Learning Curve

It all started as a joke. Learning Curve, as a name for the crew, didn't even come up until we'd recorded the last song on the first LP. Honestly we weren't even concerned with what we'd call ourselves. We just wanted to make music – no not music – hip hop!

It's all about the concepts! We solemnly swear that you'll never hear an LC track that doesn't have an original or at least interesting topic to make you think a little bit. The point isn't to aim above your head, it's to put the crosshairs square on it. LA is a place that provides endless opportunity for inspiration: from the quiet streets of Pasadena to North Hollywood's grime, from the chaos of Koreatown to that Venice breeze, from the lights on Sunset to the echo of freeways in Silverlake; Los Angeles is home. The rhymes always seem to reflect that.

As a crew, we aren't really about representin' or getting jiggy, we just want to kick back, crack open a brew and listen to some good music. With such few opportunities to do so these days, we figured what the hell, we'll just make our own. We're not interested in putting out singles, or EP's, or other gimmicky shit. We do promise to keep dropping albums until we all hate each other – which hopefully is a long, long time from now.

And so with a diverse crew of three (Avid D, Turtle, and Backus) the quest began:

Avid D (David Bankins) was born and raised in Silverlake, the ghetto turned artist haven just north of Echo Park. He taught himself how to draw, paint, skate, write, rhyme and work the boards… though he still needs some help with his dancing. He's LC's resident freestyle king and has been involved in hip hop all of his life, most notably with the short-lived Futurelics crew in the mid-90's.

Turtle (Ken Katagiri) is originally from North Hollywood, but he's come a long way. Leaving behind a life of violence, felonies, and overall outstanding citizenship – he's come full circle. Even though his writing is now primarily positive don't think for one second that Turtle doesn't mean everything that comes out of his mouth. He's developed a hard, no-frills sound born from life experience and a love of hip hop.

Backus (Brandon Backhaus) was raised in New Orleans. Since then he's been something of a nomad. Before making music, he was immersed in the national spoken word scene – nothing says hardcore like a poetry tour. He's also published a book, articles and reviews, and is the former poetry editor for GetUnderground.com. His style is a li'l bit New Orleans, a li'l bit LA, but it's always hip hop.

We just released our 3rd LP called, Left@Bumps. Our two previous releases were SO CALled Realities (2004), and Progress Function, respectively. Our music has taken us on tour (Warped 2003 & 2004), and provided show opportunities in various LA shit holes. We’ve handled ours on the Code of tha Cutz stage, along with such acts as NonPhixion, Glue, P.O.S., and in LA with the likes of Scarub, WildChild, and Self Scientific.

Booking Contact:
www.myspace.com/learningcurve
www.myspace.com/bakus1er
www.myspace.com/avid
www.myspace.com/turtlelearningcurve