Category: Discography

Posted on

Endemik Remote Ensemble: They Fired With Their Lives

The Endemik Remote Ensemble is a long distance collaboration between six experimental hip hop producers: Deadly Stare (Montreal, QC), EMC (Halifax, NS), Hermitofthewoods (Halifax, NS), Maki (Kamloops, BC), sign one (Gahanna, OH) and soso (Saskatoon, SK).  Each composition on this album started with a drum track with additional elements and embellishments added by each successive artist. After each artist made their contributions, the tracks were returned to the original artist to finalize the arrangement. The final product is album of truly unique collaborations that pack a heavy punch.

Credits

All songs written and arranged by Deadly Stare, EMC, Hermitofthewoods, Maki, sign one and soso

Mixed by Scott Da Ros
Mastered by Maki
Artwork by Troy Gronsdahl

Track List
1. The Timberline Station Event
2. Yesterday and the Day After
3. Spokes/October
4. Standard Siren
5. Leave Your Drums
6. Water Hemlock

Available for download at : https://endemikmusic.bandcamp.com/album/they-fired-with-their-lives

Posted on

soso and Maki – If and Only If

If and Only If is the latest project by Canadian indie hip hop stalwarts and long-time collaborators, soso and Maki.

Over a period of two decades, soso and Maki have been charting their own unique course, operating at the edges of the hip hop genre to develop a distinctive and personal body of work that helped define the prairie hip hop ethos.

On If and Only If, their first album in seven years, Maki has crafted a delicate and evolving backdrop for the contemplative lyrics that established soso’s reputation as one of the most unique voices in alternative hip hop. Drawing from noise, drone and other forms of electronic music, Maki sets the tone for an album imbued with the pressing political issues and social tensions that have characterized the past five years. This album was certainly not rushed. It is well-considered, deliberate in pace and intent. This is winter walking music.

If and Only If will be released on limited edition vinyl through Canadian label Endemik Music in partnership with Mism Records (Switzerland) and Audio Recon (USA) and on cassette through Hello.L.A. (France).

Track Listing
All the way to the world’s edge, all the way home
Undone
And Yet
Not Tomorrow but the Next Day
Wolf Willow
Sweet Little Nothings
Boil Water Advisory
A morning more or less like this one
All In

Credits & Acknowledgements

Words by soso (Troy Gronsdahl). Music by Maki (Maki Kypriotis). Produced, mixed and mastered by Maki. Artwork by Breanne Bandur. Design by Troy Gronsdahl. All the way to the world’s edge, all the way home and A morning more or less like this one is comprised of excerpts reconfigured from Beyond Remembering: The Collected Poems of Al Purdy. Wolf Willow draws from Wallace Stegner’s prairie memoire Wolf Willow: A History, a Story, and a Memory of the Last Plains Frontier.

Purchase VINYL in Canada
Purchase VINYL in USA
Purchase VINYL in Europe
Purchase CASSETTE Hello.L.A.

Posted on

soso – Tinfoil on the Windows Limited Edition Vinyl

Originally released in 2007, Tinfoil on the Windows was a highpoint in the creative output of prairie rapper, soso. Produced by his tour-mate, collaborator and Canadian indie-rock icon, Maybe Smith, the album paired his layered, sprawling instrumentation with soso’s confessional lyrics and fragile vocal melodies.  

His most musically ambitious release to date, soso, Tinfoil on the Windows, is now available on vinyl for the first time through Canadian label Endemik Music in partnership with Mism Records (Switzerland) and Audio Recon (USA).

Purchase in Canada
Purchase in USA
Purchase in Europe

TRACK LISTING
01. Rubber Rings
02. Company of Chairs
03. All The Useless Things These Hands Have Done
04. The Names of all the Trees
05. Your Mom is in the Next Room
06. Floorboards and
07. One Eye Open
08. For a Girl on a Faraway Hill

Posted on

From Saskatoon to Winnipeg 2000-2008 Rap V1

Released by the collective, Saskatoon Folk Rap Records this limited edition 10” features a selection of essential prairie rap songs appearing on vinyl for the first time including soso, The First of A Thousand Goodbyes.

