Dope Sandwich: PRESS

For Immediate Release:

Media Contact: Jon Darling, jon.darling@me.com, 704.634.4289
For more info: www.dopesandwich.com

Pyro Independent Music Festival Ignites July 4
All-Day roster features performances by dozens of bands from around the Southeast

Presented by Dope Sandwich, Café Loco, and Insomniac Sound, and Raabstract

June 10, 2009 – (Savannah, GA) The Pyro Independent Music Festival will celebrate independent music in the southeast on Independence Day this year at Café Loco on Tybee Island.

The all-day, all-night event will run from 3pm-2am and feature indoor and outdoor stages hosting a wide selection of musical styles, including funk, punk, rock, hip hop and electronic music.

Admission is $8 per person. Check www.Dopesandwich.com for Parking and Set times of bands.

The outdoor stage (30’x20’) will feature a full light rig and video projections (after dark) highlighting some vibrant independent musicians from Savannah, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Charleston . The indoor stage will feature even more acts: acoustic, folk, blues, jazz , rock, and hip hop until 2:30 am.

The Pyro Independent Music Festival is being produced by Dope Sandwich and Insomniacts Entertainment, who were also part of the team that put on the Taste art event at the M.E.A.T. building this spring. That event, which featured art exhibits, a fashion show and live music, drew over 1,000 people for the day.

In addition to lots of live music, the Pyro festival will also feature food, vendors, a graffiti wall, screen printed t-shirts, and much more.

Featured acts will include: …in no specific order!! The Union of Sacred Monsters, Mike Lowry band, Sinister Moustache, Hakusai, S.A.M., , Cymarshal Law, Dead Man’s Waltz, Tough Junkie, Mr. Al Pete, The Memphibians, Honey Chamber, Soul on Fire, Unnamed, Chicken & Whiskey, Julian Anjuan, Chris Cannon, Projekt lotus, Dali Drama, Stone Rejects, The Harrison Sect, The Seeds of Evolution, and more…. Check www.Dopesandwich.com for updates on bands


Main Sponsors: DOPE SANDWICH, INSOMNIACTS ENTERTAINMENT, CAFÉ LOCO, RAABSTRACT, LIVE WIRE, GRETCH, THE JINX, TANTRA LOUNGE, AMR, Sentient Bean, Screamin Mimi’s, Black Orchid, Zunzi’s, Sweet Melissa’s ….. Cheers to 233 years!!

PYRO write up #1

Twenty-three performers, spanning a bucketful of genres from punk to blues, country to hip hop, jazz to rock ‘n' roll. And you've probably never heard of any of them.

The idea behind Saturday's 12-hour Pyro Independent Music Fest, says organizer Jon Darling, is to showcase those bands and artists that don't play regularly at the same old downtown nightspots. "They put on great shows," Darling says. "But they're always like the opening acts."

Pyro Fest, at Café Loco on Tybee Island, is the sort of free-spirited music event Darling - one of the founders of Savannah's hip hop collective Dope Sandwich - thinks the area desperately needs.

"There aren't a whole lot of gatherings like this," he says. "There's no just let loose, free-for-all type days where it's just a bunch of bands and good times."

That's the main reason there are no "headliners," acts with a rabid audience that will come to Café Loco, then leave the party when their favorites have finished their set.

Darling and his cohorts personally invited a few performers they were especially enthusiastic about, and then issued a "Call to Artists" for musicians interested in fleshing out the bill. About half of the acts are based in Savannah; the rest come from Florida, the Carolinas and (in a couple of cases) even farther afield.

Dope Sandwich and its co-producing partner Insomniac Sound put on the Taste art event at the M.E.A.T. building in April. That event drew more than 1,000 people.

Pyro Fest - on purpose - is the polar opposite of the Savannah Music Festival, The Savannah Jazz Festival and other such multi-act events.

"Savannah doesn't have this type of thing that reaches out to the locals - it's always out of town acts," Darling believes. "They try to appease the tourists and completely overlook the fact that there's a lot of original groups around here.

"And the problem is, once those local bands get good enough they leave town. They have to leave because they're just not getting enough support behind them."

The bands will perform on two stages - one indoors, one outside - with no sound ordinances threatening to cut things short or crank down the volume. There'll be vendors, a graffiti wall and other delights.

"It's really just an excuse to party," Darling enthuses. "No matter what time you come, there's gonna be a live band going on. Food, drinks and a bunch of friendly people."

