Premiere • L.A. VanGogh: Friends First
One of the more exciting new acts on our radar has a new EP to share and we have the pleasure of hooking you up first. The versatile L.A. VanGogh has been begun to make a name for himself this year with releases as part of safeNsound with producer Ambi Lyrics, and now as a solo act. L.A.'s delivery style is somewhere between emcee and crooner, and we love it. Did we mention he's a producer as well? L.A.'s musical abilities are seemingly boundless and listeners get a taste of it all on his new EP, Friends First.
Joining him on the four track EP are friends nosidam, Sean Deaux, Ishmael Raps and Femdot, all promising new acts in their own right. The project is intended to be a thank you dedicated to its contributors, and also the start of a new chapter in L.A.'s music making career. Check out our conversation with L.A. VanGogh below for more details on the project, his creative process and plans for the immediate future, then of course listen to Friend's First at once!
Do you approach your solo work differently than you do as part of SafeNSound?
It's all hard work. I will say I'm in a different space, both musically and personally, now, though.
Do you find it easier to produce and perform your own music? Is it easier to find the sound you're looking for?
Yes and no. Yes because I love complete control (shoutout to the Taurus in me). No, because sometimes there is someone who can execute something better than I can. Man can't do it all, bruv. Either way, I am able to convey and express the sound I want. That's mainly because I'm always involved in the post production.
This EP, like those in the past is short, sweet and to the point. Do you find it easier to convey your thoughts in these short bursts?
NOT AT ALL. I like for projects to have concepts and stories, characters, different scenes, points of reference within each song. While EPs are easier to arrange, they aren't as satisfying to my inner artist child. I view these short projects as appetizers for whats really cooking (pun slightly intended)
Does the music on Friends First share a common theme, or is it really just about working with your friends?
It's about working with friends and i wanted to show them the appreciation I have for their work as well. I'm a fan of everyone on this project. I've been a very autonomous musician for a long time. Only recently have I started to collaborate a lot. It's pushed me to be better and gotten me over a lingering creative block. This is my thank you.
You have a performance coming up at Subterranean on December 5th. How would you describe your shows to someone who's never been?
Some things only experience can express.
What can we expect from L.A. In 2017?
Lifting the veil. :) #shpeshft
