Journey Towards The Sun...The Rising Sun Quest

The Rising Sun Quest is a local MC I've known for a minute. I've heard his music and I can hear the growth in it. Very talented individual who has crafted his skill for over 10 years strong. According to Quest, he's performed many times in his hometown of Waterbury, CT and in venues such as Toad's Place, The Webster Theater, and Tuxedo Junction.

Personally, after listening to his albums, I wouldn't consider his style or music local. I think he definitely has the ability to go as far as he wants. I got the opportunity to chat with him recently about what's going on with him and his music. Check out the interview.


The Mad Bloggers: Where did you grow up?
The Rising Sun Quest: Waterbury, CT aka Brass City / Dirty Water. I lived on the south side of things but really chilled all over the city.


TMB: How long have you been doing music?
Quest: It feels like forever. I guess I started in 1993 but didn’t really get serious about it till '98 or so. It started on mix tapes over industry beats for a good while and then we invested in some recording and production equipment and it was a wrap from there. Early on I wrote verses but didn’t really focus on song structure at all. As time went on I developed the ability to create songs and saw the impact the right formula could have on people.


TMB: Is music your career or do you have a "day job"?
Quest: Music is my passion and I love it. It doesn’t pay the bills though. Getting people to spend money on a CD is like pulling teeth. So yeah, I do have a day job.


TMB: Where do you want to see your music go?
Quest: I would love for my music to be in the minds of all hip-hop lovers. So far I’m happy with the way my music has been received by those who actually have heard some of it. I’ve gotten the type of props that most MCs now won't get. People have told me that my songs have saved their lives or gotten them through tough times. That it truly relates to them and their situations. So for me, it’s all about reaching more people and showing them that there are artists out here that still do it for the love and not the money.


TMB: Who are your musical influences?
Quest: Well I’d say Nas, Big Pun, Canibus, Wu-Tang, Black Moon, and Redman just to name a few. 'Illmatic' to me was the perfect album and Big Pun's Capitol Punishment was the type of lyrical ability and delivery I strive for. I love all music though. Spanish music was a big part of my life growing up and R&B is a must when I need to mellow out and escape.


TMB: In your opinion, what's the state of music?
Quest: It is what it is. Music constantly changes but as we get older our perspective never changes, when it comes to music anyway. So it’s easy for us to reject the new trends and new artists. I’m stuck in the early 90’s and rarely do artists of today bring that type of rawness to the table. The music industry, on the other hand...awful.


TMB: What's the hardest thing you're experiencing that deals with your music?
Quest: Just how hard it is to be heard. I know I’m good at what I do and I know the quality of my art. Yet I’m still in Waterbury with my “day job” and it feels like I’ll never get a chance to show my stuff on the big stage. But I try not to focus on that and just continue to do what I do. I can’t just give up because the few people that do follow rely on me to be their escape from the flashy 'ringtone' rap.


TMB: What's your favorite part of doing your music?
Quest: The listeners who take in what I spend hours of my life working on. When somebody is really feeling my song I love it cause it's like I get to experience it all over again like it was brand new to me. Sometimes I get sick of my own stuff only cause of how many times I hear it before it's done. Considering I mix down most of my stuff I hear it over and over, but when I play it for somebody and see their reaction, it's truly all worth it.


TMB: What projects are you currently working on?
Quest: Right now, I’m working on an EP and I plan to have like 8 to 10 tracks on it. I got about six written right now and I have a few beats gathered up so I’m looking to get in gear with it real soon and try to put it out there by summer of 2009. It will be my 4th project. I have Stellar Evolution (10 tracks), Surviving Life (15 tracks), and Journey Towards The Sun (16 tracks). (According to Quest, the new music he's created is still untitled.)


TMB: Have you performed at any shows you consider memorable?
Quest: A lot of memorable shows, yeah, but more so due to the crowed being amped and not the headliners. The AFA Hip Hop Summits we put together are always live. I got to share the stage with Chubb Rock, which was dope. I remember doing a show with Evil Dee of Black Moon in Danbury, which was big. I performed out at EOW in Manhattan, which is a big Open Mic in the city and also recognized worldwide. Rocked the crowed and represented CT lovely, which felt great.


