Two dope shows featuring Nonsense artists going down this week that you definitely do not want to miss!



Tatame is an underrated spot to catch some really dope hip hop, and this night is no exception. Wednesday night should be, as they say, the 'jumpoff'- get there early, space is limited!



The following night, X:144 and SPS open up for SOLE and the SKYRIDER BAND. Have you been to Taste yet? It is quickly becoming a dope venue, especially with its (semi)-recently constructed stage.

Pictures and reviews to follow....See you out there.

This week at the Nonsense Records blog, we're delving into the various character types that you will no doubt encounter in your travels in the world of music, whether you are an artist, a fan, or both. Yesterday, we took a sneak peek at the surprisingly easy process it takes to convert into an underground backpacker. Today, we eavesdrop on one candid writer's run-in with the sworn-enemy of the hip hop head (and pretty much anybody who's cool in general)...
(SWIPED FROM WWW.HIPSTERSAREANNOYING.COM)

THE HIPSTER.

Making Music More Complicated Than It Is — A Rooftop Somewhere In Greenpoint, Sept. 15, 2002

John, 25, is a classical musician. Billy, whom John and I just met, is a hipster and a self-described 'musicologist.' John, a violinist, was educated at Juliard. I rarely ever get a chance to see him, but he happened to be free this night, and we happened to find ourselves at this house party, which was relatively hipster-free until we got to the roof. John's smart and handsome, but he's definitely not a hipster, and he doesn't like to tell people he's a violinist because he thinks it makes him seem dorky. Billy turns to us, his feeble little mop-head swinging languidly on his pale Midwestern neck, and slurps from his beercan. "You guys listen to music?" The tone is one of classic hipster faux-nonchalance, think James Dean thumbing his sideburns (gag), burping, smiling about something we don't know about, shaking his head. And this is chit-chat, this is back and forth, at least one would think so. But it's not, and I can already tell this isn't a question. This is a monologue; this is Billy's monologue, dressed up like a question. But John isn't a hipster. He doesn't have the pop culture burden that I have inexplicably gathered, one that allows me — that forces me — to differentiate between these 'types' of people. John's not cynical like me. Whereas I would have answered "No, I don't listen to music at all," John answers, enthused, "Yeah man, definitely!"

Billy's head swings again toward us, "Good, music's cool."
Billy's wearing a black T-shirt with a tear near the bottom, on the front it says "Dragons '86" in crumbling white silkscreen. He's wearing blue jeans and expensive diesel sneakers. He's got a 'tribal' tattoo on his right arm, which he's holding himself up with.
"Yeah, definitely," John says.

"So, what kinda music do you guys like?" Billy asks.
"Oh, I dunno," John says. "Rock I guess."
Billy sneers. He's getting warmed up.
"Cool man. Very cool," he says smiling. "So, ah, what kinda rock do you guys listen to?"
"Well, it's not just rock," John says. "I mean, I listen to all kinds of stuff. You know, a little of this, a little of that."
Billy switches arms. He's closing in on us, he's smiling.
"That's totally cool man, totally cool," Billy says.
"I guess so." John says, and looks at me, questioning. I shrug.
"So, like, what bands do you guys like?" Billy asks.
"Oh, uh, I like… well, hmm. I've been listening to all kinds of stuff lately. I like Radiohead."
Billy tries to look respectfully at John, but he can't. He's like dog taking a shit, once he's started, he can't stop. "Yeah, Kid A was alright," Billy says, his eyebrows raised in simulated empathy. "I mean, it was kind of a rip-off of Aphex Twin, but whatever."
"Um-hm," John says. But he's never heard of Aphex Twin, he's never heard of Kid A either, but he gathers it's some Radiohead song. "I dunno, I mostly hear them on the radio, so I don't really know any song names or anything. I like the guy's voice though."
"Oh yeah?" Billy asks. "Tom York, what a pud. I didn't know they put out any singles for that, since it was kind of avant. Fuck, I don’t listen to the radio, so I wouldn't know. I don't even have a TV."

