Artist of the Day | DRAGON FLI EMPIRE
ARTIST OF THE DAY
07.10.2020
DRAGON FLI EMPIRE
LOCATION
Calgary, AB
GENRE
Hip Hop
CURRENT MEMBERS
Teekay (emcee)
Cosm (DJ/producer)
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
COSM: We were in the midst of releasing our new album, "Banff Avenue".
TEEKAY: It had been almost 7 years since we released our last project, "Mission Statement" in 2013, although we'd done a few vinyl 45s in the meantime. But "Banff Avenue" was meant to re-spark interest leading up to a few solo and group albums to come. The pandemic ramping up how it did was very unexpected but we pushed forward to release the album anyway, and it's gotten a lot of love, reaching #1 on the Earshot hip hop charts a couple of weeks. "Banff Avenue" has also been picked up for a vinyl release by a UK label coming soon.
How has that affected your plans for the coming months? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
COSM: We had to cancel tours in Canada and France. We were also scheduled to open for the Pharcyde and perform at the Calgary Folk Music Festival.
TEEKAY: In the early 2010s, we did five tours of Europe which were career highlights. It was a long-overdue return planned for 2020, which unfortunately had to be put on hold. The dates in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon would have been a lot of fun as well to properly celebrate "Banff Avenue". Luckily we were able to eventually film a video for the track "Overtime" from the album, after a couple of COVID-related delays, and we're really happy with how that turned out.
Opening for the Pharcyde would have been another special experience, we're really lucky to have opened for most of our hip hop heroes over the years. And the two times we've played the Calgary Folk Music Festival previously have also been career highlights, hoping to play it in 2021 since 2020 was cancelled.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home?
COSM: We’ve focused on web-based promotion for Banff Avenue, including performances for Alberta Spotlight, URGNT and the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Personally, I’ve attended a bunch of online film festivals, made a bunch of beats and gone for bike rides. My radio show/podcast keeps me busy too.
TEEKAY: Musically I've worked on a few collaborations with different artists in addition to the DFE web promotion. I've also gone on a lot of walks, taken a few bike rides and visited the mountains several times. I've also gotten more into cooking meals from scratch.
What was the first thing you did/place you went to now the country is starting to slowly re-open?
COSM: Two things that come to mind are having a slurpee and going out to see a movie.
TEEKAY: Yeah going back to the movie theater to watch a Bruce Lee movie was one of the first things. Also going to restaurants again.
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
COSM: Hmm... Probably opening for Blackalicious.
TEEKAY: The first time we played Starlite as part of Hip Hop for Hunger in 2004 was incredible, such a huge crowd. Big ups to Arlo Maverick for having us as part of that and his support over the years. Edmonton is like a second home for us.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
COSM: Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this! The arts seem more important than ever and I can’t wait to experience live music again.
TEEKAY: Couldn't agree more. Support local artists! Support local music venues! Such an important part of our country's cultural fabric.
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