TMB: Any artists you're looking to collab with?
Quest: I’m willing to work with anybody but right now no names come to mind. Plus I wanna knock this next project out the box before I start building with heads unless of course a real notable cat is willing to work with me. It would be foolish to turn that down, you know.


TMB: Any upcoming shows?
Quest: Right now there is nothing big on the horizon. I regularly rock my crews open mic every third Friday of the month at Cousin Larry’s in Danbury. I got this B-Boy Jam this Saturday, May 2nd at Kriola's in downtown Waterbury, CT but I haven’t really booked anything. I’m trying to cut back on the showcases loaded with rappers and I'm looking to do bigger things if the opportunities arise.


Contact Info:
www.myspace.com/risingsunquest
www.risingsunquest.com
http://antfarmaffiliates.ning.com/
http://antfarmaffiliates.ning.com/profile/RisingSunQuest


Music Links:
www.cdbaby.com/risingsunquest


iTunes Link:
The Rising Sun Quest on iTunes



Music Videos:
Why I Write - www.vimeo.com/1982679

The Rising Sun Quest - Why I Write from Elasticbrand on Vimeo.

Rock to the Rhythm - www.vimeo.com/1896262

Rising Sun Quest - Rock to the Rhythm (Official Video) from SNARE (Jose Martinez) on Vimeo.

What I'm Watching Right Now...Robin Thicke

This song by Robin Thicke titled Dreamworld is an amazing song. He sings with passionate lyrics over such a smooth and soulful production. Feels like it takes you into the world he sings about if you listen with your eyes closed. Dude is nice. Official R&B music right here. Rhythm 'and' blues. The few verses that catch my ear make such a strong statement. Check it out...


"...I would tell Van Gogh that he was loved, there's no need to cry /
I would say Marvin Gaye your father didn't want you to die /
There would be no black and white, the world just treat my wife right /
We could walk down in Mississipi and no one would look at us twice /
That's my dreamworld, that's my dreamworld, it's more than a dream..."

TELL 'EM WHY YOU MAD: News from the Road or Just a Little Road Rage Part II

About a week ago I did a similar piece about some things that frustrated me while I was on the road (Part I). Again, I ran into a few things today and figured since I couldn't tell those folks, I would write about it here again. I'll probably do this every so often I suppose.

Hey big guy in the green Mustang... I know it’s a fast car but thanks for proving it to me again today. It was so awesome the way you revved the engine. How'd it feel flooring it and then getting stuck at a red light 10 seconds later? Clown.

Excuse me Miss driving the purple Pontiac Sunfire ... Nice Taz plate. Even nicer Taz stuff animals blocking up your back window. Those were nice Taz stickers on the rear windows. And by the way, nice Taz fire streaks on the side of your car too. So, I couldn't figure it out... you're a Looney Toons Taz fan? Right?

Hey, person in the tan Toyota Corolla... I found myself looking in front of you to see if some how we were in a funeral procession because you were driving so slowly. Nope, there was no hearse in sight. Your hazard lights weren't on either, so I don't think there was anything wrong with your car. So I'm really not sure what the deal was. Then you had the nerve to put me in an awkward spot cause I was constantly braking to avoid smashing into the back of your car because you were going like 4 mph. The guy that was riding behind me is probably blogging about me somewhere calling me the bad driver. Thanks a lot jerk.

Hey, old guy in the silver Hyundai Sonata... you kept your turning signal on for so long I never thought you were going to turn. When you drive like ten blocks with a signal on, the signal kind of looses its purpose. I mean it's like crying wolf. I was actually surprised when you finally turned. Thanks for the advanced noticed though on your turn 15 minutes later. Can never be too cautious.

No One Has Swagga Like ...

Are we really having this conversation? Seriously?! I wonder what this meeting looked like when they said they were going to include this segment. Had to be an awkward moment. Then they looked at the black guy in the room and probably said, "you got this right."

No doubt the President is a cool dude. Sure he chills on the sideline at a basketball game, tells jokes and appears on ESPN to go over his NCAA Tournament bracket and even talks about putting a court on the grounds of the White House. Yes, the President always appears cool, calm and collected. He's got that chill walk and is confident but do we need to use the term "Swagga" to describe it? And if we do, does a black guy have to intro the piece for CNN or be the resident expert on the term? And furthermore does the song "Swagga Like Us" need to be playing in the background. Pretty funny moment for CNN in my opinion. Talk about a news segment that went wrong.

