“Drilling” ahead and pioneering a new genre of music

By Jonathon Winkler

Like a bad cavity, Drill is drilling the shit out of the tooth decaying hip hop scene. With tracks coming from young talent like Lil Bibby and Lil Herb (new release just last month), maybe it is a sign of the time that hip hop is making a drastic swerve away from the Mickey Mouse hip hop club that is currently destroying everything that was once dangerous and anti-authoritative. With government backed artists like Jay-Z, everything was looking rather docile and lacking bite (you’re not supposed to be part of the system, you’re supposed to fight the system!? Duh!! ) Maybe Drill is a sign that these over the hill hip hop artists need to take a back seat and let some fresh talent with youthful anger, guns, drugs, street knowledge, and aggression take the wheel. Better yet, these young punks need to push these old hip hop fucks out of the car altogether. Time the youth reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

This new genre, Drill, emerging from “Chiraq” (Chicago) in the last few years, is something to be on the lookout for as rescuers of the hip-hop scene. From the looks of it, Drill is still in its infancy; garnishing a few thousand listens here and there on youtube.com. Albums with amazing titles like, “Free Crack” by Lil Bibby and “Welcome to Fazoland” by Lil Herb, illustrate a possible renaissance of that dirty ghetto gangster music we all loved in our youth. After hearing musicians that are boring us to death in this culture of softness; maybe Drill is just what we need as a backlash against this. It is about time we had some tracks about the streets, misogyny, gun violence, hatred towards authority (especially police), and drugs. That is what America is all about because it’s fun and youthful to offend the easily offendable and push some boundaries.

Drill is showing the roughness of the streets of Chicago’s ghettos. Enough of the R&B, rap and bullshit, it’s time hip hop stopped with the political correctness/ conscious hip-hop garbage and got back on the band wagon of being dirty, ghetto, truthful, youthful, rude, and showing a middle finger to the overarching boring milieu that permeates everything. Most of all, making the genre fun again! In comparison, it is the same way as how NWA used to make cops shutter back in the day; Drill is a sign of a new exciting movement and movements that it will spark. Things seemed a bit boring in the music industry now; Drill might just shake it up a bit. We can only pray and hope this new genre will take off in new directions and spark some new off-shoot genres that are just as rewarding. In this author’s humble opinion, it’s some of the best and original stuff to come out of any music scene in the last few years.

Solid track here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg9Xt5yzeRs

Here is some background information on the music scene starting out of Chicago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drill_%28music_genre%29

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021

10 ClubHouse Rooms Everyone in the Colorado Music Industry Needs To Follow

10 Music Industry Clubs on ClubHouse App

You definitely have the tools and platforms available to make it mainstream these days, but you won’t if you’re living in a box.

It’s important that you network and make yourself and your music known across all reaches of the internet and of course your own backyard. Enter the ClubHouse App. The latest social media app to take the world by storm.

If you don’t know what it is, take a few minutes to watch this video.

Some nights I’ll be up at 2am working on a project and a music mogul starts a room, invites his or her friends, and next thing you know they’re allowing artists to demo their music for current or future opportunities.

Every money-making opportunity I’ve received in the past three years has been a result of the relationships I’ve established years or months prior.

In fact, how many times have you listened to the come-up story of one of your favorite recording artist or producer and they mention how “so and so” plugged them in?

Networking is one of the easiest catalysts you can add to your music marketing plan.

So, follow us on Clubhouse @mileHImusic and then search for these Music Clubs

Music Industry Execs
Music & Technology
Music HQ
Music, Impact, Culture
Music Entrepreneurs Club
The Music Playbook
More In Music
I Don’t Care: Music Business
Music Supervision & Licensing
Music, Money and Gems

January 22, 2014January 23, 2014

Rubedo: Interview

I had first seen Rubedo, a kick-ass Denver band, last year at the University of Colorado Denver’s CAM JAM festival. Their performance was energetic and powerful, while still hanging on to the subtleties that could define their sound in their compositions. When the offer for and interview came through, I immediately said yes. With their new album, Love is the Answer, out now and a tour kicking off on the 25^th, I knew they would have something to say. As always, the guys did not disappoint.

Jennifer: First off I want to say a big “Hey!” to the guys of Rubedo, and start this off with a classic question: Where did you all meet and how did Rubedo come to be?

Rubedo: The 3 of us are Denver natives whose roots reach as far back as grade school. Rubedo is a word that describes the process of integrating ones vibrational nature with the physical plane to produce gold. Cosmic chance, synchronicity, fate… I’m not sure how we came to be. All I know is that we are always evolving.

