Cex
Encyclopedia
Cex is a musical project run by Rjyan Claybrook Kidwell and started in 1998 at the age of 16. Although Cex and Kidwell are frequently used interchangeably, Cex occasionally expands to several people at sporadic points, such as particular tours or albums. In the past it has included Kidwell's musical associates, friends, touring partners, or high school bandmates.
, was a compilation of tracks Kidwell had been working on for several years, and was released in 1998 by his own CD-R label, underscore, while he was still at Dulaney High School
in Timonium, Maryland. The following year, Kidwell met Miguel Depedro (Kid 606) and the two founded Tigerbeat6
, a record label which would be among the vanguards of the electronica movement at the time. The next Cex album, Role Model
, was one of the label's first releases (2000), and was quickly followed up the next year with Oops, I Did It Again!
. Oops not only took its title from the Britney Spears
album of the same name, but played around with the title by depicting photos of the aftermath of a murder on the cover art.
All of the Cex releases up to this time were classified as IDM (Intelligent dance music
) and had very little vocals or lyrics for the most part. However, Kidwell was not content to stay behind the laptop while on tour, and quickly and openly aspired to become "#1 Entertainer". He started to hone freestyling skills and performing new songs with vocal tracks like "who's the man with no clothes, underwear, fur coat, chilling in the alley?/I'm the man with no clothes, underwear, fur coat/he's brandishing knives!" ("Fur Coat") and "I know you're stressed/'cause there's only one Cex/and your girlfriend's pissed/'cause you ain't him" ("One Cex"). His vocal style was very confrontational and nearly atonal, and contained typically outrageous braggadocio; he frequently would go out of his way to chat to his audience between or in the middle of songs, and was known to strip down to his underwear (or less) from time to time. In 2002, he was offered a coveted tour spot opening for the East Coast leg of the Death and Dismemberment tour with Death Cab for Cutie
and old friends from Washington, DC The Dismemberment Plan
. Also in 2002 he collaborated with Aaron Funk; a Winnipeg electronic artist known as Venetian Snares to create "stamina" the ninth track on Aaron's '02 album "237 0894". Later that year, Tall, Dark, and Handcuffed, his first album with full vocals, was released. He continued to open for noted bands such as Super Furry Animals
and The Roots
, as well as musical friends Grand Buffet
.
2003 was a pivotal year for Kidwell - after spending his entire life living in or around Baltimore
, he packed up and drove out to Oakland, California
. Car malfunctions and a week stranded in the western US became the inspiration for his second album of that year, Maryland Mansions. In April, he gained further exposure opening for indie darlings The Postal Service
. Before this, however, he released Being Ridden in both vocal and instrumental form. The album cover paid homage to David Bowie
, imitating the cover for "Heroes". Also notably, the album was not released by Tigerbeat6, and it seemed to have largely abandoned both the IDM and jokey old-school hip-hop of Tall, Dark, and Handcuffed for rawer sounds and themes. Maryland Mansions pushed those motifs further and was modelled somewhat on the Nine Inch Nails
EP Broken, and was released just around the time that Kidwell returned to Baltimore. Two music videos for Maryland Mansions were released early in 2004, and Kidwell moved again, to Chicago
a few months later.
Shortly thereafter, he married Roby Newton (from the band Milemarker
), and reorganized Cex as a three-piece: Kidwell, Newton, and Cale Parks
(from the bands Joan of Arc
and Aloha
). This configuration released an EP, Know Doubt, in 2005 on a Chicago label called Record Label. This trio, joined by Portland, OR duo Nice Nice and ex-Dismemberment Plan guitarist Jason Caddell, was featured on the next Cex album, 2006's Actual Fucking, made up of tracks named after and written about various American cities (Baltimore
, Los Angeles
, Denton
, etc.). The album is heavy on vocals and was released by Seattle label Automation Records
.
In 2007 Kidwell would go on to release an EP entitled Exotical Privates, which involved two different cover images for both CD and an LP. The LP cover was in response to AFI
's newly formed electronic project, Blaqk Audio
, whose album was named the same as Kidwell's first record, CexCells
. The cover features an AFI tattoo on a scrotum. The EP's musical material is made up of a combination of samples from Actual Fucking and Kate Bush. It was released on Automation Records
.
Kidwell is said to be working on a newly-formed side project by the name of Sandcats as well, described as being "a solo project for two people", his wife and himself. They moved back to Baltimore in 2005.
History
The first Cex album, CellsCells (album)
Cells is the first full-length release by Cex. It was released in 1998 on Cex's own Underscore Records.-Cultural references:The title of the album has nothing to do with the CD CexCells by electronica band Blaqk Audio.-Track listing:...
