The One Question Interview--Mickey Factz

Q: What do you consider your grittiest bar to be?

If you could ask your favorite artist only one question, what would you ask?--GB

Photo Credit: slamxhype.com

GB HIGHLIGHTS: MICKEY FACTZ x FREE SHOW

As part of Apple's Black Music Month Celebration, all around the US in the month of June free shows are going down in Apple Stores to the likes of Ryan Leslie, Big K.R.I.T, and Tabi Bonney. Last Thursday, fans stood in line in NYC waiting for a wristband for the next big thing on Jive, Mickey Factz.

SneakerBox Chock was the opening set. Before his pool of too-hip guests the Camden, NJ rapper performed some of his bangers to an unsuspecting crowd. Most of his set was bombarded with swarms of sirens and bringing the beat back, typical DJ stuff. And when it became too much for the room to handle, he spat a freestyle about his imperfect past and asked the audience something like, "What did you expect? Me to come up here and say I was the number two best rapper?" (And while that was a valid affirmative point, it took the audience a bit of time to warm up to it.) Performing "Shoestrings," "Shades," and "Move," SneakerBox worked hard, but gained some head-boppers at the end of his set.

He gave the stage to Mickey Factz, who came on stage wearing white, skinny jeans and printed tee included. He didn't get too far in before he performed some new hits off of his debut album, The Achievement, like "For the Culture" sans Marsha Ambrosius and a new track called "Dusk Till Dawn." In the thought-provoking but dance party track about an ex, Mickey sang relatively high over a pop production, and jumped up and down in place to the raving beat. It's not much different than "It's Automatic," but it experiments with a bit more crossover dance music. Mickey also performed "It's Automatic," "Paradise," "Diamond Dust," and a fly "We Young" in which at the "don't stop, get it get it" part he did a cool two step, a little pop/lock action. Post show, he greeted fans and snapped flicks.

After six mixtapes and on the cusp of a label LP he ended the night ready to take on the world, or at least, album sales.

The album, The Achievement, comes out this fall on Jive records.

--Girl Blue (TR)

Balance

her.lips.are.copper.wire.

whisper of yellow globes/ gleaming on lamp-posts that sway/ like bootleg licker drinkers in the fog/ and let your breath be moist against me/ like bright beads on yellow globe/telephone the power-house/that the main wires are insulate/(her words play softly up and down
dewy corridors of billboards)/then with your tongue remove the tape/and press your lips to mine/
till they are incandescent...

jean toomer.

The One Question Interview--Mama's Gun

Mama's Gun did a Twitter Q&A session Monday to commemorate the release of their album, The Life And Soul, in the UK. They answered many questions, and I got to get a question in. To my very surprise, I got an answer from each of the guys. Then they turned the tables and asked me the same question. That's when I realized, hmmm...maybe my questions do require some thought! But those are the best ones.

As for the answers, I love the Stevie love, and my favorites off of Songs in The Key of Life include "Village Ghetto Land" and "Sir Duke;" I picked Talking Book. Specifically because of "Maybe Your Baby" and "I Believe When I Fall In Love (It Will Be Forever)." When Professor mentioned Aretha, it made me think of her gospel album I like, Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings. And Donny Hathaway is a favorite of mine too, along with D' Angelo's Voodoo, specifically "Left and Right" and "One Mo' Gin."

If you could only ask your favorite artist one question, what would you ask?--GB

QUESTION: What three funk/soul albums must every human listen to in his or her lifetime?

Spiller:

Lewis Taylor, Lewis Taylor
I Want You, Marvin Gaye
Extension of a Man, Donny Hathaway
Bonus: any of Stevie Brown's albums

UJ (Jack):
Songs In The Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder
Rejuvenation, The Meters
Voodoo, D'Angelo

Eighties

Mothership Connection, Parliament

Songs in The Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder
Head Hunters, Herbie Hancock

Andy Platts
Inspiration Information, Shuggie Otis
There's a Riot Goin' On, Sly & The Family Stone
Lewis Taylor, Lewis Taylor

Professor
Live, Donny Hathaway
Live at the Fillmore West, Aretha Franklin
Songs in the Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder

*Me! GirlBlueSTL:
Talking Book, Stevie Wonder
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill
1st Born Second, Bilal

Vintage Clip 2

Two years ago, Ryan Leslie went to his first prom. It was the "Ultimate Prom 2009" where students from the High School of Fashion Industries in NYC were treated along Chelsea Piers to performances from Ryan, Kat Deluna, and many other acts of the moment. On the carpet, Ryan had some timeless and inspiring choice words for the fashion graduates. But what he said didn't just go for those who like to sew. Listen below. FYI, that number he provided is no longer in service, and his twitter is @ryanleslie, no more underscore. Hope you seniors are enjoying your prom/grad season! You did it!

