Buzz Blog

This past weekend was filled with a near dozen different events ranging from fashion to art to pubcrawls to performances and a a few other random things in-between. So when the idea of covering a show came up this week as well, I was determined to hit up something different that doesn't get a lot of exposure in our music scene. So imagine my happiness when I discovered a Reggae show happening over at The Woodshed this past Thursday night.

 --- Playing to a crowd of dancers and people who just wanted to get out and enjoy the night, the band HeadEase played a double-set and carried most of the evening by themselves, with intermission from the dancehall dub-spinner DJ Dubwise Selecta. I got a chance to chat with both acts for the show, and got plenty of pictures for you to check out.

DJ Dubwse Selecta

http://www.youtube.com/user/dubwiseselecta1

Gavin: Hey Dub, first off, tell us a bit about yourself.

DJDS: Been Listening to reggae since I was eleven or so. My first introduction to reggae music was Steel Pulse's True Democracy. Being from Monterey, California where reggae has a very strong following it got into my blood at an early age and never left. Being 36 now I have been DJing for sometime now and have listened to enough reggae which has led me into a few reggae productions as we speak.

Gavin: What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite acts and musical influences growing up?

DJDS: My dad turned me onto reggae at a young age. But for artist and influences... Mikey Dread, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Roots Radics, Scientist, King Tubby and Lee Perry.

Gavin: How did you first start taking an interest in performing as a DJ?

DJDS: Watching Run DMC's "Mary Mary" video on MTV in 1987.

Gavin: What persuaded you to spin reggae music as opposed to dance and club like most DJs?

DJDS: Reggae is something that has meaning behind it. All music generally has a meaning but reggae if you really listen to it is geared more toward living a progressive life... being honest... not giving up... being just and fair to others and of course having a good time. Point is though reggae music keeps me humble and closer to God.

Gavin: What was it like for you when you first started heading out and performing?

DJDS: First DJing experience was at high school dances when I was still in high school... from there it has been all over the board from clubs to fundraisers to huge concerts. Always smooth sailing though.

Gavin: What's it been like for you working with Melted Records and Nipega Productions?

DJDS: To be honest with you I really don't work with them besides DJing for the band. They do have one of the best sounds in town and are becoming a strong force in SLC Reggae. I work with Rock Solid Studios for my personal production and am in collaboration with Natural Roots right now on there second album Free & Natural, that will be done in early June. Its going to break them into a national act, guaranteed! Hehe.

Gavin: Are there any plans in the works for recording a mix of material or just playing live shows for now?

DJDS: I have a YouTube channel that has grown huge domestically and internationally due to all the rare reggae vinyl that I have and post on it. I put up rare 7" 45 singles, 12" singles and mixes. It is "dubwiseselecta1", very large selection on there of rare reggae and mixes, and subscribers are growing at a very fast pace!

Gavin: Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene, both good and bad? And is there anything you believe could be done to make it bigger or better?

DJDS: I think the local music scene is good over all. It is harder in a tough economy to get people out to the clubs, but there is plenty of talent in all the different genres represented locally. I really can't take hearing any more Sublime/Slightly Stupid/311 influenced bands that sound is eating away at me for some reason. I like roots foundation reggae, ragamuffin and rub-a-dub style, no other personally. Locally I quite enjoy Natural Roots of course for the solid roots style and amazing song writing, Carlos Cornia has an unmatchable sound with quite talented players of instruments also spread a very conscious message that needs to be heard, Ray Leger is coming up hard and he is a great performer on stage, HeadEase is a blend of many different back rounds of music which culminates into a cool very captivating dub style with all the delay effects and reverb. All the local DJ's in reggae have such a different style, its nice to hear all the different selections and all of us get along so good and have been getting together more often lately to showcase our talents. Music is tough, more work than money you have to love what you are doing of course. I think the cities could do a better job promoting their local talent with summer evening shows.

