The Closed Sessions EP Vol. 1 contains 14 tracks, and 9 original songs, all created at SoundScape Recordings in Chicago, IL. The songs were created under a simple idea, take talented artists, put them in a studio with other talented artists and producers, give them access to high quality production, and just get out of their way as they do what they do: create great music.
That's exactly what DJ RTC and RubyHornet.com have done on The Closed Sessions EP Vo1. 1 featuring music and videos from some of Hip Hop's most talented artists such as Curren$y, Bun B, Tanya Morgan, Kidz In The Hall, GLC, Chip Tha Ripper, Amanda Diva, Emilio Rojas, Big Pooh, and more.
The free EP includes 9 original songs as well as 5 interludes, liner notes containing the story behind each track as well as individual artwork for each song, and links to each Closed Sessions video giving fans a look at the recording process.
Continuing the push for his upcoming solo debut Don Cusack In High Fidelity, Donwill of Tanya Morgan recently sat down with popular internet radio site Last.fm to talk about his upcoming album, his group efforts with Tanya Morgan, the importance of properly utilizing social media networks as an artist, and more. Opening the interview, Donwill offers insight on the relationship that has developed between Von Pea, Ilyas, and himself over the years. Having been together since 2006, Donwill explains the camaraderie and support system the three have built, even with friendly competition, saying, "Now that we have this total creative autonomy and space, we want to make sure to be pretty sensitive of the fact that we need each other at this point." Back to his own music, Donwill wants people to understand the title, Don Cusack In High Fidelity, is more than just a title, it points to the theme ingrained throughout the entire album and the cult-classic film High Fidelity from which the album pulls inspiration. While some video content from the album in the future may stray slightly thematically in comparison to Don's already released video for "Laura's Song," he plans to keep the High Fidelity theme incorporated in all of the album's visual elements, as he prepares to release new videos in the near future. While Donwill covers his own career and upcoming projects throughout the interview, Donwill closes the interview offering advice for fellow artists as they engage fans and friends through social media. As an active member himself on social networks including Twitter and Facebook, closing the interview, Donwill speaks on the importance not only in being active on social networks, but how to best utilize social networks to reach and interact with friends and followers online.
Donwill's debut solo album Don Cusack In High Fidelity drops March 23, 2010, via Interdependent Media.
Donwill of Tanya Morgan talks about the producers for his project Don Cusack in High Fidelity and how he actually started making beats before he was rapping.
The craving for Donwill's solo album, Don Cusack in High Fidelity, can now be at least partly satiated - Donwill's Laura's Tape mixtape has finally arrived. Dropping just in time for Valentine's Day and mixed by DJ KingMost, who, in keeping with the High Fidelity theme, plays the role of DJ Rob Gordon, Laura's Tape is laden with hip-hop and R&B sounds alike. The first listen gives feelings of romantic evenings and picturesque dates, but listening closely to the lyrics, this mixtape is actually the story of a journey between lovers, making it the perfect mixtape for spending some quality time with your significant other.
Essential characters are introduced in the mixtape as each interlude is named after a character from High Fidelity. With interludes ranging in topic from couples fighting, to friends trying to interpret a woman's words, the tale takes form as a prelude to the Don Cusack full-length. The connection between the two projects is seamless. "The mixtape is a continuation of the album's concept," says Donwill about the movie-themed concept that ties both projects together. "In High Fidelity, the movie peaks as the lead character, Rob Gordon, is making a mixtape for his long-time love interest, Laura. This mixtape references that moment, and that's why I thought it fit so well with the Valentine's Day theme."
Although the mixtape is filled primarily with songs that fans will not be hearing on the official album, Donwill still managed to sprinkle in a few album previews with the inclusion of "Love Junkie" and "I See You," both of which are singles from Don Cusack. Overall, while fans will certainly recognize classic Tanya Morgan elements throughout the mixtape and forthcoming album, both projects will offer listeners a variation of sounds. "My solo album definitely represents a different sound for our listeners, and this mixtape is a great first taste of what's to come." Sounds like some pretty good treats for the Valentine's Day weekend, we'd say.
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"My newest project, "Animal Style!" is set to release next Monday, February 15th, everywhere online, so here's a leak from the project to whet peoples appetites. It's called "Victory Lapse", it features Donwill and Von Pea from the rap group Tanya Morgan, and is produced by The A3.
Everyday this week I will be releasing material from "Animal Style!" so I will greatly appreciate it if you post them on your site/blog/digizine/tumblr/etc! All the support I get from the hip hop community is tremendous and this project is my way of saying thank you.…so stay tuned…Animal Style is on the menu…02.15.10.…"
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#MM | Download | Laura's Tape coming this Thursday. Via by way of 2DB.
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Off Laura'sTape which drops 2/11 and is being presented by 2DB, Rocksmith Tokyo, IM Culture & Flud Watches. Also, check out the High Fidelity tour with Kooley High coming up soon.[via] Download
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