By now, I’ve come to give Pretty Lights my blind trust when it comes to his record label. I downloaded Break Science‘s EP a couple months ago and just got around to listening to it. I’m pretty upset with that decision the same way I’m upset at how long it took me to find out how delicious Gin & Tonics are. Further Than Our Eyes Can See features six tracks of amazing production from what you’ve come to expect of a PLM artist. Break Science’s style matches thick basslines and romping w0b with heavily hip-hop influenced drums. The instrumentals alone would be enough to get me thrashing my head to and fro, but he goes and recruits Talib Kweli, CX, and The Dry High Crew (admittedly this is the first I’ve heard of the latter two but they both work well on the tracks). The lyricism over the tunes is like getting a ZJ and then an 8 oz. filet afterwards. Shucks, you really didn’t have to. Keep an eye out for more and get the whole EP or you will regret it.
Break Science – Further Than Our Eyes Can See (EP) | DOWNLOAD
FULL POST
By now, I’ve come to give Pretty Lights my blind trust when it comes to his record label. I downloaded Break Science‘s EP a couple months ago and just got around to listening to it. I’m pretty upset with that decision the same way I’m upset at how long it took me to find out how delicious Gin & Tonics are. Further Than Our Eyes Can See features six tracks of amazing production from what you’ve come to expect of a PLM artist. Break Science’s style matches thick basslines and romping w0b with heavily hip-hop influenced drums. The instrumentals alone would be enough to get me thrashing my head to and fro, but he goes and recruits Talib Kweli, CX, and The Dry High Crew (admittedly this is the first I’ve heard of the latter two but they both work well on the tracks). The lyricism over the tunes is like getting a ZJ and then an 8 oz. filet afterwards. Shucks, you really didn’t have to. Keep an eye out for more and get the whole EP or you will regret it.
Captain Skrillex just set sail on the S.S. Bass Music and its destination just so happens to be right here! I vividly remember this song surfacing at the beginning of his EDC set earlier this summer. Partly because I was front and center and have a video of it (below)…I feel like a broken record when it comes to Skrillex because just when it seems like you’ve heard it all, he goes on and releases a banger like this. Taking true filth and grime to a level that is the .01% Purel can’t destroy. I wish I had high quality speakers at my peril right now, because this song is fat as f*ck. Hopefully you’re in a better place.
Skrillex – Right Here (Original Mix) Removed by request
FULL POST
Captain Skrillex just set sail on the S.S. Bass Music and its destination just so happens to be right here! I vividly remember this song surfacing at the beginning of his EDC set earlier this summer. Partly because I was front and center and have a video of it (below)…I feel like a broken record when it comes to Skrillex because just when it seems like you’ve heard it all, he goes on and releases a banger like this. Taking true filth and grime to a level that is the .01% Purel can’t destroy. I wish I had high quality speakers at my peril right now, because this song is fat as f*ck. Hopefully you’re in a better place.
Skrillex – Right Here (Original Mix) Removed by request
Outside Lands saw its fourth year in Golden Gate Park last weekend, and we were able to go lounge and get down in one of my favorite places in the world. There’s a lot in San Francisco that you can only get in San Francisco, but there’s something about the people there that make all the difference. The spirit of the city couldn’t have been more tangible and everyone seemed to be on the same page. All troubles and worries went on hold for that weekend, as we got together to enjoy life with some of the most talented well-known and underground artists of our time. From sneaking back stage and meeting the Shins to being packed in the front for Black Keys and Muse to seeing deadmau5’s new live set in person, the memories continued to stack from beginning to end. Another year in the fields, another successful weekend. Here were our favorites.
I had been running around all day Friday and Saturday telling anyone and everyone to make sure Starfucker didn’t make their “Acts I Should Have Seen” list and the boys proved me right once again. There’s something about the way their synths ring and the way their energy flows that makes them one of my favorite bands to see live. This was the first time I wasn’t seeing them in a more intimate venue, and it didn’t take anything away from the awesomeness. So happy they got a crowd of that size. They deserve it all!
The Shins
The Shins were ultimately what pushed me off the fence in terms of purchasing an Outside Lands ticket, though I’d never heard anything about their live performances before. I wasn’t really expecting much because I’d remembered hearing some recordings that weren’t particularly stunning. It was more that I felt obligated to see them, having been a fan for years. Judging by the size of the crowd, I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. Needless to say they far exceeded my expectations. They have great stage presence; James Mercer is such a talented musician. They played just about everything I was hoping they would, except for “Turn On Me” but hey, I think I’ll live.