A bit of sports... Is There a Better Starting Five?

A friend of mine posted these five as the starting line up on a dream squad: Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. This team is obviously based on these players at their prime and not if they suited up today. I thought that it was a pretty serious starting five. If you look at these players and their attributes and it's hard to argue that there is another starting five out there that would compare. Thought that I would post the team here and open it up for another five. Who you got? I'm down to start the debate.

What I'm Listening to Right Now... Melanie Fiona

Listened to Melanie Fiona yesterday after a post from Questlove on Twitter. She has some good, good music. Had to share it today. Check her out.

www.myspace.com/melaniefiona

Check it... Peter Hadar

Peter Hadar must have grown up in a house listening to real R&B and soul music. You can hear it in the inflection of his voice and the soultry feel of his tracks. He mixes soul music with a little edge. The result is dope. This my friends is the definition of baby making music (be careful... haha). Perhaps it's the reason his EP, available on iTunes, is named "She's 4 Months". He definitely brings that heat in his music. When I heard Watermelon, I said to myself "uh, oh".

Check him out, he definitely has quality music.

www.myspace.com/peterhadar

What I'm Watching Right Now!

An older joint but worth the watch. Shad does his thing! Pay attention to the lyrics.

www.myspace.com/shad

Why I'm Laughing ... The Three Day Rule

I don't even watch this show but came across this link. I don't know if heads wait three days or anything anymore (or if they ever really did for that matter). Most are probably throwing a text the next day. Thought it was a funny clip. Had to share.

What I'm Watching Right Now!

Adele is a beast. This video is dope. Enjoy.

Hometown Glory

Check It... Caits Meissner

Check out Caits Meissner, the twenty-four-year old multitalented individual, who calls herself a “cancer style, homebody, creative pushing, hard shell and soft underneath.” She’s dope!

Meissner, who grew up in a small town outside of Albany, New York credits the small town living for a part of who she is today.

“I believe folks that grow up far from cultural centers are a special breed,” she said. “We are forced to create our own magical existence in the middle of the distinct nothingness.”

Meissner moved to Brooklyn when she was 18 to attend art school and as she puts it, the rest is history. But the small town lessons remain.

“I've always made things and sought out what was not handed to me,” she said. “Must also be my pops for his undeniably fly taste in music and insistence on hipping me to the goodness.”

Meissner is definitely creative (she must have been put on to some fly music and goodness, because her craft shows it). Enter her MySpace page and you’re impressed by her spoken word. Then you should dig a little deeper and you’ll find yourself visiting several pages created by Meissner, which include her poetry and design work.

We reached out to her for a Q&A. Check out what she had to say.

The Mad Bloggers: How would you describe what you do?
Caits Meissner: Hmm, this is a tough one. I usually just use a lot of slashes, you know: poet / writer / performer / graphic designer / educator / music-maker. I'm still looking for an all-encompassing phrase (open to suggestions!) Really, I write. I take that writing and find places to publish it. I also speak it out loud on stages to audiences. And put it to music. I try to make sure what I create is honest. That is really my only requirement and the rest falls into place from there. Labels are hard because they keep you stagnant and stuck. Hasn't anyone ever told you that coloring outside of the lines makes the best pictures? Then again, labeling helps our brain process a pretty insane world. I think art breeds that insanity, but in a good way, and stretches our minds beyond the easily processed. So I suppose just being called Caits shall do.

TMB: How long have you been doing the spoken word thing?
CM: It must have been February of 2006 that I first stepped on a stage. It has only really been a blink in the grand scheme and it's funny how this stuff just starts to define you. "Well, I guess I'm a poet now..." Truthfully, I've been writing since I was able to hold a pen. That counts for something, too, right?!

