Koolism: Capital Growth.

Koolism play the Maximum Break Pool Hall on Saturday.

The breezy Pacific vibe of Koolism doesn't scream stereotypical Canberra. Far from politicians bickering during question time, or the ACT Brumbies ripping taxi metres out of South African cabs, the duo of producer/DJ Danielsan and emcee Hau present a friendlier face from the nation's capital.

What sets Koolism apart is the clean combination of Hau's Tongan heritage and Dan's skilled interpolations of the ragga sensibility. Hau's genealogy is crucial, "not only cause I'm proud of it and I want to show Australia and the world the uniqueness of Tongan culture, it automatically sets me apart from most emcees. Non-Tongan emcees can't rhyme about most of the things I rhyme about. It's unique."

Dan's production technique has been honed over the years, from early 90s tape releases to their recent Part 1 CD, and a number of sought after twelve-inches in between.

"I spend most of my time hitting out drum sounds and playing basses on my keyboard, mixing records over the top, looking for little sounds or something unusual that fits. I used to dig for loops and stuff to jack from old records but I did it for so many years. I have enough music to last me until they don't make needles for turntables anymore. I like to play with anything that makes sound, not just records anymore.”

Speaking on his influences, Hau brings up the golden era rappers from the late 80s as well as recent material.

"What really made me shit my pants was De La Soul and the others in the Native Tongue crew. They were just fresh as. Also, Del and the Hieroglyphics. Nowadays, I listen to Jay-Z, Outkast, Mnemonic Ascent, Mos Def, Lazy Grey. I listen to a lot of NZ hip-hop too, but it's not only hip-hop emcees killing it for me. I love the ragga, jungle and garage emcees too. Bounty Killer, Cutty Ranks, Fearless, Shivaree, So Solid Crew, More Fire Crew. If they're funky and soulful with the flow, I'm feeling it."

With their latest piece of vinyl, The Season twelve-inch, pressed with the help of the UK's LowLife records and Rage giving the video a run, Koolism are making moves for soulful, positive Australian hip-hop. And they're not ignoring the live arena either.

"A good show for me starts with a packed venue and the rest happens automatically," says Dan.

As for Hau, he'd prefer, "sex, drugs & hip hop. Nah, just us and the crowd having fun. We give it our all, and if the crowd responds enthusiastically, we go over the top. We're looking forward to mashing it up again in Brisbane."