Sitting in as guests of the Red Bull Music Academy, Phonte (Little Brother) and Nicolay--collectively known as the Foreign Exchange--participated in a Q&A session at Nashville's Listening Room Saturday afternoon. Discussing a variety of subjects with host Sean Maloney of the Nashville Scene, the floor was eventually opened up to the audience for questions. Alternating in answering, each artist revealed a variety of details about their upcoming affairs. Aside from commenting on their upcoming tour, their affinity for self-marketing and their rather liberal perspective on filesharing, when asked by a crowd member about how they've avoided such modern trends as using autotune or layering tracks with a slew of guest contributors, Phonte responded by making an important distinction. "Use technology as a tool--don't use it as a crutch." He continued, "If I can't hit that note live I'm not gonna hit the autotune just for that."

While Phonte and Nicolay went on to respectively participate in a songwriting class and production demo, perhaps the most intriguing information came during the Q&A. Nicolay explained that the duo were presently working toward the release of an "acoustic" album which would document a recent mini-concert that found the group swapping their typical production for such musical standards as a grand piano and acoustic guitars. Shortly after, Phonte went on to reveal (after a bit of prodding from Nicolay) that he would be dropping a solo release later this year. Tentatively set to hit retail shelves September 13, the album will not only serve as the veteran artist's solo debut, but it will also mark the six year anniversary of the release of Little Brother's highly acclaimed second studio album, The Minstrel Show.

This past weekend in Durham, North Carolina, the good folks at The Foreign Exchange held a private concert for around 30 of SOME OF their closest fans. It also doubled as a recording for a future 'live' album that they plan on releasing for their FANS to enjoy. I was lucky enough to be able to attend this event. This is going to be my 'ramblings' on the event that took place on Sunday February 20th around 6:00 P.M.



Unfortunately, I was NOT able to take my camera inside and NORMALLY that would put a damper on my personal spirits as I HATE TALKING ABOUT EVENTS without visuals. However FE had cameras ALL AROUND and some photos were 'leaked' out so I do have some visuals to work with. Before you say it, these are people I consider MY FRIENDS too at this point so I was not about to go 'rogue' and start disrespecting their rules. So no, I don't have many pictures of my own on this go around. I know I said I planned to take some. I got something better though. The experience. I mean after writing about their music  here on the blog & seeing them perform, I STILL am blessed to have seen this event. So it is a MORE THAN FAIR TRADE OFF for me. Besides, when I tell you that there were cameras EVERYWHERE...I am not lying. When that happens, I will post some up here and link you to the rest. @ the rest of the photos coming out.

Sunday evening, I was reminded of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, where the film's stenciled white rabbit graffitied around Brooklyn pointed the way to a secret performance from the fictional, enigmatic indie rock band Where's Fluffy?

But standing on Washington Street in Durham, instead of Fluffy, letter-size sheets of paper emblazoned with The Foreign Exchange's signature plus sign pointed the way to an exclusive, invitation-only performance from the R&B band at SoundPure Studios.

As the clock ticked closer to 6 p.m., a line of 30 or so people who traveled from as far as Cleveland for the event formed outside the Durham recording studio. And as the line began to snake down Washington, the air of mystery grew with anticipation of what to expect of the evening ahead.

We highly recommend you read this excellent recount of The Foreign Exchange's private concert in Durham NC.

On a whim I submitted an email last week to an open call contest for a private FE concert. I figured, what could it hurt? I never win anything anyway. I would have loved to see them again because I learn something new every time I see them live, but come on: it's an open call to thousands of fans, spread out over multiple social networks, taking place five days after the call, all the way in North Carolina. Let's be extremely conservative and call it a one in ten thousand shot. This is a Grammy-nominated group we're talking about here.

"Authenticity" is arguably my favorite track from The Foreign Exchange's latest album of the same name. I am, therefore, very pleased to see the newly released video for "Authenticity" be given a serious, theatrical tone after being placed into the hands of director Matthew Cherry. Given the song's overal theme, it's to be expected that the translation of this onto celluloid would lend itself to melancholic overtures. I must say, however, that I am thoroughly impressed with the direction, acting, and overall presentation of this video. Kudos to The Foreign Exchange even if they were not nominated for a GRAMMY this year--next year perhaps?--and kudos to Matthew Cherry for a job well done.

October 12, 2010. Add this date to your calendar right now and circle it in red, schedule an alarm or do whatever you need to do to remember it because that, my friends, is the release date of The Foreign Exchange's third album. Entitled Authenticity, Nicolay and Phonte will be coming back once again to change the game that we call urban music. Their sound is constantly evolving and from the delicious sneak peek that I've heard, one thing is for sure--expect the unexpected from these cats and their cohorts YahZarah, Darien Brockington and Zo!. While we wait for Authenticity to drop, you already know that next to FE's official website, SoulBounce will be Foreign Exchange Central in the coming months. So, yes, go ahead and start getting excited from now.

A couple of days ago I went to one of the more entertaining concerts I've ever been to. It wasn't the best performance, it wasn't the best venue, but it was by far the most entertained I'd been at a concert...ever.

A group called the Foreign Exchange performed (if you don't know them, get to know them, they are incredible). They played at B.B. King's Bar and Grill in NYC for almost 2 hours straight. Phonte (one half of the Little Brother duo) held the mic in check and Nicolay (producer from the Netherlands/my favorite producer) led the 4-piece band.

The group itself is comprised of more than just the two. Something like the Mars Volta do, I assume (Cedric and Omar consider themselves the Mars Volta, while the other members are part of the Mars Volta Group), the Foreign Exchange, I guess do as well. They have a drummer, a bassist, another keyboardist (Nicolay plays keys as well), and three more vocalists that finish the actual group.