Your new album, Love is the Answer, blends a lot of different techniques and genres. When you guys compose, do you keep a specific sound in mind, or does it bloom into its own sound?

R: I like that. It is a blooming mess. Our sound is found through feeling. Feeling guided mind compositions. Individually our musical tastes are not limited to genre, so collectively we’re able to channel infinite sounds that match the feeling that the song seeks to express.

“My Oh My” is definitely one of my top favorite tracks, I love that you started the album off with a slower song. The brightness of the guitar matched with the echoing vocals provides the perfect balance of musical pleasure. How did you guys decide to arrange the album?

R: Thank you, you know we used to play that song much faster. That is one of the great things that our producer Ikey Owens (of Mars Volta, Jack White) embedded into the album. Each song was presented to him with an understanding that his objective prospective may shed light on the overlooked. His input really is imprinted in each song. By the time we had the final mixes it was just a matter putting the pieces together to see the full picture.

How did the song, “Love is the Answer”, become the title track?

R: Love Is the Answer is one of the first songs we wrote for the album, also one of the most fun to play live. Simply put.

All of the tracks highlight the different instruments and equipment use/d what are your favorite to play, and how long have you all been playing your instruments?

R: It’s hard to tell. You see, we’ve got this time machine that grants us the ability to play lifetimes of music and come back for that next gig. My favorite instrument is a Lunadulcer but alas, it hasn’t been invented yet.

You guys are going to be kicking off a tour on the 25^th of January at the Bluebird, ending in Arkansas. What do you guys like to do to prepare for life on the road?

R: We like to gradually incorporate the touring life style back into our lives by routinely sleeping on hardwood floors and eating truck stop snacks to avoid culture shock.

After playing many different venues, which Colorado venue surpassed them all for you? Worst Venue?

R: Both questions same answer Lions Lair

If a fan wanted to get back stage, what would they have to do?

R: They’d have to bring a bottle of gin and some corn syrup for libations, 2 living chickens – one white one black one male one female, and one John the conqueror root.

I noticed on your Bandcamp page that you have a name-your-price option for your record. How did you decide to use this model as a selling platform?

R: We wanted to put it out as soon as it was done and we wanted people to have it as soon as they wanted it. We didn’t feel like money was the good middle man.

After this upcoming tour, what can we expect from Rubedo?

R: We have a year of pretty much nonstop touring ahead of us, a bunch of festivals, and we’ve moved Rubedo headquarters to Dryer Plug Studios to begin the writing process for our next record.

I want to thank you all again for taking the time to do this interview and good luck on your tour!

R: Thank you so much for your support and we look forward to talking to you again!!

Rubedoooodes out

(Kyle, Alex, Gregg)

You can catch Rubedo at the Bluebird Theatre on January 25th! To find out more about the band, watch videos, and buy their tunes, head over to the links below.

CPR performance “Love is the Answer”

CPR performance “Ain’t it Funny”

Moon Magnet Sessions “My Oh My”

WEB: http://www.rubedomusic.com/

January 8, 2014March 31, 2014

Adam Duncan – Ga’Damn (Single Review)

“Sex is incredible, body’s amazing still, there’s only one way that could describe the way that you make me feel…Ga’damn.”

One of Colorado’s hottest pop artists is following the trend of turning to R&B much like Justin Bieber has done so – to many plaudits – recently. Adam Duncan is planning on releasing an R&B album after the impressive “Don’t Wanna Go Home Vol. 1” project presented his phenomenal capabilities when it comes to pop – and we even seen a little Hip Hop in there too. The lead single from the as-yet untitled project is produced by Nite (Well known for his production for Trev Rich) and the drum-heavy beat provides a brilliant foundation for a fantastic track.

Shades of Drake circa “Take Care” shine through on “Ga’Damn” as Duncan verges on rapping in one part of the R&B song in similar style as the “Nothing Was The Same” rapper/singer. If “Ga’Damn” is a true representation of the upcoming project we can expect a blend of Drake and Justin Timberlake with a lot of focus on the female figure and of course the desire to regain an ex’s affections. Duncan’s giving Jimmie Murphy a run for his money here, but their styles of R&B differentiate in that “Ga’damn” is much more radio-ready than anything from “Descendre”.

I can’t help but feel this is an amazing opportunity that Adam Duncan has opened up and I for one am looking forward to hearing a full project of his take on the R&B genre – so long as he doesn’t completely stray away from his pop side either. What do you think? Do you like the record? Or would you prefer Adam Duncan to remain in his current lane? Let us know in the comments below!

November 8, 2013

Trev Rich: Heights 3 Interview

“When I say Trev’s back I mean it now more than ever.”

