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Some of the best music to come out of Greenville in recent years wasn’t made by a band. Projekt Lotus writes smart, jazzy hip-hop in the vein of A Tribe Called Quest, with spoken-word rhymes spun over analog soundscapes.
The group released their second and most recent album, “Circadian Rhythms,” in 2007. The disc featured downtown minimalism (“Through the Prism”) soul stew (“Friendly”) and Curtis Mayfield chord-rain (“Hold On”).
There are no immediate plans for a third LP. However, Projekt Lotus member simpL, 31, says the band continues to create.
“Most of the live performances we’ve got coming up this summer, it’s all new material. But we’re not really focused on creating an album; we’re just writing songs.”
Projekt Lotus—which also includes Tavo, Knot N MC, Mo’ses, M.E. and Skrilla, is set to play Burnfest—which features 40 bands over two days. The event, held at Spartanburg’s Ground Zero, will run 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on June 5-6, and two-day passes are $15. Single day admission is $10.
What was the first record you heard that made you want to become an MC? Probably Souls of Mischief, “93 Til’ Infinity.” It’s just a classic album, beginning to end. The summer that record came out my friends and I listened to it everyday and knew the lyrics back and forth.
It seems like Projekt Lotus doesn’t play Greenville shows very often. These are our friends and family that support us here, so we want to give them something special instead of being a weekly house band. I think a lot of really good people locally; they’re pushing outside of the area, so when they come here it’s an event, a gathering.
Where do you find lyrical inspiration? Everywhere. We’re defined by the elements in our lives and people around us. We find inspiration in going to a bar and hanging out with our friends. Financial struggles. Goofing off. I’ve got a family, so I find inspiration with my kids. There’s a song in everything.
What separates good verses from bogus ones? Honesty. Vulnerability. When someone interjects themselves into their artwork it comes across. Even some of the things that are more fun, like a party atmosphere. If someone’s being themselves, that’s what differentiates the songwriting.
What’s the last verse or tune by another artist you’ve heard that you wish you’d written? I really like Q-Tip’s new album (2008’s “The Renaissance”). It’s still the classic hip-hop formula; they just updated it.
I really liked the production on your records. Melodies are a big part of it. Certain songs have timelessness to them. For instance the Souls of Mischief record, every time I hear that record I think of being 16 with the windows down. Tavo has a really good ear for those kinds of melodies. It really inspires us in the songwriting end of it.
How does Projekt Lotus split up the DJ, MC and producer tasks? Skrilla’s a DJ—he’s the newest members of the group. We added him around Christmas. We all kind of rotate because we’re all involved in other projects.
What’s the nature of your side project? I’m working on a glitch hop, thematic album. Collaborating with people from Asheville, to Atlanta and around the Southeast. We’re playing with ideas and not taking ourselves too seriously.
What’s that project called? Octagon Rush.
What are some of the other dynamics within Projekt Lotus? Mo’ses, with his background in spoken word and theater, he’s an MC by the truest means. Knot N MC, he’s one of the youngest in the group so he’s able to bring a lightness and positivity to the stuff we were coming with. My role is a little heavier. I have an aggressive nature. If it weren’t for Knot’s contrast to what I do…it kind of rounds it out. (M.E.) is kind of a phantom MC, a background guy.
Projekt Lotus plays Ground Zero's Burnfest at 1:30 p.m. June 5.
For more on Projekt Lotus, go to www.myspace.com/projektlotus.
