Far East Movement (also known as FM) has bridged the gap between underground party records and mainstream hip-hop and pop. They blend elements of hip-hop, pop, electro and dance to create an original sound and lifestyle they call 'Free Wired'.
The group translates this 'Free Wired' way of life by constantly staying interactive and living the lifestyle it promotes. Whether it's their weekly music show on www.cherrytreeradio.com, blogging everyday on www.fareastmovement.com or uploading a series of FM Satellite webisodes they shoot on the road with their 'spy cams' they always stay free to "'geek out' 25 hours a day, 8 days a week."
Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman, always donning stylish shades, skinny ties, and shiny blazers and fresh kicks have taken the current Los Angeles club scene global, already having to their credit two world tours, numerous song placements on television and film, and a # 1 song on Los Angeles radio all before they even dropped their debut album, appropriately titled, Free Wired, scheduled for a Fall 2010 release on Cherrytree Records/Interscope.
Cherrytree Records head, Martin Kierzenbaum, was inspired with the direction FM was taking with their careers. "Martin told us, 'You guys have a lifestyle and party that we want to be invited to, we not only like your songs, but love your sound and movement,'" Kev Nish said of Kierzenbaum, who oversees the careers of Cherrytree Records artists Lady Gaga, Keane, La Roux and Tokio Hotel.
Martin was moved by FM so much that he passed their music on to mega-star Lady Gaga's camp that led to an invitation out on her overseas Monster Ball tour dates in April 2010. FM call it, "a 'Free Wired' moment and incredible learning experience…she puts 200 percent into 2-hour shows, back to back nights, every night, it's inspirational." While on the road they say they got some key advice from one of today's most exciting and theatrical live performers. They went back overseas the following month when they were invited out by N*E*R*D*.
It is FM's stage energy and the 'Free Wired' lifestyle that started to change the way people reacted to their music. Not just the energy and lifestyle, but fashion and technology play a huge part. "We've played at every club in southern Cali and thrown parties, 'geekin out' at friends lofts and rooftops in downtown LA until the sun came up." "Our routine and fashion allow us to party all night, then head straight to an important business meeting in the morning, we always stay business fresh, plus we keep shades on to hide the lack of sleep," jokes Prohgress.
It was at those all-night parties that the group honed their sound and performance skills. "We felt like when we started messing more with hard electro synths, 4 to the floor drums and upbeat Daft Punk-type production it just seemed to connect better with the type of performance we do," Prohgress said. "And once we had 'Girls On The Dance Floor' that was just like the bazooka ammunition that we needed."
"Girls On The Dance Floor" became an undeniable, high-energy track that prompted women from all over to record videos of themselves dancing to the song and upload the clips online. The song exploded the latter part of 2009 in nightclubs and topped the playlists in L.A. The requests and heavy rotation earned Far East Movement a spot on a prestigious L.A. concert headlined by Jay-Z.
Far East Movement all grew up together in Los Angeles. They were influenced by the thriving downtown LA scene and a wide array of music from fellow West Coast classics like the Pharcyde and Dr Dre, to the dance music of DJ Tiesto and Daft Punk, to LA rockers like Guns N Roses, Linkin Park and Blink 182. "Our musical inspiration is as large as what we can hold on our iPods."
After graduating from high school the group started taking music more seriously, doing shows wherever they could at Los Angeles bars, clubs and lofts. One of their earlier shows was a successful benefit show that raised money for a drug rehab center that helped a lot of their friends in the community. This came before the group even had their first song recorded. The group loved to perform and perfect their stage presence wherever they could.
Another influence came when they saw Kanye West live and the kind of performance he achieved. "I remember we saw a Kanye show," Prohgress said. "He threw a towel into the audience and people were fighting for it. We wanted to give that type of energy." "It's always been about that energy and that lifestyle at our shows."
Far East Movement is now anxious to take advantage of all the opportunities their fast-rising career will afford them. Considering their independent, go-getter mindset, talent, and willingness to break out of the box, Far East Movement is indeed setting themselves up for the long run.