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Category: Sound Searching
Sound Searching is a section for music we discover online and feel the need to talk about, highlight and share.
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Sound Searching: Elliphant
Photo: Alexander Frederic Often, Elliphant is referred to as the “twisted illegitimate offspring of M.I.A. and Diplo” as she brands a style of music we haven’t quite seen emerge from Sweden. With the likes of Icona Pop being played on major radio stations in America and performing at our finest music award shows, we’re used to hearing a swear word or two in a pop record, but not quite like this. Elliphant has kind of attitude to her. Perhaps, it can be read as the I-give-a-fuck-that-I-don’t-give-a-fuck spirit, which would appropriate her rude gyal sound. According to a magazine article in The Bulletin, Ellinor Olovsdotter was a professional model years before writing her first song.
Slowly, she morphed into Elliphant through the course of a long (and lost) Summer travelling in the United Kingdom with only a Dubstep sound system for the company. After falling in love with the urban music sounds of London she returned home to Stockholm, on Sweden’s East Coast, boasting sizzling emcee skills and some serious lyrical prowess. Watch the bit below. In the beginning, it looks like a print ad campaign, then it turns into a music video:
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrolhm3CES0&h=315]
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Watch: Marie-Christine’s “Port-au-Prince”
In unity, anything is possible.
Keeping the classic sounds of Haitian music and incorporating what she has learned from American pop and R&B cultures, this Haitian-Canadian singer Marie-Christine is one to watch. What’s to credit? Perhaps, it was her father’s intense love of classical music that prepared her for this path or maybe it was her secret love for pop music. We don’t know but we’re glad she was influenced by some of the greats: Whitney Houston, En Vogue, and Stevie Wonder.
[quote]I just loved the sound of the voices,” she says. “Especially the harmonies of En Vogue. I would spend as much time as I could with the radio pressed to my ear.[/quote]
In search of finding her lover, Marie-Christine finds herself in the birthplace of her parents to seek her one true love. He isn’t elsewhere.
For more Marie-Christine, just click here.
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Sound Searching: Diamond Terrifier
Sam Hillmer is a musician, curator and more who released an album as Diamond Terrifier titled “The Subtle Body Wears A Shadow” on Terrible Records earlier this year. So far, it has received praise from major music websites. Hillmer’s saxophone and electronic solo are the credible instruments of his garish, nautical sound which would be perfect for the inevitable remake of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. When his music is described, it is said to be the “solo incarnation which sits at the intersection of ambient drone, world bass and sound system music, and the many great non-western saxophone traditions.” Hear it via this link or the player below.
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Sound Searching: Zomby
Open Your Eyes With A Lesson In Subjective Symbolism
London, England’s best kept secret Zomby brings you a dynamically deep sound that is both thought-provoking and well-rounded. Zomby began his journey producing electronic music in 2007. Through out the years, he has learned a few tricks of the trade as well as centered into his own signature style. If you were to ask me to define his music into genres, I would have to say a little acid house with a mixture of jungle-ish drum and bass, a side of break-beats with a dash of dubstep. Earlier this year, Zomby released a double album through 4AD Records titled “With Love”. The 33-track long album features tracks from many different styles of electronic music and also serves as a glimpse inside the eclectic personality of the man behind the music.
Strong characters and a somber storyline serve as a perfect frame in capturing the essence of the album “With Love”, the latest release by Zomby. Love or the act of love has many different perspectives as shown in this aesthetically artistic short-film directed by Ollie Evans. This effort features various tracks (Ascension”, “Sunshine in November”, “Overdose”, and “Memories” collectively put together to accompany the ritualistic aspects in the film. The acid house and deep bass undertones in Zomby’s style of music really give dimension to the art-deco cinematography of the music video.
Listening to the song, you can definitely pick up on some of the emotions he is trying to provoke. Opening with a tranquil and light-hearted intro, which smoothly transitions to a murky piano lead piece, following that you’re abruptly thrown head first into a spine-tingling heavy bass record that transforms into a progressive house track. Lastly, the film carries you to a blissful mixture of a tribal-meets-percussion sounds which brings you down to a sweet, sympathetic climax. See for yourself:
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5fccx15b2k&h=315]
For more about Zomby, just click here.
