Exposed Vocals Interviews T.A.O
Group of artists with a passion for music. Hoping that together united can make a difference in the world with the messages within the lyrics of 4 unique and talented artists by the names of AxG, G-kno, A.N.M.L and Roll$ along with the production of James Alan.Music all written by each of the 4 artists all working on mixtapes both Together and individually. So much time and effort is put into ensuring the music is both true and appealing to the listeners.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
T.A.O:
We are from a small city called Donna Texas and we are Together As One
(G-Kno) I started writing music when I was a sophomore because I heard local artists that weren’t really greatand weren’t representing hip-hop in the right way. I grew up listening to eminem, 50 cent and they had been a big influence when i began writing. So I showed some of my friends my writings and they encouraged me to keep working on music for a couple of years. I tried to create another world with my music and I wanted the kids that knew how I felt to escape they’re reality and to just listen to good music.
(Roll$) Since middle school I’ve been involved in band all the way through high school thinking I’d become a music teacher because I loved the structure of how music was put together.. But senior year I wanted to become an actor after doing a couple shows for the high school and after a while G-kno helped me with the first verse I wrote when we collaborated with a track he had me on called El Barrio and after a while he introduced me to T.A.O. I had to prove to them I had the skill and since I’ve joined my passion has been to write music for a living to make a difference in the world with the messages in my lyrics.
(AxG) Ive always been surrounded by musicians, music and I have a different perception of the world and I know other people share my vision of a better Life especially in America , so I express my vision through my lyrics so that others wouldn’t feel alone and know there are others fighting for that belief and that if we all help, together we can conquer our conflicts.
(A.N.M.L) I became an artist because ever since I was little music played a big part of my life. As a kid I would always look up to big time hip-hop artists that made a big name for they’re city’s and themselves. My dream was always to put my city on the map. I’ve wanted to be the person that people can look up to saying that they’re home is on the map because of him.
(James Alan) What inspired me to be an artist/producer was the feel of music. The way it can keep someone going through there day and relating to there current life. &hopefully one day many can do the same with my music.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
T.A.O: We felt as a team we could achieve more together as one. One man can do so much on they’re own but united we can make a difference in music and peoples lives and that is why we are known as Together As One.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
T.A.O:
All the time only because we are attempting to create a fan base with the music we are currently making. How could we expect to make an album when people don’t have an idea how we sound first.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
T.A.O: Keep striving, don’t give up and throw in the towel so soon. Put yourself out there as much as you can don’t be afraid to go to open mics you never know who’s in the crowd.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
T.A.O:
(Roll$) My inspiration is the world around me and my life itself. Everything that happens is a contribution towards my writing process.
(AxG) Anywhere I go depending on how I feel I do most of my thinking at home outside and inside. For the most part i stay up to date to what’s going on around my city and those close by and write about my day to day life and things I wanna change in the world and in my life.
(A.N.M.L) In the back of my house where I can escape everyone, just zone out & lay my emotions in my writings.First topic then starting off with a great entrance & just keeping the momentum all the way through.
(G-Kno) Get into my zone and just write listen to my favorite artists and it gives inspiration to keep on writing
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
T.A.O:
Yes we have our music uploaded on SoundCloud and we have an instagram page you could check out below.
SOUNDCLOUD:
https://m.soundcloud.com/tao-
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tao.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
T.A.O: We would invest into our music, build the company expand our sound to the rest of the world who haven’t heard us yet.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
T.A.O:
Social media is a major way we spread our music and each of us individually repost or share when we release a song whether it be one of ours or another member of the groups.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
T.A.O: The album we are currently working on is Called “Lucid Living” all original beats and every lyric is written each from our own minds. So keep up with us on our social media.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
T.A.O:
(A.M.N.L) Smoke weed and stay at home
(G-Kno) Probably head to the army
(AxG) If I wasn’t doing music I’d probably be out there starting some other sort of rebellion movement for the people it’s just in me not to be still.
(Roll$) Probably head to finish my bachelor’s for drama and become a university theatre professor
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
T.A.O: We have a regular life like anybody does and each of us in our own private time write music and that’s the only thing that sets us apart from everyone else but we juggle our life like most and living off a dollar and a dream.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
T.A.O:
A new T.A.O album and individual mixtapes from each member in the group. More shows, so stay posted on our social media for what’s to come.