After recently sharing Harry Fraud’s take on their breakout track “Tongues” as well as new EP track “In Clover,” Joywave are back today to stream their new EP in its entirety, following its release yesterday via the band’s own Cultco Music and Hollywood Records. Rather than sharing a simple stream, the band is sourcing from Tumblr to create a unique, interactive streaming experience that draws from listener engagement. For the stream, the band has picked a thematic visual tied to each song on the EP that you can watch while that song plays. Listeners can become part of the experience by tagging GIFs they feel correspond to songs from the EP. Check out the How Do You Feel? EP in its entirety now, along with more details outlining how to get involved in the experience and all of the band’s upcoming SXSW shows.
Tour Dates
3/12 Austin, TX – The Brew Exchange (The Green Room) – 4PM
3/14 Austin, TX – Palm Door On Sixth (Universal Music) – 12:45PM
3/14 Austin, TX – The Fader Fort – 4:30PM
3/14 Austin, TX – Maggie Mae’s Roof (All Things Go/Indie Shuffle) – 1AM
4/04 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s Ω
4/05 Vancouver, BC – Celebrities Ω
4/06 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore Ω
4/08 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom Ω
4/09 Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory Ω
4/15 Los Angeles, CA – The El Rey Ω
Ω = w/ RAC
Joywave How Do You Feel? EP
(Cultco Music/Hollywood Records)
3/11/14
1. Tongues feat. KOPPS
2. In Clover
3. Somebody New
4. Now
Alternative Soul artist SLK (pronounced ‘silk’) just released her second single titled ‘Be’ as a free download.
Following the extraordinary response to her first single ‘Ride’, SLK introduces ‘Be’. Similarly reflective in tone, ‘Be’ describes a shared, but unspoken moment of possibility. With her poetic turn of phrase – aided and abetted by Embody’s starkly beautiful production – SLK offers up another rich sonic landscape that is ours to interpret.
The fusion of sung and ambient sounds signals the start of ‘Be’. Bass-driven kicks and soaring synths – leading you into, and out of, the deep, industrial rumble of the chorus – soon overtake the light, breathy blend of electronic percussion and SLK’s restrained vocals. Poised and controlled throughout, ‘Be’ sets the stage for the artist’s sultry and commanding ‘voice’ – an infinitely adaptable instrument and songwriting talent.
‘Be’ is the second installment from her untitled EP, which will be released later this year. The follow-up single to the critically acclaimed ‘Ride’, ‘Be’ cements SLK’s place as one of the most exciting artists in London right now.
British teenage sensation Chlöe Howl is set to impress audiences abroad as she embarks on a string of highly anticipated North American live dates next month, coupled with the March 11 release of her forthcoming extended play, “Rumour”.
Hailed by the BBC and it’s highly regarded “Sound of…” series, which were previously won by Adele, Ellie Goulding and Haim, and nominated for the Critic’s Choice Award at the 2014 BRIT Awards last month, Chlöe Howl is clearly exciting critics and music fans with her uninhibited lyricism and infectious electro-pop beats. Already climbing the charts in Europe, the feisty and outspoken redhead is poised to do much the same here in the U.S. in 2014.
Chlöe Howl’s unique approach to songwriting suggests she’s lived a full life already as she ponders relationships, casual affairs, the nightlife scene and growing old. Channeling her love of English literature — and at only 18 years of age — She is fast becoming recognized for her quirky observational storytelling and no-nonsense approach in her music.
Her U.S. debut comes as a 4-track EP titled “Rumour” and will be released in time for her SXSW dates on March 11 on Columbia Records. The EP is an impressive taster of what’s come from this promising young star who cites bands such a The Smiths and New Order as her influences. Poised to create waves next month with her live performances in Austin’s SXSW Festival and again in New York City at the exclusive downtown club The Box, and with the seal of approval from the likes of NME, Stereogum and Pitchfork, Chlöe Howl is certainly a teenage force to be reckoned with.