Pyro Independent Music Festival

Where: Café Loco, 1 E. Highway 80, Tybee Island

When: 3 p.m. Saturday (until 2:30 a.m.)

Admission: $8 per person

Online: www.dopesandwich.com

Schedule:

Outside (starting at 3 p.m.): Soul on Fire (Savannah), Honey Chamber (Jacksonville, FL), Kid Syc (Savannah), Chicken and Whiskey (Jacksonville, FL), Tough Junkie (Jacksonville, FL), Dali Drama (Charleston), Seeds of the Revolution (Savannah), Cymarshall Law (New Jersey), The Union of Sacred Monsters (Savannah), Sinister Moustache (Savannah), Unnamed (Savannah), Dead Man's Waltz (Mayport, FL)

Inside (starting at 6 p.m.): Dinko's Bones (Savannah), S.A.M. (Savannah), Julian Anjuan (Savannah), Mike Lowry Band (Savannah), Mr. Al Pete (Jacksonville, FL), Hakusai (Savannah), Projekt Lotus (Greenville, SC), Stoned Rejects (Savannah), Central Intelligence (Shippensburg, PA), Chris Cannon (Savannah), The Memphibians (Jacksonville, FL)

Savannah's most positive, energetic hip hop nite ever. Highlighting underground hip hop including local artists hosted by Basik Lee of Dope Sandwich, with DJ DFROST on the tables with live MC freestyle battles and breakdancing. It's always a good time, even if you're not into hip hop, it's just a great vibe with some great people !

JANUARY 22, 2008
You ain't seen nothin' Yeti
Local hip-hop collective Dope Sandwich’s Abominable Snow Jam

BY JIM REED
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FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW, a large group of rappers, musicians, DJs, break-dancers, promoters and recording engineers calling themselves The Dope Sandwich have been slowly changing the face of Savannah’s live and recorded hip-hop scene.

Initially hooking up for nothing other than the sheer love of classic hip-hop culture, The Dope Sandwich first came to local prominence through their members’ regular appearances at The Jinx’s weekly Tuesday night outlet for alternative hip-hop. Since then, the group’s members have —alone and together— released some mightily impressive ultra-indie CDs, formed a live band to back up their MCs, and taken their show on the road, playing gigs as far away as New York City and parts of the Midwest.

This Friday, the organization throws their most elaborate and inclusive concert event to date. Dubbed The Abominable Snow Jam, and patterned after similar events in other major cities, it seeks to showcase a wide spectrum of positive, hip-hop related art and music — starting with an outdoor, all-ages party featuring DJs, break-dancers, BBQ and the creation of a graffiti mural which will be auctioned off later in the night, after the show moves indoors and becomes an adult, 21+ gig.

The lineup includes such acts as The Co-Workers, Knife, DJ Science Friktion, Mars Ill, SOL Essential, Simple Complexity, Basik Lee and more. We spoke with organizer John Darling (aka DJ Valis) about what makes The Dope Sandwich crew unique.

Why throw such an event?

John Darling: We’d travel to other cities and our friends were doing things like this once or twice a year. It’s so hard to find this subculture in the regular club scene.

Was it hard to convince out of town acts to take part in the Abominable Snow Jam?

John Darling: Not at all. We’ve played with everyone on this bill more than once in other cities. This is to help establish a legitimate hip-hop scene outside of The Jinx. I mean, thank God for The Jinx, ‘cause that was the only place where everybody could go and actually practice on a stage. But there’s more to us than just a Tuesday night.

Local rap has centered on drugs and crime, whereas Dope Sandwich’s does not. Have you been embraced by gangsta and thug rappers?

John Darling: We know each other and get along fine. There are some standout guys in that scene, like Lo-Key, who you’ll probably hear a lot from. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to sell albums or get paid for a show. But see, for us, this is fun. The crazy crunk southern guys who just talk about money and trouble (laughs), they’re basically businessmen trying to make a lot of dough. And it sounds like it. It doesn’t have any soul.



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But that’s what they were raised on. We’re all transplants. I’m from New York. We’ve been here for a few years, but our influences are a lot different.

What would you say to convince someone who’s not into hip-hop to see the show?

John Darling: Come to learn about the whole culture. This is designed to be a perfect introduction to hip-hop. Some of us are getting up there. I mean, I’m 30! We grew up with the original shit, and this is a good way for youngsters to get a real taste of bare-knuckles, real-deal hip-hop.

