Makers of Sense

Artist Information

Biography

To really see what we're about - please view our new VPK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-odKZ_PTTj8

The Makers of Sense are Brother El and Cristián Huepe. Together, they fuse energies to create radical bodies of music that combine unusually warm electronica, hip hop, house, trance, dub, live instrumentation and urban elements with new styles yet to be coined. The Makers of Sense have a unique sound; the group actually creates an alternative reality beyond restrictions of usual positions and momentums of our measurable world. The music becomes a guide for building and exploring new realms outside the everyday world by providing endless possibilities.

Individually their careers actually started long before they met. Both artists share a passion for music and creativity that inspired them to create this new group, Makers of Sense and create a bond that transcends time, musical genres and cultural boundaries. Cristián Huepe [labo_labs] is a Chilean musician and physicist with vast creative experiences. A native of Chicago, Brother El is CEO of The Beat Bank, an independent record label and production studio focusing on artistic development and quality productions over quantity and trend. Brother El creatively blends music with an esoteric intensity. He is a musician, artist, engineer and producer bound by a necessity and love for his art.

Their lives took them on very different paths, while living in France for five years to complete his Ph.D. in physics; Cristian performed live electronic music and collaborated in diverse, artistic, projects. Previously, he led the pop/punk/jazz band Malavida; they were featured in a compilation album of the best Chilean emerging bands. Crisitan’s additional credits include: the score for a video presented at the Art and Body exhibit in Milan, Italy, production of music for the magazine 9/9-Practical Art Review, and a featured artist in the Pro-Zak exhibit at the Modern Art Museum of Paris. In 2000, Cristian recorded his solo album eclectise, an eclectic mix of acoustic and electronic elements, at the Musicopré studios located in a farm on the French countryside.

While Brother El was doing his thing in the Windy City, he founded the "The Hip Hop Project" at Loyola University Chicago's radio station WLUW 88.7 FM. Brother El has cultivated musical collaborations with various artists including Chicago rap group Earatik Statik. In addition, Brother El shared his journey through chaos with the release of the solo album Through the Cracks of Concrete. His album threads the inspirations and voices of African Diaspora, past and present while showcasing his individual technique capturing the sighs and pavement pounds of Chicago's elevated trains. The project received critical acclaim and was voted, Best Record of the Year by New York City Magazine, 2001.

Some of the awards the group has received include:

Voted the Best Experimental act of Chicago 2008 by Chicago Reader & Constituency

Prize winner of the Artist Forum Electronic Music Competition 2007

Awarded a City of Chicago Arts Grant (CAAP - Community Arts Program) for 2 consecutive years 2006 & 2007

Cristián currently lives in Chicago, working part-time researching independently as a National Science Foundation grantee, while performing his live-electronic-music-show and collaborating with various artists and focusing on Makers of Sense. Brother El stays in the studio, making music and concentrating on world domination.

Instrumentation

Lional "Brother El" Freeman - Vocals, Keyboards and Percussion
Cristian Huepe [labo_labs] - Keyboards, Guitar and Bass

Discography

Shallow Enough to Drown - EP (2007 The Beat Bank)

Repack the Box - EP (2010 Ponk Records)

Out of the Box - LP (2011 The Beat Bank | Phonofile)

Remix album soon to be released!

Official Website

http://www.makersofsense.com

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Out of the box
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• Brace Yourself (Chi-I-Go!)
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• Much Further
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• Playing wit' my...
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Lyrics

• Playing wit' my...
• Po Boy (Gonna Make Some Noise)
• Brace Yourself
• Shake the Word

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• TwoGroove Featured Artist: Makers of Sense [+ Show ]
  

  With their first full release coming up next month, we are proud to feature hip-hip/electro duo Ma...
  With their first full release coming up next month, we are proud to feature hip-hip/electro duo Makers of Sense. Hailing from Chicago this �Urban Post Electronic Dance Music� group recently was selected as Chicago Reader magazine�s Best Experimental Act.
  
  Switching seamlessly between live instrumentation, programmed beats, rap, and electro, these two seem comfortable to exist just outside of standard genres. While they incorporate elements of many, they never settle into one (or two, or even three�). They�ll be rocking 4/4 house beats and then all the sudden a breakbeat drops and Brother El is rapping.
  
  Be sure to check out their website and look for Out of the Box, their first full release. The album drop in November. Until then, listen to and rate the tracks below and check out our interview with Makers of Sense.
  
  Members/Instruments:
  Lional �Brother El� Freeman: Raps & Vocals, Percussions, Beats, Synths, MPC.
  Cristi�n Huepe [labo_labs]: Synths, Machines, Bass, Electric Guitar, Rhythm Machine, Vocals, Vocoders.
  
  Year Formed: 2004
  
  MoS - Makers of SensePast: What is your musical background? What has led you to this point?
  
