More "Royal Applebaums" secrets

Ha, ha, sorry everyone but, after the last post I totally realized I left out a few things. So, here they are:

When the record was recorded, that week was very eventful and one of the things that happened (and a keen ear can hear it in the leanings of some of the music here) is that I was dealing with the sudden happening of my dog, King Ramses, having to be put down. In that...well, the album is bittersweet to me.

Jordan's being in town slightly coincided with McDonald's release of its Sweet Tea so, the line on Midnight Love at 2 am "I need you in my life like sweet tea" was literally because of his obsession with the drink at that time. We had a few trips to get some, thats for sure.

There's a track called Day to Day that didn't make this record, for whatever reason, with a 18-20 bar verse of mine that I can actually rap at any moment, off the top. My friend Noah, at the time, was around so, we allowed him to get in on singing the chorus, which he did off the top of his head and without writing it down. It was fun and, to be honest, I've no idea how it DIDN'T make it on the record.

Originally, we wanted to call the group, "Conduct Lionhardt and Jordan Santana will blow you to Smithereens," or, "the Smithereens." Didn't take long for us, however, to discover a group that went by the name already so, we went back to the drawing board or, in this case, to some stuff that influence us. Big nod to the film "Royal Tannenbaums" for being so awesome and quirky. Thus, we re-christened ourselves the Royal Applebaums. Like a hip hop version of Gene Hackman and Danny Glover. (bet Jordan might put that in a future verse...)

The album cover is my sketchy take on the Original art for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, from early cover art for Alice in Wonderland. I had this idea (and I will eventually do more than just some random Spider-Man villain images I've done for my nephew) to draw with a pencil and white on brown paper bags. I set out to do that with this cover but, I really messed up by leaving all my art stuff behind in Pittsburgh, as this cover wasn't drawn until my trip to Arizona last year. Ha, ha. So, while there, I went and got some colored pencils and some construction paper (since I couldn't find something akin to brown paper bag there) and did that with 2 different browns, peach, and white. Amazingly, it doesn't look that bad to me...but its far from what I envisioned. The paper bag adds this grainy old look and I can strip the image a bit to make it look like a worn cover. Alas, should have, could haves... But, take note of how freaked out I made Jordan on the image, with me winking to him as to say, "Yeah, it is trippy but it will be okay, dun son."

So yeah, that was the extra bits. Hope you enjoyed them. Next post will be about...something else!


- Conduct Lionhardt

"Royal Applebaums: Bipolar Backspin" Secrets

Interesting days here, as the label I signed too, Verto Records (http://www.vertorecords.com/) has released a free down loadable album of mine that me and my friend Jordan recorded over a few days back in 2007. Going by the noteworthy nom de guere Royal Applebaums, we just cobbled together this record at the last minute. Verto, hoping to start up a small buzz and give people a free reason to look into them, asked me if they could offer up the album for free. I said yes.

So, here I decided to depart from my usual non-insular way of blogging to give delicious scoops on what the tracks are, whom is referenced in them, and maybe some anecdotes worthy of people viewing. Feel free to download the album at the website listed in the last paragraph and join in this track-by-track reveal.

"Dunnies"

I'm never sure how I decide what makes a good opening track for a record. Here, the deciding factor was the beat by a guy who went by Ill Eagles. He had done quite a few nice instrumentation and this one was the first I wrote too in...I think like, late '04. My verse deals with two people in particular. One was a skater (I use that loosely, and that wrist break portion ACTUALLY happened) and the other a notable emcee who was disrespectful of a female friend of mine. "Dunnies" came from an in-joke sprung from a scene in a hip hop comedy called "Brown Sugar" involving two guys named Ren and Ten. Its classic scene and, surprisingly, one that could be called "Intentionally cross cultural." Check it out if you get the chance.

"Jazz it Up"

My cousin, who goes by Lottoj (pronounced "low-taj") is a crazy good producer who just hasn't really pushed hard enough into getting known. Here is a beat he made...I don't actually remember when but, when he stopped by with a CD of music, we found what we thought would make a decent single. The concept is simple, talking about how what we do jazzes up the sound in ways people rarely did that year ('07). I know, cockiness, yeah? Anyways, what you hear from me is an attempt pull off an Abstract Rude flow (which I fail miserably at), inspired by listening to Haiku De Tat Cd's. Jordan loved the idea of rapping to the jazz horn sample and, thus we have the song. (note: Jordan references "TRL" which still was on air at the time. Welcome to the world of quickly exiting relevance to witty one liners)

"LOVE"

