B -> BOOTYCHAAAIN

wow ok. Who is she?

M -> Mixtape

Here is a mix I threw together for fun. Some of the tracks are old some new. It's just what I've been vibing too this winter. I made it available for download because eventually I'll remove it to upload some other stuff. If you like what you hear, make sure to download it while it's around. More importantly check out the artists you like, and support them. The SYMBOL next to the track is a link back to the release.

Tracklist

1. Wolftone & Brakebill - In the Cut ☯
2. Skywlkr - Eyez Wide Open ☯
3. SkyscraperShawty - WTF ☯
4. Keyboard Kid - Life's Real World 2 Gil ☯
5. Squadda B - Never Understand ☯
6. DoNormaal - The Veil (ft. Jay-Hi) ☯
7. F1lthy & The Loosie Man - Labbatt Blue ☯
8. Goth Money Records - Yng16 ☯
9. Makonnen & Key! - I Understand ☯
10. AJ Suede - Gotham Mountain ☯
11. Shabazz Palaces - Blastit ☯

Enjoy and support the music.

Best of 2015

The year is ending in four days now. In 2015, I made a lot of good memories, and they all revolve around the local music scene. Here are my favorite releases from the past year.

Best of 2015

Full Releases

1. Wolftone - Introvert Exhibition ☯

2. On the Edge !!

3. BADBADNOTGOOD, Ghostface Killah - Sour Soul

4. Six Degrees !!

5. Future, DJ Esco - 56 Nights ☯

6. Now !!

7. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside

8. Grief !!

9. Toro Y Moi - Samantha ☯

10. Room for 1zone !!

11. AJ Suede - Automatic Wavecap ☯

12. Gotham Mountain !!

13. Raury - All We Need

14. Revolution !!

15. Astro King Phoenix - Aurum Silentium ☯

16. Omnes Videntes Nubes !!

17. DoNormaal - Jump or Die ☯

18. Chocolate Delight !!

19. Archy Marshall - A New Place 2 Drown

20. Swell !!

Tracks

1. Black Kray - YNG16 ☯
2. Jamie XX, Young Thug, Popcaan - I Know There's Gonna Be
3. Mackned - Don't Know Why ☯
4. Skylar Spence - Can't You See (Ryan Hemsworth Remix) ☯
5. Young Bruh - SouljahWitch's Faith ☯
6. Working on Dying - Labbatt Blue ☯
7. Ashtre Surfa - ETHER ☯

Click the ☯ for a free download or stream.

Shout out to Stay Happy Collective for having a show once a month with a killer line up. In 2016 I want to keep building momentum in the music scene of Seattle.

D -> DoNormaal (Jump Or Die)

This week, Seattle artist DoNormaal dropped a new tape Jump or Die. This album has been a long time in coming. DoNormaal has been touring Seattle with Raven Matthews, Wolftone and Brakebill for some time now. The collective under the moniker of 6950 or Northblend plays at houses, galleries, bars and any other venue tossed their way. Each time they make the space bounce.

DoNormaal has been a favorite local act of mine since I first saw her in the basement of the Fortress this past Summer.The first thing to catch my attention was the energy she brought to the mic. DoNormaal bares herself in her lyrics, she is completely comfortable in vulnerability. Her performances are proof of that.

With roots in New York and south California it makes sense she brings enough energy to shake Seattle out of its daily life. If you haven't had an opportunity to see her perform live yet I suggest you get out to one of many shows she plays with 6950. They happen about once a week, usually more. The next opportunity is this Saturday.

If you come out this Saturday you get to see her, and the rest of this amazing line-up for a suggested donation of $5 (no one gets turned away for funds). I'll also be hosting the event and introducing artists. Enjoy the new tape and check out local music.

A - > AJ Suede

Yo, just a few tracks and quick article about an artist I recently discovered. His Soundcloud goes as far back as a year ago.

This was the first song I heard (shoutout Wolftone!) was off of Holographic Wavecap. It's a great introduction track. AJ has a calm and collected way of delivering verses over the chill, cloudy beat. The music speaks of struggle, putting in work, and not being satisfied with the status quo for twenty somethings living in the US. It's real shit, and you can vibe to it.

"I been working for the slave money / 40 hours gotta learn the code / made me value every free minute / feeling tired but I wasn't broke / still I'm punchin in and out the clock / got me wishin i could sell dope / even though my parent's raised me better / working hard up in this hell hole"

Another Wavecap demonstrates AJ's ability as a writer. Banger tracks and able to tell a story without having to sacrifice quality of lyrics. AJ Suede sets himself apart by staying away from the hot topics that every rapper talks about: hoes, money, and material success.

If he does include hype topics, he does it classy and stays true to himself. On another mixtape, Forest Therapy, he has a couple tracks produced by Filthy, who I am a huge fan of. And it features Trap Sade. I would love to see more collaboration in the future.

I'm into this dude's style. AJ is a very unique and progressive rapper. Listen to his music for yourself. You can find his mixtapes and check out the FREEMINDS website. Hopefully he'll play a show in Seattle soon.