The Black Keys
We stuffed ourselves in the heart of the Lands End main stage to catch these guys in their entirety, the way it should be done. After a less than favorable review of their performance at Coachella, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Black Keys came out and played one of the most raw sets I’ve ever seen. Dan Auerbach (guitars/vocals) came out with a look in his eye that wreaked of satisfaction. Ten years in the game and they held down the stage like their career depended on it. Pat Carney played the drums with such angst that had him dripping with sweat when they closed. The live show changed everything, even when I thought I couldn’t like them anymore than I already did.
Deadmau5
Finally back in the mau5 hut after a year and a half since I had seen him last. After all the hype and videos surfacing around the web I had to ensure a good spot to make sure my brain melts proper. Deadmau5 is on tour almost every night, flying around the world from one show to another. Yet he still has the energy and poise to come out and have fun with the crowd. So fun to watch and even more fun to dance to. His sets are always packed with the future of mau5 and everything you want to hear from before.
Ty Segall
Ty was stuffed on the smaller stage of the four, but he played like a headliner and got the crowd response to match. I lost control and ran into the pit after that video to crowd surf and pay my respects to the legend. Hadn’t done that in years and I don’t know why! But that’s just the effect they had on me that day. His live shows are always action packed, and this one proved to be no different. Definitely cool to see him get such a response in his hometown. We got ‘hella’ love for Ty Segall. Oh and I’m really starting to think they actually spelled his name wrong on the poster haha. Two L’s bro.
Foster the People
I almost instantly fell in love with Foster the People when their EP came out earlier this year and was really bummed when I missed them at Coachella. I even sat through Tinie Tempah (worst performance I have ever experienced) to see them but still missed it. All I can say is seeing them at OSL definitely made up for missing them at Coachella and might have actually made up for Tinie Tempah. If I didn’t love them before seeing them live, I do now. Their performance was spot on and so much fun.
STS9
Sound Tribe Sector 9 just sounded like a cool name before I got to witness all their glory live. They’ve made the bill of lots of major festivals around the world and their live show was held to much critical acclaim from anyone that’s seen them. They concocted a combination of electro in a sort of Glitch Mob way with psychedelic guitar riffs as they jammed through the whole set. Lots of funky tunes with a hip hop feel that had everyone dancing to the beat of their crazy drummer! Really sweet stuff. Must see!
The Vaccines
The Vaccines have been on tour with Arctic Monkeys and have quickly become one of my favorite breakout bands from 2011 thus far. Their debut album What Did You Expcect from The Vaccines? embodies just what makes British rock really cool and I can’t really think of another way to put it. I expect big things from them in the future because they possess a lot of power and talent. Buzzing guitar, drowning reverb and bouncing beats make for a great live performance. I would go so far as to say they are better live than on record. I’m just sad I missed them performing “Post Break-Up Sex.”
Arcade Fire
I left the glory that is Deadmau5 early in order to see Arcade Fire. They are another band I intended to see yet missed at Coachella this year (I grudgingly recall being dragged out early just as they were playing “Keep the Car Running) so I wasn’t about to miss them again. And I don’t for a second regret leaving Deadmau5, as great as his set was. Arcade Fire are absolutely brilliant performers; another band that sounds even better live than on record. I feel like I forged a different sort of relationship with their music after hearing it live/witnessing their on-stage energy and incredible synergy. They have a really great way of incorporating their audience in their performers. Being there during “Wake-Up” with the whole crowd singing along was almost an otherworldly experience.
MUSE
I have no words for Muse. it was hands down the best performance I have ever experienced. Between the band members’ total synergism and the light show, Muse was worth the price of the ticket. I’m not usually one for light shows, I think they can be pretty tacky but what they had going on was something else. As if they needed anything to enhance the raw energy and musical brilliance they bring to the stage. I definitely got the chills several times during their performance. They left the stage at what appeared to be the end of the show but came back to play “Plug In Baby” and “Knights of Cydonia”–probably the best encore I could think of. Utter brilliance is the best way I can describe their live performance. Cheers.
Love,
Skinny Genes & Witler
FULL POST
Outside Lands saw its fourth year in Golden Gate Park last weekend, and we were able to go lounge and get down in one of my favorite places in the world. There’s a lot in San Francisco that you can only get in San Francisco, but there’s something about the people there that make all the difference. The spirit of the city couldn’t have been more tangible and everyone seemed to be on the same page. All troubles and worries went on hold for that weekend, as we got together to enjoy life with some of the most talented well-known and underground artists of our time. From sneaking back stage and meeting the Shins to being packed in the front for Black Keys and Muse to seeing deadmau5’s new live set in person, the memories continued to stack from beginning to end. Another year in the fields, another successful weekend. Here were our favorites.