Dope Sandwich collective hosts big bash on Tybee
Joel Weickgenant | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Dope Sandwich Productions


Savannah's Dope Sandwich hip-hop collective is hosting an all-day party on Tybee Island.

"The Dopest Show on Earth," taking place Sunday, will feature acts ranging from Dope's DJs to the death pop of Pink Kodiak and will run from early afternoon to 2 a.m. at Cafe Loco.

"We played there last November during the 'Savannah Heat, Music and Motorcycle Festival,' so we figured that would be the perfect place for us to do it," said DJ Valis (Jonathan Darling). Valis explains below:

DO: Tell us about the various acts.

DJ Valis: Acts will range from acoustic, funk, soul, R&B, rock, reggae/ska, live MCs, DJs. It's going to be a lot of different styles blending into this show. I think it's going to be one interesting day of live music performances, mostly outdoors. After 11 p.m., when the youngsters leave, we will continue performances and DJs inside until 2 a.m.

DO: For our readers who don't know about Dope Sandwich, tell us the idea behind the collective.

DJ Valis: I get asked that question a lot. Honestly, what we are doing now is evolving from a crew of friends with one real strong common bond: hip-hop and the way we do it. From the B-Boys (who can be seen on River Street), DJs, MCs, producers, graphic artists, we all just come together and unite to form what really is known as Dope Sandwich. On the other hand, we have recently become a legitimate record label and have built enough structure so that everyone involved has a job to do, whether it's to perform, design, record, produce, mix, advertise, plan tours, plan events, even package and distribute. We just want to represent our part of it. We are everything from your common waiter at Lady & Sons, to the guys installing your new granite counter tops, or making you a sandwich at a deli, but we are striving for bigger goals every day. Please remember that when tipping and complaining about service!

DO: Tell us about the members' side projects.

DJ Valis: Science Friktion, also known as DJ Life, has released a mix CD called "No Additives, No Preservatives." He's moving to Atlanta soon so he dropped this as a going away gift to Savannah's underground hip-hop heads and hip-hop beginners. Valis is working on too many things at once, but as soon as he chills out and finds the time (September), he'll drop something for everyone, too.

Otherwise you can catch us at B&B's the last Friday of every month for some real live showcases featuring ourselves, The Dope Sandwich Crew of MCs, as well as some new, upcoming, out-of-town traveling acts.

Also, every first and third Friday of the month The Dope DJs will be at Hangfire, starting on May 2.

Our next album "Mentally Ill" is currently in the making, as well as Blue Collar's "The Due Date."

DO: What can people expect Sunday?

DJ Valis: You're getting the combined efforts of us, all of our friends, contributors, and Cafe Loco to give to you, the public, one full day to kick back, relax, enjoy live music, eat, drink, be merry, and most importantly, to throw your stress out the window.

savannah’s hip-hop works our dirty south
interview with Dope Sandwich
by christina wagner

WHAT: Dope Sandwich at Summertime in the City

WHERE: Downtown Jacksonville

WHEN: Sunday, July 15th

Thank God hip-hop is finally turning around. This collective project, consisting of an overwhelming nine MCs with two DJs holding it all together, creates an extremely complex and well-distributed sound that touches down on several exciting points of the musical horizon. From the politically aggressive track, ‘Again,’ where the vocals seem to punch harder than the beats, barely leaving time for breaths, to the breezy, laid back and vocal-driven ‘Hello,’ with an acoustic guitar backdrop that holds it all together, Dope Sandwich reminds me of old Cue Estey. They have a lot to say and I enjoy every word. Be sure to check them out online at myspace.com/dopesandwichmusic and you can catch their live set at the Summertime in the City here in Jacksonville on July 15th.



EU: How did the group form?

DS: We are all transplants from other states. Some of us came to Savannah for school, some came to work, but we all shared at least one thing in common. Hip-hop.



EU: In the track ‘The Cycle,’ you talk about just that, breaking the vicious cycle our youth engages in with drugs, guns and overall crime. How do you think we can solve this problem and do you plan on helping out as well?

DS: As soon as we can make a difference in our own lives, we will reach out and help those that we can. I’d like to start working with the Boys and Girls Club, to start, but it’s like when you’re on an airplane and the oxygen masks come down, you need to get yourself straight before attempting to assist others.



EU: You guys are operating with nine MCs and two DJs. Scheduling shows and rehearsals must be difficult. How do you exist as a group without killing each other?

