Over the last year or so, the Soar Losers have become strong component of the Portland rap scene. The unexpected yet wonderfully synergistic combination of Tre Redeau, Myke Bogan, Manny Monday, Stewart Villain, and – recent additions – T. Soprano and Vinnie Dewayne has been turning heads with their style, music and fun-loving ways.
More of a collective than a group, the Losers recently announced a barrage of performances over the weekend at two major events. PDX Pop Now, and the Paisley Summer Tour (which is headlined by Vince Staples, Audio Push and Skeme). Check out our Facebook for a chance to win tickets to the latter.
We had a chance to chat with the squad, and I can assure you that they are excited for what is sure to be a huge weekend for the Soar Losers.Manny Monday is rocking Friday’s PDX stop for the Paisley Summer Tour (as is Portland’s Nyce Lutchiano – more on that tomorrow) so we caught up with him first to see how he felt and how he got connected with the show:
“I’m definitely hype to rock with Vince and Audio Push. I’ve heard Vince’s name but hadn’t really heard his music too much, so I went and did some research on him and he has some dope stuff. Audio Push is a really talented duo. Their music is dope as well. Skeme is a spitter. He’s dope too. Very underrated when it comes to lyricism. I think this line up is a good fit for me.
Ibeth (Strictly Bizz) lined up this show for me. When it comes to shows, she lines up those that would particularly fit my type of target audience. These artists have been in the game for a minute but people are still slowly but surely catching on, and that’s my situation in the city of Portland. Especially after releasing my first mixtape. I’m growing a small buzz around the city. The more material I drop, the more people will become more familiar with the Manny Monday movement.”
Meanwhile on Friday, the always entertaining Stewart Villain will be rocking the PDX Pop Now stage at 11:15. He’s got a few tricks in the bag, performing all new music and bringing out fellow Soar Loser V. Dewayne, as well as San Fran’s DJ Kala. He talked about playing a festival not primarily geared towards hip-hop and explains how he get involved:
“I’m still not sure how I feel to be honest. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the whole ordeal. Last year I heard Luck-One bodied it. Then Cassow told me he wasn’t really feeling the festival.
Rocking for a non-hip-hop crowd is the one thing I’m not looking forward to. I had a dream about that actually. I was rockin’ and not a single person was fuckin’ with my shit. The weird thing was everyone was whispering to each other and even though I was rapping and there was loud ass music, I could hear them. *laughs*
If I’m not mistaken, Ryan Feigh put the word in for me. To be honest I didn’t even know he was going to. He just rocks with me heavy. He’s a solid dude.”
The St. Johns Scholar, Vinnie Dewayne, added:
I wasn’t asked to do PDX Pop Now. However, my bro Stew showed love and added me to his set. I never heard of it before this, but I’m looking forward to rocking some new material.
Crew youngin’ Tre Redeau, will be rocking at 9:30 on Saturday night… His set should end just in time to hit the club. He’s also bringing a friend (and keeping it NEP) with an expected appearance from T. Soprano. Popular with the college crowds, Tre spoke from his experience rocking festivals and appealing to a wider audience:
I feel blessed to be rocking PDX Pop Now. I’ve been to it in the previous years and always wanted a chance to show the fans my music. I am actually performing 6 songs that I never have performed before. So I’m really excited. The biggest most exciting show I ever did was an outdoor festival in Corvallis. I love that type of show. The view from the stage is crazy.
While in the process of making my music, I’ve been surrounded by all different types of music lovers. Some who don’t like hip hop at all. I’ve learned to relate to people and show them ME.
T. Soprano added:
I’m super stoked to rock on Tre Redeau’s set! I have never performed at a festival so I’m excited for that also! PDX Pop Now is a great way to get exposure to a bunch of people who don’t know who I am! I am greatful for the opportunity the homie gave me… Blessed
Myke Bogan takes the stage Sunday at 10 – essentially headlining the whole event – and also currently graces the front page of PDX Pop Now’s website. No stranger to tearing down shows, he invoked his bigger than life personality and spoke large about his excitement for both the festival, and his team’s future:
Oh man, I’m super stoked about PDX POP NOW. I’ve heard stories about how it’s gone down in the past and I can’t wait to hit ’em with the Myke Bogan. This is a huge opportunity and I’m thankful to be a part. I got plugged through my homie Illmac, so shout out to him for that.
Surprises for the fans? Yeah maybe, but I can’t share too much. It’s gonna be dope. I have tons of new material so you might get some old favorites, you might get some new joints, I might play a banjo, you never know. You gotta be there to see for yourself!
Man, I love playing non-hip-hop crowds. I kinda got my start when I was surrounded by the punk scene. It made me wanna go harder to make people believers. The dope thing about Portland is that people here are music lovers in general and they’re pretty open to new music so that’s a plus. I’m not worried about it. I’m excited. Rockin’ outdoors is gonna be amazing. Festivals are dope. This is preparing us all for what’s to come.
The SOAR LOSERS are gonna be super active this weekend. We’re rockin’ every night of the festival so the fans will get a dosage every night, you can’t miss us! It’s a huge blessing to be rockin’ alongside my bros, but also alongside these other bands, Portland has some of the best bands I’ve heard.
My DJ? I’m not having a DJ, I’m having a 6-piece gypsy folk band play with me. It’s my new thing. *laughs*
Ladies and gentlemen, THE SOAR LOSERS! Be sure to check out Facebook and Twitter for ways to win FREE TICKETS!