Track Listing
01. Nolto & Factor – Loman’s Lament
02. soso – The First of A Thousand Goodbyes
03. Factor Chandelier – One Record
04. Epic – Ah Hemsky
05. Yy & The Gumshoe Strut – Great Season’s Hurt

Posted on

soso – Not for Nothing

soso Not for Nothing soso Not for Nothing soso Not for Nothing soso Not for Nothing

soso Not for Nothing

On the title track of his fifth release, soso wonders aloud: all this for what?

In a calm, resolute voice the Canadian rapper grapples with “seemingly obvious but elusive truths.” He wanted to write a record about god, the hunger for myth, benign cruelty, and acceptance. He wanted to explore the complexity of life through an assemblage of personal reflection, contradiction, and observation. I can’t put my finger on it, not to stop the bleeding, not to tie a perfect bow… (Pretty as a picture)

This is a record about trying to figure shit out. It’s not pretentious, but it is edging rap lyrics into somewhat unfamiliar territory. It is contemplative. There is yearning. There is vulnerability and frustration. What is the distance between resignation and surrender? (If I ever knew you, I don’t know you now)

soso is an unorthodox hip hop artist best known for songs that explore family and social histories, personal experience, and place. His latest album is a culmination of the creative strides he has made over the past decade. The writing is more wordy than previous efforts and is laced with idioms, double negatives, and nuance. There are moments of off-kilter crooning. It’s a bit obtuse, but certainly sincere.

The album was produced by indie hip hop stalwart and long time collaborator, Maki. Best known for his melodic, brooding sample arrangements and a strong no-nonsense drum program, Maki has been quietly killing shit from his desert valley home in western Canada. After a string of 7″ releases on European bespoke labels Luana and MISM, he returns to where it all began. It is a homecoming of sorts. Embracing obscure shades of progressive rock, folk and rap sensibilities, he has created the perfect backdrop for soso’s best moments. Not for Nothing is forthright, aching, haunting.

I will listen for your voice in every empty cup. (The blushing bride)

Track Listing

01. The wait
02. Things started out so pretty
03. Pretty as a picture
04. The rain barrel
05. If I ever knew you, I don’t know you now
06. Choke
07. The extermination of a raccoon, first part (Revelation)
08. The extermination of a raccoon, second part (Epiphany)
09. The blushing bride
10. Not for nothing
11. A map of all the constellations I can see from my kitchen window

Posted on

Nestor Wynrush – Trinnipeg !78

Nestor Wynrush - Trinnipeg !78

CD | CHR016 2009

Six years after his debut record, Guy, I’m From Here, Nestor Wynrush raises the curtain on his newest creation, Trinnipeg !78. On this record, Wynrush (the fabulist) rides the rails from Winnipeg to Toronto, rapping bluesology and forgetting his heart on the window seat at every whistle stop. On board the train with Wynrush are some of Western Canada’s elite. Beats on the new album are provided by soso, mcenroe, Odario Williams, and DJ Kutdown with offerings from undercover upstarts Murdock and Lonnie Ce. Guest appearances by JUNO award winner and DMC Canadian champion, DJ Brace and Grand Analog round out the roster.

The songs are an ode to Canadiana in all its subtle, tragic glory. Trinnipeg!78 is a celebration of roots, agonized love and good times. At times Wynrush’s lyrics describe the painful quest for identity in a “multicultural” society — a quest to find one’s voice in a crowded room. Trinnipeg !78 – The place that he was proudly born into.

