The Community

Who the F**k was ASAP?

There comes a time in every artists life when they must throw off the fetters that bind them to their past; when they must reach with both hands for the glorious future that is promised them by their mates (who invariably say “Nah, you’re fully sick aye bro!”). For some this involves crafting their magnum opus, for others it embodies adopting a whole new style, and for one person at least it involves changing your name from ASAP to Archi. Surprisingly, ASAP is that one person.

After engaging numerous audiences across this his home state of Western Australia in salubrious, stirring and often sloshed recitals of his signature tune “Who the f**k is ASAP?”, the newly dubbed Archi will soon be forcing them to wonder “Who the f**k was ASAP?”.

“To be completely honest, I was sick of people thinking I was a member of A$AP Rocky’s crew or, worse still, that I was A$AP Rocky.”, says Archi. “Even on Facebook, where there is a clear picture of me on my artist page, people would still comment in my status updates under the deluded belief that I was actually part of the A$AP crew.”

Sometimes artists must take a stand against the wilful ignorance of the people that aren’t even remotely their audience. Other times it’s easier to change your name and hope that people stop bothering you.

Thankfully, the name is the only thing that ASA-… err, Archi is changing. You can still find him cohosting CoLab at The Moon on the second Sunday of every month and he’ll still be collaborating with Marksman at numerous gigs around Perth. The name change does bring with it a few alterations to his online presence, however. If you’re trying to find Archi on the interwebs here’s the salient list of sites:

http://www.facebook.com/archiofficial

http://www.soundcloud.com/archiofficial

http://thecommunity.com.au/archi

I’ve been deciduously working on my next release.  I know.  Deciduously means “in a manner of shedding” i.e like a tree would shed leaves.  However, deciduously also makes it sound like I’ve been working very hard.

The album is (currently) called “The Cosmonaut”.  I have some interesting ideas for the final product, too, but I shall keep those under my hermetically sealed space helmet.  Which raises another salient question: does anyone here have a ex-Soviet cosmonaut costume?  It needs to look authentic.  If so, hit me up on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/iamFG or on my Twitter http://www.twitter.com/FG_beats.

‘The Cosmonaut’ has a specific number of tunes which, at the moment, varies from 5 to 8 depending on my mood.  It is also a very different album to Making Space.  That is a little odd since it is the sequel to Making Space.   I won’t go into it too much but you can expect an example tune to hit your ears in the next month or so.

In the meantime, remember: A parsec is a measure of distance not time.  Sorry, Han Solo.

A few cool things have happened recently.

Firstly, I went to Bunbury a.k.a Bunno a.k.a Bunbewry a.k.a Bum Berries last weekend along with ASAP, Stats, Wisdom2th, DJ Silence and Dicky MC to support Grey Ghost. The show was cool.  The crowd was loose.  And after the show so were we.  Good times were had by all and Grey Ghost killed his set.

Secondly, I’ve been given a slot supporting Rapaport at Mojo’s Bar this Thursday.  That should be pretty dope, too.  Jump on board! http://www.facebook.com/events/410409579026305/

Thirdly, a good mate of mine named Crixus dropped his Prototypecast EP (on shiny black vinyl) a few days ago!  Massive amounts of props go out to him. I reckon it’s a nice album, too.  So nice, in fact, that I did a remix of one of the songs and you can get it in the digital download of the album (which you can buy by itself or you will receive if you buy the vinyl).  Head to http://edgeoftheworldrecords.bandcamp.com to have a listen and make a purchase.  Nice work, Crix!

Lastly, I got a pleasant surprise last night when Trials from The Funkoars included my album Making Space on his Top 10 Albums for 2012 list on the Golden Era Records website (home to the Hilltop Hoods, Funkoars, Vents, Briggs and K21).  You can check out what he had to say here: http://www.goldenerarecords.com.au/store/artists/goldeneratopten/

Now, to focus on writing more songs.  Looking forward to that!

So, Community Words is now available for download from The Community Bandcamp or hard-copy at The Community Store (and I’ll be adding hard copies to the Bandcamp site shortly).

I love this album.  But, to be honest, I’m a bit knackered.  Generally, I suck at organising things.  Somehow, I seem to get involved in organising stuff, though.  Maybe I’m too enthusiastic.  Is it possible to be lazy and enthusiastic at the same time?

On another note, I shot a clip for Jobbed from my recent album, Making Space, last Friday.  Wisdom2th, DJ Silence, DVS and myself occupied Captain of the Ship on William St (Shop 6/189 William St, go visit the Captain there) for an afternoon and acted stupid for a while.  Wisdom2th is now in full on editing mode and I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with.

Oh, and a gentle reminder – my launch for Making Space is on at Fat Shan Records this Saturday, 1st of December.  Mathas, Wisdom2th, ASAP and Hallows are on support with Silence spinning before, between, during and after the sets.  It should be awesome.  Come and join the party here – https://www.facebook.com/events/545990098749063/

PEESHE
FG

So… you probably want to know all about Community Words, huh?  Well, peruse this outstanding piece of coverage from the accomplished ‘word sandwich artist’, Nick Sweepah.

