SATURDAY JUNE 20th @ MERIDIAN: Ever since emerging as a member of Black Star in the late 1990s, Talib Kweli is one of the few artists making commercially viable music that matters. The Brooklyn bred rapper's hard-hitting music has been able to educate and entertain simultaneously. So it is no wonder that at the peak of their fame, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent named Talib Kweli as one of their favorite rappers.
With Ear Drum, his first album released on his own Blacksmith Music and his sixth album overall, Kweli has delivered his career-defining work, a polished collection showcasing his advanced lyricism and his penchant for picking music that resonates long after the song ends. "The image of the ear and of the drum are powerful enough by themselves, but when you put them together, it's an instrument that's in your body that helps you hear," he explains. "They're also two very simple, yet powerful words. I wanted to focus on finding a sound that makes you move, and that's where the word 'Ear Drum' popped in my head."
Throughout Ear Drum, Kweli delivers powerful music that sparks your intellect and makes your body move. He teams with Reflection Eternal partner Hi-Tek on "More Or Less." Over pounding drums and a minimalistic groove, Kweli makes brash declarations on how to improve music specifically and American society in general. "A statement like, we need 'more rap songs that stress purpose/With less misogyny and less curses/Let's put more depth in our verses,' I haven't made bold, blatant statements since that like 'Manifesto.' There are fans of mine that really appreciate those statements because there are times when those statements need to be made."
An equally bold Ear Drum moment comes on "Country Cousins," which features Kweli trading verses with UGK and Raheem DeVaughn. Over a soulful beat accented by brassy horns, Kweli, Bun B and Pimp C talk about the reality of their experiences growing up in New York and Texas, respectively. "People have the perception of what an East Coast artist sounds like, who he's supposed to be listening to and what he likes, and what a Down South artist sounds like," Kweli explains. "There's preconceived notions and that's really what the song with Bun and Pimp C is about, the preconceived notions between East Coast artists and Down South artists."
Throughout Ear Drum, Kweli makes a point to explore new topics, collaborate with a variety of artists and rap over distinctively innovative production. It is part of Kweli's growth as an artist and as a person. "We need to challenge our audience but we also need to challenge ourselves to know that whatever our new experiences are, we can write about them, be creative and bring that to an audience without them feeling alienated," he says.
Long-time Talib Kweli followers will say the same thing about him. Since his stellar debut with Mos Def as Black Star, Kweli has been one of rap's most exceptional and consistent artists. Released in 2000, Reflection Eternal, the RIAA-certified gold album with Hi-Tek, was one of the most acclaimed albums of the year. In 2002, smash single "Get By," the biting political commentary "The Proud" and the insightful examination of America's gun culture on "Gun Music" made Quality a landmark recording and Kweli's second gold album. Subsequent recordings in 2004 (The Beautiful Struggle) and 2005 (Right About Now) solidified his status as one of rap's most talented and important voices.
Now, after establishing himself as a rap visionary, Kweli along with long-time manager Corey Smyth launched Blacksmith Music. The pair signed an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. to market, promote, and distribute the music of Blacksmith artists. Following Kweli's release on Blacksmith/WBR there will be a new solo album from Jean Grae, the critically acclaimed South African-born female rapper who is among the most respected female rappers in the history of the genre. Rolling Stone called her "the best kept secret on New York&..39;s indie hip-hop scene," while XXL, Spin, Village Voice, URB and others have labeled her an artist to watch. Strong Arm Steady, a forthcoming Blacksmith/WBR release, is a super group whose members are platinum rapper and Pimp My Ride host Xzibit, Los Angeles underground star Phil The Agony, lyrical assassin Krondon and San Diego rap pioneer Mitchy Slick. Strong Arm Steady has been one of the few West Coast acts to build a rabid fanbase through mixtapes.
Kweli hopes Blacksmith will create a movement with Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady, much as his own music has. "With Blacksmith, I want it to be a flag that everyone can wave," he says. "I want to be packing shows and I want people to feel like they were up on Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady before anybody else was."
In the mean time, the lyrically and sonically potent Ear Drum demonstrates that strong, powerful messages can serve as the backbone for music at its best. "The vast majority of my subject matter focuses on black self-love, black self esteem, black self worth," Kweli says. "That translates to other communities because if you're a human being, it doesn't matter what color you're talking about. You've been through some sort of struggle and you can apply it to your own life."
Talib Kweli performs June 20th 2009 at Meridian (1503 Chartres Houston, TX 77003) with special guests Pete Rock and Planet Asia. Tickets are $22 in advance/ $25 day of show. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Visit Talib Kweli at his website or www.myspace.com/talibkweli
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Meridian welcomes Talib Kweli tonight
Meridian Houston welcomes Evans Blue this weekend
FRIDAY JUNE 26th@ MERIDIAN: Evans Blue is back at work.The first single “Sick Of It” is out. The self-titled album (due June 23rd) marks the debut of frontman Dan Chandler, a St. Louis singer who was selected after an extensive six-month nationwide search. According to Lauzon, “The transition has been virtually flawless. Chandler is a very easy guy to get along with, and he keeps a very open mind when it comes to songwriting, which is refreshing.”
With the addition of Chandler and the energy that he brings to the mix, Evans Blue is writing their best and most diverse collection of songs to date. The new material stays true to the core fans with signature dark and heavy riffs but is simultaneously uplifting. Chandler cites “confusing kindness for weakness,” “love and losing it,” and “finding comfort in difficult times” as some of the recurring themes on the album, but he notes that the beauty of music is that “we all seem to interpret songs or relate to them in our own personal way.”
Evans Blue debuted in 2006 with their first release, The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume, which spawned the Top 5 Active Rock single “Cold (But I'm Still Here).” Their second album, THE PURSUIT BEGINS WHEN THIS portrayal OF LIFE ENDS, was released in July 2007. Since then, the two albums have collectively sold over 650,000 units worldwide.
When asked what fans can expect from the new Evans Blue live show as the band hits the road again this summer, Lauzon simply replied, “Nothing less than 100% intensity!” Chandler elaborated, “Definitely expect to see ENERGY! I’ve always been a fan of seeing bands connect and have fun on stage. I think you just click with some people, and in this case it really feels like there’s a mutual respect for everyone in the group. It feels like I have known these guys longer than I have!” Evans Blue has evolved, and these five musicians are ready to take the band to a higher level.
Doors 7PM
With Special Guests:
Rains, Trancend & Another Day
For More Information visit www.meridianhouston.com
and
www.myspace.com/evansblue
Alamo City Tattoo expo
He will be taking people in SA this weekend on a first come first serve basis.
Check out the work and schedule something soon.
Thank you!
www.artillerytattoo.com
Monday, June 1, 2009
Concerts & Events
Local Bands! Due to a national show that has cancelled Saturday evening, We have an open weekend at The Meridian this Friday and Saturday June 5th & 6th. We have decided to make this a local music weekend, providing an opportunity for our local Houston bands to showcase their talent. If your band wants to play Meridian, please send John your band myspace link and we will pick 5 bands for each night to play at The Meridian. You will be paid $3.00 for every person that you bring through the door. You have until Tuesday afternoon to send your link to john@meridianhouston.com for review. Please list which night that you are interested in playing (Friday or Saturday) The chosen bands will be listed on the Meridian website Tuesday at 6:00 PM All bands will need to provide their own backline and the venue will provide the in house sound and lights. Each band will get a 25 minute set. Thanks The Meridian
