Asbury Park has been a hotbed of musical talent for several decades and music has been a key factor in maintaining the area’s position as a center for artistic expression. While there has never been a shortage of indie rock acts and singer/songwriters, recently the city has become a cornerstone of NJ’s Hip-Hop scene with artists like Joe College, OFFTOP and Kidz from the Burbz selling out traditional rock venues like House of Independents, The Saint and Asbury Park Yacht Club.
While both the Indie Rock and Hip-Hop scenes are flourishing, there is relatively little crossover between the two audiences. Sure, LYONS might do a show with Chris Rockwell or a creative DJ might seamlessly mix between both genres, but there is relatively little collaboration between artists from the proverbial “other side of town”…Until NOW!
Released in the summer of 2017, “Dark City Lights” by singer/songwriter Matty Carlock and hard-edged rapper Bulletproof Belv features a rare mix of styles while paying tribute to the city’s thriving nightlife. The accompanying video features landmarks like The Saint and Convention Hall and shows that while both artists are absolutely worth checking out on their own, when they link up there is truly “magic in the air.”
I recently got a chance to catch up with both Matty and Belv to discuss Asbury’s current music scene, how artists from different genres approach the grind of the music industry and how one of the coolest NJ collaborations in recent memory happened.
Check out the interview below and look for more from both artists soon.
Where are you from and who are your earliest musical influences?
Bullet Proof Belv: I’m from Asbury Park, NJ and my earliest musical influences were Michael Jackson, Usher, 2pac & Biggie.
Matty Carlock: I’m from Middletown, NJ. My earliest influences are Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, CCR, Eminem, and a lot of top 40 pop like N’sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and stuff like that. Which I loved, because it taught me a lot about hooks and the blueprint of making hits.
When did you decide to stop being a fan and become an artist?
BB: As a child I performed in church, in front of friends, family and school events. I’ve always been a fan and a performer.
MC: From the beginning I always felt compelled to perform and create. As a kid, I also felt a little pushed aside by my peers, so I was that awkward kid even in elementary school who was in his own head and world all day waiting to come home to perform in my bed room.
How would you describe your music to somebody that has never heard it before?
BB: I’d describe my music as feelings put into harmony/rap.
MC: Lately, I’ve been having trouble doing that because I’m a hardcore kid, who fronted hardcore bands, singing folk music with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, now producing, singing, and running with rappers. So I recently found myself in a unique spot. I just kinda chuckle and say I’m a folk singer like Bob Dylan and then they go find something that’s the opposite.
How many shows do you do a month? How do you structure your live shows?
BB: I just finished my album in November and only did one show in NC and I had another show April 25th.
MC: For the past 8-10 years I’ve been touring around 5-6 months out of the year. From the US to Canada to the UK / Germany / Middle East. This is the longest stretch I’ve been home for and I’m going bananas.
I structure my live shows with a stool next to me for my cup of throat coat tea, my harmonicas, and I stand with my acoustic guitar and I tell stories about my life and attempt to connect with my audience in that very intimate setting.
How did you meet each other? How did the collaboration come about?
BB: I met Matty through a friend name Joe. He asked me to work with him and I was going through something and it took like a year for Joe to ask me again and I guess you can say it was the right time and place because we made magic.
Matty sent over two beats that I really couldn’t flow with and the third beat he sent, I wrote to it in less than an hour. We went to his basement that week or so and laid down the original vocals… Amazing is all I have to say.
MC: I met Belv through my good friend Joe None, the founding member of Second To None / Shattered Realm. Me and Joe were running together in the hardcore world and Belv is from the neighborhood and featured on the Shattered Realm song “Bring the Violence Back.”
Within my crew, Belv had this weird myth about him. Everybody in the hardcore world called him “Bangs.” I did a tour with Shattered Realm and Death Before Dishonor and Joe showed me his actual music and I was floored being the Hip-Hop head I am. So I contacted him and next thing you know we’re on it. Dark City Lights was a song called “London” that I wrote in London on tour singing for Shai Hulud, so we switched it to “Dark City.”
What is next for you?
BB: I have a single out that I’m pushing called “Wait For Me” which is getting a buzz.
MC: I have a lot, maybe a little too much coming up. Still pushing “Dark City Lights.” I have a video dropping for my song with Cage (underground Hip-Hop legend) called “Veins”. I have a single with Albee Al called “I’m Still In Love With You” that’s dropping very soon. Also a single with Chad B and Belv is on that as well. Then this summer I had my first proper solo LP dropping and I’ll be touring and playing out on that as much as possible. Record release show at the end of the summer at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC. Just moving man!
Rapid Fire Questions:
Top 5 Rappers of All Time:
Bulletproof Belv: 50 cent, 2pac, Jay Z, Kendrick, Eminem
Matty Carlock: Nas, Jay, Pac, Big, Em
Top 4 places to perform live:
BB: Summer Jam, New York, LA, Atlanta
MC: 02 Institute in Glasgow, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, Mike Pesce’s basement and any hardcore show in a New Brunswick basement, with 20 kids, sweating, and screaming, and cutting loose.
Top 3 Producers you would like to work with (money is no object)
BB: El Trapo Cheese, Dr Dre & an unknown producer where we can both make a hit.
MC: Scott Storch, Dr. Dre and a country record with Ryan Adams
Top 2 Vocalists (rappers or singers) you would like to collaborate with in the future
BB: 2 Loyal (Local Artist) and PNB Rock
MC: I’m an underdog, I always will be. I use my music to fight through whatever I’m going through…so I’d really like to work with Meek Mill. That dude inspires me. On the flip – I’d love to collaborate with Conor Oberst on a country / folk song. He’s one of my all-time heroes.
Top 1 Reason everybody should check you out…
BB: One reason everybody should check me out is because only they can decide whether or not they will like my music.
MC: I don’t know if they should, nor if I should tell them why they should. If you go down my rabbit hole you’re going to find extreme pain, emotion, honesty, and a rawness that others lack. You’re going to find me telling my story across every genre there is, and you’re going to find a kid who’s just screwed up mentally, and emotionally, trying to get it right.
