open from the inside and pushing against the weight of static earth

despite the ubiquitous pressure and feel some sun…

yawning, opening my eyes for the first time,

looking around and seeing some familiar faces.

"Papa", For Fathers Day

Here's a song for fathers day in honor of the crazy men who raise or at least contributed to our genetic make up. For better or for worse, they contribute to who we are, and without them we wouldn't be here. Existing at all is a great opportunity, no matter what challenges we face. So, thanks Papa. You've given me everything. Even if at times it's been more than I'd care for. No regrets, just gratefulness.

My dad's story isn't always pleasant or fun to talk about, but it's his story and it's part of mine. This is a piece dealing with a lot of the darker shades of my family's history, with moments of great light. While his struggle continues, as does that of my family, I always look to the light and urge us all to grow beyond our history, make our lives our own and to find peace.

My Papa is hilarious, adventurous and a consummate smart ass. These are traights I'm proud to have taken from him. I sing this song as a sort of catharsis but also as a prayer for his powerful light and for my family as a whole. I also sing this in honor of him and in thanks for my life. Gracias, Papa.

Here's to all our Father's this Fathers' Day, and to all the sons and daughters who have the ability to take who their parents, forefathers and ancestors are and were, to the next level.

Thanks for reading, listening and thinking.

"who built this house, Frank Lloyd WRONG?!"

Happy Birthday, Frank Lloyd Wright! 

(June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959)

"the greatest American architect of all time", American Institute of Architects

 A Midwestern man with a plan... a Floor plan. But really, I find a lot of poetry in the works of this great WI born, Midwest wandering, architect. So much so, that I liken a lot of my work as a hip hop artist, as a person and even as a visual artist in a way, to his approach to architectural design. The idea of building in light to your structure, building in concert with, not over nature and detailing a thematic structure from the inside out. Those are big ideas and fine principles, and I think they're applicable to all aspects of art and life.

I could go on and on, in fact, I did...I wrote a song by his name on my latest album, Architextual Design. Produced by my brother Nye, It's a sort of frenetic, shamanic dream where his principles in architecture become laws of nature to reveal my ideals on art, education, community and spirituality. You should listen and enjoy it a thousand times over, and LOUD. Bump it through the summer streets.