"SEASON 1" EP available for free NOW at www.tinyurl.com/Season1EBM

Physical versions of the EP on Galactic Blue-and-Orange Colored Vinyl, limited edition Phaser Beam Glitter Cassette, or Autographed CD NOW at www.StrangeFamous.com

EBM is on the road all through 2018! Upcoming tour dates can be found at
www.strangefamousrecords.com/events/

PLAY the EPIC BEARD MEN WEB GAME at http://EpicBeardMen.com!

After a decade of sharing stages and crafting collaborations in the studio, real-life rap BFFs SAGE FRANCIS and B. DOLAN have finally caved to years of fan pressure to form an official group: EPIC BEARD MEN. The super-duo embraced the absurd name as a reminder to themselves that, while they tackle a lot of difficult subject matter in their solo work, this group’s mission boils down to one thing: “This is supposed to be fun, for fuck’s sake.”

The “SEASON 1” EP is stacked with a signature blend of dusty breaks and absurdist lyrics, infectious grooves and slapping snares, plus the effortless rapport of two of indie rap’s best passing the baton back and forth with the only other emcee capable of running this rap race at such a breakneck pace. EBM’s full-length debut album is slated to drop in October. In the interim, fans can expect videos, remixes, social media meltdowns, and lots...’o...touring.

Keep up with the adventures of the Epic Beard Men at:

www.Twitter.com/EpicBeardMen 
www.Facebook.com/EpicBeardMen 
www.Instagram.com/EpicBeardMen

Buy Vinyl/CD/Cassette

EPIC BEARD MEN (Sage Francis, B. Dolan) - "Season 1" EP

Album details and merch package deals: https://www.strangefamousrecords.com/news/twstbf/
TOUR INFO: https://www.strangefamousrecords.com/events/

"This Was Supposed To Be Fun" - Epic Beard Men (Sage Francis / B. Dolan)

<a href="http://www.Facebook.com/SageFrancis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.Facebook.com/SageFrancis</a>
<a href="http://www.Twitter.com/SageFrancis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.Twitter.com/SageFrancis</a>
<a href="http://www.SageFrancis.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.SageFrancis.net</a>
Sage Francis first made a name for himself in the emcee battle circuit during the late 90's. He quickly graduated from bootlegging his own music to becoming one of the top selling independent artists in hip-hop, all the while sitting at the helm of <a href="http://www.StrangeFamousRecords.com">Strange Famous Records</a> in his home city of Providence, RI. Setting aside the more boastful side of rap, Francis was distinguished for his poetic leanings and scathing socio-political commentary. His debut album,&nbsp;Personal Journals, was heralded as both an artistic masterpiece and a genre game changer. Through the course of five commercial album releases, Sage stayed ahead of the game, utilizing online media to directly connect with his audience.



Sage Francis

TRADEMARC - Blood Meridian

FREE DOWNLOAD! 
Written/recorded by Sage Francis in 2004. Beat by Reanimator. Record Label: http://StrangeFamousRecords.com
FB: http://facebook.com/SageFrancis
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SageFrancis
LYRICS:
By the time the flags rotted off of their antennas,
they were questioning who the real threat is.
Big Brotherly love is the 21st century's plague.
No matter how bloody the glove, question evidence displayed. 

Don't forget what two plus two equals. 
Don't let them upgrade your math no matter what they have as proof of evil. 
Remember when they went after the Jewish people? 
You don't recognize that same black mask as see through? 

Attack of the eagles. If they don't fall dead 
before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head. 
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted 
was a warm bed and a house that wasn't haunted. 

I'd rather die for a cause than to die just because 
we exhausted natural resources, forced into wars, 
restoring wasteful ways, keeping other countries poor. 
"Monkey see, Monkey do." I wonder what those fucking monkeys saw. 

Keep rethinking the still-frames in your mind.
I guarantee they will change with time.
Your outline is pixelated with poor resolution while
downtime is simply wasted. You were born execution style.

Head first in a trial. I'll second the motion
'Til the jury's bored to death and puts your neck in a notion.
The situation's volatile. A naked problem child
is trying to find the right clown costume to make his father smile

So he bombs while he tries to tell jokes.
This ain't a false alarm, can't you smell the smoke?
You're in the line of fire where they buy and sell votes.
Our sense of liberty doesn't ring true, stupid. that's why the bell broke.

Trench Coat Mafioso's propel rocks
at recruitment officers and rebel against cops
Until they hurdle infinite circles in small cell blocks. 
Turtle upon turtle 'til they're all shell shocked.

This so-called president got elected in a court room.
With the war efforts of pops he inherited a fortune.
We "talk, talk, talk..." so the veterans of war assume
the revolution stopped. This ain't a protest tune.

"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. 
They're up to no good just like the old days.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. 
They played dead when you stood over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. 
It's our turn to stand over their grave.
I'm a do it right this time...
I'm a wait until their fuckin' skin decays."

You can't roam a lost land as the last existing dinosaur.
There's no escaping ass kickings in these times of war,
replacing apples with hospitals where doctors are hostile,
Killing two pterodactyls with one fossil.

I got you. If they don't fall dead
Before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head.
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted,
Was a warm bed...and house that wasn't haunted.

Thumb through novels to have your fingerprints match,
The description of thinking criminals committing innocent acts
of compassion for tired civilians crawling with pistols.
We fired million dollar warning missals.

Force the issues in the back of your head where eyes roll.
Brain wash yourself out of that mind control.
Or act a fool like you're told.
But we won't see no type of justice 'til that bitch removes the blindfold.

This ain't a "Love it or leave it." It's a "Change it or lose it."
I won't sing the anthem of a nation who never faces the music.
Chasing an ever-elusive caveman,
in space ships that make trips to the futures that are name-brand.

Faking progress...but we ain't advanced
Enough to change the posture of our ape stance?
They've got the key to the city but they prefer the break-in entry.
Duck and weave, I'm shedding light in their shadow box to make it empty.

"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. 
They're up to no good just like the old days.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. 
They played dead when you stood over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. 
It's our turn to stand over their grave.
I'm a do it right this time...
I'm a wait until their skin decays."

Attack of the eagles. If they don't fall dead
Before they reach me, I'll be damned if I don't shoot one in its bald head.
Fuck what we're force fed. All I ever wanted
was a warm bed... 

There's nothing scarier than the human stories I tell ghosts.
Chilling accounts with my tongue frozen to bed posts.
The catharses of carcasses whenever threats are close,
Shows a heartlessness that doesn't register on stethoscopes.

Sell your hopes for a homeland security chart,
Until your sense of self is broke and no man's pure in the heart.
Preventive detention for the folks who never left home.
Tensions have grown into a 24/7 red zone.

Scare tactics have got you under control.
The fear factors of a color code. The uppers know
They can't hold you down without having anchors attached.
"It's all the same." Nah, balls and chains on ankles don't match.

So drag your torso back to the off road.
We may have lost the fashion battle, but we ain't lost the wardrobe.
Go window shopping for your next free meal,
'Cause when we start the revolution all you'll probably do is steal.

