Music & Spoken Word Collide in Texas: ‘Rock the Republic’
Recently, Hypursuit was able to converse with Steve Sargent, one of the integral components of the annual Rock the Republic Concert Series and Festival held in Bryan, Texas. Sargent along with a number of individuals including Cody Bailey, Roby Fitzhenry, Matthew Trailer and Jon Wesley have created an elaborate concert production of varied music, passion and spoken word they hope will continue to raise the bar in the years to come.
Steve Sargent: My brother and I came up with the idea for the event 2.5 years ago. We grew up in a very musical family. Mother was a musician at a church, father a pastor–I’m sure you have heard this story before. My brother was playing SoulEver Lift, which is a funk band. I’ve been doing slam poetry and spoken word for the past 6 or 7 years. So, we both were kind of big fans of each other’s things and going to music events and poetry events…so, we said how about we come up with a way to combine both of these things. We could have the best up-and-coming music and the best spoken word in the state of Texas, so we came up with “Rock the Republic”…only Texas Artists get to play at this event.
Brian: How hard was it to get funding and venues…etc? Sometimes that can be rather challenging.
Steve Sargent: The venues weren’t hard to get. We knew bar owners. We’ve been promoting and putting on shows for a while. Funding was the difficult part […]. Nothing like this had ever happened in Bryan, Texas before. We were telling people we were going to have a big giant Rock event and it was going to be amazing…But, no on had heard of that in Bryan.
Steve Sargent: Cody Bailey, Roby Fitzhenry, Matthew Trailer, Jon Wesley [and myself] came together to organize everything. We did press releases, designed websites, flyers, everything. Booked venues, artists, all the poets, bands. We did everything..
Brian: Wow. That is really impressive. It almost sounds like something people would hire consultants to do specifically.
Steve Sargent: […] we had experience. I’ve done poetry events before. I’ve done political campaigns. My brother had been booking bands and these other great guys had been doing graphic design and websites before. We had never done events like this before, but we had the built-in skills to do it.
Brian: In terms of genres in the music industry, is this rock specific?
Steve Sargent: No. The music at the event…we feature rock bands, hip-hop groups, Americana–pretty much everything. It was more rock based, but the point was good quality music for up-and-coming Texas fans.
Brian: And this is going to stay in Texas? Do you see it becoming something national or getting larger in the future? Maybe something that expands, tours…etc.
Steve Sargent: The event itself, we want to keep it in Downtown Bryan. Keep making it better and better every year and drawing more and more people to it. We do promotional shows, in other cities. But in terms of the main show, we plan on keeping that in Texas…and in Bryan, Texas.
Brian: So, the event itself. I mean, I’m pretty curious about the demographics of the event. Are these college students, since it’s a college town sort of place? Are do you get a diverse group of people. You know, a pretty varied crowd maybe?
Steve Sargent: We are in downtown Bryan, which is the city where Texas A&M is. So, in a sense…I guess it is targeted towards young people. But truly, anyone who loves music. Last year, most people were 21-35, but there were older people too. Anyone who loves good music, poetry and art.
You go to alot of music festivals, a band plays for 20 or 40 minutes…one of the major features of our production is that all of our bands are concert length performances–60 or 90 minutes. We really want to feature these bands and allow them to show what they can do.
Brian: Do you get sponsors from labels and traditional industry ‘types’ so to speak?
Steve Sargent: Our sponsors have been more community based business. Lone Star Bear, Red Bull and local restaurants and bars made up the majority of our sponsors last year. We’ve kept it more local…we do have, you know Scion Toyota.
Brian: I’m guessing I am just wondering…do people from the industry come to scout or recruit. Perhaps even just take a look at the talent that is available?
Steve Sargent: I’m sure there are…I wasn’t aware of it, last year. Last year, it was really kind of overwhelming. We planned this thing. Five guys put it together initially…then another 20 helped out. Then, we had about 100 volunteers spread out around town. I wasn’t specifically able to focus on whether agents or scouts were there. Everything ran smoothly, the bands had what they needed, the sound people, stuff like that. I’ll probably be able to participate more and enjoy it this year last year…last year, it was 3 days, and during that time I might have seen one show.
