Greetings! Here’s Disco Droppings sonic journey into Recess Festival2015 in Tonasket, Washington. Love this name first of all, reminds me of that rad cartoon from my childhood and of course, all those times of freedom in elementary school. Fitting cause that’s just the vibe they are going to create, check their description! Happy to lift up these artists, and salutes to everyone on the roster, all planning to attend and of course the crew organizing the shenanigans. I’ll be one year older, and what a way to celebrate. Charging up energy..
Decibel Festival celebrates its 10 year anniversary next week, and I’m putting the spotlight on a few artists and showcases. When I first found out that a Hyperdub Records Showcase was happening (9/25 @ The Crocodile, All-Ages, 21+ Bar), I lost it. I felt confident it would be one of the best ones to experience at dBx. Seattle is quite blessed to have the hugely influential Hyperdub Records, with label boss, Kode9. Real name Steve Goodman started Hyperdub in 2004, innovating with releases from Burial, Zomby, King Midas Sound, Ikonika and more recently DJ Rashad, Laurel Halo and a personal new favorite of mine, Walton. Styles include Dubstep, 2-Step, Grime, Funky, Juke, Techno, House and Future Bass. Basically, Hyperdub covers a lot of ground with its mutated rhythms, and the music can often times have a darker perspective.
In a detailed conversation with Red Bull Music Academy, Kode9 understands that “the DJ has this kind of shamanistic role, a circuit bender, mediating between an abstract and a physical realm.” Last year, I traveled with Decibel Festival founder and curator Sean Horton to Vancouver, Canada for New Forms Festival. One of the main acts of 2012 was Kode9 and his DJ set was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Knowing that Goodman is a professor, with a Ph.D in philosophy, his New Forms performance felt like an education of dance music. Almost every strain of rhythm currently at work in the dance world seemed to be in his set, effortlessly strung together. It had so much raw energy, demanding movement and engagement with the audience.
I enjoy the imagination in Ikonika‘s music. Her newest album Aerotropolis on Hyperdub is an adventure, invoking feelings of the past and future, fantasy and reality. Those who appreciate house music, video games, sci-fi or the 80’s will find something to love in Ikonika’s sound. If you’re about to see her at Decibel Festival, I like knowing that she connects a club to a church, believing “It’s a place to meditate, it’s a place to find something new, it’s a place to remember something. (Quietus Interview)”
In addition to her work with Hyperdub she runs the Hum + Buzz label with Optimum.
Come to The Crocodile on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 and experience the Hyperdub Records Showcase. I will be opening the night with a 9-10pm DJ set. Visuals by Zach Walker.
George Bashington Productionsareto thank for putting this show together (FBevent), withLive For The Funksponsoring. Lunice brings fresh energy and effortless style to the hip hop world. Now 23, he’s done remixes for prominent labels such as Mad Decent, XL Recordings and Young Turks. A part of the LuckyMe collective (Machinedrum, Jacques Greene, Rustie), he released the One Hundred EP and theStacker Upper EPin 2011. I’ve been especially taken by “Runnin”; the smooth beat he did for Azealia Banks, as well as TNGHT; his collaboration with Hudson Mohawke. Tomorrow marks Lunice’s first Seattle appearance. All hip-hop enthusiasts, and those drawn to future dance sounds should give him a warm welcome and come to Neumos.
Kastlefrom San Francisco joins Lunice. Be sure to catch the whole lineup, with sets from RL Grime and my buddy Cedaa happening early on.
This release has been out for a while, but in case some of you missed it, there are some wonderful trax here. The entire 18-track collection which features Pinch, Untold, SBTRKT, xxxy, Burial and Actress is available forFREE
dd 