Today has been a good day for Town music videos with emotive, well-developed narratives. Check below or here for the latest from Grieves (“Shreds”); and up at the moment is Sol’s “Tomorrow” (directed by Grammy nominee Jon Jon Augustavo) which follows a day in the lives of Sol and his crew of childhood friends. It’s something a little warm and fuzzy for this cold February afternoon.
Tag: eyes open
VIDEO: “Jump In” – Sol (Live at the Showbox)
Some tight footage from Sol’s recent sold-out performance at the Showbox. “Jump In” is the track; Stephan Gray behind the lens. Grab Sol’s latest EP, Eyes Open, here. And catch him on tour with Zion I all throughout January and February.
VIDEO: “The Making of Eyes Open” – Sol (presented by City Arts)
On the strength of his recent Eyes Open EP (and a very dedicated local fan base), Sol packed out the Showbox at the Market last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving — that’s no small task. City Arts collaborated with the rapper for this short documentary piece on the making of Eyes Open.
VIDEO: “Turn Me Loud” – Sol (dir. by Ryan Hills)
The stark, striking new visual for Sol’s “Turn Me Loud” was directed by Ryan Hills. The rapper is headlining at Showbox at the Market tomorrow night, but unless you bought tickets earlier you won’t be going. Shit’s sold out, dunny. Purchase Sol’s recent Eyes Open EP here, and read 206UP.COM’s insightful interview with the globetrotting MC here.
NEW MUSIC: Eyes Open – Sol
The road back home for Sol ultimately led to the road back to music. Eyes Open is the culmination of a summer spent in the recording studio after returning from a trip literally around the world. “Eight songs written on four different continents,” declares the MC in the press release. Purchase the record here or stream it below. And click here to read 206UP’s interview with Sol from a few weeks ago.
NEW MUSIC: “Tomorrow” – Sol (feat. Shayhan; prod. by Elan Wright)
Click album cover to pre-order on iTunes.
Sol let fly the second single from his upcoming don’t-call-it-a-comeback album, Eyes Open, set for release September 10 (click here or on the photo above to pre-order the EP on iTunes). “Tomorrow” features Shayhan and was produced by Zilla teammate Elan Wright. Sol spent a few minutes answering206UP’s THE SIX last week, click here to read the interview.
THE SIX: Featuring Sol
[THE SIX is a regular interview feature on 206UP.COM with a simple format: One member of the local hip hop community and six questions. For past editions click here.]
You probably know the story: Seattle rapper on the come-up graduates from the University of Washington and, just as his buzz starts reaching ears nationwide, promptly flees the country for parts unknown. If this sounds unfamiliar, then you haven’t been following the path of Sol, former winner of the EMP Sound Off! competition and, according to many Seattle rap denizens, perhaps the next to pull a Macklemore and blow up on a national level.
Maybe.
In the meantime, Sol continues to do it his way and on his terms alone, drawing respect and admiration from all corners of the Seattle hip hop community. He’s playing the long game in an industry holding a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately attitude, preferring quality over quantity — a unique precept that many Town artists, from The Physics to Blue Scholars, seem to share.
206UP managed to steal a few minutes of the MC’s time for this edition of THE SIX. Here Sol sheds illumination on his recent globe-trotting and what it means for his return to the proverbial “rap game”.
First off, Sol, welcome back to the United States. Before you left on your trip, what sort of trepidation did you have about going, especially as it pertained to your music career?
These days, people are so afraid of disconnecting from their routines and their comfort zones. On top of that, as [hip hop] artists we are constantly battling to stay relevant and competing for listeners. So the idea of detaching from this grind for a year brought about those obvious fears. But, ultimately, those are the same concerns that lead me to go on sabbatical in the first place. As an artist, you need to break that routine in search of inspiration. You must creatively operate outside of your comfort zone both artistically and physically. And finally, I plan to have a life in music and hope to make songs that stand the test of time. So a year away from the “rap life” is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Do you think your travels will affect the way you make music in the future?
I hope to be fortunate enough to enjoy a lifetime of travel. This last trip alone has instilled that as a priority for me. Every day, every time I write or perform I feel the experiences pouring out of me. I think as I tour and more new music is released other people will see it too.
What was the most interesting discovery you made in regard to how people in other parts of the world make or experience hip hop music?
Great question. Everywhere you go, youth are connecting with hip hop. The culture translates over and helps them express and deal with hardship. Seeing how the music sonically differs from continent to continent and country to country was super dope.
You talked somewhere about going to places that you specifically “shouldn’t.” Why was that philosophy important to you?
Most barriers come from within. We construct ideas of what we should be doing or where we think others go and follow. I, however, choose to abandon that approach and instead follow no path but my own. Both musically and personally it has led me to success and happiness so far, so why stop?
What was the last great book you’ve read, or movie you’ve seen?
Super random actually. I just re-read the 1897 original Dracula book by Bram Stoker. That book was so dope; it has had a cultural impact lasting for more than a century now. His ancestors should get Twilight royalties.
Tell us about Eyes Open, your next project due in September.
I came back to the United States after ten months of traveling around the world and had absolutely no idea what would happen next. I hit the studio heavy with my team Nima Skeemz and Elan Wright and created something beautiful. What this project is for me is the answer to a lot of questions. With my previous album, Yours Truly, I was figuring out who I was and defining my sound. With this project, Eyes Open, I am absolutely sure of who I am and what my purpose is. This is when I build my legacy.
NEW MUSIC: “Jump In” – Sol (prod. by The Zillas)
Sol revealed the first single from his upcoming Eyes Open EP (due September 10, 2013) yesterday. “Jump In” was produced by longtime collaborators the Zillas (Elan Wright and Nima Skeemz) and illustrates the close relationship Sol has with music. You could almost call it matrimonial.
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