Every other one of my posts on this site – and my own blog for that matter – seems to focus on or mention Trev Rich. It can hardly be considered a bad thing, bearing in mind that milehimusic.com was created to give spotlight on Colorado’s hottest talents because as far as I’m concerned Trev epitomises that very goal. Not only do I believe he is the hottest musician coming out of Colorado right now, he’s a permanent name in any of my top five lists – dead or alive. So it is an absolute honour that since taking up blogging almost a year ago, that I now have the chance to consistently conversate with someone I consider an inspiration; In the latest of our formal interviews, I interrogated Trev about his upcoming mixtape, “Heights 3“, his newly found relationship with Atlantic Records and what ever happened to “New Forever” which was followed by a couple of fan questions which were submitted through Twitter.

Hello Trev, thanks for agreeing to another interview with me. How are you and what have you been up to over the summer?

Trev Rich: All work no play type of summer. It’s been pretty wild musically a lot has happened in my life in which I don’t want to spoil for the tape. I’ve been great though. Couple ups and downs but that’s life.

The big news is that this month, you’re releasing the third edition of Heights 3. Is the recording finished?

Trev: Yes my portion of the recording is done! Finally it didn’t take that long to get back in a zone after a little while so the process was a lot easier this time.

You claim Heights 3 to be project of the year, what makes it so much better than others?

Trev: I’ve heard some pretty dope projects this year. A lot of dope production as well as substance but when I say Trev’s back I mean it now more than ever. I risked it all with this project.

November has produced some brilliant tapes already (including my own – Class President) and it’s only 5 days in. What have you been vibing to recently?

Trev: H3 getting everything ready I’ve skimmed through a couple other projects that dropped as well. I’m confident in 3. Very.

You’ve also stated that Heights 3 has a different style to the other two, what makes H3 different to your other projects?

Trev: I feel like a lot of my fans love the emo style I offer. The poetic Trev. They haven’t really got to see another side of me that much. This project shows my versatility more than any other. I talk about it all.

I’ve spoken to you before about my love for Dear Ma, what track do you expect to be a fan favourite from the new tape?

Trev: Going back to the last question I know what my loyal fans want and I expect “Pain” and “Migraines” to make a lot of noise this time around. Also “Old Thing” which has a familiar twist to it.

What is your favourite track and why? Do you tend you like tracks you enjoy recording more than those you don’t?

Trev: I love them all! I can’t pick a favorite they all mean something different to me but equally special. I didn’t want any fillers so I went the extra mile to make sure none of the tracks could be considered such.

@igot_theblunt got in contact on twitter and asked if we’ll ever hear a collaboration project between you and Jimmie Murphy?

Trev: Me and Bro are always hard at work I’ve been working on 3 and he’s been working on Descendre 2, so somewhere in the middle we’ll meet and make magic. Like always.

Does he feature on Heights 3?

Trev: Yes, on a track called “Cocaine.” Which is geared towards the women but the fellas will understand just as much. I tend to do this a lot but always different and better than the last in my opinion.

What other features can we look forward to? Who’s got the best featured verse in your opinion?

Trev: I’m not telling yet. When the official track list drops you’ll see. There are a couple features still in the works so depending on those I’ll put it out there very soon.

I’ve not seen the full tracklist yet, any chance of you sharing the full thing with us now?

Trev: Not a chance. We got two weeks left and when we start to push all the dominoes will fall around the same time. You’ll see very soon.

Outside of recording the mixtape, you’ve been writing for Atlantic Records, how did that come about?

Trev: It’s still in the beginning stages so I can’t really discuss too much but much love to the entire Atlantic and APG staff. I look at them like family now.

As I imagine you can’t disclose who you’ve written for. Who would you like to work with from that label?

Trev: If I said that you’d know who I’ve written for [Laughs]. Having absolutely nothing to do with my writing opportunity I’d love to work with Kanye West. And a close second Adele.

Before H3 was even mentioned, you were promoting New Forever..what happened there?

Trev: I’m still a new artist. A lot goes into an album that I just wasn’t ready for yet. I’m getting to that point though. The album is still in the works as well.

@beatinodds got in touch via Twitter to ask if Heights 3 follows a story line?

Trev: You guys are ruining all of the surprises. You can say that but, I won’t tell you the story I’ll see if you guys can catch on to it first.

@2_eazzi asked a question which asks how you have such bars. What advice would you give to aspiring rappers when it comes to lyricism?

Trev: Be very observant. Then think of a second way to look at everything. Then a third. From people to words to situations. Then the bars will surface.

Thank you for the interview, any last words?

Trev: Trev Back!