Brand New Interview with CTB (Chi Town Born)

Listen to Chi poppin’ Pt1    Listen to 2015

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
We followed their twitter page and instantly got a message from three different reps saying that we sounded good and basically got to talking.
What made us sign up was the Exposed Vocals website itself and how it stressed the point of how they promote new up incoming artist.
 Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
CTB originated in the Brighton Park area of Chicago IL and currently reside there but grew up in and out of the city. It all started in high school for Me (Flo) and Marz just rapping freestyles with our drama club friends. A-train had already been a friend but came around later on and helped us get things up and running. We all three got together started thinking of names for the group and for ourselves around the end of 2012 and all decided on C.T.B. (Chi Town Born) for the group name. We all have loved and had a passion for music since we were younger. We all were in a high school choir and drama club together. So we just took what we had learned and explored different genres and found out we are all stronger as hip hop lyricist. On a daily basis we continue to raise the bar for ourselves to improve our delivery.
 Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
The inspiration behind our group name was to rep our city because we are all Chi Town Born’s; and also to rep the Midwest. Marz was thinking of using C.T.B. for his stage name but we all then decided it would be better for a group name.

 Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
We always submit our music for free on social music platforms such as SoundCloud and Reverbnation. Were trying to build a fan base and playing our music is really just one click away. This is just until we get a name for ourselves and establish a plan on when to start selling our music. Right now I were working on building our rep.
 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?
Be persistent. Connect with your local open mics and also, because of how social media is a big part of music right now, it wouldn’t hurt to create a couple accounts such as in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and etc. so you can interact with your audience and to start up a fan base. We haven’t had a chance too get airplay but we are currently working towards accomplishing that goal before the end of 2015.
 Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Yes we do I wish I could say we were perfect, but that would be a lie. We all believe that practice makes perfect. We always try to have someone record the performance and meet after a performance to go over what could have been better and what we need to practice on for the next performance.
 Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

We have not gotten to that point in our career yet but once again it is something we are working towards accomplishing this year.
 Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Our inspiration comes from each of our lives growing up and the events that our ongoing on a daily basis around us. We all have a somewhat of a different but similar background story, which is why we understand each other. We usually choose a beat together then we come up with the hook or chorus whether it be one idea from one of us or a group contribution. After we are pretty much set to let our minds run wild and come up with some dope verses.
 Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
We don’t have an official band website. But you can Connect with us!!
www.datpiff.com/profile/ChiTownBorn
www.reverbnation.com/ChiTownBorn
www.facebook.com/chitownborn
https://soundcloud.com/chitownborn
https://twitter.com/ChiTownBorn312
http://chitownborn.tumblr.com/
Instagram @chi.town.born
 Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Well it’s not embarrassing to us but it’s the music people give us a second look for. Its musical theater soundtracks like from Rent, Company, Ragtime, and Let Mis.
 Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Well, I guess try to find a house that we can buy, something with a basement spacious enough for professional studio equipment and a mic booth. Slowly invest in building a studio inside. Since A-Train might be moving in with Flo and his family, it could help us a lot.
 Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Well right now were working with the DAW Ableton Live 9. Equipment,we have a PreSonus AudioBox, a basic audio interface. We have a MXL 440 Condenser Microphone. We all try to pitch in sometimes for stuff but Flo was the one who bought the equipment on his own. Right now I guess the best investment we should make is in a apple computer cause the laptop were working on is pretty much on its last life. The screen is almost completely broken off of the rest of the laptop. Its pretty much not portable anymore; we treat it as if its a desktop computer.
 Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Things that work the best for us is using social media and also ReverbNation now we went Pro and we get emails about signing up with promoters and also different magazines to get interviews we’re just really waiting on replies at this moment.
 Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
I know it sounds cliche but we would like to perform with Drake. His style from his beats to his lyrics and word play is very inspiring.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
We just released a mixtape last year in November on the 28th titled Underestimated Individuals we are still working to shoot music videos real soon. We are also working on solo projects that should be out sometime in the spring/summer  just be on the lookout on our social media accounts we try to keep you updated there. More information will be released on a podcast coming soon.
 Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Between the three of us either bartending, a massage therapist or a yoga instructor.
 Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
A-Train: My first album was Pink Misunderstood and I was ecstatic and I literally learned the whole album in the one night of just repeating and repeating the whole album until I learned it, its still one of the best albums I have purchased.
lo: My first album was 2Pac’s Greatest Hits. It was a 2 disc album. I still have them and he is a big inspiration to me with his word play.
 Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Being in the studio right now is very important to all three of us so we always try to make sure that we are in the studio at least 3 times a week and work on our lyrics at home. We all have our own things going on in life, Marz has has his baby, we all have work and bills and other things going on in life but we do our best to juggle both.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
For  sure you can be expecting solo projects from us and hopefully another group project, but if not that then another solo project from us. We also hope to enter into a couple of local line ups or maybe local festivals. We have actually entered into a couple of line ups and festivals we are currently waiting for the response.
We want to say thank you for considering us for an interview. We hope to stay in contact with you for future interviews and projects and any other promotional support.