Personally, this is a tough song for me to listen too. I'll explain later why this time was INCREDIBLY tough for me on a personal level but, you hear a verse from my bro-in-law EQual One...which is about my sister...yeah, its not really something to get into but its tough to listen to what he says in any of his raps about her and family. Jordan's verse is about a very trying time of attempting to love beyond the first big relationship he had, something I was privy to watching flourish then burn. Tough. My verse...Ha, ha, my verse is pure fiction. Its a long story but, Conduct Lionhardt and love (of the romantic variety) don't really work out. (I will say that, I do have one female muse that comes into play in future music I will release. I'll share that with you for sure. Its fun heartbreaking yet hopeful stuff)

"Get your verse written for $.32"

The basic idea to this is, we each wrote verses and had other people rap them. Oh the troubles I had with doing this because, since it was me and Jordan mostly, and then EQual One and my other cousin on some songs...I have a very specific way in which I approach music. My verses usually mean more than what you catch initially. Any who, EQual One does Jordan's verse, I do EQ's, and Jordan...poor Jordan, had to do mine. Since we liked the idea but it was going to be hard, we took this sparse beat and lazily did the chorus. Note that Jordan changes up the "1,2,3" thing with a "mom, dad, 1,2,3" on the last chorus and, of doing EQual One's verse I am most proud of the ad libbed Rick Flair "wooo!"

"Midnight Love at 2 AM"

Jordan's friend Carly lived in Pittsburgh and we wanted to make tribute to her for being our friend. We waited till 2 am though. Ha, ha. What you get with that is a weird tale of how me and Jordan (whom weren't romantically interested in Carly) had a disagreement over who gets the girl. (side note: she sat next to Jordan. Historically, they always do. Ha, ha.) Its all tongue-in-cheek fun, though and my verse has two great references, one visual ("picture her as wineglass scripture" Think about that for a little...) and then a reference to "Clue" with my use of the butt of the candle to take Jordan out.

"Get Medicated"

My young pal, Cornelius Winthrop (a.k.a. C-Dep or "the Christ Dependant") crafted this beat here which came out of Jordan telling me how, when he was in Texas, he witnessed a dance that, when done, was cheered on: "Oh! Get Motivated! Oh, Get Motivated!" From there, I decided, having come off a headache, we'd switch it up and make a dance and song for "Oh, Get Medicated!" Ha, ha! The chorus was a fun treat since, the whole project was recorded in my sister's empty bedroom (she was married and lived LITERALLY 30-45 min on the other side of town) and everyone who was in the house that day (bout...5-6 people) were yelling it out loud. My verses have so many great lines that, I'd wager, its probably the BEST thing I've rapped. EVER. References to Shaq's muscle heating pads, how I' bring more Heat than Dragnet, bumba clot, the whole run on people at clubs, how my rhymes "dually bust", and the first of a series of references to the "Blade" movies, which were on back-to-back, that weekend. Its one of my favs on the project. "Sure as shootin' Kansas" is a strange reference to the character of Rusty, from Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot, a slightly small project that Geoff Darrow illustrated. (Geoff Darrow is one of the visual minds that created a good deal of the tech and future look for "the Matrix". Rusty, often said "Sure as Shootin." (OH...and we did craft a "Get Medicated" dance...just not the weekend we recorded this project)

"Blink and you'll Miss it"

I've had the blessing (cause I know its gotta be from God) to have received production from some of the most talented unknown guys on this planet so, this track has the really great honor of having Re:Flex the Architect (a MONSTROUS emcee/producer from the U.K.) as its creator. The song concept, again, soooo not a huge breakthrough to new ground or anything but, the twist here is that, my verse (the 2nd one) is all about...me. Really, it is. Listen to it and realize that everyone of those lines was about me and how I was in 2007. I didn't even tell Jordan or anyone that until now so, yeah, big scoop.

"Whatcha Tryin to Do"

Freeeeeeze. My cousin Jeff (a.k.a. Mr. Freeze) was a KILLER rapper and totally came on this track and decided to depressively sing on this track about how girls had messed with our hearts. Again, I used my skills at fiction to ride the beat and make it seem like I was miffed at some girl for her actions of taking my heart then going with someone else. Jordan...ha,ha, that verse he rhymes was initially not delivered as crazy. I think he was going over it, did a weird infliction and we laughed at it. That made him go forth with the wild delivering. We often made each other want to do interesting things because, for the most part, we make music we find fun to listen too.

