Party Ends

   Hailing from  the nearby (to both John and myself) town of Waco, a name fraught with the stigma that will always endure, thrives a music scene that never ceases to surprise me. Quite a few youngsters from in and around Baylor University have come together to produce what is a slowly evolving Waco sound, rooted in shoegaze and 90's indie rock, with smatterings of growing up listening to Biggie and Tupac. While most of these talented youth steer in the direction of indie-pop and post-punk balladry, a few side projects and collaborations have produced some riveting and original hip hop.

   One of the most intriguing and truly original sounds I've heard of late is American Sasquatch. Composed of Jared Himstedt and a favorite of Party Ends Reeve Hunter - who has his fingers in many, many pies - the sound is lo-fi (as of yet being in demo stages) but still lush with juxtaposed instruments and a flow all it's own.

   Composed of trashy beats, acoustic guitar, flutes, and all sorts of other instruments, this ethnically inclined indie rap is both interesting and substantial. The subject matters vary, but border on the existential; relationships, cooperate takeover, and the depth and strain of modern living.

   Like most other bands out of Waco, the music also has religious undertones, and sometimes overtones. Never really distracting, or aggressive, it only serves to add another level of personal input from the artists.  Check out these tracks and see for yourself; I can't wait to hear these songs picked up and really polished:

MP3 - American Sasquatch - 1000  

MP3 - American Sasquatch - Genesis

   On a much lighter note, but in the same scene, is another hip-hop bunch by the name of Sparrow Love Crew. I had a CD these guys cobbled together in their college dorm rooms back several years ago, also containing substantial input from Reeve and consisting of spliced 8 bit Nintendo themes, phat beats, and comical lyrics. Since then, the lineup seems to have changed a bit, and the fidelity has been raised, but the magic that made me listen to the 8-track recordings over and over till I knew every word are still there. I hope these guys really go somewhere, because they deserve it. In fact, I'm almost shocked they aren't signed yet. I'm with you all the way guys, just maybe use the Mega Man theme again, that was awesome.

MP3 - Sparrow Love Crew - Naidu 2006

MP3 - Sparrow Love Crew - The Business

Oh yeah, I can't belive I found it on You Tube, check out this Sparrow Love Crew video by my good friend Chris Rose. This was on that old CD I had, it's incredible! They should totally keep this one.

Video - Sparrow Love Crew - Live in the HEB