Music: Other Side Of Fear by I.O.U. – New Jersey

IOU sitting downI.O.U. submitted to us and after navigating to their site we ended up listen and view many of their song and videos. We where so impressed that we had to reach out to them. Check out this great interview we did with them about their new single, “‘Other Side Of Fear”.
I.O.U., New Jersey’s Rutgers University’s most familiar faces, young cats Isaiah ‘Izee’ McNeill and Andrew ‘Buck’ Buckner. The journey for these two 19-year-old New Jersey natives began in their home studio in Isaiah’s basement when they set out to create a sound of their own, with an epic feel, a world vibe, and hip-hop as the base.
The boys rose to local stardom under the stage name Deuce 1’s during their freshman year of college when they released ‘Rutgers State of Mind’ their take on Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ ‘Empire State of Mind.’ The song became a Rutgers anthem, and the following year Buck and Izee linked up to record ‘Black and Scarlet,’ their take on Wiz Khalifa’s ‘Black and Yellow’ which landed them the title of ‘Rutgers’ Official Rap Group,’ and left many fans wondering, what can we expect from these guys next?
A few months later, the fellows holed themselves up in their studio, changed their name to I.O.U., a name they felt was more meaningful, and set out to break their mind barriers, figuratively, by producing and recording their self-released album ‘Breaking Our Mind Barriers’ or ‘B.O.M.Bs.’ released summer of 2011 on their website www.insideouruniverse.com.
Since B.O.M.Bs., Izee & Buck have come a long way by opening for international superstars Far East Movement in Long Island, NY late September 2011, performing at Six Flags’ Frightfest in Jackson, NJ early October 2011, releasing their second and third mixtape Love, Great. Humans and Patience in November 2011, and May 2012 respectfully, as well as opening for Big Sean at East Stroudsburg University in March 2012, performing at Bamboozle in May 2012, and last but not least opening for School Boy Q and Ab-Soul in June 2012. 
Why did you select this song as your current single? 
One of our main goals as a group is to inspire whoever we can, however we can. We feel ‘Other Side Of Fear’ does just that. The message is simple “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” People can truly do whatever they desire to do, they just have to lay down their fears, and they’ll pretty much end up having the greatest time of their life doing so.
How does this single relate to the rest of the Album, EP or Mix-tape? 
Well, the album as a whole represents the unique aspects of who we are as individuals, thus naming it “The Soul & The Intellect”. Yet there are some gems within the album that we’ve been able to mold together our voices. This single is one of many that shows our ability to mesh together The Soul and The Intellects style of music.
What was the writing process for the song? 
It was a very simple process. While in college Izee created the music. Buck, not being in college, went over to his apartment and heard it. Then over the course of one week, Buck and Izee wrote and recorded the entire record.
What does this song’s lyric mean to you? 
It just means that the only way you can be stopped from achieving any goal, is if you allow your fears, insecurities, and doubts to stop you.
 What would it be like to see you in person performing this song? 
You would first need to get a physical from a doctor to make sure you’re healthy enough to handle one of our shows. If your doctor says it’s ok, then you might want to say a few Hail Mary’s before-hand just to make sure you’ll be alright.
Could your fans summarize who you are as an artist by this song? 
No they can’t. There’s way more to know about us than just this song. Our fans get the opportunity to find out about us through many more experiences that only our fans have the privilege to experience.
Is there a video planned and or completed and if so, what was the idea behind the video? 
There is a video planned. It’s top secret. It’s crazy. Be prepared.
One last question, what is your motivation behind your music? 
God, Family, Fans, Women, Trees, Women, Being able to create the soundtrack to people’s lives, and did we mention women?

IOU Stairs

IOU

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Upcoming shows:
April 10th at Dolce Lounge in Elizabeth, NJ
April 25th at Centenary College, NJ

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