TRACK LISTING

01. Winnipeg South Blues
02. Accent (Peanut Punch)
03. Coprock
04. Blood Rock
05. So High (The Richardson)
06. High Park Sunrise
07. Ole Mine Town feat. Grand Analog
08. Metro Radio feat. DJ Brace
09. Liks
10. Garbage Hill

Posted on

soso & DJ Kutdown – all they found was water at the bottom of the sea

The new instrumental album produced by soso and DJ Kutdown is slated for release on Hue Records, Japan. Blending their very different but complementary production styles — soso providing the melody arrangements and Kutdown providing the drum sequences — All They Found was Water at the Bottom of the Sea was created in the spirit of collaboration and friendship. The album retains the character that defined much of their earlier work and reflects their ongoing appreciation for beautiful samples and drums that smack.

soso & DJ Kutdown – all they found was water at the bottom of the sea
CD
HUIP-1043 2009
BUY on iTunes

TRACK LISTING

01. all ties cast off
02. hand over fist
03. like old folks like rain
04. under the yoke
05. knots and lumps
06. for anything I know
07. and all good things

Posted on

soso – Choke You With a Rag

soso teams up with Swiss upstart label, mism, to release a split 7inch. Over another inspired Maki production, soso channels the ghosts of never will be. “Choke You With a Fucking Rag” is a clenched jaw expression of disgust, disillusionment and frustration. Listening to this record will give you an ulcer. The flip side features French supergroup and my good friends, Motionless. Limited to 300 copies, this 7 inch features artwork by Toak.

soso – Choke You With a Rag
7 inch
mism02 2009
OUT OF PRINT

Posted on

soso – Tinfoil on the Windows

soso - Tinfoil on the Windows

Weaving compelling personal narratives with his sparse, beautiful production style, the Saskatchewan-based artist, soso has become a fixture of the avant-garde hip hop/art rap movement. In an ongoing effort to privilege experimentation and risk, soso adopted a collaborative approach for his latest production. Enlisting the talents of his friend, tour-mate and indie-rock darling, Maybe Smith, Tinfoil on the Windows is the most musically ambitious and creative soso release to date.

soso delivers fragile vocal melodies and close, confessional lyrics over an assemblage of field recordings, electronic bleeps, programmed drums and sprawling instrumentation evocative of My Bloody Valentine and Do Make Say Think. Additional contributions from Maki and Scott Da Ros add punch to the lovely melodic soundscapes. Tinfoil on the Windows challenges typical genre conventions and soso treads this unfamiliar ground with crafty song writing and integrity.

 

Buy on iTunes

Posted on

soso – Bachelors’ Drinking Club

soso – Bachelors’ Drinking Club

Bachelors’ Drinking Club is CHR’s first foray into the realm of video. Documenting his 2006 tour of the same name, this DVD features live performance footage from soso and Maybe Smith as well as performances by fellow indie-rap cohorts like Epic, Bleubird, Gruf the Druid, Grubbs, Nestor Wynrush, Pip Skid and Thesis Sahib. Also features an insightful conversation with soso and the music video for Hungover for Three Days Straight (Don’t Matter). Limited to 100 copies. Running time 58 Min.

soso Bachelors’ Drinking Club from Troy Gronsdahl on Vimeo.

soso – Bachelors’ Drinking Club
DVD
CHR013-LE 2007
OUT OF PRINT

TRACK LISTING

01. Conversation with soso
02. Bachelors Drinking Club road music
03. soso & Maybe Smith – Returning to an Empty House
04. soso & Maybe Smith – Finding Out About a Big Pile of Stones
05. soso & Maybe Smith – Hungover for Three Days Straight (Don’t Matter)
06. soso & Maybe Smith – Sweet Euphemisms
07. Epic – Another Left Wing Peace Song
08. Epic – Dave Steib
09. Gruf – Process Assimilate
10. Gruf – Fillossaphee
11. Pip Skid – Bastid’s Verse
12. Pip Skid – Elbow Grease
13. Nestor Wynrush –
14. Bleubird – Pilgrim of St. Zotique
15. Grubbs – War Drum
16. Thesis Sahib – What Kind of a Rap Photography Show is This?
17. Thesis Sahib – Inside Voices
18. Thesis Sahib – Theo Sasquatch
19. Thesis Sahib – Mud Pies
20. Maybe Smith Thanks the Drake Hotel (in its empty glory)
21. Hungover for Three Days Straight (Don’t Matter) music video

Posted on

soso – birthday songs (Japan)

soso – birthday songs (Japan)

In 2002, soso released this collection of well crafted songs, marking his progression as both a lyricist and beat smith. Characterized by beautiful, haunting beats and poignant lyrics, Birthday Songs asserted itself as one the finest productions of the year. In 2006, soso teamed up with Hue Records to release a revamped version of Birthday Songs for Japanese release! Featuring two additional songs, re-worked vocals and new artwork.

