Though they may not have intended to do so, Naptown’s trinity, also known as 81355 (pronounced BLESS), rang out as revolutionaries with their 2021 debut record This Time I’ll be of Use. When Oreo Jones, Sirius Blvck, and Sedcairn come together, genre evaporates into enthralling poeticism and sonic hypnosis. Their sophomore LP Bad Dogs acts as an expansive continuation of 81355’s signature sound: an angelic, gritty, enthralling urban hymnal for the disillusioned mind. Oscillating between mesmeric live instrumentation and limitless lyrical exposure, Bad Dogs is an anthem of endurance which echoes long after the record ends.
The floorboards of 81355 stretch far back into the history of Naptown’s creative scene. Jones (Sean Michael Smith) and Blvck (Niq Askren) struck a match as one of Indy’s most influential hip-hop collectives, Ghost Gun Summer, before they brought on Sedcairn (Moose Adamson) in 2020. Before Adamson infused 81355 with his melodic soundscapes, he produced Grampall Jookabox, an underground indie meets jangle pop project also released by Joyful Noise. Though they may be known primarily for their musical notoriety, the members of 81355 are steadfast in their commitment to community uplift and collective creative expansion. Sean, alongside his partner Jane Sun Kim, produces and curates Chreece, the largest Midwestern Hip-Hop festival hosted in the heart of Naptown. Niq is pivotal in the empowerment and advancement of Indy Hunger Network, a local non profit that addresses food insecurity across Indianapolis. Moose is a key contributor to Joyful Noise, an Indy based independent label cutting records for local artists of all genres.
