I hate being late to a show, especially a good one. So when I was running five minutes behind for the Inverse show at UCLA I was not a happy rapper to say the least. I feel the most guilt catching an artist play late and anything or anyone that stands in my way of getting to the show is like a potential victim of wrong place-wrong time syndrome waiting to happen. Not to mention this campus is like a demonstrative maze of a fun house in order to find the arena and when I finally make it- I am ushered to the bottom floor entrance because I have an orange wristband.
To taunt matters more, the door that I am being ushered to (that takes me two flights of stairs to get down) did nothing but bring me outside to the front entrance, back up another THREE flights of stairs, just to have me enter to the door exactly next to the original door that I wasn’t allowed to walk through.
During this entire process I can hear Tunji and Toby- Inverse’s two front MC’s- rapping to the college crowd as their band backs them up with a funky ass groove.
Inverse’s latest EP is titled “So True” an apt title for the group’s chill and relax sound that nods an awesome echo to the laid back Cali lifestyle. Under “Influences” on the band’s Myspace you will find a single word- life. Under the “Band Members” you will find two words- Toby and Tunji. The sequence continues next to the “Sounds Like” tab with three words- only ourselves.
I walked into the large room that in a few months would be full of caps and gowns and my zig-zag induced stress relating to my arrival subsided- and the chill channel of music coming from the shaggy hippy guitar player on stage began to calm me down.
A sincere spirit moves through Toby and Tunji’s music and lyrics. I admit it’s harder to connect with them in such a large venue like this, but none the less the sound is proper and isn’t bouncing off the walls too bad. It’s a great look that a fantastic local band can open for a very big local name that carries a completely different feel (Inverse is opening up for The Game tonight) and the crowd seems to be receptive to the more underground direction.
The rap duo’s tunes are mixed well by the five-piece backing them up- and they are literally putting their sweat into the show as they catch their breath in between songs. Guest singer Noa King makes an appearance on a track towards the end, giving a beautiful harmony and melody to the moment. “Rise and Shine” captures the bands positive air well with Tunji’s descriptive tale of growing up and not falling for the hype of the masses- while songs like “So Far” carries a strong production style worthy of a worldwide crossover appeal.
Inverse’s show is well knit and tight, giving time for the introductions and solos for the band. The live music doesn’t seem like a gimmick as most recent rap acts have fallen victim to- but rather a compliment to the group’s organic make-up.
With the occasional back up vocal and great use of a DJ, the blend for the set is smooth, making my evenings stress melt away even more. The energy from their show and the latest So True EP reminds me that as an influence, life is as good a muse as any. We have it pretty awesome right now in 2009, what with the ability to fly, communicate with people across the world at the touch of a button, and in California the luxury to purchase Marijuana legally. It’s all just a reminder to not sweat the small stuff and keep things in perspective. You will get through the right door at the right time.
A. Landon
www.loudvine.com
