Urban Vault caught up with Raleigh, North Carolina based Kooley High to ask them some questions about their music, inspirations, and collaborations

Kooley High has seen many acts come and go since their inception in 2008. This perseverance has led to several acclaimed releases, and the opportunity to craft their newest album with the assistance of Grammy award-winning producer 9th Wonder. ‘Never Come Down’ is a testament to Kooley’s growth sonically and serves as their most complete work to date.

What are your names?

Our name is Kooley High. We have 5 members. Charlie Smarts (emcee), Tab-One (emcee), Foolery (producer), Sinopsis (producer), and DJ ill Digitz
Charlie Smarts and Foolery will speak on behalf of the group today.

Where are you from?

We are Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

How long have you been making music?

We started making music together around 2005 but didn’t officially become a group till like 2007.

How many songs/albums have you released to date?

Summer Sessions EP (January 2008)
Kooley Is High (March 2009)
Eastern Standard Time (July 2010)
David Thompson (December 2011)
Heights (October 2015)
Never Come Down (March 2018)

Can you tell us about your new album, ‘Never Come Down’ the background, and inspirations behind it?

Foolery: Our new album ‘Never Come Down’ is about personal growth, freedom, and innovation. We’ve worked long and hard on this project to hopefully inspire people to believe in themselves and to never give up on their dreams. check out our latest video ‘Ceiling’ below.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

Charlie Smarts:  We’ve been on songs with 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Phonte, Median, Skyzoo, Homeboy Sandman, King Mez, Kid Daytona, Add-2, Carlitta Durand,  DJ Pr!nce, among
others.  We usually collaborate with people around us at the moment.   Most of our New York collaborations happened while we lived in New York, while NC collaborations happen in NC.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Charlie Smarts: Flying Lotus, illmind, Kanye West, Kaytranada, Ivan Ave, Erykah Badu… literally too many people to name from producers and songwriters. We are always open to sharing in the creation of art.

Foolery: There are a lot of current artists that really inspire me, but I’m less focused on collaborating with them than I am enjoying their music. If things unfold naturally and a collaboration occurs, so be it, but I’m just trying to live in the moment and

What inspires you when you make your music?

Foolery: My music is inspired by the intersection of the human spirit and the technology of both old and new. It sounds basic, but I love rhythm and harmony and creating vibrations particularly via electronic means.

Charlie Smarts: Life and its ups and downs

How have you ended up in the music industry?

Foolery: As a young college kid I met the music producer 9th Wonder while I was in school and spent a number of years under his wing learning how to make beats. While at NCSU I met the other members of Kooley High. We formed a group and have been continuing to work together ever since.

Charlie Smarts: My mom was a singer… I vowed to never be a musician because I saw how it ended up for her. Went to college to become a scientist… I ended up a musician.

What do you think of the music industry in 2018?

Foolery: I’ve got to say I really like trap better than I did crunk. I like that genres seem to be blurring together a bit more than in years past.
Having said that, at the same time I’m way less plugged-in than I was in my younger years. I don’t have the same opportunity to get sick and overfed on things because I’m really just zoned out and focusing on my own thing. It makes a life for me as a creative a lot easier when I can just come out from under my rock and cherry-pick the things I want and leave all the rest behind. As far as how the industry is changing, I’m uncertain. I hope that legislation is eventually passed to help artists and creatives to be adequately compensated for their intellectual property. There hasn’t been any reform on that front in a long, long time, and in this age of the internet, we’re working off of laws that were written way before most of these services and concepts were even ideas.

Charlie Smarts: Good music is out there, but in 2018 you have to fight harder to find it. Only things that get viral appeal usually see the light of day on a major scale. That can be really great… or God Awful. Seek and ye shall find.

What have you got planned for 2018?

Charlie Smarts: Never Come Down in March… Hopefully some shows in California and England. Maybe a surprise later this year.

Foolery: Well, we’ll be releasing ‘Never Come Down’ on March 30th both on vinyl and digital, so that’s number one on my list. I’ve got a few other things in the pipeline, a solo instrumental project and a drum-kit sample pack are both on the horizon for me as well.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

Foolery: Of the newest of new for me I’m really digging this song ‘Sticky’ off of Ravyn Lenae’s Crush EP. It’s produced by the very talented Steve Lacy. I also got targeted recently by this song ‘No Going Back’ by an artist named Yuno. It was a good fit because it’s very reminiscent of the band Tame Impala, who is one of my favorites, but who hasn’t announced any new releases coming anytime soon. I’m really hoping there’s a new Tame Impala record out this year, but I can understand if Kevin Parker has been too busy producing for others like Lady Gaga. I mean, can’t turn that money down. Am I right?

Charlie Smarts: ‘Broken Clocks’ by SZA

What do you do when your not making music?

Charlie Smarts: Pay Bills first… It gets expensive in Brooklyn. Then mostly watch movies or play sports. Honestly, as far as music goes, you have to do much more than just make the music. You have to promote it, write videos, contact publications, come up with marketing plans, do photo shoots, etc, etc… if you want to be successful. It’s a full-time gig.

Foolery: Trying to live in the moment and to kill my ego. I’ve been reading some good books on history, philosophy, and magick lately, so we’ll see what happens.

Facebook or Twitter?

Charlie Smarts: Twitter. Facebook is for grandmas.

Foolery: Like if I had to choose one? I guess Twitter? I don’t know. I’m not very active on either. Personally, I’m more of an Instagramer.
But honestly, they’re all kind of fucking up society in one way or another. I just hope people keep in mind that they’re being influenced by what’s being put in their attention and that these companies are manipulating them for their own gain. Also maybe just read a book or chill out… I don’t know.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

We support anybody who is about promoting good music and celebrating the arts. Cheers to you, Urban Vault!

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

Kooley High – Never Come Down via iTunes/Vinyl 
(30th March)

www.facebook.com/kooleyhighmusic
https://twitter.com/kooleyhigh
https://soundcloud.com/kooleyhigh
https://instagram.com/kooleyhighnc/