"Starstruck"

Ha, ha...I like the song it kinda, fits that very straight forward Christian rap kinda vibe but, for me I don't have too many points for this one. My verse is shorter than I usually write and, its very tough for me to do that. Very tough. I wrote a longer verse then did some editing it down until I ended up with that...12 bars, was it? The beat was made by EQual One and he didn't make it the length we needed so, since it would have been 45min to and fro...I had to take the short straw on this one.

"Saturday Sand dune Jamboree"

My sister likes those beach party movies, ya know, the campy ones from the technicolor film days and, this just spoke to me like that so, with some BLATANT SAMPLES (which this FREE album is riddled with. And I MEAN riddled with) we composed what each person would be performing as character's in a fictional film called "Saturday Sand Dune Jamboree." The funny thing is, that's not something I shared with everyone involved, either. Ha, ha! I would have...if we'd made a video for it, though. Would have been epic mini-movie styled. Anyways, you can almost visually see the song as a trailer with each of these random beach moments happening from each person's perspective. My sister (Dove Wonder Why) is on the hook with the weird effect on her vocals. I wanted more of her on this record and, sadly, it just didn't work out that well. She doesn't think of herself as musical but there are things she brings to the table that allow me the better expression. It may just be knowledge of how I am and the lack of having to explain what I'm trying to get across, though. (EQual One is on various tracks of this project, simple because he was there. Me and Jordan were having such a creative time we just allowed whoever to join in)

"Shake, Rattle, and Roll"

Jordan brainstormed this one up and, it has the distinction of being the ONE song on the album that had pre-existing verses on it from everyone. Most of this thing we just wrote on the spot on the fly and recorded. No major MAJOR planning involved. This one was due to Jordan having his verse and wanting to rap it to something, so me and Freeze just found some stuff that we liked. Frankly, my delivery to the verse I did is atrocious in my ears. I can't stand it. I'll re-record the verse on something mixtape-esque to make myself feel better some time. Its a good verse, writing-wise, though. Not AMAZING but good. My frame of references is usually from old Hollywood movies, comic books, old tv shows, archeology, professional wrestling jargon, East Coast rap music, Jazz, and of course, The BIBLE. A strange brew but, it makes some intriguing stuff...well, I think. Hm...that doesn't have too much to do with this song except a few lines from my verse and Freeze's. Me and him were TIGHT back then. That "Now for a Break" sample can be found on older versions of the beat program, Fruity Loops.

"Here we Go Again, As Opposed to the Last time you heard us, which was probably Bananas"

This song has a crazy history to go with that title (I'm uncertain if the full title was attached to it but, yeah, thats it) Me and Jordan first met up in Ohio of...'03, I believe, when I hopped a Greyhound to meet my Internet/phone musical friend. We built up a nice fellowship and started our tender steps toward doing music together. The most notable song that time, was a track we did on a Lottoj beat he had crafted with a beat machine called Dr Groove, which was entitled "Bananas." Thus, this song is the direct sequel, like a lot of them, that took various years to get too. I have a habit of wanting to challenge the ways I've rapped on things before and, since "Bananas" had been done in a double-timed delivery, I felt that this one should too, but with a slight twist as I slowed it down at one point. Its not very impressive but, at the time, I was pleased I could do it and it not come off as REALLY bad. I like parts of this verse, some cool Nintendo referencing to a game I played a ton...Oh, I introduced a concept that is a part of things I'll do later on in that, the line about the "Pray Boy" shirt. I did make a mock shirt (which no one knows about till this very second) and I intend to press up some more soon. The basis is I took the image of a "Play Boy" shirt and re-drew it into a boy with hands in classic prayer gesture. My intention is to get up a web/blog site for notable and unknown Christian men to post up essays and thoughts on stuff in a manner that kind of is a more "clean" version of Hef's rag. it'll be different but, for me, I've found that not many men's magazines and such, offer a perspective on stuff that interests me the same. There should be. Its kooky but If the opportunity presents itself, I'll build the site up. All the same, if anyone is interested, email me and I'll get you a shirt.

