HHD is really proud to bring you this artist spotlight from Goldini Bagwell.  I have been following his work since the early inception of the Sandpeople.  His superlative skill, creative knack, and unique wordplay made him an easy choice for this month’s selection.   His recent release, Secondhand Smoke, produced by Pmpee just dropped and was reviewed here a few weeks ago made the timing even more perfect.  It’s a great read, so without boring you to death with my introduction…

Interview:

HHD: When you were growing up who were your musical influences? What was the one album you wore the hell out of back in the day?

Goldini Bagwell: My first and foremost musical influence was my pops who plays keyboard/piano. I used to see him and his bands rehearse all the time and I wanted to be a part of it somehow someway. I tried to pick up the drums but my coordination (keeping the hi-hat steady and hitting the snare) was not gonna let me accomplish that.  I call it the pat your head and rub your belly theory.

As far as other artists go. I’d say Miles Davis, ATQ, De La Soul & Redman we’re huge influences on the type of artist I was inspiring to be staring out.

HHD: When did you first realize that you had the talent to write rhymes and perform music yourself? Do you remember rocking your first show? Where was it at? What was the experience like for you?

Goldini Bagwell: I believe I wrote my first rhyme in 7th grade and started freestyling & performing shortly after that.  First official show I can remember doing was with the Alkaholiks back in 1998 at La Luna (Portland, Or) under the name Children of the Thorn. Me & my boys (Dialek & Soulphur) weren’t too polished at the time, we just knew how to rap our asses off.  With that said the show quality was probably sub-par. haha. But I became addicted to it.

HHD: I’ve never heard the official story (or unofficial for that matter) as to how the Sandpeople came into being. Can you give us a synopsis as to the group’s origin ? How were you invited into the fold?

Goldini Bagwell: I beleive Mo-B and Jon the Baptist came up with the idea and recruited the lot of us. My man Mo-B gave me a ring one evening when I was on the way out to the Oldominion compound back in 2004 and asked if I wanted to get down with a super group he was forming. I told him I wasn’t interested in the politics that it had to offer but would give it a try.

The name came from a group that JTB started in New Mexico. Coming up with a group name is tough so I think we were like OK, we got a name lets make more music. It wouldn’t have been my first choice but whatever… I also didn’t know it was tied to Star Wars for the longest. haha

The first album Points of View was put together in two weekends out in a small college town outside of portland called “Forest Grove”. I didn’t even know everyone in the whole crew until the second album (All in Vain). At that point a few of the original Emcee’s/DJ’s in the crew had already fell out of the equation and some new one’s were recruited (OnlyOne & XP). I only appeared on that album once due to whatever kind of trouble a young gold was getting himself into. haha

HHD: How has the dynamic within the Sandpeople changed over the years? Or has it? What does it mean right now to be a member of the collective?

Goldini Bagwell: The dynamic has definitely changed quite a bit. As I explained earlier the members were shuffling quite a bit throughout the early stages. I think once illmaculate was added into the mix, things started to solidify a lot more. I feel the crew as a whole right now is a solid group of individuals at this point. Though we aren’t as collectively active as we once were, everyone is making the best music they have ever made right now. Once we find the time to execute, I personally think our next project will be nothing short of amazing. Plus no matter where any of us go on the solo tip the fans still want another Sandpeople effort/record/tour. I hope to deliver that soon.

HHD: It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost two years since Chainsmoke dropped. How did you link up with Pmpee beats (Finland) to create this album? How do you feel the album was received by the fans? In retrospect would you have done anything different?

Goldini Bagwell: The very last message I checked on Myspace back in 2010 was from Pmpee saying ‘I got beats I want someone dope to rap on them‘. I thought: Hmmm. This doesn’t seem as spammy as the other messages that I get like this. Let me listen to some of his work. I felt the direction he was going with his beats so I asked him to start sending some thru. Ever since then he has been consistently sending a steady flow dope instrumentals. I personally think he has grown quite a bit since Chainsmoke production wise.  I was going to start working on some other projects after Chainsmoke but the stuff he was sending me was undeniable so I decided to start the SHS project and I’m happy with the results.