TMB: Who do you work with?
CM: Many brilliant folks! My last EP showcased production by Afta-1, Young Raven and Jory Leanza-Carey from Broadcast Live, as well as singing from Yarrow of Lady OsoFly and the inimitable Honey Larochelle. I've collaborated with singer-songwriter Tomas Doncker and a whole slew of poets, too many to name. Currently I'm working on music with the aforementioned Yarrow, as well as MC Eagle Nebula. Just released a track on producer Just Plain Ant's album "Dig Deep," and have upcoming work with German producers Comfort Fit and Portformat, as well as Spain's The Aftermath. Working with singer Maya Azucena on a few joints. It's an incredible, ever-expanding list. I can't wait for you to hear it all!

TMB: Is this your career or do you have a "day job"?
CM: I have a day job, as many of us still do. Pretty blessed to tell you that my pay-the-rent work is something I'm also passionate about. I teach a few hours a week, elementary and middle school students, various multi-media art classes with a slant on academic skills and critical examination of the world. My kids provide endless inspiration and unparalleled joy. Plus, I get to sleep in late! I also freelance graphic design for various projects (holla if you need work). That’s what I have a four-year degree in. All is creative, fulfilling and challenging and adds back to my artistic life is varying ways. However, the jury is still out on what the summer will bring, so send on some positive energy, dear readers!

TMB: What's your inspiration?
CM: Love, heartbreak, friends, other poets, musicians and this terrible and fascinating city. I've answered this questions so many times and it's always the same: I find inspiration in the smallest things, peeling a morning orange, and in huge concepts, death, decay and spirituality. The goal is to approach life with an unabashed curiosity, and to try and remain open in the face of threat and be open to getting hurt as growth and fodder for your art. Keep feeling.

TMB: Who are your influences?
CM: So many people! Wow, where do I start? Let's do a "lately" list. The poets I've been reading lately are Yusef Komunyakaa, Roger Mitchell, Erica Miriam Fabri, Marty McConnell, Patrick Rosal, Hafiz and that's just the tip of the iceberg, really.

In terms of spoken word, I grew up inspired by folks like Sarah Jones, Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, Ani Difranco (don't laugh), Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez and of course, the brilliant lyricists I found hidden in my Dad's record collection. I was also a hip-hop obsessive and listened to copious amount of rhymes that influenced my early work a great deal. In fact, it's still inspiring me.

I'm lucky to count myself among a rich artistic community in NYC and beyond, where the friends I name dear to my heart also make music and poems that do something holy for me. Now, that's blessed.

TMB: What's your future plans with your craft?
CM: Ok, that's a hard question. I'd like to seriously work on more music, pursue publishing, tour more often, secure a manager/booking agent (know anyone?) and keep creating art that moves people. I just want to follow my heart and see what rises. Can't go wrong if you are following what directs YOU verses you always directing its path. Hard work with a little bit of faith.

TMB: You seem to be a real creative purpose, what other projects are you involved with?
CM: Hey! Thanks! I'm working on two separate collaborative hip- hop music projects at the moment, as well as my own tracks here and there contributing to other's albums and the like. There is a new-media publishing project being cooked up between a fellow poet/designer and myself. A collaborative tour in the works with poet James Caroline out of Boston (book us!) I'm also currently in the middle of the NaPoWriMo Challenge, where poets are challenged to write 30 poems in 30 days for April (National Poetry Month.) I intend on editing the work for release in chapbook format sometime in May. Look out for this.

TMB: How can people get your work?
CM: Hop on my myspace page to order my CD (or download it) and cop the chapbook. Folks can also email me, if they wish, at caitlin.meissner@gmail.com.

For more on Caits Meissner, check the MySpace (www.myspace.com/caitlinmeissnerpoetry)

It Will... Stream of Consciousness

If you listen to this track and you're pissed when the joint reaches 1:37, then you need to get on twitter and follow @StrmOfConscious and tell dude to finish the track stat. When I first heard this track, I thought there was something wrong with the computer when it suddenly stopped.

He is in the studio currently working on his project, which is a good thing. He's working on some real and thoughtful tracks for the album. He's got that political Dead Prez vibe to his music. We have an interview on the way so you can learn more about the artist. But in the meantime, enjoy this track and join the movement to get this to the full length that it deserves. On a serious note, check dude out and look out for the interview coming soon!

Stream Of Consciousness-It Will.. {Ft. Miss BB}.mp3 -

More info: www.myspace.com/uninterruptedstreamofconsciousness