"Fin"

Ah yes..."Fin." Originally, this didn't exist. EQual One (again! I know!) had made this beat for his brother to rap some thuggin and buggin on. Jordan got a listen then ask if we could somehow get it and EQual's brother agreed, since he doubted he'd write something anyways. Thus, we decided to go with an ending track to match the production's bravado. Freeze gets things started, makes reference to how this is a piece of what we're capable of. (He would end his recording association with us on this song, finishing up high school then working. Far as I know, he's only done a few verses on one of his cousin's records and doesn't actively do music anymore.) EQual One thanks us for allowing him to get down on the record. (It would be his final musical act. He's stopped rapping and making beats, after this.) Jordan starts to build the intensity with his verse then I go. I like this one alot. It has a great presence to it, I think. My verse is one of those fun things I do, to challenge myself. I took all the tracks before and referenced them in my verse. My opening lines take into account that me and Jordan were doing this record, then let the others in on it. I tried (again, unsuccessfully) to do a Remnant-style on this track with my verse. (Remnant, or Remnant Militia as some know them, WAS one of the best rap groups ever. They combined a vibe that worked on both a mainstream and underground sensibility and were my personal pick to make a real impact on a wide range. Everyone I played their records to, didn't just like them, but LOVED them. The year I recorded this, they broke up so, this verse is the first of what will be a few tributes I do to them. haha. They'll be better too. I promise)

"Rap Your Own Verse, for $1.03"

Again, Not sure if the title stuck but, this is a response to "get your verse written" where we each rap the verses we "ghost wrote" earlier. The thing that sets this one off for me is that we did it on this crispy Fab Da Eclectic production. We reworked the hook where we alternated the 1,2,3, count. I had a terrible time recording this cause I have sucky timing when it comes to matching up vocals for emphasis. Seriously, I suck at it so bad. Listen to it again, my verse is WAAAY more timid than the other two guys on that chorus. I LOVE my verse though and rapping it how I wrote it is the thing that lets me fly. I think my fervor could have been a touch harder on it but, for what I managed, I'm pleased. I am a huge believer in the fact that a relationship with Christ is essential for a full and complete existence. My verse, of course, ends up being the more "Conductful" one, for lack of a better way to say it. You'll hear my second Blade reference in "Should I grab the Bible or Snipes, to swing the harder Blade," also making note of how the Bible is referred to as a Christian's sword. And finally, this track is accredited to the work of the Holy Ghost, whom I prayed to guide (a.k.a "write") us in our expression of rap.

Hopefully that adds a little extra to your listening to the project and, keep a lookout for my ACTUAL releases from Verto Records this year: "The Return" EP, and my full length debut, "Finite."

Hmm...feels weird doing that whole, "artist plugs his upcoming stuff" thing. It'll take awhile to get used to THAT not being strange. Now excuse me, I have to go and prepare character sheets for "Rex Roy is: Dr. Divinty...Bookseller" to send to the author.

God Bless and good listening,

- Conduct Lionhardt

Finales, Endings...Beginnings?

This time of the year I notice that a lot of things seem to be ending and, as some of you may be aware, the idea that everything is "finite" is of interest to me. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak on this for a second.

I'm a huge fan of the sequential art forms, especially Graphic novels and comics. Some of my favorites have been ones were, either, the artist/writer team was on for a storyline of determined issue count or, mini-series with a predetermined start-middle-climax. I just find some comfort in knowing that a thing isn't going on forever...just because. Ha, ha. I think its really my desire for a thing to relate too. In my life things begin, happen, and then end so I feel more comfortable with my fictional intact doing the same. Or...maybe its more than that.

We often seem to relate a thing's greatness or importance to our own personal "circle" of perspective. If you can attache a moment of your life, or a flight of individual desire you've had to it, its usually more appealing. But (and this could be just me) I tend to think that there's this larger perspective out there which differs from my own that is...well, to be honest, a wider view than my little "circle" allows me. What this has to do with the subject at hand is that, for the most part, we all have portions of existence and experiences that we want to end. A finale, to a certain extent, is a culmination of events that, in the end SHOULD bring about...SOMETHING. That's why we watch a movie all the way through or, watch the last episodes of our favorite TV season. We want that...THING to happen! Spur my thoughts! Shock me! Flip the fictional paradigm! That's what a finale. Its FINAL... in some ways. (finale is a funny word. I thinks its inappropriately used, though)

Its an end, yet, funny enough, endings and finales usually lead to some kind of beginning. Since, as the phrase would have you believe, "Life goes on," when you come to an end it immediately creates a beginning. I finish a graphic novel and then I have choices of what to do NEXT. That's a beginning, people. I have to START what I'm going to do once I've placed that book down...or after those credits have rolled...or after I break up with the girl...or the school year ends and summer begins.

My overall point? Sweet Christmas, I dunno. It could be plenty of things but, personally, looking at the end of a school year and seeing some of my students from youth group either heading into a summer break or leaving for college, I look at it is both a finale (with all the requisite pomposity of such things) as well as a beginning.

And like any other person who faces the end and then ponders or takes timid steps, I'm looking forward...to what begins next.

