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[Event Preview] BUKU Music & Arts Project March 10-11

Posted by Mark McNulty - December 16, 2016

Every city in America has its own music scene, but in New Orleans, music is a way of life – a cultural infrastructure as essential to the city as its freeways and French Quarter. Jazzfest attracts the best in rock, folk and jazz to NOLA each year, but for those of us who want more youthful, visceral music and a more colorful, fluid experience, BUKU Music and Arts Project goes down on March 10-11, 2016 for the sixth year straight.

BUKU stands out in a saturated music festival market both for its timing (arguably the first big event of “festival season”) and it’s consistently nuanced lineup. No one is reinventing the wheel by stacking their lineup with hip-hop, indie, and dance music, but whom are you booking specifically? It takes balls and creativity to craft a card of eclectic, forward-thinking and often experimental artists like what BUKU has assembled. Where else can you see Deadmau5 and Travis Scott? Clams Casino and Troyboi? Shiba San and Thundercat? If you’ve answered, “I can see them at Festival XYZ,” it doesn’t matter, because that’s not in New Orleans.

BUKU is set just outside the city’s French Quarter on a sprawling riverside esplanade. The Power Plant stage is adjacent to the river and sits in the shadow of an abandoned industrial colossus. Two indoor stages diversify the vibe with The Ballroom offering an intimate aesthetic, and the Float Den serving as a massive gathering spot lined with Mardi Gras floats and craft vendors. A fourth stage, the Back Alley, is tucked beneath the Crescent City Connection bridge and offers an unbroken stream of dance music all day and into the night.
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Quinn XCII Speaks On New Track Straightjacket [TMN Interview]

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - December 15, 2016

Quinn XCII
Straightjacket

Soundcloud

You wouldn’t think the temperature is starting to drop when listening to Quinn XCII’s music, including his recent single “Straightjacket.” This vocalist/songwriter has seamlessly melded electronic, hip-hop, soul, and pop and brought heat to everything he’s touched this year. His singles and EP’s have landed him a tour with Louis the Child, #1 spots on HypeMachine, over 40 million plays on Spotify, and regular spins at Top 40 radios around the country.

The single, produced by The Wiild, is a buoyant tune that floats just in between hip-hop and electronic, a skill that Quinn has mastered. The simplified melody keeps focus on the lyrics and the story behind them telling a relatable story that some, if not all, of us may have experienced when dealing with love. We were excited to catch up with Quinn and ask him more about his year and the single.

TMN: What got you into music? Have you always been a singer?

Q: I can remember being a fan of music since I could walk and hearing my parents play it around the house. That, and I was always into creative writing. It wasn’t until my freshmen year of college, though, that I really put the two together and started writing my own content and sharing it with friends. At the time it was actually more indie-rap stuff, but then I started focusing on singing and things started to evolve into my current sound.

TMN: Detroit is a huge hub for music and art in general, has growing up in Michigan influenced your music in any way?

Q: Definitely. The older Detroit music I feel has strongly shaped my writing in terms of melodies. Motown, du-wop style melodies that have that ear-candy quality about them has always attracted me, and I think have definitely crossed over into my own music.

TMN: A lot of your work is in collaboration with ayokay, did he help with “Straightjacket” or did you work with someone new?

Straightjacket was actually produced by The Wiild, a very talented producer from Australia who works with a lot of the pop acts out there. ayokay and I are still working very closely on my new music though, he’ll be producing majority of my next project again. We live together and have a studio in our house so we’re constantly writing new things together – it’s a really creative environment.

TMN: Almost a year ago you released the Bloom EP – Is “Straightjacket” just a single or can we expect something more after this? Another EP or LP?

Q: Straightjacket is the first song from my upcoming debut album. We’ll be releasing a few more singles from the project in the coming months and then we’re expecting to have the full album out by Spring/Summer of 2017!

TMN: Any specific inspiration behind Straightjacket?

Q: The idea behind Straightjacket was really about shedding light on the girl that has secrets, more bad ones than good. She acts a certain way in public and in front of your friends, but behind closed doors is a bit of psycho and can’t be contained. The two-faced mentality was very appealing to me to try to put into words and narrate.

TMN: You were on tour with Louis The Child, what was that like? What would you say was your favorite stop?

Touring with LTC was amazing. They’re both super talented guys and it’s really inspiring to see them at such a young age connect with people the way they have been. I’d say my favorite stop on the tour was in Minneapolis.. All the stops were amazing but that show has stuck out to me since getting off the road.

TMN: How would you sum up your 2016? Any specific moments stick out in particular?

Q: I signed with Columbia Records over the summer, which has definitely been one of the most memorable moments of the year. I’d say 2016 as a whole can be summed up as a big stepping stone for both ayokay and myself. I think we really made a big stride in our careers and are finally beginning to get placed on the platform we’ve been striving for. Now it’s just a matter of how much we want this to continue, and putting in the work is what will dictate that. I’m ready for it.

