THE FRESHMEN

If you took the Beach Boys and the Beastie Boys and smashed them together, you might come close to the sound and feel of The Freshmen. Brought together in 2009 by a mixture of randomness and what in hindsight seams like fate, the trio quickly realized their common interest in 60's pop rock, hip hop and progressive music in general. It wasn't long after they set a course to craft a sound all their own. Born and bred in California, The Freshmen draw heavy inspiration from their native surroundings. On the surface it's as simple as girls, sunshine and an "anything goes" attitude but if you dig a little deeper you'll reveal an honest, insightful and unique approach to songwriting. MC's A Wolf and Kristo create the sort of lyrical balance and deftness that can be likened to Andre 3000 and Big Boi as much as it can be John and Paul. Producer THX combines a little bit of today, a little bit of yesterday and a taste of tomorrow to create a musical melting pot. One that would be equivalent to a Hip Hop show in the Haight-Ashbury during the Summer Of Love. So in the spirit of the rebels who inspired The Freshmen sound there will be no cheesy summary here. Just listen to the tunes and enjoy the ride. The end.

KRISTO

When Kristo chose his name he had no idea the parallel he would share with globally acclaimed Art Photographer, Christo. In all actuality; the name came as simple as a play off of his birth name, Christian. Although; oddly enough, just like the Christo of 1935, today’s Kristo was artistically discovered at the very young age of 14. Some would say that…at the dawn of his teenage years Kristo fully embraced hip hop as his chosen culture. Sharing a similar background with the photographer, Kristo fought his social-economic hardships with his passion for art…more specifically…music…more precisely… Hip Hop.

From break dancing to graffiti to musical compositions to lyrical composites, Kristo embodied everything Hip Hop. He combined his clever, intelligent and often witty content with a smooth, cohesive, easily digested delivery. Much like the visual artist, Kristo combined his aspirations, disillusionments, struggles, successes, geographical positioning and creative vision to compose true to life music. By merging all these elements…he has become an eclectic architect of beats, rhymes and choruses.

While working & performing with various artist from Hip Hop’s elite… Kristo has established himself in the Hip Hop community as a provider of variety. From Bob Marley to Rakim to Steele Pulse to Sting & the Police, Kristo’s musical tastes define his love for the originality that will further push his vision of Hip Hop into a New Era of music. From Christo circa 1968 to Kristo circa 2009… a lot has changed; although, the art… the MUSIC… remains the same… everlasting.

A WOLF

Question:

What do James Dean, Johnny Depp, the Wright Brothers, & Bill Gates have in common with Hip Hop artist A.Wolf?

Answer:

These are all people who have; in one point or another, defied the status quo with their unique and often considered “extreme” ideals.

Ever since his tenth birthday, A.Wolf has had dreams of penning his own hip hop legacy. He has and continues to be Hip Hop’s source of lyrical defection, a renegade with content. Almost as if he stood in front of Hip Hop Incorporated with a picket sign, he has voiced his dislike for the corporate suits and what they have done to Hip Hop since the birth of MTV.

Even within his personal musical tastes… the rebel lives. Inspired by Slick Rick, Jim Morrison, Andre 3000, Portishead & 2pac; to name a few, A.Wolf has groomed himself to be the edgy & lyrically unpredictable emcee we have come to find before us. As an ever-evolving artist…the past has lit his creative future.

His first album “Nitrous Ox” (1997) set the tone for his war against the machine. Then in 2004 he released “Misiries Company” which took you further in to the world of A.Wolf.

While some artists tend to follow the trends of the time and go in line with what’s selling, A.Wolf takes the Tyler Durden (Fight Club 1999) approach. He embodies his alter ego and unappologetically describes his distaste for mass society, materialism, capitalism, and social order. With that being said… Is A.Wolf a rambunctious rabble rouser or is he Hip Hop’s purveyor… or maybe… just maybe… a bit of both.

THX

As the curtain parts and the lights dim…THX walks out and takes his seat behind a Grande Piano. After a vigorous applause; the crowd comes to a hush, anticipating the ensuing masterpiece. As he begins to play a melody the glow of Carnegie Hall fades away and is replaced by the glow of his Pro Tools monitor inside his Hawthorne, Ca. studio. The piano is substituted by an 88 key Triton keyboard and the crowd dissipates, exchanged by a few close friends. The music grows as THX adds harmony while manipulating various chord structures with an assortment of sounds. As if in a trance, he is engulfed by the music spilling from his soul.

Ever since 2003, THX has been the composer of life’s soundtrack. He has openly embraced every genre of music which is what fuels his acceptance & approval of diversity. Influenced by the clean & tight production of Dj Quick, the ingenuity of The Neptunes and Timbaland’s ability to consistently re-invent himself, THX has grown into a consummate producer. As a result; he has had the good fortune to work with a plethora of talented artists, from Busta Rhymes, Damani, Sincere Blak Poet, Bad Lucc, The Clipse, David Banner, Snoop Dogg, and many others.

By combining his God given talent with a passionate desire for education in Music Theory, THX is more than your common fruity loop arranger. He is a studious musician with the advantage of a technological background from the prestigious California Academy of Mathematics & Science. His constant pursuance of education is what separates him from a world of other producers. THX isn’t just Hip Hop. He isn’t just Electronica. He isn’t just R&B. THX; with all certainty, is music in the flesh. Alive, ever changing, ever evolving… music… personified.