Archives for posts with tag: B.YRSLF Division

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It’s been 2 years since Hxdb was here on Disco Droppings, and there’s no doubt the man continues to be a powerhouse. The site has lifted up a very wide range of styles and individuals over the years, and as I placed this dude’s words into the post, I remembered the deep connection I have with his mindset. Freedom in diversity. If you missed recent Hxdb shows, keep an eye on his page, there’s more on the way. Enjoy this interview, jam packed with sounds!

 

DD First off Severine, I want to say thank you for all the Kickstarter assistance. You’re a busy busy dude, and you took a lot of time out to help me plan my tour, and attempt to get me up to your home spot of Vancouver B.C. Really appreciate it, and hoping we get to play together soon!

HX I’m hoping we can make that happen also, and really, its no thing. I try to help out my friends however I can. :]

 

DD So your new EP Skool Dayz, with those remixes? Wowwwww. Fucking nailed it! I remember hearing the title track in that BBC mix you did last year was it? Tribal, dark, sexy sounds for sure.

HX Thank you! It was a long time coming, and with my hard drive crash, it became an even more distant goal last year. Fortunately I was able to recover and get some incredible remixes from my homies Doctor Jeep, Distal and KRUSHA.

DD The Distal one is unreal. He’s another producer that’s been interviewed on Disco Droppings, good man!

HX He is the man, and I knew I wanted to have him involved with this project. He really did come through in a major way with his remix and delivered the goods.

 

 

DD You’ve been planning two tours correct? How’s all that shaping up? You must be very hypeddddd. I saw that Shambhala Mix and Interview with you recently..

HX It’s been a crazy ride to be certain! It takes a lot of time and effort to plan these tours, but it’s so rewarding to actually see things come to fruition and get to do what I love most. First stops of the tour were Portland and Seattle.

DD How do you feel right now as an artist? I see a huge evolution in the small time we’ve known each other. And you’re no newcomer..

HX I feel like now is the perfect time for me to be the artist I am. There are so many exciting sounds and types of music out there, and I feel very lucky to have a fan-base that is supportive, and understands my desire to keep things diverse and not focus on one sound in particular. Rather, putting all of them into a singular context and giving that context meaning. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that I can open up Ableton, pick a bpm in my head and go right ahead, composing at that tempo without fear.

 

DD What do you hope to leave behind as Hxdb? It really feels like you’re in this for the long haul. I think about legacy, and the impact an artist can have.

HX My goal is to indoctrinate my friends and fans into mindset of being fearless with sounds and tempos. Using my name and reputation as a pathway to open-mindedness with music in general. I hope to be respected by the disparate communities that each of these sounds represent and help to bridge the gaps between them, leaving behind a broader sense of belonging.

 

Hxdb – Twitter Soundcloud Facebook Mixcloud Juno Beatport

hxdb.org

– Jimi Jaxon

 

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Did a fun interview with Slick Shoota. Found him through Mosca’s “Following” section on Soundcloud, guys got fine taste. We talk about his recently released “Percussion Skank” EP on Mad Decent Jeffree’s (download for free here), his favorite juke phrases and how he dances to these high energy trax. Also, grab his previously released 8 Bit Beauty EP on Loose Squares..

DD Welcome to Disco Droppings Slick Shoota. How are you doing?

SS Thank you, this sure is a lovely place you got here! I’m doing quite well, just sitting in the studio trying to finish some tracks you know!

DD Your track “Rasta” was played recently on BBC Radio 1’s “Diplo & Friends” show. This is a part of your “Percussion Skank” EP released on Mad Decent Jeffrees on 4.26.12. I think it’s rad! How do you feel being a part of this sub label for up and coming talent? Who came up with the artwork?

SS I’m super excited about the Percussion Skank EP. I think Mad Decent are being very clever when pushing their releases as 192kbps free downloads. This means they easily can spread the music to their huge fanbase. They also got a monthly subscription you can sign up to where you’ll get all the Jeffree’s releases upfront in wav/320, as well as other exclusives. For me as an artist this results in great exposure, so I’m really happy with that. 

The whole EP came about when Paul Devro messaged me and asked me if I wanted to release some music with them. He does most of the Jeffree’s business, and he also does the artwork. The process was a pretty short but hilarious e-mail exchange, where he had a million ideas. At one point he wanted to put a real picture of me naked, drinking 40 oz beers, but I was like naah, put a dolphin in there instead, haha. I’m pretty happy with it, i like having a cartoonish vibe on my artworks, it’s just fun and nothing too serious, just the way I like it.

 

 

DD Juke is so fun for me to listen to. It’s hilarious and infinitely entertaining to hear phrases like “everywhere I go, I see the same ho” and “bitch I ain’t your boyfriend, bitch I ain’t your man, bitch I ain’t your boyfriend cant you understand” (I was just listening to DJ Assault) over and over again. Any phrases you especially love hearing/working with? 

SS Yeah man I just love it when you hear a big new tune with some crazy lyrics in them, can’t help but brock out and smile at the same time. 

Three outrageous favorites include..

1. “I beat the pussy up” DJ Pillsbury – Can’t Get Enough

2. “Shawty off the chain mane” and “she thick as hell” DJ Spinn & DJ Rashad – Shawty Off The Chain 

3. “I love it when you blow me bitch” EQ Why – Suck My Dick

 

 

DD In that Scratcha DVA Rinse.fm bit on your soundcloud, I laughed a lot. Really fun guy. He mentions not being sure how to dance to juke. There isn’t a specific way, but do you usually bounce around frantically to the beat, or dance at half tempo? 

