Kontraband: The Hottest Rock Hip Hop Band In The South East
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Q&A with Rock/Hip-Hop group Kontraband…
First off, what’s up with the name Kontraband? How did it come about and does it have any significant meaning?
Our DJ Unorthodox brought it up in one of our first band meetings because it provided two different meanings. One, the music was the Kontraband; hence Kontraband Muzik. Since we mash up different genres, we aren’t conforming to the one-dimensional sound that the labels have been pushing recently, and therefore have to market and promote our sound by any means necessary. Two, It eludes to us being a different kind of band. Against the type of sound you normally think of from your standard band, we are able to play anything from a rock song to a club joint, since we include samples.
We first heard you guys a couple years ago and you all were a pretty solid band. Fusing rock, hip-hop and a deejay mix all together to create the Kontraband sound is like poetry; it flows. How did the five of you get together?
Well, all of us are from Indianapolis. And, initially, we were all in different projects. The guitar player was in his own band. The DJ and singer were in a separate band. And the drummer and bass player played in various projects around the city. Fortunately, the guys were put on the same bill in these different projects, and came to respect each others abilities. The timing just turned out right where everyone had been on a break from their respective projects, and we came together in a jam session, and liked the vibe, so we stuck with it.
How is creativity split between the group and is there one specific person who does all the writing?
It’s really an open forum for ideas, but Nate does most of the lyrical writing, and Jeremy does most of the producing. However, each member has contributed creative ideas on certain songs whether it be lyrically or musically.
Who are some artists (past and present) that inspires your creativity?
Stevie Wonder, The Doors, Jay Z, 2Pac, Biggy, Outkast, Otis Redding, Queen, Prince, and basically anything from Motown to today are some artistry that inspires us. We love the energy of classic rock, the lyricism of hip-hop, and the passion of soul.
You all have been independent for quite some time now, is this the road you plan to stay on or are you open and looking for major options?
We’re always looking for opportunities. We would definitely get with a major if it was the right situation, but have no problem staying independent, as well.
What are some upcoming projects you currently have in the works and who are some future collaborators?
Earlier this year, we released our EP, “Aural Pleasures”. It’s available, exclusively, at www.kontrabandmuzik.com along with our debut record. We’ve also got two mixtapes available at our shows, that we’ll put online soon: “Gangsta Rock” and “Aural Pleasures”. We’ve collaborated with Don P from Trillville, who produced “Believe You,” and 8 Ounz formerly with Block Entertainment and now Black Eight. We did a couple joints with Twinn and Fatt Kidd from Broken Equipment, along with a track with Soulja Boy called “Wyllin.” We’re trying to collaborate with as many artists as possible, and by the time we finish the record we’ll hopefully have representatives from all over the globe.
What is a five year plan for Kontraband Muzik?
Touring around 200 dates per year both in the U.S. and overseas. To put out the best music possible, keep grinding, and hopefully get recognized for our hard work and talent…and hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live.
If you could play with one major artist, who would it be and why?
Jay Z because of the spectacle of his shows, and his constant commitment to live music and incorporating a band in hip hop. He’s done it with The Roots, Linkin Park, and even Phish. “That would be a fun collabo!”
Contributor: Nate of Kontraband Muzik
Photography By Katie Moon, styled by Lesley Jane and Lynda Sayyah
Music
LIKE MIKE LAUNCHES GREEN ROOM LABEL FOR HIS SOLO PROJECTS
After a huge decade of success, culminating in Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s return to the top of the DJ Mag Top 100 poll, Like Mike expands his reach in the music industry with the announcement of his new label Green Room. Mike had an impressive number of self-released solo singles last year, such as ‘Best Friend’, ‘Lies’, and most recently ‘Sinner.’ Currently working on his first solo album, Mike launches Green Room and streamlines his output in the process.
The first release on the label comes in the form of ‘High off Love’, a Like Mike track featuring Angemi. With a release date of February 14th, the track gives fans an insight into what they can expect to hear from Like Mike throughout the coming year. Never happy to rest on his laurels and always looking for new ways to channel his innate creativity and ambition, Mike releases music that crosses multiple genres and generations. It’s clear that the launch of Green Room is a stepping-stone to similar levels of success for Mike’s already highly decorated career.
instagram.com/likemike_greenroom
For more information check socials:
www.facebook.com/LikeMikeMusic | www.twitter.com/likemike
www.instagram.com/reallikemike | www.soundcloud.com/likemikemusic
Source: Urben Rebel
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Hardwell announces 12-week return to Ushuaïa Ibiza with exclusive new show ‘Hardwell’s Carnival’
global DJ star Hardwell now returns to his adopted party home of Ushuaïa Ibiza for another season of spectacular summer fiestas. Always keen to push the envelope of his production as well as his events, summer 2015
Following a summer that saw the Dutch titan complete his debut residency on the world famous island of Ibiza, the Revealed Recordings head honcho and global DJ star Hardwell now returns to his adopted party home of Ushuaïa Ibiza for another season of spectacular summer fiestas. Always keen to push the envelope of his production as well as his events, summer 2015 will see Hardwell launch an all-new event for his exclusive Ibiza show – Hardwell’s Carnival!
Embodying the sound of a modern generation of dance-lovers, rave-worshipers and electronic enthusiasts, Hardwell announces his return to Ushuaïa Ibiza every Tuesday, for 12 epic weeks of Hardwell’s Carnival. Picking up from last years hand-picked roster of talent which spanned a range of fresh, upcoming artists mixed with a selected group of heavyweight star DJs, Hardwell and his team have been busy working on choosing an impressive array of A-list artists and emerging new talent for this years season on the White Isle, with full line-up details to be announced very soon.
Taking the Carnival concept to a whole other realm, as this exclusive new clubbing experience collides with the festivities of dance, culture, costumes and most importantly, music, expect to hear the peak-time workings of Hardwell and friends sound-tracking the moments of the Summer season, surrounded by stilt walkers, masquerades and carnage-creators, that are unlike anything else Ibiza will see in 2015.
Hot off scooping 5 IDMA awards this year with accolades including ‘Best Global DJ’ and ‘Best Podcast or Radio Mix Show’ for his globally syndicated ‘Hardwell on Air’ show, Hardwell takes his total of industry-recognized IDMAs received to 11 – a rare and impressive feat for any world-class electronic artist, only signalling his sparkling future ahead – with his commanding attention to detail and driving force in the live arena, poised to accelerate even further for 2015. With his debut album ‘United We Are’ shooting up the global charts to claim the #2 position on the iTunes Album Chart worldwide, Hardwell’s next offering is set to follow in similar suit as he readies for the release of his brewing Summer anthem ‘Follow Me’ featuring Jason Derulo.
Since his first trip to the island of Ibiza in 2010, Hardwell’s career has swelled to arena-dominating status with his latest colossal offering being the launch party of his ‘United We Are’ album, as well as his world tour kick-off, which took place at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome with 2 sold-out events to rapturous applause on both nights! During the weekend’s launch event Hardwell beamed his sound global once again as hundreds of thousands tuned into the livestream across all four corners of the globe to watch one of the most in-demand artists of a generation deliver a show of truly memorable proportions and the Summer season madness in Playa d’en Bossa is next in line…
www.facebook.com/DJHardwell | www.twitter.com/Hardwell www.youtube.com/hardwell
Music
American Idol Cancelled: Reality Singing Competition Axed After 15 Seasons
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