Kavet the Catalyst

Melissa Moniz
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Friday - April 25, 2008
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The 411

With a brand new baby boy, Kavet the Catalyst’s coined phrase,“Don’t Sleep,” has taken on a whole new meaning.

Besides his sleepless nights at the club, it’s sleepless nights at the crib for the new daddy.

But baby Koltrane hasn’t slowed him down. In fact, it was just the push he needed to wrap up some unfinished songs. Within weeks, Kavet’s newly released album, Television Head, was ready for distribution and in the hands of loyal fans.

The album features 10 tracks: Inception, Mann Up, Light Lip, Breath, Stay Focus, Mystery 2000, Dusty Digital, Liquid Sunshine and Exertation.The album, which is rooted in early 2000, speaks of the path that Kavet has walked in the past eight years and culminates his love for music.


“My dad was a jazz musician, and he had a huge vinyl collection, so I was born into the roots of hip-hop with those records and I’ve always loved music,” says Kavet.

The Lightsleepers mogul and a local hip-hop fixture, Kavet has worked the radio airwaves, the clubs and the underground scene to keep the music flowing. The KTUH alumnus has been influential not only in music, but also has made his mark as a skateboarder, b-boy, producer and promoter.

“In 10 years I hope to be making music as well as producing whole albums for new MC’s,” says Kavet. “I’ve got some huge things in the making that I can’t talk about, but will affect my next 10. Lightsleepers’ been around for over 10 years and we are just starting.”

In the works is a collaborative album with DJ Observ and a group project with Sentr1c and Mill Bill of the crew ECMassive. Kavet also is putting his producing skills to work, as he works with NoMasterBacks on its new album and Temper T’s solo release. For more info about Kavet and Lightsleepers, visit www.lightsleepers.net

 

Q’nA

Kavet the Catalyst
Kavet the Catalyst

Can you talk about your new CD and the feel and sound of it? Television Head is actually a bunch of songs that were incomplete. A few only had one verse, and others only had a chorus. Over the years, I sort of lost focus of the music aspect of my life. Of course, I was DJing, and putting on events, but I wasn’t writing new raps or banging out new beats like I used to. So when my son Koltrane was born, he inspired and put me in focus to finish this CD. The sound is gritty, analog and fun hip-hop from Hawaii.

How does this album compare to your previous releases? The only difference is that it will be distributed and have digital distribution. The sound is consistent, more dusty than digital.

Has being a new dad influenced your music? Yes, I want my son to see that I did something with what I have been blessed with. I want to tell him that I traveled and performed in Montreal, New York, L.A., Seattle in front of a crowd of 10 people to thousands. I don’t want him to ask me why didn’t I keep making music.

Where can you be spotted around town? I usually play at my own events, i.e. Trip the Lights and Inertia. Besides that, I have been blessed to do a few but quality and choice performances, either opening for big names or headlining small, fun, independent events. Back when I was young and paying dues, Flash, G-spot, G-Dog, DMFD, Lucas, Jamal, always put me on, so I am doing the same for Hawaii’s hip-hop community.

What message do you hope you give the youth? That it is possible to dream big and achieve those dreams even on an island in the middle of the sea.


What are your biggest musical accomplishments? Being able to make music and have people like it. Being able to say I was a part of Hawaii’s hiphop history. Meeting all of freestyle fellowship and actually befriending them. Man, what is small to some people is biggest to me. I have so many.

Who has been most inspirational for you and your music? My faith in God is a huge inspiration. Also my homie and crew member EP, who passed a few years ago. He was a devastating MC and we loved hip-hop. Now it’s my son and wife, what a blessing.

What is your favorite aspect of music? The ability to translate your feelings, emotions, thoughts and ideas in 3 to 5 minutes.Also the creation, from start to finish. In hip-hop we can take what other people forgot or think is garbage and put together something melodic and beautiful.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? I love the Shins,Mars Volta, and Block Party, Aesop Rock, Project Blowed, Nuk Fam, Babbletron. David Bowie - his late ‘70s stuff is classic! I love vinyl, old rock, funk, jazz. Man, I love so much music.

 

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