Staten Island Sound

From The Peopling of New York City

An Island as a Resource

"I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take the energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time"-The RZA (18)

The definition of an island is an isolated landmass that is significantly smaller than a continent and surrounded by water. Not surprisingly, when Staten Island comes to mind, most people tend to think of forgotten and isolated. Isolation brings the ability to be unique, the ability to remain self-conscious and the ability to be in tune with the surroundings. These factors all provide the natives of Staten Island a certain essence of creativity through solitude that many other boroughs cannot imitate. One group of people in particular--musicians--have taken to harnessing the factors that Staten Island offers to become unique. To be recognized and separated as an individual rather than part of a whole. In a practical sense, Staten Island itself is an individual despite being part of the city and thus it has a very different atmosphere. Several musicians/artists who have lived on Staten Island exhibit the same qualities through their music, reinforcing the unique environment the borough offers.

Impact of Music on Staten Island

Music is an artistic form that is shaped by the forces that surround it. In this sense, the converse of that statement also proves to be valid. The surroundings are affected by the music derived from it. When that concept is applied to Staten Island, the best example of how music has influenced a specific area is the infamous Wu-Tang Clan. The impact the hip-hop group has on Staten Island was noticed in my survey. When asked to name three things that come to mind when Staten Island is mentioned, several said Shaolin. The Wu-Tang Clan gave the nickname of Shaolin to the borough. The origins of the nickname come from the history and background of the group itself. In The Tao of Wu, the RZA discloses the fact that the members of the group were all avid fans of martial arts and film associated with it. “The name says we’re Wu-Tang warriors, we’re from Shaolin, and we’re a Clan, which means family. That last part’s just as crucial because it is about a connection to something bigger than yourself, which is where the greatest strength comes from.” (58). As musicians, the Wu-Tang Clan was shaped by their surroundings. In return their music shaped that which surrounded them. In this case, that particular surrounding was the borough of Staten Island. Many people can affiliate Staten Island with the hip-hop group and the nickname bestowed upon it.

Wu-Tang Clan

Throw your W's up!!!

Producer and one of the founders of the Clan, The RZA. Courtesy of commons.wikipedia.org

Wu-Tang live performance, courtesy of commons.wikipedia.org

In Tune with the Island

“Unlike other boroughs, Staten Island has a sense of insularity, where the ideals of a community are relatively stronger than that of Manhattan or Brooklyn. In the city, artists are competing with others to reach the top whereas on Staten Island, most of the artists are all part of a larger community that looks after one another.”-Gena Mimozo (Member of COAHSI and The Headlocks)

Gena brings up an interesting point during our conversation about how people identify themselves on Staten Island. When asked where they are from, most likely, Staten Islanders simply respond Staten Island whereas in other boroughs people strongly identify with neighborhoods. This helped to clarify the individuality Staten Island exhibits in the fact that people identify with a larger community.

Isolation often leads to something original. Something unique. In a larger sense, this doesn’t only apply to music and the musicians/artists of Staten Island. It applies to culture. The culture of Staten Island is distinct similar to how cultures around the world are unique in their own way. Usually the term culture is associated with a particular society and a particular time and place. You hear people say African American culture, Spanish culture or Japanese culture. It is often attached to a certain ethnic background. For Staten Island culture, the more appropriate definition would be: the tastes in art and manners favored by a certain group. Due to the fact that Staten Island is a unique borough given its separation from the city and other boroughs, Staten Island has developed its own identity and culture. And according to Gena Mimozo, “What is culture without art and music? Culture evolves from art and music and helps to define an area or group of people.” Since the culture of Staten Island is unique and refined, the music shaping that culture should be distinct and representative of its origin.

Local Bands/Artists

These are some of the many local bands of Staten Island. They truly give the borough its sound and individuality in music as an artistic outlet. Support our artists and give them a listen! You may even find some unexpected treasures within.

Local

“People don’t know about the borough. When they hear something good from or of Staten Island they’re surprised. Plus I like the fact we have something to prove.”-Andrew DiLorenzo (WSIA program director)

WSIA 88.9 FM

Process of Fusion

A progressive/rap-rock band from Staten Island.

Process of Fusion takes you behind the scenes in a humorous introduction to the band members and what they do.

The Headlocks

Staten Island based folk rock/indie rock/country band that covers a wide range of musical genres.

The Headlocks, winner of the College of Staten Island battle of the bands perform live on Van Duzer Street located in the neighborhood of Stapleton.

Ingrid Michaelson

Ingrid Michaelson is a female solo artist who was born and raised on Staten Island, she is well known for her single The Way I Am. Several of her songs have been played on T.V. and she has toured Europe with Jason Mraz. While researching my topic, I found out that Ingrid Michaelson graduated from the same high school I attended!

Below, Ingrid performs "Keep Breathing" Live from the artists den

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Cymbals Eat Guitars is an intriguing pop/indie rock/experimental band that borders on the edge of the sonic field.

Watch the video below, an interview done by Dirty Laundry, to gain more insight into what the group is about and their music. Don't forget to check out Cymbals Eat Guitars--And The Hazy Sea

Sources

• DiLorenzo, Andrew. Personal interview. 6 Apr. 2010.

• Mimozo, Gena. Personal interview. 9 Apr. 2010.

• RZA, and Chris Norris. The Tao of Wu. New York: Riverhead, 2009. Print.