Tag Archives: Tenth Gate Records

[Indie/R&B] Kai Straw – GUN LP

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - February 7, 2018

You know when you’ve been waiting for something and it finally comes, but then it’s a bit lackluster? That’s not what happened with Kai Straw‘s LP, GUN. We were waiting, yes, but upon its arrival today we weren’t disappointed in any way. From start to finish this project takes Kai’s artistry to new heights.

Released on his own label Tenth Gate Records, GUN is a beautiful mixture of indie, pop, R&B, soul, hip-hop and EDM. It sounds like it’s all over the place, but Kai carefully crafts each track and weaves them together into one project seamlessly. It’s like watching a movie, one that’s easy to absorb and dynamic – flooding your senses with lush tones and melodies that you will never forget. It’s not easy to pick a favorite, but up on in our tops are “They Sent You” and “Jesse James.” Have a listen for yourself and make sure to get a copy of this, or add it to your streaming library from Kai’s website.

’They Sent You’

’Cherry Corvette’

’Rolls’

’The Recipe’

’#1 Customer’

’Back From The Crypt Ft. ZayVsThem’

Download

’Jesse James’

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’Baby, Pick Up Your Gun’

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’11 Homes’

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’Supernova’

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[Future Bass] Kai Straw – Supernova

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - August 17, 2017

Kai Straw
Supernova

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If you’ve been following Kai Straw like we have, then you’ve come to expect music that will pull at your emotions. That’s just what is going to happen when you listen to “Supernova” however Kai dives into a different sound with this single.

“Supernova” blends Kai’s usual indie sound with future bass to create an invigorating song with soaring synths and a vocal performance that will give you chills. This certainly wasn’t what I was expecting to hear from Kai as he unveils his upcoming LP, GUN, but it comes as a nice surprise. This track follows up Kai’s single “The Recipe” that you should check out if you haven’t yet. “Supernova” is currently out on digital platforms for those of you looking to get a copy or add it to your playlist.

[Indie/Hip-Hop] Kai Straw – Toothpick LP

Posted by Tyler Trew - April 13, 2016

Over the past month Kai Straw has been releasing singles off his anticipated Toothpick album. Last night at 8PM PST, he dropped his album in full through his own imprint Tenth Gate Records, whose roster includes the producer for this album, James The Bear. Together these two put together an incredible album whose sound takes from funk, hip-hop and indie.

Ten tracks make up Toothpick, a dynamically expressive LP whose content largely focuses around the love-lust dichotomy that plagues the millennial generation. This theme is broken by tracks like “The Business” which is an anthem for the Bay Area, where Kai calls home. This is also the only track with features, as Kai collaborated with fellow veterans Keak Da Sneak and Roach Gigz. Throughout the album Kai manages, as always, to utilize his uncanny ability to formulate the thoughts of his generation, while displaying them through one-of-a-kind musical creations. Give Toothpick a genuine listen through, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking to dive in a crazy rabbit hole of lots of intriguing tales and records, then you should check out his entire discography on his website.

’Friction’

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’$OLO(w)’

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’The Business ft. Keak Da Sneak & Roach Gigz’

’Rewind’

’Don’t Tread On Me’

’A Million Ways’

’Bones’

’Dangerous’

’Magic’

’Hurricane’

[Indie] Kai Straw – Bones

Posted by Tyler Trew - April 6, 2016

Kai Straw
Bones

Soundcloud

“Bones” is the last single that Kai Straw is pushing prior to his album’s release date on April 12th. Toothpick is one of the more promising independent albums you will look forward to this year. One of the most intriguing songs off the album is “Bones,” which tells a chilling tale that you just have to hear to believe.

Kai Straw’s move to a more live oriented sound is evident right from the start of “Bones.” Kai has always been able to tell tales with his songs, so hearing what this song’s lyrical content consists of is no surprise. With the James The Bear produced instrumental, we get a funky, vivacious sound that is just as playful as the lyrics are. Strong piano chords and groovy guitar riffs are highlights of the production that lays a backdrop for Kai to let his vocal loose. Stream the single, and get ready for the full album release next week through Tenth Gate Records. If you haven’t checked out his previous singles, you may do so here.

Indie

[Indie/Soul] Kai Straw – Hurricane

Posted by Tyler Trew - March 31, 2016

Kai Straw
Hurricane

Soundcloud

Kai Straw continues his string of pre-album single releases with “Hurricane,” the third single from his forthcoming Toothpick LP. We first encountered an indie tune, then moved to Kai’s more hip-hop centered sound with “The Business,” and now we get something different from either of those first two songs. “Hurricane” has Kai stretching his vocal abilities to deliver a soulful jam that may just be the song you need to throw on repeat and relax to.

Kai is one of the most dynamic musicians you will come across. This is clearly evident for anyone who’s been following his Toothpick releases, or have been a fan since his beginnings. “Hurricane” isn’t really like any song Kai has done before. Here we get a down-to-Earth record that as powerful as it is subtle. The minimalist tone is one of the song’s strengths, as is its organic sound that could easily be played in a live set up with a band. Kai has been unveiling something special one week at a time, and soon the full project will be out. We have one more single to share next week before the full release on April 12th. For now, stream “Hurricane” and if you haven’t checked the other tracks out, head over to the hyperlinked pages above.

Indie
Soul

[Hip-Hop] Kai Straw – The Business feat. Keak Da Sneak & Roach Gigz

Posted by Tyler Trew - March 23, 2016

Kai Straw
The Business ft. Keak Da Sneak & Roach Gigz

Soundcloud

Another single off the upcoming Toothpick album has hit the web thanks to Kai Straw. The San Francisco artist already released “Friction” last week, and now “The Business” is here. This single has Kai keeping more in line with his hip-hop roots and teaming up with fellow Northern California artists Keak Da Sneak and Roach Gigz. For all you Bay Area cats out there, you now have another anthem to slap.

“The Business” has each of the emcees sharing a bit about their hometown within the bay, covering Oakland, Fairfield and San Francisco. James The Bear produced this record, which has one of the sickest beats we’ve heard in a while. Fans of Kai’s older works will find this especially dope, as it is a sort of new-school homage to the hyphy movement where Kai got his start producing records. “The Business” stands out as something exceptionally special within Toothpick. Two more singles are to be released before the full album is out on Tenth Gate Records on April 12th.

Hip/Hop

[Indie] Kai Straw – Friction

Posted by Tyler Trew - March 18, 2016

Kai Straw
Friction

Soundcloud

San Francisco artist Kai Straw is making his return over the upcoming weeks until his album, Toothpick, comes out in full. Prior to the release date on April 12th, Kai will be releasing a few singles for fans to enjoy before the full project is out. He’s kicked things off with “Friction,” which has the artist moving a bit away from his hip-hop sound and more to an indie style.

“Friction” is a ballad that many millennials can connect to. It’s love-laced lyrics are fraught with passion that seeps into the funky beat created by James The Bear, who produced the album in its entirety. Kai has performed a live show in the past, opening for such acts as Big Krit, Clyde Carson and more, but this track is really built around that live band experience, utilizing acoustic components for a life-like expression. We’ve been lucky enough to preview the album in full, and we have to say, you’re in for a real treat. Check back each week until the album drops so you can get some sneak previews into this extraordinary LP.

Indie