Around a month ago, while I was doing my usual aimless Facebook browsing, I received a message from a friend I hadn’t heard from in awhile. The preview showed that it contained one single hyperlink; moments like these normally lead to someone’s page getting tampered with, and all of their friends being sent ads for Chinese diet supplements or worse. However, against my better judgment, I opened the notice and clicked on the link, praying that it wouldn’t cause me to spiral into a deep hole filled with shame and regret, or my peers scorn.

Thankfully, it didn’t. Instead of some weird sham site, it directed me to The Internet’s Soundcloud page, where they were streaming their latest album, Feel Good. Now, fully confident that viruses were not going to wage a full fledge assault on my aging Dell PC, I pressed the large orange play button and sat down to begin listening to their sonic journey. As soon as it began, I went back to the Facebook tab, this time with a mission. I quickly responded to my friend, just two words: “Thank You.”

Combining elements of neo-soul, jazz, funk and reggae, Feel Good sounds totally different from not only the other music coming out of the OFWGKTA, but from majority of what’s found on the internet today. It had an old school feel, but felt uniquely modern. The vocals were definitely improved, plus the lyrics heard were much stronger. There weren’t vastly different tracks listed next to one another, it seamlessly flowed from one to another. It was an wholly unique sonic adventure, one I found myself retaking frequently.

“I think it’s more so what we grew up on. We all have old souls, and we wanted to make that sound,” Matt Martians, the twenty five year old producer and the Internet co-founder, explained. “On the first album [Purple Naked Ladies] we didn’t have the tools to make that sound, but now we do.”

The group has expanded in recent years, originally only being comprised of best friends Matt and Syd tha Kid, Odd Future’s DJ and producer. After the success of their debut album and needing to take their show on the road, the duo transformed into a full fledge band.  With the additions of drummer/producer Christopher A. Smith, drummer/bassist Patrick Page II, and pianist Tay Walker, they were able to achieve the more mature sound the group was striving for. Working with Mike Einziger definitely helped as well; the Grammy winning Incubus guitarist and co-writer engineered Feel Good, and bestowed a wealth of knowledge on the group. “Our engineer being in a band really helped us out. He knew what we wanted to play; so, he let us play it,” Matt stated thankfully.

They may sound older than they are because of who and what they listen to. “George Duke, a lot of George Duke. We like George Duke, he has so much. We just went through his discography,” Syd excitedly responded when asked who they were listening to while recording. “It was either reggae or neo-soul.”

However, their music is equally influenced by the sounds of the thriving Los Angles music scene, which they play an important part in. “It feels dope. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a part of a network of musicians that were dope. So it feels good. Every time I hear something that doesn’t sound like me, I know someone I can call on,” explained Syd. One of these artists happens to be Brainfeeder’s influential jazz musician, Thundercat, whom Syd had nothing but high praise for.“Thundercat has a lot of dope stuff as well. He is probably going to executively produce our next album. They’re [Brainfeeder] pretty tight as a whole too.”

The Internet have not fallen for the hubris that has been the undoing of many successful bands. Instead, they candidly share their approval for other musicians, some who they know well (like Jesse Boykins), worked with (Yuna), or they may not know (Cam’ron). They understand their role in the music industry, and they enjoy seeing other excel in it as well. In fact, they wish to help guide burgeoning artists approach their potential because they understand that it takes a village to make a successful career and good music.

“For some [songs] I reach out to other people. I co-write all of the songs, but I like working with other people when it comes to writing songs. I like mixing in other people’s words. I wish someone was sharing more with me, I would have more experience and work under my belt. I’m fully aware that I’m not the greatest at everything, so I reach out. If I know someone who is really great at writing hooks, I call them; or writing a song about this topic I call them.”

“It’s about giving back,” Matt interrupted, succinctly summarizing Syd’s previous comments. Finding an affordable studio and reasonably priced mixing/engineering is one of the biggest speed bumps slowing down aspiring artists. This was one of the major motivations behind Sydney’s involvement with Chateau Marie Studios, with her friend Alia Rose.

“The studio is doing good, it’s been really busy for us. I just keep buying new stuff. We opened it in honor of Teena Marie, Alia’s mother. When she was here, she really wanted to offer her daughter and her friends studio time for free. I came a long way, and I never wanted to do anything greedy. I’m not that greed, I just wanted to offer a responsible price.” The fact that they have seen so much success, is a testament to their modal and will help them accomplish something Matt doesn’t feel the music media has failed to do.

“It goes in cycles, there’s always good music, its about what music gets exposed. I can go back to any year and tell you good music that came out. Music media is in shambles, but I think the music is great. The people are taking it back into their hands, and on the internet, they give their reaction pretty quickly. It changes and it’s a give and take. It changes.

“Music media right now, it’s not about exposing good music, it’s about politics. We witness it firsthand. It’s had its reign, but it’s beginning to go back to the people’s hands, which is a good thing.”

Asides for their critique on the music industry, the two remain in high spirits and they have a reason to. Feel Good was success and the rising stars have seen a number of opportunities open up for themselves. When Matt moves from behind the boards, he remains creative, but in a different way. “I’m going into the art world, designing and illustration, because that’s my first love.” If you follow him or The Internet online, you have probably seen the space age, abstract pieces on their feed. The sheer amount that he has shared shows that he is very serious about what he is pursuing.

The Internet’s mixing and engineering talents are in high demand, and they are obviously more than willing to lend a hand. “We’re going to be handing out music for free, it’s all about giving back right. We always wanted to be executive producer and help other people.”

“We are already working on our next and other people’s project,” Syd emphasizes after Matt. Their positivity and hearing about their charitable intentions, it was evident that they are extremely happy where they are and headed, which definitely the motivation behind the beautifully relaxed tunes on their album. All they want to do is help everyone else Feel Good about themselves, and for that I have just two simple final words: “Thank You.”

Jimi (@Nativejimi), Photos by Aviva Klein