“From my revision beginnings…
Posted on August 28th, 2007
Filed under: Music News — Karl Olson @ 3:32 pm
To that OpenSource ending
Listen close you’ll hear what I’m about
People feel my truths.”
-Me paraphrasing Jay-Z
So, I’m taking a break from music. After basically losing my temper after a miserable PAX, and generally sort of so/so summer, and given that I just can’t really justify pushing onward when I can’t even get the basics right like being good to my girlfriend, and generally getting my life moving forward, I think to need simplify. Fact is, I need to get back into school (especially since I have my transfer degree from BCC now,) I need to get some gainful employment (especially since I can’t really eat off of my music at the moment,) and I need to get my own place (my parents are great people, but I have to prove myself out in the world, or atleast give it a real shot – if I don’t, atleast I know that I have a caring family to fall back on – not everyone can say that.)
Besides, I don’t think I even really have the heart to do much musically at the moment – all that’d probably come out is dumb emo rap, and lets face it, no one wants to hear that. I will get Rai’s album done, and I’ll make beats for Nursehella when ever she wants them, but beyond that, I’m just not feeling it (if a raft of people want Opensource, maybe I’ll get a run done since all the song for that are ready; however, I doubt that, so maybe I’ll just try to get it on iTunes or something.) I think part of the problem was all this stuff was going to my head, yet, I really didn’t have the basics down. That’s backwards. I think I should be successful and happy in the rest of the facets of my life first before trying to be a public figure of any sort, even in the only vaguely internet famous way that I am. If I don’t, I risk messing things up worse than before.
I’m sorry if I’m letting anyone down or getting anyone’s spirits down by saying all this, so allow me to end on a note of hope; I think Nerdcore is going to be massive with or without me, and that’s a good thing. I mean, if taking one person out of scene meant that it wasn’t going to function, that would have meant it doesn’t really have the legs to go somewhere, right? However, as I saw during the concerts at PAX (when I wasn’t being kicked out from them even though I had a special guest pass,) and just by the general attention and recognition the luminaries of this young genre received, Nerdcore is in better shape than ever. There are wonderfully talented people who are just beginning their careers, and they are the proof that this all has legs beyond just the 1st and 2nd generation acts. I mean, when the 3rd gen acts are already holding their own with people who have been in the game for over 7 years now, that’s wonderful. I wish the best of luck to everyone who makes Nerdcore a priority in their life who are happy with that decision. You’re creating something brand new via your own talent and strength, and that’s lovely and awe-inspiring. Maybe one day, I’ll be strong enough again to stand beside you. I certainly don’t intend to give up with out a fight, I just need to fight through some other things first.
Comments (8)
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Having gone through something similar, I can respect your decision. Better to take a break now and get your shit together, then fight it and have everything turn to crap (what I ended up doing). That said, I sincerely hope this is just a temporary break. Modesty aside, nerdcore is poorer with out you.
Good luck in getting things straightened out. I’m looking forward to hearing what you come up with once you’ve got your shit together.
And put me down for a vote in favor of releasing Open Source Lyricist.
Comment by Matt S — August 28, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Hey Karl,
What’s happening? Are you ok? Do you need to talk? I can get a phone card and talk if you need it. I’m sorry you feel so down. I would like to email you, but I can’t find your email. Can you email me so I have a direct connection to you? I left the headphones/microphone at home (on accident). I asked my mom to send them to me, but she can’t find them. Please contact me.
Zoe
Comment by Zoe — August 29, 2007 @ 3:58 am
Yo, Karl.
If you’re gonna go on hiatus, I might as well pay my respects. For the record, you are my favorite nerdcore artist, moreso than Frontalot, YTC, and chris. The reason being that you seem to be a very down to earth guy. Whereas Frontalot’s raps are silly and YTC’s raps beef him up, you are quite possibly the living definition of nerdcore. You have a strong DIY attitude, pushing out incredible music on a low budget. You rap about anime, but it’s not just rapping about anime for the geek cred like some might. You have the geek cred already and rap about anime simply because it’s a major part of your life.
You love your music, but I think you’re kind of losing sight of the fact that music should be something for you. Or maybe you’re just realizing it. In either case, the fact of the matter is that with any kind of art, life has to come first, and that’s exactly what you’re doing right now. So don’t regret it, take your time, settle things up, and when you’re in a state where you feel called to make music again, make some. Make no apologies for that, and have no regrets about it.
Good luck.
ProjektZero
Comment by Matt R / ProjektZero — August 29, 2007 @ 11:38 am
You make the good music. I hope you do eventually return to the land of people who make music. You are one of my heroes. Also, I am eagerly waiting for Open Source Lyricist.
Comment by Antisoc — August 29, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
*Pours out a bit of his 40. Belatedly realizes that Karl is too talented to stay away for long, and ends up making an ass of himself trying to slurp it back up.*
And yeah, also on the “raft” of people waiting for some version of OL.
Comment by ChurchHatesTucker — August 29, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
Damn, man. Good luck with all your endeavors. I’m always looking forward to new stuff from you. But you gotta take a break if you need it.
Comment by Mr. Door — August 30, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
I’ll admit, at first your music wasn’t really my thing, but the more I’ve heard, the more it’s grown on me. It’s a shame to see you got, even if only for a while, but rest assured you’ll be welcomed with open arms when you get back – when, not if – and that there are plenty of listeners and fans of yours who, while they might not comment, are behind you as you do your thing, whatever thing that may be. Best of luck!
Comment by Tetsuo — September 2, 2007 @ 8:52 pm
Dammit, “see you go” not “see you got”… way to ruin the moment me.
Comment by Tetsuo — September 2, 2007 @ 8:54 pm