Staff Writer
10th State, 10th Interview - The Lobby
Day 19th - 20th: August 11th Interview with The Lobby.
Next stop, Detroit Michigan for the 10th interview, a creative collective known as The Lobby comprised of Freebxll Will, Demigod, Freebxll Rome, Kerwin Clemens, Milf Melly, and Joseph Cook. They got a certain wave that’s addicting and catchy, wavvy hip-hop with a lot melody, bounce and energy. While some of the members have dropped solo projects with a bunch coming up, such as Milf Melly’s recent ‘Milf Tape’, and Freebxll Will’s upcoming project ‘King Of The Free’, collectively they've released a few singles so far, but much in the works. The track, 'Love Lost' below is one of them. But do you feel this??
Living in NYC for the past 5 years my mind was use to a certain time perception when looking at distance on maps. So when meeting up with them at their studio in the metro area I miscalculated where I was in relation to them and ended up being almost two hours where I needed to be. They had a show that night starting at 8pm and it was already 4/5pm, so we had to put the medal to the pedal. Luckily I didn’t get stopped, however several states later my luck with that would run out, but we'll get to that later...
I made it there in good time for us to do the interview, and just kick it a little bit with them. The energy was dope, and they had me listen and feedback on some tracks they were working on. See below.
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After vibing heavy, we left and I followed them to their show Vamp Night hosted by CrowdFreak, a promotion service that book artists to get on shows and sometimes open for big acts. We got there early on, but little did I know, it was the spot where Eminem notoriously did that rap battle on stage made famous in 8 Mile, The Original Hip Hop Shop.
The spot was dope, artwork hanging in both rooms, DJ spinning bangers, host cracking jokes, red cups getting refilled, and just chill vibes. With over 30+ Artist on the ballot to perform, It was pretty lit throughout the night.
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'King Of The Free' - Freebxll Will's Second Project Drops Early November
King of the Free
— king free (@freebxllwill) October 19, 2018
11/04/18
Don’t Believe the Hype
Credits: @josephcookxxx pic.twitter.com/ijnBGyNkWJ
As we anticipate Freebxll Will's soon-to-drop album ‘King Of The Free’ in early November, we reflect on his first release, the beginning of an evolution just 1 year ago.
Pink Room (2017)
In 2017 Metro-Detroit native Freebxll Will dropped his first project, ‘Pink Room’—a wavvy AF 9-track project layered on slowed-down trap-like Youtube instrumentals. With a few features of other artists, members from their creative collective The Lobby, Freebxll Will flexed his experimental R&B wave and established his sound.
When Freebxll Will first started experimenting with sounds in his pink-walled room, he wanted the title of his first project to be a literal representation of his mindstate and what was going on in his life at the time, a theme that would be the basis for naming the title of his upcoming projects. Pink Room is melodic, chill, with a bit more of a psychedelic edge high-energy over PND mixed in with a high influence of 'channel ORANGE' by Frank Ocean.
“…Although it’s not close, I wanted it to be my own version of channel ORANGE.”
After finding his own sound with ‘Pink Room’, 2018 has been nothing but a grind for Freebxll Will, making his second project ‘King Of The Free’ set to drop in a few weeks, plus other bangers with his collective The Lobby, such as ‘Love Lost’ and 'Link Up'. Listen below.
Love Lost
Link Up
King Of The Free (November 4th, 2018)
‘King Of The Free’ will be a 6-track project, exclusively produced by dope A$$ producer @KerwinClemens, with features from Freebxll Rome and graphics from Joseph Cook, all members of The Lobby.
While we got a tease of the vibe for ‘King Of The Free’ from his inviting energetically-mellow single released a few months ago, ‘Ride With Me’, Freebxll Will says this upbeat-chill track was an exception to the overall vibe of the project, which was a bit darker. Freebxll Will found his strengths in Pink Room, and through this second project working with Kerwin, Freebxll Will feels like he has now established himself and his sound.
When it comes to music, art, etc., relationships, whether good or bad, usually plays a big role in the amount and type of energy and influence we devote to a creative project. According to Freebxll Will, he was no stranger to that this year, stating a recent heartbreak made him come into his own and realize his full potential. When asked about it and its connection with the making of 'King Of The Free', he said..
"...it [the project] felt more real, I felt more like myself..."
Don't confuse the title 'King Of The Free' with a 'I'm-single-now-bit$@h', cocky and arrogant post-heartbreak mentality, rather, "King" as in a certain comfort, "King" of being free in his own way, without any stereotypes, "King" of self, "King" of the free. With the waves on this project his goal is to transcend that love of self and positivity to all.
We were fortunate enough to hear a sneak peak of another track from the project, and yes...we felt it. The vibe is real, an instant chill you can't deny. Even though there is a presence of autotune, the catchy and addicting melodies disguises the effects making the vibe feel right and positive. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the album!
Ascension (?, 2019)
While Freebxll Will prepares for the second project release, he’s already begun working on his third project ‘Ascension’ expected to drop early 2019.
#freebxllwill #rnb #rnbass #hiphop #thelobby #kingofthefree #melodic #wavvy #diversal #chillhiphop #kotf #thelobby
9th State: Indiana - Interview with Los Lemons
Day 17th - 18th: August 9th - 10th, Interview with 'Los Lemons'
While Cleveland had a large pool of finding accessible local talent, and the next two upcoming cities were already confirmed with the upcoming artists. The struggle of finding some substance began to set it, however, fortunately that was short lived. While scrolling through the Facebook events for local music performances, I came across a band called Los Lemons performing at a locally popular and booming craft-cocktail lounge in Fort Wayne, Indiana called HT2. The event invite provided a link to the band's bandcamp, and I immediately fell in love with their wavvy, California-beach chill, psych/garage rock sound, a different vibe from the previous genres from the artists we’ve already linked up with.
