How you doing? What is good with Espi?
Just paying bills, staying busy with the graphic design work and trying to improve my craft as an emcee.
Last time we heard from you, you just put out The Sweat Shirt Dinner Party, how has the public's reaction been to that project?
Feedback from people who have listened to the new stuff has been very positive. There has definitely been a lot of improvement since I put out True Love + High Adventure. I'm improving everyday as a writer and hopefully that will help my music be enjoyed by a broader audience.
How is it being an independent artist? Would a deal be something that you would say is your goal?
I'd def be down for a deal if the terms were right. But getting a deal isn't something I really focus on when making music. I think a lot of that perspective just comes from being from the northwest. We only have a select few artists who even get offered deals by independent companies. I'd love to make a living off of music but I don't necessarily see that as a possibility at this point because I'm not able to head off on the road for 6 months out of the year to promote myself. I have a mortgage at home I have to pay and am not willing to make my family suffer because I have a dream of being a rap star.
You are one of the artist that I have notice hasn't put out a project for free download on the net, how is that effecting the spread of your music, and are you planning on going that route ever?
If somebody wants music for free they can get it. I'm just leaving the option open to help support the cause.
You finally went on tour! How was that? Who did you go on the road with? Planning another Tour??
Yeah, ha. We're finally getting out of state. The Wright Family went on tour last year with Scarub of The Living Legends. That was def a big learning experience for me. We traveled from Seattle to La.
This year we went on our first tour with the entire Garden crew. JG and I are in a group called Wright Family, Amsterdam and Middle form Top Shelf, and we also brought our DJ, DJ Hit N' Runn.
Def had a lot of fun. Some of the shows were a bit below expectations but we still got love in every city.
I'm working on finalizing few spot dates in California and Nevada right now. No tours for now tho...
Any story you want to share with us while on tour?
Not really. ha.
You are married man, two years under your belt, right? Congrats, How is it growing up/married life?
Life is good right now. My wife coaches basketball and volleyball at the high school level while maintaining a full time job. I'm working while doing the music and design thing. So we are both very busy but are good about saving time for each other. Being married is definitely a lot of work but I'm getting better at it and life is good right now.
You have this side hustle know as EspiDesign, wanna touch on that? What is good with that, and where are you gettin most of your jobs from?
I went to school at the University of Oregon as an advertising major and spent a lot of time learning graphic design. It is another passion of mine and fortunately I'm good enough at it at this point that its profitable. I have the website up right now www.espidesign.com and I'm planning on doing a redesign very soon. Graphic Design is what I'm hoping to do for a living eventually.
Next projects for you and garden? what is instore for Espi in the future? solo cd? Wright Family? mixtape?
I'm already started on another solo project right now. Still not quite sure exactly what it's going to be but I'm def planning on pushing the skits a little farther than I have in the past. And I'm considering doing a comedy album at some point because I'm so fucking hilarious.
Any shoutouts?
Shout outs to my wife Jen and dog Alex. The Garden. And everyone in the Northwest doing something productive with their lives....
Thanks for the interview my man!
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