"Hey, Bobby...the Masters are back. 
They're up to no good just like the old days.
They played dead when you stood over their grave, Bobby. 
They played dead when you stood over their grave.
"Hey, Bobby...them bastards are back. 
It's our turn to stand over their grave.
I'm a do it right this time…
I'm a wait until their fucking skin decays."
http://SageFrancis.net

SAGE MERCH

"Hey Bobby" - Sage Francis (with lyrics)

The "Definition Sickness" album is available now at: http://tinyurl.com/DefinitionSickness 

Stand outs in the indie-rap haven of Minnesota, No Bird Sing combines the talents of emcee Joe Horton, drummer/producer Graham O'Brien, and guitarist/producer Robert Mulrennan. With Definition Sickness, the trio has maintained the integrity of their live-band roots while exploring a more produced sound that ranges from stark minimalism to lush expansiveness. 

The first single, “DON’T THINK”, is a brooding track where Horton shares vocal duties with SFR label head SAGE FRANCIS. Other guests on the album include FIX cohorts Crescent Moon (Kill the Vultures) and Kristoff Krane, as well as Sadistik, Chastity Brown, James Diers (Halloween, Alaska), Aby Wolf, Adam Svec and Molly Dean.

NBS released their eponymous debut to critical acclaim in 2009. Their 2011 follow-up, "Theft of the Commons", along with the US tour dates that followed, served to expand their loyal, burgeoning fanbase across the Midwest and beyond. 

Their SFR debut,  Definition Sickness, offers a meditative commentary on modern life, owing much to leftist political theorists like Howard Zinn as well as Eastern-leaning philosophers like Alan Watts and Lao Tzu. Musically the dark, transcendent instrumentation of the record creates a rich and varied soundscape that will immediately entice fans of multiple genres. Repeat listeners will be rewarded by both the layered lyrical themes and the ear candy that’s provided by the nuanced sonic compositions. 

"If you took away the vocals, you'd never know it was hip hop," admits drummer/producer Graham O'Brien. "We're just investigating the relationship between hip hop and other genres—taking the spoken, rhythmic word and putting it in other places."  

"That's what creativity is," vocalist Horton says. "It's coming to this point where you don't know exactly what you're doing and having to figure out what to do. The second you're not doing that, you're just rehashing old shit."
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

the FULL ALBUM is HERE

"Don't Think" - NO BIRD SING feat. SAGE FRANCIS

SVNTY6 asked for the acapella for Epic Beard Men's "Hours and Minutes" in mid-2020 and churned out this remix with the quickness. We were going to wait for some live shows before posting it online, but then shows stopped happening and we have nothing else planned so...might as well just let this bad boy see the light of day! 

If you'd like to try your hand at a remix of your own, you can download the acapella here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bb2lincdzk92ktr/Hours%20And%20Minutes%20Acapella%201_10_19.mp3?dl=0

Epic Beard Men (Sage Francis and B. Dolan) albums and merch can be found here: www.TinyURL.com/EBMCollection

All things SVNTY6:
@svnty6beats (Insta and Twitter)
www.svnty6production.com
svnty6@icloud.com

Photo for the remix artwork by Stephen Mitchell.

www.StrangeFamousRecords.com

Hours and Minutes (SVNTY6 REMIX) - Epic Beard Men - Free Download

Mopes merch collection at SFRstore:
https://store.strangefamousrecords.com/collections/introducing-mopes
"Facts Machine" video: https://youtu.be/Arqw4Bqu6go
Bandcamp: https://mopessfr.bandcamp.com/album/mopes
Streaming: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mopes1/mopes

Introducing… MOPES! 

Back again for the first time, the artist formerly known as PROLYPHIC is marching forward with a new name, a new perspective, and a new EP that formally announces his presence with authority. It’s not just a name change - it’s a game change. 

The producer/emcee (and the first signee to Strange Famous Records) has spent his past 20 years as Prolyphic crafting a collection of classic indie material under a name chosen with all the enthusiasm and hubris of an aspiring teenage rap addict. While his work ethic never wavered, the finished product trickled out at a pace that mocked his moniker - it was the polar opposite of prolific, with new sounds escaping the lab every half a decade or so. He dropped formidable platters with underground hip hop production legends Reanimator (The Ugly Truth) and Buddy Peace (Working Man) before spearheading SFR’s digital imprint SFdigi with his self-produced LP DNGRFLD in 2016.

“I was 17 when I first started to get recognition under the name Prolyphic,” the freshly-minted Mopes explains. “I was a kid. I was making music to find out who I was. I'm now 40, an adult man, a father who has a career, knows who he is and is now comfortable in his own skin. I went through so much shit between the ages of 17 and 40 that I couldn't make music under the same pseudonym again. I'm just not that same person anymore. Prolyphic is out, Mopes is in.”

The self-titled debut EP from MOPES contains four slabs of granulated granite, rhythms and rhymes broken down and built back up again, resulting in formations carved by the hands of a master craftsman. Every line, note, and drum beat screams no-fucking-around.

The first single and video, “Facts Machine,” manifests a new-era version of the classic Prolyphic style: masterfully manipulated soul samples and neck-knocking drums drizzled with dense and thoughtful lyrics, delivered with an unflappable flow in the cadence of a vested veteran. 

The posse cut “Party McFly” features SFR label overlord Sage Francis leading the charge, with a fresh crop of StrangeFam in tow: emcees BlackLiq (Virginia) and Jesse The Tree (Rhode Island) make their splashdown in Strange Famous waters with an impact that creates a wave sure to be felt for years to come. 

“I’m excited, I'm having fun and there's a lot to look forward to,” says Mopes. “Ya boy is putting that work in and being very prolific.”

The eponymous debut EP is available now to stream or purchase on all digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon. Limited edition package deals including T-Shirts and 7-Inch Lathe Cut Records are exclusive to StrangeFamous.com, and include the full digital EP + Instrumentals (only available at SFRstore)!

Mopes

"Facts Machine" - MOPES (formerly known as Prolyphic)

From Prolyphic &amp; Reanimator's "The Ugly Truth" album, available at http://tinyurl.com/UglyTruthLP Survive Another Winter is the first official SFR posse cut featuring B. Dolan, Alias and Sage Francis on vocals. This song is an ode to New Englanders with thick skin. It's also available on vinyl as part of the "Artist Goes Pop" single. The CD version comes with a free instrumental version of the album. 
Get it at http://tinyurl.com/UglyTruthLP
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

SURVIVE ANOTHER WINTER - Prolyphic, B. Dolan, Alias, Sage Francis

SEA LION - Sage Francis, Will Oldham, Saul Williams

Video: https://youtu.be/QrJU1h0_x6w
SICK TO D(EAT)H is the newest edition to SAGE FRANCIS'  "Sick of" mixtape series: http://tinyurl.com/SickToDeathSFR
Available on MP3, CD and cassette. It features contributions by Atmosphere, B. Dolan, Buck 65, Buddy Peace, Cecil Otter, DJ EQ, Kurtis SP, Lord Grunge, No Bird Sing, Prolyphic, Reanimator, Scroobius Pip and many more. The full tracklist and breakdown of each track, along with some additional updates from Mr. Francis, available here: http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/blogs/sage-francis-blog/sick-to-death
Follow for now:
http://Facebook.com/SageFrancis
http://twitter.com/SageFrancis
http://instagram/SageFrancisSFR
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

Sick to D(eat)h

SICK TO DEATH mixtape

"YOU CAN'T WIN" - EPIC BEARD MEN (Sage Francis + B. Dolan)

Check out the video HERE: http://youtu.be/6LVMSDPNObE
BLUE is the second leak from Sage Francis' SICK TO D(EAT)H mixtape which is available now at http://tinyurl.com/SickToDeathSFR
Beat produced by Reanimator. Scratches by Buddy Peace. Single artwork image by Trait Cross. The full track list for #SickToDeath and a breakdown of each track, along with some additional updates from Sage Francis available here: http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/blogs/sage-francis-blog/sick-to-death
"True enough."