I reached out on FB messenger, and we set up the interview. The vibes felt through the music were also felt with them in person--really chill laid back dudes who've only been playing together for a few years—Kodi on the guitar and backup vocals, Victor on the main vocals and rhythm guitar, and Wade on the drums.
We did the interview right outside where they were going to be performing, and right before it started raining - perfect timing? By the way, the clouds in Indiana are no joke.
HT2 provided a nice atmosphere for Los Lemons to jam out, where they did a mix of covers, originals and often just freestyled in between tracks.
“...that’s what music is..you got to feel it” - Victor
…and they definitely felt it. Below is a clip from the gram of them going off of a vibe with two guitars and drums.
The first of their tracks uploaded intended to just be demos, but one of those tracks, titled ‘Slow Down’ spread like wildfire and now has over 100k listens just on Soundcloud. Listen below.
With a chilled-out wave of a project out since then which you can stream below, if you're from the Midwest area expect to see more of Los Lemons performing live near you, but in all they’ve got a lot in the works to release in the near future, so wherever you’re at be on the look out.
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#Loslemons #Diversalstate2state
Airbnb Lodging
We continued lodging with Airbnb in Indiana not just because of the convienience and price, but because of the world-renowned ‘Fort Wayne’s Hanselmann House’, or at least that’s what it use to be called since it was built in 1971 by the famous architect Michael Graves. However, now dubbed ‘The Cube House’ by the current homeowner, who by the way recommended the trip out to the only brick n' morter Sweetwater Sound retail spot where he works at--The Cube House has been used to rent out for Airbnb and other hosted art and music events. The comfiness is to the max, and the elegant and luxurious interior mixed in with the eclectic mix of wall art, sculptures and cool decor makes this spot a hands-down must for anyone traveling to the area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This isn't a sell pitch also, it's just a dope spot!
(Source: http://www.inputfortwayne.com/features/Cube-House-Airbnb.aspx)
UMS - Cleveland
Below are a few pics from the UMS show in Cleveland at The Grog Shop on August 7th, 2018 taken by Alex Jackson.
8th State: Ohio - Interview with HipHop artist Case Bargé
Day 15 - August 7th, 2018 - Underground Music Showcase, Cleveland
Our next stop was Ohio, as we arrived in Cleveland on the 7th of August, a day prior to the interview with hiphop artist Case Bargé.
Since I was in the city a day earlier I figured I check to see if any music performances were going on in the area. Luckily that night the Cleveland chapter of the Underground Music Showcase, UMS, was having an event at the locally famous bar and music venue The Grog Shop. 'Striving to showcase live music, The Grog Shop has played host to countless local, national, and international touring acts for over twenty years, booking all ranges of indie rock, hip-hop, hardcore, jam, reggae, metal, electronic and more. (Source grogshop.gs)
The host, Brady Payne, was the perfect example of how hosts should be for these types of events and showcases -- funny, kept the vibes up throughout the night, and facilitated a theme of opportunity and encouraged the crowd, the artists to collaborate and network with one other. Click here to view some photos taken of the night, and click here to follow the chapter!
Day 16 - August 8th: Interview with Case Bargé
Prior to this State2State tour we’ve been in contact with Cleveland hiphop artist Archie Green, however the man was grinding and was not able to meet up and do the interview. So he did the next best thing and referred to reach out to his manager of ALOOF Recordings, Alexis Manalo, to set up an interview with another hiphop artist on their team, Case Bargé. Checked out his music online, and I'm glad Archie made the recommendation! Below is probably one of my favorite tracks of his, titled 'Manifest'.
I then went through his previous project 'Ascension' and liked what I heard, so the next day on the 8th of August we ended up scheduling that interview with Case at the studio where the magic of ‘Manifest’ was created.
A humble and creative soul, with a lot of passion for hip hop, Case Bargé has got some big things coming up! You can find teasers of his music video he directed, wrote and starred in on his gram’ titled ‘You & I’, but definitely follow so you can stay tuned to his upcoming projects.
The energy was positive and real, and before I left he gifted me a necklace with an Aventurine stone, said to be the luckiest of all crystals and source of positive energy, “The Stone of Opportunity”. Stay tuned to his vibes, and keep them coming brotha!
#Casebarge
Lodging: Airbnb - upstate NY, VT to OH
It took an airbnb overnight stay to get from Vermont to Cleveland, but driving upstate New York is always worth the drive if you ever get the chance. Big shout-outs to “superhosts” on Airbnb by the way for providing the amazing hospitality! The Airbnb host in Rotterdam, NY had a cozy spot with a small friendly dog she left alone to greet the guests. Being in NYC for the past 5 years, it blows my mind how the host trusted each guest to come and go to the spot leaving the dog there by herself - but I guess that’s the beauty of Airbnb.
For those who are weary of the service or don’t know, there is a vetting process the superhosts go through where they can approve the new guest, or not. My profile has nothing but good reviews, plus this is a business trip so there’s that credibility factor. Also, to become a superhost is also a process boosting their credibility. So if ever using Airbnb, make sure you keep the superhost box checked! You just might get lucky and end up at a spot with a chill dog.