Mr Grevis on Mining and Music

It seems like only yesterday I was talking to Gary “Mr Grevis” McPhee about flying back to work outside a local hip-hop event. The fly-in-fly-out mining industry, being a past time that we both shared. A life styled fuelled by binge drinking, 14 hour shifts, endless piss-tests and an excessive amount of disposable income. Though the mining game is rich in material royalties it lacks the comfort of family and close friends, home cooked meals and apologies to birthdays, weddings and unfortunately funerals. After a while the demoralisation from the institutionalised day-to-day living in camp gets to you. I spoke to Mr Grevis about his recent break from working away to focus on his music career, his distribution deal with Obese Records and his plans for the future.

How long have you been making music for? I have been writing music and poems for as long as I can remember and freestyling to my mates for a laugh since I was a kid too! The first time I recorded something was on a Target mic and my best mate made some dodgy beats. That was back in 2002 I think, this album has taken about 6 years at a very very lazy pace. Even last year I was thinking "fuck it... I don't really have the time but then I lost my job and my passion came back harder then ever before. I bashed out 6 new songs to add to the 6 old ones I had then bang, I had me an album!"

Who are your main music influences? The first ever hip hop I heard that made me love this music was Naughty by Nature's Self Titled album back in 92. Then I was into NWA, Snoop dropped Doggy Style (still one of my favourite albums ever) and the obession continued with Biggie, Wu and 2pac. These days I'm into P Monch, Brother Ali, Guilty Simpson, Sean P and Apathy. Australian act Hilltop Hoods are still ahead of the rest in my eyes and a major influence as well as Drapht, Mantra, Oars and Downsyde.

A huge congratulations on the deal with Obese Records, how did it all come about? Well it was the Funkoars and Drapht sharing The Youth film clips on Twitter that caught emcee Reason's attention and he asked me to jump on stage with him for his last perth show. So I did and got along well with him, he's a top bloke. I then finished the album a few weeks later and I approached some heads. In the meantime Reason showed Pegz my tunes and he loved them and was keen for a chat. It all fell into place really quickly, it totally spun me out! One minute I'm doing some music for shits and giggles then a few weeks later my album is being sent to record stores Australia wide. I'm very grateful to Reason and consider myself pretty fortunate and lucky. What if he never saw that tweet!

From working away myself for long periods many of times it was hip hop that kept me sane, do you feel the same way? Oh most def. I would always take my ipod into whatever crane it was that I was driving, while away at work haha, got to be prepared. But with that said, my last contract away was 7 months work and I only wrote “The Youth” up there. Creativity my mind was switched off. I think due to the 'jail like' environment and the long hours and limited time.

What advice can you share to emcee’s, DJ’s and producers that pursue their careers whilst putting their creative dreams on hold? Save your money and use it wisely. Money can buy you really good beats and high quality studio time for that professional sound. Never think your too old to be involved in music or to chase your dreams!  

What have you got planned over the next 12 months? Well I'm working 7-days-on-7-days-off at the moment so it's leaving alot more time to write. I have my album launch in August and I will be using any profits for a national tour, hopefully around November!

Your launch is on the 24 of August, What can we expect on the evening? Well maybe you should come down and find out haha. Will be a fun night with a good local line up on the bill and defiantly some give aways. I will be getting the crowd involved for a song or two and maybe a cheeky drinking game!

I am very much looking forward to this SOLD out event! For more information on releases, shows and his kickarse new merchandise line head to Mr Grevis's website here here.

Sunday Skool - Orientation Day

Three things I love. Hip-hop, Sundays and Mt Lawley. It was only a matter of time until someone reignited the hip-hop flame on Beaufort street and what a better day to start the creative fire than a Sunday. Sunday Skool is a monthly event held in the inner suburbs of our city at The Flying Scotsman. Founder, of Down Under Ground Events Gav "Bentman" Bentley in conjunction with The Scotto want to create a monthly event in which the artist are paid and that hip-hop community vibe is present. 

Bitter Belief - Party In Perth

The first ever line-up features an all-star squad of local emcee's that are sure to bring out the best that a Sunday in Perth has to offer. DJ Realms will be holding down the beats as Soma, Bitter Belief & Solitary, Down South Crew, Complete & Omac, Adam Crook, Dista, Slackjaw and Niccy Fear will turn up the lyrical heat.

