1) A 'downtempo' / 'trip-hop' group, consisting of Andy Caldwell (keyboards), Gabriel Rene (keyboards), Mei-Lwun Yee (turntables) & Gina Rene (vocals). They have released a string of house / drum and bass classics, including "Tenderly" & "Lovely." Featuring remix work by Kevin Yost, Johnny Fiasco & Acetate - these 12"s have brought Soulstice into clubs worldwide, on the playlists of notable artists, such as Rainer Trüby, DJ Garth, Mark Farina & Q-Burns Abstract Message. Stateside, their debut album "Illusion" has garnered radio support, from Jason Bentley & Kevin Lincoln, making Soulstice one of KCRW's most requested artists.
In 1989 Gabriel and Mei-Lwun were working on a hip-hop track in the Rene family studio. "The track was cool," says Gabriel, "but Mei-Lwun and I couldn't rap." They asked little sister Gina to give it a try, and the rest is history. It wasn't till some time later that Soulstice finally materialized after collaboration between Andy and Gabriel in 1995. "I knew the first time I worked on a track with Gabe that this was right. Making music with my brother was where I was supposed to be. The chemistry between all of us was so obvious and it was such a natural high whenever we'd get together." reflects Gina.
Approaching production from a collaborative standpoint, Soulstice often developed many of the sounds and ideas they used from the freestyle sessions they originally became known for. Soulstice continued to refine their sound with emotive song writing and detailed arrangements. From playing to a few hundred people at 111 Minna St to playing sold out shows at the 1200 capacity historic Fillmore Theatre, SF, Soulstice have come a long way in their musical journey. "We live and breathe our music, everything comes from us. The song is king, it's all about the lyrics." says Andy. "Like a lyrical journal, I lay out my experiences and melodies to connect to the present in our music. I get the feeling that the whole band's lyrical ability to be so honest about the struggle of growing into adulthood really brings the listener in." describes Gina.
The debut album "Illusion" is a true collective work of art. Five years in the making, Soulstice emerge as the driving force behind putting the music back into electronica. "Using the electronic medium does not mean that the music can't be organic," explains Andy, "there is more to electronic music than beats and samples." As an American band in a widely European genre of dance music, Soulstice are pioneering the stateside convergence in the sophistication of electronic music. "The creative process that drives Soulstice, now 5 years later, is more disciplinary. Songwriting is the main focus and we have input where it used to be me writing the majority of lyrics/melodies. It's exciting to open up the arena, for example, Mei-Lwun shares his poetic skills or I'd suggest a break beat." says Gina.
With headlining the Sounds of Om World Tour beginning in March, releasing a number of extremely sought after remixes, Gina's voice blessing numerous 12" singles throughout the Om family, and smoking DJ club nights with Gabriel, Mei-Lwun, and Andy, the sky is the limit for Soulstice. "Music is everything. It's like my love, my life partner. It's also about healing; it's therapy. I love it and I know it's healing other people." explains Gina. Soulstice's debut album "Illusion" on San Francisco's OM Records hits streets April 24, 2001.
2) The extraordinary MC Soulstice To say that SoulStice spits knowledge would be an understatement; after all, he does have a Masters Degree in Electrical Computer Engineering and holds down a position with the Department of Defensive. Yet, SoulStice reiterates that his day job affords him the opportunity to pursue his true passion in life - Hiphop! Ten years of grind, development and immersion culminated in the fall of 2003 for SoulStice with the release of, The Melody, a piano-laden banger that introduced SoulStice to the world. The Melody quickly climbed up the club and college radio charts, hitting number 1 and proving that SoulStice was an artist to watch. The most recent double-single, Always / The Quickening hit the streets in early 2005 and culminated in another number one chart position, spending 14 weeks on the club and college radio charts, earning modest BDS-recorded commercial radio spins and critical acclaim in the US and overseas. Sharing the stage with artists as diverse as John Legend and Wu-Tang Clan has set the proper foundation for SoulStice to shine and lead by the soulful production of Oddisee (who has worked with J-Live, Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli), SoulStice documents his long and winding journey from the windy city of Chicago to the nations capitol of Washington, DC, fusing the signature Chicago funk and groove based sound with the thump of classic East Coast boom bap over the course of his 14-track debut North By Northwest.
