Published: May 4, 2009 12:11 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight May 2009 Edition
Kongcrete
Kongcrete
If you are a fan of such great bands like Rage Against Machine, Public Enemy, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, then you are going to flip when you hear Kongcrete. The fusion of Rock, Alternative, and Hip-Hop into a brilliant sound that Kongcrete has created will blow you away. Kongcrete promises to take music lovers into the next stage of music, and we feel they have what it takes to do just that.
Isaac: How do you sum up 2008 for Kongcrete?
Kongcrete: 2008 was a year of ups and downs. Although we released our album in the spring of 2008, we were still navigating our way around the music industry, trying to connect with managers, publicists, and lawyers. We're learning that the music biz is very much more a marathon than a sprint. Unlike what Hollywood would have us all believe, bands just don't go big overnight. That's not how it works. 2009 will be the same for us as it was in 2008. A lot of hustling, viral marketing, knocking on doors, finding new fans, and turning them into believers. If you know of folks who would like to join our team, please let us know.
Isaac: What do you feel was the group's biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Kongcrete: Getting the album done was a huge milestone for us. It's the product of nearly 4 years of songwriting, creative differences, and all the technical aspects of recording and engineering. We're really proud of this album. Carlos Huantes, the conceptual artist for Star Wars designed our album cover. Vlado Meller of Universal Music, a music legend, mastered this album. It's our baby. And we know it'll grow big. No fillers. No hype. We just need to put it out there now.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in New York City.
Kongcrete: From a fan's perspective, it's great. Acts, both big and small, are always here performing. Fans have choice no matter what genre. From an Indy band's perspective, it's tough. We're dealing with a lot of competition here, not just from U.S.-based acts but also international ones. NYC requires musicians to step up or get the fuck out. There's no in between. It's an international city with a tremendous amount of talent and high expectations. Fans have a lot of choice. Single song downloads is the new business model for the music business in general, so winning fan loyalty is not easy.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Kongcrete: Vlado Meller is a legend. And he has worked with just about every artist who's been a huge influence on us: Public Enemy, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down. We're also big on Pink Floyd, AC DC, Jane's Addiction, Sound Garden, Led Zeppelin, Jay Z, Run DMC. Our influences aren't confined to any particular genre. What matters is the attitude and energy these guys put into their work. That raw live energy that is authentic and honest. That's what we try to convey through our music.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Kongcrete: The music industry is starving for rock and hip hop that is not sugar coated and simulated. Pro tools editing and the quick turnaround demanded by major labels have turned modern commercial music into a fast food industry. Timbaland's recent collaboration with Chris Cornell is a tragedy. The technical skill of playing a real instrument, its nuances and imperfections, the epic journey that music is supposed to take you on and the long struggle and thought that musicians must put into their art….these things are rare. There will be a return to these fundamentals and a backlash against fillers and empty music. We think our form of ghetto rock will be a major force. We're talking about a fully integrated urban sound with heavy doses of honesty. We work our asses off on every song to make it perfect.
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Kongcrete: Our dream is to one day work with legendary producer Rick Rubin.
Rick, if you're reading this, please check us out. We would be hugely honored to work with you!
We'd also love to do a show with Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Rage Against the Machine, Hed PE, and System of a Down.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Kongcrete: Raw, loud, edgy, angst-ridden, honest, vulgar, bold, daring….with heavy doses of hip hop and rock. Ghetto rock, muthafucka.
Isaac: What is your definition for Rock Music?
Kongcrete: Rock - like hip hop - is not music per se. It is a process and way of living. It is the process of being who you are and not being afraid to express it. Period!
Isaac: What type of feedback have your received from your recent album?
Kongcrete: We're honored by what Public Enemy's team had remarked about us. That we possess the same spirit as PE. And we're always humbled when we hear from our fans who love the album and who unsolicitedly remark that it will be a matter of time before the rest of the world will know about our music. These are strangers who are parting with their hard-earned money to buy our music. Wow. That makes us work even harder.
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
Kongcrete: Everywhere. MySpace, iTunes, Last.fm, Amazon, etc.
Isaac: What can fans expect from Kongcrete in 2009?
Kongcrete: More gigs. And we're currently developing material for our second album. It'll be bigger sounding, more melodic, and multi-dimensional. Different bun, different meat, different cheese, but same secret sauce. Ghetto rock.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
Kongcrete: We thank them everyday. They know who they are.
Isaac: Final words from Kongcrete?
Kongcrete: Thanks for letting us speak with you.
We always like to hear from our listeners. Hit us up on MySpace or Facebook. We read every note. We're grateful for you.
