One of the greatest underground rappers of all time and hailed by many as one of the most skilled and innovative lyricist since hip-hop’s conception, Qwel is not your average ambiguous applause monger. Seasoned within Chicago’s unrelenting battle circuit, Qwel found his niche among his soon to be crew at University of Chicago’s WHPK Wednesday night rap show. The show, a staple in Chicago underground history, was then hosted by DJ Natural and Kid Knish. There he would meet both Denizen Kane and Qwazaar and soon after they would form Typical Cats. The project that they shortly after released, would instantly gain both national and international acclaim. With production from Natural and lyrics from, arguably, the three rawest lyricists to date, Typical Cats would set the pace and tone as just the beginning of Qwel’s notoriety.
After the release of Typical Cats’ debut album and Qwel’s vicious appearance and performance in the Chicago blaze battle, what could fans expect? Nothing would have prepared the underground world for what was next. Qwel’s first solo effort If it Ain’t Been in a Pawnshop, Then it Can’t Play the Blues, far surpassed any expectations listeners held for him. With more introspective, thought provoking topics, Qwel proved his writing prowess, while displaying his graceful flow and fiery soul, three things which Qwel feels are missing not only from underground hip hop, but from this numb and dumb world. At this point in his career, Qwa’s pedigree is unquestionable. South Side representative extraordinaire; Low End theorist; endlessly inventive with flows and increasingly daring in subject and range. Long hailed for his vocal ability, the decades have seen Qwa transform into the rare artist whose symphonic flow is effortlessly matched to pitch-perfect confessional content.
The moments that meld both into a unique storytelling voice are rare—Rakim’s “The Ghetto” comes to mind, as do Black Thought’s post-bop excursions. Qwa’s true corollary, however, aren’t his fellow MCs—it’s Charlie Parker, whose wrenching solos feature a technical genius that are only matched by their sorrow—the sound of Icarus’ wings melting. He’s found his proper spar this go-round—Batsauce is a Berlin-based turntable Gillespie (URB recently dubbed him “the next ‘it’ thing in underground hip hop”), and their first full-length is a true titanic, trans-Atlantic meeting of the minds.
Freezer Burner
Closed Doors To An Open Mind is a 10 track LP from the Maxilla Blue MC, all produced by Maker. Guests MCs are Qwel on 2 cuts, Qwazaar and Hellsent. DJ Touch Nice of Maxilla Blue also features on several tracks. Includes download code with full album and instrumentals, in G4 label jackets with art print. Added by: Jeff. After a barrage of successful releases on Galapagos4, Qwel would begin working on the 1st album in his Four Horsemen / Four Seasons series. Mao, Blu, Exile, Opus, DiVinci (Solillaquists of Sound), Daedelus, Edit (Glitch Mob), Gaslamp Killer, and many others with tour routes spanning the US, Europe, and Japan.
HELLSENT. Hailing from the south-side of Chicago, He.llsent is known for balancing deep social commentary with hardcore rhymes. He.llsent came to the forefront in 2005 when he, Alongside Qwazaar and Silence released their groundbreaking album “Suicide Prevention” as OuterLimitz on Galapagos4. Praised by critics & fans alike as arguably the best underground hiphop album of the year.
A solo effort entitled ‘Rainwater’ in 2006 (Galapagos4), touring extensively, followed by 2 more solid releases ‘False Profit’ (2010 Galapagos4) & ‘Just Another Mixtape’ (2011) gained the Emcee a dedicated following and he has since then never looked back. ASPHATE LADY DAISEY. Batsauce (born Britt Traynham) is a musician/producer/DJ from Jacksonville, Florida.
Following his well received EP & LP with Qwazaar, Batsauce debuts his instrumental intergalactic love saga entitled “Starcrossed.” Batsauce is also one-third of the Smile Rays (along with Paten Locke & Lady Daisey). He has worked with Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, The AB’s, Paten Locke, Lady Daisey, Surreal, Dillon, Chop, Boog Brown, and MassInfluence. Not to mention, the likes of Bahamadia, George Clinton, Vinnie Paz, and Dumbtron have appeared on his tracks. As well as an avid beatmaker, Batsauce is a multi-instrumentalist and DJ. He resides mostly in Berlin, when he isn’t couch-surfing elsewhere.
Gray Water Training The San Francisco based non-profit waternow put on a QWEL Graywater Specialty training in Marin County in January. Here’s a few pictures from the installation workshop on the final day that was also featured in the Marin Independent Journal. February 5th 2015 2015 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour The Eco-Friendly Garden Tour is a public outreach and education program that promotes sustainable landscaping practices by showcasing inspiring home gardens throughout Sonoma County and North Marin. The Tour highlights Russian River-Friendly and Bay-Friendly landscaping best practices, and supports QWEL certified professionals by featuring their personal or client’s gardens. The Eco-Friendly Garden Tour is self-guided and is provided free of charge by the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership.
Save the Date! The 2015 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour will take place on Saturday May 16. We hope that you will mark your calendar for this event. Please visit the Eco-Friendly Garden Tour website and sign-up to receive emails about the event. Call for Gardens! This is a great opportunity to share your garden or a project that you have worked on with the community. Digihome pvr 160 manual. We are currently accepting applications for the 2015 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour.
Application Form February 5th 2015 EPA WaterSense 2015 Partner of the Year Award. The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership is honored to receive an EPA WaterSense award for certifying partner of the year for the QWEL program for the second year in a row. This award provides validation both to the QWEL program and the many certified professionals out there. The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership, which sponsors the QWEL professional certification program, earned its second Professional Certifying Organization Partner of the Year award for accepting four organizations that adopted the QWEL program.
Quel Jour Sommes-nous
QWEL organizations certified 200 new landscape irrigation professionals in 2014. Dan Muelrath from the Valley of the Moon Water District collects the award together with members of the QWEL Board Carrie Pollard, Peter Estournes, and Deb Lane at the WaterSmart Innovations conference in Las Vegas.
Qwel & Maker
October 8th 2015 Non Sonoma-Marin Event September 20th 2017.