"BLUE" - Sage Francis (2013)

The very 1st single from the classic "Personal Journals" LP, originally released on vinyl in 2001. PJ is available in all formats at http://tinyurl.com/PersonalJournals (including signed CDs + vinyl.)
Beat produced by Jel. Manufactured and distributed by Strange Famous Records. 
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com
http://FaceBook.com/SageFrancis
http://Twitter.com/SageFrancis

Buy PERSONAL JOURNALS

"Climb Trees" - SAGE FRANCIS(Personal Journals, 2001)

LITTLE HOUDINI - Sage Francis

From the "Copper Gone" album, available in all formats at Strange Famous Records: http://tinyurl.com/CopperGoneSFR 
Sage Francis tour dates: http://tinyurl.com/SageShows

The music is produced by Strange Famous label-mate, PROLYPHIC (horns by Joshua Trinidad.) Lyric video available here: http://youtu.be/-utMO586HCg
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow on: <a title="Sage Francis on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/sagefrancis" target="_blank">Twitter</a> + <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sagefrancis" target="_blank">Facebook.</a>
www.StrangeFamousRecords.com

BUY ALBUM

"Vonnegut Busy" - Sage Francis [COPPER GONE]

Pre-Order SLEEP's new album "OREGON FAILURE" on SIGNED CD at http://tinyurl.com/sleeporegonfailure

"SUBSTANCES" is the second leak from "Oregon Failure", featuring CESCHI (Fake Four) and ONRY OZZBORN (Dark Time Sunshine/Grayskul), and is available for FREE DOWNLOAD!

Produced by Denver's MAULSKULL, Sleep of Oldominion's 'Oregon Failure' is a sorely needed return to spitting bars for the genre. Set to Maulskull's heavy hitting, up-tempo dreamtrap, the album's themes touch on trial and error, effort and failure, and ultimately perseverance. A master of poly-rhythmic turnarounds, chopping double time, Sleep builds up cadence the way Diplo builds towards the drop. Never coming off phony or Pollyannaish, young go-hards and old school heads alike can identify with the anthems of 'Oregon Failure'.

Features By Pigeon John, Xperience, Ceschi and Onry Ozzborn!

Pre-Order SIGNED CD!

"Substances" - SLEEP of Oldominion feat. CESCHI & ONRY OZZBORN

Released exactly one month after the 9/11 attacks. This song is from the "Sick of Waging War" mixtape: https://sfrstore.myshopify.com/search?q=sick+of+waging+war
LYRICS and backstory available here: http://www.strangefamousrecords.com/blogs/sage-francis-blog/makeshift-patriot-10-years-later/
Sage Francis on social media:
FB http://facebook.com/SageFrancis
Twitter http://twitter.com/SageFrancis
IG http://instagram.com/SageFrancisSFR
RECORD LABEL http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

Sage Francis albums

MAKESHIFT PATRIOT - Sage Francis (2001)FREE MP3

"Thank You" is off of Sage Francis' COPPER GONE album, available in all formats here at Strange Famous Records: www.tinyurl.com/sfrCopperGone
UPCOMING TOUR DATES: www.bit.ly/SageShows
http://Facebook.com/SageFrancis
http://Twitter.com/SageFrancis
http://Instagram.com/SageFrancisSFR
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com
This live version was recorded during SXSW 2014 at Daytrotter's studio: 
"We knew what Sage Francis was going to do to us when he came by the studio in Austin a month ago. We knew he was going to destroy us. We just didn't know he was going to destroy us as much as he wound up destroying us. He's a rapper unequaled and his new record, 'COPPER GONE', is a goddamned blessing, after a four year break between records. This particular song from the full session floored us. We were slack-jawed and stunned by the passionate delivery and sentiment in 'Thank You' and we all -- Sage included -- wanted to get this out into the world in front of the full session." - Sean Moeller www.daytrotter.com



Buy COPPER GONE

Sage Francis - THANK YOU (Live Daytrotter Session) FREE DOWNLOAD

From the Prolyphic and Reanimator album "The Ugly Truth"
available on CD & MP3 at http://tinyurl.com/UglyTruthSFR 
Along with shirts, vinyl singles and more.

http://StrangeFamousRecords.com
http://facebook.com/StrangeFamousRecords

Buy the album on CD & MP3 here

TWO TRACK MIND - Prolyphic and Reanimator

CRACK PIPES - Sage Francis

B. Dolan & producer Buddy Peace have just unveiled the first leak from the highly anticipated HOUSE OF BEES VOL. 3 mixtape, ahead of this November's tour through the UK + Ireland.  "NATURAL BORN TROUBLE" enlists the help of none other than the confrontational comedian NEIL HAMBURGER for the drop, and features a snarling B. Dolan reminiscing on a lifetime of truancy. 

Some people go looking for trouble, and some never have to.  In "NATURAL BORN TROUBLE," Dolan let's us know the latter hasn't worked out all that bad for him.  

"Behavior is modified, commodified and stopped  
Everyone's an authority, amateur league cops 
Informing on one another, instructed to keep watch
Deviate from the norm and walk around feeling marked,
then realize there's a freedom in being a man apart; 
They can't take nothing from you when trouble is all you got." 

HOUSE OF BEES VOL. 3 will release this winter ahead of B. Dolan's official LP, due in the first half of 2015.   Fans in England, Ireland and Scotland can get a first look at 2 years worth of new material this November, when Dolan will headline and be joined by a live band featuring BUDDY PEACE each night.  SCROOBIUS PIP and WARRENPEACE will also be along for that tour, for which tickets are selling rapidly. 

Here are the full dates:

Nov 3rd - Bristol - Thekla 
Nov 4th - Birmingham - Hare & Hounds
Nov 6th - Reading - The Bowery
Nov 9th - Brighton - The Haunt 
Nov 10th - London - The Nest
Nov 12th - Liverpool - Kazimier 
Nov 13th - Leeds - Wardrobe 
Nov 14th - Glasgow - Nice n Sleazy 
Nov 15th - Edinburgh - Sneaky Pete's 
Nov 19th - Cork - Cypress Ave 
Nov 20th – Dublin – Workman’s Club 
Nov 21st - Sligo - Fifth on Teeling 
Nov 22nd – Galway – Roisin Dubh 

Ticket links and full details are available here: 
http://bdolan.net/b-dolan-headlines-speech-development-tour-w-live-band-in-uk-irelan/
"Natural Born Trouble" illustration by Matt Guack.  
 http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

B. Dolan Merch

B. Dolan - Natural Born Trouble (produced by Buddy Peace)

"Dead Man's Float" is off of Sage Francis' Copper Gone album, available in ALL FORMATS at http://tinyurl.com/SFRCopperGone
Sage Francis tour dates: http://tinyurl.com/SageShows
Artwork & remix by Sapient http://SapientKills.com
Follow for now:
FB http://facebook.com/SageFrancis
TW http://twitter.com/SageFrancis
IG http://instagram.com/SageFrancisSFR

Sage Francis "DEAD MAN'S FLOAT" (Sapient RMX)

B. Dolan's KILL THE WOLF LP, out July 10, 2015 on Strange Famous / Speech Development! Exclusive pre-order packs (SIGNED CD, Vinyl LP, Cassette, MP3 & more) available at https://tinyurl.com/BDolanKTW

In the EU, pre-orders available at: http://tinyurl.com/KillTheWolfSpeechDev

Pre-order on iTunes (USA): http://tinyurl.com/iTunesKillTheWolf
Pre-order on iTunes (UK): http://itun.es/gb/3e0M6

B. Dolan's latest record is the self-produced "KILL THE WOLF", a sweeping, powerful opus five years in the making. The album reinforces Dolan's status as a complex lyricist and introduces him as a ambitious, versatile producer, dedicated as ever to concept and vision over fleeting hip-hop trends.

