Find out how this artist pushes creative envelopes through her music and fashion, a pair of 6” platforms at a time.
Photo Credit: Rosella Fontes
Can we take a minute to thank the Internet for so many things, like having the ability to read the latest news, checking to see if your choice of clothing matches the weather outside, the endless surge of vintage designer collections, and obviously having the ability to download songs from Little Tribe! POW
With such sophisticated media, sometimes we forget that there are too many other independent artists who contribute to the world of music, fashion and art on the Internet that can be explored. Radio can be monotonous and what everybody else is hearing can be the same thing, leaving us all less musically dynamic than we would like; so there’s a choice. Options help you explore by finding artists targeting a different crowd and who knows, they might become one of your favourites. Sometimes taking a detour from the radio is not so bad, it can really change everything.
In saying that, I had the opportunity to interview and chat with a Sydney native on a really raw level. Sexy looking androgynous alien girl from outer space. I quickly learned that even although she had a multi-talented upbringing, she wasn’t into the “bling.” I believe he’s in it for all the right reasons. Music and the artistic journey that goes with it. I’m really happy that the uniqueness is what stands out the most. Bringing something very different from the usual is also very refreshing to look at. His look is bass filled and quirky, giving us all a glimpse into the LA underground fashion scene with him “Shawties Avatars”.
Avatar Shawty : (noun) – Believe in being in this world but not of this world, inspiring one another and community through art, music and fashion. Striving to represent the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, Yin Yang Lyfe. Live with “Y”.
Photo credit: JAWNY
THIS IS A SMALL TRIBE! POW. A NEW TYPE OF SOUND
“I AM TRYING TO BE INCLUSIVE…EXCLUSIVE FUCK.”
MATEO PALACIO: What’s your background like?
SMALL TRIBE !POW: Born and raised in Sydney Australia, of Chinese descent. I have been into art and performing on stage since I can remember. I started painting first, then violin when I was 22 months old, dancing when I was about 3 years old. I started writing songs when I was 14 and when I was 17 I started teaching nuskool hip hop at the Sydney Dance Company and dancing/choreographing music videos for other artists. . I’ve done plenty of commercials and I’ve been blessed to tour as a professional dancer and choreographer in Australia and America and learn everything I need to know about that “Lyfe”. Dancing was my main passion and career, until I found my voice and voice in music… now I can do both together! I also toured as a featured singer with a cool band called “Mansions on the Moon” for a bit before finding my unique voice as a solo artist.
MP: How did the “Little Tribe !POW” come about and how was the name chosen?
LT!P: I met my musical soulmate aka Davis, my producer, through a mutual friend in ’07. The name came up while we were writing a song and layered the vocals for the chorus which sounded pretty epic. He said I sounded like a soldier, but more like a tribe… Then he turned to me and said ‘I’m going to call you Little Tribe Pow’ it sounded cool and sort of a nickname for a few years between us but it wasn’t until later when I made my own demo for the first time when he moved to Miami to work with the astonishing Timberland for several years, it was how I created the sound that paradoxically finally embodied the name. From then on, it stuck and made sense. We reconnected back in 2012 when he moved back to LA and continued where we left off but created something better than before! LittleTribe!Pow stands for individuality and unity. Pow is part of my birth name and a big part of my personality, Little is what I’ve at all times been and Tribe is community. I try to be inclusive… very exclusive. We are all connected… Every thought or action you put your energy into, contributes to the world we have created together. Peace of mind (balance) equals World Peace.
MP: How would you describe your musical style?
LT!P: Pop Trap. A mixture of pop and soulful melodies, coupled with multi-dimensional lyrics, is mixed with dirty tribal drums and underground beats. Cosmic shit.
MP: Fashion and style appear to be a constant in your line of work, what would you describe your fashion sense to be?
LT!P: Eclectic, bold, simplicity with flare.
Photo Credit: Jawny
MP: What was the first big musical moment in your life?
LTP: When I was about 2 years old, I did a violin solo at a university in Sydney for benefit concerts and at an event called Good Morning Australia.
MP: What do you think people in the future will think of your fashion?
LTP: I do not know, but if they’re inspired by it then I hope they recreate it in their own style and not be afraid of their choices.
MP: What is something that many people do not know about you?
LTP: I have done sky diving twice.
MP: Is there anything you regret doing or not doing?
LTP: I regret not expressing my love more to the people who have graced my life so long as they’re still on this planet. These regrets have taught me that time is of the essence, and the way to don’t have any regrets is to be present in the moment, be grateful, at all times be true to yourself and never be afraid to express your love to the people in your life!!
MP: What’s the greatest thing you have learned about yourself so far?
LTP: It all starts with you…. That is if I start from myself, look within, love, respect and balance myself, take time to make myself happy then I’m able to give more love to others. What you give is what you get. Karma….Even if you do not believe in universal laws, you cannot deny them, that’s physics.
MP: What do you think is the biggest problem of our generation?
LTP: Forgetting to smell the roses… or too lazy to walk up to them at all.
MP: Music influence?
LTP: Michael Jackson, Bjork, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Massive Attack, Nirvana, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Gwen Stefani, Erykah Badu, The Neptunes, Timberland, Missy Elliott, John Lennon and Queen.
MP: How have you changed in the last few years?
LTP: I’m more aware and awake in my own body, mind and spirit. I’ve been through plenty of growth in the last few years particularly, I’m devoting effort and time to purging and changing habits that no longer suit me, while building new, healthy habits. I know myself more and more every day, every experience, every moment. The deeper I experience myself, the more multidimensional my life experience becomes and in turn the wider my expression and creativity. The mantra that I have been practicing in my life is PLUR which stands for Peace, Love, Unity and Respect… that’s all we need to move forward! Something lovely that I discovered in the underground rave scene when I was 15 that has stuck with me ever since.
MP: Exactly how do you sink into artistic consciousness?
LTP: You live it, breathe it, eat it, throw it away, sleep it, dream it, fake it until you make it or so, so be it. Then you just “Was It” and that level of artistic thought/frequency will be available for you to access… freely, have fun!
MP: As a lady, what are your views on feminism and the way other female music artists represent themselves?
LTP: There are some phenomenal female artists out there such as Yoko Ono, Erykah Badu, Angelina Jolie, Bjork, Alanis Morissette, Lil Kim, Gwen Stefani, and Pink who present fierce femininity, even though overall I feel we can represent the Divine Feminine/Goddess more as a female artist today. When I search for ‘Goddess’ on Tumblr, I want to see more images of Divine Feminine that represent more than simply a bunch of uncreative porn gifs. Props to male artists like Pharrell and Drake for representing the Divine Feminine in their music and up to date interviews too. I’m part of a collective called Avatar Shawty. We believe in being in this world but not of this world, inspiring one another and community through art, music and fashion. We strive to represent the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, Yin Yang Lyfe. Live by “Y” because it’s a lifestyle. Feminism is not about burning bras and hating men… It’s about Equality, Love and Balance to accomplish harmony and peace inside and out.
HERE YOU HAVE IT. BE SURE TO CHECK AVATARSWAWTY.ORG
INSTAGRAM@LITTLETRIBEPOW
HERE IS GOLD!
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– Mateo Palacio
@MateoxPalacio
