"1 Track @ a Time" | IRON LYON Interview
((Hold That))
EP: What’s the background of your alias, Iron Lyon?
IRON LYON: I've gone by the alias "Iron Lyon" since I was 13, name was inspired by a few things: first of all my last name is Lyons, second my mother was a huge Bob Marley fan and she put me on to Marley's song titled "iron. lion, zion" which also carried a message I could relate to, and 3rd, depending on how you pronounce it, it sounds like "I aint lyin" which is code I live by in my music. Strictly truth.
EP: Discuss the inspiration behind your debut album 'Time Capsule' and it's influence on future projects?
IRON LYON: I was inspired to record my debut LP 'Time Capsule' when a fellow emcee & friend named Leftist was killed in a hit and run and at his memorial there were copies of his debut album titled 'Whats Left'. This made me realize that you never know when your time is up and that if I was to pass away I would want to leave a tangible piece of myself behind. I had always wanted to record an album but had mostly done open mics, showcase and freestyle battles to this point. I began writing and recording the album 'Time Capsule' without a clue as to what would come of it, only a hope that people would dig it up at some point. I felt that just making the music would be a success in itself and no matter what came of it I was creating an artifact that will still exist when I'm gone. I wasn't working with much of a budget and didn't have a team in place so I knew it wasn't going to get much promotion however recently with some help from a few friends and some persistence people are starting to take notice.
I have an EP called 'The Foundation EP' coming out in September on Fat Beats Records, a full length dropping in the near future as well titled 'From The Ground Up' and I'm currently finishing up an LP called 'Worldwide' featuring collaborations with producers and mc's from other countries. If you read the titles in order you can see the progression of where I'm trying to take the music.
EP: Who was behind the production on the track 'Hold That'? "So long I've spent waiting for the right moment..." quoting your first line which I feel definitely speaks to that concept of a time capsule and seizing the right time... How do you feel about the message of this track and the current state of music? What are your thoughts on how its being consumed today, as compared to how you approach the music as a listener now that you're on the other side of working to market your album... You also reference CL...
IRON LYON: "Hold That" was produced by my long time friend Madsol Desar. Originally I had heard of him from production he had done w/ Ed OG & Talib Kweli and when we met in 2000 we spoke about doing a track together but it didnt happen til much later. When he sent me the track it instantly put me in a zone and I wrote it in one sitting. I called him up and spit it for him and he liked it so I hit the studio and recorded it. The track is about staying true to your calling and doing what comes naturally rather than conform to what everyone else is doing around you. These days the market is so saturated that it's difficult to get people to take the time to listen even if you give your music away for free. The only way to remain positive on such an uphill path for me is to see success as relative and keep the love of the music in the forefront. If I worried about record sales all day I wouldn't enjoy the craft and at the end of the day I'd rather make a record that truly moves 1 person than sell a million records that get forgotten overnight. I can say that I've paid my dues as both a DJ and an MC for almost 15 years but that doesn't mean music owes me anything. It has already introduced me to tons of amazing people, helped me to survive mentally, emotionally and financially and given me a means to tell my story and make a mark. Fame or no fame, I was here, I put my all into my passion and I didn't sell my soul. The CL reference "I got a love like CL Smooth did" was to a song called "Got a Love" which was one of the first Pete Rock & CL Smooth singles that I bought as a teenager.
EP: For people that are interested in checking out your debut album, ‘Time Capsule’ what links do they need to visit, and where else can they find more information on your music?
IRON LYON: You can download the album free and listen to upcoming releases on my bandcamp site: CLICK HERE & on 2dopeboyz.com: CLICK HERE & you can support and buy it on itunes or order physical copy from fatbeats.com: CLICK HERE
Also i keep my twitter and facebook updated:
The Representation Show Presents... music selections subtitled ((Tape Decks Rotation)) of Hip Hop & Soul tracks. Audio postings include interview content conducted by EPmijo (EP) aka Lee (repshowhost) aka Brown Hornet. The Representation Show started on KRUX 91.5 fm at New Mexico State University in 2000, broadcasting for 8 years. 1 Track @ a Time is an online broadcast via youtube. More information on the program's history and music will be posted at leehiphopshow.com
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