This sophomore studio effort on STRANGE FAMOUS RECORDS / SPEECH DEVELOPMENT features a supporting cast of talent from a wide range of musical backgrounds, including AESOP ROCK, BUCK 65, ALIAS, CECIL OTTER (Doomtree), KATHLEEN STUBELEK (Circle Takes the Square), DS3K, BUDDY PEACE, AUPHEUS, and the late DAVID LAMB (Brown Bird).

It would be easy for an album to go astray amidst such varying styles, but Dolan stays in firm command as the expert conductor, driving the album's layered and visionary sound. "KILL THE WOLF" sets out with a goal of demolishing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in a B. Dolan record; bringing the best techniques from his catalogue into a new era of production value by fusing live guitars, analog synths, violins and upright bass with formidable vocals and intricate lyrics.

Five years after shaking the foundations of underground rap with his "Fallen House, Sunken CIty" LP, B. Dolan emerges from the earth, battle-tested, clear-eyed, and sharper than ever.

The time has come to Kill the Wolf.

05 Jailbreak Feat. Aesop Rock & Buck 65

Scroobius Pip "DISTRACTION PIECES" is available now on CD, vinyl & MP3 at: http://tinyurl.com/DistractionPieces 

Scroobius Pip's "Let Em Come" takes a more somber tone in this SFR REDUX where he is joined on the mic by 3 Strange Famous affiliates: Sage Francis, Metermaids &amp; Cecil Otter. Fresh off the heels of his Wugazi project, Cecil Otter also produced the beat. The artwork for this digital single was done by Carl Sutton.


Save room at the dinner table.

Label: www.StrangeFamous.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StrangeFamousRecords
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SFRupdates

Distraction Pieces LP

Let Em Come REDUX (Scroobius Pip, Sage Francis, Metermaids, Cecil Otter)

From the "A Healthy Distrust" album: http://bit.ly/AHealthyDistrust 
Follow for now:
http://SageFrancis.net
http://Facebook.com/SageFrancis
http://Twitter.com/SageFrancis
http://Instagram.com/SageFrancisSFR
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com


SLOW DOWN GANDHI - Sage Francis

Produced by Reanimator for Uncle Sage's "Copper Gone" album, which is available in all formats at Strange Famous: http://bit.ly/CopperGone 
Fan art courtesy of Yahveh Perez.
This single is being offered for free as part of "Clip of the Week" at http://StrangeFamousRecords.com 
Thanks for all the support all these years, strange fam. 
TW http://twitter.com/SageFrancis
FB http://facebook.com/SageFrancis
IG http://instagram.com/SageFrancisSFR


Copper Gone

CD, vinyl, tape, mp3

"Cheat Code" by Sage Francis [FREE DWNLD]

SFR is proud to welcome CAS ONE Vs FIGURE to the Strange Famous family! http://StrangeFamous.com
Their SFR debut, "So Our Egos Don't Kill Us", drops April 21st, 2017! Details on that album and more at http://tinyurl.com/CasOneVsFigureSFR

More at SFRstore

"MURDER MEDIA" - Cas One Vs Figure

BROKEN WINGS by Sage Francis

Cas One Vs. Figure "SO OUR EGOS DON'T KILL US" LP available in all formats here: http://tinyurl.com/CasOneVsFigureSFR
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/gip336aBBEo

Label http://StrangeFamousRecords.com
FB http://Facebook.com/StrangeFamousRecords
TW http://Twitter.com/SFRupdates
IG http://Instagram.com/StrangeFamousRecords

So Our Egos Don't Kill Us

"STAYING GOLD" - Cas One Vs Figure

Season 1

"FIVE HEARTS" - Epic Beard Men [Season 1 EP]

"SHOTGUN GOLF" - Epic Beard Men [Season 1 EP]

"TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS" - Epic Beard Men [Season 1 EP]

"NOT UR UBER" - Epic Beard Men [Season 1 EP]

"DIYMFS" - Epic Beard Men [Season 1 EP]

"House of Bees, Vol 2" mixtape is available on CD (signed) & MP3 at: 
http://tinyurl.com/HouseOfBeesVol2 
Also on Bandcamp at http://tinyurl.com/HOB2Digital 

The recent passing of rap legend Adam Yauch (MCA of the Beastie Boys) stopped us all in our tracks and set a different tone among the hip-hop community in 2012. As a result, we've decided to put bravado aside for a minute and leak a song that's fit to honor his passing and the moment. 

"STILL HERE" is HOBV2's album opener and acts as a mission statement of sorts. Here is what B. Dolan has to say about it : 

"<i>In 2010 my father was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer and died within the span of 8 months.  All of this happened at the same time SFR released 'FALLEN HOUSE, SUNKEN CITY', and I embarked on the most ambitious touring schedule of my career. 

Needless to say, that year was devastating in every way. For the first time since age 12, I found myself questioning what I do and considered walking away from it. I've always taken pride in the 'dues paid' for my art, but in the face of a loss that great, everything can suddenly seem too awful, too futile, and too difficult to continue doing. 

The beat used for "Still Here" was literally one of the most important parts of finally pulling myself out of that tailspin... Something about those bagpipes or whatever that sound is that Buddy sampled. I remember listening to it for the first time and feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up. 'They haven't killed me yet.' is the thought I immediately had when the beat dropped, and everything followed from there.</i>" 

Rest in Peace to MCA and all of our dearly departed. Through the impact they've had on our lives and the legacy they've given to the world, they're Still Here. 

http://Facebook.com/BDOLANSFR 
http://twitter.com/BDOLANSFR 
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

ALBUM LINK

B. DOLAN - "STILL HERE" from HOUSE OF BEES VOL. 2

Off of the "Personal Journals" album. Signed copies on CD &amp; vinyl at reduced prices here: www.tinyurl.com/PersonalJournals 
The MP3 version is available there as well. Or on iTunes/Amazon/Etc.
This is the 10 year anniversary of Personal Journals!
The beat for Inherited Scars was produced by DJ Mayo.

www.Facebook.com/SageFrancis 
www.Twitter.com/SageFrancis
www.StrangeFamousRecords.com 

INHERITED SCARS by Sage Francis

Shin Splints - Epic Beard Men (Sage Francis / B. Dolan)

Circle The Wagons - Epic Beard Men (Sage Francis / B. Dolan)

Pistol Dave (feat Slug) - Epic Beard men

Sand Dunes - Epic Beard Men (Sage Francis / B. Dolan)

Hours & Minutes - Epic Beard Men (Sage Francis / B. Dolan)

This song was written and recorded in 2001 for the Sage Francis "Sick of Waging War" mix CD. It features Eyedea and Slug on vocals. Not only was this beat produced by Eyedea, but it was also recorded and mixed in his home studio. We lost Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen in October 2010. Here is Sage's write-up about how we lost a beautiful man, musician and artist much too soon: http://tinyurl.com/TheManBehindTheEyedea

"Sick of Waging War" is available on CD and MP3 at http://biturl.net/wagingwar

"EMBARRASSED" Sage Francis feat. Eyedea + Slug

"To Young Leaders" is the FREE DOWNLOAD first single from Guante & Big Cats' album "You Better Weaponize" - available on CD & MP3 here: http://tinyurl.com/YouBetterWeaponize

Guante is a rapper, two-time National Poetry Slam champion, activist and educator. Big Cats is a visionary producer and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Sage Francis, P.O.S., TTxBC and others. Together, they've crafted an album brimming with substantive punchlines, gallows humor and a down-to-earth political edge, all over some of the most gorgeously banging production of the year. Featuring indie-rap visionaries like Toki Wright, Crescent Moon (of Kill the Vultures), Kristoff Krane and more, "You Better Weaponize" is one of the tightest, smartest, most singular projects ever to emerge from the lauded Twin Cities underground hip hop scene. 

http://tinyurl.com/GuanteBigCatsSFR
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

The Full Album is Here

"To Young Leaders" by Guante & Big Cats!

