In a refurbished rowhouse in Houston’s Third Ward, I was privy to one of the most amazing musical experiences of my life, and this was just a rehearsal.
Neon Collars “Far Away”
Neon Collars “Heartbeat”
In September of 2008, a few days after Hurricane Ike had ripped through the Gulf Coast, I received a phone call from my friend Justin.
me: What’s up man?
Justin: I’m starting a band.
me: Huh?
Justin: I’m starting a band.
me: Oh cool. With who?
Justin: Fran, Carlos, Denis and his brother Abel.
me: …….yes!!
Justin is one of those frustratingly talented friends whose creations leave you both happy and tormented. Happy because of the quality, tormented because of the lapses in between. Since I met him I knew he was supposed to do something special, important.
I’d seen him through two production crews, Underground Station (with Carlos) & Neon Collars (with Denis) and some forays an MC. All of which I thought had amazing potential and promise. But something was always amiss. There were elements or a vibe that was not completely there. The band made sense. It felt like a natural progression, the evolution of his previous bodies of work.
J “8 Months” Lewis “Magic” featuring Kay, D. Rose, & DJ Cozmos
[audio:https://rappersiknow.wpengine.com/media/jlewis/Magic.mp3]
“I Think (She Likes Me)” featuring Che Grand & The Luv Bugz produced by J “8 Months” Lewis
J “8 Months” Lewis “Simone” featuring Kay of The Foundation
[audio:https://rappersiknow.wpengine.com/media/jlewis/Simone.mp3]
And then there’s Fran. Her talent is undeniable. There’s so much passion and pain and confusion and hope and sorrow and yearning in that voice. It’s humanity, weaved and sewn into notes and melodies. And it escapes from her body with such an intense yearning. It’s as if her words are messages from another world sent to save you from some impending, steadily approaching doom; light amidst so much darkness. This is coupled with this uncanny, yet natural way of making you fall in love with her. Her presence instantly puts you at ease yet demands your attention, or better yet you eagerly offer it.
A collaboration between these two spirits potentially possessed a power that was truly world changing, if only individual worlds, if only one at a time. Just the thought of it had formed synapses in my brain that redefined possibility and reshaped my own potential. This is why I knew it would work. This is why I was excited about it.
Actually, I was more than just excited. I remember feeling a sense of relief. What they were committing to do was important; it were as if it proved something. That something was possible. That purposes and passions will align and seek others of their kind, a confirmation long awaited and much desired.
After what I was told was a very exciting meeting and introduction, Justin Lewis, Franchelle Lucas, Carlos Conway, Denis and Abel Cisneros formed Neon Collars, the band.
For the next 2 months I waited, painstakingly, to hear just a snippet of anything they had produced. I would drive by the rehearsal space, call random band members during rehearsal time, offer to cater, but to no avail. When I was finally invited to witness, it was much more than I ever knew to expect. In a refurbished rowhouse in Houston’s Third Ward, I was privy to one of the most amazing musical experiences of my life, and this was just a rehearsal.
At this point in time they were preparing for their first gig, The Project Row Houses Fall Festival. This is a community festival that often serves as a platform to showcase the art of Project Row Houses‘ friends and community partners, that happens in the Third Ward Community of Houston, TX.
The buzz about the band had circulated quickly throughout the community, as we were all familiar fans of the individual members’ solo efforts, so this was the majority of the audience. While we were all in ecstatic joy and excitement with the first notes, the experience became ethereal when these sounds became present in the eardrums and the spirits of unsuspecting people passing by in the neighborhood. It was as if the songs possessed a gravity that they couldn’t escape.
For the next 30 minutes we all were exposed to a world we had never experienced before.
It was rough, organic, unpolished and beautiful. It was the music of purposes aligned for a moment in time. I loved it because it was proof that diligence and passion and faith truly do produce sweet fruit.
Listen.
Previously:Neon Collars performs “Reality” Live
Everything happens the way that it’s supposed to.
As fans, we tend to want artists to maintain status quo out
of our own selfish desires to see them in a favorable light.
Caterpillar – chrysalis – butterfly. You never know.
