GRUNGECAKE

Category: Premieres

  • Premiere: TDE’s Lance Skiiiwalker shares Gnarls Barkley ‘Crazy’ remake for your quarantine times: Listen

    Especially in times like we’re living in right now, it can be so easy for people to lose their mind. I know because I’m one of those people – Lance Skiiiwalker

    Back in 2016, Lance Skiiiwalker released his TDE debut ‘Introverted Intuition’, a thirteen-track album that we think is best for quarantine times. With collective anxiety at an all-time high and the uncertainty of it all, it wouldn’t be far off to say some of us are going crazy, or we’re already there. Living in modern times with a global pandemic feels like a bad dream, mainly for anyone who had the chance to make a life they enjoyed living.

    Most of us have heard the song before, but hearing the ‘St Elsewhere’ single now might bring forth another meaning or realization. Specifically, the lyric about thinking anyone is in control of anything except themselves did it for me.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N4jf6rtyuw&h=315]

    Should the Chicago-native artist’s name look familiar, it is because he’s been working in the industry with several artists, including his labelmates (Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and SZA) and others.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki-Afm4arC0&h=315]

    Last night on Instagram, such a powerful tool when used for business and social issues, GRUNGECAKE received a direct message concerning the remake of the monster track. It is a, perhaps, esoteric take on the Gnarls Barkley 2007 GRAMMY Award-winning record ‘Crazy’ (Record for the Year), which happens to be one of my all-time favourite songs. Today, right now, you can stream Lance Skiiiwalker’s ‘Crazy’ exclusively through GRUNGECAKE via the IGTV player below. It’s a first of its kind for us, and we hope it isn’t the last.

  • Premiere: DeonRaps collaborates with Haku Leaf on new single ‘MAC’

    The multi-talented DeonRaps brings us a bar-heavy, Spring-ready bop with his single ‘MAC’. Joined by Haku Leaf and produced by Young Swisher, this track is the lead single off his forthcoming album, ‘The Garden’. The light-hearted bop is accompanied by an artistic and fun video, shot in multiple locations throughout New York, ranging from Brooklyn to Queens. DeonRaps’ distinct voice and original swag grabs your attention and separates him from his class. According to the artist himself, “This is definitely the breath of fresh air Queens has been waiting for.” We have to agree.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Q8bBbcMsU&h=315]

  • Premiere: Los Angeles-based singer Megan Vice remakes French producer Breakbot’s ‘Shades of Black’ and serves up a new flavor of ‘Strawberry Lemonade’

    Megan Vice teams up with Breakbot for this cute bop ‘Strawberry Lemonade’, premiering today! The Pop track is exciting, perfect for the approaching warm weather. The Los Angeles-based talent mixed her different influences and styles and the result was this fun danceable hit. On her inspiration for the song, Vice says,

    The background music is an instrumental interlude on an album that didn’t have any vocals on it so I decided to write a top-line over it and turn it into a proper song. I don’t see many people out here doing this and thought it would be cool!

    Vice’s originality and style will keep her relevant.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DloQ00nZyYw&h=315]

  • Video Premiere: The Pearl Harts’ “Black Blood”

    Oh, grrrl

    The Pearl Harts

    The bond between The Pearl Harts already existed before they were a band. Meeting on the road whilst in other acts, they ran away and now, simply the group describes themselves as “outlaws”. In 2013, the duo put on their first show and released a confrontational track about making a deal with the devil. Luckily for them, it caught the attention of blogs on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and it was played on John Kennedy’s XFM and Amazing Radio, all based in London.

    “What makes them so fucking special?”, you’re probably thinking. Well, to be rather blunt and assy with you, The Pearl Harts work with what they have, quite literally. Due to their talents, they make the biggest sound possible with the smallest line up, taking inspiration from legendary Rock heavyweights like Led Zep, Them Crooked Vultures, Pearl Jam (almost their namesake?), Black Sabbath, and Joan Jett and then, mixing them with live loops and samples. They’ve managed to bring Rock and Heavy Blues to a new audience, in a new time.

