Livin' the Dream
311's SA Martinez Talks Los Stellarians
By Kyle Eustice
SA Martinez has been gracing the mic since the early '90s, when a fresh-faced group of Omaha kids got together to form the group 311. Combining elements of hip-hop, reggae and rock, the band catapulted to international recognition almost immediately. Over 20 years later, 311 is still selling out shows. Behind the scenes, Martinez, emcee and vocalist for the group, has always had an intense love of vinyl. Old soul, hip-hop and funk records line his collection. Out of this love, he's formed a new musical project, Los Stellarians, with partner-in-crime Ryan Siegel. Los Stellarians released their debut album, Cholo Soul, in July 2014. Strictly a covers album, it included revisions of Darando's classic soul track, "Didn't I," and Joe Baatan's "Young, Gifted and Brown." Los Stellarians are back with their sophomore effort, The Mas Chingon, due out June 3. Complete with six original tracks and two covers, the music is a pleasant surprise. While it's a far cry from the work Martinez does with 311, it's a welcome, funky sound that's all his own. Prepare to be impressed. Visit https://holygrailien.bandcamp.com/ for more information. Martinez took some time out of his crazy busy schedule to talk about the new album.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): You've been an emcee for a very long time. What makes a great emcee in your opinion?
SA Martinez: Undeniable energy, a creative flow, great tone, etc. In essence, what makes a great emcee is someone who inspires you to be one yourself.
What drew you to hip-hop initially and who were some of your favorites? Who do you still listen to today?
What drew me into the hip hop sphere initially was that electro sound, groups like Mantronix, MC's like Grandmaster Caz, Public Enemy, EPMD, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, etc. I still listen to these groups as they encapsulate an era that has meant so much to so many. These groups were the soundtrack to the parties we had, rolling with our ride or dies, exposing us to the universe of soul music and getting us all to think.
Obviously Los Stellarians is a far departure from the music you do with 311. What made you want to start this group and play music with a more soulful, vintage feel?
Los Stellarians is like the niche section in my record collection. Conceptually, it's an undiscovered group, if you will. In the record trading world, it would be considered a "come-up," this record or group that you've heard about, but have never laid eyes or hands on. It's sorta like that and then you play the album and it's like, 'Damn! This record is the jam!'
You released a cover album last year and this time around you are dropping The Mas Chingon. What is different about this album?
The Mas Chingon is our definition of modern soul, our starting point, at least. Cholo Soul was a covers album of some mid 70's songs in my collection that I basically wanted to sing myself and share. The Mas Chingon is just the natural next step we would take.
How do you balance everything you're doing? You do 311, Los Stellarians, and play the role of father and husband; must be a lot to handle.
Having a family, being in a band, having various other projects can be tricky to balance. But it's far from impossible and really just takes some compromise here and there. Most folks in this world have far more trickier lives to adjust around. We are musicians who get to make music. Please do not wake me from this dream.
Do you get a chance to see live music?
I really don't get a chance to see groups like I used to. There was a time I lived in LA and took advantage of everything that beautiful city has to offer. With little ones it's hard.
What do you like about living in California?
The only thing I don't love about California is the lack of rainfall. I've been water-conscious for sometime now so when the drought made headlines it came as no surprise. I'm pretty hard on my wife and girls too when it comes to consumption, but I think as a family we are far ahead of the curve when it comes to cutting back on our usage. It's such a precious resource and as Americans we've disrespected its value for far too long. That aside, California is a wonder to behold. It's home now and I can never get enough of her natural beauty.
How did growing up in Omaha shape who you are today?
Growing up in Omaha, the outside world seemed so big and in many ways it is, but on several levels it's not. We had everything we needed in Omaha and like many places, we created our own scenes. We all grow within unique circumstances, socio-economic realities, etc. They unquestionably shape us. Omaha is a blue-collar kind of place and that alone will give you perspective as long as you allow it to.
