BLUE KING - Warp Magazine

18 Music
LyRICS BORN
THE ULTIMATE PARTY STARTER, LYRICS BORN CHATS TO
WARP ABOUT HIS SOCIALLY-CONSCIOUS MUSIC, CREATIVE
EXPANSION AND MAD PARTYING, AHEAD OF HIS HOBART
VISIT ON THE AS U WERE WORLD TOUR.
Bay Area hip hop icon Lyrics Born is one of
a handful of artists that have managed to
come up through the music ranks and evolve
to a point where commercial success and
underground respect sit at equilibrium.
Since his days as Asia Born in the early 90’s,
through the milestone Latyrx releases with
Lateef the Truthspeaker, to the landmark
success of his 2003 album later That Day with
Callin’ out, Lyrics Born has maintained appeal
to both sides of the industry, while constantly
pushing the boundaries of hip hop.
His new album As U Were once again delves
into unchartered waters while keeping one
foot on familiar ground. Collaborations with
Trackademicks, Francis and The Lights, and
Sam Sparro sit alongside the winning formula
of collaborating with Quannum Spectrum
artists Lateef and Gift of Gab.
Warp: You’re well known for your socially
conscious themes and humanist lyrics -
is there a philosophy or ideology that you
identify with?
Lyrics Born: “I don’t know, I always feel corny
answering questions like this... I guess I have
always been a big fan of music and art that
helped me understand, articulate, or give me a
broader perspective of life.
“I’ve always appreciated being exposed to
an alternative point of view or angle I didn’t
previously see. Great art does that. I’m always
thankful when I hear my listeners tell me my
music does that for them.”
With your cultural heritage, you must feel
deeply about the suffering in Japan at the
moment. You have a platform that will speak to
a lot of people - what are you inspired to say?
“I feel very heavy-hearted about the Japanese
situation. For me it’s very personal because
I was born there, half of my family still lives
there and have been affected by the tsunami,
earthquakes, and nuclear fallout. It’s been
hard because it just doesn’t seem to let up, and
questions about the future as they relate to the
long term safety and beauty of the country still
loom ominously.
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“I’m moved very deeply by issues or events that
have displaced people or have put them in a
position of struggle. I guess on a spiritual level
I can relate. Because of this, I’m donating 20%
of merchandise profits from the As U Were tour
to the Red Cross Japan relief effort.”
What have been favourite or most powerful
creative musical collaborations?
“Working with KRS One was amazing.
He was my childhood hero, and to see the
professionalism and enthusiasm he still
carries to this day is inspiring. Working with
Sam Sparro was awesome as well - such a
great talent and fantastic singer.”
Singles are often the obvious hits, but what
tracks stand out for you and feel like the real
achievements on As U Were?
“That’s a tough question. With every album I try
to push myself in some way to go beyond what
I’ve already done previously. I love all the songs
from As U Were, and they all have their seasons
with me, but I think Coulda Woulda Shoulda is
my favourite right now.
“As a producer and songwriter, I always
wanted to do a Teena Marie-esque postdisco
funk song with full strings, horns and
arrangements. That song is probably one of my
best productions to date... And again, working
with Sam [Sparro] was awesome!”
This will your third visit to Tasmania. Do you
have any striking memories or associations
with the place and the people?
“I love Tassie. People come out for one reason
only, and that is to partay! I don’t like playing
to pretentious, jaded, crowds - that’s not what
floats my boat. This precisely why Tassie is so
awesome. They’ll party with you and buy you a
drink afterward, it’s the shit!”
ShANE CRIxUS
LYRICS BORN performs at the Brisbane Hotel
on Thursday June 16. Doors open 8pm. Presales
are available from the venue, Ruffcut Records
and Tommy Gun for $35 plus B/F, or on the door
if available.
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WAGONS
MELBOURNE COUNTRY
ROCKERS, WAGONS, WILL
BE BACK IN TASMANIA
TOWARDS THE END OF MAY,
TOURING ON THE BACK
OF THEIR FIFTH STUDIO
ALBUM, RUMBle, ShAke AND
TUMBle.MAD HATTER,
“I SHALL ELUCIDATE…”
And it seems that Henry Wagons is a man with
a long memory. Nearly two years have passed
since he and his band last visited the state, but
he’s got very fond memories – particularly of
the food.
“I remember the amazing thing about the Alley
Cat was the Alley Cat had incredible meals,”
he said. “I had one of the best Ocean Trout pregig
scoffs. I absolutely shoved an incredible
meal down at the Alley Cat and I will forever
remember it for that.”
Despite admitting to having an almost indecent
obsession with all things food, it certainly isn’t
a case of simply ‘see food and eat it’ pre-gig.
