Sorry kids, there won't be any Silverlake pop/rock today. Today's musical guest comes to us from the Urban world, no, he comes from Russia, well...both! This man is not new to the hip hop scene in L.A., but hopefully he will soon be your new MySpace top friend.
This week's spotlight shines brightly on IVAN IVES!
Ivan Ives's MySpace Page: All music available for purchase on MySpace
No Threshold Records: Simple site, but FREE download of "Eat Pop and Die Mixtape"
MEET THE MAN:
Ivan Ives - Rapper
WHO IS IVAN IVES?
We should all hang our heads in shame that we don't know Ivan Ives yet. Shame on us for paying so much attention to fun, pop rock bands and artsy, funky garage bands. We have been ignoring the urban world and all those men and women who keep the beats bumpin'! Let's not dwell in the past, but move forward and learn our lesson.
Ivan was born in Russia but grew up on the playgrounds of Brooklyn, New York. Before ten-years-old, his parents moves him again to sunny Los Angeles, where he has remained. He was raised in a household filled with classical music and little Ivan studied classical piano for many years. Music was routine around the Ives's household, but high school brought new friends, new experiences, and Snopp Dogg's "Doggie Style." Little Ivan would never be the same.
It is hard to describe your first love, but for Ivan there was something in the way the beats and drums echoed that hypnotized him. He decided that he wanted to make music that has a real message, utilizes skilled lyrics, and works against the stereotypes that plague hip hop. Ivan doesn't rap about guns and hoes, because that was never his life; he doesn't rap about drugs or ghettos, because he would be lying. He feels like he has some greater purpose and his music will help him realize and achieve it. Hip hop/rap music is his outlet for introspective discovery and commentary on the current social scene. He is proud of the work he has created, but he assures me that he won't waste lyrics to prove it: "I'm not jerking myself off about how great I am."
Ivan has had his fair share of media attention. The list of reviews and interview includes URB online's "Next 1000;" Ground Control Mag; CDReview.com featuring Iconoclast; RacketMag.com; Beats, Me?; The Review Busters; Sit Down, Stand Up; Capazine.com; Rolling Stone with a free download of the single "Victory;" and now Julia's Artist/Band Spotlight!
Ivan releases all of his music on his own indie label No Threshold Records.
LISTEN UP!
Eat Pop and Die (2008)
The I.V. League Vol. 1 (2007)
Iconoclast (2007)
The Prelude EP (2007)
TAP - W (2007)
LA Heat (2007)
Deus Ex Machina (2006)
TAP - Self Titled (2005)
Fork Music Vol. 1 (2005)
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE:
"Got It"
"Let You Know" w/ I.V. League
"The Recipe"
WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IVAN IVES, TOO:
***He's different but he's not a novelty.
***Wu-Tang's Cappadonna appears on his Iconoclast album, so he has respect from the inside.
***Ladies, did I mention that he is like 6'5" and has perfect skin??
UPCOMING SHOWS:
May 26 2008 8:00P ISGOODMUSIC.COM studio performance Los Angeles, California
Jun 7 2008 9:00P Private Party w/ 2Mex Humboldt, California
Jun 8 2008 10:00P The Red Fox w/ 2Mex Humboldt, California
Thanks!
Julia
PS - Check out the new artist spotlight every Monday on my MySpace page! Let's be friends!
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