- Conduct Liohardt

Self...or a Visualization of

So, I've put a good deal of thought recently into the fact that, sadly enough, I don't believe I'm doing a good enough job representing myself to the general public.

It actually began about 2 months back when some people who have known me for a considerable enough amount of time, were surprised to "discover" I both illustrate as well as write music. It took me aback because, in my mind, these are some of the most apparent aspects of who I am (second, only to, I think, my status as being the definition of my birth name) and are things I talk about THE MOST. However, it was such a strange reaction from these people that it began a PROPER analysis of what, exactly, my image is projecting out there...and whether I needed to change it or not.

I discovered that people believe me to be a staunchly "private person", one prone not to share things that are "really going on with me." Furthermore, I am "soft spoken" and usually a guy who "sits and observes things from the background," with a demeanor thats both "comforting" and "cool."

Some of that stuff (riddled with direct quotes) is a bit shocking to me.

Here's the thing, though (getting to the point before losing the audience): I've started to realize that maybe my view of the Self and how it is visually seen by those around me, isn't the same as the one everyone is ACTUALLY viewing. (cue theme music to "That boy has an EGO") Much like how companies want to create a "brand" for people to instantly recognize, in some ways, we have to do that for ourselves. Now, before people freak out on some "Conduct's going corporate!" I want to clarify here: I'm NOT saying THAT. Far from it, I believe. My thought here is, you can't expect that because you ARE something that people will just know it. Its more than that. Your actions, your words, where you go, who you are with...these things all say so much about the type of person you are and what should be ASSUMED about you. It is up to you to make the right choices in how to approach life and establish the way you will be visualized within it.

I don't think many of people realize this. There are plenty that wish for a "better life" or "better job" who don't get that in order to have your existence change YOU have to be willing to change YOU. Sadly, some people go too far with it and lose themselves in the search for "gains."

It's a tricky thing to peg down. I obviously haven't mastered it, myself. But, as I seek to become better at that while staying true to the Hope I have in Christ, I know one day it will be an easy task for people to recognize all the major aspects of what I am, what I do, and whom I'm all about. That ability to let Self...or (at least) a visualization of, be very apparent to those who's paths I cross, won't be the trouble that it is right now.


- Conduct Lionhardt

Stop the Music

Right now, you should stop listening to music.


Now, look, I just terribly troubled or offended people by saying that. Unfortunately, I think, therein lays the problem and its one you probably never stopped to think of:

"How much importance does music have over my daily existence?"

I know, some of you may not think that because you play music daily that it is a bad thing and, to be honest, I'm not saying that it is...per se. The truth I'm pointing to here is that many of us don't see the option of music being turned off as a viable one.

Peep:
When you go to drive to the store to get a drink, MUSIC IS ON.
Waiting for the bus on the way to work or school and, MUSIC IS ON IN HEADPHONES.
You are heading out to play some sports or work out and to get psyched up, YOU TURN ON SOME ROWDY MUSIC.

And, those are just some examples. I could have talked about how we use it to heal grief, to have sympathetic connection for our longing, to enhance our feelings of sadness or happiness...its a long list, folks.

But, whether those are good ways (or bad) to use it, well, its subjective. I'm only speaking of it, though, because I had an experience that I found helpful and thought some of you may want to try in that, I read a scripture that I finally paused on long enough to take seriously: 2 Corinthians 6:12 - "Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything.

This scripture made me stop and think and I wanted to look into what it spoke to me so, I began taking things that were "habits" or stuff I just did all the time, and stopped doing them. Sometimes I take a week, a few times I did months. I stopped watching weekly tv for 3 months. I cut my internet time down to 3 hours a week for about a year. I spent 3 weeks without music on.

What I ultimately learned is that these things I indulged in, especially music, have their place and time...but they aren't NECESSARY to my day-to-day. I am more than just the songs I listen to and how those relate to my feelings or stir them. Now, when I choose to turn it on, I can listen to music and enjoy it for what it is...or I can sit, walk, ride, etc, without it. I find that those moments are ones where my thoughts are at their most crisp, where my clarity is dominant and shines through on what concerns my heart. Its where I hear God the clearest as I pray.

And regardless of whether you want to take that time to pray or not, I think if you just Stop the Music for a little while, you'll learn some things...and maybe even hear something that usually gets drowned out by the cacophony:

Yourself.

- Conduct Lionhardt

My Mantra to read through

Lately, I have been having a rough go of things in my current set of circumstance. I've often checked out blogs from people where they go about using it to basically vent their troubles and, for me, thats not really what I'm seeking to do with this one.
However, between the reviews, interviews, and general thoughts I would like to share stuff that is, perhaps, helpful to those going through similar things.