Soma - Lower Class Love 2.2:The Death

"Down Under Ground Events are on point with Sunday Skool, the new Sunday sesh at The Velvet Lounge/Flying Scotsman! Finish the week with quality live music, $10 pizza and pint deal, with some local hip-hop crew" said Perth emcee Defyre.

Adam Crook - Just Bein' Me

WHEN: This Sunday, 5 August 2012

Where: The Flying Scotsman

Cost: Being Orientation Day this event is free!

Three Tracks You Need To Hear.

I am so addicted to these three tracks at the moment, that I thought I would share the love.

This track Easy by CRO was shared to me by local Perth cat Japann Stripes. I have had it on repeat for weeks now. Cro describes his music as a mix of rap and pop music, which he abbreviates the term "raop". You know a track is fine when the beat is enough that the lyrical content ain't matter. Tip: The lyrical content translated is as rad as the track. The lad pulls out "AC/DEasy and Kan-Yeasy"

This track About You by XXYYXX is pure bliss. The clip is memorizing too. XXYYXX is from Orlando, Florida and get this the kid is only 16. Big things ahead for this young producer.

I was a bit late on the Kendick Lamar train, hopefully you are already all over this. Kendick is from the West Coast and has signed to Interscope, Top Dawg and Dr. Dre.'s record label Aftermath Entertainment. Check out Swimming Pools (Faded) his latest release. So Baller.

Man Bashes Parking Inspector.

One of Australia's favourite spitting sons returns again with both charm and cheek. His tight melodic rhymes partnered with one of Hermitude's soothing yet futuristic beats. I spoke to the The Tongue today on the remix and the clip. That's hilarious, not that we would expect anything less.

How did the remix of Hermitude’s HyperParadise come about? I'm a huge, hardcore Hermitude fan, they are world-class producers and performers and the two nicest guys you'll ever meet. As an MC its hard to hear something as great as their music and not be tempted to rhyme on it...just for fun. So thats what I did and people seemed to like the result. 

What kind of relationship do you have with the Hermitude boys? El Gusto (one half of Hermitude) produced most of my "Alternative Energy" album so we are really good mates and have a healthy respect for each others approach to music. Dubbs is just  one of the best dudes ever. I sent them the remix and they dug it so I asked if I could do a video aswell and they green-lighted that too. I hope to work with them more in the future, in a more official way. 

The clip captures a scenario with a parking inspector. Did the concept for the clip come from a personal experience?I just thought - everyone hates parking inspectors....and its every man's fantasy to Kung-Fu the shit out of one in broad daylight. We had a friend who was a martial arts expert/UFC fighter and he was really keen to be involved once we told him the idea. Then Shaun Dougherty the director just made it look amazing so I'm stoked. 

What is on the cards for The Tongue for the remainder of 2012? I'm hard at work on the 3rd album and am getting ready for the Sprung Festival in Brisbane in November; which looks like it will be a historic day for Australian hip hop and my biggest show ever. In the meantime there will be more videos and perhaps even a single or two out before the end of the year. Right now the main focus is on the next LP which will be out in 2013...Cam Bluff is the main producer and he is incredible...this record is sounding mighty healthy, I'm really excited.

You can download The Tongue's HyperParadise Chillin here for free. And you can get yo tickets for Sprung 2012 here.

Rap Is Not Pop. If You Call It That Then Stop.

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of hanging out Chino XL and his partner in partying Bobby. They were one of the heading lining acts in the National Rap City tour which also featured Ghostface Killah and MF Doom. Whilst hanging out with the boys we chatted about Ice-T's upcoming documentary Art Of Rap. Whilst looking for an Australian release date for the film, I stumbled across this list from Complex -  The 25 Best Hip-Hop Documentaries. I am going to attempt to watch the list this winter. If you are keen to as well here is the link to the list and below is the trailer to the Art Of Rap.

Link: The 25 Best Hip-Hop Documentaries
A big thank you to Derek for giving me the opportunity to help out, your friendship I value immensely!

