As a former intern at Interscope Records, Far East Movement’s Kevin “Kev Nish” Nishimura saw firsthand the way industry executives can shape and mold an innocent artist into the next big pop star.
That’s why signing with Cherrytree, an Interscope imprint, was a no-brainer for the Los Angeles-based group — it was the first label that encouraged the emcees to be themselves.
“The first thing (Cherrytree president Martin Kierszenbaum) said when he signed us was, ‘You guys have this lifestyle that we wanna be a part of.’ No one ever told us that before,” Nishimura said. “For someone to come out and say … ‘I want you for what you guys are,’ we are very lucky.”
Tonight, the members of Far East Movement — which just released its album Free Wired — will open for B.o.B and use their self-described “free wired” lifestyle to excite an Ohio University crowd that has been waiting seven and a half years to see a show at The Convo.
Best known for singles “Like a G6” and “Rocketeer,” Far East Movement — Nishimura, James “Prohgress” Roh, Jae “J-Splif” Choung and Virman “DJ Virman” Coquia — is used to hyping up a crowd with high expectations: The group opened for Lady Gaga last year in Japan.
“We always like to kind of adapt quickly when you're in high-pressure situations like that,” Nishimura said. “… When you go into an arena and sometimes they don’t know your music, you bring the music and you bring the energy. Open-minded music fans usually have a good time.”
Saturday will be Far East Movement’s “third or fourth” time playing with B.o.B, Nishimura said. And with the two acts’ similar tendencies to incorporate different genres and influences into their music, he added that their crowds tend to get along well, too.
Far East Movement also gets along with its fans, staying after shows as long as time allows to say hello — its members once hung out outside a venue for three hours — in addition to letting loose at more casual receptions.
“(If someone says), ‘Yo, my school’s throwing a house party after,’ when we have a chance we definitely will do that,” Nishimura said, going on to tell stories of a “dope” party they recently attended at Bentley College in Massachusetts. “… If we have time, we’re definitely gonna house party (at OU).”
Though the emcees got their record deal from being their laid-back, fun-loving selves, they remain appreciative and ready to learn — whether it be from the head of their label, the artists with whom they share the stage or the fans that wait outside to shake their hands.
“As much as no one tells us what to do, we’re learning from the best, and that helps the path become much clearer,” Nishimura said. “… As long as we’re giving it everything we have out there and having a good time doing it, we’ve been getting a good response.”
al106606@ohiou.edu
@ThePostCulture