DS: Rehearsals? I think we rehearsed one time. This all started from freestyling and having fun. We usually make a base outline of how the set will go, but always leave room for some improv! Keep it fun, not regimented. As far as not killing one another, give it some time. We try not to whack our own family members.



EU: I’ve heard from bands that Savannah is a strange market. Even with SCAD being there, I’ve been told that it’s difficult pulling kids out to shows. Any truth to this?

DS: Oh Yeah, like anywhere else, you have to promote. We have a decent following here now, thank God, so our shows fill up these days. Don’t get me wrong, we have played so many dead shows we should be credited for community service.



EU: Savannah is famous for being one of the most haunted cities in America. Have you ever been visited?

DS: Personally, no. I’ve heard a lot of ghost stories but I think all the tourist rides, ghost tours and restaurants need to get a life instead of telling bullshit stories. They make fortunes off gullible rednecks.



EU: On the track ‘Hello,’ you feature some really great vocals. Who does the singing?

DS: Our boy Pat from “Street Circus Symphony.” They’re a band here in Savannah that we hang out with. You’ve got Dope Sandwich, Street Circus Symphony and Passafire. That would be one hell of a show!



EU: I have yet to see you perform live, how does your live performance differ from your recorded tracks?

DS: We add more flavor to the live set. We let the MCs incorporate some freestyle word games with the audience, the DJs get to cut more and we try to keep the energy flowing back and forth between the crowd and the stage.



EU: You’re neighbors (sort of) with Atlanta, the hip-hop capitol of the south. How do they receive you? Good response?

DS: Who? Atlanta is actually one place we haven’t been. We’ve played in many cities up and down the coast, but not the ATL! I don’t think it matters. We’ll get there when we can. We like Jacksonville.



EU: How would you describe your style to someone that has never heard of you?

DS: Straight up hip-hop, shaken not stirred.



EU: Which do you prefer? Orange juice or Sunny D?

DS: Five Alive, of whatever is two for five!

Savannah's illest hip hop crew is heading out on the TOUR OF DUTY for Fall 2008, Four MC's
and one DJ— KNIFE, BASIK LEE, ZONE D, RIGHTEOUS, and DJ VALIS— from Savannah, GA‐
based record label Dope Sandwich will be touring this November with WILLIE EVANS JR.
(Rawkus Records, HipHopHell) during a three week trip called the TOUR OF DUTY. Heading
up and down the east coast, the tour will end with a set of shows in New England with
Akrobatik, including shows in Boston, Providence and New York City. The Dope Sandwich
crew has earned a rep throughout the Southeast and beyond for their block rocking live
shows, and has shared stages with underground hip hop notables including Akrobatik, Souls
of Mischief, Psyche Origami, DJ Lord, Tanya Morgan, Oh No, The Cunninglynguists, and
Simple Complexity, to name just a few.
A collaboration of some of the city's sickest MCs, DJs and producers, Dope Sandwich is like
the Wu‐Tang Clan raised on comic books rather than crack sales. Since their debut release
of 2006’s compilation
The Walking Sick
, the label has released several successful albums,
and they will be debuting several new projects on the TOUR OF DUTY including a live album
DSP Live
, and a new DVD
Dope Sandwich Presents: Still Sick
, featuring four videos and an
audio disc with new unreleased material along with several old favorites. To check out
music, or for more information, visit: www.myspace.com/dopesandwichmusic
Dope Sandwich Discography:
Label Compilation:
The Walking Sick
(2006), Knife:
2000 Yard Stare
(2007), Zone D & Blue
Collar:
LP=EP Squared
(2007), Basik Lee:
A Bunch of Crazy Shit
(2008), Basik Lee:
28 Beats
Later
(2008), Label Compilation:
DSP Live
(2008), DVD:
Still Sick
(2008)
Upcoming releases from Righteous, Zone D, Blue Collar and a new label comp called
Mentally Ill

Albums are available at CDBaby.com and the iTunes Music Store, among others.
To check out videos for the singles:
Knife ‐ "Pariah" ‐ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrxwPYhWmWk
Basik Lee ‐ "Again" ‐ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drJ5DvfBaeE
Basik Lee, Righteous and Lyrix – “Here I Am” ‐
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPdCoVfmmQ
Blue Collar – “Bottoms Up” ‐ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIGYj1N4_xw
Media Contact: Patrick Rodgers, patrick@pressplaypublicity.com, 912.660.4817
Booking/Management: Jon Darling, jon.darling@me.com, 704.634.4289