Hip Hop With A Cultural Twist - Win a Double Pass

Sick of attending the same hip-hop gigs month in month out? Well here is something a little bit diverse for the punters of Perth. On the 13^th of July, Revelation Perth International Film Festival invites you to the world premier of Mongolian Gold. A documentary from director Benj Binks that explores Hip Hop’s universal influence on the land locked country of Mongolia.

“Taking their cameras through the thriving music community of the country’s capital Ulaanbaatar and exploring all aspects of the local scene, the filmmakers paint an absorbing journey into the Mongolia’s hip hop culture as well as the country’s wider musical heritage. While some stars are rapping about the familiar themes of western Hip Hop, there are others who are more interested in combining the beats of Hip Hop with their own local musical traditions and songs about their own concerns. Offering a distinctive and personal view of the local scene Mongolian Bling is a film that finds the unique in the familiar, and makes you pause and think again about the sounds you dance too."

I have a double pass to give away to Mongolian Bling at The Astor Theatre on the Sunday 15 July at 3.30pm. Just email your name and phone number to evie@jumpclimb.com with Mongolian Bling in the subject bar.

Mongolian Gold has two viewings on the 13th and the 15th of July at The Astor Theatre. The director will be doing QnA's after the viewing too. For more information hit this link Mongolian Bling Documentary

Lame Comp - Amazing Prize

Today is your LAST opportunity to vote for me in The Voice Kick Start Competition which I am one of 48 National finalists in. It only takes 30 secs to vote and if I win I will be representing the WA music industry, Australia hip-hop and dance music community. The competition is now down to crowd voting so it’s up to you. If I am lucky enough to get through I will be taking the inspiring Natasha Shanks (The Red Team, Artrage, Rubyboots) with me to share this amazing opportunity.

It only takes 30 secs to vote, here’s the link: http://www.thevoice.com.au/kickstart/vote/?messageid=175699219

Application In 100 words or less

“I’m a full-time music business student that’s addicted to the melody, rhythm and sound of life. I volunteer at the Western Australia Music Association and on large-scale festivals as Artist Liaison representative. I write a music industry blog and have initiated Chics In Music, a monthly network meeting in Perth. Coming from the most isolated city in the world. My dream is to bridge the gap between the Australian music scene and the rest of the world. This amazing opportunity would not just be kick starting my career but also the musicians I will be working with in the future”

The Prize

Berlin is unlike any other city in the world, a magnet for musicians and artists drawn to the city by its vibrant arts scene and alternative lifestyle. The winner and a friend will enjoy seven nights in a four star hotel in the heart of this culture-rich city at a time when it becomes the stage for two of the world's biggest music events - Berlin Music Week and Popkomm. As Berlin transforms into an international music marketplace, a music conference, a live music experience and a meeting place for professionals from every part of the music industry.Armed with our tickets to Berlin Music Week and to Popkomm, we will get the chance to mingle with the biggest players in the industry. Popkomm will provide eye-opening insight for anyone wanting to kick start their career into the music and entertainment business.

Thanks for your support guys. 

X

DJ Craze and Codes

The word is out! Slow Roast Records is busy cookin’ up somethin’ that will titilate your musical taste buds! Tasters and tastemakers alike ask yourself this… Where will you be cooking this long weekend?

The kids at Villa once again present to us the hottest and most wholesome delivery to Perth. 3 x World DMC Champion DJ Craze and his beat makin buddy, Codes. The duo will offer a smorgasbord of delicious bangers. Dabbling in Hip-hop, DnB and Breaks. For entrée local heavy weights Buda, Ekko & Sidetrack will be serving you up some slamming tunes, to get you warmed up for the main meal. And to make this offering a true delight, I have 4 double passes to give away.

Craze roams to us from Miami ‘98, ’99, ’00 World DMC Champion, ’00 and ’01 DMC Team Champion. He has toured the US with both Kayne West and Yelawolf as both their DJ’s and has appeared on Fabric Live albums. Now if that’s not enough juicy information for you, recently he has been working closely at Slow Roast Records with A-Trak and on Miami Club nights with DJ Shiftee. (Note: I am a born-again Yelawolf fan)

“He's a visionary, a once-in-a-generation type-talent.” The Music Network stated in a press release last week on DJ Craze.

