Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself?
Koldwun Freeze: Wud up Xttrawave!! My name is Koldwun Freeze, 1 half of the infamous Phantoms of Phoenix!
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
Koldwun Freeze: In my early days as a kid, I took an interest becoming a film director. I had many creative ideas in my head and always wanted them to come to life.
I use to record funny skits and make movies with friends. I even went to school for it for a while. However, when I found music, it all kind of changed. I realized that I was able to take my thoughts, my experiences and paint a mental picture to an audience.
Music first appeared to me when I was living in New York. I use to see some of my friends in freestyle cyphers.
As we were waiting for the bus or at the cafeteria in school. I always found Hip Hop interesting and was always found in my headphones. Hot 97 played on my stereo as I recorded shows. I even watch Yo! MTV Raps to find new Hip Hop acts. From Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. They all would play a part of the big picture..
I knew it was on when I moved to Arizona. I use to record mixtapes with my brother and a few cats I went to school with.
In 2003 I met my label mate and rap brother in the biz, Synasta. I was working at a local Hip Hop radio station in Phoenix. Synasta was a rotating DJ at a local night club. Onyx was the headliner that night at the Cajun house in Scottsdale, AZ . We talked Hip Hop and Horror Core, years later the rest was history. From then on, we made music together ever since.
Tell us about your new album and what’s the story behind it?
Koldwun Freeze: My new album The Passport is a journey to those that can escape reality. In “Ethics of Travel” I say ”We all got a passport, are you down for the ride”?? Because that’s what it is. It’s one of those records that you put on and let it ride.
Like how people listen to vinyl and discs back in the day. You don’t have to take some kind of exotic vacation to get away and reset. Sometimes you just got to throw on the head phones, walk up the street and get lost a few times. In most times, that is moment of clarity that we all need to get away. Some of the best memories made, are the ones we stumble across and are not exactly looking for.
The album plays as both a chill kick back vibe and few tracks you can wild out to. It touches base on everything that I found to be a great part of my life. Many late nights in the making of it and some great classic memories were made as well recording it. It is a great treat to those who love hip hop.
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it?
Koldwun Freeze: All different life stories and experiences.. There is always a message and a positive one that listeners can relate to.
In the music that we (Phantoms of Phoenix) make, every song is written with the intent of what it would be like in a music video or live performance. The beauty of it is that we don’t sound like anyone else.. From Phantoms of Phoenix to Koldwun Freeze. We always come as ourselves while making music. People put us in the area of Hip Hop, Rap Rock and Horror Core. But have a wide spread of people that like our music.
Do you play any instruments? And why do you love it?
Koldwun Freeze: A mic and an Akia MPC1000. I love making music for people to listen to and to take the music as a message to grow with.
How is your creative process when recording music? And what makes a good recording session?
Koldwun Freeze: It’s all about the setting and finding the vibe to record the particular song you are recording. As well as the message you are going to deliver.
The energy and setting the tone plays a huge part of recording. For instance, in “Don’t Knock”. I thought of all the things in the past that made the person of who I am today. Embracing my roots of not only who I am as an artist but as a person. The doubt, the hope, the pain, the blood, the sweat and tears. Recording that track was a breath of fresh air with all the bottled up pain inside.. Music is always the energy release.
On the flip, when recording “All I Really Want”. I put on a Viking helmet, beating my chest and recorded my verse to remind myself, wild out and go crazy on this. “Maestro if you will” is what I first said and went nuts!! Syn looked at me like bro, what are you doing!?! As he tried not to laugh. But after that session we both realized that we made a classic and forever would be a great Syn and Freeze moment.
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Koldwun Freeze: Honestly, I grew up listening to a wide range of Hip Hop music. But if you asked what was in my backpack as a kid I would tell you: Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Insane Clown Posse.
I always thought Method Man, E-40 and Suga Free were dope lyricists. If the day came that we got in the studio, it would be an honor to work with them.
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
Koldwun Freeze: Besides working on The Passport album, 2 things.
1. I loved it when as No Luck, we performed at the Marquee Theater. That to me was an awesome moment. It was an experience of all of us in our element. Doing what we love to do on the big stage. We all grew up watching artists and bands we listened to there. So was kind of a great moment to take in.
2. Doing the Mesa Music Festival. Our own home town inviting us out and giving us the opportunity to rock a festival. It was straight up awesome and we look forward in doing it again.
How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?
Koldwun Freeze: Writing out a task list and making time.. Keeping a calendar of things to do for the day, week, month or even year.. Helps you plan accordingly and less stressful.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
Koldwun Freeze: Stay away from mumble rap.. (Laughs). Remember the elements of what makes the foundation that we call Hip Hop.
Beats, Rhymes, Visuals and Expression… When performing live.. DO NOT USE YOU RECORDED VOCALS.. We see a lot of this at shows from big to small acts do it. Show them the art form and the talent of what you do and the message that you bring. That to me shows the authentic art in doing hip hop. Nobody pays to see you do Karaoke and dance around a bit. Kick on the beat, grip the mic and spit that ishh.
If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?
Koldwun Freeze: Be you and always you. In the end of the day, be happy with who you are and what you chose to do with life. Beginning to end. It’s what you do in-between that makes the life you live!
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Koldwun Freeze: We just got back from California rocking with our homies Urban Myth Records and U.S. Circle A for Underground Unchained show.
Synasta and I are currently finishing up the long awaited Phantoms of Phoenix album, “The Rebirth”. An album that was teased as an Easter egg since 2007 in No Luck Recordz first release, Mind Body and Soul. The Rebirth album is going to work out them speakers. The beats, the lyrics, everything. On point and slamming bass thumps from that big fat momma’s foot!!
You can also catch us live October 18th at the 8th annual Fear Con at Sun Studios in Tempe, Arizona. Be sure to check out the future of what’s to come on phantomsofphoenix.com and on social media.
Listen on Apple Music: Koldwun Freeze – The Passport
Listen on Spotify: Koldwun Freeze The Passport
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