Spring Break
An interview with Theo: From The Birth to Infinity and beyond
Jeremy Kollie
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Entertainment
10/01/08 - Theo was born to make music that has longer staying power than the Milky Way. The 23-year-old Providence native and recent URI graduate has been on the rise since he first took the stage as DJ S-Class, the well-known disc jockey that many in the Ocean State still call the "Hot Hand"- and rightfully so.
In his present form, though he still focuses on his turntables and even his vocal range (no joke, right?), the self-proclaimed "musician" has pushed his easy flow and insightful lyricism to the forefront, gaining respect from artists like Lupe Fiasco and praise from Web sites galore.
Theo took the time to sit down with me and let us in on his thoughts and insights as he continues to place himself in a position to get his Buzz Lightyear on. Stand back, Theo's getting ready to take off.
Jeremy Kollie: Before we get into it, I have to extend a major congratulation to you for receiving your diploma from URI this past spring. That must be a major accomplishment for you.
Theo: Thank you man, that's greatly appreciated ... It was a process, but it was quite enjoyable.
JK: I'm sure it was. You never released any material when you were actively attending school. Was that a conscious decision on your part to not expose yourself as an artist until your graduation date drew nearer?
T: Well, while attending URI, I mainly played my role as the DJ. The majority of the large-scale events, I had either had a hand in or I took part in DJ-ing them. But, as far as emerging as a musician, I held off until winter of 2007 before I really set things off. Less work load ... and it just felt right to me to release my own music then. Timing is everything to me.
JK: Most definitely. Do you think that holding back from putting yourself out there contributed to more of a growth in yourself as a person and a musician and allowed for more of a growth to take place?
T: Yes. I'm a firm believer in timing- things happen for a reason and in a certain season. I'm not going to be all intricate but we know that its supposed to snow during winter not summer, so I apply those thoughts to my life and its journey: establishing myself as a DJ [Theo began DJ-ing at age 14 and started performing in clubs by age 18], then transforming into the musician that you see now. I produce as well, but it's all time; I don't want to be walking around sounding like I'm a walking-talking musical machine. Well I am, but you get what I'm saying. (Laughs)
In his present form, though he still focuses on his turntables and even his vocal range (no joke, right?), the self-proclaimed "musician" has pushed his easy flow and insightful lyricism to the forefront, gaining respect from artists like Lupe Fiasco and praise from Web sites galore.
Theo took the time to sit down with me and let us in on his thoughts and insights as he continues to place himself in a position to get his Buzz Lightyear on. Stand back, Theo's getting ready to take off.
Jeremy Kollie: Before we get into it, I have to extend a major congratulation to you for receiving your diploma from URI this past spring. That must be a major accomplishment for you.
Theo: Thank you man, that's greatly appreciated ... It was a process, but it was quite enjoyable.
JK: I'm sure it was. You never released any material when you were actively attending school. Was that a conscious decision on your part to not expose yourself as an artist until your graduation date drew nearer?
T: Well, while attending URI, I mainly played my role as the DJ. The majority of the large-scale events, I had either had a hand in or I took part in DJ-ing them. But, as far as emerging as a musician, I held off until winter of 2007 before I really set things off. Less work load ... and it just felt right to me to release my own music then. Timing is everything to me.
JK: Most definitely. Do you think that holding back from putting yourself out there contributed to more of a growth in yourself as a person and a musician and allowed for more of a growth to take place?
T: Yes. I'm a firm believer in timing- things happen for a reason and in a certain season. I'm not going to be all intricate but we know that its supposed to snow during winter not summer, so I apply those thoughts to my life and its journey: establishing myself as a DJ [Theo began DJ-ing at age 14 and started performing in clubs by age 18], then transforming into the musician that you see now. I produce as well, but it's all time; I don't want to be walking around sounding like I'm a walking-talking musical machine. Well I am, but you get what I'm saying. (Laughs)