And remember, it's not old, it's vintage. :)

Hi.

Sing It.

I said "HEY!"

@MamasGun_UK PREVIEW--The Life And Soul

Is it the psychedelic tailspin that happens in a readers cochlea when they hear a Mamas Gun track that makes it so sonically stimulating? Or is it the warm visuals? One thing is for sure, the five musically-possessed band-members have not stopped their run, or bicycle ride, so to speak. They've stepped it up, maybe to a "Celebrity Gold."

The Life and Soul, out June 6, is their second album, supporting quite a run for Mamas Gun. Their first album hit number 3 on Japan's Billboard Top 100 charts, and they have toured with Beverly Knight, but one thing was missing from all that. US! Or, the US. This time, they are taking their album overseas. Are we ready for this demolition of all standards for what music is supposed to sound like? Let's just hope we're not too chicken.

They've topped their plane-rising sound this time. It's not just the strings, and electric guitar, or a cornucopia of bombastic sounds hitting the ears. It's the hummingbird voice of Andy Platts, with a nostalgic feel, and a spin on some soul and rock classics that are sure to keep these guys snagging gigs for a lifetime. Fitting, because our grandchildren may just have to see it to believe it.

4 Track PREVIEW below.

On A String- A slow groove of this track accompanies a hefty funky string section. AP is happy a female suitor has touched his life. Sadly he let her walk away. If for some reason they ever cross paths again, he sings, all control will be hers, for as Andy croons, "You have my heart on a string/ Yeah you know you do/ If I ever see you again." The listener notices that the string section is light, to exemplify that the lady in question has his heart on a thin string...thin as the strings of a violin.

The Life and Soul- While a pulled and worn man, "beat up and tired like a ragdoll," remembers the man he used to be, Andy has some choice advice, "Happiness' not getting what you want/ But wanting what you get/ It's a state of mind/ Let yourself be free." Over the lesson plan is a synthesized guitar and a 70's feel to give the poor lad light, for he is looking for the wrong things in life.

Reconnection-In what sounds like a true race through the streets, and with a voice rolling up and down in waves like a roller coaster, the song bombards from the first four beats, and then softens to the true message. "Planes fly, ships sail" serenades the curly afroed singer as it is realized that all things keep moving through time, and will not stop moving. "The waves play like a symphony," but wherever this person goes, or whatever this person does, AP does not want to be forgotten.

Bicycle Race-Many messages surround this rock-tinged Queen-ish "Bohemian Rhapsody-esque" diddy, but the overwhelming message to this song is that AP does not want to take responsibility for whatever it is he has to deal with. Phrases like "I don't believe in Peter Pan/ Frank is not a Superman," pertaining to British comic artist Gary Frank, and "I don't want to be a Kennedy," and "I don't want to be the President of the United States," for they have lots of pressure, are scattered throughout the entire song. When AP sings, "Bicycle races are coming your way/ So forget all your duties oh yeah," it seems as a form of escapism. As for one of the two things man can be completely certain of in life, he simply washes his hands of it, lamenting, "forget income tax!"

--Girl Blue (TR)

If you have Facebook you can listen to the tracks HERE.

The KofTHEY FLYDAY

KofTHEY, or Kevin Michael, had a USTREAM yesterday in which he answered fans questions and shouted out supporters. Shout me out next time dude! You know the name--Girl Blue.

I also do believe FLYDAY stands for FRIDAY, and there will be more USTREAMS to come. On Fridays. Me putting 2 + 2 together I guess.

With that said, here's a short run-down of the stuff he addressed:
-He doesn't mind when people criticize his music because he says, "If no one criticizes you, how do you get better?"
-He hopes to release an album sometime this summer.
-His favorite person to work with is Britney Spears. He did some unrealeased material with her.
-He is touring this summer.
-He hopes to work with Cee-Lo someday.
-He explains what KofTHEY really means. "THEY is a band that I put together about two years ago, but I've always had this idea to put a music group together as opposed to a typical album," he begins. He wanted an "80's sound." They, stands for the youth. "The youth, the why, is you guys," he says. Why? For, "We [the youth] are the people that set the standards." Therefore, K is put together interactively with the fans. "You are actually in the band!" he quips. "You are THEY...it is our time," says K.
-There WILL BE ANOTHER KEVIN MICHAEL ALBUM! "I'm not denying who I am!" he states, just reasons that he is "not good at multitasking."

K premiered two new singles yesterday--"Fatback" and "Freak." They are below. When I know something about this interview thingy, which I haven't forgot about, you will know first. Enjoy! And yes...I typed this in the MAC STORE. No you didn't ask, yes I told you anyway, :). My computer...it is no more. I should do a toilet funeral. But E for effort.

Miss Me

Dearest reader,

I will be with you shortly.

--GB