Download this song at: http://tinyurl.com/SageFrancisUbuntu
Name your own price. Proceeds will go toward helping the children who are addressed in this song. 
VIDEO: http://youtu.be/rIH0EnsnADo
LYRICS AND MORE AT: http://tinyurl.com/SageFrancisUbuntu
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND STORY:
As it is World AIDS Days and I have thought about these children every single day since being acquainted with them almost two years ago, I decided that I can no longer sit on this song. In January of 2011 I visited Durban, South Africa to help mentor and provide care for HIV-infected children. For me, it was a crash course education on their situation, culture, history, and various forms of treatment (or lack there of.) With a reported 5.6 million people living with HIV, South Africa has the highest HIV infection rate in the world. That is mainly due to misinformation propagated by the government as well as the people's lack of access to education and proper medical care. With so many people dying of AIDS in this area, many children are often left to fend for themselves in overcrowded "orphanages", many of which have no electricity or running water according to what I witnessed. 

My trip to Durban and the surrounding rural areas was organized by people who were filming a documentary on a community of people who were receiving alternative treatment along with their normal ARV (anti-retroviral) treatment. I joined a group of national and international poets whose task it was to make a connection with the children and communicate their story to the world. Toward the end of my stay I wrote a song called UBUNTU (Water Into Wine) which I was initially hoping to release as a companion piece to the film. The documentary will probably do a much better job of explaining the vast array of emotions we all went through, but as it still isn't completed I figured it might be best to just release the song now. 

The artwork for UBUNTU is a portrait of Nonoti, one of the younger girls who made a deep and everlasting impression on everyone she met. We lost Nonoti to HIV-related complications earlier this year, so along with the children I name in this song, and all the great people I met during my stay in Durban, a special dedication goes out to her (R.I.P.) 
If you're ever given the opportunity to visit Africa and provide a helping hand, I highly recommend it. You will learn more than you could ever imagine about yourself, humanity and the world in general. You can view pictures of my trip to South Africa and the children this song is about here:  http://tinyurl.com/SageSouthAfrica2011

Much love and many thanks to everyone involved!
-Sage Francis
http://SageFrancis.net
http://StrangeFamousRecords.com
FB: http://facebook.com/SageFrancis
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/SageFrancis

DOWNLOAD THE SONG HERE

*NEW* Sage Francis - UBUNTU (Water Into Wine)

Welcome TRADEMARC to the Strange Famous family! His SFdigi debut Blood Meridian drops November 22, 2019!
Limited edition 7-Inch Lathe Cut Records, exclusive merch packages & Digital Downloads are available at http://tinyurl.com/TrademarcSFR. 

When the world last heard from Trademarc (born Marc Predka), it was 2015 and he had collaborated with producer DC The MIDI Alien to create the album Black Ash Days, a deeply personal documentation of his descent into complete emotional and mental breakdown. The album was a stark and harrowing look into his darkest moments, including accounts of his multiple suicide attempts. It was also an important step in his catharsis. Marc explains the decisions he made when deciding how to follow such a heavy and intimate record: “I felt the need to expand my reach beyond that subject matter. I didn’t want those experiences to define who I am as a person and artist forever. The BAD album will always be there as a document of that side of me. I live with Bi-Polar Disorder, which many people do, but with this project I felt it would be healthy to display more range than just being ‘the depressed, suicidal guy.’ I’d covered that ground in depth, and wanted to show what it was like to spend some time in the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The sound of Blood Meridian was shaped by the Filthy Animals production team, and the vibe came about in part due to the influence of the producers’ PENPALS crew. “I feel like being around those guys really helped open me up to different, more positive, even humorous avenues of music I probably wouldn’t have explored without them. They really helped get me out of my comfort zone with their amazing work,” Trademarc explains.

Trademarc is no stranger to forming and furthering friendships through music. He began his musical journey with fellow indie rap heavy-hitters 7L & Esoteric (CZARFACE), forming his first official group (God Complex) with the duo in the mid-90s. After the crew’s split, Trademarc hooked up with another (more literal) heavy-hitter: his cousin, professional wrestler (and rapper) John Cena. The pair released the RIAA certified-platinum LP You Can’t See Me on Columbia Records, touring the US and Europe and making high profile appearances on TV’s Monday Night RAW. In 2008 joined old friends Esoteric and DC for 3 releases as the indie rap supergroup East Coast Avengers.

After the Avengers disassembled, Trademarc’s next endeavor led to a fortuitous connection: “Sage Francis liked the video that was released for the title track of Black Ash Days and we started a dialogue. It was an amazing moment for me as I remember bumping Personal Journals (Sage’s 2002 debut LP) quite a bit when that dropped.” The two continued to trade emails and demos, and after hearing what was in the works for Trademarc’s next project, an official alliance was inevitable. “Sage graciously welcomed me to the Strange Famous family, and Blood Meridian is the result.”

Francis makes an appearance on the Blood Meridian track “Latuda”, a critique of Big Pharma and its effect on our over-prescribed culture. Other standout cuts include the first single “Codebreaker”, where moody horn stabs spar with gritty breaks as Trademarc punches himself back to life with full zombie-fist action, and “Honor Killing”, a two-verse double-time assault that showcases the rapper’s verbal dexterity, putting to rest at the outset any question of Trademarc’s bona fides.

Blood Meridian

"CODEBREAKER" - Trademarc

Welcome TRADEMARC to the Strange Famous family! His SFdigi debut Blood Meridian drops November 22, 2019!
Limited edition 7-Inch Lathe Cut Records, exclusive merch packages & Digital Downloads are available at tinyurl.com/TrademarcSFR.

When the world last heard from Trademarc (born Marc Predka), it was 2015 and he had collaborated with producer DC The MIDI Alien to create the album Black Ash Days, a deeply personal documentation of his descent into complete emotional and mental breakdown. The album was a stark and harrowing look into his darkest moments, including accounts of his multiple suicide attempts. It was also an important step in his catharsis. Marc explains the decisions he made when deciding how to follow such a heavy and intimate record: “I felt the need to expand my reach beyond that subject matter. I didn’t want those experiences to define who I am as a person and artist forever. The BAD album will always be there as a document of that side of me. I live with Bi-Polar Disorder, which many people do, but with this project I felt it would be healthy to display more range than just being ‘the depressed, suicidal guy.’ I’d covered that ground in depth, and wanted to show what it was like to spend some time in the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The sound of Blood Meridian was shaped by the Filthy Animals production team, and the vibe came about in part due to the influence of the producers’ PENPALS crew. “I feel like being around those guys really helped open me up to different, more positive, even humorous avenues of music I probably wouldn’t have explored without them. They really helped get me out of my comfort zone with their amazing work,” Trademarc explains.

