Hip-hop/Spoken Word/Tribal/Dub (a blend of styles)

12 MP3 Songs
HIP HOP/RAP: Alternative Hip Hop, POP: California Pop



Details:
Verse is a well-known singer, songwriter, producer, bassist, percussionist, and poet from San Jose, California (Certified Shark). This multi-talented solo musician's signature sound has made a mark for him in the Bay Area music scene. In the last decade, Verse has been featured on 9 musical projects, and played shows all around the Bay. Verse's sole mission is to spread the captivating vibes of his music beyond his local region.

MUSICAL BACKGROUND

Verse has been delving into artistic creativity with music for about 15+ years now. He got his start in an underground San Jose based hip-hop group called L.S.P. The group consisted of Verse and his two brothers, Justin and Jesse, and his long-time cohort/collaborator, Kung Fu Vampire. In 1991, the group released a self-titled demo tape, followed up in '94 by their first EP, entitled "Only the First Trip". The group then released 2 full length CD's, "The Antidote" and "Space Bar", with Verse contributing writing, vocals, beat production, live bass and percussion on each. Verse has been featured vocally on many projects, including Xpresso's "Oddworld" and Kung Fu Vampire's CD entitled "BloodBathBeyond". He's also featured as a bassist on Benji's "My Boombox" CD, an electronic EP released in '03. Verse tracks have been featured on 2 different compilation CD's. The "Womb 'til Tomb" compilation (released by Journees Music) contains the 'Impossible Concentration' track from Verse's solo CD "Real Eyes". The song made it in rotation all over the local radio stations. The CD "Synergy: Tribal Communication", also released in '03, contains an instrumental verion of Verse's track, 'Real Eyes' on it as well.

Verse has developed quite a following over the span of his years as a musician. He's gotten exposure through street promotions, word-of-mouth, & articles in local press. Verse established his fan base by constantly playing shows in his native South Bay, Ca. When Verse was performing with the hip-hop group L.S.P., they held shows at all the major downtown San Jose clubs and venues that supported the scene. They've rocked in Ben Lomond, played at The Edge in Palo Alto, the Gilroy and Campbell Gas Lighter Theaters, and also performed at numerous underground SF dance parties, including Cyberfest. He's played in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, San Francisco, Gilroy, and Campbell, to name a few cities. Verse tends to attract a flock of peaceful heads to every event. Be it his glowing aura and stage presence or the smooth flow of his vocal style, it's not uncommon at a Verse show to see a group of females lining the front of the stage.

After feeling the urge to explore music even further and venture down different musical avenues, Verse also started playing as a bassist in an improvisational funk/jam band called Rebelskamp, along with his two brothers. They've had successful gigs in San Jose and SF, and in fact they are currently booking shows around the bay. As Rebelskamp, they've rocked such venues as Palermo's and Blank Club in SJ, and they are now the house band every 1st Tuesday @ The Britania Arms Poetry Slam in Downtown San Jose. With no shortage of new ideas and material, Verse has decided to release a 2nd full length solo CD, currently in the works, while continuing work with the Kamp...

MUSICAL STYLE

Verse has a unique and trademark style, with ear-catching beats and hooks, smooth vocal delivery, and layers of soothing melodies. His music is in a league of its own, making it difficult to classify into any one genre. Each song provokes a different feeling or mood, styles vary from track to track, showcasing Verse's musical diversity. The "Real Eyes" CD bridges the gaps between hip-hop, reggae dub, downtempo electronica, world rhythm, and spoken word. Verse is an intricate and meticulous artist who is never satisfied until he reaches perfection on a track. With a universal flow, he verses his inner visions with clarity, and you can feel the amount of heart he puts into it when you listen.
Verse's project "Real Eyes" was created using many different musical instruments. The perfect blend of urban and organic, Verse uses Garage Band and Logic on Mac, coupled with synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, and sound effects, and then mixes in live bass, guitar, piano, flute, congas, shakers, and any other percussive instrument he gets his hands on. The percussion he adds gives the sound a more earthy element. Still, the smooth, fluent lyrical style that Verse possesses is the skill he's known best for, hence the name, "VERSE". The final product has become a hard hitting poetic hip-hop vibe that is brand new, cutting edge, and definitely listener friendly. Only so much can be said, just listen with an open mind, a loaded bowl, and let the music speak for itself...

MUSICAL INFLUENCES

Verse has been inspired or influenced by musicians/bands of all types over the years. Some of these artists/groups include: The Doors, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Jane's Addiction, Tool, Primus, Nirvana, Beck, Sublime, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Outkast, The Roots, Cee-Lo (Gnarls Barkley), Beastie Boys, Dre, Eminem, Cypress Hill, Portishead, Bjork, Orb, Aphex Twin, Thievery Corporation, Nightmares on Wax, Tipper... The list goes on and on. He is very open-minded musically, and it is this eclectic range of influences that makes Verse very unique stylistically.


CONTACT VERSE MUSIC:
E-mail: verse@versemusic.org
MySpace: www.myspace.com/versepage
Website: www.versemusic.org