Here's a musical riddle for you: what do you get when you fuse an urban poet who has a gift for writing infectious rhymes, and a free-spirited hippie chick with a smooth and sultry singing voice? Answer: The Dialectics.
The Dialectics is the brainchild of Lexington native Eric Wilkinson. He formed the band about two years ago and serves as lead vocalist and principal songwriter. Wilkinson is a spoken-word poet. While making the rounds in the Lexington poetry scene, he decided to get with some of his musician friends and form a group. He recruited drummer Dave Cobb (who is still with the band), rounded up a bassist and guitarist, quickly wrote some songs, and began performing. But after their first show, he knew the band was not complete. It wasn't until Wilkinson had a chance encounter with vocalist Jai Hamilton that the Dialectics truly took shape. Wilkinson was walking through the library on the University of Kentucky campus when he spied Hamilton doing her homework. As it happened, he was publishing a book of poetry (Black Dear Distortion Pedal) and was looking for models to pose for photographs for the book. Hamilton is a natural beauty, so Wilkinson approached her about modeling for his book. She agreed, and the friendship was formed. When Wilkinson found out about her musical background (she played drums and percussion for a local band, Jonathan Webb & the Collective Few) he asked her to join the Dialectics as a vocalist, and the fit was perfect. Over the past two years the group has gone through various lineup changes, but the core of Wilkinson, Hamilton, and Cobb has remained the same. Currently there are seven members officially in the band, but the roster expands and contracts quite often. Along with Hamilton and Wilkinson on vocals and Cobb on drums, the Dialectics includes Lane Miller on guitar, Emily Bruner on vocals, Tristin Morin on guitar, Nick Coleman on bass. and an artist who calls himself JK-47 on turntables and keys.
To call the Dialectics simply a local hip-hop band would be doing them a disservice, because they are so much more than that. Yes, they have all the necessary components to categorize them in the hip-hop genreófunky beats, catchy hooks, and danceable songs, but their live instrumentation on stage and intellectual lyrics set them apart from other groups or artists in their field. Lyrics, according to Wilkinson, are particularly important.
"You might have one or two hit songs on the radio because they have a really cool beat or have a great producer, but in terms of longevity and really building up a fan base, hip-hop kids are into the lyricism," he said. "My own test is you should be able to look at a song's lyrics on paper, and it should be able to capture your attention and hold your interest like a well-written poem.
The Dialectics rely heavily on their lyrical prowess and take pride in the way their songs are crafted