One of my favorite songs is one from a guy named Sintax The Terrific called, "A Mantra to Breath to." He shares a few things in the song I found to be very positive thoughts to have on a day-to-day basis, things that are hopeful and challenging. I'm not much of a lyricist to say I could write as poignant a song as this but, in my devotions, I found a scripture which has really helped and encouraged me through the current situations I've found myself in.

So, this is my "Mantra to Read through." I hope it speaks to you, as well:

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (New International Version)

⁴Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

I don't expect everyone to get it like I do. Its just something that I read and found rather fitting.

- Conduct Lionhardt

Conducting Thoughts, with Wonder Brown

Before I post up, I have to extend an apology to Wonder Brown. I had every intent for each interview to be accompanied with an illustration but, technical difficulties are going to make that dream impossible for the time being. So, Sorry man! (I will post it up as soon as thats possible, though)

A member of the rap collective lovingly referred to as the Scribbling Idiots, Wonder Brown and I came to know each other first from message board posts, then last summer in person. I've cherished his thoughtful friendship as well as his unique talent. After hearing an older EP he put together "the Wake," I knew that I would be looking forward to his new work. Here I interview him on a good bit of both personal and professional things, while also speaking on his recently released new album, "the Gallows."

Conduct: I've always been wondering (no pun intended) where did you come up with the rap handle, Wonder Brown?

Wonder Brown: Lol, Wonder Brown was actually born from street ball. As much effort as I put into my music and writing, I used to put into "ballin'." You've seen me in person, and so you know that I've never looked the part. I'd even look stupid on purpose, socks jacked up to the knees, long hair flowing from underneath a headband - even miss a few shots pre-game on purpose - whatever it took to gain an edge. Cue clowning, "hey, look at wonder bread over there" and presto, I've got my edge. I still get the same kind of looks or remarks with rapping and performing to this day. The game starts, and all I had to do was wait for the ball. Crossover, spin dribble, between the legs lay up, and the whole atmosphere would go bananas; and I'd never say a word (except "DRAINO" when I'd shoot a three). Soon enough, cats weren't calling me wonder bread anymore, they were calling me wonder brown because they wondered why I wasn't brown. The only nickname I've ever had became something much deeper.

Conduct: That’s by far and away the funniest and, in many ways, deep story I’ve heard about a rap handle. Ha, ha, ha!

Conduct: The most recent releases I know I've heard you on were, Kings of Tragedy and Scribbling Idiots mix-tape 2 but, just how long ago were the verses written and recorded for those?

Wonder Brown: The verse for Idiomatic 2 was recorded while I was briefly living in San Francisco last year, just coming off of my first Kings of Tragedy tour. The Kings album was composed, written recorded, mixed and mastered late last year, 2008, in preparation for another summer tour of this year - where I got a chance to meet you and your wonderful community of Believers in Pittsburgh.

Conduct: So the Kings record is the most recent raps? That’s awesome. Someone totally snaked me for my copy as we were cleaning up the stage and equipment. Ah, you have to love those outdoor shows…

Conduct: So, these new projects you've been working on would be the most current example of your sound?

Wonder Brown: Yeah, "my sound" has been a struggle to find direction with the beats I've been given or come across. Personally, a beat or melody brings something out of me, and the best way I could ever describe it would be to say that every beat has a song, every melody has a word, and my job is to find that word, as freely as possible - while keeping the integrity of the inspiration I've been given and the art I want to express. I love rapping, I love singing, but most of all I love making a good song - lyrical, melodic movies in three minute increments.

Conduct: Yeah, that is how I see songs too. Okay, let's take this back a bit, I became a true fan of yours when I heard "the Wake" EP, that you did over Theory Hazit production. Around what time was that put together?

Wonder Brown: "The Wake EP" was a mash up of songs and ideas I had in my head, and my rhyme books, that I was able to record in sessions at Theory's house. He was always so busy working on his own projects, recording many different artists around Cincinnati, making a eleventy-bagillion beats, etc, that I was trying to find where I fit in - which is something I always do. Plus, I had no clue what I was doing, just following a dream I'd had my whole life. I was surrounded by a hundred "gospel rappers," and I thought that was an interesting approach, but not even close to what I wanted to do. Mix in a fragile era in my faith walk, and my world ever-changing and always in the midst of some issue or drama, that I was seeking peace with my art - firstly, my spoken word/poetry, secondly, my rapping abilities and musical aspirations. Eventually I got to a point where I felt all these old songs I'd written couldn't clearly reflect where I was artistically, spirituallly, etc... until Theory stepped in and urged me to put something out. "The Wake EP" was born.

