This is a guest post by Rick Saxby. You can learn about Rick by checking out his bio and links at the end of this article.

Spoken Nerd is a Nashville MC who pushes the boundaries of what is currently considered hip hop. If you’re into Rock or Hip Hop, chances are you’ll like his latest album “Our Team is Going To Win”.

It was produced by veteran rock producer Joel McAulty. I personally love the album. It is a great example of when musicians go in diverse directions when choosing their producers.

Take, for instance, Red Hot Chilli Peppers when they worked with producer Rick Rubin. At the time, Rick Rubin was more of a hip hop producer and the Chilli Peppers a Rock/Funk band but their combined willingness to explore ended up making a legendary album- “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik”.

That’s the kind of musician Spoken Nerd appears to be. He doesn’t seem to care whether or not he sounds like any particular genre, just that he’s making good music. Say what you will about him but he’s definitely not just doing the same old song and dance.

My first encounter with him was at Columbia State Community College. When my friend Dennis Gowder introduced me to him I was thrown back a bit. He had long hair, a big beard and lived on a community farm (known to most people as the hippie farm) but one thing struck me about him- He didn’t look like your typical rapper/MC around 2002.

He definitely could rap better than most of the guys who did look like your typical rapper/MC at the time. After his time at Columbia State he moved to Nashville and teamed up with 24/7 on several albums. Some time later, I ended up hearing him at a live show and was absolutely amazed by the progression he was making as a live performer.

He has since gone in a totally different direction from the usual sample or dirty south beats (not that there’s anything wrong with those). Since his 2008 release of “24 Carrot Dreams” and “Apocalypse Awareness Day” he has pushed his music further lyrically as well as musically.

His 2012 Release of “Our Team is Going To Win” almost sounds like the Flaming Lips made a hip hop album. The hooks are very melodic and catchy, like nothing I’ve ever heard on a rap album before. His songs sound like they are written more in the traditional way of songwriting rather than just making a beat and rapping over it.

If you ever get a chance to check out one of his live shows, you should go. His live shows feature some of the best live hip hop around. He’s a true performer/entertainer and sometimes plays with live percussionists and other musicians which definitely adds some character and energy to the shows.

I was recently lucky enough to sit down with him at the Lodge before he went on tour. I asked him a few questions about the previous work he’s done and the new album he’s working on.

Could you describe what a watermelon heart is?

It’s about people and the shells we have. Watermelon Heart is saying it’s okay to protect your heart and not cast your pearls amongst swine.

You’re a singer/songwriter as well as a beer brewer. Are there any similarities between the two?

They both have a dance. And anything we do in life is a dance. So in that effect they are similar. Actually, on my new album I’m doing a song about brewing called Big Beers.

Is there a correlation between that song and Big Beards?

Well, they’re both funny rap songs.

What are your predictions for December 21, 2012?

I predict that a lot of people are going to have a great time at my show in Clarksville, TN at The Coup! Come join us for an end of the world celebration!

www.SpokenNerdlovesyou.com