I had been running around all day Friday and Saturday telling anyone and everyone to make sure Starfucker didn’t make their “Acts I Should Have Seen” list and the boys proved me right once again. There’s something about the way their synths ring and the way their energy flows that makes them one of my favorite bands to see live. This was the first time I wasn’t seeing them in a more intimate venue, and it didn’t take anything away from the awesomeness. So happy they got a crowd of that size. They deserve it all!
The Shins
The Shins were ultimately what pushed me off the fence in terms of purchasing an Outside Lands ticket, though I’d never heard anything about their live performances before. I wasn’t really expecting much because I’d remembered hearing some recordings that weren’t particularly stunning. It was more that I felt obligated to see them, having been a fan for years. Judging by the size of the crowd, I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. Needless to say they far exceeded my expectations. They have great stage presence; James Mercer is such a talented musician. They played just about everything I was hoping they would, except for “Turn On Me” but hey, I think I’ll live.
The Black Keys
We stuffed ourselves in the heart of the Lands End main stage to catch these guys in their entirety, the way it should be done. After a less than favorable review of their performance at Coachella, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Black Keys came out and played one of the most raw sets I’ve ever seen. Dan Auerbach (guitars/vocals) came out with a look in his eye that wreaked of satisfaction. Ten years in the game and they held down the stage like their career depended on it. Pat Carney played the drums with such angst that had him dripping with sweat when they closed. The live show changed everything, even when I thought I couldn’t like them anymore than I already did.
Deadmau5
Finally back in the mau5 hut after a year and a half since I had seen him last. After all the hype and videos surfacing around the web I had to ensure a good spot to make sure my brain melts proper. Deadmau5 is on tour almost every night, flying around the world from one show to another. Yet he still has the energy and poise to come out and have fun with the crowd. So fun to watch and even more fun to dance to. His sets are always packed with the future of mau5 and everything you want to hear from before.
Ty Segall
Ty was stuffed on the smaller stage of the four, but he played like a headliner and got the crowd response to match. I lost control and ran into the pit after that video to crowd surf and pay my respects to the legend. Hadn’t done that in years and I don’t know why! But that’s just the effect they had on me that day. His live shows are always action packed, and this one proved to be no different. Definitely cool to see him get such a response in his hometown. We got ‘hella’ love for Ty Segall. Oh and I’m really starting to think they actually spelled his name wrong on the poster haha. Two L’s bro.
Foster the People
I almost instantly fell in love with Foster the People when their EP came out earlier this year and was really bummed when I missed them at Coachella. I even sat through Tinie Tempah (worst performance I have ever experienced) to see them but still missed it. All I can say is seeing them at OSL definitely made up for missing them at Coachella and might have actually made up for Tinie Tempah. If I didn’t love them before seeing them live, I do now. Their performance was spot on and so much fun.
STS9
Sound Tribe Sector 9 just sounded like a cool name before I got to witness all their glory live. They’ve made the bill of lots of major festivals around the world and their live show was held to much critical acclaim from anyone that’s seen them. They concocted a combination of electro in a sort of Glitch Mob way with psychedelic guitar riffs as they jammed through the whole set. Lots of funky tunes with a hip hop feel that had everyone dancing to the beat of their crazy drummer! Really sweet stuff. Must see!
The Vaccines
The Vaccines have been on tour with Arctic Monkeys and have quickly become one of my favorite breakout bands from 2011 thus far. Their debut album What Did You Expcect from The Vaccines? embodies just what makes British rock really cool and I can’t really think of another way to put it. I expect big things from them in the future because they possess a lot of power and talent. Buzzing guitar, drowning reverb and bouncing beats make for a great live performance. I would go so far as to say they are better live than on record. I’m just sad I missed them performing “Post Break-Up Sex.”
Arcade Fire
I left the glory that is Deadmau5 early in order to see Arcade Fire. They are another band I intended to see yet missed at Coachella this year (I grudgingly recall being dragged out early just as they were playing “Keep the Car Running) so I wasn’t about to miss them again. And I don’t for a second regret leaving Deadmau5, as great as his set was. Arcade Fire are absolutely brilliant performers; another band that sounds even better live than on record. I feel like I forged a different sort of relationship with their music after hearing it live/witnessing their on-stage energy and incredible synergy. They have a really great way of incorporating their audience in their performers. Being there during “Wake-Up” with the whole crowd singing along was almost an otherworldly experience.
MUSE
I have no words for Muse. it was hands down the best performance I have ever experienced. Between the band members’ total synergism and the light show, Muse was worth the price of the ticket. I’m not usually one for light shows, I think they can be pretty tacky but what they had going on was something else. As if they needed anything to enhance the raw energy and musical brilliance they bring to the stage. I definitely got the chills several times during their performance. They left the stage at what appeared to be the end of the show but came back to play “Plug In Baby” and “Knights of Cydonia”–probably the best encore I could think of. Utter brilliance is the best way I can describe their live performance. Cheers.
