Tag: house music

Conversations – The Strange Content

1. Would you please give the readers a little family background, i.e., Place of Birth, Current City you are based in, etc.… 

Sow Strange: I was born and raised in Hartford, CT, and currently based in Atlanta, GA.

Deique Bleu: Born in Mobile, AL, the home of Mardi Gras, I have always had a love for classic rock and soulful music.  During my time as a youth, I also got exposed to hip hop, which furthered my liking to music. 

From there, I became fascinated by the art of DJing and blending records. Although I never pursued DJing seriously, I kept a deep passion for music and how it was made.  Upon moving to Atlanta after graduating high school, I met many upcoming artists such as Outcast and Goodie Mob and developed a strong connection with the night-life in Atlanta.  Given the opportunity to visit various studios, one being Patchwork Studios in Atlanta, I immediately knew that I wanted to perform and produce music. Unfortunately, during that time, music production schools were unaffordable for me, and the college that I was attending only offered a long drawn out course in classical music.  After graduating, I did find a college in Atlanta that provided music production classes. Still, by the time I enrolled, I was already self-teaching myself in the art of production, so paying for lessons became a waste.  I began to use the money I was spending to buy production equipment. 

My first piece was a cheap sampler. 

At that time, I was still getting acclimated to midi.  After doing extensive research, it became clear that I needed to step my game up, so I purchased an MPC60 sampler and beat production center.  From this point, I began getting severe in enhancing my production skills.

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2. What are your short and long term goals?  I want to make a living, a life and build a legacy for my loved ones from/with my gifts. 

Sow Strange: Being creative in corporate culture is not for me. It gets more challenging daily.  I need to be where I can spread my wings.

Deique Bleu:  I could say that some of my short-term goals will be to focus more on gaining new fans and building The Strange Content Brand. 

Also, while in this pandemic, we will like to begin a few online performances.

As far as long term, moving up in my new career opportunity to help finance my musical dreams will be a priority.

3. Passions and/or interest aside from music? 

Sow Strange:  Being a conduit and catalyst of creation and change is my passion, whether it be planting a seed, painting a picture, scribing a poem, and singing a song. As an autodidact, I also enjoy reading, studying, and learning on many subjects, such as gardening, philosophy, and history.

Deique Bleu:  I am very passionate about building a solid and secure life for my family.  I am also a huge lover of travel and hanging out at the beach.  It brings peace of mind.  My grandfather took us to the beach every weekend.  I learned how therapeutic it could be.

4. Who has inspired you and why?

Sow Strange: It could be Artists, Bands, Activists, Politicians, Family Members, Teachers, etc.… The women in my family inspire me beyond measure to be a better woman day by day. The lessons they have taught and continue to teach me are invaluable. My mother, in particular, has always been a radiant light of life. Leading through example and still allowing her baby bird to fly high.

Deique Bleu: My grandfather, Dr. James P Dixon, was my biggest inspiration.  Growing up in a broken home was hard, but his mentoring and guidance helped me overcome many obstacles, although our time together was short-lived. 

The same applies to his wife, my grandmother Mrs. Lilian Dixon.  She was a fantastic mother figure.  My musical inspiration comes from the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Ultramagnetic MCs, Big Daddy Kane, Leaders Of The New School, Boogie Down Productions, Sugar Hill Gang.  Old School Hip Hop along with Old School R&B from the likes of Luther Vandross, Al Green, Prince, Tina Marie, Rick James, The Isley Brothers, Brothers Johnson,  The Commodores,  The SOS Band, 

The Time Herbie Hancock and Parliament.  On the Jazz tip, I was big on the Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, and Thelonious Monk.  I was also big into Classic Rock.  As far as my House Music influences and inspiration go, Larry Heard is at the top of my list.  When I first heard “Can You Feel It,” I knew immediately that I wanted to produce House Music. “Hot Music” by SoHo was another piece of music that hit home with me.  In the late 80s, while in college here in Georgia, my friends and family would send me cassette tape recordings of New York’s WBLS radio station with Marshall Jefferson or Merlin Bob spinning house music. 

Back in those days, there was no Shazam, nor were the names of the songs given.  This made it extremely hard to dive deeper into the realms of House Music. 

When House finally started getting recognition down here in the South, I got introduced to artists like Marshall Jefferson, Tony Humphries, Jellybean Benitez, Danny Krivitz, Louie Vega, Masters At Work, Frankie Knuckles, Jesse Saunders, Lil Louis, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Steve Silk Hurley and so forth.  From there I began to find my lane in which I chose Deep and Soulful House.  I am also influenced by the likes of Osunlade, Kai Alce, and DJ Kemit.

5. What message or advice you would like to give to music consumers/fans?

Sow Strange:  Just be you.

Deique Bleu:  What I would like to say to my fans is that I take music seriously at this point.  I want to strive for longevity in the music business.  I plan to focus on good material with outstanding quality and have my musical influences reflect in my music.

6.  Would you say that you lead a well-balanced life? If so, how do you stay centered? If not, what changes would you make to achieve your desired result? Examples; Read more, exercise, better sleeping habits, more time with loved ones, etc… 

Sow Strange:  I would say that I am centered 95% of the time: naps, tea, incense, and music aide in recentering me when I am not.

Deique Bleu:  I lead a well-balanced life.  I love my family and my lady.  We spend a lot of downtime in our home garden.  During the times we aren’t gardening, we just like to spend our time discussing plans for the future.

7.  Name three or more of your favorite self-produced tracks. Artist Name “Track Name” Label. 

Sow Strange:  Candle Lit; Heat from Here; Trust & Believe; One Million Miles; Aliens & Unicorns; One Day at a Time; Real-Time Rhymes; Journey; Transcend

Deique Bleu: 

“Lost In The Color Of You” by Jaymz Nylon (Deique Bleu Remix)  Nylon Trax

“Paint Me A Picture” by Jaymz Nylon (Deique Bleu Remix)  Nylon Trax

“Tonight” by Achickwitbeatz (Deique Bleu Remix)  Nylon Trax

8. Name three or more of your favorite tracks produced by others. Artist Name “Track Name” Label. 

Sow Strange:  The Roots is Comin’ – The Roots; Just Like the Water – Lauryn Hill; One Monkey Don’t Stop the Show – Big Maybelle; Olivia – The Whispers; Sometimes – Bilal; 1960 What? – Gregory Porter; Penitentiary Philosophy – Erykah Badu; I’ve Got to Be Me – Sammy Davis Jr.; The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – Gil Scott Heron; + many more.

Deique Bleu:  Larry Heard “Can You Feel It” TRAX Records

Lil Louis & The World 

“Club Lonely” Epic Records

Marshall Jefferson & CeCe Rogers “Someday” Atlantic Records

9. Where would you like to live and why, City, Beach, or Rural(Farm Area)? 

Sow Strange:  I would love to live in a city/beach area where I can create my own mini farm/homestead/sanctuary on our land. I love being able to be a country mouse when I need to be and a city mouse when I need to be. Balance is key.

Deique Bleu:  I would love to live in a rural farm area that is close to blue water/white sand beaches. LOL.

10.  What is more important, the sharing of music, or the format in which music is shared? 

Sow Strange:  The sharing of music is much more important. It doesn’t matter what the format is as long as it’s shared, heard, and felt.

Deique Bleu:  While sharing is caring, I would like to one day release some vinyl records.  Vinyl to me is a little more personal than the mp3.  I would focus on the delicate balance between the two.