So Much More

With the emergence of artist like the Living Legends and their most prominent member Murs, LA Symphony, 4th Avenue Jones (remember Ahmad Jones?), Rasco, Planet Asia, Rass Kass, The Pharcyde and the currently solo Fat Lip it's pretty safe to say that LA hip hop is about more than drive- bys and gang ties. But when was the last time we heard a female MC arise from the west? ("Who is Yo-Yo?" Ooh, I'm sorry the correct answer is Lady of Rage.)

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Neila (Pronounced: Nay-La) then be prepared for well crafted, deeply personal, lyrics from Los Angeles's blossoming underground scene. I recently had a conversation with the Hawaiian born lyricist who proved to me that she is so much more than that.

How did you end up going from Hawaii to North Carolina to Arizona to California?
I am a gypsy at heart. A new place, a new experience, a new way of life. I grew up with my dad in Hawaii and in high school I moved in with mom in NC. I went to college and music engineering school in AZ. I went to LA to find work as an audio engineer and now I am a full time teacher in elementary school and full time artist outside of school. Who knows where I will end up next.

I read that AZ is where you fell in love with hip hop. What happened in Phenix than made that come about?
I met beautiful people from all walks of life. People that came together and formulated a community that revolved around the passion for hip hop. The vibe and the love I received from everyone who touched my life in Arizona is the sole reason that I started to make music.

How'd you hook up with Pigeon John for the album?
My dream is to do a song with each on the following: Money Mark, Tommy Guerro, Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, Awol and Pigeon John. He was on my list. Of course there are others but I originally wanted only Pigeon John and Awol on the album but the Awol song never happened. Perhaps in the future. We talk about it but it is still hypothetical. I think Omid got a hold of John for me. I was blessed...

How would you say "For Whom The Bells Crow" differs from your first album "Vertical Trees With Eternal Leaves"?
I grew personally and unraveled myself when I recorded For Whom the Bells Crow. The biggest difference is probably the sound of my voice. I believe my music is and always has been about the experiences I endure during the process of an album, a course of time. Vertical Trees is a younger time and For Whom The Bells Crow is an older time. I prefer the later album
because it more closely resembles who I am now, but nothing more.

How'd you hook up with nomadic sound system?
Very haphazardly... I am no longer with them.

What is a major misconception you feel people may ave about you?
I have no idea, show me their minds and I will tell you a story.

What would you say is your ultimate goal as far as the music industry is
concerned?
My ultimate goal is to have people who appreciate my music, that is a gift in itself. I really don't care about being famous or money. I just want to make music until Ifeel like their is nothing left to be said. Which is unimaginable to me. As long as someone listens I am happy, that is my goal, to have people listen and love and think. What more could I want?

At times some might say your music is "dense" especially among what is normally played on the radio. Do you feel you might alienate some listeners?
We live in a high pace, minimum thought, always moving world. It is true that most of the world listens to mindless garble laced with really good beats. I cannot be mad because I don't control the radio, the television, or the billboards. In a world with everything to do, who wants to think when they listen to music? Not very many, but are they alienated? I would beg to assume that they are not and that they are content to "party like its your birthday". Those that want to be moved intellectually, take the steps to broaden what is readily available to them. It is those people I make music for.

Do you have any religious standings?
No not at all but I believe people should believe in what makes them feel whole. I believe in all that I experience and I approach each day as the day that it is.

Do you have anything new coming up? Music or otherwise.
Yes, I have a project with Vrse Murphy of Sacred Hoop. He produced "Felt" on my album, it will be a 6 song project and it is sounding lovely. I have a vinyl album coming out of Sweden from 247 records early next year, it should be a full album on wax. Most of the songs are done but they need to head to the studio. The last thing I am working on is a project with Jimi the Mantis Claw and Ruski from Morse Code out of Arizona.

Her current album "For Who The Bells Crow" is available for download at www.audiolunchbox.com or you could buy the CD at nomadicsoundsystem.com or you could buy it strait from her. To see Neila's original artwork and to generally keep up with what she's doing you can visit her at her http://www.myspace.com/neila1 website.

Lee H. Tillman is a Los Angeles based MC/writer. For more information go to calogerodean.com