3) "This '90s hardcore band had everything going for them; they were from syracuse, had the same drummer that displayed his amazing skills in Green Rage, Guav the straight edge weapon did their logo, and Joel Jordan did their 7" layout." - coregasm
4) A vibrant and eclectic student-organized a cappella ensemble at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. They arrange, choreograph and perform popular songs and old favourites in a number of styles, including pop, indie and jazz. The repertoire changes from year to year and members are always encouraged to arrange new songs. Some of their latest additions include “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles, “Going, Going, Gone” by Stars, “Woods” by Bon Iver and “Sea Lion Woman” by Feist.
Lovely
Soulstice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The emptiness and pain that was inside of me
My faded memory only reminds me
How you helped put the past behind be
You are the one like sun
Beaming light rays into my eyes
You are the like the sun
I can't describe the way I feel
The words escape me it so real
But you're lovely in the best way
Lovely like the rain on a summers day
You wash away my pain in every way
You came along and showed me that I made it
And they say that love is never
For the jaded
I can't describe the way I feel
The words escape me it's so real
But you're lovely
In the best way
Because you're lovely so lovely
In the best way
So lovely in the best way
You came along and showed me that I made it
And they say that love is never for the jaded
The lyrics of Soulstice's song "Lovely" speaks volumes about finding love after a time of emptiness and pain. The singer looks back at their life and sees the voids that were present within until they found someone who helped them confront their past and put it behind them. The opening lines of the song bear witness to the idea that sometimes life seems incomplete and unsatisfactory, despite the material success one has achieved. However, the partner is portrayed as someone who fills those gaps, brightens every day, and illuminates the singer's life with love, just like the sun beams light rays into their eyes.
The lyrics create the metaphor that the partner's love is like the rain that comes in the summers, washing away all the pain, cleansing the soul, and leaving behind renewed warmth and a sense of revived life. The song speaks of the inexpressible feeling that the singer has for their loved one that is too overwhelming for words but is genuine and true. The song bursts with positivity and celebrates the possibilities of finding love and companionship that can show one the way to move on from the past and embrace the present.
Overall, Soulstice's song "Lovely" is a beautiful celebration of finding love after experiencing emptiness and pain. The song uses bright metaphors to compare the partner's love to the sun and the rain, both of which bring warmth, illumination, and a sense of renewal. The lyrics evoke a sense of positivity and celebration of life with the partner, and the message is one of hope and renewal, presenting the idea that we can always find love and a way to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back at my life I see
Reflecting on my past, I realize the loneliness and pain that consumed me
The emptiness and pain that was inside of me
The void and agony were deep-rooted within my soul
My faded memory only reminds me
My blurry recollection only serves as a reminder
How you helped put the past behind me
You assisted me in moving on from my past struggles
You are the one like sun
You were the one who came into my life and brightened my outlook
Beaming light rays into my eyes
You brought clarity and joy into my world
I can't describe the way I feel
The intensity of my emotions cannot be articulated
The words escape me it so real
My sentiments are too genuine for me to verbalize
But you're lovely in the best way
You are beautiful and perfect in every aspect
Lovely like the rain on a summer's day
Your loveliness is like the refreshing rain on a hot summer's day
You wash away my pain in every way
You alleviate my suffering in every possible manner
You came along and showed me that I made it
You arrived and proved to me that I had succeeded
And they say that love is never for the jaded
Some may believe that love cannot prevail when one is tired or disillusioned
Because you're lovely so lovely
You are captivating and truly wonderful
In the best way
In every conceivable way, you are remarkable
So lovely in the best way
You are exquisite and exceptional in every possible way
Lyrics © THE MUSIC FORCE LLC
Written by: BOBBY CALDWELL, HENRY MARX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind