Dallas hip-hop group Dem Southernfolkz puts together a compelling mix of soul and jazz influences on its latest EP, Something to Hold Onto.

The four-song set shows the group's impressive range without losing the head-nodding quality of its past efforts. And here's the best part: It's available as a free download at demsouthernfolkz.com.

We caught up with the guys to find out what inspired their four new tracks. Here's more from member Thomas Benjamin (a.k.a. "Big Ben").

My band member sent that track to me while

I was in Iraq one year ago. I always thought the track was classic, but didn't know what to do with the music. We were going to make it complex but decided to let the music carry the chorus. The sax player (Eric Johnson) is a soldier and left for Iraq two days after he laid his part.

The idea for this track was inspired by an old gospel song by Albertina Walker. The theme reflects on current affairs and everything that's been going on recently in the world. The original version that we sampled didn't have the drive that we needed, so we rearranged and replayed it with a full band.

This is somewhat of a motivational song.

The hook says "I will never lose/ Never will

I choose/To forever be stuck in these blues/Imagine how it feels to lose." Sometimes you have to imagine the result of you failing in a situation so you can have more fire under you to succeed. We have DJ Viz on the turntables, Eric Rankin on keys and Terrance Young on bass.

This is the title track and the instrumental epitome of the previous songs on the album.

We just want to put something back into the people. Most of the music today takes a lot from you and doesn't give anything back; it's empty. Dem Southernfolkz want to start giving you "something you can really hold onto" and benefit from in our music. That's our lane.

See Dem Southernfolkz live on Nov. 13 at Trees.

• The D-FW Beat Battle producer showcase will go down on Thursday at the Lounge on Elm St. Event judges include Grammy-winning producers Play-N-Skillz and the Cassette Union (S1 and Picnictyme). Find out more at the808studio.com.

• A slew of local rappers including J-Rhodes, Bodega Brova and Ni Taylor perform on

'The 80's Baby Sick Tape,' a new 17-track mix tape. Listen at jrhodes.bandcamp.com.

• Da Blockboi drops his "Drop Pop Repeat" single featuring Dorrough. Hear it at myspace.com/blockboimusik.

Send local hip-hop buzz and info to delanow@gmail.com.

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