Local Artist Sums It Up...

Add- 2 – “Luxury”

By: Matt Kuhnen

For: The RedEye - Chi-Tunes

Next Show: 3/3/10 @ Subterranean / $7 (FREE before 10PM) / Show @ 10PM

Website: www.myspace.com/add2

Andre Daniels, A.K.A. Add-2, is a true Southside Chicago hip-hop artist that is literally trying to “add” something to the rap game.

“My stage name comes from a phrase my father would say to encourage us when we were kids” said Daniels. “He always told us to never take anything away from what you do…always add to it. For me it was a symbol of progress and to keep pushing myself and building my career as an artist-- never compromising my art, but always improving it”

Add-2 has already been compared to Kanye West, Twista and Common, but not just because they share the same area code. Add-2’s lyrical delivery is as flawless as his predecessors, and with a top single on MTVU’s video countdown and a SXSW gig coming later this month, his national fan base is rapidly growing.

The RedEye caught up with Add -2 to talk about his latest mix tape, his live show, and his obsession with a certain cartoon family.

How do you describe your sound?

I would consider it “True School” Hip-Hop. Its new school hip-hop, but at the same time it’s rooted in the true foundations of 90’s hip-hop – it’s conceptual and intellectual, but it’s also party music.

Tell me about your latest mix tape.

It’s my third release and it’s called Tale of Two's City Vol.3: The Rise & Fall and it’s presented by Okayplayer & 2Dopeboyz. At the time I wrote it, I was focusing on my everyday life and what I was experiencing. There were some dark times in my life at that point and that’s why I called it The Rise and Fall. Despite the fact that I was getting further in my music career, emotionally, I was going through hell. Everyone has ups and downs in life and you just have to deal with it. No one can stay up forever.

What was the idea behind your video for your single “Luxury”?

The song itself is basically about talking to a girl who is used to the finer things in life, but you aren’t able to give her those things. The concept of the video has me playing the “everyday man” cutting her grass and seeking her attention, but later on she sees me for who I really am. Everyone’s video is up in the club throwing money around with the nice cars and the jewelry, but nobody has that in the beginning-- we really wanted to keep it real.

What has being a part of MTVU’s “The Freshman” done for your career?

It’s definitely a good place to show case new artists and rising talent. With the way the music business is today there aren’t a lot of opportunities for an artist to emerge, but I was picked as the only Hip-Hop artist and based on viewer votes my video for “Luxury” came in at number one on the countdown and its still in their current rotation. I believe it has already taken my career to a whole new level and I’m very grateful to MTVU for giving us the opportunity.

What are most people surprised to learn about you?

Most people are surprised at how down to earth I am. I’m not an egotistical rapper at all, and I try to keep myself as available as possible to all my fans. I try to let my fans know I’m not above them—I’m just an everyday person like they are.

What makes your live show great?

Performing my best whether the crowd is five people or five thousand people is what makes my show great. I’m not just rapping at the audience—if I see someone really getting into it I will pull them on stage. When the crowd leaves I want them to say “Wow…THAT was a show!”

Tell me something totally random about yourself.

One random fact about me is I watch The Simpsons every night! I have seasons 1-9 on DVD and I will literally fall asleep every night watching an episode. I’m working on throwing some Simpsons references into a song.

What’s next for Add-2?

March 20^th I will be doing a performance at SXSW down in Austin, TX which is a big platform for emerging artists. There have been some deals on the table, but nothing that I think is going to change my life. Right now I just want to maintain the work ethic that I have and maybe shoot some more videos, but definitely I want to keep creating music from the heart.

When I Wear My Gold Pants I Like To Dance!

Leslie Hall is the perfect blend of the spandex bedazzled clad girl that sat in the back of class farting with a twist of Lady Gaga... if Lady Gaga worked at the flea market. Previously never hearing any of her music, I was pumped to check out the show based on photos alone. I had the pleasure of attending Leslie's show last night in Chicago, where she spat glamorous craft inspired rhymes over garage band created beats, whilst infomercials and 80's workout videos flickered on the canvas screen above her bumped-up hair do. Needless to say this girl owned the crowd and has quite the cult following. I wouldn't be surprised if you saw her and her lovely pear shaped body on TRL next week. Wait...TRL is still on right?!

http://www.myspace.com/lesliehall

Chocolate and Cheese and Striped Bass!

