Twelve dedicated musicans, production crew and management will be pulling into Nelson Friday. They are called the Stompdown Tour and Christine Hunter caught up with Craver who is part of the crew.
1. How many people are on the tour? and who?
We have 12 goons rolling across our beautiful country. Static bringing that high energy. Capital Q with camera in hand documenting every insane moment. Vision talking on three phones at once and keeping the business flowing smooth. Big Rick from the Toronto Ephin shop, if it wasn’t for him one of us would probably be dead or in intensive care. Drastic bringing a hype performance and running our merch table like a boss. Naks a.k.a. Naxle Sex Tiger Rose this SDK goon is taking the name Stompdown to a whole nother level with every piece he paints in every city. Prada West, the human pitbull, rappin’, flexin’ and getting those ladies screaming for more. Big Mercules your mom’s favourite fat kid, bacon over bitches, you don’t wanna miss him and Prada West a.k.a. Suitable Ties. Evil Ebenezer one of the most diverse MCs, singing and rapping and always bringing new tracks on top of new tracks for his fans. Caspian with an arsenal of bangers that gets heads bobbin’ and the whole crowd on their feet. Snak the Ripper, well if you haven’t heard of this cat you must be living under a rock, as entreating in person as he is on the mic and of course myself, Craver. If you can out dance me at any of our shows I’ll give you one of my canvases for free!
2. What is the craziest moment yet on the tour?
Oh man it’s only been four days and already I feel like I’ve taking five years off my life. We started with a boat cruise, and it was pretty intense.
3. What does SDK represent?
This squad is a family and it’s really a collective of hyper creative people. We represent a lifestyle of getting off the couch and grinding at our craft. Whether it’s making music, singing, painting, skating, dancing or anything creative. We tell all the people who love our movement and community to go out and do it, do it big and don’t let anybody tell you different.
4. For anyone that hasn’t been to a Caspian, Evil, Snak The Ripper, Prada or Mercules show what should they expect?
Like I said before, this is a collective of creative individuals. I personally feel that the individual aspect really sets our team apart. Some shows you go to nowadays sound the same from the opening act to the headliner. But Stompdown is a squad of unique artists from start to finish. We have rugged lyrics, melodic ballads, catchy beats, funny songs and aggressive songs. It’s a melting pot of creative juices from all our rappers. I highly recommend it. I’m not just a member; I’m also a client!
5. Who or what inspires each one of the rappers to write rhymes?
Whiskey period.
7. What’s next for SDK after the stompdown tour?
Despite the fact that Ephin SDK has been around since 2002, we really believe this is just the beginning. This is a kick off to a long road of travelling around to all the amazing fans that have been supporting us. The fans and supporters are why we have been working so hard; it’s why we do what we do. We bought our tour bus, we didn’t just rent it, and you know what I mean? Because that is the plan, building our community one city at a time. So keep your eyes peeled for us, and don’t be afraid to say what’s up. We stop and kick it with everyone who has love in their heart for Stompdown!
The Stompdown Tour stops in Nelson tomorrow at Spiritbar. Ticket information is available at the Hume Hotel. Doors open at 10 p.m.