Archives for posts with tag: dB 2012 Showcase Picks
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Everything You Need To Know About Erykah Badu & The Cannabinoids, Performing Tonight @ Decibel Festival (9/28)

2012/09/28 //
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Erykah Badu is someone that fearlessly embraces change, re-inventing herself time and time again. Her aesthetic inspires the free thinkers, and the lovers of jazz, R&B, hip hop and all things soulful. For those interested in their roots, Badu exemplifies a strong appreciation of the past. Her work combines African influences, various spiritual ideologies , as well as Egyptian culture and Southern African folk traditions. To all you out there striving to bring something positive into the world, Erykah Badu is your girl. I am eagerly awaiting her performance tonight at Decibel Festival’s Renegades of Funk showcase. See Badu alongside The Cannabinoids and The Starship Connection, at The Paramount Theatre (TIX).

 

Never complacent, Erykah has moved into yet another untapped area. Taking a group of musicians, DJ’s and beat makers she has empowered them with an array of musical tools (3 turntables, 6 keyboards, 4 drum machines, a theramin, 8 laptops), creating an electronic orchestra of sorts. Together this crew, known as The Cannabinoids,will showcase a live remix set of Badu’s work. This is a re-imagined presentation of Erykah Badu’s diverse style and influences, centered around a concept of improvisation.

The theme of tonight’s show takes you deep inside the human brain. You may not know this, but inside your head there are cannabinoid receptors. Research has shown that these specific proteins in your brain are responsible for the euphoric effects of cannabis (“Marijuana consists of the dried flowers of Cannabis plants selectively bred to produce high levels of THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids”). Each artist on stage will become one of these cannabinoids; creating a joyous, psychedelic live hip hop extravaganza for you and friends.

 

As if that wasn’t enough, Erykah Badu will then head to the RBMA After Hours, to perform a DJ SET at Q (Pike & Broadway, Capitol Hill Seattle). If you missed my post mentioning Q, let me reiterate that it blows away every club in Seattle, and possibly the north west. Doors are at 2:00 am, 21+. Also on the lineup, B. Bravo with Justice & Treasure. Here’s a link to TIX. 

 

Erykah Badu – Facebook Twitter 

dbfestival.com

– Jimi Jaxon 

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dB 2012 Artist Interview: Groundislava

2012/09/22 //
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I am blowin’ this Friends of Friends showcase UP. You’ll notice that below this interview with showcase performer Groundislava, I’ve chosen FoF as THE show to see on the final day of Decibel Festival 2012 (The Baltic Room, 9/30, 21+). Here’s the FB event, if you plan on coming, invite your buddies. Now onto my conversation with Groundislava; covering the Feel Me album art, video game soundtracks and the vibe of his upcoming Seattle show with Shlohmo, LOL Boys, Salva and Lazy Brow. 

 

DD Hi Groundislava. What are you up to right now?

GIL I’m watching some movie with Liam Neeson and eating soup, and answering these questions, of course. I’m feeling a little under the weather.

DD Congratulations on Feel Me getting its release. Who designed the rad artwork for this lp?

GIL My brother designed all the art for this album, as well as my last LP and both my EPs. He’s a very talented visual artist. I’m working with him on a new music video as well.

DD I haven’t been to LA since I was very little. If I were to come down to your area, where would we hang out and get food? From reading your Twitter, I take it we won’t be stopping by Whole Foods..

GIL Whole Foods annoys me because it’s really great and convenient, but its absurdly expensive. If you were here I’d probably take you to koreatown and we’d get some korean BBQ or tofu soup. Koreatown is probably my favorite part of LA to hang out in, as well. There’s lots of great places to drink or do karaoke or whatever. 

DD I’ve got your Soundcloud going while I play N64. It’s making my Super Smash Bros. battle a lot more emotional. What video game soundtracks stand out to you most? 

GIL There’s a lot of great ones that I’ve been interested in. And now, with youtube being what it is, I find so many more great songs and full soundtracks. I really enjoy the soundtracks for Bomberman 64 and Bomberman Hero, Chrono Trigger, Pilot Wings… there’s a lot more.

 

DD Disco Droppings has chosen the Friends of Friends showcase as it’s top pick, for Decibel Festival 2012’s final night. For those thinking about stopping by your show, what’s the vibe going to be like?