Soundcloud.com/AJSUEDE FREEMINDS COLLECTIVE

G -> Goth Money Records

Yo, what's up. It's been a while. I am going to school right now for web design so I have been focusing on a different side of the internet. Happy to be back here posting some shiz though. Recently, I been bumping A LOT of Goth Money Records more specifically Black Kray. I can't tell you much about these guys personal lives cause I don't focus on music like that. I can share some songs I been listening to though.

This song specifically reminds me of RL Grime's remix of Love Sosa. YNG16 has some obvious similar elements, like the lazy way Kray mumbles his bars. What I really like about this track though is how relaxed and intense it is at the same time. Lyrically, he doesn't really stand out: he's slangin the same shit that every other rapper is saying but the production and aesthetic of the track is awesome. I definitely enjoy this clique.

"sorry to interrupt man, can I give you this?"

If you aren't familiar with Yoni Wolf already than this mixtape is a great place to start.

Beware though, Yoni Wolf is not for everyone. He speaks to a certain type of hip-hop head. You won't find molly, trappin or gangsta shit here. You might hear that influence on his production, but his lyrics have always had an intellectual flair. But not the conscious type that you have to think about. Just the ones that make sense.

Toro Y Moi + Clasixx

Last week I went to a show at the Market, featuring Classixx and Toro Y Moi.

Classixx started the night with a killer set. The music was nonstop dance hits which included a cover of Drake's Hold On, We're Going Home. But the song that really got the crowd going was one of their own. It is a weird video. But it shows the stuff they are made of. The other songs I've listened to from Classixx since then has been just as heavy hitting and animated as their performance.



I've been a fan of Toro Y Moi for a long time now and this is the band that I had come to see. It was the second time I had seen him, and the first time was just after the Freaking Out EP had been released.



It was a radical show. Since then he has released a full length album, Anything in Return. Freaking Out had a very disco/dance feel, and was a high energy live show. Anything In Return definitely delivers on the upbeat and high energy bits, but the album is much more diverse than the EP. Mainly because there are 8 more tracks on Anything In Return. But difference in style probably means the live show will have a different ambiance.



So Many Details is a great example, and one of my favorite tracks off of Anything in Return. It is definitely a danceable song, but it's not quiet as heart pounding as the stuff of his earlier EP. It is more bump-n-grind, while Freaking Out is for the discotheque.

When I saw him perform the first time the crowd did not stop dancing until he left the stage. The energy could be felt on the edge of the crowd. The second time around was the same, but occasionally things would slow down for a smoother track.




This was the point in the show where you could see a definite change in his style from his previous work. His sound was classier, more grown up than his first couple releases. I've thought Toro's music was amazing from the first time I heard Causers of This, and Anything In Return (album and the live show) has just refreshed my appreciation for this guy.

if you aint the hitter, you just might be the lick

I've been listening to a lot of instrumental/beat music recently. It's a good way for me to stay focused on whatever I'm working on at the moment, my job or the writing I've been doing. Jonwayne is an awesome producer hailing from Los Angeles. Along with him and his album Bowser, I've been listening to Gang Colours.


His album The Keychain Collection reminds me of James Blake, though Gang is much simpler in his production.
Enjoy!

he said just come over ill prescribe u what u need

I recently heard this band from a good friend. At first I wasn't so into it. It grew on me very quickly. It reminds me of Swans or Austra. But it is definitely unique. That video is great, but my favorite song by the band has to be Rabbits.

Sexy men get down in this video. The music doesn't do much for me. I still think it's awesome that queer artists are making music and videos. I really like the aesthetic he went for in the video. Lots of leather, tattoos and of course quintessential man dancing in stiletto's.


Speaking of sexy men in stiletto's. This track is a favorite of mine. RESPECT to these gentlemen.

real trap shit

Trap music is great. Electronic music with a lot of roots in bass heavy hip hop.


What I love about trap music is how versatile it is. These are two very different songs. The first is very dancy, where as this track is mellow.

video roundup: throwbacks

This was the first track that I heard that got me into A$AP Rocky. I go back and forth on how I feel about him, but he knows how to make a song sound great.


I listened to Neon Blonde a lot through out high school. I have stepped away from this sort of music because I haven't heard anything I found interesting in a while. This band, as well as the Blood Brothers had a huge influence on my style. It also helped me connect with Seattle on a whole new level.

I've never heard of this girl before. But she does this Kendrick track a lot of poetic justice.

so far gone

A favorite producer of mine, Pyramid, teamed up with another french artist Crayon to release on awesome EP. The So Far Gone EP is off of Kitsune Maison, and they only put out solid records.

wow, Kendrick Lamar releases another killer video. Drake is in it too.


Addiquit is a San Diego based rapper. She will be playing in Seattle for MO WAVE. Not sure the date on that, but I'll keep you posted.


tUnE-yArDs give a great performance and interview for youtru.ly.

An injured foot has gotten me a surprise day off. I put together a couple of tracks that match my mood and the weather.

monday funday

There's been some nice weather in Seattle recently, lets hope it keeps up. Enjoy the sun, and the music.