Any emotions is a surprisingly compelling indie collab between Brian Wilson & the Mini Mansions. Mini Mansions is made up of Michael Schuman, Zach Dawes & Tyler Parkford, while Brian Wilson needs absolutely no explanation. Most people have only heard of these guys as what Queens of The Stone Age does when they’re bored, they’ve managed a huge pick up here. Connecting with the sound of the sun, Brian Wilson, they’ve put together a dreamy, almost indie track that really takes off. It’s really hard to find things that still rock, but this quietly does. It’s over far too soon, but before it’s done, you get classic Brian Wilson vocals, chords that don’t disappoint, and a performance by Mini Mansions that reveres who they’re working with & doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. Kudos again to Joy of Violent Movement for the clutch tag on this.
Tag Archives: YouTube
Midnight Music: Etherwood – You’ll Always Be A Part Of Me
I am so happy Etherwood has done this. Not only is this a delightful re-imaging of what drum & bass can sound like, but woo dude vocals! Etherwood has carved out a stupendous home for himself and if you don’t know why, tracks like this show it off. This kind of soothing style of d&b is my Wyld Stallions music. This is what I think we’ll all listen to in elevators and all day every day once we reach the future peace society that we only see in fiction. What I’m saying is, Drum & Bass makes peace. I’m going to make sure you know about Etherwood’s releases, so get used to it being all up in this piece. (via The Awesome YouTube Channel of Med School)
Midnight Music: LunchMoney Lewis – Bills (Leah Haxhi Cover) [Indie Cover]
Stupendous. Leah Haxhi needs the highest of fives for creating this. Not only do we have another strong lady taking on covering hip hop, but it’s got gospel & violin in it! This kind of soulful re-working with the gender flip is always going to get some words from me. It’s a fun, well composed indie tune that should both give Leah Haxhi some needed exposure, but signal boost for Lunch Money Lewis in places he may not be heard. The original is below for you to compare & enjoy as well, because, why would I set you up like this and not provide you the comparison right? The take home message here is, I say more ladies with stringed instruments covering hip hop. Can we get a hip lady from Brooklyn to cover Puffy’s discography so we can take back some of that territory? (via Fresh New Tracks)
Midnight Music: New Arty Remix Referencing Bed Stuy, LSD & Brooklyn.
I posted a Facebook status about this a little bit ago, but I wanted to make sure to go on the record noting this has happened. This is a dance remix of a track specifically mentioning Bed Stuy, or Bedford Stuyvesant, one of the battlegrounds of gentrification in BK these days. So, I really like the progressive remix that’s going on here, and it, like the lyrics feel very new and 21st century. It, in my opinion is far superior to the original. The pop track that was remixed has a cool music video, I only have one problem with it being associated with the song. It’s shot entirely in a place with palm trees & empty pools for skateboarding in. That would be LA, not NYC. Guys, I’m all for name dropping the dope parties you’ve been to, but can we at least get a little accuracy in out shoots? The original video is below. Do you think I’m just ranting? Tell me off in the comments if so.
Midnight Music: Dan Deacon – Learning To Relax [Seizure-Inducing Music Video]
Welp, this one is a bit much. It’s wonderful, but I wouldn’t recommend projecting the music video or staring directly at it for too long if you have epilepsy. The tune is tremendous. A fusion between chip & indie with whole lot of fun synthwork on the top, but it’s totally only half the story. The serenity of the track is contrasted with an exceptionally simple music video that complicates itself to the point of insanity by mathematics. It may be a lot, and could give the weaker among us nausea. So, listen to it in another window if that’s you. If not, wheee! It’s crazypants.
Salvia, A Drug That Proves Humans Know A Bad Idea When They See One.
This week, Ravelrie, NY DanceSafe, Stay Safe Seattle & I are talking Salvia. That’s right, the drug you & your friends tried that one time and probably never touched again? It’s a legal in the USA, but it’s one of the drugs that never really caught on here in the USA. This stuff is native to Oaxaca, Mexico, but it’s spread to be available pretty much everywhere in the USA. There are not only regular strength dosages but in head shops around the country, you can buy potent extracts. Just imagine, not only can you get this stuff and smoke it, but you can purchase extracts that are anywhere from 2-40x as powerful. You’d imagine this would have a huge market right? Everyone does, until they actually do the stuff.
