Lucid Magazine Interviews Keary Kase About Galadon

What’s your name and what role do you play in Galadon?

My name is Keary Kase, I’m a rap crooner.

Explain a little bit about yourself- where you are from, how was life growing up?

“I was born in Trenton, NJ. When I was a youngster my family moved to LA. After a few years, my mom and dad built a house in Portland. That’s where I have most of my childhood memories”.

“Growing up was interesting to me. I was often one of a shortlist of black kids in school. Also, being an east coast transplant, I stood out from even the other black kids. On top of that, being black ginger made me an odd bird. Nobody understood it at the time. I didn’t let it bother me. I was all into sports and dirt bikes and catching snakes and frogs. Normal kid right”?

What made you decide to turn to music?

“My mom and dad played all the soul and pop music of the ’70s. I would listen to the radio and learn about rock and roll songs. My dad had a reel to reel that he used to play music on. When I heard Rap for the first time I would record myself on cassette tapes, imitating my favorite rap songs. Later in life, I started skateboarding. We listened to all kinds of music. Punk, thrash, metal, hip hop…. everything. The first song I wrote was with my bro’s DSA (Devious Skate Alliance). We skated and wrote graffiti around the city. At the end of the day, we would go to Muffin’s house and smoke weed. We all got hype on New York hip hop at one point. One night we were like “let’s write a rap song!” It was just for fun but I kept doing it. One of my homies quit skating to become a DJ. His name was Cory Tucker aka DJ YROC. He had moved to Seattle where he got into graffiti and hip hop. When he moved back he had a set of Marantz turntables, a radio shack mixer he modified to scratch on and some little home speakers. I had started DJing with my friend Bekim and Jumbo the Garbageman of Life Savas. Jumbo was the first dude I ever heard kill the Flava Flav (Yeeeah Boyeee) on the cratch”.

I fell in love with mixing and scratching. DJ YROC bought a vintage SP12 and started making beats from vinyl samples. We got a multi-track recorder and I started rapping.

What’s the biggest shock been so far since you started your musical career?

The biggest shock for me has been hot and cold the industry can be. The Sade lyric says it best: “ I know the end of the story has been told, it’s not too complicated but you’re gonna need a bulletproof soul”

Who are some of your influences, musically or personally?

I’m influenced by people who experience adversity and overcome it to realize their dreams.

Right now I’m feeling Tyson Fury. Also Mike Tyson. I’ve been a fighter since age 9. Both of them have stories of rising to the top, falling off then rising to the top again. Mike Tyson most notably because he had to reinvent himself completely. They’re both beautiful spirits and warriors.

What is your idea of the overall image as a whole?

The image is a touchy subject. People want you to be what they think you are. Fuck image. Be yourself.

What kind of personal or musical goals have you set for yourself?

Music is the fruit of my existence. I need it like oxygen and water.
I just want the music to feel good. I want it to feel good forever.

Do you have any kind of message that you are trying to convey through your music?

Not really. I use music to express my current condition and experiences. It’s how I laugh and cry.

Do you currently have any plans to tour?

Yeah, we have some offers but we’re not ready yet. We have all agreed that we’re no longer doing typical shows you know. Man, this is entertainment. We are here to put in a show so when it comes time for a Galadon tour, the show will be unforgettable.

What do you think of the current state of the music industry and what would you do to help it or change it?

I think music is in a good place right now. There are so many ways you can go with it. It’s really up to you. Anything is possible.

What is one of the hardest things you have had to overcome in your life so far?

The hardest thing for me to overcome is myself. We create our own brand of bullshit. We lie to ourselves about shit. We limit ourselves, we magnify ourselves, we fuck our heads up with the bullshit. I have had to get real and just be me. From there I have been able to build.

If you could work with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

“I would work with HR from Bad Brains. He’s dope”.

What do you do when you aren’t busy making music?

“When I’m not making music I’m either in the gym or doing some type of creative work. I like doing design work. Making things that start as a picture in my head. It’s like magic”.

What is most important to you in your life?

“Family. Hands down the family. In addition to that, it’s your character and what you represent in every moment. People talk about what they’re about but don’t embody it at the moment. Occupy your higher self”.

Where do you hope to be and to have accomplished in five or ten years?

“I don’t know. I just want to be healthy and happy. I just want my family to be happy”.

Anything else you would like to add? Message to the fans?

“No”.

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