It seems that the e-cig industry has finally grown to such a distinguished size that it’s starting to knock on the door of EDM to sell intoxicants to the young. A series of DJs are being employed to get people hyped about an admittedly decent idea. A combination iphone case & vaporizer. Because that was a market gap you weren’t high enough to come up with. I’m not really going to comment on the video because the obvious misogyny & poor shot choices speak for themselves. However, the lineup for podcasts includes 12th Planet, BORGEOUS, Griz, Bixel Boys & Rif Raff. Enjoy the tunes, and if you buy one, DEFINITELY comment on whether it sucks or not. (via FreshNewTracks)
Monthly Archives: December 2013
Breaking: Pussy Riot To Go Free!
The Guardian and many other news sources are reporting that under an amnesty agreement with the Kremlin, Pussy Riot is to be released. Sources close to the jailed punk stars have confirmed it, though I’ll bite my tongue until they’re free and home safe. #freepussyriot
Yeah Bob Ross. Yeah.
Man, I miss Bob Ross.
A Quartet of Quality Hip Hop.
As of late, I’ve come across a series of lyrically competent hep cats that I wanted to make sure to remark on. Lots of people complain that hip hop, R&B and other sub-genres of the like peaked and are of poor quality today. They really couldn’t be more wrong. Just in case you didn’t know who these people were, check em out, and definitely give rhymes another shot if you didn’t like rap back when it consisted of Puffy and such.
Chance the Rapper dropped a very interesting mixtape a while back so I’ve tried to keep track of him. His drive with James Blake is eerily good. And check this vimeo link for the new vid he just up’d with Childish Gambino http://vimeo.com/81209854
Sway Clarke II showed up out of nowhere on my Soundcloud, and I’m going to be paying a lot of attention from now on. It’s a heavy but serene track with a flow that’s quite nice. It’s definitely an exercise in minimalism, both in lyric & beats, which speaks well of the Berlin-based artist.
DVS has been rhyming competently for longer than I’ve known what the words “Drum and Bass” meant. Brilliant, sardonic, and quite possibly dangerous, he’s the kind of ace in the hole you’d always want on your team, because if there was a rap battle, he’d win. By more than a bunch. The Darkwing send up is hilarious and I’ve been waiting for some new stuff from this guy for a minute.
King Terry III rounds out this group of quality lyricists. His flow is tight and the samples, background vibes and other elements are exquisitely chosen. New Linen is one of the few morsels he’s dropped for us on Soundcloud, and I for one cannot wait to hear what he has in store for us.
Good things coming from all of these cats in 2014 I wager. So pay attention and follow your ears.
The Stig & Daft Punk. Separated at Birth?
Happy Monday y’all & it seems we all just need some sweet new helmets to kick ass. It reminds me of Calvin & Hobbes… 😀
Party of the Month: Cosmic Mirrors by Gratitude NYC
Tickets Here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/fb/511435
This event last year was actually my inspiration for my “Party of the Month” series & this year’s version looks incredible. At a secret 60,000 sq ft. location in Brooklyn with different theme camps, areas domes, lounges and ostensibly, activities! There’s something for everyone at this event, with the Impresario Drew Meeks being joined by Daniel Zen, Tim The Enchanter, The Wizzard Disorient himself & an old friend KaytiBunny and a literal cavalcade of stars. I’m actually kind of concerned the post is going to be too long and you’ll stop reading because of all of the music I’m about to shove into your face. And just to top it all off, this is all being done to support the artists, Figment (discussed here), Dance Parade, Burners Without Borders and other charitable organizations. Yup, it’s non-profit and awesome.
An-ten-nae is Acid funk/crunk/spunk at its finest, and OneGoodReason has pulled some strings & called in some favors to get some excellent West Coast talent out here. Kraddy is another highlight, Android Porn (one of his best tracks) being one of my very favorite tracks of all time. The Human Experience is showing up with a delicious funky, dubby, soulful batch of goodness, being backed up by Love and Light, emerging to remind us we’re wonderful with heady beats. I’m not going to mention every DJ spinning, but there are some real stand outs for me on this line-up.
