SLIP

Name of Artist/Band? (Include all band members names and instruments played.)



--I go by "Slip" in the music industry, and I only really work with 2 bands. The 1st is a band that a close friend and I started way back in the day; its called Rickshau. The other isn't really a "Band" but more like a group of artists from every field of creativity. The public knows us as The Heart Shaped Light Bulb, or HSLB. We wreck : )



Is your stage name trademarked?



--Its funny you should mention that, because I'm in the process of that now



What is your music background? (Who are you and your bandmembers? Tell your story.)



--Well as for Rickshau, its always just been an instrumental band that consisted of me and Brick of the HSLB. We've had vocalists before, but it would never pan out the way we wanted it so we stayed instrumental over the years. The music is dope though; its a lot heavier than one would expect being a Metal/Industrial band.



As for the HSLB--well, It initially started when Coast pitched the idea of a brand of music he would like to make. Brick and myself already had something in that field, and it worked instantly. Now its known as the titled song "The HSLB". But the motive behind the Heart Shaped Light Bulb is more than just making music-- Its our gateway for complete artistic freedom, and that includes visually too. You see, we work in an industry where we sometimes have to satisfy others before ourselves, and that drains us in so many ways. This is our outlet from all things political, and unsatisfactory. The Heart Shaped Light Bulb is our canvas to do US. The members consist of Coast, Brick, Myself, C Gunnz, DJ Eddie Deville, Prolifik, Toni Brown, and J Greezi. There is no leader of the group either; consider us all founders, and "members of the board" to a community. We work FOR the HSLB, and anyone who knows how to think outside the box qualifies for a position within our movement.



Why do you want to record and release your own music?



--Why not?? I mean, I already love creating it. What artist doesn't? Its only right that a god given talent be shared with the people who are willing to watch, and (or) listen.



Who is your fan/customer?



-- Thats a good question, and I admit- I ask myself that all the time. Truthfully I don't know; I suppose any one who feels the same way I do.



What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)



-- wow, man I enjoy making music that everyone relates to. Sometimes I make a song that expresses my political views; sometimes they're about missing my dad who passed away. Mostly I enjoy creating a message that can take a neg. and turn it into a positive. I think we all need that from time to time, but if what I'm rappin about sounds more negative then its obviously because its a negative experience I've gone through, and I'm just speaking my mind on it.



Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)



-- Yes. There really isn't a process; I gain inspiration from EVERYTHING, and apply it to my music. I just seen a picture the other day that I ended up saving on my phone, and I intend on applying that image into something Im going to write soon. Thats just an example though; A lot of times Im in a room by myself, and letting my mind drift, or wasting gas in my car at night thinking about everything, and music just comes to me be it melodically or lyrical.



Who are your musical influences?



-- My HSLB fam, John Mayer, Gnarles Barkley, Tupac, Gorillaz, Olafur Arnalds,Yiruma, Ryan Leslie, and the list goes onand on.and on and on and on. lol



How do you describe your music to people?



--It sounds like pots and pans being banged around, and a roster crowing every so often : )



What image do you think your music conveys?



-- Someone once told me Image is everything.I guess I don't obey my thirst. Ha, Im kidding



What are your immediate music career goals?



--This year in 2009 I'm in college. Getting my learn on.



How would you define the word "success"?



-- Another good question. Success is the accomplishment of goals that one sets out for him/her self. It doesn't necessarily mean that you've struck it rich financially because any adult can just so happen to hit the lotto with no effort if its their lucky day, but not every adult can stay motivated to achieve their goals. it just means you've done what you said you would do. To me, that means that my family is well taken care of, and that I've somehow made a difference in others lives. I'm really a simple man.



Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal? (Why?)



--Right now its more beneficial to be independent because it allows us as artists to bring more to the table. When you're with a Major they got to invest their money into you so you can get your project out, then they recoup the money over time. By being an indie you get the chance to learn the industry you work in hands on, and when it comes time to get that major deal, you and the circle of people in your independent label move up together, and thus you all bring more to the table. When this happens, your chances of a major deal are greater because you're less of a liability to them, and you have more options.



How do you rate your live performance ability?



--wow, to be honest I've only preformed on stage once in my life; it was at some hole in the wall bar too place was wack and full of drunken 40 somethings haha. I've really focused on the composition of music man, but that don't mean I'm not down to get on stage and do some jumpin jacks to entertain the people who've paid to see me : )



What city were you born in? Describe your childhood home and where it was



--Houston, Tx born and raised. I was brought up in my grand parents home; It was more of a broken home, but full of love none the less. It was Me, my grand parents, my dad, cousin, and uncle.



Where did you grow up and what was it like there?



--I grew up in a neighborhood called Oakwilde on the North East side of Houston. Its a place full of families that all moved in when each house was 1st built years ago so EVERYONE knows EVERYONE, all cut for each other there, and word gets around FAST sorta like a small town in a big city haha



What is something that you are really proud of and why?



-- My family. they're all a huge success through my eyes.



When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?



-- as a stand out. Not as a rebel, but someone who marched to the sound of his own drum, and did something positive with it.



S



Coast "Still Walking" Music Video from G Films on Vimeo.



COAST "I CAN'T COMPLAIN" MUSIC VIDEO from G Films on Vimeo.