BLVD featuring MC Souleye
A spontaneous collaboration has led to a full-time
partnership between four young emerging artists, as
Colorado-based MC Souleye joins instrumental San
Francisco trio BLVD on the road and in the studio.
Consistent West Coast touring has brought this
collaboration to the vanguard of the live electronica
movement and continues to break down boundaries
between dance club culture and the live music
community. The synthesis of these two scenes is at the
heart of BLVD's primary focus since the band's
inception in 2003. BLVD's live interpretations of what
are generally considered to be electronic musical
forms blend naturally with MC Souleye's conscious and
rhythmic approach to rapping. Together they create a
dynamic sound with broad appeal.
The two joined forces after an impromptu performance
at Gem and Jam Festival in Tucson, Arizona in early
2007. It was clear to fans and the band members alike
that Souleye's freestyle rhymes fit perfectly with
BLVD's fresh sound, thus creating a powerful and
unique fusion. The foursome toured consistently in
2007; during this time the set list progressed from a
primarily free-style performance to Souleye now
performing written songs which will appear on his new
release Balance in Babylon and the upcoming
BLVD/Souleye album.
Fusing live instruments with electronic production
techniques, BLVD combines elements of hip-hop, house
and breakbeat to create a refined and progressive
musical experience for its audience. Drummer Dylan
McIntosh and bassist Tripp Bains lock into deep,
subwoofing grooves while electric guitarist Curtis
Sloane adds tight, rhythm based, melodic progressions
and heavily effected looping patterns. BLVD improvises
just enough to lead audiences through unexpected
segues and hands-in-the-air crescendos. As a trio,
they rely heavily on their skills in the studio. By
creating samples and synth lines they combine an
organic live sound with the repetition and structure
of electronic music.
BLVD's eponymous, self-released debut live album
(2004) was recorded almost entirely live at the Bay
Area's prestigious Ex'pression Center. The trio
followed this with their second independent release
Before We See the Sun (2006), produced by duo
Chocolate O'Brian (No Doubt, Flipsyde) and featuring
various guest vocalists. BLVD recently finished their
third, all instrumental album, Digital Disorder,
released December 10, 2007 on San Francisco's Cyberset
Records. The band is also featured on Souleye's
forthcoming solo album Balance in Babylon, co-produced
by BLVD drummer Dylan McIntosh and due for release in
summer 2008.
Bridging gaps between hip hop, drum & bass,
electronica and funk, Souleye has emerged as one of
the most sought-after MCs in the live music and dance
club scenes. Since winning a Relix magazine artist
spot on Jam Cruise in 2006, Souleye has collaborated
with such artists as The String Cheese Incident,
Michael Franti and Spearhead, The Glitch Mob and
Bassnectar. His completely improvisational lyrics
allow audiences to engage in the creation and
collective energy of the music. This freestyle,
conscious wordsmith also creates a fresh fusion of
written songs, recorded on five albums in six years,
including his 2006 release Intergalactic Vibes and his
upcoming release Balance in Babylon. Eschewing foul
lyrics, Souleye is nonetheless a force onstage,
creating a live experience of sound and spirit that
has made him a hit with crowds all over the U.S. as
well as at festivals such as Coachella, 10,000 Lakes,
Wakarusa and Joshua Tree Music Festival. Souleye's
partnership with BLVD is a natural convergence of two
unique yet like-minded styles, and continues to earn
these four talented artists even greater recognition
and devoted fans of many diverse musical tastes.
