The Weir

The Weir, an up and coming musician from the south coast resort of Southsea, England. Producing experimental hip hop for around 8 years including collaborations with vocalists from all parts of the world.

While his earlier music was inspired by the beats of producers such as the RZA, Prince Paul, DJ Shadow, Pete Rock and DJ Premier, his sound has evolved over these years, his new projects have become more song based, fluid and melodic, inspired by the cinematic soundtracks he loves, from Bill Conti to Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota to Craig Armstrong but never forgetting his love for a crunchy hip hop beat.

Over the course of three self released EPs The Weir had consistently experimented with a wide range of off kilter samples and original arrangements but his fourth instalment, The Legend of Kid Icarus, was a culmination of this work. A myriad of textures and sounds bound into a single epic journey across 6 tracks of orchestral, atmospheric and underground hip hop and beats, it was his most adventurous and consuming project to date. The EP provided a backdrop to a mystical fantasy set against a distant stratosphere, a soundscape of slipstreams and turbulence, cool breezes and blue sky.

Colourful and rich elements from an eclectic mix of sources such as movies, television, traditional ethnic instruments, modern electronica and retro video games, are blended with a hip-hop sensibility to produce music which seems at first measured and simple but soon unravels itself to the listener, slowly drawing you in deep, holding you tightly to the end.

For his first long player, The Weir has returned to his origins of producing for lyricists but has managed to carry through his experimental edge, and epic sound. Inspired by Phil Spector’s trademark Wall of Sound and the dense, layered instrumentation behind the vocals, The Weir has produced a hip hop album of epic proportions.

For more information visit www.theweir.co.uk or www.myspace.com/the_weir

UKHH.com wrote:

“Instrumental hip hop that paints a soundscape, certainly a journey that will start off with you in a darkened room smoking spliffs, but will have you ending up dancing around and shaking that butt.”

The October Issue of Stool Pigeon wrote:

“Whoah, this one is tasty: THE WEIR, who’s a Southsea/Portsmouth-based bedroom producer doing very cinematic and faintly gnarly hip hop instrumentals. We’re hearing the RZA, Company Flow and Shadow at the root of these songs, but they’re far more than just breaks – to his beats The Weir adds bluesy vocal loops, strings, weird bleeps, and movie samples to build soundscapes that are graceful, otherworldly and impressive. Ninja Tune fans listen in.”

Distant Stratosphere was featured on the cover CD of Future Music Issue 180. They wrote: “Some atmospheric abstract hip hop action here, which moves through three distinct sections, managing the shifts very well. The drums throughout have a great lo-fi feel to them and it’s these, combined with the underlying atmospheres and swells that really give the piece its feel.”

The November Issue of Beatmag wrote:

“More a mini-album than EP, ‘The Legend Of Kid Icarus’ is the work of Andrew Weir from Southsea, UK, and contains six tracks of beat-tronica that occasionally veers onto the dancefloor (as on the ‘Funky Brother’ beats of ‘Above The Clouds’). Mostly it sticks to orchestral atmospherics, live vocals, organic percussion and even a driving Joy Division vibe on ‘Slipstreams’. It’s imaginative and lively and has all the hallmarks of a bedroom studio obsessive. Someone should introduce Weir to a class songwriter and watch the sparks fly.”

• The Legend of Kid Icarus

• Electronic, Hip Hop/Rap
• The Weir
• 03/15/2007
• 

Liner Notes: The legend of kid Icarus is a finely crafted cinematic journey. Rolling drums, deep vocal samples and a skillful use of orchestral strings gives this album a dark yet soulful vibe. With a brilliant sense for timing and arrangement, The Weir often incorporates rhythm and tempo changes mid track. His ability to stay cohesive whilst experimenting with multiple genres is a credit to his diverse musical tastes and innovative production. The legend of kid Icarus draws from wide variety of genres such as: psychedelic rock, drum & bass, orchestral scores, hip hop, trip hop and soul. Collaged into one psychedelic journey, this album is not only original and thought provoking but incorporates a unique blend of timeless orchestral and vocal samples not to be missed. A must have for fans of soulful cinematic beats.

1. A Distant Stratosphere
2. Polluted By The Witch
3. Above the Clouds
4. Digital Pilot
5. Slipstreams
6. No Place Like Home

• Skyhooks

• Hip Hop/Rap, Electronic
• The Weir
• 02/17/2009
• 

Liner Notes: Skyhooks is The Weir’s first LP and like the title and cover art hint, it is an aspirational and fun record. The experimental compositions of his previous work continue with this record, creating the soundscapes for some truly talented vocalists. While uncompromising, Skyhooks is arguably his most commercial recording to date. Featuring both UK and US based guest vocalists including Move.meant, Goodword, Teef and Cymarshall Law, Skyhooks consists of ten underground hip hop tracks that manage to carry through The Weir's experimental edge, and epic sound. With his dense, layered instrumentation behind the vocals, The Weir has produced a hip hop album of epic proportions.

1. Leave Me Alone
2. Run Before You Walk
3. Positive Vibes
4. Who Knows
5. Corruption
6. Entropy
7. Dear God
8. Rock Steady
9. Hellfire
10. Cheyne Stoking