TMN: What’s 2017 looking like for you?

Q: 2017 will include the release of my debut album, a lot more touring, festivals, some really cool collaborations, and hopefully a lot more.

8Er$ – Smoke Shop [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Tyler Trew - December 15, 2016

8Er$
Smoke Shop

Soundcloud

If you’re not already a fan of 8Er$, you’re late to the party. Even if you’re not on board, better late than never. The trap lord just released “Smoke Shop” today as a free download. It’s coming fresh and hot out the oven for this premiere, so prepare yourself.

“Smoke Shop” is a bit of a different style than what we usually get from 8Er$, however it is still within his signature ballpark. The hybrid sound echoes some of 8Er$ past works, but he takes things next level with new structures and sound designs. The entire Block Society crew are extremely talented, but 8Er$ is one of the producers leading the charge with notable creations, this included. Stream it today, and don’t sleep on the download. 2017 is going to be a big year for 8Er$, so stay tuned.

[Music Video] Val Fleury – Rain Dancing

Posted by Tyler Trew - December 15, 2016

Val Fleury just landed on our radar with her debut single “Rain Dancing.” Not only were we impressed by her song, but we were floored by the music video that accompanied it. The Liberian born creator is now out in Los Angeles, readying a takeover with her captivating sound and aesthetic.

“Rain Dancing” is a magnificent piece of music. The funky, poppy tune will entice both indie-dance lovers and house heads alike. Her dynamic approach to creating has resulted in a highly accessible tune that has already received love from radio stations and music blogs around the world. With the music video, we get a black and white visual containing dance routines, as well as the star of the show, Val Fleury herself. Watch the video below, and head over to iTunes to get a copy of this wonderful original.

[Trap] DEMUR X Duelle – Streets On Fire

Posted by Tyler Trew - December 15, 2016

DEMUR X Duelle
Streets On Fire

Buy

DEMUR continues his rebellion against the mainstream branch of dance music with “Streets On Fire.” This single was created with the help of the Los Angeles duo Duelle and released as a free download this week.

“Streets On Fire” is just as you would imagine. It’s a song with a whole lot of attitude just up to the point of being abrasive in the best way possible. Together DEMUR and Duelle bring to life more than a song, but a message to the rest of the dance music world who are clinging to their trends and superficial cliques. Dirty, in your face, and totally awesome, “Streets On Fire” is what the scene needs to hear, whether they are ready or not.

Trap

[Electronic/Pop] London Future – Don’t Stop feat. Jem Cooke

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - December 15, 2016

London Future
Don't Stop (feat. Jem Cooke)

Soundcloud

As 2016 begins to wrap up blogs are releasing their “Artists to watch in 2017,” and while there are many deserving names among these lists, London Future is one artist that should be included. “Don’t Stop,” released on ULTRA Records, features the soothing and billowy vocals of Jem Cooke, builds into a climactic dance laden drop and slowly exits via a simplified guitar pluck melody showcasing Jem’s soulful voice.

London Future has become a sought after producer throughout the years in his hometown Caribbean Islands, Trinidad and Tobago through his artful ability to bring Soca, a genre of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 70’s, to the forefront of mainstream music. He’s caught the attention of names such as Jillionaire from Major Lazer and Diplo and scored a release on the Mad Decent imprint, Jeffrees in 2013. We’re excited to see what London Future brings in 2017 and suggest keeping this multi platinum record producer on your radar.

[Electronic] Artifakts – Hustler

Posted by Mark McNulty - December 14, 2016

Artifakts
Hustler [Free Download via Philos Records]

Buy

“Hustler” is the most recent release from the “ever-evolving hip-hop project” known as Artifakts, the musical mantra of Garret Meyer from Milwaukee. This cooler-than-cool, six-minute jam session may be the greatest work yet from this highly-capable producer. A sturdy funk bassline and drum break form the backbone of the song, while piano keys flutter above this foundation whimsically. Resonant samples from what sounds like a string quartet take center stage, followed by a saxophone sample. “Don’t you Know By Now?” a vocal sample repeatedly questions. The mix moves along modestly in this manner until an unexpected drop makes way for a wobbling space-age synthesizer.

Hip-hop was once made by collaging an infinite array of samples, and electronic music by manipulating drum machines and synthesizers often past their breaking point. Both of these once rarified techniques are more accessible to producers today. Those like Artifakts who take advantage of this embarrassment of riches can provide us with sublime soundscapes which simultaneously sound like they’re prepared in the past and flung backward from the future. Meyers is organizing so much musical material on “Hustler”, showcasing his skills for sampling and synthesis and creating a tune with tangible texture and warmth. Pick up a free download from Philos Records here.