Bliss n Eso in dB magazine (March 06)
taken from issue #382 29 March - 11 April 2006
http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/382/iv-BlissnEso.shtml
Bliss n Eso have caused a stir in Australian hip-hop since releasing their EP 'The Arrival' in 2000 and its successful full-length follow up 'Flowers
In The Pavement'. Their new album 'Day Of The Dog' is not only a continuum of their superb past work but also raises the bar, as Eso reveals they have
now found the style that they were always looking for.
"'Flowers In The Pavement' was made by basically turning on the microphone and letting it roll. In 'Flowers...' we were searching for our style,
trying to see what we enjoyed doing more, freestyling for hours, listening back to see what was good and then moulding stuff around that. I think in
'Day Of The Dog' we are more focused and concentrated. Instead of being free and zooming around, we are now trying to talk to the listener."
'Day Of The Dog' exposes a more personal side to Bliss, Eso and DJ Izm. Eso in particular based his verse in the track Soldier On on his experience
and grief over his mother's death. "And Then Till Now and Lights Camera Action also give more of a personal view on who we are and how we have
changed. This is the album we have always wanted to make," Eso insists.
Known for their energetic performances and candid and clever lyrics, there is little wonder as to why they are one of the leading acts on the hip-hop
food chain. But Eso explains he is overwhelmed by the devotion coming from their growing fan base.
"Kids are coming up to me saying, 'you've changed my life! I can't go to school without putting your album on to make everything OK.' A few weeks
back, one girl spent $240 on a taxi to come to a show and was going to pay that to go back. We organised for someone to take her back because she was
16 years old and came alone. We're not surprised that people would come to our shows but we are surprised at how much dedication they have to our
music," he exclaims. "It just blows our minds!"
The release of 'Day Of The Dog' comes concurrently with their national tour. Adelaide got the first taste of Bliss n Eso's new brew on when the trio
performed at Earth nightclub. From the sounds of it, all parties concerned were happy with the outcome.
"It was absolutely crazy! In Adelaide, the whole club was singing and I didn't have to do anything. I would begin to rap and the crowd would chant the
whole verse. We'd never had anything on that level. I would look at Bliss and Izm and they were looking back at me because there was so much love from
the audience."
Still living up to the expectations they have set for themselves, the crowd's enthusiastic response gives a lot to anticipate for the remainder of the
tour.
"We've got a full on show, full turntable, Bliss beat boxing and I'm freestyling every show, its awesome. We told Canberra how crazy it was in
Adelaide and they were just as wild."
Having just finished supporting the 50 Cent tour before their own began, Bliss n Eso have been following tight schedules for months. "The difference
is when we were doing the 'Flowers' tour we were at Bliss's house for months practicing, but because we have done so many shows since them, the shows
have become our practice time. When we're doing something we will judge if it works for next time, which bits had the crowd going and which bits were
kind of bland."
With success, Eso is more than aware of the criticism that comes with it, particularly about being labelled as 'going commercial', something also
endured by other leading groups such as the Hilltop Hoods.
"I don't like the 'C' word. Take Outkast, for example. I have followed them from day one and they haven't changed, but people would now say Outkast
are commercial. I don't think there is enough good music on the radio. I love our music being exposed, but it can also be self-destructive because the
fans in the beginning are saying, 'they've turned commercial.' There is nothing commercial about our music. But I am glad we have got our foot in the
door and hope to change people's opinion. If you are making good music, why shouldn't people hear it?"
Sherree Woodmore
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