After listening to the Once Upon a Time EP from Youngs a.k.a Landon Wordswell I was left with so many questions about the man and his music. So I took the time to interview the up-incoming emcee who has only left me wanting more. Enjoy!
MixedGirl: Where are you from???
Youngs: Well, I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and quickly moved to East St. Louis then moved to the suburbs of the southwestern Illinois area where I spent most of my life. However, for the last 4 years I have been in Normal, Illinois. I originally moved there for college. Now I just kind of call it my stomping grounds.
MixedGirl: How long have you been a artist???
Youngs: It kind of depends. Ive done Poetry for quite some time, but I was inspired to pick up the pen years ago. I would say about 6 years ago. I started taking it seriously about 3 years ago.
MixedGirl: Why did you decide to be a artist???
Youngs: It first came to mind when I would listen to hip hop music and want to make people feel like I felt listening to the likes of Black Star, CL Smooth, Rakim, and the like. At this point is when I really started to swallow the fact that underground hip hop was hard to digest for most. I liked this about it so I really went in and focused on honing my craft.
MixedGirl: Why did you choose your stage name???
Youngs: Well, as of now I have two. Youngs came about because before I started writing I would freestyle. Often. Never write, just freestyle. Most of the time it was with older cats that kind of gave me the name and it stuck. My a.k.a was brought up by myself though. If you really, really listen to my catalogue you will hear songs with rhyme schemes that aren't necessarily easy to mimic. I wanted a first and last name kind of moniker that embodied my punctutual rhyme rhythms and witty punchlines. Punchlines that most pepl cant catch the first, second, or third time around. So I went with Landon Wordswell. as in "landing words well". So whenever I create an album using mostly that style you will see that name in the credit info.
MixedGirl: Why do you want to emcee???
Youngs: Because I have a way with words and I don't have a way with vocal stylings ha.
MixedGirl: What are your major influences past and present???
Youngs: You are. People are. I dont get influenced by my favorite artists too much, unfortunately. I dont turn on music to find concepts and new innovative songs. Often times my music is extremely personal and it's topics come from conversations had or situations brought to light. I dont listen to my favorite artists to emulate - I listen to colleagues to create.
MixedGirl: What made you make a whole album based on story telling???
Youngs: Well, if i do albums I like to make them count. I wont mislead you and tell you that I dont gas up a verse once in a while. Its fun so why not? Artists have to understand that its no place for an EP or Album though. Those are personal. You show off your skill and wordplay on mixtapes. Thats my take on it. I dont want to listen to someone talking to and battling the invisible emcee for 15 tracks. So every EP and album should have a conceptual idea that molds it.
MixedGirl: How do you come up with your song concepts???
Youngs: As far as Once Upon a Time goes. those stories are all 100% real. From real life. As I said earlier, life and people inspire me. I gather my concepts straight out of conversation. A lot of times my family will hear my lines and call me right up! There is a connection to what Im writing and what we were speaking on. Especially my mother, we have a lot deep conversations that make it on my albums. Without her I'd just be another gas rapper. ha
MixedGirl: How do you link up with the producers on the project???
Youngs: It kind of depends. Sometimes the Producers come to me and sometimes I come to them. Soultree was an odd occurance. We had already put together 4 tracks or so then I called them and brought that to their attention. After that we made a few more and called it an EP. Thats why I love it. It just happened.
MixedGirl: Where can we find more of your music???
Youngs: Well, I tell people all the time that its easier just to google it. there are freestyles out there and promo songs that I'm proud of and that are catching some ears. If you type in Youngs a.k.a Landon Wordswell, something should pop up. my myspace is getting dated lol. I need to update, but its
www.myspace.com/ayoungss
MixedGirl: Do you have a favorite song on the cd???
Youngs: I'm assuming you mean the Once Upon a Time EP? ahh I actually dont have one at all. I like Bang. I cant really call it because these are all songs from real events that made me feel different ways and affected my life and friendships accordingly. If I HAD to say it though, it would probably be On The Run for obvious reasons. "The Life & Times of The Life & Times" so to speak. Its about me! ha and that I dealt with break ups, falling off with friends due to the profession, being on the road, burning bridges. This all affected me directly.
MixedGirl: Are you planning to tour???
Youngs: Yes, I am doing a tour this spring, summer and fall. The spring one will be in the states. I'll be in Tucson first, but then I get to California, Oregon, and Washington (state). I will then gradually make my way east.This summer will be a joint tour though. I will be with Savant of RAREBREED and James John of The Divine Minds. We are all in the same music group (RAREBREED Extended Family Music Group). We will be hop, skipping, and jumping to 7 countries in the time span of 6 weeks. So it should be fun.
Then I will be touring in Japan this year in the Fall if all pans out. I will be with Swing-O a.k.a 45. He is a well taken producer of Oragami Records in Japan.
MixedGirl: If so how so fans get tickets and other information???
Youngs: It is all promoted thru various artist in the respective towns. Thats the beauty of underground. I will be opening for various artists so if its in your town, it will be promoted.
MixedGirl: What are your future projects we can look forward to???
Youngs: I have alot of things stacked up all the way to 2012, but ill finish out this year with an EP with DJ Green of Portland. that will drop this March. It is an EP about growing up and its a quite nostalgic and very relatable to anyone that has ever had a childhood. ha. thats what we are aiming for on that one.
Then there will be a drop in May of my LP entitled the Remote Controlled Revolution. It is entirely produced by DJ Mozaic out of Michigan. The man is a genius. The idea behind the album and name is referencing Gil Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Its a project that is engulfed in a deeper meaning of stereotypes. That breaks down the classes of lower, middle and upper. Its all in the media, kids do what they are told when they hold the remote control. Its really an intricate and developed idea, but the whole premise of it is the age old question "does the media mirror the people or do people mirror the media".
Then by the years end, there will be a drop called "The Medicine Cabinet" it features 5 tracks. All medicinally named. The beats are crafted by TruThird & Soultree. Truthird has 4 tracks on the EP and there is 1 track by Soultree. Im excited about it. Its chill music.
This will close out the year. I can't NOT (ha) tell you about the Triangular Trade EP coming in 2012 though. Please keep your eyes open for it. It is produced by Grandpa-J and his beats are tag teamed by Savant of RAREBREED & I.
we all work pretty cohesively in RAREBREED Extended Family. Here are a few things that have dropped from there that I TRUELY listen to everyday. These are gems. ha.
MixedGirl: What's your favorite song that you've recorded???
Youngs: The last one. If you're not focused on getting better with every rhyme, you arent an artist anymore. Thats should be the goal. You wont hear it for sometime, but I promise you I'm progressing. ha. I like where it's at though. Every CD from Once Upon A Time on will give you more and more. I really understand the feeling Talib had in "Right Now". The Masses are just now hearing The "Once Upon A Time" EP and it was from 2008 era. Its 2010! ha I am currently writing stuff now that wont see the light of day until 2011 and 2012.
I appreciate you supporting the music and REF, and thanks for the interview. Keep in touch.
Peace & Progression
www.LandonWordswell.Bandcamp.com
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