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Low End Theory Brings Youthful Rebellion Full Circle

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April 19, 2012
2012, Live, New Music, Uncategorizable
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Last time El-P graced the Low End stage, via West Coast Sound

Everyone has that rebellious phase. Some last longer than others and they all manifest themselves in drastically different forms. No point in getting into all the musical genres rebellion manifests itself in as different people indulge differently, but whether it’s bumping K in some dark basement or running off from your family in a grungy van, the results are generally the same. My rebellious stage started around Freshman year of high school. After several years of listening to mainstream hip hop (Chicken & Beer was a personal fave), I decided I wanted more from my musical preferences. I don’t know whether it was my late introduction into skate culture, or the move from a quirky residential neighborhood to one of Seattle’s “cool” neighborhoods, but I began digging in used CD crates and scouring hip hop forums, resulting in the find of my life, Cannibal Ox’s seminal The Cold Vein.

The album warped my mind years before Warp ever had a chance. Granted, I didn’t understand the context of the majority of the lyrics, but El-P’s dark production was the driving force behind my newfound obsession. Being a pubescent teenager with trouble talking to girls and parent issues didn’t differentiate me much from the masses, but Vast Aire and Vordul Mega sure made it feel that way. As much as I love yelling “kill people, burn shit, fuck school” at the top of my lungs, OF can’t hold a torch to the tortured souls of the Def Jux back catalogue. Soon enough, Mr. Lif, Camu Tao (R.I.P.) and Aesop Rock became the guiding beacons in my life and RJD2’s Deadringer became my holy book. Eventually, I moved onto labels like Stones Throw, anticon and Delicious Vinyl, but my first love was, and always will be, Def Jux.

With that in mind, let’s bring it back to the present day. With promises of a “very special guest” from Gaslamp Killer and Daddy Kev, knowing full well that it would most likely be a Coachella holdover, as well as a scheduled performance from The Grouch and Eligh, the decision to trek to Lincoln Heights for Low End Theory last night was an easy one. After stellar opening sets from every resident (including a fair share of our man Baauer), and a sub-par half hour via Taurus Scott, Grouch and Eligh took the stage and ripped through tracks from No More Greener Grasses and Say G&E!. I should have seen it coming, knowing that Company Flow was/will be at Coachella, but halfway through the set (which also included an appearance from Luckyiam), someone shouted out that El-P was in the building.

Memories of high school quickly flashed across my mind, mostly bad, but some good, and soon enough, El Producto took the stage. He was only up there for 15 minutes, but that was plenty for me. If I could tell my 15 year old self I would witness El-P perform five feet from my face to a crowd of less than 100 people, I wouldn’t have believed it. The man hasn’t lost an ounce of charisma over the years. With the R.A.P. Music album with Killer Mike dropping May 15 and Producto’s newest solo venture, Cancer For Cure, set for a May 22 release date, it’s more than apparent he hasn’t lost the blue collar attitude that made Company Flow so great. Sure, Def Jux might be dead, but there is no doubt in mind that some 15 year old downloaded “The Full Retard” last week and is already digging into some Cool Calm Pete or Yakballz.

A Tale Of Two Singles: Are Major Labels Producing Better Hip Hop?

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April 17, 2012
2012, New Music, Uncategorizable
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Last April, The Smoking Section wrote up an excellent article on the “label that’s figured it all out;” namely, Atlantic Records. Atlantic is the home of artists like Wiz Khalifa and B.o.B, not to mention Plies, Musiq Soulchild, Diggy Simmons and Trey Songz. The Smoking Section article focused on the transition between the former three artists’ emersion as independent entities in contrast to their album releases through the label. Both Wiz and B.o.B. had built up venerable online followings, and their fans were clamoring for a proper release. The hype was a result of critically acclaimed mixtapes like Kush & OJ and Hi! My Name is B.o.B. Lupe had already released two critically and commercially acclaimed albums via Atlantic, The Cool and Food and Liquor, but it had been four years since the release of The Cool and both Lupe and the label were in drastically different places. The resulting albums, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, Rolling Papers and Lasers, all went RCAA Gold, an impressive feat for a label in our contemporary commercial music landscape. The label had been able to do what few others could; turn out consistent commercially successful hip hop albums.

