Jay Tablet

Keeping up with Bend-based rapper and producer Jay Tablet is never an easy task.

By my count, the charismatic MC has released at least a full-length album per year since 2010, either as a solo artist or as part of Cloaked Characters, the duo he shares with local producer Rory Oneders. And that doesn’t include a raft of mixtapes, stray tracks and collaborations from the same time period.

But here we are, summer of 2014, and Tablet — real name: Joseph Tavares — is back with a new record. This one’s called “West Ghostin’” and it’s available to stream (or purchase for whatever you’re willing to pay) at www.zonkedout.bandcamp.com.

Fans of Tablet will find much to like here; at this point, his aesthetic is established, and “West Ghostin’” delivers plenty of dimly lit hip-hop tracks fueled more by chilled-out beats and hazy synths than the traditional building blocks of rap. As always, Tablet’s laid-back drawl cinches the album’s status as an after-party staple.

But “West Ghostin’” also finds Tab experimenting here and there, pushing toward pop (“To The Zone”), soul (“Feeling Good”) and acoustic blues (“All I”). The shortest song, “BAC,” produced by Tyeze, has an abrasive and uncompromising quality that would not sound out of place on Kanye West’s “Yeezus.” “Winston Woods” is slow and somber, an elegiac meditation on the afterlife, and a striking way to close the album.

The rest of the tracklist features members of Tablet’s extended music family: guest spots by Oneders, Chandler P and Keegan Smith, and beats by Keez and Dead Giveaway. But most of the tracks are the work of Tablet himself, ensuring that “West Ghostin’” is undeniably a product of his restless, omnivorous mind. - Bend Bulletin

“Love where I’ve been but the past isn’t now” – Jay Tablet from “Note to Self”.

Bend heavy-hitter Jay Tablet just dropped his new album “West Ghostin” via Bandcamp. In light of the release, Jay reached out to me to review the album and I gladly obliged. Knowing the Zonked Out artist for some time now, I’ve come to respect his grind and consistency with his music. He is always touring somewhere or sending me links to new music and is an excellent example of hard work mixed with musical talent. That being said, let’s get into it.

*Standout Tracks*
1. West Ghostin
4. Note to Self
6. 13_32

The album begins with “West Ghostin”, a groovy baseline and a hook introducing not only the title of the album but it sets the tone for the entire project as well. This is a standout song to me because Jay truly is rapping on this one. Shouts to the “Crater Lake Vodka” line too. Must keep the sponsors happy and it’s a phenomenal liquor. Dope.

“Note to Self” is probably my favorite song on the album. The Dead Giveaway produced track is a laid back evaluation of his life and surroundings. Great writing and formatting on this one with a cool multilayered hook that hits you without knowing you’re in a hook.

I’ve seen the Zonked Out standout live a few times and he is always on point. Adding to the show (hopefully) will be the other standout track of the album “13_32”. One of the only songs that I could foresee doing well on radio with an electro/hip-hop hard hitting beat and catchy hook. I hope he plans on doing this one live.

Jay’s writing and delivery seems to get better with each project but the aspect that really stands out to me is how comfortable he sounds on tracks now. It doesn’t seem forced and his laid-back persona shines through on nearly every track.

Overall, I’m impressed by the release and look forward to seeing where this project takes him. Bend, Oregon artist has a run of shows in Idaho and Utah lined up for July, then a US tour with Kytami so make sure to check him out when he’s in your city.

8/10

#OutHere - We Out Here

We recently chatted with Joseph Tavares, aka Jay Tablet, an artist out of Bend, Oregon. He shared his love of performing and what’s in store for 2014.

[Backstage Vibe] Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What kind of music you create? How did you get started in music? [Jay Tablet] My name is Joseph Tavares aka Jay Tablet born in San Jose. Lived in CA most my young life. Moved to Bend OR 10 years ago, and havent moved since. I would Categorize my music as “Dark Party” music. It is a genre we made up for my group Cloaked Characters in 2000.

[Backstage Vibe] What is your favorite part of creating music or performing? [Jay Tablet] My favorite part of creating is the chance to open up and express my deepest emotions through words and sounds. Creating a mood that can be felt by anyone.

As performing I love to show my energy and watch it travel through the crowd. Its one of the greatest feelings, when your music sparks a persons inner self to show.

[Backstage Vibe] Where do you get your inspiration from? [Jay Tablet] My inspiration usually comes from past, present, and future experience tweeked and branched off of to create a new reality. High and lows create great music.

[Backstage Vibe] What are some of the highlights from the past year for you? [Jay Tablet] This past year had been great. I released my second solo album Tablife and had a chance to tour to alot of new markets. I also got my first major placement in Universal Pictures movie trailer for “Neighbors”, and Sony Pictures movie “Grace” due to release soon.