 

Buy on iTunes

Posted on

soso – tenth street and clarence (Germany)

soso – tenth street and clarence

Informed by culture and place, soso spins narratives that interweave family and social histories with landscape and weather. His third self-produced release, tenth street and clarence is a beautiful, poetic effort. This limited edition LP released by the German imprint Subversiv features new full colour artwork.

 

Posted on

Recyclone & soso – Stagnation and Woe

Recyclone & soso – Stagnation and Woe

soso has applied a clanking mechanical edge to his lovely melody driven beats to compliment Recyclone’s barrage of dark revelations. The mad man is in fine form, spitting delightful, nihilistic lyrics addressing social ills and environmental sickness. The album is a tight, cohesive work culminating with the gritty eight minute call-to-arms featuring fellow Halifax mc’s Squig, DP, Wall Flower, Adam Hartling & EMC. This is an enhanced cd featuring the video for “Gearbox Therapy.”

Recyclone & soso – Stagnation and Woe
CD
CHR011 2006

TRACK LISTING

01. Gearbox Therapy
02. The Earltown Hermit
03. Episodes of Constant Torture
04. Trash Culture
05. Body Parts
06. Ghosts
07. The Introduction feat. Squig, DP, Wall Flower, Adam Hartling & EMC (Second Front)
08. Gearbox Therapy Bonus Video

Posted on

Epic – Local Only

Epic – Local Only

Vinyl LP | CHR005-2 2005

We’ve teamed up with Subversiv, one of Europe’s finest imprints for the release of Local Only on limited edition vinyl with new artwork and full colour covers!

Two years in the making, Local Only represents the most comprehensive Epic release to date. Over a fine collection of beats, Epic drops verses about aging rappers, creditors and everyday injustice with his trademark wit and unorthodox flow. Epic enlisted the talents of some of Canada’s finest including mic rippers, Pip Skid, Micill Write, and Conspiracy, turntablist, Kutdown and beatmakers soso, Maki and Muneshine (Lightheaded).

TRACK LISTING

01. Running Away from Saskatoon
02. Old Guys Are Ready to Rock the Mic f. Micill Write
03. Midnight Move f. Pip Skid
04. Bring the Heat
05. My Briefcase is a Weapon
06. Towtruck
07. Poor People Are Scummy
08. Middle Aged White Guy
09. Where’s the Cipher
10. It Ain’t Easy
11. Masses f. Conspiracy
12. ame 109

Posted on

Epic – Local Only

Epic – Local Only

CD | CHR005 2004

Two years in the making, Local Only represents the most comprehensive Epic release to date. Over a fine collection of beats, Epic drops verses about aging rappers, creditors and everyday injustice with his trademark wit and unorthodox flow. Epic enlisted the talents of some of Canada’s finest including mic rippers, Pip Skid, Micill Write, and Conspiracy, turntablist, Kutdown and beatmakers soso, Maki and Muneshine (Lightheaded).

TRACK LISTING

01. Running Away from Saskatoon
02. Old Guys Are Ready to Rock the Mic f. Micill Write
03. Midnight Move f. Pip Skid
04. Bring the Heat
05. My Briefcase is a Weapon
06. Towtruck
07. Poor People Are Scummy
08. Middle Aged White Guy
09. Where’s the Cipher
10. Untitled
11. It Ain’t Easy
12. Masses f. Conspiracy
13. ame 109

