Winter Hits Oklahoma.

Jealous?


77 Oklahoman counties have been declared in a "state of emergency" as ice storms hit the midwest/northeast yesterday and over night. I love this weather, I was telling Ashley last night I think its magical...alot of my best memories with friends or marginally attractive women have been during our semi annual winter storms.

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO "TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN AN OKLAHOMA ICE STORM"

Grab some hot chocolate or a steaming cup of coffee...put some whiskey in that bitch, pop in a movie and enjoy the moment.

Rather waste an inclimate weather day on the internet? check out these fun and addictive websites: CLICK HERE

Love always,
saevio.is.deadly.

Why Flannel? (Production and Inspiration)

Anyone that knows me well knows that I am very much into the new era of hip-hop music. That is in no way discounting the earth shattering origins of our culture, I just didnt get addicted until fairly recently.
Before JBird came to my parents house one autumn evening with copies of Fantastic Damage and Deep Puddle Dynamics (forever altering my life), I was deeply immersed in indie rock acts such as The Appleseed Cast (PLAYING AT THE OPOLIS FEBRUARY 4TH!), and Benton Falls, as well as "Alternative Country" bands such as Wilco and my beloved Lucero.


(LUCERO)

This was a time in my life where my first love, gut wrenching unapologetic punk rock, wasnt challenging me musically...I needed something more, and the independent country sound totally filled the void in my soul.


(WILCO)

Now, in Oklahoma there is a huge movement called "Red Dirt Country Music"...and I find it very important to differentiate these two sounds. Red Dirt sounds like regular country music, albeit with darker, mostly R rated themes. The music that has inspired me comes from a different place, a different mindset--somewhere between Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson...instead of (sorry!) racist rednecks like Hank Jr. and David Allen Coe.

edit: I dont meant to offend anyone--I know everyone out here loves the red dirt stuff, it just never related to me.

Anyway.

In producing the new 8Bit album "Flannel", I have turned back to these magical sounds. It is a simpler sound, a pure sound. Alot of the album will be composed by myself, but definitely has some amazing samples from songs forgotten by time. My rhythm sequencing in the past has been very complicated, with lots of almost drum and bass inspired (even though i can barely stomach the stuff) patterns. I have dumbed this down, focusing more on the overall sound and complimenting the melody--instead of covering it up with 1,287 different drum sounds.

Dont worry though, it will keep your head nodding.

If you are interested in checking out some of the music I have been listening to for inspiration, I have composed a list of bands you may enjoy:

Sun Kil Moon
Bon Iver
Drive By Truckers
Uncle Tupelo
Jets To Brazil
Slobberbone

Enjoy!

On a side note:
We are fairly close to finishing the before titled "Long Way Home EP"...and have mutually decided to re-title it "Toothpick" now.

Sorry for ranting, its the coffee's fault.

Love always,
saevio

Blogs you should peep/OKC thank yous

Be sure and check out my man Quinn's blog.
http://thequinnwatson.blogspot.com/

Also, check out Kanye's blog. He has bundles of good stuff posted.
www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/

I would like to personally thank those that came out the other night for Awol One, Mine+Us and Dj Hoppa, with Jabee and 8bit Cynics. We love you. HAHA


Peace,
Binnsdoingitforlike12bulletsyadig?

And So It Ends...And Begins

The inauguration of the 44th president brings an end not only to the failed tenure of "Dub-ya", but also an end to a very exciting year of media coverage and political attention. Since the primaries began about a year ago, my gf and I have paid very close attention to the 4th branch, aka CNN, MSNBC, and other television channels(excluding FOX News) that chose to cover this election with a somewhat neutral viewpoint. I must say, it was a blast! The primary and general elections were so intense this year that it became a sport to us. We became "fans" of the candidate for change and we watched closely, with hopeful eyes, the journey of a mixed kid from Planet Earth become the leader of our country and the free world.

Spike Lee pointed out that this country has never had two consecutive days of such significance. It's fitting that MLK's birthday and the inauguration of the first Black president would be adjacent on 2009's calendar. Throughout this election, I kept the thought of Dr. King in my mind and in my heart, often wondering how he would feel had he survived the civil rights movement. His "Letter from Birmingham Jail" has stuck with me since closely studying it in college. The urgency in his words seemed to be powered by the slaves that suffered before him, and his actions seemed to be inspired by the same audacity of hope that president Obama carries.