Trademarc is no stranger to forming and furthering friendships through music. He began his musical journey with fellow indie rap heavy-hitters 7L & Esoteric (CZARFACE), forming his first official group (God Complex) with the duo in the mid-90s. After the crew’s split, Trademarc hooked up with another (more literal) heavy-hitter: his cousin, professional wrestler (and rapper) John Cena. The pair released the RIAA certified-platinum LP You Can’t See Me on Columbia Records, touring the US and Europe and making high profile appearances on TV’s Monday Night RAW. In 2008 joined old friends Esoteric and DC for 3 releases as the indie rap supergroup East Coast Avengers.

After the Avengers disassembled, Trademarc’s next endeavor led to a fortuitous connection: “Sage Francis liked the video that was released for the title track of Black Ash Days and we started a dialogue. It was an amazing moment for me as I remember bumping Personal Journals (Sage’s 2002 debut LP) quite a bit when that dropped.” The two continued to trade emails and demos, and after hearing what was in the works for Trademarc’s next project, an official alliance was inevitable. “Sage graciously welcomed me to the Strange Famous family, and Blood Meridian is the result.”

Francis makes an appearance on the Blood Meridian track “Latuda”, a critique of Big Pharma and its effect on our over-prescribed culture. Other standout cuts include the first single “Codebreaker”, where moody horn stabs spar with gritty breaks as Trademarc punches himself back to life with full zombie-fist action, and “Honor Killing”, a two-verse double-time assault that showcases the rapper’s verbal dexterity, putting to rest at the outset any question of Trademarc’s bona fides.

"LATUDA" - Trademarc feat. Sage Francis

January 16th is the birthday of Cubbiebear, a talented and true Strange Famous homie who left this world far too soon in 2017. SFR is offering this free remix from producer Wettworker to celebrate Josh's birthday in 2020. We encourage you to seek out and enjoy his entire catalog. May he never be forgotten. 

Words from Wettworker on their collaboration:

One of my favorite MC's once made a post asking for producers to work with. I messaged him and we began working lightly together on pieces of things. He released an album called "Are You Okay?" and the title track hit me so hard that I asked him if I could remix it. He said yes, sent over the acapella and told me that he'd recently received some pretty bad news and would love to hear what I made as soon as possible. Six months later he passed away from extremely aggressive brain cancer. He never got to hear what I made. His name was Cubbiebear. He was from Baltimore. He had a serrated sincerity and angst in his music. Most sad and angry music, especially in hiphop these days, sounds like affectation incarnate, performative and homogenized beyond recognition, but Cubbiebear had a style about him that seemed supremely genuine, honest and disinterested in trends. As a producer, I'm a complete snob and often find myself underwhelmed with most hiphop production, but every single instrumental Cubbiebear rapped on top of had such a strong command of emotion and usually did super interesting things that hit you out of left field. Listening to him was such a treat for me. Lyrically, his songs just felt like actual poetry - and not in a reductive, hip, minimalist way - but in a way that made it seem like writing was the only catharsis and therapy he knew. I used to write exclusively in this manner myself before I overthought how many creative devices I could juggle in a project and slathered gimmick after gimmick onto my work. It felt truly rejuvenating and inspiring to see a person do it so shamelessly and bravely, regardless of how easy it is to judge someone for being vulnerable and real. It was an absolute privilege to work with such an original, inspirational, and kind dude. 

To celebrate his birthday today, I've made a lyric video for Cubbiebear and teamed up with the legendary Strange Famous Records to release it in his honor. Life is very fragile, so love everyone unapologetically, bravely, and tell them how you feel, for at any moment any one of us could be gone. Thank you.
Rest in peace, Joshua Bailey aka Cubbiebear.
With love,
Wettworker

Written and Performed by Cubbiebear (Rest In Peace)
Video, Production and Additional Vocals by Wettworker (https://www.wettworker.com)
Guitars by Mat Vass (https://www.instagram.com/matvass/
Mixed and Mastered by Michael Kraushaar (https://lrsstudio.com/)
Single Artwork by David Goertzen (https://www.instagram.com/mt.splashmore/)

"ARE YOU OKAY? (Wettworker Remix)" - Cubbiebear

To celebrate the one year anniversary of Epic Beard Mean's "This Was Supposed to be Fun" album, we're invoking the spirit of the Judgment Night soundtrack with a rock-infused remix of "Man Overboard" by JNokes (artwork by Charbel Abuxapqui.) There's been lots of judgment going around lately, so the theme of cruise ships being a floating petri dishes seems apropos. Not only have Sage Francis and B. Dolan had to cancel their respective tours for 2020, but karaoke night has also been cancelled for tonight, folks. In place of all these cancellations we'll do our best to keep providing you content and entertainment of various sorts via the SFR channels, so stay tuned, stay safe, and stay sane out there. 

This Was Supposed To Be Fun dropped on all streaming and digital services on March 29, 2019. Physical versions of the album (Colored Vinyl LP, CD, Cassette) can be ordered now at www.strangefamousrecords.com/news/twstbf/ 

This Was Supposed to Be Fun, the debut LP (and second ofﬁcial offering) from EPIC BEARD MEN, is an indie-rap tour de force by two of the underground's ﬁnest; SAGE FRANCIS and B. DOLAN. This album knocks. It parties with disreputable outlaws in truck stops. It blends the classic sounds of breakbeats and timeless drum machines with soul grooves and sub bass. Guitars, violins, and a goddamn brass band have sat in before the party's over. On the vocal side of things, more than a few lyrical heavyweights drop in to take their turn on the mics. 

SLUG of ATMOSPHERE joins the gang in some NC-17 fun, as Sage and B. are soulfully backed by BLUE RASPBERRY (Wu-Tang Clan) on the road-noir tale "Pistol Dave". ELIGH of LIVING LEGENDS and South African newcomer YUGEN BLAKROK contribute blistering verses, while New Orleans Bounce legend Vockah Redu, vocalist Kathleen Stubelek of Circle Takes the Square, and San Antonio upstart Worldwide contribute brilliant supporting turns. 

Throughout 50 minutes of intricately produced rap music, the duo of storied rapper/poets wander freely and set ﬁres like the latchkey kids they once were. This Was Supposed to Be Fun, but that doesn't mean either emcee has shied away from their signature blend of the personal and political; topics range from the absurd to the unshakably true. EBM are two rap greybeards who aren't afraid to swing freely from dead-serious to wryly hilarious. 

StrangeFamousRecords.com

Buy EBM!

"MAN OVERBOARD (JNOKES REMIX)" - Epic Beard Men [Sage Francis + B. Dolan]

Welcome EARLY ADOPTED to the Strange Famous family! His SFdigi debut Tarred & Feathered drops Friday, April 3, 2020!

Limited edition 7-inch Lathe Cut Records (including Instant MP3 Download of the full LP) & Digital Downloads are available at http://StrangeFamous.com.

Tarred & Feathered is a dark, furious, and angry rap album. The ten tense and muscular compositions that make up T&F were honed by Massachusetts emcee Early Adopted during some of his hardest times, and the shards of this hardship formed a spectrum of sounds that both bludgeons and serenades the listener.