That’s where the trouble starts though. Are any of the three previously mentioned albums actually hip hop records? Sure, the are rapped verses, familiar song structure, and appearances by guests like T.I., Eminem and Curren$y, but the albums prove to be a thinly veiled facade covering a disconnected series of singles. For example, the amount of mushy bullshit on Lasers is astounding, considering the completeness and conceptual genius of The Cool. The album serves as a vehicle to get “The Show Goes On” (a thinly veiled rip-off of the Modest Mouse classic) radio play and into GM commercials. Just before the album was released, Lupe stated in an interview with Complex that he hated the album and was forced to make “The Show Goes On.” Granted, Lupe has been a little erratic over the past several years, but it’s hard to imagine an artist of his caliber willingly succumbing to the creation of an album that panders as much as Lasers. It’s easier to see Wiz and B.o.B. abandoning their creative chops for a chance at commercial success, as it is somewhat doubtful that those chops existed in the first place, but they too turned out disgustingly thin albums.

What’s the point? In the past few weeks, two of the most hyped young rappers in hip hop, A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar, released singles in anticipation of their respective upcoming albums. Both also happen to be associated with major labels; Kendrick with Universal, and A$AP with Sony. While I would argue that Kendrick is still under the Top Dawg Entertainment banner, it’s hard to ignore the influence that Universal might have over the upcoming Good Kid in a Mad City. Now, obviously Sony and Universal don’t have quite the penchant for turning promising rappers to the dark side that is commercial pop, but both have turned out their fair share of awful radio-ready puffballs in recent years. I believe that both A$AP and Kendrick are miles beyond Wiz and B.o.B. in terms of pure lyrical talent, beat selection and their respective posses, but again, it’s hard to ignore the effect of major labels. (Continue after the jump)

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Find Baauer At The Intersection Where Glasgow and Atlanta Meet

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April 4, 2012
2012, Interviews, New Music, Uncategorizable
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You know that sensation you get deep inside your brain when you realize you’ve found something big. When a movie, meal, song or any other type of creative inspiration hits you in the dome with an unexpected force. That’s the feeling we got when we first came upon Brooklyn-based producer/DJ Baauer’s Soundcloud. It is no secret that we love our hip hop-influenced, maximalist bass music, nor that we have a soft spot for some ignant Southern shit. Baauer represents the perfect intersection between the two. So we reached out to him for an interview and couldn’t be more pleased with the result. For years, Baauer was a 4/4 house and electro DJ going by the name CapnHarry, “a joke name to match the music I was making.” Around six months ago, he switched up his style to hip hop and Baauer was born. He didn’t abandon the dance music ethos he had established as CapnHarry. Instead, he translated it into hip hop, making the biggest, most souped up beats imaginable. Taking cues from Southern hip hop and UK bass, as well as his brethren at Brooklyn-based collective Trouble & Bass, Baauer has gone from virtual unknown to having his tracks played out by Lunice and Hudson Mohawke. This interview has a few gems in it thanks to a quirky coincidence and will give you the inside scoop on an artist that has been making waves from small clubs outside of Los Angeles to the streets of London. Check the full interview after the jump.

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Sounds From The Astral Plane (Week Seven)

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April 1, 2012
New Music, Remixes, Uncategorizable
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I would tell an April Fools joke here, but I’m just not that funny. Instead, we got a nice six pack of tunes  for what might amount to be the most versatile Sounds From The Astral Plane yet. Don’t have much time for words today, but all these are well worth a listen. That Supreme Cuts joint has been on repeat all week.

Stream/Download: Spank Rock feat. Santigold – “Car Song” (Shabazz Palaces Remix)

Stream: Insightful – “Bagel Mold”

Stream: Thundercat – “Daylight” (Ras G ASP Edit)

Stream/Download: Sigur Ros – “Ekki Mukk” (D33J Remix)

Download: Supreme Cuts – “Lessons In Darkness (Apology)” (Via XLR8R)

Stream/Download: Cities Aviv – “Normal Immortal”

(Further) Introduction to Austin Beat Scene, Applied Pressure, Exploded Drawing and (iN)Sect Records (With Hobo D Interview)

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March 26, 2012
2012, Interviews, Live, Mixes, New Music, Remixes, Uncategorizable, Videos
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A few weeks ago, we gave a brief introduction to the Austin beat scene and the two incredible events, Applied Pressure and Exploded Drawing, it centers around, promising a more comprehensive feature in the future. In the weeks since, the scene took South By Southwest by storm, bringing in Jonti (Stones Throw), Jonwayne (Stones Throw), Jeremiah Jae (Brainfeeder), Robert Koch (Mooncircle) and more. A group of University of Texas students also finally attained funding via Kickstarter for their film (Beat)En Senseless: Austin Beat Culture, a comprehensive look into Applied Pressure, Exploded Drawing and the artists involved. The cherry on top was last week’s announcement that Applied Pressure will host Com Truise in April. The scene is on the up and up and this guide should serve as a nice overview of the people involved. I spoke with Applied Pressure founder and resident DJ/Producer Hobo D for some background (you can find the full interview after the jump) and got some excellent first hand insights into the scene.