[Backstage Vibe] What’s in store for 2014? [Jay Tablet] 2014 has been packed with shows and music creations. I am dropping a new album July 2014 called “West Ghostin”. It is a “back to my roots” type of album. Alot of west coast style beats with new topics an new life experiences involved.

[Backstage Vibe] What is one thing you’ve learned during your career in music? Any advice for people starting out in the industry? [Jay Tablet] Be true to yourself and always surround yourself with the best possible team. The industry is a team sport no matter what. There is no I in team. If it seems hard that’s because it is, and most artists fail. Survivor mentality is a must.

[Backstage Vibe] Anything else we should know about you? [Jay Tablet] I will be making alot of noise in the industry till the death of me! ZONKEDOUT is my click and DARK PARTY MUSIC is what we do!

[Backstage Vibe] Where can your fans find you on the web?
www.zonkedout.net
facebook.com/jaytabletmusic
Or @jaytablet on insta,twitter, and pretty much anywhere else. - Backstage Vibe

“The headliner is Jay Tablet, busy local MC and producer whose musical productivity and business hustle is unparalleled in town. He’s a touring machine, though this is his first all-ages show in his home town. Oh, and his songs are fun late-night party jams, too. He’ll be joined by his dude DJ Harlo, a popular local performer in his own right.” - - Ben Salmon, Bend Bulletin (Jan 17, 2014)

“The new album is called Tablife—a title derived from a hashtag oft used by Tablet when discussing his hectic but also semi-flashy rapper lifestyle where there's a party in every city and always somewhere to be. The record itself is a carousel of celebration rap songs backed by throwback beats from the '80s and '90s. The track "Open" even takes micro-synth inspiration from Ice Cube's "Check Yo Self." And true to form, the album is chock full of collaborations. Local R&B starlet Caitlin Cardier appears on the romantic "Sincerely True" while mixtape master Amsterdam and dance beat engineer DJ Harlo pair up to help out on "Trap." Tablet and his friends continually battle the stereotype that the Bend scene is all about bluegrass and indie rock. The release of Tablife is a giant hip-hop roar that shouldn't be ignored. ” - Ethan Maffey

If seeing this music brief feels a little like the movie “Groundhog Day,” that’s understandable.

You see, local hip-hop MC/hustler/entrepreneur Jay Tablet already hosted one release party for his new solo album “Put It On the Tab” a few weeks ago.

But that one was for all ages. Tonight, he’s throwing another release party, this time for the old folks (21+) at MadHappy Lounge.

“Put It On the Tab” has been soaking in ‘round these parts for a while now. It’s a dark, glitchy synthesis of hip-hop, pop and electronic music, with Tablet not only rapping but also singing a few notable choruses (“What If I,” “Matter No More”). The result is an album that would work as a soundtrack for both the sweaty, bright-lights party and the low-key, dimly lit after-party.

Tablet — perhaps better known as part of local hip-hop group Cloaked Characters — has an ear for a hook, no doubt about it, and a willingness to venture into worlds that don’t necessarily line up with conventional hip-hop wisdom. And for that, he should be commended. Also worth noting: Guests on “Tab” include Mad Child of Swollen Members, Mosley Wotta, Rory Oneders, Amsterdam and Caitlin Cardier.

The album will be available at the show tonight, and it’s online at all the usual outlets. Keep up with Tablet at www.cloaked characters.com and www.twitter.com/jaytablet. - The Bend Bulletin

For the past decade, Jay Tablet (real name: Joseph Taveres) has been a key player in the Oregon hip-hop scene as half of Cloaked Characters, along with Rory Oneders. But now, Tablet is breaking out on his own with his first solo disc, Put It On The Tab.
Here, Tablet keeps the upbeat Cloaked Characters’ vibe alive, but does venture out into his own stylistic territory, experimenting with more electronic and dance sounds than we’re used to hearing from CC. The album features plenty of familiar guest rappers and vocalists, including Mosley Wotta, Caitlin Cardier and even an appearance by Madchild of Swollen Members, but Tablet manages to keep his stamp on the record by anchoring each track with his own swagger.

Put It On The Tab is dancey as hell and incredibly melodic, as we hear on songs like “Dadadas” and “Moonlight” but what’s probably most impressive about this disc is the sharp production (helped no doubt by Oneders’ mastering and mixing) and refreshingly original beats, many of which were created by Tablet, but he also gets some assistance from Bend’s own Brad Jones, among others.

