SXSW Review: Austin, Texas Ya'll

The brothers Bliss N Eso, Venue 222, Austin, TX

Our first night out at SXSW after a long ass day of self promoting, speaker sessions and networking.  One thing you have to know about SXSW is that though there are over 1900 bands playing over four days.  Yes, 1900 bands over four days.  Quite an incredible organisation feat but even more crazy trying to get into your favourite artists venue.  The door man knew us by the second night we went to this venue - friendly people Austin people - that's about all I have to say about that. Of course in one of the 4-5 hip-hop venues throughout the city, we bumped into the brothers Bliss n Eso and their visual content dude a Ridout from Taranaki.

Battle Circus, Kiwi band based in NYC, Austin Convention Centre Showcase

 We were also invited to be part of Speed Showcases organised by Sounds Australia and NZ Music Commission - this gave us the opportunity to meet two kiwi bands - Battle Circus and Streetchant - very dope to have met and watched them perform.

Greg Schick, World Hip-Hop Market, Austin, TX

 On the day of our International Hip-Hop Showcase, we met a hip-hop head like us - his name Greg Schick - he is part of the Nomadic Wax crew and the World Hip-Hop Market - only the conscious need to check those links - this brother is down.

Street Chant and Kaps, Austin Convention Centre, Texas

Hanging with various new people and family throughout the week was how we spent our time off.  Watched some epic gigs for us - EPMD was one of them. Also caught TechN9ne, Killer Mike, Evidence, Babu, Rakaa, DJ Premier, Slaughterhouse, Wu Tang and Lo Down Loretta Brown just to name a few.

SXSW is an incredible experience - I suggest you go check it out yourself cos its very hard to explain our time there without stating how overwhelming the whole ordeal is but exhilarating and full of possibilities - if you ready to work - SXSW is for you. WORD.

Kaps, Aceylone, Rakaa Venue 222, Austin, TX

LA Review: One of a few... Crewest Gallery, MOCA and Family

Kaps, Mouse, Saber and Chaz Bojorquez @MOCA

We have just returned back from the States after playing at SXSW in Austin Texas - I would have updated as we went but the Blogger and Hotel ISP were having issues... so now you are going to get the run down all in one big ass blog one after the other!

Having caught up with Chaz Bojorquez and Christina Ochoa on our last Saturday night in Los Angeles - Chaz so kindly gave us a preview of his works for ART IN THE STREETS at MOCA in Downtown Los Angeles. You will have to wait until April 17th  - but it is ILL!!! If you in LA you should be there - it was a beautiful experience witnessing the work behind the works - seen? It was an honour to meet so many talented people in such a small amount of time - all in one place!

On the same night was the closing and signing of the RIPE exhibition at Crewest in Winston Street, Downtown LA - free tacos, good PLATA wine and good conversation.

Hence where I met this brother pictured with Kaps below - sporting one of the tees from the first Hip-Hop Lives Here exhibition.  Then realised that the brother was the actual brother of our good friend Christina! Waddup Mychal, Dominick and Susan?!?

Kaps and Mychal @ Crewest, Downtown LA

Also had the opportunity to catch up with Angry Woebot and meet a brother for the first time Sket-One from Connecticut - whaddup uce?

Kaps and Angry Woebot @ Crewest Gallery, Downtown LA

 Overall that one night was DOPE, plus the only reason why we stay in a hotel downtown is for MOCA and the Public Library across the road from the hotel [looking for Pacific Island Journals and Books]...plus there is the Staple Centre but that will be in the next update ya'll! Mad hip-hop love going out to our family and new friends in LA :: WORD :: Mouse.

Sket-One and Kaps @ Crewest Gallery, Downtown LA.