Just in case you’d lost all hope that EDM had swallowed everything that was good and true in electronica, DJ Jazzy Jeff has returned (never left for those of us paying attention) to save the day. This extensive demonstration of skill, talent and live production chops will make your random Rave Bro shut his damn yapper about that big room track you can’t get away from. Jeremy Ellis & Jazzy Jeff push into some amazing beat work that is all done on the fly. Mario beats turn into some fantastic music made on the fly to light up Illadelphia. Real turntablism, real pad manipulation, and even a mistake or two if you know what to look for (via TWD Industries)
Category Archives: News/Lolz
Eyes & Ears: Toad & Friends By David Katz
Tonight, I want to bring you a project done by some amazing friends of mine. They’re down to the wire and so close to their goal so I definitely hope some of you check your pockets to make this thing happen. TOAD is an absolutely fantastic piece of art that proves you can get both form & function right. The Toad roving mobile sound vehicle blew my mind at my first PEX back in 2011. The roving DJ was jamming out and there was this party just following it, wherever it went. The thing returned in 2012 with even more DJs, sweet lights and lasers. Freaking laser beams. It has gone to some of the best underground events in NYC when space & weather allows. My photographer managed to capture it being wonderful outside of the Kostume Kult costume give away for the kids at Figment last year. Beats, costumes and kids laughing, it’s a good thing, ya know? Not only is the tech amazing, but so are the people making it happen.
Boris, Lori & David are 3 of the Burner core that keeps the underground in NYC moving. No seriously, they sometimes actually have to grease physical wheels to keep shit going. Kostume Kult produces some of the most consistently awesome parties in NYC with DK as one of the leaders of that merry band. Boris has been DJing probably longer than I’ve been alive, and if you’ve gone to an underground party, you’ve probably seen an event or an attendee decorated by Lollygoa.
I hope they’ve crossed the threshold they need for funding by the time you reach this, and I hope you give afterwards too. Every dollar will go to make Toad more fantastic. These 3 will do everything they can to use that cash wisely. Trust that you’re not going to be poolside at PEX next year with TOAD showing up with rims or weird hydraulics. Dope ass speakers and a disco ball however? Very possibly. Get at the sets in this post and just imagine that following you around. Or not, if you’re not cool enough to donate.
Chronicles of Sound “Travels” EP Is A Musical Journey.
I first brought you info on the Chronicles of Sound project back in October when their first album came out. They recently pushed out a chill transitional EP, bridging the gap and continuing the story song of the heroes, as they search for the way to make their planet rotate once again. I know, intense. Excellently scored and potently executed, it’s a lovely morsel of fun to tide me over until Revolutions Part II. The Sound feels great, especially if you’ve read the comic story. Dead River Down, while short, is sweet and I definitely want to see a Sonic 3 or Mega Man X AMV with this tune post haste. Crossing the Divine Sea has a triumphant, cut-scene-like quality that makes me want to bust out my SNES. Shadow of the Verge is appropriately bewildering, and reminds me of Verdis Quo in Daft Punk’s Discovery album. Can whatever happens at 1:40 to 1:48 of FM’s Lab get expanded into it’s entire own song? I’m a huge fan, but that little throbbing electronic build could be something massive. Pick the whole thing up here, and toss em what you can so they can keep telling this story!
How To Make A Pop Hit By Brett Domino (I & II)
Laughing Squid tipped me off to this fantastic video on how to make a modern pop hit. I do enjoy the evolution of these things, and Brett Domino manages to capture the shifting target that is “whatever the hell do you people want” in their radio play. Now that everyone has heard the Jason Derulo song that he’s playing fast and loose with in the tune, check out this breakdown above. Brett is quite entertaining and the freshness of the process is lovely. Especially with the inspirational shout outs to Jennifer Lawrence. Bassoons are a welcome addition to any pop hit, just saying. He did a follow-up this weekend moving from the pop vocal hit to how to add sick choruses (what’s the plural of chorus?) to your amazing pop track. Kudos to you Mr. Domino. And now I feel like I just said goodbye to a Bond villain.
Luigi Stare Replicated In Real Life; Chamillionaire Rejoices!
In case you missed the luigi death stare/Chamillionaire mashup that went viral when Mario Kart 8 came out, it’s below. Someone leveled the meme up with a Disney related death stare that wins all over the place. This is totally music related I swear. I’m really hoping someone does a sick dubstep remix of “Ridin’ Dirty” so Chamillionaire can come back for a minute. I miss that dude. (via Laughing Squid)
Dat Sheep Tho.
I think it’s important to recognize how wonderful this is. That’s all. Carry on.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Rocks.
This is kind of perfect.
Tech House French Bulldog Dance Party!
Now this is a way to get your ish out there. A Mashup DJ named RomanShark dropped a vid of some French Bulldogs bopping around to some competent Tech House. A minute that’ll probably make you smile. You’re almost done with Monday, relax and enjoy.
Infected Mushroom’s Erez Doesn’t Need Ableton. He Makes Tracks In DOS.
I’m not sure how to describe the insanity of what you’re seeing, especially if you’re under the age of 20. This is a digital audio workstation, in a non-Windows/OSX environment. Yup kids, this is what they used to look like. Apparently Infected Mushroom posted this file (that works with a program called “Impulse Tracker,” that is probably older than you are) to their site a few years ago. Someone grabbed it, held it, and tossed it into their version of a DOS emulator and the running program. Audio/video capture have allowed us the magic of audio time travel, allowing us to hear what Erez & his friend Jorg sounded like decades ago. It’s a competent, if somewhat overdone Synthy Psy-infused tune that wouldn’t be out of place today. If you’re into this sort of thing, check out this surprisingly excellent cover of deadmau5’s Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff by OxygenStar. Next time some hipster producer starts talking shit, ask him if he’s produced using this shit. Then smile and nod.
The Original Demo Of “Lisa, It’s Your Birthday.” Sung By The Actual Michael Jackson
If you were alive in the 90’s, you remember that episode of The Simpsons that had the fake/crazy guy who called himself Michael Jackson. Many people know that MJ actually did the voice for the character, but that he wasn’t allowed to do the song for the show. Contractual obligations ensured that he couldn’t create a separate piece of creative work for the owners of The Simpsons. However, what most people don’t know, is that he provided a demo for what the song needed to sound like. And there it is for you. Happy birthday Lisa.
Terry Gotham 