    Almost a year to date since our first Pearl Harts premiere, the British girl duo return to GrungeCake with an official video for “Black Blood”. Their “Wolf Eyes” premiere was exclusively released on GrungeCake and garnered thousands of hits in just hours. Watch the awesome video below. It was directed by David Lieb and shot on location the iconic Ivy House in South East London. If you’re not familiar with the Ivy House, it became an infamous hangout for the “mad and bad” of music during the 1970s.

    [youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiaC4ZW7v64″ width=”1020″ autoplay=”no”]

    Visit The Pearl Harts’ website for a free download of their new single “Black Blood”. This is their first free download, so be kind and share.

    For more of The Pearl Harts, just click here.

  • Instrumental EP Premiere: Caspa Narkz – Gorilla

    Caspa Narkz
    Image: 15th King

    Beats that roar

    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.

    For more Caspa Narkz, just click here.

  • Song Premiere: Telli (Ninjasonik) “Where The Hoes At?” Featuring TRPL BLK

    Merry Christmas from Ninjasonik and Bruiser Brigade

    As mentioned in this article, I shadowed TRPL BLK, a rockstar from Detroit, and “we ended our night perfectly… in an undsiclosed recording studio”. This is what he was working on with Producer Slimmy Neutron:

    Though, TRPL BLK met both Telli (Ninjasonik) and Slimmy Neutron for the first time that night, the guys managed to gel well, converse about a concept for the song, instantly work on lyrics and record their vocals in less than two hours. The aura was organic and ideal.

    Hard work makes history.

    #HOEHOEHOE and a Merry Christmas to you all.

    For more TRPL BLK, just click here.

  • Song Premiere: Histibe’s “Aqua Cypher XL”

    That wet-wet.

    From The Editor: Histibe, the Ukrainian-based D+B producer whose been featured on some of the web’s most prestigious music outlets, selected us to premiere his new track titled “Aqua Cypher XL” from his upcoming album MILLENNIUM DRUM N BASS set to release December 16.

    If it isn’t completely obvious and potent, we are honored and very privileged and honored to be a part of Histibe’s journey, and luckily for Histibe, it doesn’t stop there. It gets better. For this very occasion, he teamed up with Art Director Joe Perez of Kanye West’s DONDA collective to produce the outstanding abstract artwork or packaging, you see above. Not only is the cover minimal in design, it captures the essence of Histibe’s recent production value and the personal message he chooses to share with his fans, this time around. Thank you.

    When Mr. Alekseyenko puts his mind to something, you’re in for a wild ride. Known to the world as an eclectic producer slash DJ and Sound Designer creating some of the most diverse yet enjoyable melodies, Histibe is back again with some new tunes. Histibe takes us on a journey to his past on his latest work. Being submerged into the drum and bass culture at a very early age, He teaches us the many variables of the art of bass music.

    If you have listened to Histibe’s last album “Take The Form,” he was able to pull you through a musical maze of highs and lows, loud and soft tinkering with everything from pitch to dissonance. We recently sat down with Histibe to catch us up on the new album and what he has been up to these days. December 16 seems so far away to wait on good music, right? Well, here is a little something to hold you over until then, Histibe and GrungeCake have teamed up to bring you an exclusive track release “Aqua Cypher XL.”

    Feeling a little drummy or a lot bassy, get ready because here it is, the exclusive premiere of “Aqua Cypher XL”:

    You’ve been very busy, releasing new music, getting lots of great press and now, you releasing a new album. Are you excited?

    Absolutely, I am excited to release this compilation. It was challenging for me to release 2 albums in a year. The main idea, this time around, was to really show more of my life and emotions. It’s all about self-expression, really. Basically, My Mask’s diary continues to grow with new pages.

    What should listeners expect to receive from this album?