Download: Exploded Drawing SXSW Compilation

Hobo D

Before delving in further, I’ll give an overview of Applied Pressure and Exploded Drawing. Applied Pressure is a monthly event held at Barcelona in the heart of Austin’s live music district. Hobo D (DJ/Producer), 4th Wall (Visuals/Producer), Kid Slyce (DJ) and BoomBaptist (Producer) are the residents, although the club night regularly brings in guests from across the world, ranging from Samiyam to Dam Funk to Lazer Sword. Beyond the monthly event, Applied Pressure is a collective/crew/family aiming to further the cause of electronic/experimental music in Austin. Applied Pressure was started a little over a year ago as an obscure collective, but has grown into a venerable purveyor of all things beat, not just in Austin, but across the entire state of Texas (and soon the United States). Kid Slyce is the resident mixing maestro, possessing transcendent skills behind the decks. Hobo D is the crate digger, searching out anything and everything from global psych music to old school IDM. BoomBaptist is the studio genius, and in my opinion, most likely to break out. 4th Wall handles all of the visuals and is one of the most talented VJ’s (?) in the game. It’s hard not to draw out the comparisons to Low End Theory, and while the Los Angeles (and now San Francisco and Japan scene has gained worldwide notoriety, it also began as a distinctly regional phenomenon.

Stream/Download: Hobo D Chinsplitters Vol. 1

Exploded Drawing is similar in style to Applied Pressure, but takes on a significantly different form. Semi-monthly, six” electronic composers, sound collectors and beat makers” take to the stage for 20 minutes apiece to perform all original works. Unlike Applied Pressure, no DJ sets are allowed and originality is paramount to the event’s success. Explode Drawing is hosted by Butcher Bear (who also runs (iN)Sect Records, more on that later) and soundfounder with visuals provided by Nait Ntropy. The name Exploded Drawing is derived from the similar, and now extinct, Sketchbook night in LA hosted by Kutmah. While both Applied Pressure and Exploded Drawing are unique live experiences in the “live music capital of the world,” Hobo D feels that the scene operates pretty exclusively from the rest of the city, instead focusing on 100% originality.

I mention (iN)Sect Records above and for good reason. The record label, started by Butcher Bear, is home to all three Exploded Drawing residents (as well as their respective side projects), BoomBaptist and numerous other Austin stalwarts. The label has also hosted releases from national icons Guilty Simpson, Dudley Perkins and Georgia Anne Muldrow. The label partakes in self-described “Earth Shattering Soul” and releases music both digitally and via limited vinyl runs. Lo Phi, Ntropy and Kinder are just a few of the immense talents who make their home at (iN)Sect.

It’s hard to get a good grasp on such a green scene, but Hobo D should help out a little bit in that arena. Here is a brief list of artists/tracks/mixes/EP’s/albums that should serve as a brief overview of the scene and its diverse range of talents:

Corduroi – Future Adventures (Mush Records)

Lo Phi – Slamma Jamma (Insect Records)

Outlaw Producer – Ninjas EP (Elevator Action)

Soundfounder – Complete Dream Home (Insect Records)

Guilty Simpson – Close Curtains Boom Baptist Remix (Insect Records)

Ntropy – Dither (Insect Records)

Anna Love

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list defining the mix. Instead, it should function as a brief and accessible look into some of the most talented artists coming out of Austin and mere jumpstart into your appreciation of the scene. In the coming weeks, we should have an exclusive mix from Hobo D that will shine some more light into the roots of the Austin scene. Hit the jump to read the entire interview as he can tell the story far better than I can. Also, be on the lookout for the release of (Beat)En Senseless, what is sure to be one of the better music documentaries of the year.