But seafood is most-definitely on the cards.
“You’ve got to take it easy with pre-gig
dinners,” he said. “Save a bit of stomach space
for a couple of knock-off beers.
“I’ve been on a bit of a health-kick the past
couple of years so I’ve been very-much
enjoying grilled fish wherever I go to. You
guys are nice and close to the sea, so warn
your fishermen to fillet up a few of the local
favourites for me if they wouldn’t mind.
“I’m absolutely fascinated (by food). It’s one
of the best things. Obviously playing music
in front of new people is number one, but
a very close second is food for me. I get
disproportionately excited by weird, local fare.”
One look at the Wagons’ Facebook page will
confirm it’s true!
“Whether it be kind of Dill flavoured potato
chips in Toronto or bacon donuts in Portland or
I had a burger in Los Angeles that had apple in
it. I just love shoving weird food in my mouth.
“I’m even guilty... We played in Vietnam at
a festival last year and anyone who does
follow me on Facebook or Twitter will know I
absolutely love my dogs, but despite this I had
dog stew in Vietnam.
“I feel it actually brings me closer to my dogs
knowing what they taste like... My dog could
not tell, but I’ve not let him sniff my breath.”
Speaking to Warp while packing prior to flying
to Perth to play solo shows in support of folk
duo Indigo Girls, Henry’s travel luggage is
due to get a fair workout the next few months
as Wagons hit the road for dates across the
country during May, June and July.
The best part for Tasmanian audiences is
that Wagons will be playing two shows –
Launceston and Hobart – to open the tour.
“I’ve always enjoyed it,” he said “I haven’t been
down to Tasmania enough and every time I
go I have a great time and I’m very pleased
we’re doing the Launceston-Hobart weekend,
you know, and making a bit of a weekend of it
because last time I did it I had a great time.”
The band will be five-strong for the first leg of
their tour.
“We can sort of tour with anything up to
six, there’s six in the band. But, you know,
everyone in my band are too cosmopolitan
and busy to take all the trips,” he said, tongue
firmly in cheek. “Occasionally we go without a
percussionist or a keyboard player (but) there’s
always four of us. Four hardened troubadours
I’ve picked up out of the gutter and forced to
follow me via chains and whips.
“I think there are five coming to Tassie. It
should be quite a big sound at the Republic.
I’m looking forward to it. Everyone’s looking
forward to the first week of tour.
“You’ll be getting the show nice and fresh. We
haven’t played these songs very much and it’s
going to be really exciting to kick things off.”
Songs from the new album, Rumble, Shake
and Tumble will make up something like half
of the Wagons live set with tracks from their
four previous studio albums, as well as Henry’s
patented witty repartee, also on the cards.
Rumble, Shake and Tumble sees Wagons live up
to their outlaw country vision. The influence of
luminaries like Cash and Presley are obvious,
if only in vocal tone and grunting gesticulation.
The ‘one and only’ Willie Nelson also warrants
his own tribute track, a studio version of the
live staple.
“I don’t go into it expecting anyone to have
heard anything, really. We just get up on
the stage and have a good time and kind of
presume we’re just bringing a show we’re
hoping to rest in each audience member’s
palms and have them trust us with their
entertainment.
“We’re just going to throw a bunch of songs
out there and hope that people don’t throw
tomatoes at us.”
STU WARREN
WAgONS play The Royal Oak in Launceston on
May 27 and Hobart’s Republic Bar & Cafe on
May 28. BYO tomatoes, but be prepared to take
them home with you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Honeysuckle Creek & Pot Belly Strings Fri May 13
Hobart Song Company Sun May 15 | 4:30pm
Mad Hatter Tea Party Fri May 20 | 7:00pm
Mathew Fagan Sun May 22 | 5:00pm
Eleanor McEvoy Thur June 9 | 8:00pm
Borstal Boys & Blue Mosquitos Fri June 24
Ado Barker & Ben Stevenson Sat June 25
The Blue Ruins Sat Aug 6 | 7:30pm
Geo Achison Sun Aug 14 | 4:00pm
Jenny Biddle Sat Sept 17 | 7:00pm
brookeld
M A R G A T E
REGULAR EVENTS
1640 Channel Highway Margate Tasmania Ph: (03) 6267 2880
www.brookeldmargate.com
Music 19
Open Mic Night 1st Friday of the month
Folk Night 3rd Friday of the month
both have a guest artist each month and are free
Sitar Lounge 1st Thursday of the month (7pm)
Local Market Every Wednesday (10am - 3pm)
Delicious Homestyle Meals
Open 7 days 9am till 6pm
Friday and Saturday nights and all events
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