INTERVIEW: New EP from KWEAN OONTZ

KWEAN OONTZ‘s debut EP, titled A Kwean Oontz Novel, is a sonic journey that immerses the listener in a world of beat-driven sounds and avant-garde bass music. This enigmatic artist, also known as Chris Courtney Martin, showcases their unique sound influenced by The Prodigy, Baltimore Club Music, Major Lazer and Zebra Katz. The seven-track release opens with “Gemineye Vergo,” immediately captivating the audience with its atmospheric and dynamic percussive sounds. Sparse instrumental tones create a sense of anticipation as the listener dives deeper into the sonic landscape that KWEAN OONTZ has crafted.

One standout track is “Marquess Mundae,” which serves as a heartfelt dedication to a late friend who played a vital role in the artist’s self-acceptance in love and life. The song features a grooving rhythm that builds with a captivating bass line, accompanied by gritty synth tones. The track takes a surprising turn with an energising clap beat and bouncing synth lead lines, showcasing KWEAN OONTZ’s ability to explore avant-garde bass music with finesse.

“Outta Pocket” picks up the energy with its snapping beat and spliced vocal samples, creating a club-focused sound that pays homage to KWEAN OONTZ’s rightful home, Philadelphia. This track serves as an ode to the Baltimore Club Music that permeated the region in the early 2000s, capturing the spirit of a vibrant musical era. As the EP reaches its conclusion, “Flex Files” takes the listener on a dub-inflected journey. Pounding beats, intense synth tones and bold bass slides create a powerful and intense sonic experience. The track builds to a spacey electronic soundscape, leaving the listener with a lasting impression of the EP’s brilliance.

A Kwean Oontz Novel showcases the artistic versatility of KWEAN OONTZ. Drawing from their background in poetry, prose and screenwriting, the EP represents a departure from their previous artistic work, allowing them to channel their creative energy through music. This transformation has resulted in a highly original sound which is both engaging and innovative. Produced in a home studio in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this debut EP represents a personal journey for KWEAN OONTZ.

With their first record, KWEAN OONTZ proves to be an artistic sensation, pushing the boundaries of sound and creating a body of work that’s truly exciting. This release marks an important milestone in their career, showcasing their growth and determination to be heard. From the opening track to the powerful finale, the EP captivates with its atmospheric sounds, mesmerising rhythms and bold sonic choices. KWEAN OONTZ has carved out a space for themselves in the music industry, leaving a lasting impression with this sensational release.

We caught up with KWEAN OONTZ to find out more about their inspirations, their debut EP A Kwean Oontz Novel and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with KWEAN OONTZ below.

Hey Kwean, how’s things?

THINGS ARE GOING WAY BETTER THAN I EXPECTED, TO BE QUITE HONEST… HA! I HOPE Y’ALL ARE WELL.

Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?

I’M GONNA KEEP IT PERSONAL, CLOSE TO HOME. IT WAS CHIDDY BANG BECAUSE THEY HAPPENED RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE. I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH NOAH (XAPHOON JONES) AT MASTERMAN AND DISTINCTLY REMEMBER HAVING A LITTLE CRUSH ON THE KID… I USED TO WATCH HIM BANG OUT THESE JAMS ON THE INSTRUMENTS IN THE AUDITORIUM DURING LUNCH. HE PROBABLY WOULDN’T REMEMBER ME BECAUSE WE WERE A COUPLE OF GRADES APART. BUT THEN I ENDED UP GOING TO THE SAME LOCAL UNIVERSITY WHERE THEY FORMED AND THEY LEFT TO PURSUE THE MUSIC THE SAME YEAR I STARTED. THEN, CAME BACK FOR A PERFORMANCE. THE INSPIRATION IS JUST SO DIRECT TO ME.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I USED TO MAKE UP LITTLE SONGS TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS AND MAKE MY BIG SISTER LAUGH. I DON’T THINK SHE WOULD BE SURPRISED THAT I’M HERE RIGHT NOW, OUT OF EVERYONE WHO KNOWS ME.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

FOR THIS ALBUM, IT WAS DEFINITELY THE PRODIGY. BUT I HAVE SUCH AN ECLECTIC PALATE FOR MUSIC. I HAVE UPWARDS OF 3,800 SONGS LIKED ON MY SPOTIFY. AND COUNTING.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I’M A VISUALISER. I CAN SEE MUSIC VIDEOS IN MY MIND, AND ALWAYS COULD. I’VE EVEN DONE A TREATMENT FOR ONE, WHEN A FRIEND WAS IN A BID TO DIRECT FOR A UNIVERSAL MUSIC ARTIST. SO, I GUESS YOU COULD CALL THAT THE 3RD EYE.