“I felt like life was making a public mockery of me,” EA said of the time he spent creating the album. “I chose the title Tarred & Feathered because that’s how I felt.”

The New Bedford/Fall River-repping rapper let these experiences dictate the course of the record: “I don’t know if I intentionally tried to depict what I was going through, but the dark side of the music industry is certainly an underlying theme throughout. While I was learning lessons on that front, I was also dealing with how to cope with death.”

Despite the shadowy origins of the project, EA emerged with a creation he feels has a brighter future: “I love what came from it. I think it’s raw and has a lot of emotion behind it. I’m very proud of this record.”

The LP is produced by beat maker Tundramane, whose unconventional soundscapes allowed Early Adopted the freedom to push his songs into directions atypical of standard hip hop fare. “I think it’s a perfectly unique hybrid of all of the music genres that inspire me, while still standing strong as any indie rap album out there. But it absolutely has a hardcore and punk rock sensibility to it.”

From the gravedigger’s anthem “Safety Coffins” to the A-side of the first single “Milton”, to the ethereal bounce of “Sea of Trees”, EA made certain that the album’s tracks maintained one unifying theme: “Anyone who has ever felt like the world was kicking them in the teeth while they were lying on the ground - this album is for you.”

Tarred & Feathered, the SFdigi debut LP from EARLY ADOPTED, drops April 3, 2020 on all digital and streaming platforms (including Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal).

Limited Edition 7-Inch Lathe Cut Records (including Instant MP3 Download of the full LP) & Digital Downloads are available at http://TinyURL.com/EarlyAdoptedSFR

Written & recorded by Early Adopted in Fall River & New Bedford, Massachusetts.
All songs produced by Tundramane.
Artwork created by Brian Huntress.
Cuts by DJ Decepta.
Mixed & mastered by Chance One.

Tarred & Feathered

"SAFETY COFFINS" - Early Adopted

"This is a song about how art is our master and we are subservient to it. While feeling like we master it, It is truly making us it’s servant. It will make you feel like a king some days, a peasant the next, followed by feeling like nothing. In the end we always go back to the thing a that abuse us because it’s more comfortable than being alone. 
Find what you love. Let it kill you. But surf in the eye of the storm for as long as you can." - Cas

All things Cas One at SFR can be found at http://TinyURL.com/CasOneVsFigure

released April 17, 2020 
Produced by Dizzy Wolfe 
Featuring Bitter Stephens 
Mixed & mastered by Eric Hunter 
Artwork by Ben Barnhart

Patriarch (Single)

Buy Cas One merch!

"PATRIARCH" - Cas One feat. Bitter Stephens & Dizzy Wolfe

Hello, all. Uncle Sage here coming to you live from the SFR quarantine. "Slumlord of the Slumlords" was produced by Buck 65 and originally released on limited 7" vinyl for 2017's Record Store Day. This is one of very few songs that haven't made their way into the digital world until now. If you're interested in downloading this song, we're asking that people donate to our PayPal account and I will personally email you a download link: https://www.paypal.me/StrangeFamous

If you don't have a PayPal account, we set up these product pages which will allow you to use a credit card: https://sfrstore.myshopify.com/collections/sfr-fundraiser

All of my tours have been canceled due to the pandemic, and that's always been my main source of income, so we're using this as a fundraiser. If you have the means to help out and you want to, the option is there! Otherwise, no worries. I know a lot of us are facing financial uncertainty (if not total uncertainty.) Whatever happens, 

It will also help in my transition from being a road warrior to a home warrior, which is long overdue. Before the end of 2020 I intend on completing the album I've been working on for the past few years and release another mixtape (or a boxset of all the mixtapes and unreleased songs.) Perhaps with more time at home I'll be able to put together a book or two, and finally dip my toes into my own podcast if I can manage to set myself apart from the sea of talky-talks. People have suggested I do a Patreon, and that's a possibility, but first I'd like to make sense of the mountain of audio and video files that have accumulated in my studio over the past two decades. There's a lot more that I'd like to explain, and I will at some point. I know I've been slow with solo album releases and the fans have been more than patient (but check out the Epic Beard Men material if you haven't already!) For now, just know that we intend on staying active as a label, I intend on staying active as an artist, and though the uncertainty of the future is daunting we are absolutely built for these strange times. 

Thank you for all the support you've given over the years. Please stay safe.

- Mr. Francis

Slumlord Of The Slumlords - Sage Francis (FUNDRAISER)

Welcome ALXNDRBRWN to the Strange Famous family! His SFdigi debut The Alex Brown Project is OUT NOW, and is FREE to download!
Limited edition Cassettes (including Instant MP3 Download of the full LP) & FREE Digital Downloads are available at http://StrangeFamous.com.

Not every cassette filled with instrumentals is a beat tape. Not every beat maker is a producer. Not all the music you pump into your headphones is headphone music. And then there is ALXNDRBRWN. 

The Alex Brown Project is a zone of its own, a word-free sector of sound where the magic lies in the subtleties. It is a collection of collages that invite you to acquaint yourself with the vowel-less music-maker behind Sage Francis’ classic track “Grace.” The Baltimore, Maryland-based producer dug in deep and and transformed his experiences into a series of moods that set the scene for the journey that was the catalyst for him to create TABP - a bit of sadness, a feeling of closure, the epiphany of clarity. A dip into despair followed by the achievement of self-love, and finally, of happiness. 

“The project encapsulates every feeling that I went through in 2019,” says BRWN (born Mathew Alexander). “In that year I experienced extreme depression and anxiety that almost took me. But I am here and proud to say I worked very hard at conquering all those negative feelings and thoughts, and that work brought me the most joy and love I have ever experienced for myself. This album represents a dark time and a transition into the light, an understanding that I am strong and worth something. I hope to reach people who share that struggle and them know that they are loved and never alone.”

The lo-fi soundscapes work best as one cohesive listen, but the album’s centerpiece is a song called “Drifter”: “That track was made at a moment in time where I felt helpless and resorted to doctors to keep me drugged up so I didn’t have to feel anything. I was too afraid to face my reality. I felt like a wandering drifter in this life. No direction, no inspiration to live, and just clueless on who and where I was. Not physically where I was, but mentally. The water sounds represent the consumption of anything and everything to ease the pain. Which actually made it worse, making me drown in it all.”

The water embedded in “Drifter” also serves as a reminder that the same thing that can pull us under also makes us float. ALXNDRBRWN’s musical trip brings us out of the shadows and into the sun, the place where he ultimately came to understand the comfort of creation. 

“Really I just love playing with sounds. I can’t think of a better thing to do with my time,” says Alexander. “I just hope people enjoy this project as much as I did creating it.”

The Alex Brown Project, the SFdigi debut LP from ALXNDRBRWN, dropped May 1, 2020 on all digital and streaming platforms (including Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal).

Limited Edition Cassettes (including Instant MP3 Download of the full LP) & FREE Digital Downloads are available at http://StrangeFamous.com

TRACKLIST
01 2019 HURT
02 EVERYBODY’S GONE
03 SAD IN MAJOR
04 LEFTOVER ANTIDEPRESSANTS
05 DRIFTER

CREDITS:
All songs produced and arranged by ALXNDRBRWN (@alxndrbrwn)
Additional guitars and keys by Athena Hiotis of RÊVE (@ahiotis @revemusicus) 
Album art by Jeremy Lombardo (@bardobalance)

The Alex Brown Project

Buy Cassette

"THE ALEX BROWN PROJECT" - ALXNDRBRWN [Side A]

Welcome ALXNDRBRWN to the Strange Famous family! His SFdigi debut The Alex Brown Project is OUT NOW, and is FREE to download!
Limited edition Cassettes (including Instant MP3 Download of the full LP) & FREE Digital Downloads are available at http://StrangeFamous.com.