Brian: Sounds pretty intense overall!
Steve Sargent: Oh yeah, but we’ve got a lot more help this year.
Brian: Do you have any creative minds or musicians that inspire you? This has less to do with the festival and just you as a creative individual yourself.
Steve Sargent: Might sound trite, but Michael, Prince…etc, my taste is eclectic, yet traditional in the sense that I am into the old school stuff–Michael, Prince, James Brown…etc. My favorite band in Rock as far as right now is called TV on the Radio.
Brian: How did you discover them?
Steve Sargent: Looking through spin magazine. Then, I read the article, bought the album. It was amazing and started supporting their music.
Brian: And so in the future, where do you see you all going with this?
Steve Sargent: We want to stay true to our roots. We want to continue to get the best up-and-coming bands in Texas. Very few if any are signed. The types you see are on the precipice of blowing up and or going nationwide.
Example, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights…they were featured this year on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. We had a group called the Black and White Years who had a feature on Kanye’s blog. We had a hip-hop group called Black Listed Individuals who are out of Austin…these are groups starting to get a lot of attention. They haven’t completely become household names yet, but they are going to be.
Brian: So you all, you serve as a place to get a lot of momentum and build steam?
Steve Sargent: Well…um…we’d like to say that. And just, also exposing this area to different types of music, as well as exposing a lot of bands to the Bryan-College Station music market. A lot of people haven’t toured in Bryan and College Station. People do want to hear Rock here and Hip-Hop and so on.
Brian: If there was one legacy you want Rock the Republic to leave behind, what would that be? You can only use a phrase. I normally say a word, but I’ll give you a phrase. It’s a difficult question on purpose.
Steve Sargent: I think…um…one phrase…The best Texas music and arts event: Rock the Republic.
Brian: Well, Steve, Hypursuit definitely appreciates you taking the time out of your schedule to grant us this interview time man. We really appreciate it.
Steve Sargent: Tahnk you too.
Seeing HD: The HDTV Price Drop
Are you in the market for a new TV? Well, if your answer is yes or you just want something new, you definitely might be in luck. If you are looking for something that won’t break the break and doesn’t sacrifice quality, you better start looking around—everywhere! Compusa, even Circuit City, Best Buy are slashing the prices as the technology transitions!
Though both plasma and LCD HDTVs have decreased in price, the plasma TV market in is offering prices, deals and bundles like never before. Just do a quick search online to see the evidence yourself. The price of plasma TVs from popular brands like LG, Sony, Panasonic and a number of others are dropping and they are dropping quite quickly. If you are lucky and resourceful, you could possibly land a 45″ super thin plasma for under $500 which sounds like a great deal to me!
If the word “plasma” sounds less enticing than “LCD” be sure to do a little research before making this your deciding factor. Many of the technological issues that previously existed with many plasmas have been remedied to provide a smooth viewing experiences. There are pros and cons to both LCD and HDTV brands.
So, if you are looking for a little luxury viewing then perhaps you are looking at the right time. Here are a few sample choices (let google be your best friend):
Samsung PN42C450
Panasonic TCP42C2
LG 42PJ350
Happy hunting! Hopefully soon you’ll be viewing in HD!
Say You’ll Go: Janelle Monae’s Archandroid
“Better late than never,” is the age old adage. And finally after reading review, after review of Janelle Monae’s Archandroid, I had to take a listen myself. After hearing her first single from the album, Tightrope, I didn’t really know what to expect.
I’ve listened, and what I heard was a beautiful, souful orchestration of artistic expression.
Janelle Monae’s sonic journey is a wonderous experience of ecletic, free music. The overall theme of the album is large, expansive and lush. Its one of those albums you hear and you say perhaps she is not ahead of her time–she is just not of this time, and many reviews are in universal agreement. NOTE: This idea would fit in perfect with the concept of Cindi Mayweather—but just google both, and read all about the back story to understand what I mean by ‘universal’ agreement.