Chlöe Howl is currently on tour in Europe with Ellie Goulding and is working on her debut album. Be sure to catch her live on one of the following dates:
North American Tour Dates
03/12 – SXSW Secret Sounds Showcase @ Holy Mountain – 04:40PM
03/12 – SXSW British Embassy Showcase @ Latitude – 11:00PM
03/13 – SXSW Stereogum Showcase @ Mohawk House of Vans – 03:00PM
03/13 – SXSW Paradigm Showcase @ Swan Dive – 09:00PM
03/14 – SXSW FILTER Magazine Showcase @ Cedar Street – 01:00PM
03/15 – SXSW HYPE Machine Showcase @ Hype Hotel – 11:00PM
03/19 – The Box – New York, New York
Name: Fly Moon Royalty Representing: Seattle, Washington Genre: Electro-Soul For fans of: Chromeo, Daft Punk Single from: “Unfinished Business” Produced by: Action J Song of the Day: February 24, 2014 Label(s): Unsigned
It’s like a futuristic J Dilla instrumental with an overlay of vocals by kin of Kraftwerk or Daft Punk. With “DNA”, Fly Moon Royalty handsomely mixes the chromosomes of Urban Contemporary instrumentalism and Electronic roots, all stemming from the soul and soil of Detroit City.
Collaborative ‘No More’ EP with Jeremih coming via WEDIDIT/Def Jam this March
Adrift in currents of Lo-fi R&B beatmaking, Los Angeles artist, producer, and WEDIDIT co-founder Henry Laufer, AKA Shlohmo, is embarking on an extensive North American tour this spring with special guests to be announced. Following a series of high-cred collaborations with the likes of How to Dress Well and BANKS, these dates come on the heels of much acclaimed new material from an extensive upcoming project between Shlohmo and Chicago’s Jeremih. The duo commemorated Valentine’s Day with the release of ‘No More’, a shadowy amalgam of R&B vocals and darkly synthesized production and the first taste of their joint EP of the same name coming this March via WEDIDIT/Def Jam.
Shlohmo’s meticulous sense of timing creates congruency between vocal, instrumental and synthesized elements, entwining them in such a delicate way as create a singular and previously incomprehensible aural space. It is this spatiality and physicality of the music that will foster intimate connections with audiences at these shows. Following performances at both weekends of Coachella, the tour begins on April 22 in Santa Cruz. Tickets go on sale Friday and more information on support coming soon.
4/11 – Indio, CA – Coachella (Weekend 1)
4/18 – Indio, CA – Coachella (Weekend 2)
4/22 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
4/23 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
4/25 – Portland, OR – Branx
4/26 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
4/30 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre
5/01 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada Theatre
5/02 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
5/03 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
5/04 – Buffalo, NY – Waiting Room
5/06 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
5/07 – New York, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
5/10 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
5/11 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
5/13 – Atlanta, GA – The Basement
5/14 – Nashville, TN – Mercy
5/15 – New Orleans, LA – Republic
5/16 – Houston, TX – Fitzgeralds
5/17 – Dallas, TX – Trees
5/18 – Austin, TX – The Parish
5/20 – Albuquerque, TX – Sister
Caspa Narkz, a Brooklyn-based producer and songwriter, exclusively releases a 15-track beat tape titled “Gorilla” through us which features classic Soul samples on tracks like “Angels”, enchanting and addicting rhythms on “General” and “Something You Said”, and trunk-rattling production on tracks like “Don’t Know Why” and “Yea Baby”.
If you’re looking for variety and a new source of production to rock over, we can guarantee this diligent workaholic is your guy. This release is brought to you by Capital Campaign, a management company most known for specializing in artist development, music management and consulting New York-based talent.
Caspa Narkz is for hire. To get in touch with the talented producer, send him a tweet today and wish him a happy birthday. To purchase “Gorilla”, just click here.
