Mayer Hawthorne - Timeless

The Michigan born and bred Renaissance man details his love for the south and the story of his hard work in music. Saturday night will be an experience for Atlanta and you can expect true musician Mayer Hawthorne and his team The County to really put on a show, giving you all of your monies worth.

Miss Solow Dolow: What are some of your favorite cities to perform in?
Mayer Hawthorne: Atlanta is definitely one of them. I love Atlanta and I’m super juiced that there are people in Atlanta that are digging my music.

MSD: Have you ever performed in Atlanta?
MH: I have and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever done. We did a show at the Drunken Unicorn and it was awesome. I love Atlanta.

MSD: What’s the nitty gritty of what makes Mayer Hawthorne, Mayer Hawthorne?
MH: Well…what you wanna know? [laughs]

MSD: Describe the concept behind the music you make. You have soul, rock, and a side of rap somewhere in the back that pops out. Tell those who don’t know, more about your music.
MH: That's about right. I try to make timeless music. Music that people will be looking for in thirty years, just like the music I’m digging from thirty years ago. It’s heavily rooted in soul but there is all kind of influences. I grew up listening to Motown and soul and then my parents put me on to The Beatles, The Hollies, and Queen. All of those influences are on my album. One of my favorite groups is the Smashing Pumpkins. I listen to a lot of rock music and reggae and you can hear a lot of that on my album. I’ve been a hip hop DJ/producer for the past decade and I never planned on recording a soul music record until Peanut Butter Wolf told me to.

MSD: What entertainers inspire a Mayer Hawthorne experience?
MH: James Brown, The Dramatics, The Temptations inspire the hard work ethic and care that go into the show that we bring. When you come to see a Mayer Hawthorne show you are not coming to see a concert, you are coming to see a show. We are not just standing on stage playing music; you are getting your monies worth. We work extremely hard and rehearse for countless hours on end to ensure that we are delivering the greatest show possible.

MSD: Who is the County and what do they do for your performance?
MH: The County is my live band. When I perform live, the County is my backing band. I played the majority of the instruments on the album myself, but I learned that I couldn’t play all of those instruments on the stage at the same time. I hired a group of my favorite musicians in the world that grew up with me in Michigan. If I had a million, billion dollars, these are still the guys I would want. I’m super, extremely lucky to have a band like this on the road with me. They make me look really good.

MSD: What music from Atlanta are you listening to?
MH: I’m a fan of anyone who is doing something creative and new; pushing music forward. I’m the hugest fan of Outkast and Atlanta is a fantastic breeding ground for artists and music.

MSD: You do a lot of covers. What cover would you do for the Atlanta audience?
MH: Covers are fun! We’ve been really working to do a cover of “Blame It On the Alcohol.” That would be fun. I don’t wanna give away the surprises but we have some really dope covers in store for Atlanta for sure.

MSD: What is your relationship with the other artists on the bill?
MH: Nikki Jean is on the tour with me. I’m a big fan of her music and really respect what she is doing. And I’m not familiar with Brittany Bosco but I’m definitely looking forward to her performance.

MSD: What can everyone expect on Saturday?
MH: Fun! You’re gonna get fun, surprises, and showmanship.

MSD: Nice.

Bosco - I'm Me

SCAD student turned international jazz star remains humble as she returns to Atlanta, Ga from overseas touring. She expresses the change in her career, life, and name as the jazzy crooner gets ready to release some Savannah soul on a southern crowd Saturday night. Introducing Bosco.

Miss Solow Dolow: How did you go from a SCAD student to international touring star? Bosco: I looked around my room one day and was basically thinking, “What am I doing here? I love fashion and all, but my heart will always lie with music.” I performed on campus at little spots and then decided to move to Atlanta to further my career a little more. There was one show here then it was a trickle down effect.

MSD: How exactly was performing overseas for you?
B: It was life-changing. I can say that I’m definitely not the same artist I was when I left the states. I just learned so much about who they are, how they perceive music and the way they see music. It’s not just about what you hear, but what you see. It encompasses the visuals too and I appreciate that about them. They are so accepting of new things, they’re not very standoffish. If it’s good, quality music, they accept it for what it is. I’ve learned to continue to do what I do and not conform to what society says is right or try to follow the formula to making it.

MSD: What’s the reason for the name change?
B: The reason for the name change, Brittany Bosco was a girl who knew nothing about nothing. I just wanted to sing. I didn’t know what I wanted or my sound. When I got back[from overseas], I was thrown into the whole hipster scene, but now I’m making my own lane. Bosco is more strong and confident in what she does. I have more direction. It goes with what I do now, bluesy, rock, soul type of thing. This is me and what I’m doing now.

