Interview with Space Kamp (Oskee and Ado)
Space Kamp will be at the One Earth Reggae Fest on July 2, 2022.
Oskee and Adoo make up the duo of Space Kamp. Space Kamp has a new album out and it debuted at number 7 on Billboard’s Current Reggae Albums chart. The new album is called, “Butterfly Effect”. This Saturday, July 2, 2022 you can see Space Kamp at the One Earth Reggae Fest (You can also see Trouble City All Stars, JoJo Mac, Red Fox & Screechy Dan, Solomonic Sound, Sister Nancy with Solomonic Sound, Tropidelic, LNJ Sessions, DJ Bez Musiq, and more.) On August 14, 2022, you can check out Space Kamp and Trouble City All Stars at MusikFest2022. Oskee and Adoo took time to talk to me for The Valley Ledger.
Hi Oskee, please tell us about the new album, “Butterfly Effect”?
Oskee- The album debuted at number seven on the Reggae charts. We had a fun time making the album because it was around the COVID time, and there was a lot of back and forth with zoom, and emails. We weren’t able to meet with the producers like we usually do. It was a little tough doing that but we had fun making the album. The record is full of positive songs and high vibrations.
What can you say about the writing process? I think when people write their own stuff, it means a lot.
Oskee- Yeah man, as far as the writing process, me and Adoo do have fun times with the writing, we usually just write in the spur of the moment things come to you. I believe the best songs are the ones that are written freely. Those are the type of songs that you want to put together for a record. We could be driving down a road and Dooby will get something in his head or I’ll get something in my head, and we’ll go back and forth with each to create something beautiful. That’s how we create these songs.
What are you both most excited about? The new album is out, and Space Kamp will be performing Saturday at the One Earth Reggae Festival. Space Kamp will be at MusikFest again this year.
Adoo- The fact that it’s happening, I guess it was a long time coming. Last year we performed at Levitt Pavillion, and we were sitting backstage talking about how wonderful it would be if there could be a Reggae Festival, and we wanted to have a bunch of artists show up. We had a whole idea with Red Fox, Sister Nancy, and Tropidelic’s. We mentioned it to the guys at Movement Moves Media, and they were able to make it happen, and ArtsQuest thought it was a good idea. For me, I’m so excited that this manifested and it’s now a reality.
Oskee- I would have to agree with Dooby. I’m excited that this festival is taking place. It’s the first Reggae Festival I know of that’s coming to the Lehigh Valley. I’m excited to see everyone perform, and feel the vibrations and feel the love.
Adoo- Every artist is awesome, and Trouble City All Stars is starting the day off. It can’t get much better than that, especially in the Lehigh Valley. They are all wonderful humans and great people. It’s important that they get their due, they have been a big inspiration to us. They have been representing the Reggae culture for a long time in the Lehigh Valley. I can’t wait to feel that energy.
Oskee- It’s going to be fun. We want to spread that love and peace around.
We do need some peace and lots of love. This is going to be amazing.
Oskee- Thank you.
What do both of you want to say to everyone that has been listening to the music, and the people that will coming to the shows?
Oskee- Thank you very much. Everyone who does support us is motivating us to keep going. We strive for a higher purpose, and a higher goal. I really do appreciate everyone from the bottom of my heart.
Adoo- One hundred percent, yeah. I think as soon as we decided consciously decided that love was going to be our mission, I think everything has been progressing for us in a positive manner. We’re trying to live everyday being grateful. We want to spread love and positivity, especially in kind of a dark time, and a crazy time in the world. There are so many different layers of negativity going on, I think that if each of us try to look for a silver lining and hold onto love, that’s going to reflect everyone that we’re around, because we’re all reflections of each other. If we’re living with love inside, that’s going to come out. Hopefully we can transfer some of that energy.
What’s next for Space Kamp?
Adoo- We’re going to keep Rocking N Rollin’, the album just came out. We’re excited to finally be able to go back out on the road. We’re going to be doing a lot of shows this summer on the east coast, and hopefully we can head back out to the west coast. We hope international touring becomes possible again. We already have another EP, an acoustic EP with a wonderful musician from Arizona. We’re excited about that but right now we’re going to keep rolling.
What do you both think is the greatest creative aspect of making an album?
Oskee- I think it’s leaving a little bit of yourself on the album. When you’re creating an album, you’re manifesting emotions and feelings. You leave that imprint on the album for the world to get to know you better.
Adoo- One hundred percent, every album is somewhat of a time capsule. It’s pretty awesome to look back at different records. Also, for me I love watching the artwork manifest and create. When you start off with an album you might just have a bunch of demos and ideas, but slowly those songs turn into what you’re considering to be the album. By the time you have the final tracklist, and then you get to point of creating a visual side of it. I enjoy the whole process; I enjoy seeing the whole thing come together.
The artwork is beautiful, and the Gonzo shirt is the best.
Adoo- Thank you, and he was the best.
Oskee- Thank you.
Adoo- I do think that gets lost sometimes. To each his own, no path is the right path as long as it’s your path.
Words of wisdom or any advice to fellow artists out there in the world?
Oskee- Just keep on going, even when times get dark. There is a light at the end of tunnel. Keep striving.
Adoo- Yes, if your being true to yourself, and you’re writing or creating from an honest place, there is nothing anyone can ever hold over you. There’s no negative thing that could come from you being honest, and that’s something I wish I could have told my younger self. It’s all good because things take time, and our journey takes time. For a young artist, I believe the most important thing you can do is to be honest.
Thank you both so much for taking the time to talk to me.
Oskee- Thank you.
Adoo- Thank you.
