What is the name of your band?
Blessed Coast Outernational
Where is your band from?
The West Coast and Beyond
Who is in the band and what role does each person have?
Lionize, Ryan-I,-Life & Triple Crown. Each is a selector & producer.
What brought the band together and when?
Lionize and Ryan-I were born across the street from eachother and grew up in California listening to Reggae music. After watching Lionize DJ for years Ryan-I picked up the 45’s started selecting as well.
Shortly after, Lionize met I-life in California & Ryan-I met DJ Triple Crown in Washington and Blessed Coast was formed. Now the four perform regularly from Los Angeles California to Bellingham Washington on a regular basis.
What genre, of music do you classify your band as?
We are a Reggae Based Sound System, however you can hear any genre coming from Blessed Coast on any given night if the Crowd is feeling it.
What inspires your music?
Our music is inspired by the power to unite people in a positive way. The goal of Blessed Coast is to provide a medium for all cultures and classes to come together and enjoy themselves through music.
Who or what influences your band’s sound?
Our sound is influenced primarily by Jamaican style reggae as well as reggae, hip-hiop and world music from around the globe.
Where have you toured?
We have toured up and down the west coast and are looking forward to taking our sound international.
How many albums have you released?
We have released over 10 albums
What are the highs and lows in your band’s history?
Some highs of our career include meeting and opening for top class Reggae and Hip Hop Artists. Picking Collie Buddz up in Seatle and Chillin for a few days ways pretty tight. Kickin it backstage and getting drops for mix cds from E-40 was cool. DJing at Reggae Rising (Formerly Reggae on the River) Is always a big highlight. Releasing numerous mix cds, remixes and providing a place for people to dance is nice.
Participating in The North West Sound Clash for the last 2 years has been both high and low points. High because we got invited, low because we didnt win. It definetly got us some hype in Seattle though. Oh, that reminds me, playing one of Seattles biggest DJs a birthday dubplate ranks high pon di list for sure!!
Another sometime low is the distance between us all. At times it makes it tought go stay connectd, but with the way music has transferred to almost entirely on line were able to stay connected well enough.
You’re stuck on a deserted island and forced to listen to one album for eternity. What album would you pick?
One album for eternity?? I’d say Burning Spear 100th anniversary (It’s a Double Disc so youd get extra!)
Do you have a Web site? Myspace? Facebook? Etc?
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blessed-Coast-Sound-System/168275551066
Myspace: myspace.com/blessedcoastsoundsystem
Twitter: twitter.com/Blessedcoast
Web site: blessedcoast.com
Last words? Shout outs?
Find Triple Crown Every Monday and Ryan-i & Triple Crown every Wednesday @ The Wild Buffalo!!!
Triple Crown Every Thursday & Friday @ Glow!!