KAHLON 2 Year Anniversary w/ DJ Angel Baby, Abhi/Dijon, DJ Juwan & More

Next week we'll be helping celebrate the two year anniversary of Baltimore's bi-monthly party, KAHLON which is curated by Abdu Ali, Lawrence Burney of True Laurels and DJ Genie. It goes down on Saturday, November 7th at The Crown (1910 N. Charles St) with sets by DJ Angel Baby, Abdu Ali, DJ Juwan, Abhi/Dijon, Black Sage, Phizzals, Genie and a DJ set by Dan Deacon. Since the first installment in November 2013, KAHLON has been blessed by artists like Jungle Pussy, B L A C K I E, Princess Nokia, Lor Scoota and more. Look out for the True Laurels-curated zine section too!

Interview: Trillnatured

Jess Hyman is a DJ and grad student, currently based in Baltimore. Known behind the decks as TrillNatured, she has made a name for herself playing for crowds at popular venues such as The Crown and Ottobar, as well being included in line-ups for this past summer's Ratscape and first-annual Pangea Fest. 

A relative newcomer to the art form, Trillnatured works tirelessly to balance academic and nightlife. On any given night, her setlist could include selections from Sam Smith to Rod Lee, and everything in between. No matter the genre, or the venue, Trillnatured aims to bring you out of your comfort zone and on to the dance floor. 

Where were you born and raised?

Trillnatured: I was born in Baltimore and raised in Harford County. My parents were raised in Baltimore, and much of my family is here, so I ended up spending a lot of time in the City as well as Harford County.

Favorite place to DJ?

My favorite place to DJ is most definitely The Crown. I love the crowd, the positive energy, and folks’ openness to all kinds of music. Because it’s such an open-minded & free-spirited crowd, I’ve been able to try out new things while beginning to find my niche as a DJ.

What are your musical inspirations? Do you come from a musical family?

I don’t come from a musical family in the sense of making music, but I can definitely say that I got my musical influence and taste from my Dad. I grew up hearing him listen to everyone from Gil Scott-Heron, to Phyllis Hyman, to Garth Brooks. I really developed an appreciation for various kinds of music through his eclectic collection.

Throwback #Meltmix from @jessica-hyman!

When did you decide to start learning how to DJ?

I’m not exactly sure how and when I decided I’d learn to DJ. There’s a chunk of time in between the time I started to ponder it, and actually starting to mix—maybe a year. Initially, I started introducing myself to local DJs and asking if I could watch what they do in the booth. DJ Exel from PA was one of them, and I’d watch her play at Hippo on Thursdays. Shortly after that, she taught me how to count (beats), and I became more excited about doing the real thing. In April of 2014, I bought a mixer and started teaching myself from there. The timeline is all kind of fuzzy, but I’m enjoying the journey.

Describe the experience of your first gig.

My first gig came without warning. Blaqstarr asked me about a half-hour before start time if I wanted to DJ an open-mic at Play hookah lounge. I freaked out (and almost punked out) but I knew I had to just throw myself out there and play in front of people. I was definitely nervous (I took a shot of Henny before I left the house), but the night turned out to be a relative success. I remember his wife, Mia,  telling me that she was “pleasantly surprised” by my skills. That was awesome.

What have you learned along the way?

The number one lesson that I’ve learned is to move at my own pace. I block out any pressure to compete with anyone but myself, or to take on things that I’m not ready for. I started DJing when I was ready, and I will progress to different levels when I’m ready.

What have been your favorite experiences, venues and parties so far?

My favorite party is definitely "Queerology" at The Crown. It’s a queer dance party hosted by TT the Artist on every first Thursday. I’ve always dreamed of an event/venue where queer folks gather to just BE. No “S&M” (standing and modeling), positive evergy, and dance music in its true form.

What is your take on the 'scene' in Baltimore?

I’m relatively new to it, but I’ve quickly come to know where I feel like I’m at “home” and who I feel at “home” with. If I had to define my scene, it would be the likes of The Crown, Windup, Metro, Copycat, Annex, Ottobar, and the music-lovers/makers who frequent those spaces. This part of Baltimore is so rich with talent & I’ve found community here in the purest sense.

What are you studying, and how does that affect your music and vice versa?

I’m attending University of Maryland, Baltimore for my Master’s in Social Work. It’s been a long time coming; this is actually my second attempt at a graduate degree. My first attempt was at Rutgers University right out of undergrad. Long story short, I was depressed & isolated, and dropped out a few months in. Having said that, I still struggle immensely with motivation in my current academic pursuits, but DJing (and the community that has grown out of it) keeps me going. It happened right on time for me. Although I’m still cultivating my academic interests and career goals (aka “have no idea what I want to do when I graduate”), I’ve found a passion for DJing, which is all can ask for.

Photos: KAHLON

Diamond Dixon snapped some amazing photos from the last installment of KAHLON which went down on January 31st at The Crown in Baltimore. Below are shots of Chae Buttah, DonChristian, Abdu Ali, Isabejja, Rip Knoxxx, OCDJ, Mental Jewelry and more! 

