Dialectics
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Dialectics

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"Dialectics: Where Intellectual Lyrics Meet a Danceable Groove"

by Lee Dellapina

Here’s a musical riddle for you: what do you get when you fuse an urban poet who has a gift for writing infectious rhymes, and a free-spirited hippie chick with a smooth and sultry singing voice? Answer: The Dialectics.

The Dialectics is the brainchild of Lexington native Eric Wilkinson. He formed the band about two years ago and serves as lead vocalist and principal songwriter. Wilkinson is a spoken-word poet. While making the rounds in the Lexington poetry scene, he decided to get with some of his musician friends and form a group. He recruited drummer Dave Cobb (who is still with the band), rounded up a bassist and guitarist, quickly wrote some songs, and began performing. But after their first show, he knew the band was not complete. It wasn’t until Wilkinson had a chance encounter with vocalist Jai Hamilton that the Dialectics truly took shape. Wilkinson was walking through the library on the University of Kentucky campus when he spied Hamilton doing her homework. As it happened, he was publishing a book of poetry (Black Dear Distortion Pedal) and was looking for models to pose for photographs for the book. Hamilton is a natural beauty, so Wilkinson approached her about modeling for his book. She agreed, and the friendship was formed. When Wilkinson found out about her musical background (she played drums and percussion for a local band, Jonathan Webb & the Collective Few) he asked her to join the Dialectics as a vocalist, and the fit was perfect. Over the past two years the group has gone through various lineup changes, but the core of Wilkinson, Hamilton, and Cobb has remained the same. Currently there are seven members officially in the band, but the roster expands and contracts quite often. Along with Hamilton and Wilkinson on vocals and Cobb on drums, the Dialectics includes Lane Miller on guitar, Emily Bruner on vocals, Tristin Morin on guitar, Nick Coleman on bass. and an artist who calls himself JK-47 on turntables and keys.

To call the Dialectics simply a local hip-hop band would be doing them a disservice, because they are so much more than that. Yes, they have all the necessary components to categorize them in the hip-hop genre—funky beats, catchy hooks, and danceable songs, but their live instrumentation on stage and intellectual lyrics set them apart from other groups or artists in their field. Lyrics, according to Wilkinson, are particularly important.

“You might have one or two hit songs on the radio because they have a really cool beat or have a great producer, but in terms of longevity and really building up a fan base, hip-hop kids are into the lyricism,” he said. “My own test is you should be able to look at a song’s lyrics on paper, and it should be able to capture your attention and hold your interest like a well-written poem.”

The Dialectics rely heavily on their lyrical prowess and take pride in the way their songs are crafted, but let’s be honest—when you’re out at a club, you’re probably not listening for clever or insightful vocal content. You want to shake your booty! Well, the Dialectics can help out in that arena as well. They are one of the few hip-hop acts you will see around this area with a live backing band. The music is very funky, and bass driven, but is also guitar heavy with sort of a “jam band” feel, no doubt influenced by Hamilton’s hippie-like leanings. The live instrumentation on stage is one of the things that sets the Dialectics apart from other hip-hop bands, and it is also what broadens the band’s appeal. Music lovers who don’t necessarily enjoy hip-hop will enjoy the group because of the universal appeal of their live shows and the precision with which they perform the music. Wilkinson takes just as much pride in the music as he does in the lyrics.

“Lyrically, we hold our own with any hip-hop group, but the band itself is also extremely talented. A lot of hip-hop bands will just go with one sound or try and find a nice groove that people will go with. We try and make all our songs interesting and unique. We have a lot of experimentation in our music. It’s certainly very dance-friendly, but if you’re a music connoisseur, you can appreciate it just for the musicianship,” he said.

The Dialectics have captured their live sound along with their sophisticated lyrics on their 2007 self-released EP “Styles of Resistance,” and also on their first full-length recording, “Origins of Blast,” which they plan to officially release in the next month or two. Both CDs will be available for purchase on their Web site, www.dialecticsmusic.com.

For more information and show dates, visit the Web site or the MySpace page at www.myspace.com/dialecticsbeats. - Chevy Chaser


Discography

Styles of resistance EP 2007
Incognito EP 2008
Origins of Blast LP (To Be Released 2008)

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Bio

Dialectics are a live hip-hop band with 6 to 9 members. No one knows the exact number for sure, and the Dialectics refuse to issue an estimate for fear that they might leave someone out. Needless to say, the sound is big. Taking their cues from live-band acts like the Roots and Digable Planets, the Dialectics use real guitar, bass, and drums to breath life into break beats. They trade in samples for the spoken word. They are pioneers in the use of manual hand claps.

Barely into their third year, the Dialectics have recorded two EP's and are finishing up their debut LP, gained a regional following, shared the stage with underground rap icons Blackalicious, The Coup, The Pharcyde, Nappy Roots, Cunninlynguists, Villebillies, Devine Carama and other talented hip-hop acts. Each show is unique and based on the jazz ethic of blending notes and rhythms on the fly. Audience participation is common, and encouraged. Whether building epic walls of sound or just banging out a crowd pleaser, the Dialectics bring it. Jai Hamilton’s voice is the purest instrument of all, and soars above the crowd like a Molotov cocktail. Eric Wilkinson spits rhymes that take crowds through the highs and lows of postmodern experience, distilling the most prescient philosophical issues of the day. Emily Bruner kicks verses that reach through the speakers and smack listeners out of political hypnosis. JK-47 proves time and again that he is second to none in his turntablism skills.

Talk to Eric after a show, and he might invite you to join the band. The Dialectics are currently accepting applications for the following positions: break dancers, slide projectionists, theremin players, auctioneers, and audience members with finely tuned cochleas. Geographic location is not a factor, provided that the applicant’s mind is in the right place. The Dialectics claim members in Lexington, KY, Athens, GA, and Cincinnati. They hope to one day colonize Texas and restore democracy in its borders.