, was a compilation of tracks Kidwell had been working on for several years, and was released in 1998 by his own CD-R label, underscore, while he was still at Dulaney High School
Dulaney High School
Dulaney High School is a secondary school in Timonium, Baltimore County, Maryland. The school serves a generally middle- to upper-middle class suburban community, with students from Timonium and surrounding areas in Baltimore County. Dulaney is a Blue Ribbon School and ranked #259 nationwide in...
in Timonium, Maryland. The following year, Kidwell met Miguel Depedro (Kid 606) and the two founded Tigerbeat6
Tigerbeat6
Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
, a record label which would be among the vanguards of the electronica movement at the time. The next Cex album, Role Model
Role Model (album)
Role Model is the second full-length release by Cex. It was released in 2000. Role Model's album ID is meow004, meaning it is the fourth release on the Tigerbeat6 label.-Track listing:#At Least I Can Say I Tried#Again and Again#Love Cop#Wall Street Kid...
, was one of the label's first releases (2000), and was quickly followed up the next year with Oops, I Did It Again!
Oops, I Did It Again!
Oops, I Did it Again! is the third full-length release by Cex. It was released in 2002. The album's title is a reference to Britney Spears' similarly titled album Oops!...I Did It Again.-Track listing:...
. Oops not only took its title from the Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
album of the same name, but played around with the title by depicting photos of the aftermath of a murder on the cover art.
All of the Cex releases up to this time were classified as IDM (Intelligent dance music
Intelligent dance music
Intelligent dance music is a term that describes an electronic music genre that emerged in the early 1990s. The genre is influenced by a wide range of musical styles particularly electronic dance music such as Detroit Techno...
) and had very little vocals or lyrics for the most part. However, Kidwell was not content to stay behind the laptop while on tour, and quickly and openly aspired to become "#1 Entertainer". He started to hone freestyling skills and performing new songs with vocal tracks like "who's the man with no clothes, underwear, fur coat, chilling in the alley?/I'm the man with no clothes, underwear, fur coat/he's brandishing knives!" ("Fur Coat") and "I know you're stressed/'cause there's only one Cex/and your girlfriend's pissed/'cause you ain't him" ("One Cex"). His vocal style was very confrontational and nearly atonal, and contained typically outrageous braggadocio; he frequently would go out of his way to chat to his audience between or in the middle of songs, and was known to strip down to his underwear (or less) from time to time. In 2002, he was offered a coveted tour spot opening for the East Coast leg of the Death and Dismemberment tour with Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
and old friends from Washington, DC The Dismemberment Plan
The Dismemberment Plan
The Dismemberment Plan is a Washington D.C. based indie rock band formed on January 1, 1993. Also known as D-Plan or The Plan, the name comes from a stray phrase uttered by insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in the popular comedy Groundhog Day. The band members included Eric Axelson , Jason Caddell ,...
. Also in 2002 he collaborated with Aaron Funk; a Winnipeg electronic artist known as Venetian Snares to create "stamina" the ninth track on Aaron's '02 album "237 0894". Later that year, Tall, Dark, and Handcuffed, his first album with full vocals, was released. He continued to open for noted bands such as Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band...
and The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, as well as musical friends Grand Buffet
Grand Buffet
Grand Buffet is a hip-hop funk duo from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, made up of Jackson O'Connell-Barlow and Jarrod Weeks . Their music is a unique brand of humorous, often satirical rap...
.
2003 was a pivotal year for Kidwell - after spending his entire life living in or around Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, he packed up and drove out to Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. Car malfunctions and a week stranded in the western US became the inspiration for his second album of that year, Maryland Mansions. In April, he gained further exposure opening for indie darlings The Postal Service
The Postal Service
The Postal Service is an American electronic indie pop band composed of vocalist Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and producer Jimmy Tamborello of Dntel and Headset.-Background:...
. Before this, however, he released Being Ridden in both vocal and instrumental form. The album cover paid homage to David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, imitating the cover for "Heroes". Also notably, the album was not released by Tigerbeat6, and it seemed to have largely abandoned both the IDM and jokey old-school hip-hop of Tall, Dark, and Handcuffed for rawer sounds and themes. Maryland Mansions pushed those motifs further and was modelled somewhat on the Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
EP Broken, and was released just around the time that Kidwell returned to Baltimore. Two music videos for Maryland Mansions were released early in 2004, and Kidwell moved again, to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
a few months later.
Shortly thereafter, he married Roby Newton (from the band Milemarker
Milemarker (band)
Milemarker is a post-hardcore group originally formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A longtime part of the Chapel Hill and Chicago underground music scenes, Milemarker slowly gained in popularity for their eclectic stylings and unique sound, which shifted from an experimental electronic format to...
