R.I.C.O. Not-So-Suave
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In this month’s edition of #thinkbeforeyoutweet, Meek Mills’ allegations of Drake using ghostwriters for his guest verse on “R.I.C.O.” thankfully does nothing to diminish the quality of the song. While the unusual trap-meets-classical production and Drake’s punchlines steal the show, Meek still brings the energy, making this a contender for hip-hop song of the summer.
The mix also features some rich blues and soul musings (Leon Bridges, Melody Gardot), synth-y smash hits from Galantis and Major Lazer, bouncy indie-pop hooks (Cayucas, Ryn Weaver), and a plethora of indie rock jams that’ll be sure to you get moving!
‘Apple Music’ Too Late to Save Its Streaming Share or Just In Time?
Amidst all the press about Apple launching its streaming service Apple Music today (including the star-studded Beats 1 radio station), I found an interesting article about the evolution of streaming music. Amazingly, the technology was predicted almost 130 years ago!
Whether Apple has elevated the platform to another level is still up for debate (disclaimer: I haven’t had the opportunity to try the service myself yet). However, I do feel that streaming is the method of consuming music both of the present and future due to its unparalleled convenience and scope.
The main issue holding it back is how to make it financially feasible for the consumers, artists, and streaming services themselves. Having gone through a similar technological transition (mp3s) largely shepherded by Apple, though, I’m confident the bean counters can make it work. The demand for good music will always be there.
Fun ‘n Sun
We’re big fans of how garage pop’s lo-fi production balances out otherwise sugary hooks, crafting a fun and fuzzy brew. Sick Sad World’s debut LP “Fear & Lies,” the brainchild of Olympia native Jake Jones, is a great summer record with plenty of west coast vibe, at times recalling early Beach Boys records (albeit sung by weed-smoking skaters born of the mp3 age).
This month’s mix also features plenty of hip-hop (Curren$y, Raekwon), a killer country tune from Nicki Bluhm, synth sounds from Phantogram and Passion Pit, a bevy of singer/songwriters, indie rockers, roots rockers, and more!
BONUS
Speaking of Beach Boys, check out “Love & Mercy,” an exploration of Brian Wilson’s mad genius, in theaters now:
Desert Bloom
Our latest mix of tunes includes tracks from Courtney Barnett’s stellar sophomore release, which sounds like the best record Liz Phair never made (albeit with a nonchalant Aussie accent). Her keen eye, clever wordplay, and relaxed delivery are definitely worth a listen.
Speaking of flow, there’s also a lot of great hip-hop thanks in part to contributions from the two young bucks Kendrick Lamar & Tyler, the Creator. There’s also a bunch of cool blues, indie folk, and a few bouncy tracks to get yer head bobbin’.
BONUS:
If you haven’t yet caught a screening of the Kurt Cobain documentary “Montage of Heck,” it’s airing on HBO tonight, May 4th. Chock full of animated sequences taken from his diary, it’s a very unique and revealing take on the singer’s brief life produced by his daughter Frances Bean.
Exile On 6th St
Last week was a wild one in Austin, as it tends to be during SXSW. This month’s mix includes some discoveries from the festival, like the Malian desert blues troupe Songhoy Blues, who had to flee their homes due to militant extremists’ ban on music (I guess proving that the world did need a “Footloose” remake after all).
Songhoy’s debut LP was produced by the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner, who also guests on a few tracks. If you want to hear more about the unlikely odyssey of SB and their fellow musicians in exile, check out the trailer for the doc “They Will Have to Kill Us First” at bottom, which also premiered at the festival.
The playlist also features some great hip-hop from Ghostface Killah (continuing his run of live-band-backed albums); beautiful acoustic tunes from Andy Shauf, Iron & Wine, and the always engaging Jose Gonzales; plus plenty of indie rock, and some seriously heavy sludge from Torche.
BONUS:
Bear Droppings
Around this time last year, Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox was celebrating his contribution to Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning album Random Access Memories (the amazing “Doin’ It Right”). Now he’s dropped his latest LP under his solo moniker Panda Bear, whose hypnotic single “Boys Latin” is part of our first mix of 2015.
Side note: I totally want to start a band inspired by the nickname for China’s hacker collective, Deep Panda. Who’s with me?
Other bands featured in the mix are Purity Ring, Dengue Fever, some serious flow from Lupe Fiasco, and even new material from Modest Mouse (remember the 2000s)?
BONUS:
Bowl Me Up, Scotty
Our latest Superbowl ad has been getting a lot of love on the interwebs. We’d like to think that it has something to do with our music and sound, but credit must also be given to BSSP for crafting another great spot in their long-running campaign for Priceline, featuring the hilariously self-aware William Shatner as The Negotiator.
Check out the write ups in Adweek, Sports Illustrated, CNN, and of course, Trek Today (as if you didn’t already have that as your browser homepage).
Or you can watch it in SoDef Hifi right here:
Priceline “Know A Guy”
ORIGINAL MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN: WOOFER
Agency: Butler Shine Stern & Partners
Director: Peter Martin
Edit: Cleaver Edit
Two fer iTunes
“Wet Dream: A Skateboard Tale” debuts on iTunes today along with some very cool behind the scenes extras, which is great because the film features some unheard of stunts and visual effects.
The Berrics also has a cool interview with director Federico Vitetta about his inspiration for the project.
Coincidentally, the “Mammoth Mission” single we produced with Abstract Rude is now available on iTunes as well!
Get Wet!
Seems like we’re finally having a sorely needed rainy season here in LA, which is fitting given that the short film I music supervised, “Wet Dream: A Skateboard Tale,” debuts next Tuesday on iTunes (trailer above).
This month’s mix features a lot of great hip-hop from the likes of Serengeti (in his Ditka-lovin’ Kenny Dennis mode), the Premier & Royce Da 5’9 combo PRhyme, and another live band-backed record from Wu’s Ghostface Killah. Also some great electronic tunes from UK producer Clark, Chromatics, and Royksopp, plus a track from Dylan’s New(found) Basement Tapes.
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