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Sound Searching: VIMES
It’s rare that an electronic duo who’re as handsome as the members of VIMES, as talented and as culturally exposed as Azhar and Julian came come together and create something so smooth and astral. Azhar was born in Nigeria to humanitarian workers of Indian descent who grew up all over Europe. When he moved to Cologne, Germany to study visual arts, he met his musical partner Julian. As you can comfortably assume, VIMES was born.
Since, they’ve received international recognition for their unique brand of electronic dance music, combining live instruments with electronic elements and a stirring visual live show made for shaking your bottom nonstop. In just a year’s time, VIMES have supported Hot Chip on tour, headlined sets all across Europe, as well as numerous continental festivals including Dockville, Eurosonic, First We Take Berlin, Reeperbahn Festival and DJ sets at Pop and Melt! Festivals. They were also invited to play at this year’s SXSW and Canadian Music Week, unfortunately neither of these happened due to visa complications. Don’t worry guys. Things will work out next year. We can feel it!
Most recently, Humming Records released their third single ‘Celestial’ and you should listen to it via this link.
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Sound Searching: Abdu Ali
He’s so special
As a young performance artist from Baltimore, Maryland making noise as he pushes and slays, Abdu Ali tends to refer to himself as the “King Queen, Banjee Bitch” and he’s got a damned good reason. His music makes you want to flash the world as you stand out of the sunroof of a speeding car! It’s raw. It’s open, and sometimes it’s too real and best suited for the extremely cocky. Needless to say, his latest single produced by James Nasty would probably make Kanye West blush. Watch the official video below:
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y__wIkv6QQ&h=315]
[quote]
I’m gonna give you what you want
What the fuck you want
I’m gonna give you what you need
Till it fucking bleeds[/quote]This song may be one of the raunchiest he’s done yet but sonically it’s surprisingly smooth like Jameson Irish Whiskey. Much like the artist imself. He’s growing to become one of the prominent faces in the Baltimore music scene. He’s soft spoken, sexy and very friendly. He also uses his love of expression to motivate all of his listeners to feel their pussy (or dick).
What’s the vision for the new sound you’re developing?
I wanted Push + Slay to feel like home — Baltimore — A lot of street, grit, and hardness. And very textual. I also wanted my voice to stand with the beats and not against them. One with the wave. Sounds you’ll here during the magic hour like cop sirens or sounds you’ll here at the clubs. Like, Baltimore club. Very aggressive and tense but through that, a fulfilling release and euphoric pleasure enters the spirit and makes you want to go wild in celebration of this freedom you found through the sounds.
Who are your influences?
Grime and punk have been heavy influences on me to like Tempa T and Annette Peacock. I just wanted the music to sound like my soul and background music to my life. Björk has been on my sound pallet, too. She’s like pop punk. I def[initely] always want the beats to be me straight up. As soon as you here the sounds, you’ll be like that’s an Abdu Ali track. Feel me?
When does the new EP drop?
Sept 13th, hopefully. I’m being mad picky with this one. Not releasing it til it’s right!
Where are you from? And how does that influence your style / sound / voice?
I’m from Baltimore. I grew up in Central Baltimore on Martin Luther King Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue. I think that specific locale makes a huge diff[erence] in my taste and flavor. It’s the heart of Baltimore art culture. The Royal Theatre used to be right up the street from where I lived. There were a lot of drugs and crime but a lot of beauty too. From the huge love for Baltimore club [music] to going to Shake & Bake. We always thirst to express [ourselves] and have fun no matter how shady our environment was. Music was a big thing in my elementary and middle school. I use to play trumpet and [I] was in my middle school choir. Everybody was in a marching band or a club dance squad. That bringing up def[initely], obviously influenced my thirst to create and perform.
Tell us about Guttahball. How did it start?
Guttahball is an idea me and the homie Lawrence Burney came up with to revive Baltimore music culture. We thought the best way to do so was [to] host a party that incorporated diff[erent] Baltimore scenes from rap to punk. Baltimore has mad talent but the scenes here are segregated like shit, and people don’t want to vibe and help others grow — crabs in a barrel syndrome — but Guttahball is about love and giving Baltimore musicians a special platform to go the fuck off!
Can we come?