    I think this question, can best be answered within the statement of my album’s Digital Booklet:

      The new millennium has brought some new music to a new generation. This was around 2003. A new wave of Neurofunk & Techstep Drum & Bass. But everybody here called it Drum & Bass or simply DNB. I was 15. There were no good vinyl shops here in Kyiv. I think at that time there was no iTunes even. My friend was getting some CDs from some DJs who was getting them from the abroad. That’s how we share music at the time. Also, I was making rap records at that time and was close to the various music communities in the city, but this is the whole different story. Around 2005, I literally stuck in music production. Virtuoso bass, drums, and all the energy around this. It was the new MILLENNIUM DRUM N BASS for me. I have a lot of memories about that time. Now allow me to pre-open the mask and present you a part of my life story with the help of this tracks.

    Would you say the sound of this album is a continuation of “Take The Form,” or is it in its own lane?

    For me, “Take The Form” is still a very special album. It’s complex, and you probably couldn’t understand it during your first experience or listen. I believe the songwriting is very rare, and might go over the head of an average person. Symbolism and abstractionism are not for everyone. With this album, MILLENNIUM DRUM N BASS, I want to show tracks with a more dynamic sound. There are stories behind tracks like “Pulsar” and “World Without Clocks.” MILLENNIUM DRUM N BASS is like a small book with heavy, colourful pages that can go into its own lane and be a part of series, at the same time.

    In typical Histibe fashion, your album artwork is always a treat! Can you give us a sneak peek or a little info on the artwork for your album?

    My cover art, the three singles and digital booklet were all done by Joe Perez. It was a dream for me to work with such an amazing artist. I was a fan of his work since Kanye West’s “Cruel Summer,” but I never had the opportunity to share my music with him. Finally, in 2013 I had the chance. It was a pleasure working with Joe. A lot of enthusiasm, dynamics and ideas. His approach and the result is at a very high level. The works of Joe are like a digital display of my music. This is exactly what I needed for my tracks.

    What are your favorite tracks from this album?

    Going back in time, “Tears Of A Machine” was released on the legendary Nerve Recordings, “Forgotten Station” was liked by Martijn from Noisia. “So Far,” led me to JAY Z’s Life+Times… So, I want to leave this choice for listeners, for me personally, each track has a meaning.

    Well said. What’s next?

    I have plans to release new music and videos in 2014, amongst other surprises. The New Mask Movement EP is coming soon, and also, to be launched is a remix contest for the track “So Far” in collaboration with Loopmasters and juno.co.uk. It includes prizes and support for new producers. Stay tuned for the future projects on histibe.com.

    It was nice catching up with you, Histibe.

    It was a pleasure chatting with you as well. Best wishes from Ukraine!

    To view the track listing and preorder, just click here and for more coverage on Histibe, click this link.

  • Song Premiere: Trentalange’s “Same Illusion”

    Trentalange
    Image: Kamilla Chaudhery

    In what has been described as “an acknowledgment that reality is just a distortion,” Trentalange debuts her title track from her upcoming album, out January 14, 2014. As with all previous Trentalange records, this record was produced by Martin Feveyear (Brandi Carlile, Mark Lannegan, Jessie Sykes), who Trentalange met during her time as a touring member of Crooked Fingers.

    Influential, now legendary, female-focused zine Venus referred to the 2006 debut Trentalange album Photo Album of Complex Relationships as “disturbing music for disturbing times,” and while the times might still be disturbing, Trentalange is writing from a more joyous place than before. Her “mix of Annie Lennox’s most sinister growl and PJ Harvey’s vocal anguish” (also noted by Venus) remains, but becoming a mother since the release of her most recent album Awakening, Level One in 2009, has changed Trentalange’s mood.

    Fans of the artist’s work will not miss Trentalange’s sensitivity to the human soul, as her deft hand at drawing character studies continues throughout Same Illusion” And while Trentalange’s songs are still dark in timbre on the new record, they now shine with glimmers of brightness that revolve around themes of love, longing, and spirit. Sonically, the tunes reflect this new light, as well.

    [quote]I wanted to draw on my love of soul music and singer-songwriters for this record,” listing Dusty Springfield, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Lou Reed, Nina Simone, and Bruce Springsteen as artists that influenced the tightly focused album that draws much of its precision from Trentalange’s disciplined work ethic.