  CH: I started playing keyboards, bass, and vocals in a few bands in high-school and later in my own band, while I was going to the university in Chile. I played everything from jazz to punk at the time. When I moved to France, I got into the Parisian electronic music scene, producing my own tracks and performing live PA�s. Before moving to the US, I completed a solo album that combined all these influences. Now in Chicago, I�ve learned a lot about hip hop and house music by working with El. It�s been an eclectic ride, collaborating with a range of musicians of all styles and backgrounds. That�s probably why it�s so hard to restrict myself to a single genre.
  
  EL: My first music al infatuations were jamming to WJPC (Chicago early 80�s Soul Music radio station) in the mornings getting ready for school. I didn�t know it yet but Hip Hop was slowly creeping up on me, so hard! It wasn�t too long after that I started carrying linoleum or cardboard (whatever we could find in the alley or abandon buildings) to school for the infamous break dancing sessions. I was even buying fat laces across the street from the local grocery store way before the sneaker revolution. Ironically, the shower clock that I used to jam out with in the morning made a transition to my neck as well as African medallions and all types of cool shit�
  
  I was itching to learn music so my parents got me classical piano lessons, this is where I started to train on the keys and learn music theory. I soon rejected the teachings, only for them to come back full circle when I started collecting records and realized the music fundamentals were always exhibited. I�m like; I think I recognize that c hord � oh shit I do! Can I make this music? That question lingered in my head for years� See � getting into music production wasn�t as easy as now, with just the purchase of a laptop. It was a serious investment of time and more than anything money. (Of which I didn�t have much of either � chasing girls!)
  
  When I got my first �basic/cheap� keyboard in High School � music aspiration were pretty much set and I knew some shit was brewing. I loved it! I was the �go-to-man� in the hood for musical shit. I�m not sure why they thought I was an authority but I did know some thangs� I ended up producing many Hip Hop acts under my artist moniker, Brother El as well as my own projects.
  
  Hip Hop gave me the wiliness to dig in the crates (searching for vinyl records for sampling, in stores, swap meets, basements, etc.) this was vital for Hip Hop production in that era. Crate digging had some obvious and not so obvious attributes� For one, it intrinsically made young producers serious collectors of records while moving across genres to find the rare gems to sample that hadn�t been done before. Also it was not so obvious that by sampling and breaking the songs apart you really get an understanding and appreciation of how songs are composed and recorded. In some ways � it�s like a one on one tutorship experience with the artist of the record. So while I built my collection I began to hear commonalities between genres, styles, sounds and techniques� It also strengthened my music production vocabulary and technique. I have grown to honor the classical material so much that I rarely sample thes e days but I am always inspired by the works!
  
  The Makers of Sense project is a celebration of who we are musically, from genre to genre, sound to sound, and rhythm to rhythm � right down to the mixing technique� Huepe and I have similar musical fundamentals that we constantly break and reform into new structures.
  
  Present: Where are you at now in your career? What are you currently working on?
  
  EL: I am a Ninja Master of Sound (A self-aware sound healer). I produce, write, rap, engineer, design sounds, etc. I create fresh styles while traveling through worlds and collect precious minerals. I�m quite adept at cutting a slicing and combining tones to create musical gangbangs. I basically � do it to your ear hole every time you put me on�
  
  As the Maker of Sense, we are defining experiences of alternate worlds through this music, helping people out of the monotonous and the ordinary. We are experimenting with higher thoughts, science connections, political awareness and thump boogie. The intricacies of our sound develop much further every day as we bond with music.
  
  CH: We have just completed our first album together as Makers of Sense, �Out of the BoxD, and we are very excited about our upcoming plans.
  
  On the production side, we are doing a bunch of remixes, both of others and of our own material. Most of the tracks of this album are very baroque in some ways. There�s a lot of layering and mixing of styles and ideas. So we�re really extracting some elements to make dance tracks that follow more a given style with them.
  
  On the performance side, we are planning several events for our upcoming official release of �Out of the Box�� stay tuned!
  
  Future: What�s coming up for you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  
  EL: I foresee our sound will be become a staple of Intergalactic music � considering that the state of the Earth is at odds. If the Earth remains, I see us scoring Movies, Broadway-type shows, Inaugurations, Strip clubs, Olympic opening ceremonies, Raves in abandoned sky scrapers and rocking Bar Mitzvahs�
  
  CH: I�m feeling more radical now� in 5 years we either will have achieved world domination or dissolved. There�s only so much sense to be made! I see myself making music, experimenting with different collaborations, pushing my production tools and using my science background to produce the most innovative and engaging music I can achieve� but definitely not pushing a band name to some of the wannabe promoters out there. Oops �did I just blow my cover? Don�t get me wrong, I love to go out to events and hang out with my friends in the scene, but sometimes it appears to be more important who you know than the actual music you make! So in 5 years I�d like to have a direct link to our audience and be able to really focus on the music.
  
  Where can people find more of your music?
  
  EL: It�s exciting, we�re gearing up for our first major release this November, which has been a long time in the coming� You can find lots of things for and about us by with a simple Google search (Makers of Sense).
  
