Friday, Mar. 07, 2008

Savage Sun pays it forward

There is an art to being alive and Christopher Lee Schamber knows it.

The rocker-turned hip-hop artist released The Art of Being Alive, his debut independent album that is his life compressed into 15-tracks.

Born in California, Schamber moved to West Richland for two years during high school. After leaving to explore his musical ambitions, he moved back in 2004 and recently moved to St. Louis, Missouri last year as a strategic decision to push his music in the Midwest.

Starting at 15, Schamber began writing lyrics in class at Hanford High School. His first band was called Domestic Violence and he typically sang for numerous rock bands afterwards. It wasn't until college that Schamber started to embrace hip-hop and came up with the moniker Savage Sun.

"The name came to me from the great spirits through a lucid, unforgettable nightmare," he said. "I woke up drenched in sweat, trembling for like 5 minutes it was so real. After that, the name just stuck like super glue."

His debut album took five years to produce, with Schamber recording in 10 different studios, eight cities, and four states.

"Bringing this album to life has been the most difficult ambition that I've ever achieved," said Schamber. "It was a 5 year process filled with incredible challenges. It was more difficult even than attaining my Bachelor's Degree."

The album is a reflection of his experiences on gang-filled streets and tries to make sense of the social injustices he's witnessed first-hand. But don't think this album is just another hip-hop album that talks about a hard-knock life.

"The intro and outro appropriately tie the element of the seasons together, fulfilling the idea I had about making this a concept album," he explains. "Every song on this album has a story, involved extensive collaboration, and was methodically placed in the attempt to provide listeners with the sense of an ever-changing mood throughout the course of the album."

Schamber also intentionally released the album on Sept. 23, 2007, on the autumn equinox, to follow the seasonal concept of the album.

"I knew that the title for my album was going to be important to me," he explains. "I had to get it right so I waited until something special came to me. It's one of those things where you just know when something is right. The album is dedicated to my late father, Kenneth Theodore Schamber, and this fact alone is deserving of such a title because I wanted to honor the greatness of his life."

Although there is no title track, Requiem Aeternus is Schamber's non-titled titled track that is a tribute to his father. Aeternus has a supernatural feel. The intro builds up to the chorus sung by friend and fellow artist Honest Jon, AKA Jon Boetes from Ladybird Unition. Lyrically, the song is Schamber speaking to his father about him learning to adapt to new surroundings and making him proud.

The first track "Spring Intro" plays with spring imagery and has sound clips of birds chirping as well as other outdoor sounds that fill your ears. There is some Southeast Asian influence here. Overall, the track gives off this sort of ambiance that segue into the rest of the album's intense sound.

The Reason is a very touching song that pays homage to the one in his life who gives him a reason to live and is the fire that keeps him going.

Bringing two other MCs on We Wash Away adds a fullness to the stand-out track. The three lyricists speak about the importance of creating their own unique story, so when they pass on their story won't wash away like sand in the breeze.

Schamber takes a chance with everything on his album. His vocals are gritty, but not so granular that it implies he's bitter. His mixes are a combination of R&B, jazz, and Southeastern influence. Lyrically, he tells it like it is without being too abrasive. Painting a picture with as little words as possible, Schamber rises above mediocrity on his first album.

"I guess I would hope to inspire people to see a more beautiful world, a world with great possibilities," he said. "I would also hope that people recognize my contributions to the local music scene."

One major way Schamber is changing the local music scene is the fact that when listeners pick up his album, they will also get a DVD of his "Tight Grip on Nothing" video featuring him and fellow artists walking the streets of Cali.

"I wanted to create a product that raised the bar of what an album could be," he shares. "It was important for me to give people a complete musical experience, and I felt that providing a visual element to the album did just this. I believe that adding an interactive DVD and music video sets me apart from what most other artists are doing."

Another album is not full in the works, but Schamber said he has been in the studio on occasion and writing new material. Other side-projects he's been working on is a book focusing on society.

"It's not completely finished, but I'm about 250 pages deep and its my intention to get it published."

Schamber and his fiance have also started up a foundation that provides clothing, food, and school supplies to displaced families and children in Colombia, South America.

"I get great pleasure from helping people in this way," he said. "In the future, I plan on finding ways to help protect marine mammals and bringing awareness to how humans are harming the Pacific Ocean."

With much on his plate, Schamber shows no signs of slowing down or settling for a mundane existence. After this album, it is clear that his father has taught him the beautiful art of being alive and making a difference.

"I want to thank all of my fans out there," Schamber states. "I also want to thank everyone who was a part of the album that I haven't mentioned, including my Fiance, Diana Parra, my mother Patricia Schamber, David Strayer, Stephen Marsh, J-Element, Rocket One, Tom Knocks, Fernos, Roger Phelps, Virginia Christensen, Kristi Muira, Nick Perez, Mario Patino, Amy Lemasters, and Ricky Coles at CopyCat. I also want to give a big shout out to my clothing sponsor, Thrust Clothing Worldwide. Viva Los Ninos de Colombia. Many thanks to all of you."

This sometimes Tri-City dweller has had a troubled past but looks to the future with a positive outlook and plans to come back to the area in the future.

"I have the Pacific Ocean in my blood though, so look for me to be back on the west coast soon," he said.

To pick up a copy of Savage Sun's album, check out Hastings in Richland and Kennewick, as well as Adventures Underground in Richland and Ganzelle's Barber Shop in Richland, or go to his Web sites at www.savagesun.com and http://myspace.com/savagesun.