Gavin: Being a DJ, what's your take on the club circuit and the music getting played these days?

DJDS: Its tough to run a club... your depending on a DJ's, bands and promoters to bring people in to spend money at your establishment. High stress! There are so many people trying to do music nowadays. Back in the 90's you would see signs in bars saying "DJ Needed" or in the help wanted ads. Now DJ's will play for free! So its tough to make money. You could have a gig one week then get shut down the next... so you gotta be a force to keep a job.

Gavin: Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?

DJDS: The next year is totally dedicated to Natural Roots album along with promotion and touring. They are opening for international reggae star form Italy, Alborosie, on June 8th at Club Elevate which will be huge!


HeadEase (Carlos, Kofi, Stixx, Jorge and Cyd)

http://www.myspace.com/headease

Gavin: Hey guys, first off, tell us a bit about yourselves.

Cyd: We are comprised of six core members. Stixx on drums, Jorge on bass, Carlos on keys, myself on guitar, Kofi on vocals and Kaz on percussion. The backing band have been jamming together for about two years, Kofi was a great addition in August of last year.

Gavin: What got you interested in music, and who were some of your favorite acts and musical influences growing up?

Cyd: I was mostly influenced by Sublime, my musical awakening happened when I was sixteen driving and listening to them. I decided I wanted to be a musician when 2 & %uFFFD White Guys performed at my senior graduation party, they didn't play 'til 2AM but I was stoked!

Gavin: How did you all come together to form Headease?

Cyd: The backing band played in a cover band called Know Ur Roots from 2008 to the summer of 2009. The singer wanted to take the band in his direction. He took the name and the "band" stayed together.

Gavin: What influenced you all to do a faster paced form of reggae?

Cyd: I love to groove! Playing heavy reggae with Stixx comes natural, he was a heavy metal drummer for over fifteen years! Playing reggae was a difficult move for him but he feels the music in his soul, it sounds natural to me.

Gavin: Being relatively new, how has it been meshing your styles together and making it work for a live performance?

Cyd: Kofi is the new addition. His style ranges from traditional to dancehall to Reggae. We had to listen to his ideas and Jorge was the one who really grasped his idea and made it happen for HeadEase.

Gavin: What's it like working with Melted Records and Nipega Productions?

Cyd: Melted Records is actually a project of Carlos and I. We got kicked out of our first place for excessive jamming. We are sorry to our old neighbors but they never talked to us about turning it down. Melted Records is really a jam spot now but we are working on getting the right materials for a quality studio. And Nipega Promotions is my project, its more of an outlet for me to book different band other than my own at The Woodshed.

Gavin: Are there any plans in the works for recording or just playing live shows for now?

Cyd: That our first priority. We really want to get our music out there and that means it will have to be free to each individual. If its used to sell a product we want to receive our fair cut.

Gavin: Going state-wide, what are your thoughts on the local music scene, both good and bad?

Cyd: Awesome! Utah needs more reggae! It is enlightening music and the people need it.

Gavin: Is there anything you believe could be done to make it bigger or better?

Cyd: More cooperation with local bands, working together to make the scene.

Gavin: Aside yourselves, who are your favorite acts in the scene right now?

Cyd: Afro Omega, 2 & %uFFFD White Guys, Carlos Cornia and Codi Jordan

Gavin: What's your opinion on the current airplay on community radio these days and how its affecting local artists?

Cyd: UtahFM is a great place for new artists. We hope KRCL will show us some love.

Gavin: What's your take on file sharing these days and how it affects you as musicians?

Cyd: We are still getting our name out. File sharing is the best way for us to grow.

Gavin: What can we expect from you guys over the rest of the year?

Cyd: An EP and a ton of great shows!

Gavin: Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?

Cyd: Dan Sharp, Roots Rawka, Tanimon and Rock The Boat entertainment, beer, The Woodshed, Dave at Piper Down and Bronte from Afro Omega.