The next KAHLON is back at The Crown on March 7th with live sets by Juliana Huxtable, Al Rogers, Qiana Kitt, Sunatirene, Abdu Ali + DJ Haram & Precolumbian. 

KAHLON Collage

In celebration of KAHLON--a party that I curate along with Abdu Ali--nearing its 1-year anniversary, here's a video that takes footage from each show, presenting a visual reference of what KAHLON is really about. All the sick video footage is courtesy of Keem Griffey and the video was edited by Brian Agamie. The performers captured are Abdu Ali, Butch Dawson, Dan Deacon, Buffa7o, Weekends, B L A C K I E, Jungle Pussy and Matic808. Get into it and be on the lookout for November's KAHLON lineup being announced soon! A special thanks goes out to anyone and everyone who's made KAHLON special! 

True Laurels Presents: FLAT OUT

Back in July, we started FLAT OUT--a party and show in Baltimore dedicated to showcasing artists that use rap as a foundation, while embracing the genre’s boundless trajectory where electronic and punk have began expanding its soundscape. FLAT OUT is about bringing dynamic underground musical and visual artists together to exhibit their unique talent while ignoring the pretense and remnants of the old guard that heavily cloud the game today. 

We're excited to announce the second party's lineup, which spans from experimental, to street rap to Baltimore Club! Saturday, October 25th we'll be at The Crown's Blue Room (1910 N. Charles St.) presenting Hampton Virginia's D.R.A.M., NYC's SADAF, and three artists from Baltimore: club producer, DJ Dizzy, rapper Greedy and DJ/producer, Potionz! Visuals and live coverage will be provided by Time Spent! Flier by Antonina Clarke.

---NO FLAUGIN. NO WHORES. NO PHONIES. CELEBRATE THE REAL AND LOSE YASELF. FLAT OUT---

Check out the FLAT OUT artists:

D.R.A.M.:

\\/\// DOWNLOAD HERE--> ONLY1DRAM.com "I made the #1EPICINTRO beat, Kaine Solo killed that Cha Cha joint and this nigga Gabe put that magic touch to it to add insult to injury.. Goldens was produced by Kaine Solo as well, I never met the homie but I know his stellar sounds personally. Gabe did the Cuchadoe joint. Bruh, I immediately snapped when he played me that jant! My muhfuckin niggas VERYRVRE blessed the Mind Gone beat which is a stone cold smash record in my mind, while Gabe smoothed it out with the Never Again production. Bub and Gabe classically laced the beat for $, all original too! I don't know who produced Junior Mafia's Get Money, but I do know Gabe flipped that jant quite decently. You should already know the scope with Feet In The Water, and Gabe laced the Just One joint as well.. Now, this #1EPICRANT includes production from Myself, this guy my lil cuz is cool with, the great Raisi K and my dude Titti of Streetzonfire. Raisi K also blessed the Yoga Fire beat, while Bub took it home with #1EPICSUMMER. I wrote all my shit, including this long ass memo." -D R A M

SADAF:

DJ DIZZY:

BALTIMORE CLUB REMIX OF Baltimore's Top Local artist song Bird Flu - Lor Scoota" REPOST, SHARE DOWNLOAD AND COMMENT ! DOWNLOAD LINK : https://www.sendspace.com/file/g1270t

GREEDY: 

POTIONZ:

FEEL GOOD SUMMER JAM

RSVP HERE

KAHLON w/ B L A C K I E

I'm happy to announce the next installment of KAHLON which goes down Thursday, April 24th at The Crown in Baltimore! Houston's B L A C K I E will be coming up and headlining (his set will be nuts), Abdu Ali will be rocking as usual with his frequent producer, Schwarz, providing sounds. There will also be sets by NYC-based singer Richard Kennedy and Baltimore punk band Sex Gender. Doors open at 8:30 p.m and there will be issues of True Laurels, too! Do not miss this shit. 

RSVP here. 

KAHLON: All Night Rager + True Laurels Zine Release Party

If you're in Baltimore next Saturday (November 9th) you should definitely come be a part of KAHLON—an all night dance party and rager with live sets by my friends Abdu Ali, TT The Artist, Ponyo, Gurl Crush and David Revlon. But best of all, KAHLON will also be the release party for the first issue of True Laurels' zine! I've been working on this for a while and I'm excited to finally share a physical component of the blog with people who've been reading from the start and anyone who happens to stumble by. Overall, it's a collection of conversations and insight with people that inspire me a great deal. Catch Cities Aviv, Abdu Ali, DUOX, Modi (DCtoBC/Trillectro), Neil Martinez-Belkin, TT The Artist and 83 Cutlass in the first issue, along with contributions from some talented friends! I've been fiending for a more personal connection with artists that are featured through interviews, profiles or docs in various pubs, so that was the aim for the zine—intimate moments with those who push the culture forward. Without mouthing my way to completely defeating the purpose of an invite for its release, come by The Crown (1910 N. Charles St., 2nd Fl) next Saturday. For those not in Baltimore, some online components of the zine will be posted soon after the release.

RSVP to KAHLON here!