Social Networking is a Cheap Way Out

Crab Claw tape/vinyl release
Oct. 31
The DAAC
Doors at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m.
$6

Imagine a world without social networking. If you’re in a band, how do you get your name out without sending 3,000 friend requests to strangers? How do you promote your event without spamming the inboxes of everyone on your friend list?

Musicians have done it before, and there are very few that are doing it now. One of them is Crab Claw, a Grand Rapids-based freestyle rapper and graduate of Kendall College. He refuses to get a profile on social networking sites because he says the sites are a cheap way out.

“I’d rather meet someone than poke 30 people on their wall, or whatever you do on that site,” said Crab Claw, whose name came about after someone told him the crab was one of his five spirit animals.

Crab Claw’s music is him free styling over electronic beats. He never writes his lyrics down, and listeners never hear the same song twice – no matter how many shows they attend. He performs the same way he records, with the lyrics coming from the top of his head.

“There won’t be a hit single, because I’ll never perform the same way again,” he said.

Crab Claw has been performing shows for eight months and is scheduled to have a tape and vinyl release – you heard right, cassette tapes – on Oct. 31.

“If someone has a tape and not a tape player, then they have to find someone with a tape, and it brings them together to listen to this music.”

His release will be at the DAAC, a place he enjoys performing at for its small venue feel.

“Right now, I prefer the smaller aspects. If there’s a stage, I’ll never play on a stage. I’d rather be down in the group with everyone. I don’t want to put myself on a pedestal, because I’m no better. I just want to be with the crowd. I like people as close as they can to me for energy, for support.”

His shows are described as high-energy with craziness and excitement.

“[Shows are] like being in a spaceship and heading into another galaxy – you never know what to expect,” said Matthew Peterson, who has seen Crab Claw at The DAAC and at various house parties.

Peterson went on to describe Crab Claw’s music as “face-melting lyrics with stomach-churning beats.”

For his tape and vinyl release, Crab Claw is throwing a Halloween show with a vegan potluck, Piñata, and post-show dance party.