Today, Suzi Analogue, the multi-genre artist best known for her ingenious vocal and production contributions to genre-bending urban music, shares the news about her new EP CHILLS + THRILLS and a remix for Death Grips’ “Stockton” available as a free download. Just last week, Death Grips, the rebellious Hip-Hop group from Sacramento, California tweeted a link inviting everyone to download their stems for free. We’re not exactly sure why Death Grips released their stems for free but they did and it inspired Suzi to create the uzi flip you’ll hear below.
CHILLS + THRILLS is counted as her first self-produced EP set to be released on her own label Never Normal Records on February 11th. It’s called CHILLS + THRILLS,, because the body of music travels on a sonic pathway of the chillwave to hyper ballads. It’s meant to highlight Analogue’s skill as a songwriter and a producer, as she’s written, recorded and automated the entire project.
If you’re wondering what’s up with the plus sign over her eye, “it signifies a punch in the eye,” Analogue explains.
But my vision remains positive. It’s about me bringing human feeling back into music and production cause with all the digital recordings; it’s lost.
*Suzi Analogue plays live at The Barbary with Cities Aviv on February 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Read more about Suzi Analogue
Suzi Analogue is an American Soul / Electronic / Experimental artist known best her imaginative vocal and production contributions to genre-bending urban music globally. Her aesthetic utilises spoken notions of classic soul mashed against electronic charm, creating soundscapes that are conveyed through a global perspective. She is noted for creating the term for her own genre “Raw’N’B,” a better description of raw the sound she defines.
True to her name, Suzi Analogue has released analogue cassettes and vinyl records worldwide. Most notably her self-released NNXTAPE, and ANALOGUE MONSTA-BOOM EP released on 10″ vinyl by Scion A/V Toyota; a collaboration with EDM star TOKiMONSTA. She has also provided recorded music for artists including Stalley (MMG) Blu, Spoek Mathambo and more popular music heavyweights. She has taught master production courses from Yale University to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and also performs worldwide.
Analogue continuously pushes boundaries of audio and visual content with every release, and brings an authentic energy to every performance; recorded and live. She is also the founder of NEVER NORMAL RECORDS.
Her newest video JUMP ROPE premiered recently with Karmaloop TV. The single is available in digital outlets everywhere.
On the night of the late Aaliyah’s birthday, the baby girl was still a huge influence on Zoe of ASTR, just as most style icons are. The night felt right. It wasn’t too cold or windy outside, but walking towards the Hudson River wasn’t the best idea for any young woman fighting a hormonal war. Naturally, most women’s feet and hands are colder than the rest of them, so as one can imagine, when I saw what Zoe was wearing for the night I knew that they were going to put on a good show. I thought: Only women with balls and a few yoga classes under their belt could don a revealing black top and loose-fit pants, and I was right.
ASTR is a New York City-based Alternative Pop duo that lives, works and writes dreamy, mesmerizing music in New York City. After meeting three years ago in a Manhattan yoga class, they discovered they shared a musical and artistic sensibility informed by cinema noir, Miami Vice and urban dreamscapes. Soon, ASTR was born.
During our interview, on a shoddy reddish brown sofa located in the grimiest corner of the dressing rofangirl fan girl got her chance to know the creators of her new favourite song “Operate”. Check out my interview with the next best group in Alternative Pop music.
Like most girl-guy musical duos, people often wonder if the two are seeing each other. So I posed this question as politely as I could:
I want to know how you two met and what’s the relation?
Quickly and with laughter, Zoe said “We’re just friends. We are just friends. We met at a yoga studio. We had a mutual friend that was also into music and stuff, and also into yoga. So, we just met and talked about writing and stuff. I think we met a few times then started getting in.”
A.D.A.M. added, “Yeah, you know. You have to work into it. I am a very guarded person so I don’t really necessarily invite people over to work on music too easily, but she was cool. She passed the test so, we got together.”
So, where does the name come from and why did you want to spell it that way?
Zoe: Oh, the spelling? You know, like fuck a vowel right? What’s a vowel? Who needs a vowel anyway?
A.D.A.M.: We actually made a list of like, top bands with no vowels in their name(s), but there is an “A” at the front of it, so I don’t know how we got put into that list.
