Deastro's Back

For those people who subscribe to emusic.com, we have been exposed to Randolph Chabot's musical project Deastro. Last year he released his first group of songs on an emusic only album, "Keepers". Last July I wrote about his genius and questioned why no record label has found this kid. Thankfully, Matthew Dear's Ghostly international signed Deastro.

Now the whole music community can experience Deastro's "Space Symphony." I read this description on the Ghostly International bio on Deastro. It a perfect way to sum up Deastro's first official album "Moondagger."

I love the synthesized back bone of this album. For one man, one creative influence, Chabot packs layers upon layers of synths in a symphony of electronic genius. It is difficult to describe the sound of 4, 5, 6 keyboards harmonizing in unison other than Space Symphony.

Not only is Randolph a master on the keyboard but is an amazing drummer. The beat is what distinguishes Deastro from the rest of the pack doing synth-pop these days. Each song is energized with rock beats that permiate through the layers/synthetic textures and ghostly/reverbed vocals to create a unique sound that is "Deastro".

Hot Chip - A Tale of Two CDs

First of all, let me make this clear. Hot Chip kills it in their new double disk album, "Another Bugged out Mix." The boys mixed two cds for the mix series and it was just released last month.

The two cds are night and day in style and content. The first album starts off literally running as it jumps straight into a fast John Tejada Track. The first disk is tightly mixed house/techno the rolls from track to track. Every few songs is complimented with a rare Hot Chip House remix. The tracks and the Hot Chip tracks are perfectly picked out. Each selection seems like it belongs. By far, one of the best mixed cds I have heard in a while.

Now the second CD sounds like the after party after the first disk club mix. It is almost as if each member stumbled over to the decks to put their favorite songs on after coming back from the club. This disk is ALL over the place. From 70's R&B to 90's Hip Hop, you name it. The mixing is loose and they take a bunch of liberties. As my friend and I were talking about it, this disk would be perfect for the 4am after party. At that point no one cares about the mixing or song order, just play some good shit dj.

Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do.

For over a month now I have been hearing the hype about Major Lazer's new Album "Guns don't kill people... Lazers Do. " Major Lazer did not disappoint with their debut album. From the moment the album starts with "Hold the Line feat. Mr. Lexx and SantiGold" you get the feeling that you are going to be in for a hell of a ride. With so many great tracks, I am sure will be hearing these these Reggae inspired tracks across the country.



Major Lazer, if you don't know, is a collaboration work between Diplo and Switch. With this project both Switch and Diplo channeled their inner Rastafarian. They both move 180 degree from their electronic backgrounds to create a diverse Reggae-centered album. In Fact they created the perfect soundtrack for the first Jamaican Superhero, Major Lazer. If you like Dance hall, Reggae, Electro, and incredibly bass heavy electronic music; Major Lazer is here to save you.

Catch The Macabees while you can, New York!

Oh what I wouldn't give to see The Macabees's two upcoming US dates. Not only are they playing in Brooklyn @ Williamsburg music hall on the 20th of July but also doing a show on the 22nd @ The Mercury Lounge. Guess who's opening. Non-other than the talented Miike Snow who is now showing up everywhere.



The only reason why I bring this up is that these guys are one of my favorite bands from across the pond. Their Colour It In record has been trapped on my MP3 player for month's now. I can't go a few days without listening to it.



They play with such energy. If I am ever dragging whether it be on the stationary bike to nowhere or 3:58 on a Thursday (wishing I could be outside golfing) a few minutes of The Macabees clear me up. If you haven't heard them before, check them out.

NPR - Not your parents radio anymore

I have finally jumped on the NPR band wagon. Maybe it is a sign of me getting old (turning 30 in a month, yikes!) but I am really enjoying NPR these days. The best feature that is slowly eating up my hard-drive state is NPR Concerts from All Songs Considered.
Two weeks ago I saw a twitter about one of our favorites Passion Pit preforming live in DC for NPR. Once I started browsing the concert achieves I lost it. Two out of three bands we live. One of every three bands I love. Their index is amazing. Free to download through podcast on itunes and you can stream at any time. If they have this many great bands here, I can't wait to explore the ones I DON'T know...

Is that a typo or is your name really Miike Snow?

Why a buddy of mine gave me the Miike Snow debut self titled album I thought surely he had made a typo. Miike? What is that all about.

Actually, the band is named after Japanese film director Takashi Miike. The trio of Andrew Wyatt, Christian Karlsson, and Pontus Winnberg meet back in 2004 when working on producing others music. They have stayed in touch ever since and in 2007 the band Miike Snow. The electronic-rock trio have come from strange past (produce Britney Spear's Toxic) to create such an indie album .



The Guardian believes their debut album is meant to be listened to as a whole and not as "explosive individual moments". It totally agree with this concept although I have some favorites like "Silvia" and "Black & Blue". Although the album is primarily an electronic centered piece it does have fun and poppy sound similar to Vampire Weekend. I was not phased when learning that they covered "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance".