While it’s definitely a good-time disc, and we hear the word “party” countless times throughout, there’s plenty of lyrical substance to be found and that’s what really completes this remarkable debut by someone who will be worth keeping an eye on in the coming years.
- The Source Weekly

After two albums as a group Jay Tablet ½ of Cloaked Characters crew is releasing his debut solo album entitled “Put It On The Tab”. Jay takes fame to a sound called dark party music which gained a fan base when he and Rory Oneders released two albums “ZonkedOut Tantrum” and “Let Me In”. Starting in 2000 Jay Tablet has come from modest beginnings from recording his first track to now rocking sold out shows and performing with the likes of Tech N9ne, E-40, Abstract Rude, Braille, One Block Radius, 2 Live Crew, Andre Nickatina, just to name a few. Having a knack for writing abilities Jay has had the opportunity to hone his skills as a ghostwriter by writing songs for artists signed to independent/major labels.

Jay’s debut solo album “Put It On The Tab” was created in about four months time with a concept of free styling a lot of the material and more of a feeling of the moment type approach. It can be described as uptempo/dance/new age music with deep thoughts mixed with a poetry style of writing. The album features appearances from Mad Child Of Swollen Members, Mosley Wotta, Rory Oneders, Radio3000, Benzo, Amsterdam, Caitlin Cardier with production from Cloaked Characters, Jay Tablet, Retro, and Brad Jones.
- weouthere.net

After two albums as a group Jay Tablet ½ of Cloaked Characters crew is releasing his debut solo album entitled “Put It On The Tab”. Jay takes fame to a sound called dark party music which gained a fan base when he and Rory Oneders released two albums “Tantrum” and “Let Me In”. Starting in 2000 Jay Tablet has come from modest beginnings from recording his first track to now rocking sold out shows and performing with the likes of Tech N9ne, E-40, Abstract Rude, Braille, One Block Radius, 2 Live Crew, Andre Nickatina, just to name a few. Having a knack for writing abilities Jay has had the opportunity to hone his skills as a ghostwriter by writing songs for artists signed to independent/major labels. Jay’s debut solo album “Put It On The Tab” was created in about four months time with a concept of free styling a lot of the material and more of a feeling of the moment type approach. It can be described as uptempo/dance/new age music with deep thoughts mixed with a poetry style of writing. The album features appearances from Mad Child Of Swollen Members, Mosley Wotta, Rory Oneders, Radio3000, Benzo, Amsterdam, Caitlin Cardier with production from Cloaked Characters, Jay Tablet, Retro, and Brand Jones.

1. Now Now
2. What If I Ft Mosley Wotta
3. Get On Ft Caitlin Cardier
4. Matter No More Ft MadChild Of Swollen Members
5. Cold Dream Ft Amsterdam
6. Moonlight Ft Brian Paul Bennett
7. Lets!
8. Never Know
9. Goodbye
10. Watch Us Ft Rory Oneders
11. Wilderness
12. Star Tonight Ft Radio3000
13. Supa Damn Wit It Ft K-Lien & Benzo
14. Dadadas
15. Latley Ft Rory Oneders & Caitlin Cardier
16. In This Water
17. Jump
18. Reminder - ThaNorthWest.com

Jay Tablet (1/2 of hip hop’s dark party crew Cloaked Characters) comes from a long rise starting his musical career in 2000. Recording his first track with Scion Beat Battle Champ Beathoven, A childhood friend. All the way to rocking sold out shows, festivals and sharing stages with the best artist in the industry.To name a few: Tech 9, E-40,Abstract Rude, Braille, One Block Radius, 2 Live Crew, Sweatshop Union, Andre Nikatina and many more. Jay Tablet has toured pretty much the whole west coast with various up and coming artists. Jay Tablet also is a ghostwriter and has wrote songs for signed major label artists and unsigned artists. Jay Tablet is a man of many trades labeling himself with the following talents Musician/Songwriter/CEO/Manager/Graphic Designer. After two albums as a the group Cloaked Characters Jay Tablet is working on his first solo album entitled “Put It On The Tab” which is due out later this year. To hold fans over Jay Tablet is offering “The PreFunk Mixtape” a collection of 12 tracks with features from Trev G, Benzo, JC Souls, Amsterdam, and many more.

1. Back Home (Freestyle)
2. Danger
3. Permanent Vacation Ft Trev G
4. Tippy Top Ft Benzo
5. What It Is
6. What We Do (Freestyle)
7. Dumb Hoe Ft Benzo & JC Souls
8. Her Perfume Ft Trev G
9. Cheapfun
10. Possible Ft Trev G
11. Got It Bad Ft Amsterdam
12. Moonlight Ft Brian Paul Bennett - ThaNorthWest.com

“Talking his sh*t like only Jay can, Tab shows why he’s a jack of all trades – not only handling the raps but making the beat and even editing his own music video. Things have changed a little bit in Jay Tab’s life recently as he welcomed his first child into the world, but he’s still managed to carve out time to deliver quality production time after time.” - SOHH