), and reorganized Cex as a three-piece: Kidwell, Newton, and Cale Parks
Cale Parks
Michael Cale Parks, otherwise known as Cale Parks, is best known for his current role as the multi-faceted drummer, percussionist, pianist and vibraphonist of the indie band Aloha on Polyvinyl Records....
(from the bands Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc (band)
Joan of Arc are an American indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in 1995, following the breakup of Cap'n Jazz.Singer Tim Kinsella has been the only permanent member of the group; he has also recorded as a solo artist....
and Aloha
Aloha (band)
Aloha is an american indie rock band currently signed to Polyvinyl Records. The four members of Aloha are scattered across the eastern half of the country, but spend most of their time making music together. Some Echoes is the second Aloha album since T.J...
). This configuration released an EP, Know Doubt, in 2005 on a Chicago label called Record Label. This trio, joined by Portland, OR duo Nice Nice and ex-Dismemberment Plan guitarist Jason Caddell, was featured on the next Cex album, 2006's Actual Fucking, made up of tracks named after and written about various American cities (Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, etc.). The album is heavy on vocals and was released by Seattle label Automation Records
Automation Records
Automation Records is a Seattle based independent record label. The label's first release was in 2003 and as of 2009 the label has nineteen releases.Automation Records roster of artists include Abiku, Cex, DJ Strapon, Gonken, Hopen, Kid Camaro, Mr...
.
In 2007 Kidwell would go on to release an EP entitled Exotical Privates, which involved two different cover images for both CD and an LP. The LP cover was in response to AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
's newly formed electronic project, Blaqk Audio
Blaqk Audio
Blaqk Audio is an American electronic music duo formed by current AFI members Davey Havok and Jade Puget under Interscope Records. Their debut album CexCells was released on August 14, 2007 and reached number eighteen on the Billboard 200.-Origins:...
, whose album was named the same as Kidwell's first record, CexCells
CexCells
CexCells is the debut studio album by the American electronic duo Blaqk Audio. It was initially scheduled to be released on August 7, 2007, however, it was rescheduled and released a week further on August 14, 2007 through Interscope Records. It debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200, selling...
. The cover features an AFI tattoo on a scrotum. The EP's musical material is made up of a combination of samples from Actual Fucking and Kate Bush. It was released on Automation Records
Automation Records
Automation Records is a Seattle based independent record label. The label's first release was in 2003 and as of 2009 the label has nineteen releases.Automation Records roster of artists include Abiku, Cex, DJ Strapon, Gonken, Hopen, Kid Camaro, Mr...
.
Kidwell is said to be working on a newly-formed side project by the name of Sandcats as well, described as being "a solo project for two people", his wife and himself. They moved back to Baltimore in 2005.
Albums
- CellsCells (album)Cells is the first full-length release by Cex. It was released in 1998 on Cex's own Underscore Records.-Cultural references:The title of the album has nothing to do with the CD CexCells by electronica band Blaqk Audio.-Track listing:...
(1998 · Underscore Records) - Role ModelRole Model (album)Role Model is the second full-length release by Cex. It was released in 2000. Role Model's album ID is meow004, meaning it is the fourth release on the Tigerbeat6 label.-Track listing:#At Least I Can Say I Tried#Again and Again#Love Cop#Wall Street Kid...
(2000 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - Oops, I Did It Again!Oops, I Did It Again!Oops, I Did it Again! is the third full-length release by Cex. It was released in 2002. The album's title is a reference to Britney Spears' similarly titled album Oops!...I Did It Again.-Track listing:...
(2001 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - Tall, Dark, & Handcuffed (2002 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - Being RiddenBeing RiddenBeing Ridden is an album by Cex. It is his second album to move away from a straight ahead electronic music sounds and endulge in a more hip-hop based music, complete with rapping by Cex...
(2003 · Temporary ResidenceTemporary Residence LimitedTemporary Residence Limited is a Brooklyn, New York-based record label. TRL was started in Baltimore, Maryland in late 1995. The label's first release was The Concord Anthology Process/Nero split 7", released April 1, 1996. After moving the operation to Portland, Oregon, owner/operator Jeremy...
) - BR InstrumentalsBR InstrumentalsBR Instrumentals, sometimes written Being Ridden Instrumentals, is an album by Cex. It is an album of instrumentals from its counterpart Being Ridden...
(2003 · Temporary ResidenceTemporary Residence LimitedTemporary Residence Limited is a Brooklyn, New York-based record label. TRL was started in Baltimore, Maryland in late 1995. The label's first release was The Concord Anthology Process/Nero split 7", released April 1, 1996. After moving the operation to Portland, Oregon, owner/operator Jeremy...