Posted on

soso – The Goose Hunter pt 1 & 2

soso – The Goose Hunter pt 1 & 2
soso – The Goose Hunter pt 1 & 2

For the first single from tenth street and clarence, soso extended his capable reach into the realm of instrumental hip hop music. The sound of migrating geese create the backdrop for this evocative two-part piece characterized by beautiful melodies, haunting vocal bits and smart drum compositions. For the limited edition 7″ soso enlisted the talents of visual artist Tamara Bond. Each piece is numbered and signed by soso.

soso – The Goose Hunter pt 1 & 2
Limited edition 7″
CHR006 2005

TRACK LISTING

01 The Goose Hunter pt 1
02 The Goose Hunter pt 2

Posted on

soso – poor man’s survey

soso – poor man’s survey

A companion piece for the soso 7″, this is a selection of soso’s favourite instrumentals culled from various projects and presented as the poor man’s survey of his work to date. A limited edition disc, individually signed, numbered and made with care.

soso – poor man’s survey
Limited edition CDr
CHR007-LE 2004
OUT OF PRINT

TRACK LISTING

01. *
02. dust
03. Dave Steib
04. hand to the plow
05. middle aged white guy
06. dyke look
07. pretty mound of dirt
08. it goes
09. EPMD
10. towtruck
11. girls
12. it ain’t easy
13. midnight run
14. running away from Saskatoon
15. thought process
16. marcus and tom for city hall
17. cool run ins – Epic & Conspiracy*
* indicates exclusive bonus tracks

Posted on

Epic – Heater in My Truck 

Epic - Heater in My Truck

Vinyl Ep | CHR004 2003

Released in anticipation of his album, Local Only, Heater In My Truck features Epic’s combination of charming wit and socially relevant lyrics. Production is handled by soso and Maki with contributions from rappers Conspiracy and Ben.e Elim and cuts by DJ Kutdown.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
01. Poor People Are Scummy
02. I Only Like Rap
03. Girls f. Ben.e Elim
04. Petty Theft on Da Ave
05. Poor People Are Scummy Inst.
06. Old Guys Are Ready to Ric the Mic Inst.

SIDE B
07. It Ain’t Easy
08. Masses f. Conspiracy
09. It Ain’t Easy Instrumental
10. Petty Theft on Da Ave Instrumental

Posted on

Epic – 8:30 in Newfoundland

Epic - 8:30 in Newfoundland

CD | CHR002 2001

8:30 in Newfoundland is Epic’s first full-length release. Produced by soso contributions from Gumshoe Strut, M.Phasis, Your Brother in my Backpack, soso and Pip Skid.

TRACK LISTING

01. thought process
02. live from the SaskatoonClub
03. Mic Geronimo
04. Fast words slow
05. dog shit tired
06. Canada Student Loans
07. My Friends Like My Songs
08. EPMD
09. 13% rant
10. Subject to a Change
11. Dave Steib
12. Midnight Run

Posted on

soso – birthday songs

soso – birthday songs soso – birthday songs

Birthday Songs is soso’s debut full-length album. This collection of well-crafted songs marked the progression of soso as both lyricist and beat smith. Characterized by beautiful, haunting beats and poignant lyrics, birthday songs asserted itself as one the finest productions of the year. Nominated for 2003 Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Rap/Hip Hop Recording.

soso – birthday songs
enhanced CD
CHR003 2002
OUT OF PRINT

TRACK LISTING

01 waiting for the harmonica to drop
02 it goes
03 for Ruby
04 pretty mound of dirt
05 dyke look
06 birthday song
07 hand to the plow
08 we always thought she’d be the first to go

Posted on

soso – sour suite

soso – sour suite

Clothes Horse Records inaugural release. A conceptual six track ep, soso marries rich production with tales of infinite woe. This vinyl offering includes six songs as well as two instrumentals. All beats, cuts and vocals by soso, with contributions from Epic and John Smith.

soso – sour suite
Vinyl EP
CHR001 2000
OUT OF PRINT

TRACK LISTING

A01 untitled (paralysis)
A02 drink f. John Smith
A03 blessed f. Epic
A04 drink instrumental
B01 dust
B02 loss
B03 swan song
B04 loss instrumental