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Arts & Entertainment

Genre-Splicing Local Group Release Album, Already Working on New Music

AllOne and the Room, led by prospective English teacher Bruce Pandolfo, blends hip-hop with rock, jazz, funk and performance poetry.

Only half a year after Bruce Pandolfo, known in the music world as AllOne, released his debut recording, the Saint James singer has formed AllOne and the Room, which unveiled a self-titled album this month that blends intellectual hip-hop with jazz, funk and rock. Although his songwriting predominantly falls into the hip-hop genre, Pandolfo is wary of inaccurate assumptions one might make about him. In fact, he believes his style, largely influenced by underground hip-hop acts such as Aesop Rock, El-P and Atmosphere, is a largely underestimated medium for expression.

"I was told by someone musical that I shouldn't describe my music as hip-hop, because that label will turn people away from my music," Pandolfo said. "I was amused and befuddled by this, as all of the hip-hop artists I listen to are incredible poets and discuss love, positivity and philosophy. But because of the pop culture image of most rappers, when you mention hip-hop or rap to anyone there are unfortunately many negative, materialistic, misogynistic, salacious, violent and ignorant ideals. The mainstream music culture in general is something that I avoid because it's depressingly and alarmingly shallow."

To counter that perception, Pandolfo takes on many philosophical and emotional stances. This includes his appreciation and purpose as an artist, dealing with addictions of loved ones and kindness to others. The brevity and meaning of life is also a weighty subject for him.

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"I coined the term and wrote a song called 'The Finite Circle Paradox,' which is a play on the term 'circle of life' and how circles never end and yet all lives do," Pandolfo said. "And yet still, life does work generally in a cycle on a more broad observation."

Evidence of his view on the shortness of life is clearly shown, judging by his work ethic. He's already begun work on his next album before he goes back to SUNY Oswego, where he's studying to become an English teacher. Pandolfo hopes to relate the lessons in his lyrics to future students.

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"The same thought processes that go into my writing and my social interactions go into my idea to choose high school English and possibly professorship as a career," he said. "Both involve social and intellectual stimulation."

In order to stimulate through his music, Pandolfo, who in the past employed a cappella hip-hop/slam poetry, now fronts the band AllOne and The Room. The line-up includes percussionist Mike Setteducati, bassist Dan Sollazzo and most recently guitarist, producer and fellow Saint James resident Michael Korb, a singer-songwriter in his own right. Bassist Sollazzo offers insight as to why he joined up with Pandolfo.

"Like AllOne himself, his lyrics are honest, colorful, and witty," he said. "He speaks from the heart, communicating to his audience his thoughts and personal experiences. Delving into real topics such as addiciton, life's meaning, and his personal goals as a musician, AllOne has a knack for demonstrating a positive and uplifting attitute towards life."

Much of Pandolfo's attitude towards life can be attributed to minimal television-viewing growing up. Although he did watch some TV when he was young, his mother was adamant about it being limited.

"The importance of reading and actual physical playtime, going outside and going camping multiple times a year was stressed immensely," Pandolfo said. "I thank my mom every day for that because I feel that it was instrumental in creating the way my mind works today. I have an imagination that entertains and enlightens me and I'm grateful for it. I feel that this sort of upbringing is one that is too severe a minority situation in our culture and I hope to affect it."

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