There are, at least, four artists known as Soulstice: 1) A downtempo / trip… Read Full Bio ↴There are, at least, four artists known as Soulstice: 1) A downtempo / trip-hop group, with: Andy Caldwell, Gabriel Rene, Mei-Lwun Yee & Gina Rene. 2) A Chicago native MC (half of Wade Waters & solo). 3) A from Syracuse vegan straight edge band (early to mid '90's). 4) An a cappella ensemble comprised of students at McGill University in Montréal, Québec.

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.

SleepWalk
Soulstice Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

See, all stories are eventually told
At the center of my soul I'm a century old
Waves torn in the surf
You's paid more than it worth
Riding on ice but playing from the core of the earth
North is morale past the crows trying to get south
Those want you to get out rest and [?] you to stay down
All day fighters been all night riders sleepwalking,

Lured by the song of the siren
Looking for truth man, looked it aloof
And I found proof - the human heart is not sound proof
But cant be ruled if properly lured
But the source of the melody is gotta be pure
That's why our quest for freedom like a [?]
Used to be about war but it's not anymore
So lets uplift it
Awake it seem like it misses
So I dream while I [?] it, so I dream while I spin it

Right or wrong, live life, write a line about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a verse about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a song about it
(Right or wrong, writing songs night to dawn life long)
I'm just...
Right or wrong, live life, write a line about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a verse about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a song about it
(Right or wrong, writing songs night to dawn life long, right)

I spin it so you dream [?] write lines to dreams
Fluid life times are seen through it, this is the music
The soul cant be killed so death can't be real
That's why I can't be quiet, I can't be still
I gotta shout it, gotta write it how I feel
If I get back up that's what's up, then that's the deal
Pages of vacuums that swallow black fumes
I meditate on beaches, winds bury me in sand dunes
Architecture - build [?]
So build I'm strong enough, they gotta handle the pressure
Learn to sabotage when you have to go
Maybe you'll be glad to know there's really no average Joe
Forget about the status quo
Before I stood above I sat below
Whats the meaning, huh?
I'm living it like I'm dreaming it, right, dreaming, this right
Another day, another night, another reason to write

Right or wrong, live life, write a line about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a verse about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a song about it
(Right or wrong, writing songs night to dawn life long)
I'm just...
Right or wrong, live life, write a line about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a verse about it
Right or wrong, live life, write a song about it
(Right or wrong, writing songs night to dawn life long)

Whether right, wrong, night to dawn I just
Let the lines go all night long

Or [?] really - what's it all me
Now I'm steady writing like I'm living a dream

Overall Meaning

In the first set of lyrics, Soulstice discusses the idea that all stories eventually come to an end, and that at the center of their soul, they feel like they've lived for a century. They compare themselves to waves in the surf, being pulled in different directions and feeling like they've been paid less than they're worth. But despite this, they continue to ride on, playing from the core of the earth. They also touch on the idea that people may try to bring you down or hold you back, but you have to keep fighting and pushing forward. The metaphor of sleepwalking is used to represent this idea - even though you're not fully awake, you're still moving forward. The song also explores the idea of finding truth and how the human heart is not soundproof, but it can be guided by pure sources of inspiration. Soulstice ends the set of lyrics by emphasizing the importance of dreaming and writing, regardless of whether it's right or wrong - it's about living life and expressing oneself through the power of music.

The second set of lyrics continues the themes explored in the first set. Soulstice talks about using music to express the soul and how music can't be killed, just like the soul can't be killed by death. They talk about the need to speak out and write about how you feel, even if it may not be popular or accepted by others. The idea of pressure is also touched upon, and how it can be overcome by building a strong foundation. Soulstice ends the song by discussing the importance of dreaming and living as if you're in a dream, constantly writing and expressing yourself through music.

Line by Line Meaning

See, all stories are eventually told
Everything that happens eventually becomes a story that can be told.

At the center of my soul I'm a century old
My soul feels very old, as if it has lived for a hundred years.

Waves torn in the surf
The waves in the ocean are rough and chaotic.

You's paid more than it worth
You've paid more than it's really worth.

Riding on ice but playing from the core of the earth
Even though it feels like I'm taking a risk, I am grounded in my beliefs and values.

North is morale past the crows trying to get south
The right path is further north, away from those who are trying to lead me in the wrong direction.

Those want you to get out rest and [?] you to stay down
Some people want you to stop trying and give up on your dreams.

All day fighters been all night riders sleepwalking,
I've been working hard all day and all night, but sometimes it feels like I'm not fully awake and aware of what's happening around me.

Lured by the song of the siren
I am tempted by things that seem delightful at first, but can lead to danger.

Looking for truth man, looked it aloof
I've been searching for the truth, but sometimes I've been distant and indifferent.

And I found proof - the human heart is not sound proof
I've realized that the human heart is vulnerable to pain and suffering.

But cant be ruled if properly lured
But the heart can be influenced and guided towards positive things if the right methods are used.

But the source of the melody is gotta be pure
The underlying motivations and intentions behind something need to be pure and good in order for it to have a positive impact.

That's why our quest for freedom like a [?]
This is why our search for freedom is like a journey that is ongoing and never-ending.

Used to be about war but it's not anymore
The fight for freedom used to be about fighting with weapons, but now it's more about fighting for justice and equality in other ways.

So lets uplift it
We should work to elevate and improve the situation.

Awake it seem like it misses
When we're awake and alert, it can feel like something is still missing or not quite right.

So I dream while I [?] it, so I dream while I spin it
So I continue to work towards my goals and dreams, even when I'm not fully awake or aware.

Right or wrong, live life, write a line about it
Whether something is right or wrong, live your life and write about your experiences.

Right or wrong, live life, write a verse about it
Regardless of whether something is good or bad, live your life and express yourself through your writing.

Right or wrong, live life, write a song about it
Regardless of whether something is right or wrong, live your life and express yourself through your music.

(Right or wrong, writing songs night to dawn life long)
Writing songs is a lifelong pursuit, whether you're right or wrong, and whether it's day or night.

I'm just...
I'm simply...

Whether right, wrong, night to dawn I just
Regardless of whether something is right or wrong, or whether it's nighttime or daytime, I simply...

Let the lines go all night long
I let my creativity and inspiration guide me late into the night.

Or [?] really - what's it all me
Or maybe it's not really up to me - maybe it's out of my control.

Now I'm steady writing like I'm living a dream
Right now, I'm writing with such passion and purpose that it feels like I'm living a dream.

Contributed by Emily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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