THE iDENTiTY CRiSiS

By: Chris Clay

June 3, 2007 02:56 PM - In the title track off his solo debut, Applewood's Paul Castro sings that although he won't win the record of the year award for his latest album, he deserves it.

Castro, who performs under the name THE iDENTiTY CRiSiS, released the aptly-titled Record of the Year a few months back. On the title track, he spits rhymes about wanting to live in Miami and hang out with movie stars, but laments that he's still in Mississauga driving his beat-up old car.

That doesn't take away from the excitement coursing through his veins at the thought of finally having his solo debut CD available to the public.

After all, it's his first shot at being an emcee and frontman.

Previously, the band was a collective and Castro did the producing and sampling while letting others do the majority of the vocals.

"I don't think of myself as a vocalist, but I try and fit the part," said Castro, 24. "The transition has been tough. It's a challenge and I look to artists such as Pharrell Williams and Kanye West for inspiration. They've stepped from behind the board to become the main attraction. I'm a little nervous now that the album is out because it was two years worth of blood, sweat and tears. Getting the album out was a big accomplishment, probably the biggest of my life."

Several tracks off the release can be heard by visiting www.myspace.com/theidentitycrisis.

The album itself is a mish-mash of genres and Castro admits he has a healthy list of influences. Elements of electronic, hip-hop, rock and funk can be heard on the album.

"That's what my name means, that I don't know what genre I fit into and I don't think you can label me one way or another," Castro said. "The album is all over the place musically, but there's a consistency to it."

The 16-track CD features the musician collaborating with other artists, including The Quits, Kofi Kain and Castro's sister J.Lia.

"We used to perform together at church," said Castro, with a smile. "We seem to have a bit of (musical) chemistry that can't be explained just because we're family."

The current album is a follow-up to Your Girlfriend Thinks I'm Fine (2004).

Castro will appear July 6 at The Beating Heart Festival outside Mississauga Central Library.

For more information, visit www.theidentitycrisis.com.

cclay@mississauga.net


- THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS

By: Chris Clay

November 23, 2007 11:06 AM - Mississauga hip-hop artist Paul Castro, better known as THE iDENTiTY CRiSiS, is getting into the Christmas spirit.

And, he's not shy about saying so. In fact, Christmas seems to be one of Castro's favourite times of the year. So much so, he recorded a three-track album of traditional Christmas carols called The Christmas Bonus EP. The artist's diverse musical background influences his version of the songs, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Silent Night and What Child Is This.

"I stayed true to the original melodies," said Castro, "but I put my own twist on all of them. During the Christmas season, lots of these songs can get lost in the shuffle. You go to the mall and all you hear is Beyonce covers of the Frank Sinatra covers."

Listen to What Child Is This, and it's hard not to revel in the rapid drum beats Castro has added in the background. It's an interesting take on a classic Christmas carol and it can be heard by visiting www.myspace.com/theidentitycrisis2.

When selecting the tunes, Castro said he was looking for a little more depth to them than what you typically find in modern carols, such as Frosty the Snowman.

"Lyrically, I was more interested in (themes of) Christ the child than just chestnuts roasting on an open fire," said Castro. "Down the road, I would love to do a full album of Christmas music. It's pretty crazy how a song can change your emotions and take you back to being five years old and sitting under the tree on Christmas morning."

Castro is selling copies of the album for $5. It can be purchased by visiting www.theidentitycrisis.com and proceeds will be donated to Foodpath, Mississauga's largest food bank.

"We have poverty and hunger in our backyard, and people are going hungry and it shouldn't be that way," said Castro. "I think it should be a reality check, because I don't think a lot of people know that there are people out there who honestly have no idea where their next meal is coming from."

Castro's next performance is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 9 at the Executive Snooker Club in Mississauga.

cclay@mississauga.net


- THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS

Bio (as described by the artist):

Grammy awards. Billboard Music Awards. Rolling Stone and Spin Magazine cover stories. Platinum selling records. 40-city North American tours. He hasn’t achieved any of these accolades, yet Paul “THE iDENTiTY CRiSiS” Castro's solo debut album is titled “Record of the Year”. In case you couldn't tell, he wants your attention.

After releasing “Your Girlfriend Thinks I’m Fine” in 2004 with his original band, THEiDC decided to take the project solo, and in a completely new direction. “If I could describe this new direction stylistically, I’d have to label it suburban singer/songwriter/experimental producer music,” says THEiDC. “Growing up in Mississauga (a suburb of Toronto), I was exposed to many very different styles and genres of music. We get all of the Top 40 American and underground stuff, plus the European and homegrown Top 40 and underground music.”

Mixed by Phil Mark, co-founder of Radio Insect Records, and mastered by Andy Krehm at Silverbirch Productions (Matt Dusk, the Salads, Jeff Healey), "Record of the Year" fuses elements of rock, electronica, hiphop, soul, funk, and reggae, from various decades. "It's like a buffet for your ears. I couldn't help it, but at the same time, I didn't force it. That's just my style."

Other than a couple of collaborations with former co-writer Kenneth Nofuente, up and coming Toronto artists Kofi Kain, The Quits, and THEiDC’s sister J.Lia, “Record of the Year” is entirely written, produced, and performed by THEiDC. The album showcases his diverse musical style, and mixes it with a shot of his current life experiences, and a double-shot of his brand of tongue-in-cheek humour. "Some of these songs come from a deep place, and some of them are just me joking around and having fun". Overall, he believes that there is something for everybody on this album, "be it musically, or lyrically, I think everybody can relate on some level". Record of the Year? Probably not. But you're intrigued, aren't you? Get your copy on iTUNES.




Your style could be described as:

Rock mixed with hip-hop, funk, electronica, reggae, and all points in between.


Biggest show that you have played to date:

I’ve headlined a couple of shows at the Opera House in front of 1000+ people.



Questions

Since the release of your new LP “Record of the Year” in February 2007, you have been actively promoting yourself through a variety of mediums. Describe your efforts and how they have contributed to your growing success in a difficult industry.

As an indie artist, and with no financing, it is really hard to get exposure on big platforms like mainstream radio, and Much Music. I’ve been fortunate enough to make contacts in the States, and I’m actually getting played on a couple of TOP 40 stations. But other than that, I figured that I really had to come up with something creative to promote myself. Seeing the direction that the music industry is heading, I figured I’d take full advantage of tools like MYSPACE (myspace.com/theidentitycrisis) to expand my network. Through MYSPACE, I’ve built promo street teams all over the US, Canada, and Europe who promote me at an underground level.

In the months leading up to the release of “Record of the Year”, I started up a YOUTUBE channel to broadcast a video blog called EQOTW (EMAIL QUESTION OF THE WEEK) as a tool to promote the album. At first, it was just meant to be a temporary thing, simply to promote the album, but here I am almost two seasons deep. It’s gotten to be pretty popular, as I get questions, and most importantly, views from all over the globe. And as a result, I’ve also tapped into a different side of my creativity: writing and directing comedy. I’m even thinking about releasing a full fledged DVD down the road. You can check out more at youtube.com/theidc






Musicians are often compared to others that have come before them, but it is hard for anyone to attach a comparison to your style. Why do you think the public does this and what kind of effect does it have on the emerging artist? What do you think contributes to your uniqueness?
I’m not exactly sure why people compare. I think it’s just the way we are. We need to have something to gauge against, in order to determine whether or not we’ll like it. It’s the same thing with the whole idea of labeling artists by genre.

For emerging artists, I think it’s crucial to take advantage of this idea. A lot of times, new artists will say something like “we don’t sound like anybody else out there”, which could very well be true. But people latch onto labeling and comparisons, so it’s definitely important to use it to your advantage, as an up and coming artist.

My uniqueness comes from my influences. We live in a very musically rich time and location. On Toronto area radio alone, we have access to an insane variety of styles, and decades. If you’re really seeking something different, you can find it. And of course the industry is in a very different place than it was 10 years ago. With the internet, we are the ipod generation, and everything is at our disposal.




Musicians’ live performances often give the fans a first-hand look at the artist, but also play a part in determining the authenticity of the artist. How do you plan for live shows? Do you think that you stay true to your sound when playing live?

For me, the live show is equally as important as the recorded material. That being said, my sound differs from album to show. I try to make my show an experience. I want my live show to bring an energy that isn’t the same as my album. I enjoy playing stripped-down acoustic shows, or all out rock shows with a full band. I want my fans to walk away with something different, because otherwise, they might not even want to come out. They could very well just pop in my cd at home.




What is it about a show that changes an artist? How much of a difference does it make when the crowd is receptive and involved in the show?