"Oh yeah?" John asks.
"Yeah man," Billy says. "I'm kind of a musicologist."
"Oh, great!" John says. "So, uh, what kind of music do YOU listen to?"
"Shit man, I listen to everything. You guys listen to Emocore?"
"I dunno," John says. "What is that?"
"You ever hear of the Get Up Kids?"
"I don't know" John says.
"Oh, how about Death Cab For Cutie?"
"Nope." John says.
"Oh," Billy says. "Well, Emo is like, it's like Emotional, you know?"
"Like how do you mean?"
"Like, have you guys ever heard of Sunny Day Real Estate?"
"Don't think so," John says.
"Oh. Well Emo is like pretty hard stuff, with emotional lyrics."
"Oh." John says.
"Yeah, it's cool. You guys ever heard Jimmy Eat World?"
"I don't think so." John says.
"Shit man, what about At The Drive-In?"
"Nope" John says.
"Minor Threat?"
"Umm, I've heard of them."
"Embrace?"
"Nope."
"Hot Water Music?"
"No"
"Weezer?"
"Oh yeah!" John says. "Didn't they have that one video with the Happy Days thing?"
"I dunno." Billy says. "I don't watch TV."
"Oh yeah."
"Well, Emo is like pretty dynamic and shit. It's kinda like Indy rock, but it's more like Post-Punk, like Progressive and stuff."
"Hmm." John says.
"What about Rites of Spring?"
"Nope." John says.
"Yeah," Billy says. "Weezer's like the most commercial of the Emo bands, they're new album kinda sucks."
"Oh yeah?"
"Totally."
"They got that dude from that one group, you know that 80s band, The Cars?"
"Yeah," John says. "The Cars."
"Well they got that singer to produce this album and it totally sucks."
"Oh, too bad." John says.
"Yeah, but they sold out anyhow."
"Oh." John says.

There's a break in the conversation now; the three of us stare up at the sky. Billy's looking contented and ready to continue educating us about music.
"So shit man, you should check out some Emo dude," Billy says. "I guess you don't listen to music much huh?"
"Yeah. Maybe." John says.
"So like, what do you do anyway?"
"Oh," says John. "I'm a professional musician."

This is a pretty spot-on, hilarious, sad-but-true instructional course on how you too can be a backpacker. It's been floating around a few message boards/forums, can't find the original source, though...

HOW TO BE A BACKPACKER (FOR DUMMIES)

So you wake up one day and realize your taste in music sucks. And obviously, that means you suck as well. You're tired, frustrated, hopelessly unhip, and you're very sick of your Winamp playlist. But wait...... before you pull that trigger, consider this.

You need hip hop and you need it fast.

For your sake, I've set up a "How to be a backpacker" kit that's so easy, virtually anybody can do it. Don't worry. You'll be in touch with the little b-boy inside of you in no time. After this kit, you'll be keeping it so real that only other backpackers will understand a word you spit. So what are we waiting for? Let's begin.

A good backpacker is neck deep in underground hip hop records. Here's some to get you started:

Aceyalone - Accepted Eclectic

Mystik Journeymen - Black Sands ov Eternia

Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein

Anticon - Music for the Advancement of Hip Hop

Quasimoto - The Unseen

Atmosphere - Overcast

7l & Esoteric - The Soul Purpose


Start with these. Then supplement with some Aesop Rock, Buck 65, Solesides, Mr. Lif, and perhaps even a little Planet Asia. Throw in some a Kool Keith record for good measure and you're set.

Frat boys are starting to claim they're about the "real" hip hop. Show them who's boss by flaunting your superior tastes while STILL listening to all of their . Here's some of their favorites:

Jurassic 5 - Quality Control

Deltron 3030 (anything by Del)

The Roots - Things Fall Apart

Mos Def - Black on Both Sides

Common - Like Water for Chocolate

Dilated Peoples - The Platform LP

Reflection Eternal - Train of Thought

Method Man / Redman - Blackout


Bonus Credit: Try obtaining some tapes of local artists nobody knows about. This will be your secret weapon.