For your chance to win one of the 4 double passes for DJ Craze and Codes this Saturday just send you name, phone number and email address to According To Evie with DJ Craze in the subject bar. Winners will be announced lunchtime Friday.

For more information follow the links below. See you on the dance floor or outside havin a durrie x

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/166814506773888/

Boomtick Events Presents: http://www.boomtick.com.au

Slow Roast Records: http://slowroastrecs.com/

DJ Craze of Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SLOWROASTRECS

Getting Personal at GTM 2012

Sunset girls in their warm beanies 

It’s Monday evening and it seems my old mate Insomnia is back. Haven’t missed him and it’s not like there’s been much time for him to be present. Though as the winter breeze fills these city streets, it seems he is here to stay.  This could also be partly my responsibility of the mammoth weekend that was Groovin The Moo. As the interstate and international artists leave our quietly cultured city I wish they took my sleep depravation with them. But they didn’t. So here’s how GTM Bunbury 2012 rolled out…

Road Trippers - Fletch, Grace, Myself and Jamie

Another festival with the cool kids backstage at Sunset Events offered me another great opportunity for industry experience. I had two roles for the day. Firstly working in Artist Registration and secondly looking after the artists in the signing tent. Participating artists included Perth youngsters San Sisco and Brisbane indi act Ball Park Music.

 

Tittie Signing 

The polite men that are Mutemath graced both our regional towns with their performances but also did a series of city sideshows. Their fan base that attended the tent were as lovely as the members of the Mutemath themselves. It’s a pity I can’t say the same thing about Andrew WK. Wow! What a guy. I was lucky enough to catch a few minutes of his set, which included a pre-recoded count down to a death pit. His One Man Party Tour was intense, destructive yet an entertaining performance.

The Bluejuice experience 

The collaborative twosome who are Bluejuice were hilarious and responsive to their fans. Their delivery of their live show was electrifying, creative and fun. I was fortunate enough to dance on stage with the lads. The 3 minute experience which I shared with the boys from The Brow Horn Orchestra, Sunset staff Angel and Janelle and new found friend Jamie was definitely a high-light of the day.

Hermitude Signing

Little Aiden with Luke Dubs and Elgusto of Hermitude

The boys from Hermitude also spent some time in the signing tent, giving back to their devoted fans. Fresh faced Aiden would be lucky to be pushing 6 years of age. He was certainly not lacking knowledge of his contemporary music. When I asked him who he was at the festival to see he replied “ Hermitude, Beni, Kimbra and my favoritest ever Hilltop Hoods.” I was pretty impressed with the little guy. This was a question I asked a lot of teenage girls whilst the were lining up for signings. Many of them looked at me as it was a trick question and replied with “a bit of this, a bit of that, no one in particular, you know we are just here for the day.” These pathetic answers led to visions in my mind. Using these girls own bleached blonde hair extensions and tying them to a radio tuned into to RTR of FBi. For some real music education. Learn Retards.

Digitalism live from side of stage

German duo Digitalism performed a magical and memorable send off to the festival. Their track Pogo is in my Top 10 songs of all time. Last year my boy-best friend Chriso tragically passed away. Pogo was one of those tracks we often played whilst hanging out together. I hadn’t listened to it since he was taken from us. Hearing the song side of stage was both confronting and comforting. As too were the beautiful graphics that were being reflected on to a massive heart behind the DJs. Man I miss him. I'll leave you now with that track. As it is late or maybe it's early. Either way it's 2.42am Tuesday morning and my mind must give up some soon.

Digitalism - Pogo

Spotted. Supafest 2012. Perth

My bad. I totally forgot to add one of the personal highlights to my last post on Supafest 2012. Off William Street and down a little ally that also backs on to a large parking lot that more often that not doubles as a flip and trick ground for some of Perth's well known skaters you will stumble across G.F.T.E.D. Guns For Toys Earnest Design is an Apparel, Art and Events shopfront that homes two young designers. On any given day the boys will be painting, creating or constructing something magical and more often that not hip-hop related. It's always great to see people you believe in being productive, continually aspiring to reach their goals and succeed. That's why I wanted to share with you this cool cat wearing a GFTED holster that I met in the crowd at Supafest.