    After five years as frontwoman for the darkly sophisticated Seattle-based band Spyglass, Trentalange already knew what it was like to work around other people’s schedules, but the creation of Same Illusion put these skills to an even greater test.

    [quote]I needed to wait until my daughter was in pre-school before I could concentrate on writing again,” she says of her new life as both artist and mother. “And once she was in school, I treated making this record like a day job. Every morning after dropping her off, I would have four hours to work on writing and recording simultaneously. When the time was up, I had to walk away.[/quote]

    For more Trentalange, just click here.

    *Update: December 28, 2013 12:35PM EST: Previous player changed to Audibase player. For play count on original player, click here.

  • Song Premiere: Candace Bellamy’s “Johnny”

    Fellow creators: Do you find yourselves exceedingly procrastinating…

    Candace Bellamy

    …or are you consistently passing up on the greatest opportunities of your careers because you aren’t “prepared” or you’ve talked yourselves into noncommittal behaviour? Consider Candace Bellamy’s latest single your newest motivational force that will definitely rev up your engines to get back into the game. Today, we have the duty and merit of premiering Johnny, a song from her upcoming debut album In My Lane co-written by Bellamy, Ruth Carter (composer for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Palmer, and John Mayall), and legendary bassist Jimi Calhoun (player with Dr. John, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Wilson Pickett, and Sly Stone). Needless to say, we couldn’t resist. It’s rocky tone, affirmative message paired with her powerful vocals were the formula of agreement.

    Ironically, this Austin-based soul singer started to sing because she needed a hobby. Before then, she was physician for the military. Ten years later, it led her to the songwriters mentioned above, and Jake Langley (Roberta Flack, Willie Nelson, k.d. lang), who mentored her, and became her co-writers.

    When asked who Johnny was, Candace replied [quote]Johnny is the guy from your neighborhood with all kinds of potential and promise. He falls in with the wrong crowd, he’s headed for a bad ending, and he’s also influencing the people around him with his bad decisions.[/quote]

    And because you’ll never get your time back again, Candace Bellamy and GrungeCake insists that you shake the devil off and get (re)started now. Candace Bellamy’s debut album In My Lane is scheduled for release on May 14th, 2013.

  • Song Premiere: Nocando’s “All Over A Bitch”

    Oh, the many things you’ll do… all over a brawd.

     

    Just seven days ago, we shared the soon-to-be viral video which candidly documented the recording of the song we have the glory of premiering today.

    Best known as a battle rapper with a “chip on his shoulder” who emerged on the Los Angeles Hip-Hop scene in the early 2000s. Currently, he’s the host of weekly music event Low End Theory and the founder of his own record label, Hellfyre Club. Low End Theory occurs every Wednesday at The Airliner located at 2419 N Broadway.

    Admittedly, we figured that our female audiences might want to argue or dispute his consistent use of the “B” word and in his defense, we feel it is suitably illustrated here. We have women on our staff and we have played the song for different types of women and what they’ve expressed is their love for his mettlesome delivery. Nocando’s All Over A Bitch is deeper than repetitively repeating a four-word phrase, it is actually the amalgamation of life experiences that moulds human males from a boyhood to a manhood. Stream the song via this link or the player below.

    When asked what inspired him to write All Over A Bitch the artist communicated that he was going through something personal in 2007-2009 and if he recorded a song that discussed what happened at that time, “it would have sounded like Eminem trying to kill Kim”. As far as influence of style goes, he cites the “old grime freestyles” donned by British rap artists like Wiley and Tinie Tempah.

    They’d end each verse with saying something like “bad man” over the course of 48 bars,” he reflected.

    People, especially men going through divorces and in the middle of ending relationships all over the country, can relate to what’s being said in Nocando’s song. We’re fans regardless, but we enjoy All Over A Bitch’s honesty and the mindsets it will challenge in the near future. We are looking forward to his next single from his free album “Tits & Explosions” set to release on May 14th via Hellfyre Club.

    Nocando's "Tits & Explosions" cover Artwork: Sushi Disco

    Whilst you wait, pick up Nocando’s debum album Jimmy The Lock on iTunes. Click here to order.