Q: Was there ever a defining moment in your life that made you want to become a spoken word artist?
Not really, apart from realising that its the lowest common denominator
in lyricism... the opportunity to stay true to myself and write songs, poems, monologues, comedy, raps. My eyes were definitely opened to possibilities by the different energies of local artists around at the time I started out [doing spoken word] in 2002: shortMAN, Phenzwaan and others.

Q: Who or what are your greatest artistic influences?
[In no particular order] Stevie, MJ, Mos Def, Lauryn (rasp), Spike Lee (craft), Pacino (gravitas), Robin Williams (breadth), Jerry Seinfeld (craft), Bach (craft), Lewis (clarity), Kipling (If), Jesus Christ, Sesame Street (seriously), Danny Bedingfield (craft), Gil Scott Heron (candour)... I could go on

Q: How important a role does your background, cultural or otherwise play in your work?
I guess all that can be heard in the foreground of my stuff has a big backdrop in diversity... working in theatre at an early age, computers, promotions. So yeah its an important part, though Im not really into the typical cultural 'rootsy' stuff... at least not right now. Most of the work on my album is framed through my particular worldview over the last 3/4 years.. everything beyond that has some bearing but I see it quite dimly.

Q: Favourite fruit?
Mango

Q: Do you have any rituals or routines that help you write and memorise verses?
An ipod, a pair of asics and some crisp morning air never hurt... I should know - I never stay commited to my jogging schedule. Nah seriously, I put them in audio form and listen to em.. and sometimes its just plain old rote memory work... glamarous huh?

Q: Musical instrument you wish you played?
Keys.

Q: Who on the UK live music and spoken word scene has grabbed your attention recently/one to watch?
Abimaro Suit... definitely one to keep on your radar.... uh.. Sister Jones, Taylor Lane, Hollerzz, Zac Stanley... how long you got? (lol) watch this space for the ensemble I'll be leading.. we should be gigging together soon
 
Q: Favourite super power?
when i was coming up it was superted and spotty.. remember them? 

Q: What was the last good book you read?
Screwtape letters by C.S Lewis

Q: Name one venue or event you really enjoyed playing and why?
A swish summer nights dream last year at the EP launch.. because.. I got a chance to programme acts that I think are really deserving in a historic venue... made more special cos I dont know when I'll have the opportunity to do it again

Q: Most overrated virtue? Most underrated virtue?
hmm..If you can overrate a virtue theres a good chance that its actually a vice masquerading as a virtue. Ironically, humility- which is often misunderstood as 'low self esteem'- was, is and will continue to be underrated as a virtue

Q: Favourite or most overused word in your vocab?
swish - I like to think of it as a favourite

Q: Name one under-appreciated artist from each of the following:

Film?: I quite like Sophie Clements work, lots of rhythm and timing: Check out her vid 'Kithchen Test'

Music?: Mr J. Mederios.. I've talked about his work before.. not just cos hes gifted theres no shortage of gifted folks.. but he's gotta a lot of heart and out of that abundance he speaks a lot of light. that said, I dont think he'll be slept on for too much longer... his debut is out July 24th on Rawkus records.. 'Of Gods and Girls' go get it lemme know what you think.

Literature?: C.S Lewis.. by country miles one of the clearest thinkers this country produced in the 20th century but still neglected by too many.

Q: What's next for [verb]swish?
Wrapping up the debut album.. for release early 2008. Planning stuff with my manager. Touring with PAUSE, a night of theatre spoken word and music touring uni's from september, and more immeadiately following your show on the 19th of July @ the play bar (plug plug) I'm in need of a summer uplift (plug plug) I aim to catch a plane out to someplace hot and laze about for a few days with some books and headphones... I might do some reading and listen to some music aswell.

Q: A line from a song that describes how you are feeling right now?
"Why did I think that I could escape the Truth, you dont change - I change toward you" sung by Taylor Lane on Slight Aside.

Interview by Tola Ositelu (Acoustic Uplift)

[verb]swish appears at Acoustic Uplift on Thursday July 19th

[verb]swish, the 'rhythmic wordsmith', a lyricist with ideas flowing from the head to the heart to the pen. His sound, best described as spoken soul and neo-poetry for music lovers, transports listeners to the source of his reflective love of logic, intrinsic hip-hop energy and zeal for life & beauty. To come along for the ride, sign up to the monthly newsletter "Well I'll Be" at verbswish.com for the latest on all the verbs that flow out of his being