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Pursuit Grooves
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Hip-Hop/ Downtempo/ Breakbeat
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October 2009
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n/a
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myspace.com/vjsmith...
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facebook.com/pages/Pursuit-G...
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Thomas Quinlan
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When speaking of electronic or hip hop producers who have made innovative contributions to their genre, females are rarely mentioned. Whether hard to find or never exposed, Pursuit Grooves is making it her business to deliver an important message to the world…"WE DO EXIST!"
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A performance artist from a young age, Brooklyn's Vanese Smith turned poetry into rap, picked up production and partied as a DJ throughout college, resulting in a performance spot at Barcelona, Spain's prestigious Red Bull Music Academy. But no need to go anywhere near as exotic for folks from Steel Town and Hogtown as Toronto turntable technicians Inside-A-Mind bring the downtempo/hip hop triple threat to town on October 14 and 15, respectively. According to Pursuit Grooves, expect ass-shaking beats and a general party atmosphere. That's also the direction Pursuit's newer production work is headed in, but for an example of her downtempo instrumental work check most recent album, Sustainable Movements for a New Age. Released on Earth Day as a free download at divshare.com/download/6978690-841, the album reveals an artist with a passion and an ear for chill grooves. Urbnet's interview reveals that and so much more...
URBNET: What's the meaning of the name Pursuit Grooves?
PURSUIT GROOVES: I started using the name Pursuit as an MC about 14 years ago. I added the Grooves maybe three or four years after that when production became my main focus. I wanted a name that meant movement, aggression and ambition.
What came first for you: DJ, producer or rapper? How did the other elements evolve? What do you enjoy the most?
That's kinda tough. As an artist they all kind of intermingled and appeared, disappeared and reappeared. I went to a performing arts school since I was eight, so I studied everything: music, visual art, media, theater and dance. I took piano lessons for a very short while and wrote little poems that then became rhymes at about 12-, 13-ish. I had a little keyboard but got the thirst with a multi-track recorder at 14, then soon a drum machine and 4-track cassette player two years later. So then it became, “hey, I can make my own beats for my rhymes.” It just went from there. I DJed throughout college. I had a regular weekend spot at the campus club on the weekends and partied a bit too much! I enjoy performing and making music the most.
You can rap so why do you stick with instrumental music so much?
Well, unfortunately, when you think of rapping you think of hip hop only. Hip hop represents my roots but I grew up listening to so much more. Plus I'm not going to be rapping when I'm 50. Doing instrumental music and focusing on production doesn't pigeonhole me. Being able to rhyme is like a cherry on top.
What inspires your music? Why do you tend towards downtempo?
It really depends on what's happening in my life at the moment and what mood I'm in. A lot of my most recent work is very uptempo because it's a reflection of all my live gigs. I play a lot of clubs and I like to dance so most of my live set music is my faster stuff. So as of late, when I'm making tracks I'm thinking how will it sound live.
On that note, what are you trying to achieve when you record a track? A vibe? A concept? Head nod factor?
I have no set plan. I just start with my drums and see where it takes me. That pretty much determines the mood and tempo.
How are you received as a female making music? Do you find you get a different reception depending on the audience, from trip hop fans to downtempo fans to hip hop fans?
If anything it brings more females to the shows. They are very supportive. The beat scene is very male driven so they are already there. Maybe I get one bonus point for making cool music AND being a chic. I know it gives it a twist but I just do what I do. I never labeled my stuff to begin with so whether you're a hip hop, trip hop or downtempo head everyone's got their favorite tracks.
You have previously released two albums on your own label, What Rules Records. Why did you start the label? Any other artists aside from yourself on the label?
It's just me. I didn't want to wait for a label to decide if my music would get heard so I just did it myself. It's super low key and really just a way to do things when and how I like, though, of course, I would appreciate the wider distribution. It's coming soon with the new project if all goes well.
You made your third album, Sustainable Movements for a New Age, available as a free download. Why?
I made it available the month that Earth Day is celebrated. I wanted to make a point by making it free and saving on materials.
Which explains the environmental-related song titles...
I just think if one has the ability to connect with folks and throw in something meaningful, it can be beneficial. I love to dance and listen to happy music but sometimes we also forget the power of music and how it can be used. I'm into living in accordance with the environment when possible. I mean, no one's perfect. But we should be more mindful of our place in the world. The causes and effects of what we do daily add up.
You've also done a mash-up of your beats from Sustainable Movements with some R&B acapellas. What was the inspiration for Sustainable Mash-ups?
I'm a huge old school R&B fan so I thought it would be cool to add a different feel or twist to it especially since I do a lot of instrumentals.
How did you decide on which beats and which vocals to use?
I just play around until somethings clicks.
What are your thoughts in general on mash-ups?
I don't really follow the mash up scene. I just like to do remixes and mash ups when I hear something that might sound cool to me.
You have a podcast. Could you maybe drop a little bit of info about that?
Yeah, it's called Nodding Grand. It's monthly right now. I play anything I want, basically. There's no true format though I do follow an overall vibe of beats and grooves whether it be funk, hip hop or electronic music. I have over 30,000 subscribers internationally, which I'm pretty happy with!
You also DJ live. Do you have a residency anywhere? A radio show?
My focus as of the last year or two has been production and playing live. I will only DJ if it's a special event and I can have free range to play what I want. The podcast gives me full control versus the radio, but I love to host so I would be more than down if I had the right opportunity for a regular radio show.
You participated in Redbull Music Academy in Barcelona, Spain last year. How was the experience?
It's a long application process. I guess they want to see how much you want it. They only accept 3% of those who apply so its like winning the lottery! It was two of the best musical weeks of my life.
Inside-A-Mind's Professor Fingers is bringing you up to Toronto for a show on October 15. How did you hook up with him?
We were checking out each others music on MySpace. You know it's a world of its own. Being able to connect with people all over the world.
Have you been to Canada before?
Yup, I've been a few times. I think Toronto's awesome.
What can someone expect from a Pursuit Grooves performance?
Great tunes and lots of energy. If I'm in a club setting, I want folks to dance. It's all fun, ya know.
Any final words or shout outs?
Just a super duper thanks to everyone who is supportive of what I do. There's so much more to come!
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