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Possible Gonjasufi/Flying Lotus/David Lynch Collaboration

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March 26, 2012
2012, New Music, Uncategorizable
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I’ve been on quite the David Lynch kick recently (Twin Peaks at the moment), so when I saw this tweet, I was (understandably) a little bit incensed with joy.

By Saturday, the track was up on Soundcloud. With only the above tweet and this caption from Sufi “FLYLO SENT ME THIS DAVID LYNCH TRACK SO I WENT IN” the story behind the track is still unknown, although the idea of FlyLo, Sufi and Lynch in the studio together is downright delectable. “Houndogs” is a bluesy cut full of distortion and Gonjasufi’s dark wails in the same vein as much of Lynch’s solo work. Whether this is a collaboration between two, or all three of the artists, this is as unique of a track as you’ll hear in quite some time. I absolutely cannot wait to hear the story behind this one. Along with the picture at the top (amazing in its own right), the talent in this post could easily bring the music world to its knees.

Sounds From The Astral Plane (Week Six)

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March 25, 2012
New Music, Remixes, Uncategorizable
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A lot of new music surfaced this week, most of it in official release form (weird, right?). Albums/mixtapes/EP’s from Jonwayne, Beach House, Miike Snow, Odd Future, Martyn and Stewrat hit the interwebz in some form or another, but it was a comparatively slow week for remixes, youtube rips, bootlegs and the like. Still, any week you get a new Hudson Mohawke/Lunice track should be considered a resounding success! As a result, here is our slightly stripped down Week Six incantation of Sounds From The Astral Plane. Enjoy.


Stream: Jacques Greene – “Ready”

This one is from Martyn’s Essential Mix we posted earlier in the week. It’s just a low quality rip at this point, but shows a more house-oriented sound from Greene. Maintaining the wafty R&B vocals found on tracks like “Another Girl” and “Motivation,” but includes an acid house bassline this time. Look out for an official releases from Montreal-based producer.

Stream: Clams Casino – “Moon & Stars” (Instrumental)

This one debuted as a Big K.R.I.T. remix back in January as part of The FADER and HTC’s X Squared series of artist collaborations. While many (some would say most) Clams productions sound better on their own, this one could really use K.R.I.T. on it and really functions as library fodder. Still, let’s give thanks Clammy Clams for more free music.

Stream/Download: Dana Buoy – “Call To Be” (Teen Daze Remix)

Earlier in the week, we wrote about Teen Daze dropping his synths and picking up an acoustic guitar on his side project, Little Chords. Maybe we spoke a little too soon. Obviously, he wasn’t abandoning his synth-y aesthetic, but it’s nice to see him back on his greezy for this remix of Akron/Family member Dana Janssen.

Stream/Download: Swizz Beatz – “Street Knock” (feat. A$AP Rocky) (Prod. AraabMuzik)

 
 Stream/Download: Lone – “Crystal Caverns 1991”

Sounds From The Astral Plane (Week Five) (Special Catch Up Edition)

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March 18, 2012
New Music, Remixes, Uncategorizable, Videos
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We’ve been fairly absent from the blog this week, because of various nature excursions and other computer time limitations. Luckily, we’re back now and ready to continue bringing you the phonk. Amid a hectic SXSW filled week, a large amount of new music was actually released, much of it from the hip hop world. As a result, we bring you this special edition Sounds From The Astral Plane as a summary of the week’s happenings.

Stream: Nas – “The Don” (Prod. Salaam Remi, Da Internz and Heavy D)

Nas never ceases to amaze me with his tenacity on the mix. Dude has been in the game for over 20 years, and while there will never be another Illmatic, Nasir will go down as one of, if not the greatest, rappers of all time. Following last year’s “Nasty,” a sickening tear over minimalist percussion, Nas brings us “The Don,” produced by Salaam Remi with a helping hand from Da Internz and the late Heavy D. I can imagine Nas turning on the radio, hearing “Work Out” for the millionth time, calling up Salaam and hitting the studio. This shit is gully.

Stream/Download: Sene – “Backboards” feat. Blu

Sene is one of those MC’s who everyone has heard of, but no one really thinks twice about. He’s worked extensively with Blu, but none if it has made waves like the latter’s collaborations with Exile, Fashawn and Mainframe. It might be time to give Sene a little respect. “Backboards,” conveniently featuring Blu, is downright beautiful, eliciting comparisons to The Visionaries. Also, Blu on a mastered track? Pretty unheard of over the past couple years. “Backboards” is off of Sene’s upcoming Brooklyknight album, dropping April 24 on Plug Research.

