We Still Buy Vinyl (Wednesdays 8-10pm, KUST radio)

Welcome, kids, to a new school year! This Wednesday marks the first installment of the 2010-11 series of "We Still Buy Vinyl" on Kust radio. Tune in as Honest12 and myself drop local and underground hip-hop knowledge from 8-9. From 9-10 we get it in on the 1's and 2's with some live mixing utilizing all vinyl.

The Power of the Internet

I don't know how the internet could get any better after leaked pictures of Rihanna and Cassie flooded every male's browser this week.  Oooohwee!  The next best thing has gotta be listening to my boy Tommy and myself on KUST radio tonight from 10 to midnight (click "Listen Live" in the upper right corner here-->KUST radio.  The 1's and 2's will be in full effect with both of us cutting up some quality hip-hop the second half of the show.  If you've got a reasonable request, please call in: 651-962-5830.  No, we will not play "On A Boat" ;)
Tommy says, "Owkwerdzzzzz"

From the Home of Brown Babies & White Mothers

I just got a glorious package in the mail today that made this gloomy Wednesday very happy. This is why I love DIY'ers and Minnehappiness...
 Details are what makes art ART and life worth living.  I love all of the little things about this package.  It's screen-printed on one side with the promo font, it has a Big Quarters sticker that resembles a stamp in the upper left hand side, on the the upper right is a stamp that reads "Free Shipping" (the last track on the album), they included stickers (who doesn't like stickers!?), pins (coming back in style), a lovely artist's EP that Zach has been working with, and the ultimate personal touch: a signed picture with a shout to yours truly.  It all is very special.

Their attention to detail can be found in their music, especially in this album.  Things like the background sample of Brandon's significant other laughing in mid-thought ("Wipe the Dust"), the unique recording of screams used as emphasis throughout the record, the balancing of heavy drums and basslines with airy melodies ("All Day Long") that match the lyrical content perfectly, and the extended instrumentals to let that 'ish breathe.

The intricate details are all finely aligned and all of the pieces come together to make a very cohesive album.  It has all of the bases covered: knowledge drops ("Protection"), comments about the industry ("Barter System"), the grind ("Blessed"), tragic tales ("All Day Long"), dope instrumental ("Can't Won't"), one for the ladies that still bangs ("Ladies Know"), growing up ("One On the Lip"), and uptempo/experimental joint ("Free Shipping").

My favorite line on the album that I believe sums up what Big Quarters is all about:

"Forget what you put in, truth's in the puddin'.  Made in an instant, wouldn't taste your cookin' - GOOD LOOKIN!"

The State radio show broadcast featuring tracks from the new album with in-studio guest, Brandon Allday