In all honestly, the album is quite beautiful. There are moments, when you realize just how special and uniquely talented she is. Its one of those works where years from now we will look back and say “I remember when this album started the career of a great artist” or one where we look back years from now and say “I have no clue why this album did not get the respect it deserved.” And, given the fickle nature of the industry, it can go both ways. She crosses hiphop, a little folk, pop, electronica, rock and even classical to create a sonic environment that leaves the listener feeling they have entered a space and time where expression is the rule.
Stand out tracks for the album would most definitely be the ending track “Bobopbya,” a moving song featuring beautiful orchestration, a haunting melody and compelling lyics. The listener is moved by Monae’s heartfelt vocals as she is singing, soaring and then belting over the full orchestration. On songs such as “Oh Maker” Janelle explores the topic of unrequited romance in which the lyrics says nostalgically, “I guess what I mean to say, is that its amazing your life was mine.” The lyrics are drenched and melancholy, revealing the true soul of an artist remembering love experienced, lost and gained all at once.
“The Archandroid” presents Monae in a stunning light. Initially, I compared work produced by the gorgeous singer to the art work of Monet—the French impressionist artist. After hearing her latest effort, I can confidently say that any appreciator of honest, unique music will love her up both up-close and afar. Monae’s eclectic style and uninhibited approach to music performance brings the listener and audience alike up close and personal. The beauty, elegance and style of her music are most definitely Monae. “Say You’ll Go” get “The Archandroid” today.
Music to Me: The Soul Music of Mariyo Deon
Oftentimes, when people think of a “soul artist” they are inclined to assume that the artist is some variety of singer or vocalist. If I said an young up-and-coming rapper by the name of Mariyo Deon is a soul artist many people would think I’ve officially lost my mind. Well, I’ve said it more than once thus far, and the fact remains that that I do believe Mariyo Deon is in fact a soul artist. This is less in the sense of industry “categories” and more from this fact: his music is from his soul, his life and his experience. With a style that fuses hip-hop and R&B, his sound is the direct result of being surrounded by musicians and music. Whether it was his Grandmother directing the church choir, or his father singing on Sunday morning, he is an heir to a natural, honest musical expression that is his own.
When conversing with Mariyo about his music it becomes apparent that Mariyo is fearlessly aggressive and passionate about music and success. “Michael and I have this thing where we say good is not enough. Don’t just be good, be great. You gotta be great.” The Michael he is referring to is Michael Redmond, an impassioned future music executive who serves as Mariyo’s manager. Both seem to possess an insatiable desire for success and at this rate, it seems the two are poised to take his career to the next level.
In his blatant refusal to adhere to musical genres and expectations, he is naturally a rebel. With a diverse and eclectic musical pallette, his musical interests and experience ranges from techno, to rock, to R&B—yes, he can sing as well. “I’ve worked with artists from Canada, from England…done pop, the techno thing…all of those things I am very capable of doing and I am comfortable with. But the music I am doing right now I am great at.” Later on, he admits somewhat shyly that he is “better at rapping, good at singing…I can hold a note. It comes from being around music.” Although he cites stars such as Drake and Kanye West as influences, he also mentions musical figures such as Maroon 5 and the iconic Quincy Jones. “If it were a perfect world…if I could do a track, it would have to be a band — Maroon 5. They have a very soulful sound…not far fetched from what I am living and experiencing.”
With the advent of social media and social networking sites, the sheer volume of music released digitally is overwhelming. Many artists face difficulty trying to stand out in an oversaturated music market . Despite these challenges, Mariyo has garnered a rather large following both locally and on the web. The viral internet campaign “Who is Mariyo Deon” launched by Michael Redmond and his associates was effectively used to raise interest in the artist amongst the blogosphere and internet community. 
Most recently, Deon released “Who is Mariyo Deon,” a mixtape featuring a wide range of original music, interpretations and styles. Tackling “coming of age” issues dealing with relationships and love on songs such as “Silly Love Song” to radio friendly anthems like “Chucks,” it is a solid musical offerring. After listening to the project, the one thing that remains clear is that Mariyo is human, fluid, growing and evolving. “I work hard to improve all the time…I’ve not always made the best decisions in life, but I’ve done things that I thought were best for me at the time.” In a business of smoke and mirrors, Mariyo is determined to remain true to himself. When asked whether or not he feels pressure to conform to industry expectations of young, Black male rappers Mariyo responds “I don’t feel pressure…I don’t change anything to fit, or to be marketable. Everything I do is all real life.” “Who is Mariyo Deon” showcases the natural ability and talent of a burgeoning young artist who is coming into his own both as an artist and as a young man. “I want people to know, feel and connect to me.”