Zoe: ASTR plays like New York all day and there is some connection to mythology and like has to do with astrology and stuff like that. It can get pretty heavy. I’m sure it would bore all of you.
I love astrology.
Zoe: Oh, do you? Okay, so then maybe we would have a fun time. We could geek about it. Asteria is the goddess of the stars, so that kind of was it for me. That was enough for me.
Tell me about your song “Operate”. How did that come about?
A.D.A.M.: I remember the day that it came out. I remember exactly what happened because sometimes when we go to the studio she’s like, “Oh, I have to go to the… I have to go to this dinner or do something later” and I was like “Alright cool” but we came over and it was in the Summer and we sat down and I just played this bass line and just like sometimes you get in and things just kind of happen. I remember the melodies were all written before she had to dip out to her dinner. I was like I didn’t really realize what had happened but basically, we spent a couple of hours on it and it just happened – that day.
Zoe: The leader was like, “Operate, ohhh ohhh”. Like nothing. Like oh, that’s easy. That’s it.
It is such a cool song, though.
Zoe: It’s like so funny. It’s like we didn’t even think about it. I think that is the best shit, when you don’t think too hard.
And you’re from New York, the both of you?
Zoe: I’m from New York and he’s from Boston. But he’s been here long enough. He’s certified.
How has New York and Boston inspired your sound?
A.D.A.M.: I think the city… Yeah, East Coast Hip-Hop is like one component. There is definitely some components in there. There is just something about being in the city that has at least sculpted our perspective a little bit. I couldn’t tell you exactly how that has influenced us but yeah.
Zoe: New York City is like the place that you don’t want to be but you can’t leave. Like, I could never live anywhere else. I’m so influenced by the style here, everything. The streets, the art, the culture, it’s like top-notch which is a little over the top and overbearing. Abrasive, if you will.
A.D.A.M.: There is no personal space here. You walk out of your apartment. You get onto the train. You’re in there. You don’t know anybody and you’re in their space. Like, right in their face. So there is something to be said about.
Like, look at where we are right now!
Zoe: We’re in a corner. It’s a strange breed.
Exactly. So, what are some of the rappers that you both like as far as East Coast Hip-Hop goes?
Zoe: I’m like a Biggie girl and I like Dipset. I listen to Dipset so hard, and Cam’ron. I was on Jim Jones’ video shoot when I was like 16. Like, I literally love that shit. Busta Rhymes for sure, and Missy Elliot.
A.D.A.M.: When I started making beats, I wanted to make DJ Premire type beats or Dr. Dre but “He’s West Coast”. Primo… Yes, Primo was the East Coast guy.
What was the last rap lyric that you tried to learn, or remember? Has there been any?
Zoe: It’s Biggie Smalls: The pussy smoker, MC provoker, chakata smoker…” That whole song I literally memorized Biggie and Tupac’s rap. You know their infamous rap battle? I memorized both of theirs, word by word. I can sing the entire thing, And I do. Like, at the crib with Pro Era. It’s my favorite shit.
A.D.A.M.: Me? Ah. When we went down to Mexico and I had to DJ and I had to make sure that I had Big Pun’s “Still Not A Player”. So, I got the whole record right and there is this one line. I forget the name of the song but he’s like
Little did we know, Little did we know little liddley li li liteldy dittely” And I still can’t get it after all these years.
What comes to mind when you think of it? Like, what are the words or images that come to mind?
A.D.A.M.: Courtney Love… cigarette butts in a birthday cake.
Zoe: I see like a disheveled birthday cake with a big leather boot in the middle of it. Yeah, that’s dope! We should do a photoshoot and creative collab on that.
I like that, I like that a lot. So what is next for you guys, and do you have a tour coming up?
Zoe: We are doing a bunch of one-offs right now. You know, we are putting out this EP in 5 days, so that’s exciting. We will be in L.A. and we’ll be in London, Boston and SXSW. Then after SXSW, we will probably put together a real tour. Hit the road!
If there is a new fan that is listening to your music for the first time, what would you want for them to take away from listening to it, if anything?