What do you love about your local music scene?

AS FAR AS I’VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE, PERSONALLY – I AM MY OWN LOCAL MUSIC SCENE. I HAVEN’T LEFT THE HOUSE WHERE I MADE THIS EP VERY MUCH IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. BUT PHILLY, WHERE I’M ORIGINALLY FROM, IS UNBEATABLE ON THE MUSIC. I’VE SEEN SOME REALLY DOPE PEOPLE COME OUT OF TINY VENUES THERE – EVEN UNIVERSITY PERFORMANCES – BEFORE THEY TOOK OFF WIDE. I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER MARIAN HILL AT THE T.L.A. AND THEN NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY’RE DOING THE TRACK FOR A LUXURY CAR COMMERCIAL THAT’S ON EVERY 30 MINUTES.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

WHEREVER THEY CAN MOVE. PERIOD.

How has your work in poetry influenced your work as a music artist?

POETRY HAS INSPIRED ME TO JUST GO FOR IT. THE WORK THAT I’VE DONE THIS PAST FEW YEARS HAS REALLY COME DOWN TO TRUSTING MY INSTINCTS – AS AN ARTIST AND OTHERWISE. I USED TO WRITE POETRY AND LYRICS ALL THE TIME WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER. AND THEN I STOPPED TO CHASE THE SCREEN DREAMS. MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I RAP, TOO. I USED TO CALL MYSELF LIL’ C IN MIDDLESCHOOL. IT WAS ALMOST IRONIC BECAUSE I WAS JUST THIS NERDY KID WITH GLASSES MAKING LORD OF THE RINGS PARODIES AND READING BOOKS ABOUT DRAGONS… BUT THE LAST POETRY COLLECTION THAT I PUT OUT – WHICH IS ABOUT TO BE INCLUDED AT THE SCHOMBURG CENTER’S RESEARCH LIBRARY – CONTAINS SOME ORIGINAL BARS IN WRITTEN FORM. IT’S REALLY WILD.

How did you find making your new EP ‘A Kwean Oontz Novel’?

IT WAS SOMETHING OF A MAD-DASH. I HAD LIKE 30 DAYS TO MAKE IT, WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS. BUT I ENDED UP COMING UP WITH 22 TRACKS IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS. SO, THE EP IS JUST A SNIPPET OF WHAT I’VE GOTTEN OUT OF THIS MUSIC PERIOD. I HAVE SOME OTHER STUFF ON YOUTUBE, TOO. BUT I’M KEEPING OTHERS UNDER WRAPS RIGHT NOW.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

DON’T BOX ME IN. DON’T EVER UNDERESTIMATE ME.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

TO BE VERY HONEST, I’VE BEEN STUCK ON WALLOWS. SHOUTOUT TO THEM AND THEIR NEW UPCOMING MUSIC…

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

PLEASE JUST FEEL IT WITH YOUR BODY… AND IF YOU CAN, YOUR SPIRIT. I PUT A LOT OF GOOD ENERGY INTO THIS MUSIC AND MUSIC FEELS. I BELIEVE IN SOLFEGGIO TONES AND HEALING SOUNDS. AND WHILE I DON’T INTEGRATE THEM ON THIS EP, THE LOVE IS STILL THERE. AND I HOPE IT CAN BE FELT.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

THIS VERY UNDERGROUND BAND OUT OF JERSEY CALLED BRICK+MORTAR. THEY OPENED FOR MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK AT MY ALMA MATER, DREXEL. AND I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO QUIT THEM SINCE. THEY JUST GET BETTER AND BETTER AND I REALLY HOPE THAT THEY BLOW UP SOON.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

PHILLY. ALL DAY. EVERYDAY. THE ONLY LOCATION FOR ME. LINEUP:

DOJA CAT
RICO NASTY
CCM (MY RAP NAME)

I JUST SEE US ON STAGE AS A TRIO. PLUS A COUPLE OTHERS.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

DO THE ART FIRST AND MAKE TIME FOR THE RESEARCH. BE OKAY TAKING LEAPS OF FAITH AND LEARNING AS YOU GO.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

LOOK OUT FOR MY NEXT POETRY/PROSE COLLECTION WITH ALIEN BUDDHA PRESS. IT’S CALLED ‘SLAM POEMS FOR MY BATHROOM MIRROR…And Other Selected Works…’ WHICH WILL BE OUT SOON. I MIGHT ALSO DROP THE BONUS TRACK FROM THE BANDCAMP RELEASE OF THE EP AS A SINGLE. STILL THINKING ABOUT IT…

Listen to A Kwean Oontz Novel below