Mic Geronimo never got his proper respect. Here's a flashback:
BTW, he had another song on the record with a couple other new rappers at the time. The guests were unlabeled on the album, the song was just called "Time To Build." I never really put two and two together until a few years later when those guests became so recognizable that you couldn't miss their voices: Ja Rule, DMX, and Jay-Z.
mike
I was just hanging out with Chester, and got a chance to hear some of his new solo material! In case you haven't heard, he's doing a solo record (he's doing double-duty, working on his album and the LP album simultaneously). The project is called Dead By Sunrise, and the album is being produced by Howard Benson. He played me 9 songs, two of which had (amazing) vocals. I thought I could hear influences from T-Rex to Tears For Fears, but overall it's a pretty punch-you-in-the-gut rock record. Very cool...look for it later this year, probably September-ish. It's going to be incredible!
mike
I was just researching something online, which led me to a Beatles song, which led me to a list of their releases. Check out the year of release (UK) on these albums:
Help!– Aug ’65
Rubber Soul– Dec ’65
Revolver– Aug ’66
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band– June ’67
The Beatles (a.k.a. ‘The White Album’)– Nov ’68
Yellow Submarine– Jan ’69
Abbey Road– Sept ’69
Yes I left out a couple albums, which were re-releases of material.
These guys released seven classic albums and did a lifetime of evolving in the span of four years. We all need to step our shit up. I'm going to the studio.
mike
"D&D Project LP" (1995)
Produced by DJ Premier / Feat. Mad Lion, Doug E. Fresh, KRS-One, Fat Joe, Smif-N-Wessun & Jeru The Damaja.
Back in high school, I had this on vinyl and used to remix the hell out of it. I think I did 2 or 3 remixes of it, just for practice. I don't know where those remixes went, but I'm sure they were...not as good as the Premier beat on the original!
mike
From Mr. Nice Guy: I have been through a lot over the past ten years, and I am at the point where I am looking to get my foot into the door. Can you examine me, my abilities, my band GryN (www.myspace.com/GryNpa), and some of the videos I have created to express my form of art? What are my strengths, and what are my weaknesses? I know it's a lot to ask, but I am confident that if you give me the attention, you will not have wasted your time.
Firstly, the music is cool, kinda a neo-reggae or ska sound mixed with some modern alternative rock...but I'd rather talk about how you're meeting new fans.
It may be obvious, but a lot of new artists miss an obvious step: when thinking about where you're promoting online and offline, go where fans will most likely be. Promote RELENTLESSLY in a large variety of places where they listen to something similar. What well-known band's fans might like you guys: Sublime? Flobots? Jack Johnson? Aquabats? No Doubt? I'm not saying you guys sound like those other bands, but there is definitely enough of a connection that you should go to all of their message boards, make some friends, and let people know you exist.
When you play shows (which you should) make sure to record them, put your best song(s) up online, and show your new friends and fans where they are.
Also...my first impression was that the name is a little weird (sorry). Maybe there's a great story behind Gryn / GryNpa, but nonetheless. I'd say that might be something you want to think about :) Once you settle on a name and build a fanbase, changing the name is a difficult task, and can potentially cost you a lot of fans. Get the best name and stick with it.
Lastly, there's no bio on the front of the myspace page! You've got to have one. People want to know who you guys are, and what you're about. Is there a bigger message or story behind you guys personally that will enhance my experience with the music and group? Keep your bio succinct, compelling, and to-the-point.
Hope that's helpful. By the way, you've got a lot of content on there already. Good songs and videos, so you're off to a great start. And to any other artists who are reading: these things are definitely bases you should have covered. Make sure you do, and move on from there.
mike
As some of you may have noticed, a new MUSIC section has appeared at the top of mikeshinoda.com. This section will be for some stuff I think you should listen to or have. With each track, there's a button to play it, a "more info" button, and a "download" button. Some tracks won't be downloadable, but the first one is. I was playing around with Ableton Live and made this mix. Feel free to check it out. As usual, if you like any of the original songs, please go buy them. Here's what's mashed up in the mix:
Pearl Jam - Jeremy Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends Fugazi - Cashout Method Man - Bring The Pain Cypress Hill - How I Could Just Kill A Man One Day As A Lion - Wild International Boogie Down Productions - Illegal Business Above The Law - Murder Rap Nine Inch Nails -Ghosts 1, Track 7 Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. 2 The D.O.C. - Funky Enough LL Cool J - Boomin System Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me Cool Kids - That'll Work Radiohead - Reckoner Tribe Called Quest - Push It Along Nas - The World Is Yours (demo version accapella)
http://www.mikeshinoda.com/music
mike