Connie has a devoted techno & tech-house following in Brooklyn & once you put one of her mixes on, you’ll understand why. Smooth perfection awaits you. Orion Keyser does wonderful house-related work & I can happily brag that I’ve paid the man for his time and skill. I’ve not had the honor of doing so for the deep, funky & stunningly smooth stylings of REsy (discussed previously here, here & here), but give me a minute. Tektite & Tim The Enchanter are doing something that looks like a vs. set, which, has officially has a billion percent chance of being awesome.
In the Silent Disco (Fuck Yea Silent Disco!), the hits just keep on coming, with dueling beat warriors pushing out some of the best underground music in NYC. Alex Funk has been talked about quite a bit around here, as has Barney Iller. These two could just spin for 6 hours and people wouldn’t mind in the slightest. But they’re being joined by some other stalwart Burner warriors like DK, Friar Tuck, Kannizle & 2Melo. I could yammer on about how awesome they are, but, the music does the talking way better than I do. There’s even live acts, with the rock band I recently interviewed (Suntalk) performing. I told you it was going to be ridiculous.
The VJ work is going to be second to none. VJ Krunch is joined by a platoon of VJs & art by DomeStar, Thunder Gumbo & Livio Mancini. It’s going to be as wonderful for your eyes as your ears. KaytiBunni Roberts is bringing like 30 flow performers to amaze while Kae Burke & Anya S will be repping Lady Circus in glorious fashion. Rewi Bracy & Jeff Robinson of Hoop Hooligans are actually traveling all the way from New Zealand (yes, really) for the first time to perform for all you lovely people. Locally, Seanna Sharpe has been amazing audiences overhead for years, traveling the world & finally settling down in NYC to blow minds and win hearts.
This is an event with all of the trappings, so dust off your favorite disco tuxedo and angel wings. Just in case you need some help, DanceSafe will be there along with Gratitude’s own Love Patrol to ensure that people remain hydrated and can deal with the massive sensory experience that this is going to be. If that’s something you’re into (I’m a HUGE fan of these kinds of services at dance events), drop them a line, they’d love your help.
There are very few tickets left, so grab them if you want to enjoy something special this holiday. I know it’s a touch pricier than the events you usually see me recommend, but this is one of the few cases it’ll be worth it I wager. If you can swing it, swing for the fences & enjoy yourself in grand fashion. Check out this photo gallery from 2011 if you don’t believe me: http://gratitudenyc.org/2013/gallery/gratitude-2011
This is Terry Gotham, see you on the dance floor.
New Daft Punk Music Video Gives All The Feels With Julian Casablancas Center Stage.
I don’t know who Julian Casablancas is & I don’t really register him as a separate artist when I listen to Random Access Memories. I’m going to stop doing that immediately. The music video for Instant Crush was released today and the only time the helmets appear, they’re on a shelf. The focus on the singer, who is striking, talented, and what appears to be twelve years old, is an excellent choice. Daft Punk has done quite well playing second fiddle to their accompaniment as it were, and it works perfectly. The love story between two mannequins is painful & sweet at the same time, and in 5 minutes, tells a vastly superior story to the sum totality of Twilight. Put it into your face, then go hug someone.
RZA Pours One Out For Paul Walker. Respect.
RZA & the late Paul Walker were a bit closer than I’d previously assumed. With the untimely & tragic death of Paul Walker, RZA took some time out to pay tribute to a friend. A demo featuring Will Wells for a brief but fulfilling friendship. It must be weird to become famous, realize you’re surrounded by fake people, then connect with someone who is bewildered by the same things. Check it out, and don’t speak ill of the dead.
The Most Relaxing Song In the World (Apparently).
While I don’t put much stock in anything that the Daily Mail reports, the song is pretty damn chill. Long too. So, just in case you wanted to pass out at your desk on this Thursday morning, or if you need a track to soothe your frazzled nerves after your 3rd cup of coffee, we’ve got just was the doctor ordered. Kudos to the Marconi Union for this. Hit them up if you’re in Manchester and need to take the edge off a gabber show.
New Burial EP!
One year and one day after Burial brought us Truant (featured below), a new 3 track EP is dropping Dec 16th. I finally have something to look forward to that doesn’t involve consumerism or high-fructose corn syrup this month! (via FACT)
Terry Gotham 