There has been many memorable moments during Barack's plight to the highest leadership office. Like the look on Hillary Clinton's face as her and Bill watched a better candidate take "HER" presidency from the manly pockets of her woman suit. She must watch Ellen.

Another moment that sticks out is when John McCain had to quite the storm he and his campaign created when an ignorant old bat said that Obama was a dangerous Arab at a McCain/Palin rally. I'll leave Palin out of this because she was obviously out of her league...But what stands out way above every moment to me is the uncontrollable emotions of Rev. Jesse Jackson when it was evident that a Black man would be our president.

Jesse Jackson, who has had ups and downs in his public service career, has lived to see a dream. Jesse was with Dr. King at that motel in Memphis when that bullet ended the legendary civil rights leader's life. Like MLK, Jackson marched for civil rights and endured racial discrimination. I can't imagine the joy he experienced as he witnessed a nation rise up and vote for Obama just 40 years after the assassination of his friend Martin Luther King.

It has been a great journey into the heart of our country and the heart of ourselves. Lets build.

Awol One, Mine+Us and Dj Hoppa, Jabee

Monday, January 19th (OKC, The Conservatory) and Tuesday, January 20th (Lawton, The Railhead), Awol One and Mine+Us along with Dj Hoppa will be in the area for stops on their "Traveling Carnival" tour.I know that both these shows are in the early weekdays but we are very excited to have these cats coming through and I hope all our supporters can make it out. Awol One broke out on the scene with the legendary Shape Shifters crew from L.A. He has definitely made some noise in the last ten years earning a reputation for creating a very original sound.

Mine+Us and Dj Hoppa have been touring diligently the last couple of years and have established themselves as one of the dopest West Coast acts. They have also become good friends of ours. Be sure to pick up their latest record "Avantgardening: Cultivating Food for Thought".

Jabee will be performing with us at the OKC show and Komatrip will be closing out the night in Lawton.

I know it's hard to get out on the weekdays, but please come out and support REAL Hip Hop. As a group, 8bit Cynics are not only trying to establish ourselves as relevant artists, we are also trying to make Oklahoma a consistent stop on the Indie Hip Hop circuit. Please help us do so.

January 19th
Oklahoma City
The Conservatory

January 20th
Lawton, OK
The Railhead

2009 OKC Mixtape Awards

8Bit Cynics has been nominated for a couple awards at this years Oklahoma Mix Tape Awards. Click on the image above to vote for us and our fellow Puzzle People crew.

Other Puzzle People Noms:

OB-ONE - Producer Of The Year
Jabee - Artist Of The Year/Album Of The Year/Lyricist Of The Year
Addlib - Artist Of The Year (has my vote--i'm very impressed with his work lately)
Ronnie Harris - Lyricist Of The Year
Puzzle People - Camp Of The Year

Im very suprised DJ DL didnt get nominated for DJ of The Year, as well as Dewey Binns for lyricist. But needless to say, Puzzle People are represented all over the board in this years nominations.

GO OUT AND VOTE!

love always,
saevio

p.s.
the new flannel track is sickening...ill post some blue ball causing teasers soon.

Jackin For Beats...literally

Let me start off by saying happy new year to the lazy, no-job having, breaking and entering, sticky finger mother fucker(s) that broke into my humble abode and stole my recording equipment (including SL's mic and some of my records) when my better half and I were off in Las Cruces for the holidays. I hope you bastards ate your black eyed peas.



The culprits are either petty thieves that have nothing better to do than steal, or "up and coming" envious rappers that are literally out "Jackin For Beats". Talk about taking Ice Cube a little too seriously. For some disturbing reason, Lawton, America has an alarming theft problem (no pun). It exceeds Norman, OKC, and Tulsa in robberies per capita. You punks need to get a job. Take it from me, YOURE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT RAPPIN!!!



Other than starting 2009 off by coming home to a kicked-in back door, I'm excited about this year and I hope it is a great year for all my friends and family. The new and upgraded studio will be up and running very soon (at a disclosed location), and the recording of "Flannel" will continue. Till the next time, keep your hands out my pockets like Malcolm X!!!



Love,
Binns