The Dialectics are a live indie hip-hop band with 6 to 9 members. No one knows the exact number for sure, and the Dialectics refuse to issue an estimate for fear that they might leave someone out. Needless to say, the sound is big. Taking their cues from live-band acts like The Roots and Digable Planets, The Dialectics use real guitar, bass, and drums to breath life into break beats. They trade in samples for the spoken word. They are pioneers in the use of manual hand claps.

Each Dialectics show is unique and based on the jazz ethic of blending notes and rhythms on the fly. Audience participation is common, and encouraged. Whether building epic walls of sound or just banging out a crowd pleaser, the Dialectics bring it. Eric Wilkinson spits rhymes that take crowds through the highs and lows of postmodern experience, distilling the most prescient philosophical issues of the day. Emily Bruner kicks verses that reach through the speakers and smack listeners out of political hypnosis. Niah Soult delivers sensual vocals that dance through crowds and make believers out of non-believers. JK-47 proves time and again that he is second to none in his turntablism skills.

The Dialectics have released two EP's, Styles of Resistance (2007) and Origins of Blast (2008), gained a regional following, and shared the stage with Blackalicious, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Coup, Nappy Roots, Doodlebug of Digable Planets, Seven Mary Three, Cunninlynguists, Mud Kids, Hotpipes, Chico Felini, Villebillies, Mass Hysteria, The Running, John the Baptist, Pugz Atomz, The Pacifics, Midwest Hype, Devine Carama, DJ Intel, Symbiance, Us Band, Attempt, Tryptamine Arkestra, Big Fresh, Marcus McFly, Tommy and the Try Tones, The Sundown Service and Art of Covenant.

Talk to Eric after a show, and he might invite you to join the band. The Dialectics are currently accepting applications for the following positions: break dancers, slide projectionists, theremin players, auctioneers, and audience members with finely tuned cochleas. Geographic location is not a factor, provided that the applicant’s mind is in the right place. The Dialectics claim members in Lexington, KY, Athens, GA, and Cincinnati. They hope to one day colonize Texas and restore democracy in its borders.

Discography

Styles of Resistance EP (2007)
Origins of Blast EP (2008)
Incognito 7 inch (2008)
Bicycle Manifesto 7 inch (2009)

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(c) Eric Wilkinson 2009