SS I love that clip as well, I was a regular listener to his Grimey Breakfast show as he really is hilarious. He’s also a great dj and producer, so having him supporting my tracks is flattering. 

As to dancing, I’m by no means a great dancer, I  just brock out whatever way I feel like there and then. If you are feeling the music, you’ll probably manage to dance to it as well, innit.

DD You collaborated with Cedaa on the “Windbreaker” track. Cedaa has become a local favorite of mine, seeing him jump onto Fade To Mind and receive props on an international level for his progressive style is inspiring. How’d you guys meet, and what did he add to the creative process when you worked together? 

SS Cedaa is a badman. He was the very first person to send me a message on Soundcloud actually, and we traded tunes. He was doing some stuff with French label B.YRSLF at the time and he put them on to me, and in march last year i released a free promo through them, which was Pussyclot Funk Dem and the Night Hunter remix. So major props to Cedaa and B.YRSLF for that. When Cedaa was preparing his Jasmin EP for them a while after that, we hooked up for a collab. It was really cool to work with the track. He sent me a project he had going, full of his trademark synths and effects. I went in on it and added drums and some jungle vibes. I really like how the track rolled out. I think the track was kinda slept on, but i still enjoy playing it!

 

 

DD I’m having fun listening through your tracks while playing Super Mario World for the SNES. Actually, a juke remix of one of these levels songs could work well, the one with the bongos in it. Have you thought about it? 

SS Haha, no I have to say I haven’t thought of that. But I do enjoy some 8-bit every once in a while. My track “8 Bit Beauty” is on that vibe. I also like bongos, so I’ll go as far and say that it’s not unlikely, that someday, it can happen that I make a track with some sounds that might resemble a Super Mario sound and also have bongos in it. Close enough ? 

DD I have to take a moment and mention this “Bug A Boo” remix you did entitled “Bug A Stick”. This is genius! What’s your favorite track and/or video from them? Mines “Hey Ladies” and “Say My Name”..

SS Thank you! Bug a Boo is definitely one of my favorite tracks by them. Their a cappella’s are amazing. I happened to have the a cappella of it lying around. I also happen to be a big fan of Martyn, and was listening to his Great Lengths album a lot around the same time I did the remix. I’m surprised no one has mentioned it before, so I might as well let it out myself, check out Martyn’s track “Bridge” for the piano sample i used. I also have to mention their track “Cards Never Lie” that track is a vibe and a half man!

 

DD What do you hope to showcase with your forthcoming releases? 

SS I’m in the middle of a release spree right about now. I released my debut EP on Loose Squares in March, followed up with the Percussion Skank in April and I got a new EP forthcoming on Hyperboloid Records. That EP will include “Draw” that’s been supported on BBC Radio 1 by Martelo and B Traits. I’ve also done several remixes that’s doing the rounds. What I hope to showcase is that I can’t be pinpointed to one type of sound. I like to make mellow vibey stuff, I like to make bleepy hard stuff and everything in between. I’m just gonna keep on doing what I do and hopefully people will enjoy it!

DD Last words?

SS Thanks to Disco Droppings and everyone else showing me support, you really are awesome. Also, look out for my next EP on Hyperboloid Records. I also got a video forthcoming and Slick Shoota tee-shirts are in the making. Watch this space!

Slick Shoota – Facebook Twitter Soundcloud

http://www.slickshoota.com/

– Jimi Jaxon

My producer buddies are on their A game. Tonight it’s all about Artek and his “Out of Touch” EP via B.YRSLF division. You can pick up the title track via XLR8R for free and/or purchase this fine release through Juno. Catch up with Artek below.. 

 

DD Back in December of last year I had you on Disco Droppings. In the interview you mentioned Hoodmode, who I was happy to feature recently. Thanks for the tip! Glad to have you back, what are you up to? 

A Yea still playing his tunes on the regular, still waiting on the new bits. Just trying to bang out loads of beats right now, got a few more projects in the works but can’t give any details as of yet.

DD Congratulations on the XLR8R feature last week, I remember posting “Out of Touch” last year, happy it’s getting some major support! 

A Yea probably is one of my strongest tracks to date. Happy that it’s been going down well, and that B.YRSLF went through the work to get it out there.

DD Your “Out of Touch” EP features 3 originals, 3 remixes + the bonus track “Zaalim”. This is some impressive music man! Where do you feel you’re at now as a producer? 

A I’d say I’ve improved a fair bit from about a year ago. Since all the tracks are very different, it’s cool to show people I’m not hooked on one sound. Just trying to get more “music” out now rather than stuff made for the dance.

 

DD How has the Sub.Fm show been going? G. Davies, who does the show with you, mentioned he’ll be stepping out. Has this changed the direction of the show? 

A We’ve always just played what each of us thinks is good in our own way, we have different tastes so it’ll just be like my section of the show…for the whole show. Quite a bit of good music coming out now and some from artists that have been in hibernation for a bit, which I’m excited to play.

DD Last words?

A Cop the EP so I can get some top notch flip flops for summer.

 

Artek: Facebook Twitter Soundcloud 

– Jimi Jaxon