Drop in and check out their awesome store at 7/189 William Street, Northbridge or their threads are online at http://www.gfted.com/

Supafest 2012 Perth

What happens when you design a line up of some of the Biggest names in the world of the RnB music scene and bring them to the most isolated city in the world? Absolutely nothing. Not one things happens.

Ha ha only joking !! On Sunday the 22^nd of April Perth, Western Australia hosted the final leg of Supafest 2012 Tour which included chart topping rappers T-Pain and Lupe Fiasco, Hip-Hop pioneers Naughty By Nature and Ice Cube and sensational vocalists Kelly Rowland and Trey Songz. Top Billing and Grammy nominated bad boy Chris Brown also blessed the crowd with his presence. It seemed the tour had bashed the young kid round abit or maybe it was the after dark time slot with a mix of intoxication on both his behalf and my own that left me confused with his closing performance of the day.

Some punters may have been mistaken they weren’t actually in Australia with the majority of the demographic audience filling the festival being New Zealand or African. It was actually a pleasant surprise that our city can be so multicultural and music is bringing mixed races together in a non-discriminative, safe and non violent environment.

Naughty By Nature was definitely the highlight of the day for me. Their set delivered all the hip –hop music elements of a banging early 90’s house party with complementing patriotic shout outs of “Where my Aussie at ” whilst performing in front of a massive Aussie By Nature backdrop.

Never could I ever imagine a day where I would be saying this out aloud and/or publishing it but Kelly Rowland in the fucking lady. Her delivery was fierce but passionate, professional and soulful. With her set comprised of a mix of her solo releases with collaboration tracks and a stack of Destiny’s Child back catalogue.  Now I am defiantly not saying I am about to log into my itunes a download everything she has ever laid a vocal down on but if you ever get chance check her set out, do it. I will also say if it was a multi-staged festival I would have not given her the time of day so maybe that is a lesson in itself… Note To Evie: Don’t be so harsh on commercial music.

Easter Adventure

I have had some great personal accomplishments, spied some delightful new opportunities, met some fantastic new friends and been working my arse off over the last month. High fives right here, I handed in my major assignment today on The Stoop's Artist Career Plan so now I don't have to look at it until I get a re-submit hooray !! I'm not sure if many of you know that the very lovely Miss Parker and I have moved in to an amazing inner city space that has been named by the flamboyant Zar Lake Life. I have never wanted to own my own home until I dwelled in this beautiful, polished floored board, high roved cottage. I'm in love with four walls.

Easter was unexpected. It all started Thursday night when I gave stage managing ago for my first non hip-hop event. How freaking different is it right ? Jump Climb held a successful night which took control of both Capital and Amplifier Bar and headlined Eastern States artist such as Tonite Only YesYou and my absolute favourite act of the evening The Medics. Their mythical stance with their grunge rock presence gave the punters a show you had to witness for yourself, as no describing words would do these boys live performance justice. 2.30am rocked around and I found myself with my best boyfriends. Once again hanging in the inner city suburbs of Perth for what was suppose to be a very chilled weekend quite quickly turned into a weekend adventure to Melbourne.

We achieved all the goals we had set out, not that we set our standards very high but we accomplished what we were in Victoria to do ! Go to the footy. Get drunk. See some live music. Dance. Eat pie face ( note: there are no Pie Face stores in Perth) And somehow get back to Perth by Sunday so I could see my Muma who was visiting from up-north. I had the privilege of meeting the inspiring and super fun Chloe from Sefton Jane and catching Joelictics set at The Espy. Boy, that guy has charisma oozing from every vessel in his body. It a pity I can't say the same bout the venue. Ha ha it reminded me of what the old Hyde was like until they revamped it. It smelt the same too !

It was quite fitting to watch Wu Tang Clan from Glastonbury 2011 on my flight back to Perth, how far has flight television come... I like the little things in life. Like jumping on the plane and the is hip-hop in my face. Maybe I turn insignifcant events into signs to often in my life. Positivity is magical and my imagination in unlimited. I am looking forward to the future. The people I surround myself by, I am looking forward to being apart of both their journey to come and my own too.