Half of Ween (Dean Ween) will take you fishing for $300 bucks! Long Beach Island, New Jersey here i come!

http://www.viceland.com/int/v17n1/htdocs/chocolate-and-cheese-and-striped-bass-296.php?page=1

My Name is Janus!

CLICK HERE! RedEye - Chi-Tunes: "Janus"

Bonnaroo Count Down!

The 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival kicks off this coming Thursday and boy am i pumped! Im definitely ready to kick back and relax, catch some rays, listen to some tunes and have an adult beverage...or nine. This will be my third Bonnaroo experience, and i plan on taking everything in-- from 100+ music acts and the comedy showcases to the morning yoga sessions and the Scratch DJ Academy... and lets not forget the late night dance parties at the silent disco!


Yes Prince, I WILL party like its 1999! I may just take matters into my own hands like this young gentlemen below... (WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO PLEASE)

Saturday Morning Pick-Me-Up!

Last night I made the rookie mistake of staying out past my bed time all the while knowing i had a pleasant 5:30 A.M. wake-up call coming my way. A couple of Bombay Sapphires to the dome, some good company and some quality tunes led me to believe that two hours of sleep was more than enough for my 7 hour work day. Did i mention that today is Saturday? FML!

Some people need that bowl of Kashi and a banana to jump start their day (one of my faves), or maybe that go-to cup of Joe to stop the morning shakes. These were not going to work for me this time. I hopped in the car around 6 A.M. dreading the day to come. I turned the key and the radio ignited with the sweet sounds of WLS-FM True Oldies. This is not uncommon considering it is my numero uno preset on the car stereo.

With in seconds i found myself sitting a little taller--my eyes wide open with a smile on my face-- and i owe it all to Chairmen of the Board (what a sweet band name!), one of the smoothest and most popular soul acts to emerge from Detroit in the early '70s. This morning i felt like shit...but by the time this 2 1/2 minute masterpiece slowly faded out, i was ready like Freddy!

Just listen and you will feel it!!!

All-American Interview

So for those of you who don't know, this past month i secured a position as a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune's RedEye. The RedEye is a daily free newspaper which highlights national news stories as well as local Chicago news, music, arts, and entertainment. Most people grab it on their way to work in the morning hence the name "RedEye."

As a special contributor to the RedEye, i will be writing mostly about local Chicago music and events, such as, record releases and promoting upcoming shows for bands and musicians that are seeking press. However, last week was a different story. Now, for you hip kids that are current with today's popular music scene will either love or hate my latest assignment.

Usually on Wednesday afternoons, i end my day around 1:30 PM and i head home for a nice lunch and some Jeopardy. Last Wednesday was a different story. At 2 PM i received a call from singer/bassist and resident teen heart throb, Tyson Ritter, from the nationally acclaimed pop-rock quartet All-American Rejects. So like i said before--you either love them or you hate them.

I will be honest to say that I'm not a true fan of their music, and before this interview, i would usually judge this book by its cover. But after everything was said and done, i realized how passionate he and his band mates were about their music. For them it was more about creating something that they would be proud of rather than just knocking out another 45 minute collection of tunes that would get them their next summer home in the Hamptons. I may not be their number one fan, but after talking with Tyson for 15 minutes, i learned that he's not concerned with what other people think as long as he and his band mates are happy with the end result.

It was definitely a lot of fun as we chatted and exchanged laughs as i learned about his true feelings regarding record labels, the story behind their impressive cover of Britney Spears' "Womanizer" and Tyson's favorite flavor of Big League Chew--which was a random question i asked based on my brother Joe's suggestion on ending the interview on lighter note. (its grape by the way...duh!)

