By JESSICA MARIE MARTIN
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Regional hip hop group Double Vision is hoping to gain a broader fan base after recently being plucked from online obscurity to be signed by California-based label No Sleep Records.

Twin brothers Jarred (Mr. Mackmore) and Jonathan (Mackamillion) Lindsay have been rhyming since they were 7 years old. Born in Venice, Calif., they have since lived in Los Angeles, St. Louis and currently reside in Quincy. In 1997 their group was called Reflection, but in high school they changed its name to Double Vision.

The Lindsays describe their music as hip hop, alternative, soul and Backpack Mackrap. The latter, according to the brothers, represents independent artists, hip hop purists and entrepreneurs who have "their own hustle, no matter what genre of music or business their involved in."

Double Vision's influences include Kriss Kross, De La Soul and Murs.

Double Vision performs regional shows regularly. After Quincy musician Cheeks McGee shared a stage with the group, he said he likes "their spunky attitude on stage and their clever lyrics about everyday things that people can relate to."

Now that the guys are signed to a label, they are excited to focus on their music, instead of trying to be their own promoter and manager.

Double Vision is the first hip hop group No Sleep Records has represented and label founder, Chris Hansen, says they are exactly what he was looking for. The label is trying to "bring back the originality and uniqueness that has been missing in today's music scene," according to its Web site.

Double Vision's latest CD release is "No Explaination!" in May 2008, and the group's latest recording effort, which is available as a free download, is "Art For Ears," released March 28. The brothers are planning to release an EP in October on No Sleep Records.

For more information, go to myspace.com/doublevisionmackrap and nosleeprecs.com.