“The Community has had a big year and it’s about to get a whole lot bigger. 2012 has so far seen solo releases from Marksman, Diger Rokwell, Empty and FG, along with the critically lauded Community Beats compilation. On Community Beats, it was those behind the keys, tapping the pads, chopping the breaks and tweaking the synths that got their time to shine. This time around, it’s all about the vocalists, with The Community’s finest songwriters, emcees, and singers taking the mic to show the world that beats driven music is about more than making people dance in clubs.

It is, of course, about that too.

It’s evident from the outset that this is not your average hiphop compilation. Diger Rokwell and Felicity Groom kick things off with “Inflatable Afterlife” – an ambient instrumental, with rhythms that nod to Diger’s “Beat Tourism” series, serving as the perfect backdrop for Groom’s ethereal vocals. Things stay chilled for a while, with Apt (featuring FG), and DJ Silence (featuring Mathas and Thorts) providing tracks that’ll float through your ears at first listen, before you find them firmly entrenched in your mind, as you ponder on every word. The Empty Cup, Wisdom2th, ASAP and Marksman follow on, continuing to prove that there’s still so much room for rap music to stretch out and take on new forms – this is traditional hiphop, in a sense, but it gently nudges the listener into actually engaging with the performer.

Naturally, the diversity doesn’t stop there. Lewis Galaga’s “New Suits” is a powerful reflection on relationships and the continual change that is Life. Mei Saraswati comes through with a raw meditative perspective on the “power in ur soul,” while Diger Rokwell returns alongside vocal powerhouse Rae – kicking off a run of hyper-active tracks destined for regular rotation in your speakers. Able teams up with the UK’s verbally dextrous rappers Point and Hypeman Sage for the fittingly titled “I’m Mad.” DOS4GW and Mathas unite to create “Charm” – Mathas effortlessly rhyming over a delirious, pounding, synth riddled rhythm.

Suddenly “Strange Love” swoops in, providing some respite, as YLEM’s intricately crafted triphop instrumental perfectly compliments the hypnotic vocals of Rachel Dease. DJ Silence (featuring Marksman) and triple M.U.M then bring it back to the sample based beats and progressive lyrics that make this compilation such a unique and rewarding listen, while DVS does the same, but with a hook that’ll stick with you for days after hearing it. We finish with “Tin Tags” a moving tale of a solider’s return from war courtesy of FG, which ultimately becomes something we can all relate to, soldier or not.

Community Words is a journey, showcasing the diversity of talent within The Community itself, and the community at large.”

Well said, Nick.  Bravo!

Wow, what a crazy almost-week.

On Wednesday, I dropped my album ‘Making Space’.  You can get it for free (or pay if you want to) from here: http://iamfg.bandcamp.com.  People’s responses have been amazing.  I want to thank every single person that has downloaded the album and particularly those who parted with their hard earned cash to support my creative work.  I wish I could reveal all the dope stuff that people have messaged to me or said to me on the phone, but I don’t want to embarrass anyone.  It is very much appreciated.  Please keep spreading the word.

I just finished doing an interview with Ruxton on Poetry and Motion (which is aired each Monday 5:30 AWST/8:30 AEDST on Goonbag Radio – http://www.goonbag.com).  I answered the hard questions like “What is your favourite sound?”.  That’s actually a really hard question when you don’t expect to be asked it.  The interview went really well, though, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

I’ll also be appearing on Downunderground on RTR FM 92.1 this Thursday from midnight onwards to talk a bit more about my album and maybe even do some kind of live thing.  I’m not sure yet.  However, it’s always good hanging out with fellow Community cats, Nick Sweepah and Sibalance, so it should be fun.

Aside from all the Making Space related stuff, I have begun to plan my next release.  I’m going to lay off the production duties for this one and focus purely on writing and delivery.  Okay, maybe I’ll make a beat or two.  My good friend, Trials (of Funkoars fame/notoriety) has confirmed that he’ll hit me with a couple of beats.  I’m also counting on A.pt, Lenny Rudeberg, DJ Silence and Renz for beats – after all, it has to be a Community affair at heart.  There are a few other producers I’m talking to about it, as well, but nothing confirmed as yet.  I’m really excited about getting started on it, though.

Stay in touch, folks.  And remember – keep your eyes and ears open for Community Words.  You will not be disappointed.

I knew Hunter.  I wouldn’t pretend to say that we were close friends but I knew him for damn near 15 years and I always admired the bloke.  He was one of the most supportive characters you could ever hope to meet and loved hip hop in Australia with an unending passion.  When I heard that he had passed last year, I was saddened.  This weekend, however, the inaugural Robert Hunter Cup was held in Melbourne.  I would have given anything to attend.  Unfortunately, airlines and hotels don’t accept the money that you don’t have.

The Robert Hunter Cup was a football game held in honour of Hunter and also brought with it a massive show at The Corner Hotel the night before the game.  I wasn’t there but I followed the tweets of  various attendees and also tuned into the commentary that Goonbag Radio streamed online.  It seemed amazing.  A positive, open and unified testament to everything that Huntz brought to the hip hop scene in this country.  It also raised a great amount for cancer research.  So, I just wanted to give massive props to Bias B and Dedlee for making it happen and to all the numerous other hip hop folks in Australia that gave their time, effort and talent to making it successful.

Aside from that, I’ve been in the process of mastering a thing.  It’s frustrating the hell out of me.  The end.