Not every cassette filled with instrumentals is a beat tape. Not every beat maker is a producer. Not all the music you pump into your headphones is headphone music. And then there is ALXNDRBRWN. 

The Alex Brown Project is a zone of its own, a word-free sector of sound where the magic lies in the subtleties. It is a collection of collages that invite you to acquaint yourself with the vowel-less music-maker behind Sage Francis’ classic track “Grace.” The Baltimore, Maryland-based producer dug in deep and and transformed his experiences into a series of moods that set the scene for the journey that was the catalyst for him to create TABP - a bit of sadness, a feeling of closure, the epiphany of clarity. A dip into despair followed by the achievement of self-love, and finally, of happiness. 

“The project encapsulates every feeling that I went through in 2019,” says BRWN (born Mathew Alexander). “In that year I experienced extreme depression and anxiety that almost took me. But I am here and proud to say I worked very hard at conquering all those negative feelings and thoughts, and that work brought me the most joy and love I have ever experienced for myself. This album represents a dark time and a transition into the light, an understanding that I am strong and worth something. I hope to reach people who share that struggle and them know that they are loved and never alone.”

The lo-fi soundscapes work best as one cohesive listen, but the album’s centerpiece is a song called “Drifter”: “That track was made at a moment in time where I felt helpless and resorted to doctors to keep me drugged up so I didn’t have to feel anything. I was too afraid to face my reality. I felt like a wandering drifter in this life. No direction, no inspiration to live, and just clueless on who and where I was. Not physically where I was, but mentally. The water sounds represent the consumption of anything and everything to ease the pain. Which actually made it worse, making me drown in it all.”

The water embedded in “Drifter” also serves as a reminder that the same thing that can pull us under also makes us float. ALXNDRBRWN’s musical trip brings us out of the shadows and into the sun, the place where he ultimately came to understand the comfort of creation. 

“Really I just love playing with sounds. I can’t think of a better thing to do with my time,” says Alexander. “I just hope people enjoy this project as much as I did creating it.”

The Alex Brown Project, the SFdigi debut LP from ALXNDRBRWN, dropped May 1, 2020 on all digital and streaming platforms (including Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and Tidal).

Limited Edition Cassettes (including Instant MP3 Download of the full LP) & FREE Digital Downloads are available at http://StrangeFamous.com

TRACKLIST
06 WAKING UP INTERLUDE
07 ATHENA’S RIGHT
08 JUST BE HAPPY
09 I HAD TO USE IT
10 BACK TO MY OLD SELF
11 OWL OF ATHENA

CREDITS:
All songs produced and arranged by ALXNDRBRWN (@alxndrbrwn)
Additional guitars and keys by Athena Hiotis of RÊVE (@ahiotis @revemusicus) 
Album art by Jeremy Lombardo (@bardobalance)

"THE ALEX BROWN PROJECT" - ALXNDRBRWN [Side B]

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the "A Healthy Distrust" album, Sage Francis is writing breakdowns of each song every Thursday: https://www.strangefamousrecords.com/blogs/sage-francis/a-healthy-distrust-background-info/

Today's entry is on "Crumble" where he explains how drastically the song changed from demo form to album form. This is a snippet of the "Crumble" demo. The full demo will eventually be released on a rarities box set. Who knows when that will get put together, but in case you were wondering...now ya know. #StrangeFamous!

The lost "Crumble" verse from Sage Francis' demo vault

ZERO DEMO is from the SICK TO D(EAT)H mixtape: http://tinyurl.com/SickToDeathSFR
This a previously unheard version of "I Was Zero" off of Sage Francis' LI(F)E album (www.tinyurl.com/SageLife.) As you'll notice, it ended up being completely re-arranged and reworked by the time it was released in 2010. On this version you will hear the original beat that Buck 65 produced for it as well as an additional Sage Francis verse that was stricken from the album version. The artwork for this single was done by Falside, photo by Anthony St. James. 
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Label: http://StrangeFamousRecords.com

LYRICS:
If it wasn't for the bass, I wouldn't need these hearing aids. 
If it wasn't for mistakes, I probably wouldn't be here today.  
10 years ago I was 22. 20 years ago I was 12. 30 years ago I was 2. 
When I came out my momma I was zero.
 In the before life...I was undead. 
I was home schooled. There were no rules.
 But I gave it all up just for the chance to go public. 
A celestial scarecrow dancing with the puppets.
 A tug in my gut. I'm carrying the world in my stomach. 
I'm a surrogate motherfucker, the girls love it. 
Birth the suffix. Cut the visible string.
 Control is much more than a physical thing. 
Got an analog God and digital king,
An Adonis type bod with such brittle little wings.
I'm not an angel by any stretch of your halo,
But I've done the Lord's work and I'm not even on his payroll.
I stay low and do my dirt on a sea level.
Shoo away the crow while you flirt with the she-devil.
Grow up. You're old enough to know that dreams falter. 
I propose you leave that ego at the alter. 
The pauper and the prince switch roles,
Exchanging tattered clothes and silk robes.
The man behind the curtain at the end of the yellow brick road,
Shows envy for Geppetto and his one inch nose.

If it wasn't for the bass, I wouldn't need these hearing aids. 
If it wasn't for mistakes, I probably wouldn't be here today. 
When I came out my momma I was zero.
I was zero when I came out my momma, now everybody knows…

 I was born into it and before I knew it,
 I saw the students of poor getting hauled off to war. 
It's the law of Judas in the land of king's tax. 
 Partake in the Eucharist and then demand your kick backs.  
Spiritual wrist slap, please pass the sacrament ,
Ask if big, bad, black Jesus was African.  
They're selling a click track but they call it a soul clap.  
It's all in how you package it. The power of a magic trick.  
 Immaculate concepts are lost in the land of the cross. 
I'm standing off with a man of the cloth. 
He knows the ins and outs. All I want is the outs. 
He's selling real estate for some place in the clouds, but...
 I'm not investing in intellectual property,
 I'm inventing gender bending technology.  
'Cause maybe everybody needs to just become a sexual oddity, 
Leaving birth to the test tubes and death to the lottery. 
There's no one stopping me, I've got to be self-regulating.  
Wealth is escalating but my poverty was entertaining.  
Now I'm debating the value of a caste system,   
Cash back rewards and wars funded by my taxed income.
 If I'm a part of the problem then pardon me, 
 There's always been a difference between what I am and what I wanna be.
 It's either Jihadist freak or Jesus scenester. 
I heard God is coming...and she's a screamer. 
I couldn't understand what she was telling me, 
Why everybody thinks that they're their own worst enemy. 
I followed the manual. I swallowed the skeleton key...
And it unlocked the hell in me.  
So this is my gift to God.  Ribbon on my dick, like a tourniquet. Syphilis. 
This is my gift to God.  I'm jumping out the cake. Naked with a shank. 
This is my gift to God.  Unwrap the package. Confetti made of maggots. 
This...is my gift. "Ugh, you call that talent? "
Here's your image back. You can have it.  

10 years ago I was 22.  20 years ago I was 12. 
30 years ago I was 2.  When I came out my momma I was zero.

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ZERO DEMO - Sage Francis (prod. Buck 65)

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