“THE CRIB” by the Foundation – Is my favorite version of “KAY” ever!!!! you know its crazy that music like The Foundation and Unseen – Didnt get the love they each individually needed to keep created music together all this time………… tho Life happens, and YaggFu front, TheBoogiemonsters, The Wascalz, ALLCITY (yeah I know im the only one who thought Greg valentine and Mega were a dope duo, and I DARE!!! ANYONE to go SEARCH for their album “METROPOLIS GOLD” listen to “THE NIGHT” and tell me im wrong……….. hahahha
Damn…… I feel you Frank……….. for real
Yo, I had to come back real quick “I think” is my jawn….. but thats not why im back…
Damn yo, Am I the only cat who thinks of “Kay” when people list of biggie, tupac, jay-z, Nas…….
for real,
Like, I know i’ve had this odd love of a certain – b-side type vibe….
Dutch = Thinks “Soul on Ice” Ras Kass was an “Aint broke” situation…. people hated the production and I loved it,
My Super album would be combined of, Kay, Dave Ghetto, Grand Agent, Pk the Gift & Dub L, Alot of jay dee (dilla) singing and la laaa laaaaing, PLug1,2,&TREE, Dwele, Vikter Duplaix, Yukimi Nagano, Reggie B, Derek D Minor Young, Will Widdoss, Slimkidtre hardson of Pharcyde – 93-97 era… and I cant forget, Dutchmassive =)
I could keep going with this…..but id be here all day and im forgetting so many……. but the issue with my above statement and me generally, is THE BEATS gotta be DOPE! my Standard of dope obviously I.E. (THE IDEA) UNSEEN production, SUPASTITION CHAIN LETTERS PRODUCTION, i dont wanna pigeon hold my taste, just set my bar where it cant be topped, =)
ahhhhhhhhhh
HipHop Didnt Die………… not even cloooooooooooooooooose…….. I never run out of dope music to listen to hence why my attension span is soooooooooo small, options options options, i cant wait to hear the next dope ish
ya’ll making me wanna dig up an unreleased joint they laid at the crib. it’s like having a great secret that you can’t share with anyone. o the irony… smh
Wow…Another H-Town crew bit the dust, This is worse than Seeds of Soul breaking up in the 90’s(ask anybody who knows Cosmos, his group was the ILLEST) !!!
Yeah Yeah I know I know…it was kinda messed up that we ( Neon Collars) stopped making music together…but just like we found each other before…when we’re ready to get down we’ll find each other again. I love ever member of NC from Ike to Fran to Denis to Jus to Eddie to Able. Sometimes when something is so beautiful and new and passionate …its hard to keep it together. The beauty of NC is that it was more than just a band ( to me) . It was an ethos. Me and Justin used to clown around years before Neon Collars was even thought of and I would say ” Man I have a dream just to play in a band one day and chew on a chew stick”…I put some meat on my dreams…the question is will you guys do the same. God gives you dreams not for you just to see them.. but for you to Be them…One
I guess it’s all in how you look at it. There are tons of bands that started and stopped, it’s all part of the process. The truth is the members of the band are ALL talented and I do believe they will continue to make music regardless if it’s with Neon Collars or Pastel Pockets…
This process will just make for better music…
Man, our rehearsals were off the chain. The feeling that something historic & monumental was building inspired a paradigm shift in creativity for me that I’m still feeling the ripple effects from. For real, man. I have some of the rehearsals recorded and listen from time to time. Yo Louis, I have one from when we rehearsed under the El Dorado Ballroom with you freestyling, me cuttin’ and the band groovin’. Good times, man…I guess it was what it was supposed to be…
Dam man!……….. What the hell?……………We can’t afford to many of theses.
I agree, better to have heard them once then never to have heard them at all. I wish them the best in whatever they do cuz it would be shame to lose them to “real life” while less talented “artists” sell out arenas because they follow boy band formulas.
Keep on keepin’ on y’all…thanks for the music.
@Damien – thIngs do happen for a reason – usually because we allow it. The Enemy is a destroyer, a stealer, a stone cold killer. In every way that he can he will. Hopefully eerbody grows and does some more powerful impactful soulful joints!!