Being a recording artist is hard. There are those who enter in and change with the times while trying to “fit in.” Then there are those who come and go because of an inability to find a niche. One can only believe that Deon will last beyond both of these scenarios and find success in this industry of constant change. The fearlessness and audacity of Mariyo suggests not only is he ready and willing to sacrifice all to reach his desired level of success to reach success, but he has the follow through and passion to make it. This idea was evident when Mariyo said confidently and unabashedly, “Everything is something I have lived, its all music to me.”
As Serious As First Love: Sam Kessie & Film
She’s worn many hats. Set decorator, academician, production assistant and now film director. Her resume is a list of various industry positions and work sectors that are just as diverse as her cultural and intercontinental experiences. Priscilla Afua Kessie, whom we will all know as Sam Kessie , is a British Ghanaian director, writer and story teller whose debut film and senior thesis “Sales Day” demonstrates a delicate balance of art, intellect and passion.
I remember when I first ran into “As Serious as First Love,” it was Haki Madhubuti and my first year of college, prospective psychology major with no clue—about anything. So, the opportunity to interview an ambitious film director with a psych background was thrilling. Fact: psychology majors love to understand people. Another fact: I inevitably declared a sociology major and we love to believe we understand all they don’t! For Sam Kessie, The transition from the social sciences and corporate America to creating as a career seems to have been inevitable. Interestingly enough, her position seems common in that respect. She transitioned, and she did so successfully.
“I took a few business classes and I didn’t find it fun at all. It was just boring for me[…]The complexities of the mind and attempting to understand an individual and social behavior as well as the physiological and sometimes even the neurological processes absolutely fascinated me.” Renowned author Julia Cameron holds the belief that many individuals are natural born story tellers. Somewhat ironically, she holds the belief that psychologists specifically end up in the vocation because of repressed, natural story telling abilities. Somewhere along the line, burgeoning young artists are told its too difficult to be an artist. Its too hard to create, or that they aren’t good enough. The reasons are numerous, but ultimately many just simply don’t do it and allow their untapped passions to remain dormant. “Unfortunately, I am from a culture that too many families or parents do not encourage the arts. My culture encourages the sciences and businesses and so I was on the road to becoming a doctor or engineer. Many worry that as an artist you will always be in debt… (Somewhat true, hahaha, but that shouldn’t stop you).”
Ultimately, one who is born to create will create, and Kessie did just that. Kessie confesses that “even though many signs pointed towards my destiny to become an artist from as young as a primary school student, to a senior high school student, I kept pursing a completely different path.” Luckily for us all, she made her way back to creating and her debut film that started out as a senior thesis is a testament to coming in to her role as a griot (think, story teller of culture and tradition) expressing through the medium of film. Kessie’s first work is somewhat of a psychological thriller not only delving into the depths of human behavior, but also unveiling the nature of avarice, greed and ambition.
Although a beautiful process, Sam Kessie admits the fulfillment of her dream and destiny hasn’t been without trials. The struggling artist lifestyle doesn’t appeal to many admittedly. But I always remember what a music industry consultant told me once, “temporary discomfort, long term satisfaction.” The sacrifice one makes for passion is precisely what she exemplifies. In fact, she even quit her job and enrolled in media classes at American Intercontinental University and would later graduate with 3…lets say, it was a very, very impressive GPA—for the sake of modesty.
Me: There is a quote that loosely says, “Leap and the net will appear.” Courageously, you did that and this allowed you to pursue something you were so passionate about. How liberating was this experience for you, and were you afraid?
Sam Kessie: I was worried. I was making decent money working a corporate American job… My dad especially wasn’t exactly thrilled by my move at first. I became pretty broke.”
