Superficial pursuit of a sociopathic narcissist

On August 31, guitarist Nick Hipa of As I Lay Dying announced his departure from what he called “a superficial pursuit.” Hipa (who in 2014 called the band’s frontman Tim Lambesis a “sociopathic narcissist in definite need of rehabilitation”) posted via Instagram “It has been well over a year since I have distanced myself from [As I Lay Dying] on a personal and professional level. In that time, they have only given fans merchandising posts and show announcements. This sort of activity highlights and reinforces our differences. Respectfully, I left because the story and meaning we built our reunion upon [after Lambesis served prison time for attempting to hire a hit man to kill his wife] decayed considerably over time. What primarily endures is a superficial pursuit I cannot justify supporting or being part of. This is not an indictment on any who choose to remain or be involved. There is tremendous good that can be accomplished through singular focus on the power of music. However, to my memory and recent experience, it comes at the cost of tolerating behavior which at times mistreats, disrespects, and hurts other people. I do not have it in me to walk that road again. The talent and unshakeable ambition of the band is undeniable. They will continue to release successful music and do great business. On a human level, I hope everything else fares well for them.”

Trinidadian-American electro-opera singer-songwriter Trish Hosein, aka Trishes, says her background as an immigrant is what led to her working on campaigns for Crooked Media and the Progressive Turnout Project, as well as performing and volunteering with the Bernie Sanders campaign in 2020. Her upcoming album The Id examines subjects with relevance to immigrants in general and to her specifically, such as racism and the dangers of social media. “I believe that all societal and global conflict begins from individual internal turmoil, and that examining those inner struggles is an essential part of effecting change,” she says. Due in October, the album is so far preceded by singles for “Venom” (currently highlighted on Spotify’s Editorial Playlist “Equal US”) and “Big Sunglasses” (with a video featured on Billboard, VH1 India, and AXS TV). “Venom” concerns the discrimination she experienced growing up as a brown girl in America, and she says “Big Sunglasses” “connects the dots between war paint and social media, and observes how they both give us anonymity that can bring out the worst in us.” Co-produced by Hosein and Hakan Mavruk, the album will released with ten original art pieces rendered in her signature Sharpie stippling style that she uses to illustrate her record sleeves. Cinematic music videos were shot for several tracks in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Nabi Musa, a site in the West Bank believed to be the tomb of the prophet Musa.

Hailing from Imperial Beach, Cultgabe’s performer name is inspired by the modern gothic television series American Horror Story: Cult. The half-Mexican artist, singer, and producer recorded his first verse through his cousin’s laptop when he was eight years old. With a list of inspirations that includes Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Sublime, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Dr. Dre, and Eminem, the 22 year-old’s upcoming debut EP Nowhere Fast is so far preceded by singles for “40 Wishes” and “Heathrow (Somebody Else).” The black and white storytelling video for the latter track was co-shot and directed by Cultgabe, who is also a photographer and cinematographer. He cites the works musician/filmmakers like Jack Johnson and Neon Indian as particularly influential and describes the “Heathrow” song and video as “a nod to the lo-fi retro videos of yesteryear and ‘90s era nostalgia. I co-wrote this song with my homies from Beauty School Drop Out, and it’s meant to be an empowering break up song to hype up myself and other people in similar situations. Sometimes, we all need a reminder that we’re better off trusting ourselves.”

Erick Lamont Fentress, aka Bloodstone the Street Preacher, began as a member of the rap group Partners in Rhyme, who were among the first San Diego rappers to earn a nationwide rep. He later founded the group Tha S.E.T., whose album Trickeration Foe Life was released in 1996. His own label B-Up Records released Tha S.E.T.’s second album, Game Goes On, in 1998. After going solo, his album Bloodstone the Street Preacher was nominated for a 2005 San Diego Music Award. He later teamed up with his rapper wife Princess Rhyme to form a duo, and his albums Life of Rhyme and The Chosen One were both nominated Best Hip-Hop Or Rap Album at the San Diego Music Awards. A new full-length called My Testimony just dropped via B-Up Record/Self-Made Ent, and his collaborative trio Da Grindaz – with A.D. Walker and BMSD619 – has a new single called “Slap It In Ya.”

Founded in 2019, Overfall was a local progressive hard rock and metal band with a short but raucous output. Their debut single “Not Alright” dropped in May 2020. The group featured drummer Brad Cunningham, whose day job is working as a field service technician for Culligan Water, alongside Wayne Kellerman (who also played bass with Cunningham in BlackSky Nectar) and Mike Baier. According to Cunningham, “Me, Wayne, and Mike are putting a new progressive hard rock and metal band together, though [former Overfall members] Asa and Kat are doing well with their new adventures out of state.” The new group is called Ashes of Fate, featuring guitarist Tony Martinez and lead singer Tim Bortree. The band is reportedly working on original material for a debut album and will be making their local stage debut later this year or in early 2022.