Gnos-tel-jah
Advertisement
» go to the music page for more
"Becoming" Reviewed by RadioIndy.com
Hip-Hop takes a strange trip with Gnos-Tel-Jah and their latest album of original (and we mean original) material on "Becoming." Comprised of 2 male vocalists and 1 female vocalist, Gnos-Tel-Jah offers up a psychedelic ride of Hip-Hop fused with rock and spoken word. "Midnight Swang" represents the rap side to their debut disc with easy flowing rhymes and is reminiscent of the group Outkast. When you break it all down, Rap/Hip-Hop is basically spoken words with beats underlying the phrases. The band shows their love for this genre with 13 "chapters" which are 13 separate spoken tracks. Any fan of Outkast, Gnarls Barkley, or of spoken word will thoroughly enjoy "Becoming" as it is a new and innovating CD.
-Shaun H. and The RadioIndy Reviewer Team
Hip-Hop takes a strange trip with Gnos-Tel-Jah and their latest album of original (and we mean original) material on "Becoming." Comprised of 2 male vocalists and 1 female vocalist, Gnos-Tel-Jah offers up a psychedelic ride of Hip-Hop fused with rock and spoken word. "Midnight Swang" represents the rap side to their debut disc with easy flowing rhymes and is reminiscent of the group Outkast. When you break it all down, Rap/Hip-Hop is basically spoken words with beats underlying the phrases. The band shows their love for this genre with 13 "chapters" which are 13 separate spoken tracks. Any fan of Outkast, Gnarls Barkley, or of spoken word will thoroughly enjoy "Becoming" as it is a new and innovating CD.
-Shaun H. and The RadioIndy Reviewer Team
Why this name?
Gnos-tel-jah, pronounced "nostalgia" refers, literally, to a longing for the past. In our world today, there is definitely a longing for how things used to be. As a group, we use this longing as inspiration to create something new. As our "new" name breaks down, "Gnos" refers to, and is the shortened version of "Gnostic" which means a heightened knowledge of spirituality, and also depicts certain "Gospels" of the Bible that were ommitted. In using this term, we are expressing the fact that we are uncovering unspoken truths, and pushing the envelope of what is socially acceptable. "Tel" refers to "Telecommunications" as a means to spread the music and the message. In this day and age, technology is the mode of transfer of infformation, and the use of "tel" merely includes this fact. Lastly, "Jah" refers to the Rastafarian Godhead, but actually means much more in our name. "Jah" coupled with "Gnos" portrays religious and cultural tolerance as two very differing perspectives are included in one name. Also, "Jah" as a Godhead portrays the masculine and feminine divinity which is key for the band because we have both male and female voices intermingling.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
The internet allows freedom and independence of artists that was not possible before. I know that without the internet, we would most likely not be as involved musically as we are as our music is not what is typically heard on the radio.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
As a distribution contract, and only if we were to keep all creative liberties.
Band History:
Gnos-tel-jah is currently a three piece group with 2 males and 1 female occupying the vocals. Everything that comes out of the group is original, from the beats and music to the lyrics. All music is crafted by us and all instruments are played by us. We also keep everything in the production/engineering side of things "in-house" as we record, produce, and mix all of our songs. Our first studio album, "Becoming", is a meld of several musical genres and styles that embody the different, but amazingly similar personalities of the members of Gnos-tel-jah. "Becoming" exemplifies the up and down struggle that preceeds finding the true "self." More a novel than a collection of short stories, "Becoming" depicts this process through emotional music and poignant lyrics, incorporating relevant issues of our time. Coupled with poetic interludes that act as the glue between the songs, "Becoming" guarantees an emotional journey that can be taken again and again.
Your influences?
We are influenced by just about everything...From classic rock to old school country to rap and r&b. The three of us all gravitate toward different styles of music, but our preferences seem to find a common thread in our music.
Favorite spot?
The studio in Santa Barbara... www.pointconceptionstudio.com
Equipment used:
Check out the studio website above...There is too much to list.