She can look back on the experience with pride now, but the path hasn’t been so seamless. From economic strains during launch off, to her film being criticized for not being “experimental” enough, Kessie faced pressures that might deter the emerging artist but she managed to prevail. “…when you delve in behavioral psychology. What makes us tick and why we sometimes make the choices we do, even though sometime we know the consequences could be dire. All my experiences as well as other people have helped me become a better filmmaker.”
The future from Kessie is looking bright. Looking back on her difficult, drastic decision to dive into film full force, she seems undeniable grateful she made the plunge. With a feature film in the works, as well as a documentary scheduled to be released in April, needless to say she is on the move, and moving quickly. The Sankofa Adinkra symbol is one that describes the process of looking to the past to move forward or perhaps even to “go back and get it.” When mentioning the famous symbol to her to her, she enthusiastically responded by stating “I think Sankofa describes a lot of who I am[…]I always loved the arts….I tried to run away from it for years and convince myself that I wanted to do something else. Finally I went back, learned from my past. I am so glad I took the risk and did.”
Loving What You Do: Nicoya Polar
Photo Courtesy of
As quiet as its kept, Houston is a boiling cauldron of undiscovered talent, or talent that is seriously underrepresented by our very own radio stations! While driving to work a fresh R&B track came on the radio and the name “Nicoya Polar” came up. I thought to myself, “that sounds awfully familiar.” Nicoya is local Houston artist and a name heard frequently in the performance circuit. Needless to say this is a talent that should be watched.
With her finely tuned vocals and fresh look, it is very possible that Nicoya Polar will…well, she very well could be everywhere. Fact: mainstream is always a little slow to pick up on new talent. With two infectious songs “Super Man” and “Loving What You Do,” she could be a drink of fresh, cool water for R&B lovers yearning for new music with an artist than can do more than just hold a tune.
It would be so cliché and tempting to compare her vocals to a number of artists, but its much wiser to let Nicoya Polar hold her own. She has the technical and natural talent to have a unique style and musical brand for herself. With an interesting timbre and nuanced vocals , she is definitely her own artist. If you aren’t a believer, see her singing acappella on YouTube).
One of the most difficult things for a new artist in an industry climate that is becoming narrower by the minute is that they are always being compared to their predecessors. Every artists deserves the right to live with a purpose and create an artistry that is uniquely their own, and this young lady does just that. A graduate of Texas Southern University, she has experience that spans the genre’s of jazz to classical (wouldn’t mind hearing her sing some Italian art songs) and can clearly articulate what her artistic vision is. From what Nicoya is showing us right now, I believe this is just the tip of what this young talent is capable of. I for one am very interested to see how she develops, grows and continues to come into her own.
Nicoya, in the words of a friend of mine “we are loving what you do.”
Side Bar: Nicoya if you see this (or someone tells you), you should REALLY cover Ledisi’s “Lost and Found (Find Me).”
Houston Restaurant Review: Loving Hut
In a microwave crazed, fast-food society we want everything and we want it now. As such, with hectic lifestyles and very demanding schedules we rarely have the opportunity to get food that is healthy for us as well as quick and affordable. In our bodies we should actively try to place ingredients that are safe, whole and promote wellness and balance. If you are interested in trying delicious, healthy food then I urge you to try Loving Hut located at 2825 Kirkwood. This is vegan food you will want to tell EVERYONE about.
I’ll start by assuring you the food is just as picture perfect as it is succulent. There aren’t any false advertisements here. I’m actually not sure if they truly capture how wonderful the meals are. For example, I’ll let you know now that Mongolian Wonder($6.99) is a dish comparable to PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef. Other personal favorites include the sweet & sour divine ($6.99), which will have you convinced that there is a chicken running around somewhere! But alas this place is all VEGAN—nothing animal or by products!
The setting is comfortable and quaint with a maximum occupancy of 84, providing an intimate yet very casual dining experience. The serene, humble space is characterized by an open structure with numerous windows and natural lighting. Peaceful, neutral colors are beautifully used to add an sense of calm and relaxation. Here, one gets the impression that you go for nourishment, not just to eat. This is topped off by the fact that the staff is comprised of a group of genuine individuals all committed to raising the social and spiritual consciousness globally through the way we eat.