) - Maryland MansionsMaryland MansionsMaryland Mansions is an album by Cex release on Jade Tree Records in 2003. The album is darker and more aggressive than previous works, with strong industrial influences. Cex has acknowledged being heavily influenced by the early Nine Inch Nails album Broken, a work known for its intensity over...
(2003 · Jade Tree RecordsJade Tree RecordsJade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
) - Actual FuckingActual FuckingActual Fucking is an album by Cex released in 2006. Each track is named after and written about a city . The album is heavy on vocals and was released by Seattle label Automation Records....
(2006 · Automation RecordsAutomation RecordsAutomation Records is a Seattle based independent record label. The label's first release was in 2003 and as of 2009 the label has nineteen releases.Automation Records roster of artists include Abiku, Cex, DJ Strapon, Gonken, Hopen, Kid Camaro, Mr...
) - SketchiSketchiSketchi is an album by Cex released in 2007. The album's cover is a modified version of the movie poster for the 1988 Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito comedy Twins.-Track listing:# "Damon Kvols" - 10:25 Cex# "Rattler Bin" - 5:41 Cex...
(2007 · Temporary ResidenceTemporary Residence LimitedTemporary Residence Limited is a Brooklyn, New York-based record label. TRL was started in Baltimore, Maryland in late 1995. The label's first release was The Concord Anthology Process/Nero split 7", released April 1, 1996. After moving the operation to Portland, Oregon, owner/operator Jeremy...
) - Dannibal (2007 · Must Finish/Wildfirewildfire Records)
- Bataille Royale (2009 · Must Finish/Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - Konx Om Cex, Vol. 1 (2010 • Must Finish)
- Tiny Creature (2011 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
)
EPs/Singles/Splits
- Shift-Minus Vol. 1Shift-Minus Vol. 1Shift-Minus Vol. 1 is an EP by Cex and Colongib, recorded and released in 1999. It was released as 7" only.-Side B:# At Least One Unwilling Passenger On Keith's Ego Trip - Remix of Cex by Colongib...
(1999 · Underscore Records) - Get Your Badass On EP (2000 · 555 Recordings)
- Role PlayaRole PlayaRole Playa is an EP by Cex, recorded and released in 2000 on both 555 Recordings and Tigerbeat6. It was released as 12" in two pressings .-Side A:# I Identify# What's Outside Your Window? More Windows# Wall Street Kid# Am I Soundboy...
(2000 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
/555 Recordings) - Starship Galactica (2001 · 555 Recordings)
- Oops, I Did It Again! EP (2001 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - $ Vol. 2 (2001 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - The "Connected" Series#2 (2001 · Klangkrieg)
- Bad Acne EP (2002 · Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
) - Shotgun Wedding Vol. 3: Oh, So Now You Fuckers Wanna Dance? (2004 · Violent Turd)
- Know Doubt (2005 · Record LabelRecord labelIn the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
) - Miami MansionsMiami MansionsMiami Mansions is a 2006 Cex EP released on Rjyan's new Must Finish label, consisting primarily of remixed Maryland Mansions songs. This was released under the name Celebrity DJ Cexwell with the catalog number MFIX0800. It was sold through his and is limited to 100 copies.- External links :**...
(2006 · Must Finish) - Exotical Privates (2007 · Automation RecordsAutomation RecordsAutomation Records is a Seattle based independent record label. The label's first release was in 2003 and as of 2009 the label has nineteen releases.Automation Records roster of artists include Abiku, Cex, DJ Strapon, Gonken, Hopen, Kid Camaro, Mr...
) - Nonconsenshredemption (2010 • Wtr Clr)
- Evargreaz (2010 • Automation RecordsAutomation RecordsAutomation Records is a Seattle based independent record label. The label's first release was in 2003 and as of 2009 the label has nineteen releases.Automation Records roster of artists include Abiku, Cex, DJ Strapon, Gonken, Hopen, Kid Camaro, Mr...
) - Megamuse EP (2011 • Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6Tigerbeat6 is a San Francisco and Berlin based independent and electronic record label run by Kid606. The name reflects Kid606's obsession with cats, which also comes to light in the catalogue numbers, all of which start with MEOW, and is also a loose reference to the top-selling teen magazine,...
)
External links
- Kidwell's blog
- Official site
- Cex on Discogs
- CEX SUB CON blog maintained by Cex
- Interview with Cex (2003)
- Rjyan's blog and music collection at MOG.com - not updated recently
- Cex Information Site - not updated recently
- Mini-Interview with Cex on Aural States (July 2008)