As you can see, this stuff isn’t exactly a rocking good time, unless you’re into not knowing where the floor or walls are. Salvia is one of those substances that I think prove, if given time & access/information, the population of users eventually reach a happy medium of consumption. The drug has exceptionally low toxicity & risk for addiction. I’d say the latter is largely because the experience is too freaking crazy to really get “addicted” to in any sense of the word. It’s one of the only substances I’ve seen seasoned drug users do once, and wash their hands of. They know what they want from drugs, and Salvia isn’t it.
To me, this is a prime example of users not getting what they want from a drug and putting it down. It’s widely recognized how crazy the drug is for casual users, and there’s a whole group of Latin American spiritual users & shamans who use it for the opposite of “recreation.” This is how it was used traditionally in Mexico, and it’s probably where the only active populations of really continuous users exist. For more info on Salvia check out the Erowid Vault and join us on twitter at 4:30 PM using #DrugFactFriday!
Midnight Music: The Prodigy – Wild Frontier (Wilkinson Remix)
The remix game is just heating up when it comes to The Prodigy’s new album. The Day Is My Enemy is going to spawn a gigantic wave of bomb-ass remixes and this first volley is no exception. Wilkinson bursts out of the gate with this massive release on RAM Records. This is one of those tunes that you just kind of want to flip your hood up and get down with your bad self. It brings out some of the heart inside the amazing Wild Frontier track and adds a fresh dollop of big bass d&b on top of it. Get it now that it’s live on Beatport as well. If you’re into spinning D&B, this track is going to be a must-have this summer. Once The Prodigy starts to get into full swing, these kinds of reworkings are going to be worth their weight in gold. He who remixes best, will win. Now if we could only get The Prodigy to play somewhere on this side of the pond in 2015.
Midnight Music: Billie – Give Me The Knife (Keeno Dub Mix)
Keeno keeps coming. This kid has a career that has soared in the last couple of years and I am so happy to watch it happen. He’s one of these impressively talented ones that also puts in crazy amounts of work, drops stuff on the internet to stream, tours & challenges himself musically. This has resulted in his tracks being what can only be described as straight fire. The variations in the way he expresses himself in the D&B space continue to amaze. This iteration includes a bass that almost weeps, while the the fast-slow crawls along. The soulful vocals match & give it a great netting of mid-range while it moves along. Nice way to round out the night, rest easy y’all, you made it past Wednesday. (via UKF Drum & Bass)
Chadd Smith Proves White People Can Totally Dance
Alright, this guy‘s got a point. When you jump out of a pink Delorean (rental contact available here, don’t worry LA/Hollywood people, I got you) and drop a solid 4:20 of dance moves, cracking jokes on yourself & actually make it work, you’ve got my vote. Chadd pushes out a surprisingly competent set of moves, which I was totally into. Especially with the retro vibe he’s got going here, he’s actually taking an old joke & making it both new and amusing. Which, is legit. I hope this got him a crapton of work, and if you’re in need of dancing talent and you’re in Hollywood these days, hit him up.
We’ve Reversed The Google Ad Words Ban But MDMA: The Movie Still Needs Your Help!
Emanuel Sferios, The founder of the national organization over 15 years ago, has been working on a documentary movie about MDMA, as all of you are aware of, is extremely popular in our culture, especially today as it’s often targeted in music and the media and almost always misrepresented and misinformed. This film explores its history and use today. And yes, it’s not just some small pet project. Thump from VICE has already covered it and the media campaign is heating up. So much in fact, that Google Ad Words had banned them from advertising. That’s right ladies & gentlemen, Google believed that the first film ever to discuss the harm reduction potential of MDMA and the research surrounding it as a PTSD medication, so Emanuel was told they can’t advertise using the dominant advertising platform of our time, because drugs. That’s why the video you clicked on above this paragraph, was the one that they (temporarily) banned.
In one of Google’s dumber moves this side of Google+ & Wave (you remember those right?), they decided that this movie “promotes” drug use, and will not allow the movie to advertise. This has put the brakes on the fundraising inertia it was developing, but they’re still moving along at a brisk pace. However, in a stunning reversal after a serious crowd-sourced push to get Google to change their minds, THEY HAVE! To celebrate, I’m bringing you a few tidbits from the movie that I hope you’ll watch & donate to/for. First off, Dr. Julie Holland, one of the foremost clinicians in the world when it comes to dealing with substance use, MDMA-use & general rave-related behavior from the drug standpoint. Lastly we’ve got Dede Goldsmith, founder of the Amend The Rave Act movement we’ve been discussing around these parts off and on for months. Both of these ladies are exceptionally relevant within the movement, so please watch & then dig deep.
Terry Gotham 