GIL FoF kinda nails it on all fronts, and there’s really something for everyone. We have all sorts of sounds and vibes, but it’s all really fun shit. We never just go up and play whatever the hottest tracks are, and we all have really interesting catalogs. Expect a party :]

 

Groundislava – Facebook Twitter  Soundcloud

– Jimi Jaxon

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Disco Droppings Showcase Choice for dB Festival Day 5: Friends of Friends @ The Baltic Room (9.30.12)

2012/09/18 //
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For the final day of Decibel, I choose the Friends of Friends showcase (Fb). This 21+ party happens at The Baltic Room, with sets from Shlohmo, Salva, Groundislava, LOL Boys and Lazy Brow. Back in 2010, I met Henry Laufer aka Shlohmo outside of Neumos after his Decibel set. He wasn’t 21 at the time, so the venue booted him out. On the positive side I got to hang out with him, and soon after, a Shlohmo interview appeared on Disco Droppings. Those that get hyped on variations of hip-hop, and the environments created by The Weeknd, Flying Lotus and Baths should swing by The Baltic Room on 9/30.

 

It’s difficult to create a worthy remix for Wheez-ie’s “Keep Yer Chin Up”. I say that because the original is so fucking incredible. Leave it Salva to come up with something magical. Groundislava has a new album out entitled Feel Me on Friends of Friends. His superb XLR8R mix can be heard ova here. The track selection, mixing and dreamy narrative fit snugly together. Lazy Brow is the label head of FoF, and he starts off the night with a DJ set. 

 

 

Friends of Friends – Facebook 

fofmusic.net

Decibel Festival – Twitter Facebook 

dbfestival.com

– Jimi Jaxon 

 

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Disco Droppings Showcase Choice for dB Festival Day 4: Red Bull Music Academy and High & Tight Present @ Q (9.29.12)

2012/09/02 //
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“Ghetto Kraviz”, The above track by RBMA and High & Tight showcase headliner Nina Kraviz is everything I want to hear in a dance track. It’s hypnotic, sexy, dark and driving. Those of you who follow this blog know that I love a sassy lady (see my “Diva Dayz” features), and Nina Kraviz is holdin’ it down for fierce women everywhere. Her sultry tracks have lifted her up towards the top of the house and techno world. A listen through clips of her debut, self-titled album and it’s clear that she is a force to be reckoned with. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her Resident Advisor podcast, as well as this interview with Dummy Mag.

 

Before moving further, I must tell you about this new Seattle venue, Q. It is located at Pike & Broadway, and is going to be the shit. Q is being described as a chic and glamorous new club for Capitol Hill, spread across a 12,000 square-foot building. Opening on September 7th, 2012, this snazzy club will feature emerging and established DJ’s on a colossal sound system. Scott Smith, one of the owners, was previously involved with the creation of XL, one of the most renowned gay clubs in New York. Smith has since moved to Seattle, and joined forces with Andy Rampl, to bring Q to life. Avoiding the VIP vibe for a select few people, this club will bring impeccable service and a high quality experience to every club-goer inside. “Sound Investment AV will handle the installation of Q’s custom, one of a kind sound system, from legendary UK sound system pioneers, Funktion One, the only one of its caliber on the West Coast. Steve Lieberman, owner of LA’s powerhouse SJ Lighting will handle Q’s state of the art lighting. Both firms are internationally known for their design of clubs and concert tours.” (Stranger).


 

Joining Miss Kraviz, we have the prolific Roman Flugel. Producing since the early 90’s, his releases delve into house, techno, electro and ambient/idm. He’s a major fixture in the German electronic community, for his personal productions and savage DJ abilities.

 

 

Opening up the night..Dave Aju

 

Decibel Festival – Facebook Twitter

dbfestival.com

See you on the dance floor,

Jimi Jaxon

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Disco Droppings Showcase Choice for dB Festival Day 3: XLR8R Presents @ The Baltic Room (9.28.12)

2012/08/14 //
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When I first saw the lineup for Decibel Festival 2012, Actress stood out as my #1 artist to see. I insist you attend the XLR8R Presents showcase, where Actress will headline live (tix available here). His music transports my mind to bizarre and new places. Mixing techno, house, dubstep and experimental music with an other-worldly perspective, his music constantly challenges me. Genre boxes seem so limiting to what he does, and I encourage you to push off from these reference points as you listen. His album’s “R.I.P.” and “Splazsh” are distinct entities, and it would benefit you to also hear his “Hazyville” lp.  He’s an enigma of sorts; laying out a sonic environment that few come near.

 

 

I saw Teengirl Fantasy here in Seattle a little while ago at The Vera Project and was delightfully impressed. This 2-piece group from the U.S. performs live with no laptops or backing tracks. I remember being amazed at their ability to effortlessly produce their dance floor intended songs on the spot. Their off-kilter reflection of house music took me a second to get used to, but after more listens I’ve come to respect their aesthetic.

 

 

Gulls from Portland, Oregon will be opening the show. He runs Boomarm Nation; a collective of artists putting out “experimental sound system music”. Feels like a fitting way to round out this lineup. 

 

Decibel Festival – Facebook Twitter

– Jimi Jaxon

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