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The
Grand Analog Project is a crew that has been created by Odario
G. Williams. Members include Ofield K. Williams, Damon Mitchell,
DJ Catalist, Warren Bray, Klaverkamp, B-Boy Breakz and Darcy
Ataman. The sound of this band is describe by the frontman Odario
as "A beautiful mess of rap'n'roll, dub and soul."
http://www.myspace.com/grandanalog
The Grand Analog Project is fronted by Odario G. Williams.His music
is off the trees of hip hop and has many branches of funk, reggae,
and rock and roll elements.The members include Ofield K. Williams,
Damon Mitchell, DJ Catalist, Warren Bray, Klaverkamp, B-Boy Breakz
and Darcy Ataman. I had the pleasure of chatting with Odario a
few months ago.
Who is Grand Analog?
That's an interesting question. Some people think I'm Grand Analog,
and that's not the case. I'm the creator and front man for a project
called Grand Analog. Members of this project include my co-producers
Catalist and Wu Ataman; other musicians include Damon Mitchell,
Warren
Bray and my DJ (and real brother) Ofield Williams.
How would you describe your music?
It's hip-hop, but soul must be in the bloodline. And soul can channel
through many genres of music. We sample and play a fair share of
dub,
funk and rock into the mix. These are expressed more specifically
in
the live show, we jam quite a bit and experiment right then and
there
on stage during a performance.
Who are some of your musical influences? and why?
Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell, Tribe Called Quest, Bad Brains, Tony
Bennett, The Roots. Marvin for exposing real emotion through song
and
vocals. Joni for being the greatest Canadian songwriter in history.
Tribe for making hip-hop feel so good and timeless with three simple
ingredients: beats rhymes and life. Bad Brains for breaking race
barriers and rocking real real hard. Tony for a being a classy
top
notch dude for nearly half a century. The Roots for the longevity
and
consistency of original creative music.
So you are from Winnipeg? Is there a music scene there?
Yes. I've been to many cities and investigated their music scenes.
It's safe for me to say that Peg city has a healthy and promising
scene. We have a wide range of talent. Unfortunately we are still
trying to break the curse of being from a prairie town. To this
day
Winnipeg artists get treated a certain way once they announce they
are
from Peg city. Being an emcee was especially tough - as if rappers
can't come from certain cities. I wasn't having any of that
perception. I'm from Winnipeg and my music is dope. Period.
You were in a rap group before called Mood Ruff and now your
in a
solo venture...how was that...and what happened?
I was smart enough to stand outside my own box and look into what
I
was doing. I could see that my Mood Ruff days have come to an end.
Some cats keep tired projects going unaware of a stagnant situation.
It was perfect timing for Mood Ruff because we won a Western Canadian
Music Award in the Urban category and our single "Rocketship" was
voted number one song of the year on CBC Radio3's year end chart.
I
felt there was no where else to go at that point. It was a perfect
and
quiet exit. Most artists would use that momentum and run with it,
but
I honestly thought it was a good time to start a new project and
write
my own songs. And then came Grand Analog, I can't complain.
How long was Mood Ruff together?
Not really sure, but our first CD was in 1999. We were young and
couldn't believe we made a CD! It was unheard of for a couple of
rappers from Peg city. We sold a few thousand across the country
too.
It was called Night.Life.Types. It's probably not very good.
Your recent cd....how has the fan response been, are you satisfied?
Yes I am, it's called Calligraffiti. For a project out of nowhere
that
started in 2006 the level of response has been great. I guess it
was
the right time for a new strand of hip-hop. I think a lot of people
really like hip-hop. The grey area is the popularized strand of
rap
music that overshadows all the other strands. Most people don't
realize hip-hop is worldly now and can be many different things
with
many different strands - you just have to find it. I think people
that
gravitate to my sound needed a different type of hip-hop to listen
to.
What are your thoughts on our upcoming election in Canada?
I'm a little confused of the abruptness to be honest. Canada seems
behind on many fronts, or maybe it's just Harper. What effects
me
personally is Harper wanting to cut funding for the arts. That
is a
major threat in a country where artists can barely survive on their
work. We all have two or three odd jobs to keep our dreams alive.
Harper wanting to cut the funding for artists is a heartless threat.
That dude probably hasn't seen a performance of any kind in his
entire
life.
How is performing in Toronto different than in another city in
Canada?
People that have never heard of you before will come out to a show
and
embrace what you do. Toronto cats research you and give you a chance.
They appreciate art and it's artists. Most cities in this country
won't consider leaving their home unless they heard you on the
radio
or saw you on TV.
What is your favourite colour? and why?
A rusty red-orange. Is there a name for that? Something about that
blend triggers warm emotion in me. If I could paint I would use
a lot
of that colour. I've always been a fan of earthy tones - I always
thought it represented me. Now I appreciate the loud colours, it
must
be the 80s revival...but I don't think I can rock neon yellow and
blue
tops with bright red denim. Then again...you never know.
If you could be in a boy band, which one would it be and why?
New Kids On The Block. They are the oldest kids on the block and
still
using the same name after 20 years and getting away with it. No
one
seems to pay that any mind. Plus they seem so happy being back
on the
block - so more power to those kids!
Did you watch the olympics?
I either got up early or raced home in the evening to watch track
and
field, It was a childhood dream I had until I got lazy and hung
out
with a different crowd. I love track and field, I'm West Indian
so it
makes sense. Man, to watch a human being be at their ultimate physical
best in the world stage is incredible to watch and experience.
I'm
very happy for the Jamaican runners. They dominated. That was history
made right there. I'm glad I saw that with my own eyes.
When is your follow-up cd coming out?
March 2009. It's called "Metropolis Is Burning"
Any last words to your fans.......?
Yes. Know the Ledge. Thanks
CONTACT: odario.williams@gmail.com |
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