Despite 11 years of writing, touring and recording, Atmosphere still insists on a reaction. Indifferent about social acceptance, genre inclusion or industry approval, Slug (aka Sean Daley) is satisfied with pushing a reaction and adamant on an individual progression or evolution -- anything but complacency validates him internally.
And like those who identify with or against him, Slug is unapologetic in his own transitional nature. Understanding himself today only in terms of his life 10 years ago, he understands his stages of life lend themselves to one another; allowing highs only through lows and finding clarity only through confusion.
"If I were to cater to what you want or come play a show to Milwaukee and just play all those old songs that you love, then that's it. Then there's no challenge; I'm not challenging you," Slug explains. "For me, it's more important for me to do what I want and hope you like it. But if you don't, well, then at least I made you confront it and decide you don't like it. For me, that's the push."
Clearly not catering, but no doubt visibly accepted, Atmosphere came to town last night with a full band in tow at the Riverside Theater. Coming to Milwaukee's Pabst or Riverside Theaters several tours in a row, this time, Slug and Anthony Davis (aka Ant) brought an ensemble including vocalist Mankwe Ndosi, guitarist Nate Collins and keyboardist Erick Anderson.
Earlier this year, Atmosphere released its sixth album "If Life Gives you Lemons, Paint that Shit Gold." Completely devoid of typical sampling, the album reveals a new evolution in Atmosphere's sound and artistry.
Last night's "Paint the Nation" tour did not sell out, but it would have been hard to tell. The packed first and second levels were animated from the start; a full audience present and energized to hear opening acts DJ Rare Groove and Blueprint.
Throwing off the customary hip-hop tendency for short shows and bad acoustics, Atmosphere performed a fully satisfying show. Playing for a full hour and a half, Atmosphere's intense set justly balanced a mixture of old, new and improvised songs. Utilizing Ndosi's vocals, Slug and Ant put an live spin on relative oldies like "God Loves Ugly," "Try to Find a Balance" and "Smart Went Crazy."
Slug's conversation is strikingly poetic and refreshingly honest. As the discussion continues, he becomes less a separate identity and more a public persona of Atmosphere's voice Sean Daley.
"I think as you shed the need to be accepted and start to grow your own skin and then your actions start to be yourself and when you can be yourself, there's a great amount of inspiration. Writing and inspiration becomes second nature," Slug explains in a phone interview a few days before the show. "I think more and more the time that you spend with yourself can be where the inspiration comes from."
Just as vehement in his personal actions as his interpretation of his work, Sean's self-deprecating demeanor reveals his humble yet determined nature.
"When we first started, we just got in the car and stayed on the road for five years. And we just kept coming back to everybody's city over and over," Slug explains. "So maybe that's the key to Atmosphere's success. It wasn't about the music, the music is important, don't get me wrong, but it was a matter of what each sacrificed in order to promote the album. You create art for yourself and once it's done, you start to think how do I convince people to give this a listen."
In the truest sense, Atmosphere's art replicates life. A constant reflection of inner struggle and conflict, Slug never mastered the art of image imitation and his faulty ability to copy or fake it may very well be his inventive asset.
"I really think our sound came out of our ignorance and inability to figure out how to make music that sounded like standard hip-hop," Slug admits. "We were trying to sound like mainstream rap in the technical sense but because we just really couldn't do it that well, we got this lo-fi sound lyrically and musically. I think people grasped onto it because it made people think they could do it, too."
Releasing essentially two albums and four EP projects in the last year and half, Slug's dedication to hard work manifests itself in the continuous flow of releases from self-created Rhymesayers label.
"I don't glue my success to my creativity; I glue it to my work ethic. I think that's a very common mistake people make with art, when they realize that their pretty good at what they do, there's a notion of self-entitlement. To me, painting the picture is not what's going to bring you success; it's how you can figure out how to get that picture in front of people," Slug says.
Honestly considerate of his unavoidable change in perspective now over 10 years into a professional career, Slug recognizes he very well could have been a local blue collar employee. Meager beginnings all within the confines of Minneapolis, Slug's influences were 100% local.
Revealed in his latest album, Slug's new-found maturity, self-approval and personal perspective only solidify his ability to affect his audience. Driven to challenge the intellectual complacency both in his fans, his music and himself, Atmosphere provides much more than your typical hip-hop show.
"It's funny, you'll find kids who argue about atmosphere and say now that Atmosphere is successful, they suck. I understand it; it's an identity crisis. You don't want to have anything to do with it, because that makes you feel like you're just another one of the sheep," Slug explains. "But now at 36, I look at it and think at least I'm still playing a role in your identity. Even if the role is the role of the guy that got successful and now you hate me, then stand up and do that- because that's important."
Prior to last night's show, Slug did an in-store meet and greet yesterday afternoon at The Exclusive Company location on Farwell Avenue. Greeted by about 150 fans, Slug got the opportunity to sign albums and take a few photos.
"We love to give people something unique and a full experience. In store shows or signings are a great chance for new artists to expose their music and for established artists to meet with fans," says Terry Hackbarth, The Exclusive Company store manager.
Acknowledging the self-autobiographical nature of Slug's previous album, he is insistent the latest release is still brutally honest yet much less reflective of his own current phase.
"The only real responsibility I feel when I'm writing is to tell the truth. And that doesn't mean I won't make up a story that's fictional but there has to be a common truth that binds that story together," Slug states. "I think my only responsibility as a communicator is to make people understand there are resolutions, consequences and reactions to all of your actions."
Regardless of the inspiration, a sympathetic guilt tones each fictional character as an extension of himself. It may not be literally him now or ever been him in the past, but most definitely each representation is a part of who he has become.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
