"i write this poking my head out from under the ground finally, mindful of my roots and ready to observe / interact with reality. more on that soon. still living in a basement; still growing, moved out from the nest, and though this album has been in the works since 2018, my experiences as of late are what largely helped COMPLETE this album:
about waking up every day in an attempt to do what you need to do. continual finding / refining of self, impermanence. a continuation of finding hope and joy in crumbling infrastructure, looking inward for ideas to what's next and what we can do to help.
otherwise, context clues are scattered! initial writing of the album came from an inspiration based in poetry and lineage, where I fit in to this web. ended this album feeling a bit more complete, but still at a point of progression to understand.
each featured vocalist played just as an important part as I or the vocal samples chopped throughout played, starting off the album with a CAMEO my dad bought me when I graduated community college from BROKEN Matt Hardy had to begin the project as inspirational essence outside of the actual album that all three creators involved surely feel... the song is entirely rapped by Orlando Kennedy and the multi-instrumentalist, multiverse traverser anchors the album at the ground, barring about being grateful and their experience in life.
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soundcloud.com/orlandokennedy )
Kehinde encompasses poetic madness extravagantly at the end of "Redeye, Deadeye, Thirdeye.", and while expressing themselves, ended up also mapping out a feeling I know too well.
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twitter.com/kalonge93 )
"Bemoaning Earthling" contains a sample of Barbara Schmitz's poem "How to get to Plattsmouth". she has been a poetic mentor of mine in a way for the last couple of years, always being a source of guidance and openness, and direct connection to the backbone essence of the album, Allen Ginsberg (she was a student assistant for him during her time at Naropa). not only that, but she is a poet from Nebraska, as I and many others I know are, and hearing her talk about driving past Omaha and graveyards struck harmonic chords inside me.
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www.barbaraschmitz.com )
"Love, Always" begins with meditations by Ginsberg, but more importantly, from the prolific artist Lil Ghostwriter. taking the essence of joy from Ginsberg's poem, Ghostwriter helps bar about the world in a whimsical format.
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lilghostwriter.bandcamp.com )
"Whatever Works" is a fusion dance with Will Black as our duo Name Philanthropist, dancing happily in oblivion between Salt Lake City, UT and Craig, CO.
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williameverettcrocodile.bandcamp.com )
Beartooth Collective's own head Cunabear makes an appearance on "Voidstalking and Found a Bear", displaying secrets, introspectively rhyming, describing his hideout and form(s). met Cuna randomly via the internet last year, thus the name.
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cunabear.bandcamp.com )
"Stoney-Poet Anthem" features two of the stoniest, looniest, sanest and floating poets I know, Will Black and Andrew Mbaruk. I FINALLY HAVE AN ILL ASS POSSE CUT AND I'M STILL GEEKING OVER THIS SONG. everyone throws their best at it, and in our little corner of art, this is "Scenario" or "Really Doe" to me. would love to do a remix in the future.
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andrewmbaruk.bandcamp.com )
last but not least, the OG, Bloodmoney Perez. gives a devastating verse to begin "Skewed and Surrounded", a look at daily psyche, legacy, and relation to present. Bloodmoney Perez leaves his production touch as well, leaning into futuristic sounds grimey but hopeful.
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damnthatnoise.bandcamp.com )
production was originally handled by Vellum Bristol wholly, before befriending Sleep and getting some beats under his SINAI moniker, restructuring the backdrop of this album to a more suited, modern outlook. both of the underground OG's (Sleep Sinatra, Bloodmoney Perez) give hard-hitting drums paired with unique sample textures and styles that help tether the Vellum Bristol moniker's beats to its roots and fusing of vibes.
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sleepsinatra1.bandcamp.com )
Mantis the Miasmo shows up on the production side of things as well, comboing with V.B. to create a psychedelic instrumental that feels suited for the times, and perfectly tailored to the posse cut it plays stage to.
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mantisthemiasma.bandcamp.com )
'...A naked lunch is natural to us,
we eat reality sandwiches.
But allegories are so much lettuce.
Don't hide the madness.
-Allen Ginsberg'
PEACE AND LOVE 2 U AND URS! HIPPIE IS A LAZY TERM!
- Jouquin Fox"