Conduct: My favorite jam, as I've mentioned entirely TOO MUCH to you, was “Namesake,” about your father, stepfather, and mother. It is really an impactful song to me, even though my experiences were vastly different. What things acted as a catalyst to you writing that song?

Wonder Brown: I learned, over such a strenuous, tumultuous time in my life, that simply putting my pen to a pad of paper was all I needed to exorcise demons, if you will. To release frustration and "say something" as well. Previously, I had been a part of a poetry movement at the University of Cincinnati which really opened my eyes to a gift our Father had given me to freely use - poetry. People were very supportive of this gift, and realizing this fact was so instrumental in opening up worlds of potential/oppurtunity. One thing I also realized early was that a desire to get things off my chest and be transparently open was inspiring to others... God would use all of these instances to build me up, preparing me for artistically expressing myself and performing in front of others who would realize similar desires from being around the creativity. The culmination of all these instances gave me the freedom to say what I want to say and be firm in my convictions amongst all of these people who were judgmental about whether or not you said Jesus 100 times in your songs. The track is called "Namesake", and the beat, simply, pulled what you hear out of me - I let myself be guided and received a Ton of freedom from that experience. I still like listening to that song to see where I've come from and where I've headed since.

Conduct: When you sit to write, is it usually motivated by something on your mind or the beat that you have available to write too?

Wonder Brown: I play with the experiences, sometimes purposely trying to write free-verse poetry, sometimes picking a topic and sticking to it, and sometimes just seeing what comes out. Diversity is immensely important to me, and it keeps my spirit open to possibilities where the Holy Spirit can come along and use me for who know what. A good song is worth the journey, no matter what happens from start to finish, and the less the expectations, I've found, the better the song.

Conduct: Wow. Lately I’ve been finding that out as well in my writing. I used to have precise structure and the concept mapped from start to finish but, as with my illustrating, I’m finding that the journey takes me to better places when I’m…I guess “open.”

Conduct: I've been thinking about music this year and, for me, I haven't really found too much that's inspired me, when it comes to our neck of the woods in Hip Hop. How's do you feel the year has been for newer hip hop releases? Anything good or inspiring stuff you've run across?

Wonder Brown: To be honest, I've been so busy working on music, performing all over the midwest and east coast, and mixing and mastering new projects, that I haven't listened to much new hip hop. I'm inspired by eclectic sounds, so coming across the newest Radiohead last year, has really inspired me for this year. My crews music really inspires me... I've truly been blessed to be surrounded by my homies who are truly unselfish in their approaches to art and expression, which spoils me - I never need to check for something that just dropped when I can hit up one of the Idiots for what they're working on...and best believe it's always dope!!

Conduct: Your crew, Scribbling Idiots, is a really active group. To mind, I'm thinking that within the last 365 days that either digitally or physical CD release, there have been, like, 8 projects you've put out. Is this by plan or have you all been stocking up material to just flood the world with?

Wonder Brown: We had a plan, which was to record and perform with each other for a season, and then build each other up while recording solos and side projects. At first, it seemed like our plan would be a disaster, since our true desires to tour together never really came to fruition, but part of our desires in building each other up were also in God's plans. What you hear from us is really kind of an exponential effect of continually working on music, whether together or apart, and since time is of the essence, we don't really have the luxury of sitting on projects and trying to spread them out. One thing that we have done together is take the EP idea and created S.I. monthly, spinning off of CasMetah Monthly, and we'll be dropping a new EP every month for people who subscribe. Just what you need, more of us to love!!!

Conduct: On the same token, do you ever think of what the other side of that many projects being released can be? We live in a world that's gotten really comfortable with the "instant gratification" and being able to get a million songs on your player in a day. The music business is having to constantly change the aspects of how music is reaching the consumer and with the advent of these things, is it a better idea to drop projects more frequently to remain in the mind of listeners?

Wonder Brown: You know, I've thought about the ramifications of everything I've done, from the words I've recited and sung, to the sounds I've used, to the continual release of new material, and I've found one answer to continually ring true in my heart. Stay true. To the art. To yourself. To God. The rest will take care of itself. Even our mixtapes have been of mostly original material, so what you hear is a clear reflection of us as a collective, as well as each of us as individuals. As far as I'm concerned, if the music drops every month, six months, or six years, staying true will ALWAYS be relevant.

Conduct: That’s a great mindstate to have. So, uh, how did you and MC Till hook-up to form "Kings of Tragedy?"