So without further ado, here is the "Director's Cut" of the article that was published in today's (4/13/09) RedEye for all of Chicago to see. (edits were made due to length of the article and explicit language...damn the man!)

All-American Dreams

By Matt Kuhnen

For The RedEye

With a name like All-American Rejects, you would think this quartet of twenty-something pop-rockers would be nothing more than a group of slackers--breezing in and out of the studio when the record execs, and the radio, are yearning for another three and half minute masterpiece. This is not the case for these Okalahoma boys who aren’t trying to impress anyone, but themselves.

For the past four months or so, All-American Rejects have been hard at work finishing their third full length release, shooting music videos (TRL may be dead, but bands still make videos) re-inventing Britney Spears’ “Womanizer” for a Yahoo campaign (YouTube that one) and rehearsing and organizing their first national headlining tour. So when I asked lead singer/bassist Tyson Ritter how he was doing hours before hitting the stage in Kansas City, he replies nonchalantly, “Just uh…relaxing.”

The band has earned relaxation time after spending 2 1/2 years on the road while writing their follow up to their multi-platinum selling album Move Along, in addition to spending another six months in the studio bringing to life their new work of art, When The World Comes Down.

Smashing onto the pop-rock scene back in 2003 with their hit single “Swing, Swing”, AAR continued to win the hearts of its generation in 2005 with “Move Along”, “Dirty Little Secret” and the prom-themed rock ballad “It Ends Tonight.” Switching record labels in the process, AAR felt they needed to approach the new album a bit differently than past efforts.

“We had to push ourselves to a brink and it definitely teetered on this whole thing imploding--and I feel like you have to go there every time” he said. “With Move Along, it was kind of us versus the label—this time it was kind of us versus ourselves.”

The Rejects’ first single off the new record “Gives You Hell” is #1 on Top 40 radio and is over 1.7 million in digital downloads. Plans for dropping the next single are in the works having just finished shooting the video for “The Wind Blows.”

“Yeah we just did the video and it’s gonna be a sexy bastard” Ritter said laughing. “Its gonna be the video where the Rejects show a little bit of their “chesticles”…it gets pretty hot and heavy.”

When The World Comes Down really shows a different side of their music--infusing orchestral arrangements; acoustic guitars paired with auxiliary instruments, Choir inspired backing vocals and a first time male/female duet.

“Our producer Erik Valentine has such an eclectic nature which melded great with our eclectic nature, and I think that’s what some people don’t know—because people really haven’t figured out the Rejects yet” he said, in reference to comparison to other mainstream pop-punk acts such as Good Charlotte, Panic At The Disco, and Fall Out Boy. “This is the record we put every bit of our life source into and it’s finally happening…it’s finally our turn.”

The Spring/Summer tour kicked off in Albuquerque, NM earlier this month and is scheduled to hit cities across the country through May with more dates to follow. “The I Wanna Rock Tour is going to be up close and personal. We hope this is the tour Rejects fans will brag about seeing for years to come!” says Tyson Ritter.

“This is the best production we’ve taken out. We’re primed and we’re just killing shows every night and I think this is gonna be a concert the kids will tell their kids about” Ritter explains. “They’re really getting a show, it’s not a concert that has peaks and valleys—this is a show that just flows. We’ve got a solid half hour worth of hits, so when you spread that through out seventy-five minutes, you get one hell of a rock show.”

The Rejects will be swing, swinging through Chicago on their “I Wanna Rock” tour to blow the doors off the Aragon Ballroom with support from Shiny Toy Guns, Ace Enders & A Million Different People, Vedera and The Upwelling. Ritter went on to comment on his favorite part about playing Chicago.

“The kids man—the kids are different, it’s the Midwest vibe and we’re from Oklahoma and it’s the Midwest to us. In the Midwest people will give their seats up for anybody and it’s just a kinder atmosphere” he said. “You guys are the biggest city with the least head up your ass—New York has a big head up its ass, L.A. has a big fist up its ass, and Chicago just has a big boner.”