Member Since: 02/12/2005
Band Website: reverbnation.com/theoutspokenwordsmiths
Band Members:This album was recorded during the first two months of 2009 on a zero-$ budget on Coast Salish (Lekwungen) Territory, popularly known as Victoria, BC, Canada. "Infinite Potential" is a moody journey through richly textured soundscapes and abberant philosophy, examing topics such as food security ('Modern Man,' & 'Chocolate Dumpster'), institutional and systematic violence ('Violence,' and 'Just Can't Ignore It'), and human rights ('Human Rights'). Using only their voices and a digital effects processor, The Outspoken Wordsmiths combine elements of hiphop and SLAM Poetry / spoken word traditions -- beatboxing, rhyming and singing (sometimes sweetly, often gruffly) -- experimenting with a variety of robust flavours, including smokey jazz (thanks to guest vocalist Chloé Smith), throat-singing, and gloomy metal. Uplifting and inspiring, this album is littered with golden moments and unique sonic treats.
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strong.cottonwoods -------------
strong.cottonwoods was (re)named by trees during the Dionysian dream that was a hiatus from his studies at the University of Victoria. Since then he has root'd himself in the mysteries of language and geometry. If the bastard lovechild of Walt Whitman + Billy Corgan were an M.C. Escher painting the canvas would surely hold the symmetry of a Mandelbrot s.cott.
His studies in the theatrics of professional wrestling have served s.cott:onwoods well during performances at Burning Man, the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, the Tell~n~Show, and a growing number of assorted venues across Canada. This beatboxing slam poet performs solo & as part of projects such as The BeatBoxing Pirates, Victoria Slam Team ('05 & '07), The Outspoken Wordsmiths & Odditory Presence.
Having since emerged from the gauntlet of institutionalized education, s.cott has begun what promises to be a decades-long process of unlearning & relearning. He's dedicated to building community, facilitating open and honest communication, and inspiring others to express themselves with reckless abandon.
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BLANK-SPACE -------------
Blank Space (myspace.com/314blankspace) is an individual independent artist that has been honing his various skills for the last 8 years. Alex is currently rooted in West Coast Salish territory (Victoria, BC), yet still performs all over the Canada on a regular basis, by self-managing / organizing tours/events on his own, and with the help of others. He also runs the startup cell of the National Microphone Association, an independent distribution association (http://myspace.com/NMAdistro), and tables shows/events across Turtle Island.
Holding the title, Halifax's 2006 DJ Olympics Beat Boxing champion, Blank Space has come to look in hindsight at the last two years of touring, as half of both the Soapbox Poets (myspace.com/thesoapboxpoets) and The Outspoken Wordsmiths as a load of experience under his belt and a satchel of knowledge over his shoulder. He has molded his art & expression into stage performances that have enthralled all ages, races and walks of life with his forward and cleverly-written Spoken Word, Slam Poetry and hip hop lyricism. Alex is also known for his spontaneous creative talents like beat boxing, breakdancing and freestyling, so don't miss his live performances.
PLUS!! Check out my personal pages for Musik, photos, video & more info
My Multiply.com site
My very own Myspace page
About "Victoria, BC"
The first people on this land were the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. They are a part of the Coast Salish ethnic group and descendants of the following family groups:
Kakyaakan, Teechamitsa, Whyomilth, Kosampsom, Swenwhung, Chilcowitch and Chekonein. Their ancestors lived in large cedar houses, in extended family groups that were self-governing. All household groups claimed specific living areas and areas where they could hunt, fish, and collect plants.
They occupied the area from Albert Head to Cordova Bay to the San Juan Islands (This includes what we know today as Victoria) . The language spoken was a dialect known as Lekwungen.
In another view Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, Canada, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The city of 335,000 is renowned for its natural beauty and mild climate, while the Pacific Ocean and majestic Olympic Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop.
Influences:Slam poets & emcees everywhere,Saul Williams, Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, Jon Lennon, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Charlie 2na, Jurassic Five, Fresh Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff, NOFX, The Offspring, Tom Waits, CR Avery, Mike McGee, Shane Koyczan, T.O.F.U., Barbara Adler, The Fugitives, RC Weslowski, Beastie Boys, Green Day, Josh Martinez, Kaleb Simmons, Rahzel, Buck 65, sixtoo, Rancid, Operation Ivy, Sublime, Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine, Michael Franti, Gill Scott Heron, Factor G, Vison, Aesop Rock, Nolto, Freestyle Fellowship, Sole, Alias, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Ani Difranco, Bruce Cockburn, Tracy Chapman, Buddy Holly, Steve Taylor, Pink Floyd, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Andy Kaufman, Abby Hoffman, Weird Al Yankovich, Adam Sandler, George Carlin, The Jerky Boys, shayne avec i grec, Dragon, Shadetree....... the list goes on + onNational Microphone Association (NMA)
Sounds Like: A thundering lullaby that'll put your cynicism to sleep.
Record Label: NMA (The National Microphone Association)
Type of Label: Indie