There are, at least, four artists known as Soulstice: 1) Ashley J. Llorens (born in 1979 in Chicago, Illinois), known professionally as Soulstice, is an American HipHop Emcee. He started seriously pursuing music while earning his B.S. and M.S. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2003, Soulstice founded the independent label, Wandering Soul Records, concurrently with the release of his first album, North by Northwest. Consistently using soul-inflected hip-hop productions as his platform, he accumulated dozens of accolades from critics and underground hip-hop fans alike for his perceptive, highly literate, and concept-driven albums. his family eventually moved a little bit further south into the suburban neighborhood University Park, where Llorens grew up. He was initially inspired to rap in the seventh grade when a friend played a tape by Chicago native Twista (known then as Tung Twista). By 1993, he was writing his own rap lyrics, and by 1997, his freshmen year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), he was an on-stage performer. Along with his classmates, he helped put together a crew of MCs and producers on campus named Banarnar, which mainly served as a creative apparatus for friends to make and record music. Llorens' studies in electrical and computer engineering were extremely useful for the group, allowing him to handle more complex sound engineering tasks. Nevertheless, the group dissolved once many of the students graduated; thus, Soulstice founded Wandering Soul Records to launch his solo career. In 2003, he released his solo debut, North by Northwest, while completing his master's program at UIUC. After he relocated to the Maryland/Washington, D.C., area for a full-time position with the U.S. Department of Defense, the soulful MC came into contact with other local artists, like MC Haysoos and producer Oddisee, through performances at open mics and small shows. Oddisee contributed new beats for the 2005 re-release of SoulStice's solo debut, titled as North by Northwest: Solid Ground, and the following year, SoulStice and Haysoos formed the socially conscious, erudite duo Wade Waters. Soulstice returned in 2007 with his second solo album, Dead Letter Perfect. 2) A 'downtempo' / 'trip-hop' group, consisting of Andy Caldwell (keyboards), Gabriel Rene (keyboards), Mei-Lwun Yee (turntables) & Gina Rene (vocals). They have released a string of house / drum and bass classics, including "Tenderly" & "Lovely." Featuring remix work by Kevin Yost, Johnny Fiasco & Acetate - these 12"s have brought Soulstice into clubs worldwide, on the playlists of notable artists, such as Rainer Trüby, DJ Garth, Mark Farina & Q-Burns Abstract Message. Stateside, their debut album "Illusion" has garnered radio support, from Jason Bentley & Kevin Lincoln, making Soulstice one of KCRW's most requested artists. In 1989 Gabriel and Mei-Lwun were working on a hip-hop track in the Rene family studio. "The track was cool," says Gabriel, "but Mei-Lwun and I couldn't rap." They asked little sister Gina to give it a try, and the rest is history. It wasn't till some time later that Soulstice finally materialized after collaboration between Andy and Gabriel in 1995. "I knew the first time I worked on a track with Gabe that this was right. Making music with my brother was where I was supposed to be. The chemistry between all of us was so obvious and it was such a natural high whenever we'd get together." reflects Gina. Approaching production from a collaborative standpoint, Soulstice often developed many of the sounds and ideas they used from the freestyle sessions they originally became known for. Soulstice continued to refine their sound with emotive song writing and detailed arrangements. From playing to a few hundred people at 111 Minna St to playing sold out shows at the 1200 capacity historic Fillmore Theatre, SF, Soulstice have come a long way in their musical journey. "We live and breathe our music, everything comes from us. The song is king, it's all about the lyrics." says Andy. "Like a lyrical journal, I lay out my experiences and melodies to connect to the present in our music. I get the feeling that the whole band's lyrical ability to be so honest about the struggle of growing into adulthood really brings the listener in." describes Gina. The debut album "Illusion" is a true collective work of art. Five years in the making, Soulstice emerge as the driving force behind putting the music back into electronica. "Using the electronic medium does not mean that the music can't be organic," explains Andy, "there is more to electronic music than beats and samples." As an American band in a widely European genre of dance music, Soulstice are pioneering the stateside convergence in the sophistication of electronic music. "The creative process that drives Soulstice, now 5 years later, is more disciplinary. Songwriting is the main focus and we have input where it used to be me writing the majority of lyrics/melodies. It's exciting to open up the arena, for example, Mei-Lwun shares his poetic skills or I'd suggest a break beat." says Gina. With headlining the Sounds of Om World Tour beginning in March, releasing a number of extremely sought after remixes, Gina's voice blessing numerous 12" singles throughout the Om family, and smoking DJ club nights with Gabriel, Mei-Lwun, and Andy, the sky is the limit for Soulstice. "Music is everything. It's like my love, my life partner. It's also about healing; it's therapy. I love it and I know it's healing other people." explains Gina. Soulstice's debut album "Illusion" on San Francisco's OM Records hits streets April 24, 2001. 3) "This '90s hardcore band had everything going for them; they were from syracuse, had the same drummer that displayed his amazing skills in Green Rage, Guav the straight edge weapon did their logo, and Joel Jordan did their 7" layout." - coregasm 4) A vibrant and eclectic student-organized a cappella ensemble at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. They arrange, choreograph and perform popular songs and old favourites in a number of styles, including pop, indie and jazz. The repertoire changes from year to year and members are always encouraged to arrange new songs. Some of their latest additions include “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles, “Going, Going, Gone” by Stars, “Woods” by Bon Iver and “Sea Lion Woman” by Feist.