unique techniques

Guante & Big Cats

Over the past few months, I’ve been doing extensive work with Kyle Tran Myhre AKA Guante.  On Halloween, we released a video for the first song on Guante’s newest project with producer Big Cats, and I think it’s some of the best visual work I’ve personally produced:  

In addition to this, we shot and directed a bevy of both poetry and music videos @ Bryant Lake Bowl with the help of Davin Haukebo-Bol (who is an amazing videographer in his own right:  http://davinhb.com).  Here’s one of those poems.

Big Cats (http://bigcatsbeats.com) deserves a post of his own, but I want you to read the entire story of his recently released album “For My Mother” for yourself, so you can understand the depth and passion he put into the project.  I captured the final culmination of this project on film @ the Cedar Cultural Center with the help of Davin Haukebo-Bol (http://Davinhb.com) and Mike Olson (https://vimeo.com/lumnivore).  

You can watch the entire show HERE:  

More to come…  

UTTHAI#01

My internet peoples!  First off, sixteen seconds of an elephant I met yesterday.  No big.  

It’s been a few months.  I’m sure at least one or two of you have been wondering, “Why hasn’t Unique Techniques released anything lately?”  I could write a book about what I’ve been working on, but, really, who cares?  There’s so much media being created every day, I’m sure the few of you who have been loyal to the interviews and videos I’ve uploaded since August 2011 have filled the void with GIFs of kittens, summer living, and instagramming food porn.  

I’ve been in Phuket, Thailand for less than a week and I’ve already surprised myself several times.  I’ve never traveled internationally before, and my oldest brother told me I would be blown away at just what I could muster up and DO.  It took me nearly 30 hours to get here.  Sleeplessness.  Fear.  Excitement.  Smiles.  Glares.  Quizzical wonderment.  Subtle head nods.  Bows.  Mantras…  

Dogma is a monster.  I’ve never thought of myself as a rigid person, but, since I’ve been here, I’ve quickly realized that I’ve lived my life as dogmatically as the religious zealots and Amuricuh-defending nationalists I shudder to be compared to.  

Last night, at dinner, a gentleman from Tennessee came over to our table and asked if he could sit with us, and we all said, “Of course!”  He was probably in his 50s and had a sweet southern accent that made me feel warm.  As we got to chatting, he said something I couldn’t put into words any better:  “Americans are lovely people, but they’re so into their beliefs that they’re afraid to live their lives.”  I realized I’m as guilty of that as the crazies I claim to be nothing like.  

The night before I left, I saw so many friends come out to wish me well, from all walks of my life.  Friends I’ve known for years and friends I’ve just made in the last month.  Friends who, if each wrote a paragraph about who I am, could honestly tell you more about myself than I could ever hope to.  I was standing with two of my MPP brothers near the grill, and there was a slab of ribs simmering.  Josh ate a small piece (for science), cut a chunk off for Phil, and there was a bite-sized piece left.  So I looked them both in the eye and said, “this is for you two, because I love you.” and I ate it.  That was the first dead flesh I had purposefully consumed in nearly 10 years, and (sorry to disappoint, Jackie) it was disgusting.  My first reaction was “sinew”, my second was “leather” and my third was “oily”.  But it also tasted like freedom.  Not a July 4th-hands-down-the-pants-chinese-made-flag-waving-swill-drinking-sadly-falsified-reflection-of-invisible-chained-freedom, REAL freedom.  From the person I’ve clung to in fear of… what?  Who?  Who have I been so afraid of becoming?

Who are YOU afraid of becoming?  Why?  I’d like to know.  Please, do share.  Send me a gmail or tweet @pcpmeltsfaces.  I’d love to hear from you.  Yes, you.  YOU!

I’m going to sign off with a picture I took yesterday.  I’ve always been anti-flag, because of what they have always represented to me.  Not this one.  Not today.  
 

 

Much love to my Twin Cities and beyond, from across the world and then some.  

UTvid#18: Truth Maze

MPLS hip-hop enigma Truth Maze stopped through the Unique Tecniques Studio in February 2012 and instead of doing a traditional song, I asked him to kick a beatbox with some old school flavor. As always, Truth did not disappoint.

UTintrvw#13: Desdamona

Download the Podcast HERE! UTintrvw#13: Desdamona

It’s about time I broke the trend of testosterone here at Unique Techniques. Desdamona, feminine half of the group “Ill Chemistry”, is an emcee, teacher, spoken-word artist, activist, and community facilitator. I met Des through my work at the Neighborhood House, but I don’t feel like we’ve ever had a conversation like the one you are about to be privy to. Join us as we discuss traveling abroad, Ill Chemistry’s new record, growing up with artistic influence in a small town, and the effect our construct of time has on our consciousness.

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

UTintrvw#12: Kevin Beacham

Download the Podcast HERE! UTintrvw#12: Kevin Beacham

Kevin Beacham cares more about hip-hop in the fingernails he cuts off than most mainstream artists do in their bones.  He is one of the few people I’ve ever met that have been able to make hip-hop work FOR him, while never sacrificing the passion or love for what got him involved in the first place.  Join Kevin and I as we discuss growing up on records, how he fell into hosting Scribble Jam, his work with radio + Rhymesayers Entertainment, and staying relevant in the ever-evolving world of music business. .

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

UTvid#12: Kevin Beacham

This is the longest video I’ve put up to date, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to cut off Kevin Beacham while he’s talking about vinyl.    I had originally asked Kevin if I could come out to his spot and check out his entire collection, but his studio seems to be in transition, so he brought over a crate to share his memories and knowledge of just a handful of records he feels are important.     