SA Martinez from 311 talks Los Stellarians
Livin' the Dream
311's SA Martinez Talks Los Stellarians
By Kyle Eustice
SA Martinez has been gracing the mic since the early '90s, when a fresh-faced group of Omaha kids got together to form the group 311. Combining elements of hip-hop, reggae and rock, the band catapulted to international recognition almost immediately. Over 20 years later, 311 is still selling out shows. Behind the scenes, Martinez, emcee and vocalist for the group, has always had an intense love of vinyl. Old soul, hip-hop and funk records line his collection. Out of this love, he's formed a new musical project, Los Stellarians, with partner-in-crime Ryan Siegel. Los Stellarians released their debut album, Cholo Soul, in July 2014. Strictly a covers album, it included revisions of Darando's classic soul track, "Didn't I," and Joe Baatan's "Young, Gifted and Brown." Los Stellarians are back with their sophomore effort, The Mas Chingon, due out June 3. Complete with six original tracks and two covers, the music is a pleasant surprise. While it's a far cry from the work Martinez does with 311, it's a welcome, funky sound that's all his own. Prepare to be impressed. Visit https://holygrailien.bandcamp.com/ for more information. Martinez took some time out of his crazy busy schedule to talk about the new album.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): You've been an emcee for a very long time. What makes a great emcee in your opinion?
SA Martinez: Undeniable energy, a creative flow, great tone, etc. In essence, what makes a great emcee is someone who inspires you to be one yourself.
What drew you to hip-hop initially and who were some of your favorites? Who do you still listen to today?
What drew me into the hip hop sphere initially was that electro sound, groups like Mantronix, MC's like Grandmaster Caz, Public Enemy, EPMD, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, etc. I still listen to these groups as they encapsulate an era that has meant so much to so many. These groups were the soundtrack to the parties we had, rolling with our ride or dies, exposing us to the universe of soul music and getting us all to think.
Obviously Los Stellarians is a far departure from the music you do with 311. What made you want to start this group and play music with a more soulful, vintage feel?
Los Stellarians is like the niche section in my record collection. Conceptually, it's an undiscovered group, if you will. In the record trading world, it would be considered a "come-up," this record or group that you've heard about, but have never laid eyes or hands on. It's sorta like that and then you play the album and it's like, 'Damn! This record is the jam!'
You released a cover album last year and this time around you are dropping The Mas Chingon. What is different about this album?
The Mas Chingon is our definition of modern soul, our starting point, at least. Cholo Soul was a covers album of some mid 70's songs in my collection that I basically wanted to sing myself and share. The Mas Chingon is just the natural next step we would take.
How do you balance everything you're doing? You do 311, Los Stellarians, and play the role of father and husband; must be a lot to handle.
Having a family, being in a band, having various other projects can be tricky to balance. But it's far from impossible and really just takes some compromise here and there. Most folks in this world have far more trickier lives to adjust around. We are musicians who get to make music. Please do not wake me from this dream.
Do you get a chance to see live music?
I really don't get a chance to see groups like I used to. There was a time I lived in LA and took advantage of everything that beautiful city has to offer. With little ones it's hard.
What do you like about living in California?
The only thing I don't love about California is the lack of rainfall. I've been water-conscious for sometime now so when the drought made headlines it came as no surprise. I'm pretty hard on my wife and girls too when it comes to consumption, but I think as a family we are far ahead of the curve when it comes to cutting back on our usage. It's such a precious resource and as Americans we've disrespected its value for far too long. That aside, California is a wonder to behold. It's home now and I can never get enough of her natural beauty.
How did growing up in Omaha shape who you are today?
Growing up in Omaha, the outside world seemed so big and in many ways it is, but on several levels it's not. We had everything we needed in Omaha and like many places, we created our own scenes. We all grow within unique circumstances, socio-economic realities, etc. They unquestionably shape us. Omaha is a blue-collar kind of place and that alone will give you perspective as long as you allow it to.
