Mouse Sucks

You've been working a lot with the Dojo Fam Collective. Has that had an affect on your solo stuff?

Well naturally when you're around people for a long period of time, you pick up certain things from them. I've definitely learned a lot from them over the past couple years and I know that they've had an influence on the growth of my sound.

When creating your song "Toes" you used Rhythm Roulette. Can you explain what Rhythm Roulette is and why you decided to use it for this song?

Mass Appeal has a segment called Rhythm Roulette where they blindfold a producer and take them to a local record store. Then the producer blindly selects 3 records to sample. I did mine a little different, just closed my eyes and the first 3 samples in my library that I clicked on were the songs I was gonna flip for "Toes". My favorite producer of all time is Justin Nealis aka Party Supplies and when I saw him on Rhythm Roulette, I dropped everything and got to it. 

Is there a specific process you have for making music or do you just go by feeling?

The process varies for production. I try not to get too comfortable making music the same way and it's always fun to experiment. However when it comes to writing, I always come up with a funky hook first. Capital Ode put me on to that.

I know that you enjoy sampling a lot. Are there any songs that you are dying to sample or do you like to keep those things secret?

Sampling is fun. When I first got into making music, Charles Hamilton was on the come up and what he did with samples was amazing to me. Back in 2012 he had a show where he was making beats on stage and asking the audience what he should sample and after that I wanted to start producing my own records. Thus, I started off with a lot of samples in 2013 and these 2 tracks (which are from last year) but I haven't really been sampling at all on the new music I'm working on..... and nah, there's not really any tracks that I'm dying to sample.

Can we expect a project from you any time soon?

I'm not looking to release a full solo project any time soon. Or maybe I am. I might pull a Beyonce and drop it haha. But honestly, I'm just taking my time and building special original pieces.

Where can people find your music and stay connected to you?
 All my music can be streamed and downloaded from my Bandcamp and I love connecting with my fans via my Tumblr.

Britney Marie's video 'Cold'

DMV artist, Britney Marie, showcases the everyday struggle with her new video for her song 'Cold' featuring Destin'd. This dismal, yet optimistic video takes us on the common journey of achieving our personal "hustle". You can see the somber video, that was co-shot by Destin'd and Britney Marie herself, above.

What was is the story/inspiration for the song and video 'Cold'?

"The story behind this song is that the world isn't all glitz and glamour. We sometimes get lost and fall off the right track and don't know what to do next. Once you find your nitch, you still go through trials and tribulations to reach the top. Everyday gets easier but then there's always something or somebody trying to bring you down. The moral of the song is stay strong through the hard times and rise up higher with the good. Don't ever give up and keep fighting for what you believe. In the video I'm walking in a forest and locked behind a gate to symbolize the way of life. How we were all once lost souls until we came into our own and decided our own destinies, but through the whole video I never gave up and I kept looking for a way out still searching but still HAVEN'T found it yet, but one day we will."

You can get her album, 'Freedom Writer', on iTunes now.

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Dealing With Doubt with July Quin

Hailing from the Bronx, July Quin re-imagines the feels of every young adult with his album 'Dealing with Doubt' (released April 4)- an album so relatable you get a little paranoid because you're sure he's writing about you. "I needed it to make sense and connect with people. I took a long time with it because I knew that it meant something to not only me, but to other people."

With lyrics like, "I was born in the belly of the beast, my love. Never was told that I could be someone. I never graduated out of high school, sir. They ain't expect me to grind like such", Quin takes you on a his journey of dealing with doubt from himself and others while still trying to accomplish his dreams. "When you're young, you think you can be what you wanna be", Quin explains. "It's so hard to be everything that you want to be instantaneously. It doesn't happen overnight."

It's easy to categorize 'Dealing with Doubt' as a sad album, but it is actually quite encouraging. From the heartfelt back and forth from Quin and Dizzy SenZe in 'UhHuh' to the reflective and vulnerable Quin in 'Run' you get a push to strive just a little bit more. The composition of this largely self produced album is melodious, cohesive, and rounded. Quin draws you in with the timbre of his songs, but you definitely stay when you hear his resonant vocals.

“This is happening a whole lot more within my community than what I’m aware of.”

When you’re trying to accomplish a dream that seems bigger than yourself it can feel daunting. You reach a level of tunnel-vision that creates the "me against the world" stigma. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s a special warmth you get when you are able to connect with others who are also striving for their dreams. 

"The reason I love this album so much and the reason why I want to connect with people as much as I do with this album is for when my friends start not believing in themselves and talking about how they wanna quit because of how society is or whatever the case may be. I just wanna be that person to open the door and be like, 'yo, there’s definitely more to this than what you see right now.'"  

In the subtly amiable song 'Wonderland', Jessie Davis accompanies Quin in nurturing the kings and queens who dream. "We reside in the art they claims illegal- but this is one of the closest ways to get to people", the rapper recites which allows you to feel connected to not only his art, but to his doubt as well.
Doubt can be the killer of the human spirit. It is a self conscious struggle that can paralyze every thing you've set yourself up to accomplish. "People stop because their doubt is so loud that they don’t allow themselves to achieve everything that they can be."

"Sometimes we only get one chance to engage people ‘cause the attention span for music is pretty short so if you’re not captivating anybody for their personal interest you only have one chance to really wow them. If you get the opportunity to give somebody an experience than you've already captured them. Focus on capturing people’s attention and giving them something to talk about. Invite them in. Don’t make them so distant from you."

You can listen to the breathtaking album here:

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(Lead Image: NinoConqueso, Other images: dealingwithdoubt.tumblr.com)