A.D.A.M:. I think it is an updated version of soul music kinda masked with a lot of nostalgia. There is a lot of nostalgia.
Zoe: Like, everything you grew up liking. Hopefully, it’s repackaged in a modern way and hopefully, you want to dance. If you don’t want to dance, I don’t think we did our job. That’s like it.
And my last question: For any aspiring artist that are going to read this and hear this, what speckle of advice would you give them?
Zoe: Be fearless. Literally, banish fear. if you have any doubt in your head at all, it’s not going to happen. So start doing shit that’s fearless. Like go naked down the street or something, and literally get over it now.
A.D.A.M.: I think you need to embrace whatever it is that you’re bringing to the table and don’t try to be anyone but yourself.
Mad Decent’s Jeffree’s reached into the vault and dusted off four of the heaviest Baltimore club bangers from early Diplo and M.I.A. collaborator Blaqstarr. Polished with meticulous mixing and mastering, these tracks bring massive quantities of frenetic energy to get the blood flowing in overdrive, while bearing witness to the authentic Baltimore club sound of the early-to-mid 2000s (2002-2006 to be exact).
Dim Mak Records celebrates a major milestone this year with the label’s 500th release with the King Babies EP from experimental art punkers The Death Set, out January 21. The 4-track EP features new music from the NYC-based via Australia thrashers that perfectly exemplifies their brash mix of cross-genre punk, noise, grunge, and beyond. King Babies marks a full circle for Dim Mak Records as it perfectly meshes the label’s punk rock roots and current status as a leading brand in contemporary electronic music.
Making its official debut today on Noisey (Vice), the King Babies EP from The Death Set is available to stream in full below:
King Babies—a follow-up to their critically acclaimed album Michel Poiccard (2011)—sees the duo Johnny Siera and Dan Walker along with hard-hitting drummer Will Broussard return to full form. Always strange and ridiculously catchy, The Death Set reignite their punk origins with King Babies, which is equal parts noisy and melodic with maximum energy and captures the mayhem of their live shows.
The EP launches with the fast-paced “Lite The Fuse,” a screaming ode to its moombahton-inspired beat that features furious vocals, unnerving punk heaviness, and a grimy bass line. “Think Shank,” inspired by ‘80s hardcore, follows suit with electronic builds, back-and-forth vocals, and a half-time bridge that begs listeners to bounce. “Soar Away” shows the melodic side of The Death Set, which includes a pop-leaning chorus of anthemic proportions. The track pays homage to their previous popular tracks like “Negative Thinking” and is a melodic journey about conquering self-doubt. King Babies closes strong with “The Enemy” with electronic blips and a stomping beat behind lyrics that give voice to the madness of internal dialogue.
The Death Set is excited to join Dim Mak, a label that launched on hardcore 7-inch records and has grown into an EDM superpower,” says Siera. “The fit is snuggly and perfect.
With King Babies, The Death Set epitomizes the spirit of punk, electro, and hardcore, the three pillar sounds that define the Dim Mak brand. Founded in 1996 by Grammy nominated international producer-DJ and electronic dance music entrepreneur Steve Aoki, the label launched as an independent imprint releasing hardcore and punk rock bands with the first official Dim Mak record coming from obscure, SoCal hardcore ensemble Stickfigurecarousel.
Since then, the label has grown to become a powerhouse in the global electronic music scene today, while still remaining true to its commitment to release cutting-edge music from artists shaping and creating fresh music genres. Dim Mak has played a major role in defining and creating the current electronic music space, particularly within the Los Angeles market, and helped foster various music scenes from indie dance rock, underground hip-hop, electro, and house. To date, Dim Mak has broken countless artists, who are now leading figures in their respective genres, including The Kills, Battles, Bloc Party, The Gossip, Klaxons, The Bloody Beetroots, MSTRKRFT, Felix Cartal, Datsik, and more.
If you love what you’re hearing, pre-order the King Babies EP from The Death Set on iTunes. It’d be the sweetest pre-Valentine’s Day gift.