It’s for everyone, so everyone is welcome.
For more about Abdu Ali, follow him on Twitter. -
Sound Searching: NEWBODY
Think: In Living Color.
With roots in Detroit and Los Angeles, NEWBODY are exciting in a time where hard-hitting electro house gets all of the steam. Not that we mind. However, there’s something fresher and deeper about NEWBODY. Like most popular music today, this visually appealing dance music duo takes influences from Detroit’s famous techno sound and Chicago’s house music which is designed and bound to make you jiggle your bottom like you’re being paid an hourly rate to do so. Jonathan Roshad, on the right, is the producer and DJ of the outfit and partner Roberto Ramone is the singer-songwriter. We’re tired of trying to sell you, start slicing the plywood in your Brooklyn apartments with your feet!
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Sound Searching: Moontroop
Quite frankly, their unified aura reminds me of Queens rap legends Mobb Deep and I happen to love Mobb Deep.
The gully ass Moontroop collective just released a new music video for “Glitch” and we’re pleased with the dreamy direction, complex lyrics and spacey production. Have a listen to see what Belgium has to offer, as far as Rap is concerned.
Moontroop has also started with the official broadcast of the Triple Star Tape. This 15-track transmission is the first full-length Moontroop release: all tracks are written by A.C. & Rob Really with productions by Troop-producers NeckTalk, Freddy Bracker & Figub Brazlevič and guest contributions by Comfort Fit and Kurdish Jackson.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnOZ4uAeKd0&h=315]
For more Moontroop, just click here.
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Sound Searching: Mack Wilds
Mack Wilds is a new young artist from the Big Apple ready to let his voice be heard by the masses. Fresh-faced and familiar this young singer-rapper is caught in a love affair with his city and his wants everyone to know about it. Tristan “Mack” Wilds joins the long list of actors turned music makers. Not to be confused with Drake, this child star was never in a wheelchair. Instead, his character “Michael” on the legendary HBO show “The Wire” sold drugs to provide for his little brother.
Luckily for the listeners, his music seems to be staying far away from the cliché drug-rap-gimmick and instead focuses on more relatable topics like love and relationships. The video for his lead single “Own It” features classic New York elements like graffiti and dancing in the street. It also features the artist in various scenes, one in particular show him on a rooftop, in a sleeveless shirt that may conjure images of a young LL Cool J. There is no doubt that Mack Wilds is attempting to make the ladies love him. The song itself is about his need to share his love with someone and live life as if they “own” the city.
Mack Wilds influences include Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, JAY Z and Nas. His sound will straddle the line between Hip-Hop and R&B, and that’s usually a formula for success. Luckily, he has historic hit-makers at his helm. Grammy-nominated producer Salaam Remi who has worked with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Usher and Miguel just to name a few, has started his own label Re Mi Fa / Louder Than Life and signed Mack Wilds as his first solo act. Music superstar Ne-Yo also has his hand in this project as co-writer and co-producer of the lead single “Own It”.
The transition from actor to musician is never easy for anyone. For every Will Smith, there is at least two Eddie Murphy’s. Hopefully, Mack Wild will take a cue from the greatest actor turned musician we’ve seen so far; Drake, and make honest music that is more about quality than quantity.
For more Mack Wilds, just click here.
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Sound Searching: G4SHI
Image: The Crosby Press Originally from war-torn Kosovo and not knowing how to speak a lick of [American] English, Labinot Gashi (G4SHI) learned the English and the language of Hip-Hop through listening to its some its finest contenders: Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, and JAY Z, to name a few. He’s worked with Nipsey Hussle and French Montana. In 2011, Don Canon and DJ Benzi hosted his debut mix tape “Last Of A Rare Breed“, and recently, he was on MTV RapFix with Sway. That’s how we discovered him. There’s a section on the program called “Get In The Game”, and in this instance, legendary rapper Busta Rhymes presents his video and gives the fellow Brooklynite a little advice. Watch the video that Busta Rhymes presented below.
Though, we don’t know much about his story yet, we love his style of fashion, music, and his face. We think he’ll be around for a while. Stay tuned. We’re working on getting more information to you shortly.
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRNw8zwglok&h=315]
For more about G4SHI, visit his website and follow him on Twitter.