UTintrvw#10: Zac Hills-Bonczyk

Download UTintrvw#10: Zac HB

I talked with Zac Hills-Bonczyk a few weekends ago and found out how he discovered hip-hop through freestyle, an interest in theatre, and method acting. Zac didn’t have a “traditional” hip-hop upbringing, but hell, neither did I. Join us as we discuss the transformative power of music and the community contained within hip-hop. You can find Zac’s music on his bandcamp.

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

one year.

today didn’t go exactly how i’d planned, but it ended up being just what i needed.  i lost my father unexpectedly one year ago today.  i spent the afternoon at Cherokee Park in Saint Paul.  i went down a few paths, recorded some guitar on eyedea’s bench and took pictures of the sunset from the bluff.  

at dark, i came home and put the finishing touches on a song i wrote for pops shortly after he passed last november.  my father loved to paint, so i painted one of my sound panels in the studio for him.  enjoy the fruits of my labor.  

there goes the sun.  

purple jimi.  

for jcp.  

i’m thankful for my multiple artistic releases, i have no idea who, where, or what i would be without them… among the amazing people i surround myself with on a daily basis.  oldest friends and new comrades, you are all loved.  

UTintrvw#08: Mike Schank of Sector 7G

Download UTintrvw#08: Mike Schank of Sector 7G

Join Mike Schank and I as we discuss new Sector 7G, the greatest American Movie of all-time, impressionable young minds,  the uncut raw, and finishing projects faster than they can be released.  Mike and DJ Pseudonym (Sector 7G) are headlining a show at Honey in Northeast MPLS on Monday, November 21st @ 830 PM in benefit for Mr. Dibbs, a local Twin Cities veteran who has recently come under some health problems as of late.  Come out, suppot and say hi.   You can find Mike’s music @ FillInTheBreaks.com 

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

UTintrvw#04: Kristoff Krane

Download UTintrvw#04: Kristoff Krane

I hung out with Kristoff Krane earlier in September, and talked in my parking lot for an hour.  We probably should have recorded that conversation, but we did hop on the mics long enough to discuss a few new projects he’s been working on, touring in Europe, and his growth since Abzorbr.  There is a public memorial service for Michael “eyedea” Larsen on 10/16/11 in Cherokee Park in Saint Paul, MN from 11 AM to 7 PM and it’s free.  Come pay homage to one of the greatest to ever bless a microphone, and hear performances and speeches from many talented faces involved in Mike’s legacy.   

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

**NOTE** I used an aggregate device while recording this episode that caused a few staticky crackles.  Sorry about that, it won’t happen again.

UTintrvw#03: Analyrical

Download UTintrvw#03: Analyrical

I sat down with Colin Wanke AKA Analyrical near the end of August to talk about dream collaborations, diabetes, Grind Time, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the personal exploration of new sounds.  Colin’s penchant for the written word and battle abilities give him distinct style all his own, which he is looking to expand on the debut album from the Truebadours, Analyrical’s upcoming release with fellow Background Noise Crew member Phingaz.  

Check more out from Colin and the rest of Background Noise Crew @ http://www.backgroundnoisecrew.com

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

UTintrvw#02: Guante

Download UTintrvw#02: Guante

Kyle Tran Myhre AKA Guante is a rapper, spoken word artist, activist, youth worker, and, well,  superhero.  Tune in as we discuss the 2008 Republican National Convention, a new Guante & Big Cats! album, the craft of songwriting, keynote speeches, the surprising return of Goodie Mob, Cowboy Bebop, and being stung by bees for a few hours.  

Download the episode HERE or search “Unique Techniques” on iTunes and subscribe for weekly updates, interviews, videos, and more.

Monster Beats.

1.  Download the full version of the contest instrumental HERE.

2.  Use Carnage’s beatbox as a starting point.  Write a song.  Freestyle.  Play trombone.  Hit a drum.  Remix it.  Chop it up.  Pitch it down and chant your favorite mantra.  The point is to do something unique.  Rearrange it anyway you want, just make sure you make it yours!  Recording quality doesn’t need to be perfect or studio quality, but a well executed submission is crucial!

3.  E-mail tracks, videos, links of your submissions  to monsters.make.beats@gmail.com by October 28th, 2011.  You are welcome to enter as many submissions as you’d like for consideration.  

4.  One winner will be announced on November 1st, 2011.  The winner will receive a free recording session @ Unique Techniques Studios in November 2011 to record a studio version of their idea for this track.  

5.  Share it.  Collaborate with others.  Work outside your boxes and boundaries.    Have fun!      

UTvid#01: Carnage The Executioner

Carnage is literally a beatbox machine.  He was creating loops well into the sunrise the night he recorded his episode, and this is just one of the many I captured that night.  We have something extra special in the works for our inaugural episode here at Unique Techniques, and are excited to see what kind of monster material this generates.   Check out the first installment of Unique Techniques weekly videocast featuring Carnage the Executioner .

http://vimeo.com/29931747  

UTintrvw#01: Carnage The Executioner

Download UTintrvw#01: Carnage The Executioner

What better way to start this party off than to have it shut down before it begins?  I recently had an opportunity to sit down with twin cities hip-hop godfather Terrell Woods AKA Carnage the Executioner to discuss super human multi-tracking, Coaches, and what exactly constitutes the meaning of the word dope.  He speaks on how he stays fresh after 20 years on the mic, and also takes a fond liking to my cat.  

Catch the entire interview on iTunes (search “Unique Techniques” in the iTunes store) or LISTEN / DOWNLOAD HERE.  Right-click / Save link as…  

Stay tuned for some exclusive footage from our session, as well as a nice surprise for all you curious music makers…