Urban Vault caught up with WNOL, who consist of emcees MCRE & Think 2wice, to ask them some questions about their latest project with producer J57 (Brown Bag Allstar/Jamo Gang) titled the DAY DREAM EP and more…

WNOL stands for When No One’s Listening. The duo consists of emcees MCRE (from Connecticut) & Think 2wice (from Portland, Oregon).  They linked up with J57 in 2018 and inked a deal with 57’s FiveSe7en Collective record label as well, creating the ‘Day Dreams’ EP. Features include Copywrite, I.N.F of Dead Rabbits and female vocalist Little Thousand. All beats were produced by J57 – one track was co-produced by Rob Viktum. The Artwork was created by Marvel Comics illustrator, Chris B. Murray.

What are your names?

MCRE: Daniel Landini aka MCRE
Think 2wice: Thomas aka Think 2wice

Where are you from?

MCRE: Vernon, CT, USA
Think 2wice: Portland, OR

How long have you been making music?

MCRE: Since 1999 as a DJ and MC in high school
Think 2wice: I’ve been seriously making music over the last 4-5 years but I’ve been writing songs since I was 14.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

MCRE: REdefinition EP (solo), 2015; When No One’s Listening (album w/ Think 2wice), 2017; Damage Control (album w/ Ekspan), 2018; WNOL Day Dreams EP (prod. by J57), 2019
Think 2wice: I’ve done 3 projects so far. I released a joint LP with MCRE titled ‘When No One’s Listening’ in May of 2017. That inspired us to become WNOL (When No One’s Listening) and to make this ‘Day Dreams’ EP that we just dropped and in between those (March 2018) I dropped a solo mixtape titled ‘Think Again: Volume 1’.

Tell us more about your latest project, Day Dreams EP

MCRE: This is definitely the best all-around project that I’ve been a part of. Our first album received great reviews but this project is much more polished. Working with an incredible producer, in J57, exclusively on it made it that much more cohesive. Think 2wice and I compliment each other very well and I feel like that shows on this EP. We decided to follow up our debut album with an EP because we felt it would be more palatable in today’s society with everyone having such a limited attention span. The concept is something that is relatable to any artist feeling trapped in day jobs with their need to provide for their family while dreaming of pursuing their passion full time. And we hope that the interest this EP draws will bring people back to the album as well.

Think 2wice: The ‘Day Dreams’ EP was inspired by the first album MCRE and I created (When No One’s Listening), as well as the day to day issues we both face in the pursuit of our dreams. The theme and name for the album came from the struggle of balancing our responsibilities with our passion for creating music and the feelings those like us may have. The project is produced by J57 and distributed through Soul Spazm.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?

MCRE: Of note, I have collaborated with ‪Pharoahe Monch‬ on a song called ‘Darkness’ from my REdefinition EP, El Gant of Jamo Gang on a song called ‘Go’ from our debut album When No One’s Listening, Copywrite on ‘What’s Next?’ from this EP, Flawless Real Talk on a song called ‘Why Don’t You Love Me?’ from the REdefinition EP, Ruste Juxx on a song called ‘Just Right’, and of course J57 on this EP! I have also worked with a number of incredibly talented artists that don’t have the name recognition but are just as dope, including I.N.F, Taboo, Coal Cash, D. Cure, Dirty Needles, Ekspan, The Marine Rapper, Little Thousand, and Jace the Truth to name a few.‬

Think 2wice: I’ve got the chance to collaborate with many incredible artists including – MCRE, INF, Jace The Truth, CopyWrite, El Gant, Little Thousand, Taboo, Coal Cash, Ekspan, D. Cure and Ugly Cuzzin.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

MCRE: Artists from any genre that will who can make me a better artist and expand my reach with fans. My goal is to be featured on well known and respected artists instead of the other way around.
Think 2wice: There’s a ton of artists I would like to work with. I don’t think I could pick just one so I’ll say, a song with ‪Rittz‬ or ‪Twista‬ would be incredible.

What inspires you when you make your music?

MCRE: Life, my children, politics. Everything, ha!
Think 2wice: My inspiration comes from many places, but mainly from my family who’s done a ton to support me and my dream. I’m also lucky enough to know a lot of insanely talented artists who constantly push me to work harder.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

MCRE: Music has always been engrained in me and been an escape from hard times since I was a young child. The fact that I am able to express myself through music and while gaining the respect of listeners and fellow artists around the world, means everything to me.
Think 2wice: Music has been something I’ve loved for a long time and I’ve always wanted to create and release my own.

What do you think of the music industry in 2019?

MCRE: I think it’s very similar to society as a whole. Most people listen to what they’re told to listen to and what they are told is ‘good music’, just as they willingly accept commercialism and political views that the most powerful machines say they should. There is so much great music out there, but people are too lazy to go off the beaten path and put in the time to look for it. Just as they don’t question or take the time to research issues in society for themselves. Social media has also muddied real art and music. So unless you have the team and money behind you, even the most talented independent artists will go mostly unnoticed. It really takes creativity and smart marketing to begin to break that barrier.
Think 2wice: I don’t know if I can say I know enough about it to really say how the music industry is, but from what I’ve seen, it seems to be a mess. Too much pre-packaged music with less and less value placed on skill and talent and more placed on what’ll get the most views and get people talking. Luckily, there are a lot more people going independent nowadays and I think that’s a good thing and will hopefully lead us back to more personal control and more meaningful music.

What have you got planned for 2019?

MCRE: Push this EP as much as I possibly can and do as many live shows and radio shows as possible.
Think 2wice: For 2019 I plan to work harder than I ever have. I have a handful of projects I plan to release and this Day Dreams EP is a perfect way to start.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

MCRE: From another artist –’Fight Song’ by ‪Masta Ace‬/Marco Polo featuring ‪Pharoahe Monch‬. Our song – ‘Read Up’ and ‘Bipolar’.
Think 2wice: ‘Day Dreams’ 🙂

What do you do when your not making music?

MCRE: I work full time as a mortgage fraud investigator and I help my wife raise 3 kids (2 girls and a boy).
Think 2wice: I’m currently going back to school to finish my degree in Digital Marketing so most of my time is spent doing that or working. When I have free time I’m usually spending it with my GF, working out, playing basketball, reading, or out with friends.

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

MCRE: I have a lot of respect for international media sources such as your own. Our style of Hip Hop seems to be much more successful outside of the U.S. and I really appreciate you taking the time to promote our music. Much respect to your efforts in bringing unknown independent artists to those that might not hear about us otherwise.
Think 2wice: I think what you guys do is great. You show a lot of love to upcoming artists and provide a lot of unique and interesting content that you can’t find anywhere else.

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

WNOL – Day Dreams EP via iTunes/Spotify

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