Leif(kolt)
Leif(kolt) has been in his own world for the last 5 years, locked in a small pocket town in Northern Michigan making and preforming his own brand of Hiphop.
With only second hand store equipment, and demo versions of music programs he has been consistantly putting out music and sharing it with other. Up until now all of his music has been self produced, written, and recorded. But, at this point Leif has made it clear that he plans on trying to work with outside production in order to expand his sound, and to allow him to focus more on the MC aspects of his music.
Art, Emotion, Pop Culture, Rap, and Polotics collide in the music of this 20 something midwest born Male.
This October (05) he will be relocating to San Diego, California, and actively looking for a record deal.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I started making music after my freshman year of college in 1999. Got onto college radio and started freestyling weekly (91.5 wupx). And, started playing shows.
I've opened for Digital Underground and Juvenile, and have played tons of shows myself around Michigan.
At the end of this month I am moving to San Diego to try and expand my music and get into the "commercail" side of things, as retarted as that sounds... I know that if I want to make music for a living than it is something I have to do.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
"Yes indeed. I've played all over Michigan, from Houghton and Marquette in the U.P. to Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Detroit, and everywhere in between. Mostly small venues like coffee shops and parties.
Of course I like it. It is the greatest feeling in the world when everyone is vibing on the same level, and to have people experiencing the same emotion at once,,, it is really very powerful. Plus, who doesn't like to get props for their own creations???
The best moments are the ones when everyone is feeling the music in their own ways, and adding to the shows energy. No one really notices anyone else specificly, but yet they can still feel everyone around them.
I'll be in San Diego starting in October, which is kind of scary, I don't really know what the scene is like there, and what to expect from live shows,,, but I am sure there will be more places to play than where I live right now. Book me shows in Cali fools!!!!"
Your musical influences
Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Sublime, Anticon, Hieroglyphics, Snoop Dog, BusDriver, Paul Barman, Rage Against the Machine, Dave Brubreck, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Nirvana, DoseOne, Sage Francis, Classical Music, RadioHead, Living Legends,,,, pretty much everything I've ever heard.
What equipment do you use?
Reason, Magix Audio Studio 6, HP Pavilion, Windows 98, Tascam Port Studio (tape) basicalyy a bunch of low budget crap.
Anything else?
A) If you produce music, I'd love to hear what you have. I enjoy trying to write to all different kinds of music. Send me some stuff and maybe I can use it on my next CD!
B) check out my website www.leifkolt.com!
C) If you have a record label, and like my music, or think you can find some opprotunities for me, give me a holler.
