KINDA NEAT Lee Shaner

Mavi was one of the first artists I reached out to when deciding to relaunch Kinda Neat, so it's only fitting he ended up as the last guest of this "season" before I take a little summer break. When I reached out I'd recently gotten hip to his triumphant debut, Let the Sun Talk. It turns out Mavi had recently decided to take a break from school to concentrate on playing shows and building on the momentous buzz of the record. Then the world came to a halt.

I can't help but feel for all the young artists who were about to embark on their first tours when 2020 was stolen from them. Not being able to touch audiences and feel the palpable energy of a record like LTST can make an artist feel like the record quickly became a distant memory. In talking to Mavi, he seemed almost surprised someone (me) would still care about the album. But on the heels of his latest EP, END OF THE EARTH, with venues opening back up, hopefully 2021 will make up for lost time last year.

This was a very thought-provoking episode. We broke format and talked less about Mavi's journey than we did his worldview. I'm thoroughly impressed and in awe of his intellect, insight, and insatiable curiosity. The breadth of knowledge available at his fingertips on a wide range of subjects is enviable, and the wisdom that shines through his songs is just as easily on display in conversation. Tune in to hear us talk about his deep connection to South Carolina, how America is deeply haunted, and why his name is nothing to play with. 

-Lee

When ovrkast. came through last year, demahjiae came with him to the studio. I wasn't hip yet, but ovrkast. promised me he was next up. He was right! 

demahjiae's 2020 release "And, Such Is Life." boosted itself right into my favorite albums of the year upon it's release. The self-produced opus features a litany of guests that stay in my rotation (Navy Blue, Pink Siifu, Zeroh, ovrkast.), thoughtfully cohesive production, and constantly inward facing lyricism. It's well worth your time and truly shows the potential for a long-lasting and impactful career. 

Tune in to hear us talk about legendary bass player great grandfather, the influence of video game soundtracks, and a pivotal tech deck rejection.

SG Ali was brought to my attention by a trusted source and I've loved everything I've heard so far. She has a deeply intuitive sense of melody, and consistently creates inspirational ear worms. Turns out she's been honing her craft since childhood. 

Born and raised in Near North Chicago, in the Cabrini-Green Homes, she was lucky enough to be a part of a music education program in middle school called "Friday Crew" where members learned to make beats, make raps, and make music videos. While she was initially only excited to get out of class, she quickly realized she had vast potential as a rapper, and it wasn't long before early teenage Facebook posts of her raps were going viral. Now after almost a decade of honing her craft, her first record with upstart label Steady Leanin is on the way soon. 

Tune in to hear us talk about Mayor Daly tearing down Chicago's housing projects, being born to young parents, and her pivotal time in "Friday Crew."

-Lee

Travis Thompson and I go way back now. Even before his performance of “Need You” went massively viral back in 2017, he was following my friends and I online, and occasionally asking for guidance, as far back as 2011. He’s one of the friendliest folks to ever come on the show, and I feel a bit like a big brother (whether he wants me to or not).

After “Need You” blew up, labels came calling, and he signed with Epic. His first release with them Reckless Endangerment admittedly didn’t do what he wanted it to, and he’s been looking inward since. While fans and followers continued to wonder — and occasionally harass him about — where the new music was, he was in a spiritual crisis that’s helped inspire, what he feels is, the best music he’s ever made.

Tune in to hear us talk about overcoming self-doubt, artistic growth, and rocking Bape on the Rez.

-Lee

Been a Njomza fan for a long time now. After hearing about her way back in 2014, inviting her to perform on the show (I have an unreleased GEM of hers in the archives), and having her play one of my last shows back in 2015, I was thrilled to have her team reach out about performing the latest single on KN. 

A theme of this episode is drive and ambition. Njomza learned she could sing very young, and by the time she was in junior high she held auditions to start a band. She began posting cover songs to YouTube in high school, where she was quickly discovered by Mac Miller, and eventually she moved to Los Angeles on her own to pursue music. But interestingly her confidence and assuredness in making life decisions around music is in sharp contrast with her, at times crippling, perfectionism when releasing music. With her upcoming LIMBO EP, she finds herself in a new headspace, in her bag, and ready to release more music moving forward. This, to me, means it's only a matter of time until she's a household name.

Tune in to hear us talk about her parents immigration story, overcoming perfectionism, and a fateful night in Wisconsin.

-Lee

Lou From Paradise hit it big in 2016 with a video that took him from never playing a solo show, to playing festivals within a matter of months. He was quickly swept into the major label system, and describes it as all being too much too soon. Feeling trapped by a machine that didn't want to see him grow and evolve, he asked to be released, and is now back on the indie grind feeling fully recharged.

Lou's set to have a very busy year. With 3 releases already in the pocket, including the soon to be released tape produced completely by Statik Selektah, he seems set to have another big breakout very soon. He played me a bunch of new music after this episode and I can vouch, he's got all the bars, multiple styles, and seems to never run out of new ideas.

Hear us talk about growing up a troublemaker in Staten Island, his journey through the major label system, and his dad not letting Eve in the club.

-Lee