I got overall positive feedback from my debut album. The negatives I did hear about were things I already knew. I thought alot of the song structures were predictable and I would of replaced some of the songs due to similar content matter in retrospect, but all in all I’m proud of it being my first solo release.

HHD: What kind of sacrifices have you had to make when it comes to pursuing a career in music?

Goldini Bagwell: My dignity! haha. I work a full time job to help support my drug habit, I mean music career.  I’ve lost friends and love thru some of the choices I’ve made by putting my musical ambitions at the forefront. I think a life of certain normality is sacrificed when you are actively pursuing a music career. You have to constantly invest in your dreams no matter how far fetched. With that said, progress in other areas of life are put on hold.  I sometimes regret some of the life decisions I’ve made because I put music first but everything happens for a reason right?

HHD: You just recently release your Secondhand Smoke EP and you have a song on that project, Said Before. From a listener’s perspective it sounds like you were getting a lot off your chest on that song. Is that the case? Elaborate a little more, if you would, on that track.

Goldini Bagwell: I wrote that track last summer after my first trip to Europe. When I got back from said trip I was crazy inspired by so many things, so much so that I had trouble writing them down in song form. After a month of no musical output I thought I would put myself in a place I was at before my euro excursion. Which was kind of a depressed/anxious state of mind. When it comes to personal things it’s easy for me to bottle them up and keep it moving. I’m not the type to come up to the homies and spill all my woes out. So when the threshold is reached I alleviate by writing songs like Said Before or Chainsmoke. Said Before was the first song I wrote after that short hiatus and I had to get out whatever was weighing me down. Writing songs like this are extremely therapeutic for me and though they are super personal it’s songs like these I appreciate and identify with from other artists. First verse was me recapping the first half of 2012. 2nd verse/ 3rd verse is me explaining the current state of the artist I am and how I’d like to push past it. I enjoy this song allot and I hope to shoot a video for it soon.

HHD: How are you going to define success for yourself as a man, and then as a musician?

Goldini Bagwell: They both go hand and hand. I think success is about personal growth and doing the things you love. I feel like I grow everyday as a person and musically. The progression of both bring opportunity.  As long as I have that I feel successful. With all that said, I would love to quit my job and rap/tour/engineer/consult or do anything music related full-time but until then I’ll keep it pushing.

HHD: You have been on tour in Europe for a few weeks at this point and I am curious to get your take on the European Hip Hop culture and how it differs from the one in the states. Did you have a favorite venue on this tour?

Goldini Bagwell: The European Hip-Hop culture is dope and still feels fresh. I feel like Hip Hop is way more appreciated then it is in the U.S. There were a couple shows where people didn’t even know who we were. But the fact that U.S. Hip-Hop was being advertised attracted them to the show. Safe to say they’re fans now . haha. But the over all vibe is a love for old school (golden era) Hip-Hop and east coast Hip-Hop. Seems like allot of establish east coast artists frequent Europe quite a bit. Also Everybody doesn’t rap in Europe! Their are more fans and more appreciation for what you do whether they can understand you or not.

My favorite venue this time would probably have to go to Rossli bar in Bern, Switzerland. Dope Staff, Dope fans, Dope Venue, Dope Tree, Dope City. They really took care of us. U.S. promoters can learn allot from some of these EURO promoters.

HHD: What does Goldini Bagwell and the Sandpeople have in store for us for the rest of 2013? Any other projects set to be released that you can talk about?

Goldini Bagwell: I’ll be releasing the full length version of Secondhand Smoke which will have 9-10 new songs on it. I also have an album with producer DaiN who did a couple remixes for songs on Chainsmoke. There is tons of Sandpeople material to release so we are strategizing on the best way to release that.  Myself & Iame are also looking to release a McJameson project at some point.

HHD: Any other thoughts that you would like to add?

Goldini Bagwell: Big-Up to everyone who support organic, unfiltered hip-hop. There are too many people who follow the herd. Be a FREE thinker (fan or artist).Don’t let mainstream media tell you what you should be listening too. Dig deeper, Go to a show, support your local & touring artists. The power is in the people. There is evidence that we can change the current model! Big up to my Heaven Noise / Sandpeople Familia!