District teen releases debut CD

FORT FRANCES—Since developing a talent of writing rap music at the age of 14, Wade Friesen (a.k.a. Brok_Homz) always has been interested in releasing an album of his work.
And recently he did just that.
“I’d thought about it for the last two years,” said the 19-year-old from Alberton. “I had been looking for a central concept and finally it just came to me.”
He explained the title of his CD, “Wolvish Thoughts,” reflects the angry, aggressive sounds of his music. But he added his lyrics are not about material possessions that typical rap songs portray.
“It’s a very angry view of people’s rejection for God,” he said. “I’m trying to spark a new movement in people being interested in God and not being so careless with drugs and alcohol.
“It’s dark sounding music, but there’s a positive message.”
Friesen noted the CD does not offer songs people would listen to to get a party started. Instead, it provides a themed message or story.
“I know it doesn’t have any ‘catchy songs’ or tracks that will be a big hit, but I wrote what I wanted to say and the music came second,” he remarked.
The album tells the story of one man who mutates into a wolf out of complete anger for the corruption of the world. Guided by the Holy Spirit and empowered by God, this wolf man seeks out evil and destroys it.
Friesen said his lyrics try to point out how much sin actually affects the lives of humans and invites the listener to join in an effort to change the world through the power of Jesus Christ.
“I’m interested to see how people react to it,” he remarked, adding the album is a personal project he put a lot of time, effort, and thought into.
“It’s a long process,” he admitted. “I began rewriting songs and taking things out that didn’t fit with the theme.”
Not only did Friesen write all the lyrics and music for the 18 tracks on the CD, he also recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered the project under his own label, Farmboy Records.
“Coming into high school, I downloaded a music program and discovered I liked sequencing different sounds,” he noted. “I started to write lyrics and tried to rap.
“It was just for fun, but then I got more serious about it and since then, I’ve been gaining more knowledge and experience.
“And I’m still learning,” he added, noting for the past few years he hasn’t has much of a social life because he spends most of his free time on the computer playing with his music programs.
One way Friesen developed as an artist in his later years of high school was by performing at different functions. He put on two of his own shows, opened for band Castle Grey Skull, and even participated in the school’s musical revue.
“I really enjoy performing,” he stressed. “But I do more rapping because I’m less skilled at singing. I do enjoy singing and I am practising. I know I have trouble with breath control and I sing out of my throat.
“I’m working on it, and I want to be able to incorporate singing in my music.”
Friesen also is learning a lot at the Mid-Ocean School of Media Arts in Winnipeg, where he is enrolled in a recording engineer program.
And in addition to writing, recording, mixing, and performing, he also is taking on the business aspect of his music career.
“I found companies to make the CD and do the cover art. I make phone calls to venues about performances, I self-promote, and distribute my work,” he remarked.
“I’m not an expert at it, but I feel I have a balance overall and I’m trying to get better at all sides of music and the music business.”
Friesen is thrilled at how is career is progressing and is pleased to have finally released an album so he can continue to improve.
“I’ll have to see what kind of response I get,” he said of his new CD. “It’s really hit or miss. I have no idea what people are going to think about it.
“I enjoy what it is, but I don’t know if others will feel the same way.”
The album is available locally at Sight & Sound Audiotronic, Skates & Blades, and Global Gaming. It also is being sold at Long and McQuade, Music Trader, and CD Plus in Winnipeg.
The CD also features a track Friesen recorded with online rapper DZK, as well as a song with guitars provided by local musician Maverick Judson. And it is dedicated to the memory of Neil Roy and Ben Klyne, the two local teens killed in a car accident in August.
Friesen said his next goals are to create a website and develop a fan base.
“It’s not about making money—I want to change the generation and I’m trying to do my part to develop a new mindset,” he reasoned.
Friesen plans on continuing to write music, and down the road hopes to make a living as an established recording artist. However, with his interest in the music business, he also can see himself one day owning his own record label.
“I have my own style of music and I want to give the public something they won’t find anywhere else,” he stressed.
(Fort Frances Times)