Wonder Brown: MC Till and I inevitably were gonna work together, and two years ago that finally happened. He had moved to Cincinnati from Evansville five or so years back, and quickly met k-Drama and D-Maub, brothers in Christ who have been around and really putting in work. Eventually, we got to really hang out when he accompanied the Idiots to the GMA's of 2007. He was there to pick Plastic's brain about the industry, and hob-knob with all of the other shenanigans that go on that weekend. After coming home, we stayed in touch, and later that year we hooked up some shows together... The Kings of Tragedy was later born when, out of shear genius, knew that I was moving to San Francisco sometime in the coming months, and also knew that MC would be meeting his family in Oregon for spring break. Tour on the way out there, together, arriving there just in time for MC to vacation with family? Don't mind if we do... We booked it together, MC being the business mastermind that he is. We created a set together, mixing mainly my part of "The Have Nots" and his album "Beautiful Raw." We eventually toured a couple more times, and in all, performed around 100 times together, and had the time of our lives.

Conduct: I found that seeing the presentation you and MC Till bring to the Kings of Tragedy live shows is very different to what alot of people are doing in Hip Hop. Was it a love of drama that made you guys go that route?

Wonder Brown: Our original set, which incorporated miming with overdubs in between the tracks we mixed together on a cd, came out of a mutual desire to do more than just rap on stage. In the convos we had while at GMA's, we lined up on a lot of creative ideas, and both believed that rapping live was boring. Most hip hop shows are wack, especially if the crowd isn't engaged. We also both agreed that forcing the crowd to move wasn't our cup of tea, so we decided to go a different route. While brainstorming for our trip, I thought playing off the trip as part of our set would be dope, with a little acting, but didn't have the time to come up with a bunch of dialogue, so on a lazy Sunday, we got together and created a set from scratch that would incorporate all the sounds of a road trip, and came up with a script that we could record in between beats, and mime as if we could read each other's thoughts - the type of odd things that might happen on a long road trip. That experience kinda opened our eyes to a mutual desire to act, that if given ample time, we could truly incorporate into our live presentation, and even our music. With the Kings of Tragedy LP, we were able to do that on all levels, and really flex our creative muscles.

Conduct: I thoroughly enjoyed the live show you guys do. It is really interesting because, it has the space to adapt to any kind of audience and, to me I’ve always felt that in many regards, rap shows can be a tough sell to people who really aren’t that into the style of music. Most of the people you performed for at the show I co-hosted weren’t fans of rap music. But they left with a real love for the show and the music you guys did. Have you received a lot of response like this from the various shows and venues the Kings of Tragedy play?

Wonder Brown: Yeah, we actually have! Our objective was to do just that, with something original, something thought provoking, something simple, something that could reflect the dichotomy of simplicity and complexity within the Truth...but mostly just to have fun and share that exact desire to others. It just so happens that we rap and sing.

Conduct: This is the portion of the interview where I offer you a free space to place whatever comes to mind and share something funny, informative or profound to the people. Got a word for them?

Wonder Brown: Free space hey? I have a quote on the front of my myspace page, "I believe in free will and unconditional love"...I think if the world, especially the Body of Believers, were to contemplate those things and put "them" to use, I wouldn't have to write another word. That day would be divinely sweet, waiting to exhale, death and the reception of heaven's peace kinda sweet. Check the new material for more words and stuff.

Conduct: Last, but not least, I give you the chance to play interviewer and ask me one question. What do you want to know?

Wonder Brown: Okay, question. What kind of legacy do you think the Scribbling Idiots will leave for this world? Second question (can't help myself), why is what we do necessary?

Conduct: This is actually a tough one. I haven’t seen way too many groups leave a massive legacy in rap so, since there are a great deal out there its often tough to pin down which will “make it” or not (especially with each crew’s distinctly different view on what “making it” is.) For how I see your group, I’d think that you will leave a legacy of interesting styles of hip hop, under the banner of a “crew.” What you do is necessary because, regardless of what preferences some prefer, your group is striving to get the music OUT THERE to the people, not just your fans, but to THE PEOPLE. A lot of crews have a different way in which they operate and seek to get across their message. Scribbling Idiots do A LOT of live performing and put out stuff monthly. I think that’s needed to both, battle with the pace of music’s availability as well as, to challenge/inspire other artists to get serious with their work ethic.

Thank you for “Conducting Thoughts” with me.

(Wonder Brown's "the Gallows" can be previewed at http://www.myspace.com/wonderbrown and purchased at http://www.scribblingidiots.com/catalog)