Crocs, Inc. and 360 Productions are collaborating for the Crocs Next Step Campus Tour, which will be rolling into Gainesville on Sept. 14.
The tour features three extremely diverse acts, with headliners Cartel and Yung Joc. Up-and-coming rapper MC Lars will join the two, as the Crocs Next Step Campus Tour hopes to provide something for everyone on college campuses from Nevada to New York.
With its pop-punk style, catchy beats and good looks, Cartel is a band that has continuously been on the rise. The group's sugary melodies coupled with jamming guitars and unique rock arrangements make for an energetic stage presence.
"We're a pretty big mix of almost everything," said lead guitarist and vocalist Will Pugh. "We've never wanted to resemble or reflect any particular type of music. People who say we're punk rock are right. People who say we're alternative are right. As long as they're not saying hip-hop or country, they're probably right."
Cartel has released two albums since they formed in 2003. Their debut album "Chroma" featured big guitars, big lyrics, big hooks and a big voice from Pugh. "Chroma" garnered critical and commercial success, landing the group at No. 1 on Soundscan's Alternative New Artist chart in 2005.
Their self-titled second album was released in 2007 and was recorded inside a giant glass bubble as part of the "Band in a Bubble" project, which aired on MTV. For 20 days, the members of Cartel were trapped in a clear bubble in the middle of New York City to record their album under a microscope for the public to see.
"We've been writing a new record all summer," Pugh said. "We've never really followed one up this closely, but since we have a new label, we figured it would be a good idea to get a new record out there as soon as possible."
When Cartel first started, it originally signed with Militia Group and then moved to Epic Records; however, with recent changes in the music industry, the band thought it was time for a change, Pugh said.
"With the music industry the way it is right now, labels are just looking for a quick fix financially," Pugh said. "If a record doesn't come out of the gate with a single that's going to go Top 10 or Top 40, they're not going to promote the album. We felt a severe lack of promotion and thought we could do a better job of promoting ourselves."
This past July, the members of Cartel found a new home at Wind-up Records.
"It's very much a family-oriented atmosphere at Wind-up," Pugh said. "They love their bands and promote the hell out of them."
Even though their new record is not quite ready to hit the shelves, concert-goers can expect to preview one or two of the new tracks.
"This album is going to be a mix of everything we've done in the last two records," Pugh said. "It's full of energy and a little more upbeat. The last record was more reflective and down tempo, so this one is the natural reaction to that one. We're going to kick it up a notch and pick it back up."
Like Cartel, Yung Joc has also achieved quite a bit of success and has created a scene on the charts.
Joc was discovered after gaining fame in Atlanta with "It's Goin' Down," which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and has countless plays in clubs throughout the country.
"I just love music, so I'm always looking for ways to rejuvenate life," Joc said. "If I walk into a club and it ain't jumpin', I want to know how to make that club jump. If there's two lovers, and their relationship ain't the best right now, I want to figure out how to rejuvenate that love they got for each other when my record comes on."
As a longtime member of Atlanta's hip-hop community, Joc is known for his relaxed and convincing strut and for revealing traces of influence from T.I. and Young Jeezy in his music.
"I really think Crocs was looking for a real, cool, fly, young cat that does good music, and I think I was like at the top of their list," Joc said.
Yung Joc is also in the process of putting together a new album called "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood" while working on his line of sunglasses called Claudio St. James and investing in a shoe line called Soul Monkey. For now, Joc says he is content with going on tour.
"I love being on tour and on stage," Joc said. "I like being there with the people, and I like seeing them connect with the music and sing it word for word and line for line. I like seeing people just jumping all around. Tell Gainesville I'm on my way."
Also hitting the road on the Crocs tour is MC Lars, a self-proclaimed "post-punk laptop rapper."
Influenced by old school and new school hip-hop and rock alike, MC Lars uses pop-culture references in his music to keep the audience entertained.
"I like to see what it's like to enjoy other college campuses," MC Lars said. "I like checking out their music scene and radio stations, and I like to meet new people on tour."
All three musical acts in the Crocs tour are excited to come to Gainesville and meet each other, they said.
"Gainesville is 'aight. Gainesville is a pretty cool place, but I'm gonna make it jump," Joc said.
Pugh had mixed feelings about the Gators, but said he's excited to play in Gainesville.
"If I wasn't raised a Bulldawg, I would probably love living in Gainesville," he said. "We really love playing college shows though and hanging out with college kids because they're more our age, and everyone just likes to have a good time. It'll be a trip."
