Gab & Jam Episode 5: What's a "Prejippie"?

What's a "Prejippie"? Gab & Jam Episode 5 --Blooming Prejippie Zine

We like behind the scenes songwriting inspiration and origins videos, which is why this episode will focus on the history and thinking behind the name “Prejippie.”

#originstory

Here are the highlights of our history:

Bruce had the name when we met in 1986. (He explains why in the episode at roughly 2:57 in video.)
The word “Prejippie” literally means “preppy,” “jitterbug,” and “hippie.”
Bruce explains a little about the double consciousness of being an African-American (which is a sub-culture) within the dominant American culture and about how all that influenced his thinking on a base level. He says that he heard a recent interview by Lenny Kravitz, where he echoed a similar sentiment. —Seriously, see the video!
Philosophically, it means a free-combining of a variety of different cultural and genres perspectives in one and one-to-one.
Bruce resisted using the word, initially, because he hates to be what he calls a “template” person, or someone who you can depend on to do the same things all the time. I’ve since convinced him that, because “Prejippie” by its very definition is a cobbling together of multiple influences, he can afford to call himself—and all his music that—without danger of being predictable. Phew! I’m glad we’ve committed to it fully.

15 Tips for Better Band Photos --Blooming Prejippie Zine

Musical Philosophy:

Bruce answers the question of how being a Prejippie influences how we do music.
We both weigh in on why it is important to know this gnarly, not-so-little fact about us.

This is how this Prejippie life philosophy exhibits itself in the following:

Clothing—Don’t commit to only one style or one color, but feel passionate about expressing the many moods.
Politics—Try to think through the ideas and not simply side with anyone just ‘cause.
Entertainment—Just as we produce in a variety of genres, so, too, do we consume from a variety of different genres, as well as balancing our intake of pop culture and “high-brow” culture.

#blacknerds

#doubleconsciousness

Advantages to the name “Prejippie”:

People seem to remember it.
People like saying it.
No one can “steal” it (since it is so unique and, generally, folks are not willing to risk possible embarrassment to do something totally out of the ordinary).
Communicates an artistic philosophy.

15 Tips for Taking Better Band Photos --Blooming Prejippie Zine

You’ve heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, band photos REALLY are, since they determine if someone is going to say “Hell, yeah!” or “Hell, no!” to listening to your kick-ass music. Don’t forget to take heed to these important tips, in order to “get it right.” Check out this checklist of 15 valuable tips. http://www.bloomingprejippie.com/betterbandphotos

This is how these ideas manifest themselves in our practice:

Music is quite a mix of styles; as we take those styles in, we marble them up and re-interpret.
The result can sometimes end up as multi-melded genres, which is why I came up with the tagline “hard to classify; hooky as hell!” (since the only thing that has been consistent has been that there are multiple, discernable hooks throughout all compositions).

Why are we sharing this in particular?

We think it’s important to begin to gather our tribe and we think that being clear from the outset what you can expect as you connect to us allows you to decide early on if what we offer is for you.
Those of you who relate will find value and will hopefully be able to enjoy our music, channel, and vibe early and often.
It is our goal to not being anything other than ourselves from here on out. (—We don’t know about you, but we twisted and turned to fit what we think life has “given” us, which led to less-than-ideal outcomes. It is our prime goal from here on it to deliberately seek the life we want by continually being true to that still small voice that is our true selves speaking. By sharing our artistic philosophy, we are setting ourselves on that path to leading lives that are in alignment with our vision for our lives. It has to be here and we had to start it now.) (see link back to why we are doing this now.)
According to branding experts, the sooner you share your core values, the sooner the folks who vibe with us will help us sing “Kumbaya” and we’ll sing, dance, and create in the land of misfit toys forever and ever. Amen.

Well, that’s the history behind the name “Prejippie.”