If you are looking for something light and fun for the summer poolside party or BBQ this album will be a hit. Driving through the city with the sunroof open and the windows down pumping Miike Snow has made my summer just a little better. Thanks Dizzle for the funny named trio.

HipGnosis - Ear Responsibility

A week ago I was watching the Cav’s struggle against the Magic at a friend’s house when my Blackberry started buzzing. I had just got a new email from an Eric Young who introduced himself as HipGnosis. He was looking to get some exposure in Atlanta on a new album he was releasing. I followed his links to his website and to his Myspace Page and the beats sounded tight. I decided to get a few promo albums from him and see if a blog would work.

What really interested me in this new found project is that it is the epitome of a grass routs movement. A fan of his living in Atlanta knew of my blog and recommended it to him. She suggested that I review his new release Ear Responsibility which dropped on Monday June 1st. (I definitely recommend that you download here). Eric and I started an email string and a week later he has a new fan and contact here in Atlanta. It was such a cool meeting and chain of events, I was a little nervous waiting for his music to come.

To be honest, I was relieved once I started listening to Ear Responsibility because that album is hot. On the first listen I heard a little RJD2, a little Prefuse 73, and a little Boom Bip. The more I listen to this album the more I understand what HipGnosis means when he told me, “Genre doesn't mean much to me. I use classical, jazz, and anything I can to get my point across.” Each song has its own flavor whether featuring vocals or straight instrumentals. You can categorize HipGnosis as a Hip Hop producer but his music is so much more.

I am always on the lookout for new talent in this ever changing music industry and the thought of bring it here to this blog personally was intriguing. One thing I have always tried to uphold is introducing music I truly like and featuring music that people definitely need to explore. I just so happened that HipGnosis is one of those artist.

Late last night HipGnosis and I joined up on twitter (@Smithblogsatl , @HipGnosis23) to talk about Ear Responsibility.

SBA: Eric, are you around?

HG: yes i am. how's it going?

SBA: Can't complain. Had a pretty good night so far.

HG: it's just been music all evening for me, finishing up a mastering job for a label in minn.

SBA: So this week has been a pretty important week for you with the release of Ear Responsibility. How has the feedback been so far?

HG: it's still kind of early, even though it's late, haha. people are grabbing it, especially since the free d/l of it.

HG: i just released another album about a month ago in the UK so things are hectic.

SBA: It must feel nice to finally get it out there? For those who don't know the story behind it, why was it released for free?

HG: was due to come out 6/1/08. things didn't work out cover design issues and then distro. i got discouraged and moved on. ppl were not happy.

HG: when i titled it 2 yrs ago i didn't think it wld turn into REAL prblms w/ irresponsibility.

SBA: What can we expect off the UK release? Is it along the same lines as Ear Responsibility? What label is it on?

HG: UK release is on Lab Beat, a glitch hop label. more experimental, like Flying Lotus or Prefuse73. electronic influenced still fresh hip hop.

SBA: Speaking of Prefuse 73, I hear alot of similarities in your guys music? what kind of influences do you see in creating your sound?

HG: influenced by oldschool raves, goldenera hiphop, too much weed/shrooms, not enuff sleep, mental illness, more weed...

SBA: haha, one thing i always wanted to ask a hip hop producer? how do you find you collaborations with rappers? How did E.R.'s colabos happen?

HG: often just ppl u know and meet. on ER all talented friends from U of I in illinois. collab w/ ppl from net too smtms

SBA: Do you have dream collaboration? Favorite producer to work with or favorite mc?

HG: dream producer wld be Dilla or Shadow, dream MC prob saul williams or Doom.

HG: Pharoahe monche a big one too.

SBA: I know you have been creating music for a minute but where do you see it going? More hip-hop or more electronic? Or a little of both?

HG: def both and neither. genre doesn't mean much to me. i use classical, jazz, and anything i can to get my point across i guess.

HG: it's all blending and blurring these days anyway.

SBA: My last question is going to a little bit of a selfish one but may help other with inspirations never meet.

HG: shoot.

SBA: Do you have any advice that you would give to a novice who is trying to start making music?

HG: mostly practice, read every book on sound engineering u can find. berklee music has stuff free online just get yrself out there and do it.

HG: there's tons of programs and equip out there. find smth u like and just go for it.

SBA: Eric, I really appreciate the time you took out today. Have a good night and I'll talk with you later. Peace.

HG: thx a lot brent. its been fun. peace man.

Huge Shoutout to one of the best new websites

I love the concept of this website. "We broadcast live music preformances 24/7 non stop. You can listen to the world's finest clubs and follow the vibe where ever you are." How tight is it that I am listening to Dan Adrien in Murano Urban Resort in Central Paris. They have live feeds from over 100 clubs all over the world. In two days they have the Legendary Dj Scratch live from NYC @ Sutra. Check out www.awdio.com for you favorite dj's next set.