MSD: What are some comparisons you receive now?
B: I get a lot of 60’s and 70’s artist comparisions, Janis and Tina. I listen to a lot of Sunhouse, Jack White.

MSD: What can people expect from a typical Bosco show?
B: It’s gonna be a different setup of musicianship. I’ve added a couple new layers. I don’t wanna put it all out there because I want people to come to the show and experience. It’s gonna be good, just know that. I don’t wanna say too much.

MSD: What artists influence your performance?
B: I love Allison Mosshart. James Brown. It’s ridiculous because the energy he has and he commands that attention from the audience. Tina Turner, Gladys Knight. I watch documentaries to get inspiration. As far as performance style, I just go inside. Half the time, I don’t know what is going on onstage and it’s like an out-of-body experience. I’m inspired by them but I don’t emulate. I know my set list and what I’m doing, but if I’m feeling a certain way from the crowd, I give them that. At the end of the day it’s not about you, it’s about the people. I refuse to put myself in a box. I can’t do that. It’s not natural for me.

MSD: Are you familiar with the bill?
B: It’s so funny how life pans out. I found out Nikki Jean was gonna be on the show, I was like “Holy Shit!” cause I really, really like Nikki Jean. I’ve been listening to her before I even hit the scene. She’s amazing. I don’t know the song name, but I’ve listened to Mayer Hawthorne. He’s really good and he has his own flair. I like him and respect his craft, what he’s doing.

MSD: What music do you like coming out of Atlanta right now?
B: I love the Judies, Wild Orchid, Dead Rabbit. The band Odist, their drummer is this girl named Sarah Wilson. She is talented! You find her! She is amazing. You have to see this girl play drums, like Shiela E2.

MSD: Are you excited about SXSW?
B: I am so excited and I can wait for everyone to see me perform! I have such high expectations for me and my crew. It’s gonna be great.

The Low Playlist Special Edition

Work is wack. It might keep me from this wonderful event taking place this Saturday. Mayer Hawthorne, Bosco, and Nikki Jean. Soul, R&B, Rock, Jazz, all in one damn place for $15. Ya'll need to get on your job if you don't have your tickets. Enjoy your weekend with these crooners and be safe. Playlist dolow and catch some Q&A with the bill following. Found the Brandy track at Singersroom and definitely feeling that Oddisee track with Nikki Jean. As far as the bonus video, that's ya'll business #smh. Love you all. (Sidenote: I just though track number 3 was sooo cute!) 1. Bosco - Welcome to Funkyolon 2. Mayer Hawthorne - Maybe So, Maybe No 3. A Noise Extravaganza - Oh Bosco! 4. Lupe Fiasco feat. Bishop J and Nikki Jean - Little Weapon 5. Mayer Hawthorne - Make Her Mine feat. Intuition 6. Brandy - Fear of Flying 7. Bosco - Black and White feat KidSyc (remix) 8. Mayer Hawthorne - Thin Moon (James Pants cover) 9. Oddisee feat. Nikki Jean - Tell the Truth 10. Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix) Bonus Video: Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce - Telephone

MSD TV

Hello dears, I've had an interesting morning following a long ass night. Enjoy the videos I have for you dolow. B.O.B. "Nothin On You" Tinashe "Mayday" (Everyone knows I love this track!) Reflection Eternal "In This World" Mayer Hawthorne "I Wish It Would Rain" (Catch them this wkend with Bosco) Kid Cudi feat. MGMT and Ratatat ---> Alternate Video (I never posted the first one)

Al Gator feat. Don Cannon

If you remember wayyy back in the day(Sept last year) I posted something about Big Tweezy. Well, the homey Blink over at Kickstand directed the video and that's what he does he fuxxin directs the hell out of videos! He's done Doc Wily, work with The Shoe Game, and more. Last time I heard, he was out in LA getting it in with the Oscars but for now we have this new video from Al Gator featuring Don Cannon. Enjoy dolow.

AL GATOR feat Don Cannon Directed by Blink Welch from Blink Welch on Vimeo.

Dj Sol Messiah Interview

Here a DJ Sol Messiah interview for the archives....enjoy. Edited by the bruhs at KickStand. Gotta love it. Also check out the new Al Gator joint featuring Don Cannon following this post from my boo Blink at Kickstand as well.

Riddim of the Week - Hard Times

Starting Monday off a little late but here we go. Everytime having hard times in some way so let's get it on with the Hard Times riddim. Produced by son of Joe Gibbs(Burning Spear riddim producer), Stephen Gibbs comes with one of the more lowkey riddims of 2005. Aparently the more popular tracks form this riddim that year was Luciano "Silver and Gold". Other artists that got on this riddim include George Nooks, Richie Spice, and Junior Kelly. I heart Junior Kelly. Enjoy the mix dolow! Hard Times Riddim Mix