Download: Danny Brown – “Baseline”

There isn’t much to say about Danny Brown that hasn’t been said. Read this Passion of the Weiss post for details. “Baseline” is as minimalist as Brown gets, allowing the MC to get ugly with the rhymes. If glorified drug usage, misogyny, and one of the most unique flows in contemporary hip hop interests you, then download “Baseline” above.

Stream/Download: Tokimonsta – “Fame Boozer’s Lullaby” feat. Rucyl

Squeaky production from Toki and majestic vocals from Rucyl = chilled out bliss. Hopefully this is a sign that the wait for a followup to 2010’s Midnight Menu will soon be over.

Stream: Kirko Bangz – “Drank In My Cup” (Brenmar Remix)

Chicago DJ/producer Brenmar has publicly stated that one of his main goals is to get “people to hook up at the club.” This track will certainly do that. Brenmar ramps up the sex appeal for his take on Texas crooner Kirko Bangz’s “Drank In My Cup,” turning the syruppy original into a dance floor anthem. This is club music at its best.

Stream/Download: Pale – “Worst Job Of Good Luck”

“Worst Job Of Good luck” is off of London label Bullet Train Records’ Bullet Train Allstars compilation. It’s the  best track off the comp and features incredibly clean production from Pale mixed with some pitched down vocals. Nice minimalist cut right hurr.

Stream/Download: Dam-Funk – “Serious”

There is never a shortage of new material on Dam Funk’s Soundcloud page. It fells like every week or two, he throws a superb new cut on their as a free download. Dam plays all the instruments on “Serious,” a jazzy track with that trademark Dam Funk sound. It’s no surprise that Dam can meld his sound into a jazz aesthetic, but it is still damn impressive.

Stream: Nocando – “Miyamoto Musashi” (Produced by DNAEBeats)

Low End Theory is in Japan right now. Nocando released a song about legendart samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Sounds about right.

Download: Action Bronson – Blue Chips (Mixtape)

Action Bronson supplies the raps. Party Supplies supplies the beats. It’s fantastic. Oddly enough, the first track, “Pouches of Tuna” uses the same beat as the Sene’s track above. Not sure if Party Supplies made it, or what, but I have to say that the Sene version is better. Beyond that confusion, “Thug Love Story 2012” sounds like classic Ghostface-ish. That comparison is getting a little old at this point, but it’s just too hard to ignore on tracks like this. Download Blue Chips from DJ Booth above.

Watch: Nacho Picasso and Blue Sky Black Death – “Rammin”

More visuals from Lord of the Fly, this time for the grimy “Rammin.” If you can get over the overdone effects, this is a pretty enjoyable vid. This is what The Weeknd sees when he hits the club. Some real XO shit.

Sounds From The Astral Plane (Week Four)

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March 4, 2012
New Music, Uncategorizable
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Photo from facebook

It has been a while since the last Sounds From The Astral Plane. Don’t have much in the way of words for you today, but I will say that each one of these tracks are well worth your time/hardrive space. God damn Dark Sky always hits the spot. Mid terms are a bitch. Etc. Etc.

Stream/Download: fLako & Brokenchord – “Come Back As A Flower”

Stream: Beat Connection – “Think/Feel” Feat. Chelsey Scheffe

Stream: Eprom – “Regis Chillbin”

Stream: Dark Sky – “Totem”

Stream/Download: Clams Casino – “Swervin”

Union remix Robert Glasper

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February 17, 2012
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Union, OJ and Gold, two parisian producers with a knack for analog space age beats, remix Robert Glasper’s song Move Love Ft. King. This is for a remix contest hosted by Glasper. Union  released one of my favorite hip hop albums of 2012 so far called Analogtronics which I will put a post on this weekend. The album has a wide array of classic talent including Talib Kweli, MF Doom, Big Pooh, Guilty Simpson, Mani Hoffman, and some others. To get you excited for that, heres a showcase of the duos talent remixing Move love (Which I posted on earlier last month but if you didnt catch it, heres the track again.

The Union remix can be streamed here along with a remix by Vlooper Remelange. http://www.moovmnt.com/2012/02/16/robert-glasper-experiment-move-love-remix-contest-pt-2/#.Tz6fbPGPW2U