The Dojo Mojo

If you were a fly on the wall in the Dojo, this is what you would see. However, you would run the risk of my big Tongan hands trying to swat you too. But it's worth the risk, yeah? Haha...

A candid shot of Daniel punching the keys to prove that: Yes - we're hard at work on 'The 'Umu' and yes, Daniel's hair is still growing. The sessions went well. Three songs were done. All of different flavours. But you know us, styles upon styles upon styles is what we have (thanks Phife!). Hold tight though - you guys may get a little surprise verrrrrry soon. Bam!

Maitland Embracing Multi-Culturalism

Over the week-end, Daniel and I opened up our Maitland account. Yep - first show in that town (which is around 20 minutes outside of Newcastle). It's a quiet, historical place that reminded me of Queanbeyan, a bit. A smaller Queanbeyan.

Anyway, thanks goes out to the Maitland crew for making us feel welcome by the cheers, photo taking and high fives. Also universal pounds go out to DJ Skoob and my boy, Tunz One (plus Faith & crew). AND big, big daps to The Herd massiv for taking us out on the road. Twas great. Hope to do it again sometime. Bless up.

Here is a photo I took in the city centre of Maitland. They maybe a country-like town, but they know how to make the peoples of all backgrounds feel the love.

Natural Born Twitter

OK, OK... So I (Hau) have told many a crew that I draw the line at this whole Twitter craziness. I just didn't want to become a part of this 'fad' thing and blah, blah, blah...

BUT...

Low and behold, here we are. Daniel has had his Twitter account up and running for a while ( @harrydanielsono ) and seeing that this really is a cool way to keep in contact with our peoples, we gots one.

@Koolism

So follow... or rather join... the movement.

Dojo Business pt. I

An example of when the creative juices start to bubble like vintage Dom P. Daniel getting busy creating a tune called, 'Alone'.

Can many get down like Daniel can? Pffft... not likely. This is only a taste.

It's Gettin' Cold in Hurr!

This is me taking a little paddle around the Yarra River in Melbourne. Haha... not really, but cotdayum - it's cold here. What am I doing in such a culturally active but warmth challenged place? Getting down to business, that's what.

If you don't know by now, we're hitting the road with the mighty Herd crew for a little tour. The first show is Melbourne @ The Prince on Friday (24th July) then in Sydney on the Saturday (25th) @ The Manning Bar. Should be tops.

Then catch us in Brisbane on the 31st @ The Zoo. Big up the whole QLD crew. Wally Lewis included. From there, we play @ The Station Resort in Jindabyne (5th August) and @ The Hunter Valley Brewery in Maitland (7th Aug).

Be there or be square.

Other than that, Daniel and I have been cracking on the album. It's getting there, folks, it's getting there. Sounding good too, I might add. Better than most of the crap that's out there. Which, I guess, isn't too hard to do. But yeah, the album will be like brathing in the air in Christchurch, NZ after living in Hong Kong for 50 yrs (no offence to my HK crew - just trying to prove a colourful point).

Speaking of good sh!t, you get the Mos Def 'The Ecstatic' album yet? No? Our friendship has now ceased.

Bye.

AAA (Access All Areas - for those not in the know)

I'm a bit late with this particular upload, but I had to still share it with you guys.

My man, Alvin, did his thing with this and here is my version. The behind the scenes footage of the filming of the 'Jam Hot' video. Get your 15 minutes of fame here!

Much thanks to all the family who supported us on the day and the crew who made it possible.

Bless up!

The King of Pop - There is None Higher!

Wow. Crazy times indeed. The death of Michael Jackson has certainly had an impact on the world. Sure he was a nut at times, but hey...you can't front on the music.

The King of Pop has definitely left his mark on not only hip hop, R&B and soul, but the music industry as a whole. Big fella will be sorely missed.

MJ - thank you. You certainly made our childhood a lot cooler with your albums as the soundtrack.

For those wanting to vibe out to the tunes, check out my boy's tribute mix to the King of Pop, 'Man or the Music'.
Click on the smooth criminal. Shamon!

Funky Fresh Dressed to Impress

What it is crew?

Hoping all are well.

Yeah, been a little slack with my updates. A lot of things have been happening and you will be updated in time.
This post, though, will be about supporting a much loved Sydney radio station. FBi Radio. Their on-going support for not only local hip hop, but local music in general, Here's the scoop - they are facing financial hardships and, us, as a scene have the chance to help them out.

FBi Radio's 'Stolen Records' show (hosted by the one, Shantan) have organised a gala ball showcasing some of Sydney's finest hip hop acts. It's gonna be huuuuuuuge! Check the flyer for the line up (and details). Holy smokes. Guaranteed to be a good night.

So if you're up to having a good night while knowing you helped out an important cause, then sweet - see you there.
Oh, I will be holding it down for the Koolism crew on the solo tip. I'll be performing some solo tunes I have been working on. Eeeaaasy nooow...

Did He Just Say What I Thought He Said?

Ya cotdayum riiight.

Jumping in the DeLorian for a second. Punch in the year '2004' and you can re-live one of Koolism's brightest moments. Yeah, was quite a surreal evening. Hanging out with the father of hip hop, Kool Herc, then winning the inaugural 'Best Urban (cringe) Release' at the ARIAs. The look on peoples faces when we won. The look on our faces weren't too much different. Haha. Didn't think we'd win but hell, we'll take it anyway.

A lot of people took Daniel's speech the wrong way. Which was fine, too. If the shoe fits - wear it, sucker. Those with half a clue will understand where his head and heart was at with this one.

Big up the man like Tunks for putting up in cyber heaven.

And yeah, Fergie looks aiiight up close. Even if she does piss her pants on stage.

This accolade made my folks and town proud as punch.
"We did it, Queanbeyan!" *





* Biggie Smalls homage, if you didn't know.

The Making of...

...the 'Jam Hot' video through the eyes and camera of my man, Alvin.

Was to great to have my buddy up from Melbourne to hang out and even shoot some footage. A talented boy he is. Producer/ writer/ MC/ camera man/ editor... the list goes on. Now that's what I call a slasher.

Anyway, check this out and many other videos of Alvin's at his Vorticezine channel on You Tube HERE.
And you can check Alvin's musical stylings with his crew jacaJAH at his myspace riiight higgy HERE. Easy now...

Just a Cool Pic

It's been a while, folks.

Hoping everyone is well.

Just thought I'd drop in to say 'g'day' and leave you with this gem of a picture. It was taken during the video shoot of 'Jam Hot' in a nice suburb of Canberra.
Big shout out to Cole Bennets for the camera work. Nice one.

Oh, Koolism album dropping mid-year. It's been going well. Daniel is smashing it up in the studio. Wowzers!

The Official Video for 'Jam Hot'

Here it, my peoples. The Cameron Brown directed video for our first single, 'Jam Hot'.

Keeping it real as per usual, we took it back to Canberra to capture the essence of Koolism: Family, food and music.

Hope you guys dig it.

Stay tuned for all the behind-the-scenes footage. Bo!