Arts&Entertainment Q&A with Canadian hip-hop artists Swollen Members BY TROY FARAH • THE LUMBERJACK anadian hip hop group Swollen Mem- hooking up with of Souls of Mischief, Strong LJ: What new directions did you take to us, and judging by the projects they did bers just dropped a new album, Armed Arm Steady and Mr. Brady. They’re doing with ATTT? in the past with Cypress Hill, Kottonmouth Cto the Teeth, and recently passed by their own tour, and we ended up crossing P: We added this hungry young cat, Tre Kings, they have a great work ethic. It’s Flagstaff’s Orpheum Theater on Oct. 27 while over on our first show of the tour. So it all Nyce, and he reconnected us to the sound opened us to a whole new world of listen- on tour with Big B & The Dirtball, Common started out with a positive light. that’s going around today. We’ve been in the ers. Market, and Bliss n Eso. The Lumberjack had LJ: Have you been to Flagstaff before? game long enough and instantly see the qual- LJ: How is the Canadian hip-hop scene the opportunity to sit down with Prevail (Ki- P: Yeah, but it’s been a while. We’re ity in a song. We wanted to make sure that different from the U.S.? Which do you pre- ley Hendriks), one member of the troupe, to looking forward to coming back. It’s been we came out with something new and fresh, fer, and have you seen a larger following in ask the representative of Swollen Members a too long. yet current for our listening audience. the United States since the band formed? few questions. LJ: Tell me about your new album, LJ: What guest appearances do you have P: The work ethic is the same among Armed to the Teeth. on the album? Any favorites? those who really take it seriously; the real The Lumberjack: How did you get an P: This is definitely our most energetic P: Bollywood Chick is the lead single, difference is a number game. The popula- interest in hip hop originally? Where did it album with lots of momentum. It’s some- and we just shot the video for that in L.A. tion in the U.S is 10 times the population in all start? thing for all the Swollen Members fans that It should be released very soon; it’s just in Canada. We have a great history in the U.S. Prevail: My cousin came over from the have been with us since the beginning -- final edits, and we’re excited. There’s a good It’s traceable. People say to me, “I remember East coast with a tape, and as soon as I heard people listening since Balance. It’s got street chance it will be our most highly accessible seeing Swollen Members five, six years ago.” it, I knew it was something that I wanted to energy, got some club bangers. We were in video. The album features Everlast and Slain Back then, we were just barely laying down do. It peaked my interest as soon as I heard the studio for two years, did a lot of experi- of La Coka Nostra, Tre Nyce waving the the foundations. We didn’t know that it was it. I was on the flipside -- it was heavy metal menting. We’re not afraid to try different Battle Axe flag, Glasses Malone, Agony and all going to lead to this. It left a paper trail, that I grew up on, but hip hop was such a styles, and with that mentality, we erased Strong Arm Steady. as I like to call it. new art form, and I felt I was becoming part any boundaries. LJ: What’s it like under your new la- of something unique. We were living in the Battle Axe For- bel, and have you noticed any differences in Swollen Members will be wrapping up LJ: How is your current tour going? tress -- set up in a big studio and flew back management or distribution opportunities? their tour over the next five weeks, stopping P: Dope, man; we’ve been killing it. The and forth to Vancouver. We definitely con- P: Beautiful. We have a great relation- in their hometown, Vancouver, Canada on beginning was real dope, and we ended up centrated most of our effort in that area. ship with Suburban Noize. They’re real good Nov. 12. from KARAOKE p 20 offers unpredictable performances. our karaoke,” Heika said. “We just want ev- “We’re big on live music,” Dalaba said. erybody to come out and have a good time. “When it comes down to it, karaoke is live We don’t always necessarily give the cash music. For people who don’t play instru- prizes to the best singers every time; it’s ments, this is their chance to let loose and also for the people who are having the most have fun.” fun. That’s what it’s all about.” Dalaba said The Green Room is cus- Granny’s Closet offers karaoke every tomer friendly because patrons can utilize Friday night, with the largest selection of their high-tech equipment. music choices in town. After devouring a “One of the advantages we have at our hearty meal, patrons of all ages can test out karaoke is our sound system,” Dalaba said. their vocal skills and jam out to anything “People can sing on the same system that a from Patsy Cline to Outkast. lot of major bands do.” “We have the best selection in town,” Once the vocal chords warm up at The said Tim King, the host of Granny’s Closet Green Room on Sunday and Monday, ka- karaoke. “Even if you can’t find it in the raoke-hoppers can join an American Idol- book, we most likely will still have it. That’s esque set of performances at The Hotel the great thing about our karaoke.” Monte Vista, which offers their version of Karaoke is taking over downtown karaoke on Tuesday nights. In a night filled along with similar musical stand-up events, with jukebox-rocking performances, up such as Open Mic offered at Mia’s Lounge to $50 in cash prizes are given away every on Wednesday nights and Taco’s Locos on week to the best entertainer. Thursdays. Richard Heika, The Hotel Monte Vista For more information about karaoke, bartender and karaoke host, said the event check out The Green Room’s website at is more about the adrenalin and crowd flagstaffgreenroom.com, The Hotel Monte Mike Thompson / The Lumberjack feedback than the quality of conduct. Vista at hotelmontevista.com and Granny’s Bars like the Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge provide locals and students with venues “You don’t have to be a good singer at Closet at grannyscloset.com. to sing karaoke, with drink specials, song playlists, and shiny disco balls.

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