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.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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...
Monday, June 8, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, June 5, 2009
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.
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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.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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.
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