MOSHE and BRZOWSKI for years have been recognizable names in the down-tempo and underground hip-hop realm, but in the past two years have been throwing their collective hats into a new arena: dubstep. A distinct departure from the boundary-bending hip-hop each has built their names upon, the duo debuted their new realm of collaboration to the 3,000 humans in attendance at the 2009 Beltek Festival.
Shortly after relocating from Providence, RI to Portland, ME in 2001, BRZOWSKI sought out professional connections in the small but diverse local scene to spread his brooding brand of introspective hiphop, and this quest brought him to MOSHE, (a then-local Godfather of sorts, and driving force behind fledgling label Milled Pavement Records). Citing each other's youthful interest in extreme metal, punk, hardcore, and horror films, both realized they were indeed kindred spirits in bringing these influences to realization in the realm of indie-hiphop in particular and electronic music in general.
Eight years after this initial bond was formed, MOSHE has successfully turned MilledPavement Records into an internationally recognized purveyor of avant-garde underground music (through his work as CEO, dj, and producer), and BRZOWSKI has performed and toured to the point that a venerable who's-who of independent hip-hop artists call him a major ally in the struggle. After but a handful of collaborative songs, the two have constructed a cohesive EP (“Like Woe”), and have been performing collaboratively spreading the virus of filthy digital bass, garnished with a torrent of skittering freestyle rhymes and tortured croons to any room that can sustain the aural onslaught.
Fans have since been trained to take note that when BRZOWSKI’s nom-de-guerre appears first, this will be a prog-rap performance, and when MOSHE’s handle leads, a dark, fuzzed-laden evening of dubstep is promised as the evening’s fare.
On the heals of a successful string of EU tour dates, and each with a new solo album due out in the coming year, MOSHE and BRZOWSKI show no signs of drag on their blitzkrieg of public address systems throughout the western hemisphere.
Bring your diaper, here comes the Brown Note.
Production Bio:
Prophet. A messenger of things to come. The one chosen to deliver the law. Historically, Moses was all of these things. History repeated itself at the turn of the mellennium, when we saw the emergence of a new messenger; the namesake of the one before him. Moshe, frankly honest and impossibly humble, has accepted the responsibility of leading his flock to the light. But, it now has become clear, at this stage of the journey, that we all have to pass through the darkness first.
In a matter of a few short years, producer and record label head Moshe (Marc Shepard) has become synonymous with the New England underground hip hop movement. His releases, compilations and collaborations have earned him notoriety amoung critics and respect among his peers. The sound he generates is a thick amalgam of instrumental down-tempo, film noir and ambient dischord sobered by sorrow and crusted with a heavy layer of grime.
His initial releases gathered the faithful in collections such as "The Lesson", an extension of his weekly nightclub series featured the best hip hop artists in Northern New England. Though, it was wasn’t until his debut solo release, "Tending to the Sheep", that he seemed to absorb this duty in its fullness.
The grim reality of this mantle is demonstrated on "Thinning the Herd", where Moshe challenges himself to sonically sacrifice the things that have been the closest to him. At the end of the music and the mourning, there is still a sense of hope that all can be well for the faithful. Moshe is, after all, just the messenger.
Moshe has shared the stage in many forms with such acts as Moodswing9, sole, Grand Buffet, DJ Vadim, Big Punisher, Atmosphere, Sage Francis, Old Dominion, Skratch Bastid, Josh Martinez, Awol One, A-Trak, Spearhead, Adeem, Blu Rum 13, DJ Q-Bert, Brother Ali, Medicine Drum, iCON the Mic King, Yarah Bravo, Rustic Overtones and many more.