Mad Decent Block Party made it’s final stop at the city of angels yesterday, and everything went better than expected! I don’t know if I had low expectations because of it being free, all ages, in LA, or the whole ‘DJ’ Kaskade thing that happened the other week, but it ended up being one of the coolest free events I’ve been to! Parking was a bitch and so were the lines..usual pains. I was able to look past that with Dillon Francis throwing down an absolutely killer set, all the sponsors hooking everyone up with free gear, and the dodgeball area was the best. I hadn’t played dodgeball since my preteen years so that was a bit of a throwback. My only qualm of the day was the guy who went out of his way to write on a shirt “If you shuffle you are a faggot.” I know I’m just feeding the beast by acknowledging him…….but fuck that guy. Fuck anyone who tries to be extra controversial especially at other peoples’ expense. I really hate that stuff. But yeah just wanted to get that off my chest haha enjoy the list! YOLO
Mad Decent Block Party made it’s final stop at the city of angels yesterday, and everything went better than expected! I don’t know if I had low expectations because of it being free, all ages, in LA, or the whole ‘DJ’ Kaskade thing that happened the other week, but it ended up being one of the coolest free events I’ve been to! Parking was a bitch and so were the lines..usual pains. I was able to look past that with Dillon Francis throwing down an absolutely killer set, all the sponsors hooking everyone up with free gear, and the dodgeball area was the best. I hadn’t played dodgeball since my preteen years so that was a bit of a throwback. My only qualm of the day was the guy who went out of his way to write on a shirt “If you shuffle you are a faggot.” I know I’m just feeding the beast by acknowledging him…….but fuck that guy. Fuck anyone who tries to be extra controversial especially at other peoples’ expense. I really hate that stuff. But yeah just wanted to get that off my chest haha enjoy the list! YOLO
Some straight up French techno has made it’s way into the depths of the states in the form of a James Bond-esque dude named Mike Levy, or more commonly Gesaffelstein (guh-se-fuhl-steen). You all have probably seen the name here and there, but it’s not one to be overlooked as I had previously done. The Zzafrika remix left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth when I first heard him. Heard good things about him, but wasn’t really feelin’ it to say the least. Kinda like when you’re thirsty and you grab the nearest water bottle, take a swig and it’s flavored vodka. I wanted to wait for his dj set to change my mind… At HARD he exceeded any and all expectations I had, throwing banger after banger and putting on a hell of a show. He proved to be one of the best sets of the night, in fact. His original works are very eery, bass filled wonders that seem straight out of a Mike Meyers movie. I blast these jams through the “are you a serial killer?” looks because they’re that good. Definitely going to strike some new chords, but every bit of it is something worth listening.
Oh and here’s the video I got from HARD Summer that Gesaffelstein reposted:
FULL POST
YOLO Mentions bring attention to special
songs featured in that week’s YOLO List. Get the latest list here!
Some straight up French techno has made it’s way into the depths of the states in the form of a James Bond-esque dude named Mike Levy, or more commonly Gesaffelstein (guh-se-fuhl-steen). You all have probably seen the name here and there, but it’s not one to be overlooked as I had previously done. The Zzafrika remix left a pretty bitter taste in my mouth when I first heard him. Heard good things about him, but wasn’t really feelin’ it to say the least. Kinda like when you’re thirsty and you grab the nearest water bottle, take a swig and it’s flavored vodka. I wanted to wait for his dj set to change my mind… At HARD he exceeded any and all expectations I had, throwing banger after banger and putting on a hell of a show. He proved to be one of the best sets of the night, in fact. His original works are very eery, bass filled wonders that seem straight out of a Mike Meyers movie. I blast these jams through the “are you a serial killer?” looks because they’re that good. Definitely going to strike some new chords, but every bit of it is something worth listening.
^ That’s how I feel about these mixtapes. So stoked to see a change of pace from a dj without it going into a “side project” or being hyped beyond belief. These are just good, rare, rad (yes rad) tunes being spun together at a mellow little pace (Jay Dee chills), highlighted with some light scratching for effect. It’s a rad opportunity to get inside the (no doubt extensive)library of one of the more mysterious and ominous producer/djs out there. He released these three mixes in the past three weeks, each exactly 7 days apart, and he says he’s not done. Listen and download below, do your ears and soul a favor, you’ll honestly find some gold in there.
“Used” Vol. 1
“Used” Vol. 2
“Used” Vol. 3
He also put out a teaser yesterday for his upcoming EP “DEEP RED”, to come out in a few weeks on Cheap Thrills and F.B.’s own label, Blood Music. Gotta say I’m not too stoked about the first two tracks, and Medieval (although a rad track)has been around for awhile now. Kinda meh’d on this one. Thoughts?
