MBNBD: First of all, the new album "Cycles" that Cartel just put out, is amazing! We're huge fans, and super stoked for the Atlanta show! We wanna thank for for giving us a few minutes of your down time before the tour gets going... Introduce yourself!
JL: What's up! Jeff Lett here. I play bass for a band called Cartel. I'm currently kicking it front-porch-rocking-chair-style at home in Decatur, Georgia.
MBNBD: Jeff, you're a Make Beats Not Beat Downs supporter and advocate. Do you have any personal experience with bullying?
JL: Tons! I was quite the computer nerd in school, errr AM quite the computer nerd I should say. I got it pretty hard from the other kids.
MBNBD: We want your immediate reaction to some statistics.. 160,000 kids miss school each day for fear of intimidation or harassment by their peers. On top of that.. Bully related suicides almost doubled from 26 in 2007, to 47 in 2008.. In 2009, the numbers are already looking like they will certainly surpass 47...
JL: That just blows my mind. I can only imagine how much worse it's gotten since kids can hide behind the guise of the internet.Ê
MBNBD: Can you tell us about how music helps you cope in your personal life?
JL: Music helped and still helps me deal with life on a DAILY basis. There's no better way to forget about whatever is or isn't going on in your life.Ê I remember sitting down on the bus, throwing Energy by Operation Ivy in my discman (hah), and zoning out on the way home. It seemed to be the only thing that would keep me from bringing that bad day home with me. The last thing I needed was to spend the rest of my day thinking about how the first part of it sucked.
MBNBD: What do you think about MBNBD's "Rise Up" Movement- an emergency call to arms that asks the world's youth to stand up against bullying, in order to start a revolution of change?
JL: I think it's awesome. Raising awareness is a vital part of the movement. Strength comes in numbers, ya know?
MBNBD: Thanks Jeff! You're the man.. We'll see you and Cartel on the road starting in October, right?
That's the plan! Our new record "Cycles" will come out October 20th. We're holed up in Atlanta for the next few weeks getting ready to unleash these new songs on folks. I couldn't be more excited for everyone to hear 'em! Were heading out on a full US tour with This Providence & The Summer Set in October / November. Check out myspace.com/cartel for the dates, and hopefully i'll see you there!
