Introducing POW!!!
POW have been a group we have been watching for a while, there tunes are getting bigger and better so we thought it was time to have a chat. We managed to get Natural, Vicious and JohnJoe for a quick natter about how it started and where its going.
This is one of their latest tracks featuring Natural and Old $ole.
POW have been a group we have been watching for a while, there tunes are getting bigger and better so we thought it was time to have a chat. We managed to get Natural, Vicious and JohnJoe for a quick natter about how it started and where its going.
This is one of their latest tracks featuring Natural and Old $ole.
How long has POW been going? And who is involved?
Natural: As music, has been going on since fall 2011. We used to be known as a street art crew; stencils, graffiti and slapping stickers all that. Myself, JohnJoe, Vicious Vicio, Steel Major and Old $ole which is a two man group; 9.9 and L.A.
Who started the movement? Was the plan always music?
Natural: JohnJoe & Vicious were recording before POW was official. I was currently at California, so when i moved back i started doing music. We would always talk about having a tattoo urban skate shop and making a band, so yeah we always did wanna be in a somewhat music scene.
Vicious: We started making music together, with Danny at T.V.K. productions.
Natural: JohnJoe & Vicious were recording before POW was official. I was currently at California, so when i moved back i started doing music. We would always talk about having a tattoo urban skate shop and making a band, so yeah we always did wanna be in a somewhat music scene.
Vicious: We started making music together, with Danny at T.V.K. productions.
What made you start the group?
JohnJoe: I didn't start it, it was a group decision to do it. I was rapping on my own for practice but never took it seriously and i would encourage Vicious to also do it then we all decided what we were gonna do in the group, Natural originally was supposed to be our producer but plans changed as so do ideas.
Natural: This is very true, i would record these guys and i know a lil mixing and producing but i just wasn't as determined back then. These past few days i've been messing around with FL (Fruity Loops) so in time i will actually be producing more for the crew.
I actually produced a track on my E.P, its called 'Misty', L.A. from Old $ole helped me a lil that's why it actually sounded pretty dope, its actually my least played song probably cause its just an instrumental
I actually produced a track on my E.P, its called 'Misty', L.A. from Old $ole helped me a lil that's why it actually sounded pretty dope, its actually my least played song probably cause its just an instrumental
So they have all known each other for a while?
Natural: Yes I'm one of the latest members, mostly everybody else knows each other from middle school but clicked in highschool, i came to meet em at age 15 so about 5 years, wow! Were all from a small town in Tx (Texas) called Brownsville, I just lived in Cali most of my life. Almost every member has relocated to Austin since. Steel Major still currently in Brownsville.
Was the school in Brownsville? Why did you move away?
JohnJoe: Yeah i went to a good amount of schools, i mainly moved out to further in music, it was always a goal we had when we graduated.
Whats the music scene like in Austin?
JohnJoe: Very different there's a variety of everything and it amazes me, where we're from there was nothing like it. Also very inspiring i think its what kinda drives me to do better.
Vicious: Weird, we keep Austin that way. It's known as the live music capitol of the world, one of the reasons we moved here. There's a lot of indie rock, folk and psychedelic music. A lot of hip hop artist down here remind me of Houston rappers, where i come from. We want to break some rules and be different. We are trying to bring our own flavor of Austin to the rest of the world.
Natural: Amazing Sxsw (South by Southwest) makes it music paradise, I say underground hip hop needs to be praised more this year, there's always a show going on but bands mainly.
Sxsw being one of the best festivals for up and coming music, you must be buzzing about it coming back around?
JohnJoe: Yeah i am, I've been to it twice and liked every bit of it, even though i went to nothing but the free shows. Next time i go i wanna take part in it but i feel i need to still develop skills.
Do you want to play Sxsw? Have you got a plan for a show?
JohnJoe: Yeah i do, its sum thin i have been wanting to do since i started rapping.
Natural: If I played solo, I'll play lots of my E.P but with POW! probably lots of unreleased stuff, we have this song we only perform cause its never gonna drop. But i plan a couple more tracks and remix projects before Sxsw.
Have you played any gigs in Austin yet?
Vicious: Not in Austin yet. Soon as we complete our new music we will start finding gigs.
I have noticed you give a lot of your tunes away for free, why is this?
Natural: Music should be free, i don't think my stuff is worth buying, donating yes but buying just not there. I've seen multiple artist ie. Mod Sun give out all their music for free to get a bigger fan base.
How do you feel your music is doing out on the world wide web?
Natural: I honestly still feel amateur but i see potential in myself and i see that in others too. I got love from out of the states and i'm real grateful for that but as for here, we are still on the come up.
JohnJoe: I feel its still needs to be better to catch attention, i'm very picky with it, i'm my worst critic. I'm hoping what i drop catches buzz so i can at least say i've done something.
Who has/does influence your music?
Natural: Me personally, am more fond of surf or psychedelic rock, i love house music. Daft Punk and MGMT are mad inspiration to me.
JohnJoe: Mainly a lot of music i listened to as a kid growing up, rap was always on my cd player. I can kinda say it taught me how to get through hard times, just because i was able to relate so much to what each artist was saying.
Do you still listen to the older tunes? Who stands out for you?
JohnJoe: Of course, those are gonna stay with me, that's my whole childhood, but right now i listen to a lot of artists. One i could really listento is Aziz Gibson he's pretty dope.
Guy's thanks so much for your time and keep me posted on any new releases.
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