Love For Hip-Hop — On the Flip Side

Merecal McKenzie
The Port Arthur News

PORT ARTHUR July 26, 2006 07:55 pm

— The young and talented Port Arthur native that brought the sounds of Decibel Fluid to the music scene is back with a little bit of the old, but a whole lot of the new. Jason Stevens, former Decibel Fluid band member has decided to take his act on the road, this time as a solo artist.
“I felt it was time to do something different from my other band Decibel Fluid. Having gone through so many band member changes in such a short time, I knew that if I did a solo project it would be impossible to quit on myself,” Jason said.
In his effort, Jason found a few reliable resources to help him along the way. Jason Touchette, a native of Groves and Paul Soroski of Austin were the perfect pieces to Jason’s puzzle. With Touchette featured on the drums, Soroski on the bass and Jason leading the vocals and his own guitar, Jason, the County Crook, came up with his solo masterpiece, “Sonic Poetry.”
“The idea for this project started about two months after Decibel Fluid’s last show in 2004. I really didn’t know if I even wanted to pursue music anymore, so I put my guitar down for two months. Then one day I picked it up again and the lyrics just started flowing again,” the Crook said. “Before I knew it there was enough for a full length album, so I figured it was worth another shot.”
“Sonic Poetry,” engineered by his drummer Touchette and his company Trotline Studios, and CO-produced by Touchette and Crook, was released on a significant day for both Crook and the moment in his music career, Independence Day. But how long did it really take the Crook to get his album ready for release?
“We started recording the album shortly after we came back from being evacuated from Hurricane Rita. It was late October, 2005 when we pushed the record button for the first time. We finished tracking everything by April,” Crook explained. “My good friend Jason Touchette helped push me through the vocals. It was a fear that I had to overcome, he took me to new heights.”
In an attempt to gain the public ear, Crook has taken to the streets of the Golden Triangle to get the word out. He however is planning to relocate to Austin in late August but said promotion around his hometown is his No. 1 goal.
When some hear the name “Sonic Poetry,” a lot comes to mind, but Crook came up with a solid focus behind the album and it’s name.
“I suppose if I had to summarize the focus of this album in one line then it would be that ‘life goes on.’ No matter what position you’re in you have to grind through the hard times to get to the good. I think it’s an inspirational album,” Crook said.
Inspirational indeed. While listening to “Sonic Poetry” one may get the feeling of not being alone. It gives you a sense that no matter what you’ve went through in your life, it could be worse. Carrying on may be the best way to make the best out of your life, hence Crook’s fifth song “Carry On.”
But for Crook’s first single, he decided his song “Good Times Gone,” would be more than substantial.
“It’s already had a couple of spins on the radio in Southeast Texas since the album was released,” Crook said.
Crook said what makes that song so significant is the feedback he’s gotten from it.
“A very good friend of mine who understand music more than anyone said this particular track sounded different than anything he’s ever heard before. He said this song could define me and makes people want to know who I am. But for this entire record I have been writing what I felt and not what others wanted to hear like I’ve done in the past,” Crook explained.
With big hopes for his album, Crook stays sarcastic about the outcome of “Sonic Poetry.”
“I hope I sell lots of copies so I’ll have the drive to do another record,” Crook said with a laugh.
But in reality, he said it’s always nice to hear from someone he’s never met, and for them to tell him how much they admire his music.
“In this business I have learned not to expect the most. Just being happy pursuing what I love is a treat in itself,” Crook said.
“Sonic Poetry,” is currently on sale at the Crook’s official Web site, www.countycrook.com, Sunrise Records on 11th Street in Beaumont and Waterloo Records on Sixth Street in Austin. More locations will be announced at the home of County Crook online. The album costs $11.99 in stores, but the best buy is online for $10 with free shipping. You can also check him out at www.myspace.com/countycrook.
“This album met my expectations as far as the outcome. Every musician grows over time so if there is another album down the road then it will sound better than this one. I think it surprised some people because I’ve been so hush-hush about everything up until the release date. They didn’t expect me to sing on it,” Crook said.
Crook would like to recognize his friends from Podunk (Jason and Paul) who he said did an awesome job “laying down his grooves.”
You could be the next Love For Hip-Hop feature! If you are an artist, producer, promoter or have a position related to the Hip-Hop industry send your bio and demo or clips to Merecal Mckenzie Love For Hip-Hop, 3501 Turtle Creek Dr., Port Arthur TX. 77642. Or email to merecal_m2@yahoo.com or mmckenzie@panews.com.

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