Dubcnn: The most unusual thing about you guys is that you‘re from Salt Lake City. Tell us about the hip-hop scene in Salt Lake City. Does the predominant Mormon culture have any effect on the music scene?

Well first of all us being from SLC is definitely not the most unusual thing about us! (laughing) The hip hop scene is actually pretty large with a lot of different sub genres . We got all kinds of artists from underground back pack emcees to straight gangsta rappers and everything in-between. The biggest misconception about Utah is that we are all bunch of white Mormons. It’s true there are a lot of LDS folks in Utah but Salt Lake City is a melting pot. We have a huge Hispanic population, a huge Polynesian population, we have American Indian, Black, Asian, African, Middle Eastern communities too just like any big metropolitan city. The Mormon culture is just that, Mormon culture. They represent less then 50% of the religious makeup in the state. So it has nothing to do with us and the music we make.

Dubcnn: What’s the hip-hop scene like in Salt Lake?

It’s active! Like I said we have a lot of different artist making all kinds of different music. We also have a lot of local business’s that cater to the ever-growing scene. Everything from shops that sell mixtapes and underground CD’s to venues that host break-dancing and emcee battles. There is also kind of an unspoken rivalry between artists. Everybody wants to be the first to put Utah on the map.

Dubcnn: Describe your style and sound. What artists helped you develop your own style and find your voice? Are you coming from a street perspective or something different?

Everything we have been through has created our sound. From being poor to watching family members, friends and loved ones die or get locked up. Endless struggling and hardships; coming from a state that seems impossible to make it from and then also watching local artists try to copy other regions and try to imitate something there not hoping they will blow. We just took everything we have been through and everything we have seen and created something original. Our whole goal is to make good music that people can feel and relate to and at the end of the day know we did it being ourselves.

Dubcnn: What’s the driving force behind your music lyrically and musically?

You get knocked down you got to get up stronger. That’s what its like being from here. Trying to make it from here you get laughed at and rejected before your music even gets heard. We get shut down because we are from Utah. So we make our music undeniable incase that chance comes where it will be heard make our music better, lyrics stronger, work to be the best and we have to work extra hard. There are no labels here or anyone else that has made it. We have to make everything we do great using the small amount of resources we have. They can’t hold us back forever. Good music can’t be denied. Our work ethic is 24/7. With everything we have been and are going through this is our only way out. This isn't just a hobby this is our dream and lifestyle.

Dubcnn: How did you hook up with your manager Chris Le? How did you help you guys develop visually and network with other artists and producers?

We meet Chris in 2006 and at that time we had just dropped a mixtape called “Hustle Harder”. You couldn’t go anywhere in SLC without hearing about Calico and Blocks. We were on fire! Chris approached us at a summer jam concert and he actually wanted to do a feature for an artist he was working with at the time. His family owns a photo studio in downtown Salt Lake City. We had a meeting with him and his dad and the rest is history. We have a unique relationship with Chris and it’s been amazing watching him go from this kid with raw talent that loves Hip-Hop to this innovative figure that’s changing the industry with his vision.

Dubcnn: What’s the hardest part about being an artist in Salt Lake City?

Everyone stereotypes you. They think your wack from the jump, they think your music will suck and they doubt you point blank. They doubt you have ever been through anything real and they think it’s one big suburb of wannabes that just imitate what they see on MTV and rap for fun when its really not like that. Utah used to be the methamphetamine capital of the country. Everything that goes on in bigger cities also goes on here it’s just overshadowed by the image.

Dubcnn: How did you network with the industry being from Salt Lake, which is somewhat removed from LA, New York, Atlanta and other music centers?

In this day and age all you need is a computer and a Wi-Fi connection. We use tools like Myspace, Twitter and other websites to get our music out there. We’ve also been to places like New York and LA, St. Louis and Florida just trying to build business relationships with people. Plus it doesn’t hurt having someone like Chris Le on our side.

Dubcnn: What projects are you working on right now?

Calico and Blocks the debut self titled album.

Dubcnn: Are there any other Salt Lake artists you think deserve some attention on a national level?

We got a lot talent out here. There are a handful of artist that definitely deserve to shine. I know once we get on the whole Lake will be on. I know a lot of our peers feel the same way.

Dubcnn: Do you have any closing words? Where can we find you online?

Calico & Blocks is here to stay and we will be heard. Even if we have to convert ya’ll skeptics and non-believers one by one.

LAKE TOWN STAND UP!!! 801 WE GOT THIS!!!

Check us out at: Myspace.com/calicoandblocks and Twitter.com/calicoandblocks

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