Arts

INTERVIEW WITH LA POP/TRAP ARTIST LITTLE TRIBE POW!

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Find out how this artist pushes the creative envelope through her music and fashion, one pair of 6” platforms at a time.

LTP     Photo Credit: Rosella Fontes

Can we just take a minute to thank the Internet for so many things, like being able to read up on the latest news, checking to see if your choice of outfit matches the weather outside, an endless soaring of designer vintage collections and of course being able to download a track from Little Tribe !POW

With such a highly sophisticated media we sometimes forget that there are so many other independent artists contributing to music, fashion and art on the Internet that could be explored. The radio can get monotonous and what everyone listens to can become the same thing, leaving all of us with less dynamics on music than we would like; that’s why there are options. Options help you explore with finding artists who are targeting a different crowd and who knows, they can become one of your favorites. Sometimes taking detours from the radio isn’t oh so bad, it can really change everything.

In saying that, I had the chance to interview and chat with the Sydney native on a level of complete rawness. Looking like a sexy androgynous alien girl from outer space. I quickly learned that despite her multi-talented upbringing, she is not interested in the “bling” I believe she’s in it for all the right reasons. The music and the artistic ride that comes with it. I am super glad that her uniqueness is what stands out the most. Bringing something so different than the norm is also extremely rejuvenating to see. Her performance is bass filled and unique, giving us all a look into the LA’s underground fashion scene with her “Avatar Shawties“.

Avatar Shawty : (noun) Believe in being in this world but not of this world, inspiring each other and the community through art, music and fashion. Strive to represent both the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, Yin Yang Lyfe. Life with a “Y”.

LTPS

 Photo Credit : JAWNY

THIS IS LITTLE TRIBE !POW. A NEW KIND OF SOUND

“I STRIVE TO BE INCLUSIVE…FUCK EXCLUSIVE.” 

MATEO PALACIO: What’s your background like?

LITTLE TRIBE !POW: Born and raised in Sydney Australia, of Chinese heritage. I have been into arts and performing on stage since I can remember. I started painting first, then violin when I was 22 months, dancing when I was around 3. I began songwriting when I was 14 and when I was 17 started teaching nuskool hip hop at Sydney Dance Company and dancing/choreographing music videos for other artists. I’ve done a bunch of commercials and I’ve been blessed to tour as a professional dancer and choreographer in Australia and America and learned all I needed to know about that “Lyfe.” Dancing was my main passion and career, until I found my voice and sound in music…now I get to do both together! I’ve also toured as a featured singer with an awesome band called “Mansions on the Moon” briefly before finding my unique sound as a solo artist.

MP: How was “ Little Tribe !POW “ formed and how was the name chosen?

LT!P: I met my musical soulmate aka Davix ,my producer, through a mutual friend back in ‘07. The name came about when we were making a track and layering vocals for the chorus that sounded pretty epic. He said I sounded like an army, but more like a tribe… Then he turned to me and said ‘I’m gonna call you Little Tribe Pow’ it sounded cool and was kind of like a nickname for a few years between us but it wasn’t until later when I produced my own demo for the first time when he had moved to Miami to work with the amazing Timberland for a few years, that’s how I created a sound that ironically ended up embodying the name. From that moment on, it stuck and made complete sense. We reconnected in 2012 when he moved back to LA and picked up where we left off but created something better than we had before! LittleTribe!Pow stands for individuality and unity. Pow is part of my birth name and big part of my personality, Little is what I’ve always been and Tribe is community. I strive to be inclusive… fuck exclusive. We are all connected… Every thought or action whatever you put your energy into, contributes to the world we have collectively created. Peace of mind (balance) equals World Peace.

MP: How would you describe your musical style?

LT!P: Pop Trap. A hybrid of pop and soulful melodies, coupled with multi-dimensional lyrics, mixed in with dirty tribal drums and underground beats. Cosmic shit.

MP: Fashion and style seems to be something that is a constant in your work, what would you describe your fashion sense?

LT!P: Eclectic, bold, simplicity with a flare.

L
Photo Credit : Jawny

MP: What was the first big musical moment in your life?

LTP: When I was around 2 years old I performed a violin solo at a university in Sydney for a charity concert and on a show called Good Morning Australia.

MP: What do you think the people of the future will think of your fashion?

LTP: I don’t know, but if they are inspired by it then I hope they recreate it in their own style and be fearless with their choices.

MP: What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?

LTP: I’ve been sky diving twice.

MP: Is there anything you regret doing or not doing?

LTP: I regretted not expressing my love more to the people who have graced my life while they were still on this planet earth. This regret has taught me that time is of the essence, and the way to not regret is to be present in the moment, be grateful, always be true to yourself and never be afraid to express your love to the people in your life!!

MP: What’s the biggest thing you learned about yourself so far?

LTP: It all starts with you…. That is if I start with myself, look inward, love, honor and balance myself, take the time to make myself happy then I am able to give more love to others. What you give is what you get. Karma….Even if you don’t believe in universal laws you cannot deny it, it’s physics.

MP: What do you think our generation’s biggest issue is?

LTP: Forgetting to smell the roses… or being too lazy to walk over to them at all.

MP: Musical influences?

LTP: Michael Jackson, Bjork, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Massive Attack, Nirvana, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Gwen Stefani, Erykah Badu, The Neptunes, Timberland, Missy Elliott, John Lennon and Queen.

MP: How have you changed in the past few years?

LTP: I’m more conscious and awake in my own body, mind and soul. I been through a lot of growth in the past few years especially, I put the time and effort into clearing away and changing habits that no longer are suited for me, while building new habits, healthy habits. I get to know myself more each day, each experience, each moment. The deeper I experience myself, the more multi-dimensional my life experience becomes and in turn the more expansive my expression and creativity is. The mantra that I have been practicing in my life is P.L.U.R. which stands for Peace, Love, Unity and Respect…is all we need to progress! Something beautiful I found in the underground rave scene when I was 15 that has stuck with me ever since.

MP: Exactly how do you seep into artistic consciousness?

LTP: You live it, breathe it, eat it, shit it, sleep it, dream it, fake it till you make it or more so, become it. Then you just “Are It” and those levels of artistic thoughts/frequencies will be available to you to access… be free, have fun!

MP: As a woman, what are your views on feminism and the way other female music artist represent themselves?

LTP: There are some phenomenal female artists out there like Yoko Ono, Erykah Badu, Angelina Jolie, Bjork, Alanis Morissette, Lil Kim, Gwen Stefani and Pink who rep the feminine fiercely, though as a whole I feel we could be representing the Divine Feminine/the Goddess more as female artists today. When I search ‘Goddess’ on Tumblr I’d like to see more images of the Divine Feminine represented not just a bunch of uncreative porn gifs. Props to male artists like Pharrell and Drake for representing the Divine Feminine in their most current music and interviews too. I’m part of a collective called Avatar Shawty. We believe in being in this world but not of this world, inspiring each other and the community through art, music and fashion. We strive to represent both the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, Yin Yang Lyfe. Life with a “Y” because it’s a lifestyle. Feminism isn’t about burning bras and hating on men… It’s about Equality, Love, and Balance to attain harmony and peace within and out.

 THERE YOU HAVE IT. MAKE SURE TO CHECK AVATARSWAWTY.ORG

INSTAGRAM@LITTLETRIBEPOW

HERE IS GOLD !

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– Mateo Palacio

@MateoxPalacio

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