Although I don’t enforce ideologies and belief systems, eating should be both a conscious and spiritual experience. At the very least, it is a in our best interest to wisely nourish our bodies with ingredients and foods that take care of us from the inside out. If you are looking for something delicious and very reasonably priced go to Loving Hut.
For more information on veganism and vegetarianism, check out this great article on wiki answers.
What is the Difference Between Vegans and Vegetarians
Pepsi Initiative Hopes to Refresh
That’s right, you read it all correctly. The title is as just as blatant, shocking and exciting as the latest efforts of Pepsi to inspire individuals to create, contribute and add to the world we live in. For the past few weeks now, a series of commercials have circulated on television about the Pepsi refresh project, and after checking out the website, thought it might be a great idea to let you all know just what this is about.
Free money. No kidding.
Pepsi is handing out grants in the amounts of $5,000 all the way to $250,000 to individuals and organizations looking to get things going, develop and forward their ideas. Each person, or organization must fill out an application with specific details of their ‘idea,’ along with an itemized budget and you are all set! There are deadlines you must adhere to, and shortly thereafter a voting period starts to choose winning submissions.
What is more interesting about this process is that you…well, us…the public, we vote and ultimately choose the winners! Wait. They did say the same thing about American Idol didn’t they…hm, either way, what’s the harm in trying! Ideas range from documentaries, to starting performing arts charter schools. So, you should NOT be afraid of your passion. Give it a try. The worst they can do is say no, right?
Check out the following link to get more information. What are you waiting for? Money to support ingenuity and expansion in a recession sounds pretty refreshing to me!
‘It Girl’ Janelle Monae Returns with New Singles
By: Brian Bowers
The phrase “a Monet” is typically used to describe an art piece created by the French Impressionist Claude Monet. In slang terms, it can often be used to describe something that has to be viewed from a distance to be understood. If one gets too close, the idea is that the beauty of the piece, art, person is disrupted completely. This isn’t the case with Janelle Monae.
From a distance and up-close Her flawless beauty and effervescence is a pleasant contrast to the rebel who undoubtedly has a cause and calling: inspiration. One can only wonder how much longer it will be before “Monae” will evoke images of the young, underground starlette singer as opposed to any of these clichés and conventions.
With the mantra “imagination inspires nations” it seems Janelle Monae continues to be the ‘it girl’ of the underground music scene. Her and the Wondaland Arts Society don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Noted for her eclectic style, funky hair and classic voice, she returns with two brand new singles Tightrope ft. Big Boi and Cold War.
Words cannot completely describe what Monae and the Wondaland Art Society manage to do sonically and capture such a wonderful aural experience. Her voice is classic and versatile combined with a lyrical content that is cryptic and profound. All of her work is a dive into deep, full musical sounds. In the recent past, Monae and her team were able to team up with Diddy and Bad Boi to release what she calls a short film, Many Moons. The video was epic, full of bright colors, multi-layered themes and of course undeniable beauty and charm that is characteristically…well, Monae.
If you want to check out the new singles and amazing art, check out her official page, or her myspace page. The epic debut album The Archandroid appears be a promising, generous effort both sonically and visually. Artists such as this don’t come around often, and it is my greatest hope that this one gets the respect she deserves.
HGO Unveils Tchaikovsky’s “Queen of Spades”
If you are looking for something a little different for entertainment when you head out in Houston, perhaps you should check out The Houston Grand Opera’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades this April. After performing Puccinni’s Tosca this past February, the Houston Grand Opera under the baton of Carlo Rizzi will be presenting one of 11 Tchaikovsky operas. According to the HGO website, the London Observer said the following of the production:
“Once every few seasons, a production gets pretty much everything right. This is one … Dramatically spine-chilling, visually spare and coherent, it was the kind of theatrical experience which changes the way you look at life – not a comment to be made lightly.” — The Observer (London)
The opera, which originally premiered in December of 1890, is based on the short story by Russian writer Alexander Pushkin. Much of Pushkin’s work has famously been set to music by a number of prolific composers. The Queen of Spades is a complex tale of secrecy, greed, manipulation and desire. And of course, what would opera be without a little avarice, a little death and passion!