  CH: People should check out our MySpace or website for some tracks of our upcoming album �Out of the Box�. The release is coming up and there�ll also be more information about that. And don�t forget to check out our shows if we are around town! Or ask us to come at our MySpace since we are now planning for our release tour.
  
  Anything you�d like to plug?
  
  EL: Our debut album, �Out of the Box� will be officially jumping out of the container or downloaded � ya� know whatever medium tickles your fancy this November. So, please stay-tuned and check for us if only you have a desire to feel and hear something new�
  
  CH: In the mean time, we�re out there in a couple of competitions for which we would welcome support. There�s the URB Magazine Next 1000 page, where you can vote for Makers of Sense, and we are working on a Black Eyed Peas remix that anyone can listen to and vote for starting September 15 on Beatport. All the links and info will be in our webpage.

• Crack Nation [+ Show ]
  

  Chicago's Makers of Sense don't quite fit the profile of an electro-rap act; they're sometimes funky...Chicago's Makers of Sense don't quite fit the profile of an electro-rap act; they're sometimes funky, sometimes abstract, sometimes dark. Whatever the case, the duo has something special going, and we're intrigued to see them in a midsize venue. DJ Accucrack and Ever Arrow of the Poison Arrows are on the case tonight with radically fresh beats.

• Makers of Sense :: Playing Wit' My... [+ Show ]
  

  Makers of Sense are made up of Brother El and Cristián Huepe, an when together, these two create an ...Makers of Sense are made up of Brother El and Cristián Huepe, an when together, these two create an electronic fusion of dance, hip-hop, and even some rock elements...amongst others. They have gone on their separate paths, but music has brought the two together to spawn this unique and original style. It's a breath of fresh air to hear what El and Huepe have put together, but the only way to really understand it is to listen to "Playing Wit' My...".
  
  Reviewed by Ben Meredith

• Makers of Sense (blurb) [+ Show ]
  

  “Makers of Sense are the equivalent of Prince fronting The Flaming Lips who just got done beating up...“Makers of Sense are the equivalent of Prince fronting The Flaming Lips who just got done beating up The Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk. In short it’s funky dance coolness your mom will love.” - Jack DeVoss Underground Columbus.com

• Chicago Reader's Best Experimental Act for 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Congratulations! The Makers of Sense have been named as a winner of the Readers Poll in the Reader's...Congratulations! The Makers of Sense have been named as a winner of the Readers Poll in the Reader's Best of Experimental Act of Chicago 2008 issue. See all the winners of our Readers Poll and Critic's Picks here: http://www.chicagoreader.com/bestofchicago08/
  

• MAKERS OF SENSE REMIX CONTEST [+ Show ]
  

  The Makers of Sense, a Chicago based up-and-coming electronic production duo (Brother El and Crist...
  The Makers of Sense, a Chicago based up-and-coming electronic production duo (Brother El and Cristián Huepe), invite you to compete in a Remix Contest. Their sound fuses warm electronica, hip hop, house, trance, dub, and live instrumentation.
  
  Last year the Makers of Sense have made their mark in the music scene with innovative approaches to production and promotion. They became the first band to offer a live act on eBay, performing at the highest bidder’s 2008 New Year celebration. This year they won the Chicago Reader Magazine's, “Best Experimental Act for 2008”.
  
  Their debut album, “Out of the Box” is scheduled for release coming December. In their view, everything related to this record, from the tour and promotional campaign to the music, must be Out of the Box!
  
  Makers of Sense are calling for remixes of their tracks “Much Further" and "I Know U Want Me". With the Remix Contest the duo wants to provide opportunities for remixers to become part of the “Out of the Box” album release.
  
  The winning entry will be included in the “Out of the Box” album and there are some other cool prizes to win as well. In addition to the entry selected for the album, one remix artist will be chosen from the area around several major US- and European cities to be invited to perform as support act in the release tour.
  
  So open your boxes and go for it - deadline is October 31.
  
  
  Actual Article Link:
  http://www.laptoprockers.eu/remix/p1/makers-of-sense-out-of-the-box-remix-contest/

• Makers of Sense capture the Chicago sound [+ Show ]
  

  The Beat Bank hosts a sold out club performance ‘Stereo Comes Out Your Mouth’ for the Makers of Sens...The Beat Bank hosts a sold out club performance ‘Stereo Comes Out Your Mouth’ for the Makers of Sense. These quirky cool expert MIDI-ologists are composed of Cristián Huepe and Brother El, who literally tear down the house.
  
  This video contains an impressive trance-like light show showcasing the dynamic multimedia essence of the music duo. As well as a combination of Abelton Live, Propellerhead’s Reason, Arkoas VJ, traditional hardware and software instruments to give an incredible live show.
  
  Brother El was quoted saying “we had a great time performing tonight and vibe of the crowd really came through – they were off the off the chain!”
  
  To preview the video:
  http://youtube.com/watch?v=-8s1P4cT7Ss

Setlist

The Makers of Sense live set is a continuous energetic live-PA performance with live instruments and machines. It typically lasts from 45min to 2hrs.

Basic Requirements

Calendar