So now you've got your base. But you still look like a little new-jack. Pick up some certified hip hop classics to boost your credibility. People will think you've been in the game for years. Backpacker approved classics:

Nas - Illmatic

Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus

Wu Tang Clan - Enter the 36 Chambers

De la Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory

Pete Rock / CL Smooth - Mecca and the Soul Brother

Jeru tha Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East

Freestyle Fellowship - To Whom it May Concern

Gang Starr - Daily Operation

Feeling brave? If you're ambitious, you can take things even further. Convince 'em you were there in the beginning with these:

BDP - Criminal Minded

Public Enemy - It'll Take a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

NWA - Straight Outta Compton

Ultramagnetic MCs - Critical Beatdown

Run DMC - Raising Hell

Erik B. & Rakim - Paid in Full

Bonus Credit: Tell people you're from the Bronx. Tell them about Kool Herc, Bambataa, and Flash. You were there. Make them believe it.

(Know your elements)

There are a few more things you must learn before you blossom into a backpacker. Without delay, here you have it:

- If anybody asks, your favorite producers are Primo, Pete Rock, Automator, Prince Paul, and the RZA (but emphasize that you only like pre-Wu-tang-Forever RZA).

- You must learn to speak like a backpacker. Pepper your language with "knowmsayin" and refer to as many things as possible as "". You'll have to be patient. Try recording your voice and comparing it to some Busta Rhymes skits. Practice makes perfect.

- Wear T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, baggy jeans (not too baggy. you do not want to crossover into raver pants territory), and lots of hats and visors. Walk with a slight limp and never smile.

- Have diversity on your side. Backpackers get eclectic with Portishead, Esthero, Radiohead, DJ Shadow, and Amon Tobin. You can say your girl/boyfriend got you into it.

- You must like at least one Jay-Z album. It is a backpacker's obligation. This will save your when people claim you are an elitist snob.

- Smoke lots of weed.

So there you have it. It's really much easier than it sounds. If it helps, try setting a few hours aside each day to practice hip hop. Refer to UndergroundHipHop.com and read Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists. Go to shows, write some lyrics, learn to beatbox, get some 1200s. Learn about the elements and assimilate yourself into them. Quiz your friends and laugh at their ignorance. Confidence won't be so slippery much longer. Remember... hip hop is a way of life, and now you've got the shortcuts.

If you need further assistance... try to Discover Hip hop.

Ok! You're welcome.

Whole Lotta Press

As we begin this thing called 2008, let's catch you up to speed with all the press that Nonsense artists have received in the past month...

First off, X:144 is featured in December's Remix Magazine, where he discusses his production techniques on M.E., and explains his strategy in winning last year's Scribble Jam Production Battle.

Orlando Weekly also had some kind words to say about Tablehogs when they previewed last month's show at the Social:

"Run-DMC was the first to say a DJ can be a band, and Rakim nominated him for president. And the turntablist – packed with an arsenal of tricks, scratches and cuts that blow the imagination – is the god of the mix culture. This night’s special edition of Yes Yes Y’all, Nonsense Records’ hip-hop showcase series, honors the turntablist tradition in grand fashion with a team of DJs acting like a band. In this ensemble performance of homegrown dynamos, beatboxer Rubox Cube and DJ J.Storm lay down the rhythms while DJ Sureshot and the ever-ill DJ SPS provide the melodic instrumentation. This crew packs laurels (DMC and Scribble Jam champs). Go to marvel at the talent that exists in our midst."

And finally, Hakim Tafari was mentioned in Orlando Weekly's '8 Albums To Watch In '08' list. More info on that album coming to this spot soon...

Expect some big things from Nonsense Records in 2008!