Up & Coming: LyteSho!

As a feature we intend to keep going (especially when we make the move to our new site) we're rolling with this whole 'unsigned up and coming artists' because there really is some good stuff out there that isn't getting the exposure it deserves.

To start it off, WOTB presents LyteSho!

Having recently dropped his 'Chainsaw EP' describing it as his "I'm done trying to reach a sound project, I'm doing what I like and what I feel" we've hit up the beatmaker to give you a little insight.

Chainsaw EP, download here

Chainsaw EP juxtaposes the images insinuated by the title by employing gentle ambience punctuated by grooved beats that's reminiscent of the vibe Sholohmo has been crafting. The EP is comprised of 9 free tracks with the majority of the tracks not exceeding 2 minutes, perfect bit of background music for you to smoke to.






WOTB: Give a little intro about who you are and what you're on.

LS: My name is Lytesho! and i'm a recovering beatmaker I currently live in Wilkes Barre, PA, but am originally from Moscow. I've lived in different places so it's nothing at this point in my life. My family is from Sierra Leone so i'm African/Russian/American. Right now i'm all about music and pushing as much of my material as possible, working with up & coming artists and being part of the East Coast/West Coast movement.
WOTB: You're part Russian, you checked out the Russian beat scene at all?
LS: I'm pretty sure Russia has been 10 years behind as far as the beat scene or any type of scene goes. There isn't really a thing going on there for the most part, I haven't been there for years so i'm not sure how strong their underground music culture is.
WOTB: You'd be surprised man, Project Mooncircle have put out a Finest Ego Russian Compilation which has some pretty heavy tunes. (Check out the 'fly russia' mixtape also, here)

WOTB: So what other country's scenes are you feeling?
LS: Definitely the UK. They have always had an edge about their music, it's more accepted there than it is here in the good ol' US of A. Over there you are more likely to hear SBTRKT or Hudson Mohawke rather than Samiyam and Teebs over here.


WOTB: What sorta set up you using to produce right now?
LS: I use the most basic set up now. I've been on FL (Fruity Loops) for the past few years as well as some Ableton and Axiom MIDI. A lot of my editing is done on other software, but all the beats are cut, made and edited on FL 10 XXL, simple as can be. Hopefully moving onto some live gear this summer SP's, Akais and MPC's.

Neon Smoke by LyteSho!


WOTB: What artists/labels you feeling at the moment?

LS: At the moment I'm really feeling the Philadelphia beat scene. The West is traditionally known for its 1 step ahead movement, but the East has always been the gritty home to a lot of raw ass artists. Altered Ego Collective is a prime example of the Philly grime that represents the eastern Brainfeeder. Artists like Chris Are, Knxwledge, Mndsgn, Suzie Analogue, Swarvy, Sir Froderick and many others are the real artists of the Philly scene. Knxwledge is an example of what the east is all about, he's in the west coast, but his roots are heard in the music. Besides the east i have to give it up to my west coast family, the Senzu Collective. We're a bunch of young cats making music and trying to take you to the next level. Alecks Auclair being one of my big brother influences is doing his thing out in LA with shows, made it on the same bill as ELOS, so you could say Senzu is making moves.

WOTB: So what's the composition of Senzu?
LS: Myself, Alecks Auclair, Rupert, Shango0., Eclectic and a whole gang of talented dudes, check us out you rotten mother fuckers.
WOTB: F'real, check 'em out here


WOTB: What direction do you wanna push your music?
LS: I want my music to be its own sound, meaning I want to be in the beat-tape genre but want people to identify my sound. Traditionally there is a lot of hip-hop and electric but to me its all music, I simply want to grow and create, push my music overseas.

B.I.G. - Sky Is The Limit (LyteSho! remix)


WOTB: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
LS: Alot of my inspiration is drawn from how i grew up and who I listened to. Growing up with 3 different cultures gave me an ear for different sounds. I am definitely influenced by a lot of hip-hop, but the "pillars" to the LyteSho! sound include; The Alchemist, Black Milk, J Dilla, FlyLo, Phaseone, The Grateful Dead, Madlib (and his 100 aliases), and Ariel Pink to name a few. They all have a part in everything I have done from the start.


WOTB: What artists would you like to work with?
LS: This question always runs through my head. If I could work with anyone I'd love to put some work in with AFTA-1, Samiyam, Ras G, Hodgy Beats, Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q, Madlib, Black Milk, Shlohmo, and so many others, its a tough question because there are different sounds I'd like to go on. May they rest in peace but there's also Jerry Garcia, Jay Dee, and Baatin, very powerful musicians. As far as some familiars/friends; Chris Are, Swarvy, and Stainless Steele are on my top list of "to work with".

LyteSho! remix of Shlohmo's Birthday Beat

WOTB: Last album you bought?/Last song listened to?
LS: Ras G - "Beat Soup
       Swarvy - "SHiNER EP"

WOTB: What else are you into other than producing?
LS: Besides music, I enjoy seeing the band Phish play live, taking it easy, and chillin' with my hometown friends, always need them around, funny cats.


WOTB: What did you have for breakfast this morning?
LS: Actually about to go grab some now. Some eggs, mushrooms and toast. Don't forget the hot tea.
WOTB: Good to see you're repping the tea there!


 Download LyteSho!'s 'Cassette Towers' for free here

Massive shout out to LyteSho! and the Senzu collective, make sure you support these heads!

-WOTB family