When I’m in the studio, my inspiration comes from the lyrics, or my surroundings. When I’m doing a live show, my surroundings are the people, and even the people that I’m on stage with. I’m inspired on the spot. It takes my performance to a different level. And the more that the crowd gets into it, the higher my energy is.




Generally speaking, a musician tends to release a new album every 2-3 years. You are quickly approaching that two-year mark. Is there any new material in the works that we will see in a new release in the near future?
Great question. I already have a new album ready to record. I will start recording in the coming months, with a new release somewhere in the next year or so.






What is the best and worst part about trying to make a career in music? Why?
For me, the best part is getting to do what I love. There’s nothing better than writing, producing, performing, and all other musically creative outlets.
The worst part is the fact that I can’t actually call it a career right now. I am not making a living doing this, and I work a day job to finance everything by myself. To be completely honest, there have been way more downs than there have been ups. But hopefully all of this hard work, and debt, will pay off!





Do you feel that your education and experiences at York University have made a significant impact on your musical journey?
Most definitely. I’m in the music program, and if it wasn’t for a lot of the people that I met here, I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now. I’ve made a huge network of friends, who are stellar musicians. Some of them have played in my live band, some of them have appeared on my album, some of them have become my best friends. And the program is pretty crazy. I find that it is a very diverse and open-minded music program, which is great for somebody in that mindset.




Will we be seeing the iDC playing at York in the future? Yorkfest perhaps?
Absolutely! There is something in the works for the new year. Keep an eye out.





What is the best piece of advice you can offer to those aspiring to have a career in music?
Make sure that this is really what you want to do. You will be sacrificing a lot. You will get knocked down a lot. There will be times that you wished you got into real estate, or law, or medicine. But if this is what you really want to do, then you have to posture up, and keep on fighting.
- THE VANDOO

“I REALLY SHOULD BE NOMINATED FOR NUMEROUS AWARDS
AND I REALLY SHOULD BE GOIN' ON MY WORLD TOUR
BUT HERE I AM IN MISSISSAUGA BACK TO THE GRIND
STILL PUSHIN' "YOUR GIRLFRIEND THINKS I'M FINE"
TRYIN TO GET SIGNED…”

So laments talented York student, Paul Castro on the title track of his latest album. But surely there are good things in his future. In February 2007, Castro released “Record of the Year”, which he describes as “a buffet for the ears”… and that’s exactly what it is. Castro concedes that he tries to “take a little bit from here and there and come up with something original and unique,” surely the struggle of every serious musician. He has been quite successful in this challenge; when I sat down to describe Castro’s latest album, I had a hard time describing the mix of hip-hoppy-rockish-electronic sounds coming from my computer. Hence Castro’s alias: THE iDENTiTY CRiSiS.

As expected, Castro’s hybrid sound is inspired by an assorted array of influences. Castro admires artists who have created a new sound, something different than the popular music of the time. His favourite artists include The Police, Kurt Cobain and hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest.

With such a diverse taste in music, the York University Music Department seemed a natural fit for Castro, even if he didn’t see it himself. As a senior at Applewood Heights Secondary School, Castro was very involved in his music department, playing trumpet in concert band, rocking keyboards and percussion in stage band and lending his velvety bass vocals to AHSS’s vocal pop group. He had no plans to study music at the post-secondary level, but one of his teachers urged him to check out York’s program, which offers a more musically diverse program than many other post-secondary music schools.

“You can dabble here at York.” Castro adds.

Castro also attributes his eclectic sound to Toronto’s heterogeneous musical landscape. “Toronto is blessed. Even before the iPod, the city had exposure to so many different styles of music. When I was only in grades seven and eight, I was listening to everything. It must be a big city thing. I got to hear European music, Canadian music and, of course, the music we were force-fed from the States.”

By his third year at York, Castro was getting low on cash. So he downsized his course load and began teaching private music lessons at home in Mississauga while going to school part time. This also allowed him the time and money to try his hand at producing. As a multi-instrumentalist, Castro has always loved listening to music, analyzing and deconstructing each phrase, so producing was a natural step for him. He also started his own YouTube channel, EQOTW (Email Question Of The Week). EQOTW began as a method for Castro to answer The iDENTiTY CriSiS fan email, but has become a popular comedy channel, now in its second season.

But most of his free time went to writing and producing his own music. He released “Your Girlfriend Thinks I’m Fine” in 2004 and “Record of the Year” in 2007, which is currently available on iTunes. Keep an eye on this up-and-coming artist; we’re sure to see great things from him in the future.




- SOFA