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Wheez-ie’s On The Move – Arrives in Seattle 4.20

2014/04/18 //
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My buddy Matt Mauldin aka Wheez-ie is back on DD! For those that don’t know what this man is all about, I asked him for a short description. He said, “It’s like if 90’s rave, Juke, Jungle, Hard House and Pokemon Yellow had a baby..with some Classical and Jazz influences.”

We talk about his latest big project..starting Southern Belle Recordings, his DJ approach for his current tour and other plans for the future. If you’re a NW resident, get yourself to Kremwerk on Sunday 4/20 for his first Seattle set alongside Mascara, Thalo and myself. Presented by Mindfield and Disco Droppings.

#smokeup

 

DD Whatsup Matt! What are you up to right now?

W Right now I’m finishing up some paperwork for the first release on my label Southern Belle Recordings, putting together tour dates for June/July and dealing with this random cold spell we’re having in Texas.

DD I was HYPED when I heard you were coming to Kremwerk. The positive vibes continued when I was added to the lineup. You’ve been one of my favorite artists connected to Disco Droppings through our interview last year. Your tracks are also a big part of my mixes opening for Bok Bok and Warp Records, so it’s a true pleasure to be playing alongside you. April 20th will be your first time in Seattle. Me and you were talking about what we’re planning to do, and I liked that we both enjoy switching things up. How would you describe your approach for this upcoming set?

W I have a very balanced approach to Dj’ing. There has to be a careful balance between doing what you want and what the crowd needs. A lot of the shows I play have people from all walks of life, and reaching out to the people that aren’t “heads” or “in the scene” is really important to me. “The scene” has a tendency to alienate and exclude a lot of those people, and I want to help change that.

 

DD Are there any things you’re interested in doing/visiting while in the Northwest?

W I’d really like to see the Seattle Underground. I hear it’s more of a tourist trap thing these days, but my inner 10 year old still wants to see it.

DD You’ve been working hard to get your new label, Southern Belle Recordings up and running. Being someone with a label myself, I know that it is quite the commitment. What drove you in this direction? How has the process been so far, and what kind of vibe are you going for?   

W That’s a complicated question. I started the label because the music that I’ve been writing is getting harder and harder to categorize, and I wasn’t really sure what to do with a lot of it. Around that time I was getting sent a lot of really interesting music that wasn’t going to see the light of day. I felt like it was just the right time to start something. It’s been a really long process. I’ve been doing it all myself, so it has had quite a learning curve, but overall it’s been a really rewarding experience. As far as vibe goes…I’d really like to release anything that I’m into. I enjoy all kinds of music, and I want my label to reflect that.

 

DD Besides the label work, what’s on your list for the rest of 2014?

W I’ll be touring throughout the summer, and putting out a few EP’s on my own on various labels. I’ve also been working on an album for the past year or so. I have a lot of things really close to being finished, and more options than I have ever had. We’ll see what happens. ;]

Wheez-ie – Twitter Facebook Soundcloud

– Jimi Jaxon

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Juke It Out w/ DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn & Jimi Jaxon via Decibel 12/15 (SEA)

2013/12/10 //
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I hope to see you at The Crocodile this coming Sunday ($10 Advance TIX, FB event page). This is a part of Chance The Rapper’s ‘Social Experiment Tour’. That show at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, is sold out. Now, my feature on DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn and the prolific Teklife crew.

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As I read this recent interview with DJ Rashad aka Rashad Harden on Pitchfork, I connected deeply with his friendly energy. For someone of such influence and authority to be so kind shows me somethin’..nice guys can finish first.

 

It’s the same feeling I’ve gotten from my interactions with Machinedrum. After playing alongside him last year, sweatin’ it up at his Leisure System After Hours (w/ Jimmy Edgar, Jets) at Decibel Festival 2013, witnessing his Vapor City live show + the whole package around that album AND hearing his Essential Mix, I’ve developed such a strong connection with the man behind the music, Travis Stewart. Behind all this innovation and energy is a thoughtful and deep person that’s just very passionate about music.

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In that same vein, Rashad matches a bright personality with ferocious and diverse productions, that have vastly fostered new sounds and styles into the world. Search on Google for “DJ Rashad Interviews 2013” and you’ll easily find out, this man is a big deal. Tiny Mixtapes eloquently said, “He might not be the most veteran footwork DJ (that would have to be RP Boo) or the most batshit (there are lots of people in the running for that title), but it’s become increasingly clear since TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome To The Chi changed the game that, flanked by his longtime partner-in-crime DJ Spinn, Rashad is among the kings of footwork and juke — as both hometown bastion and ambassador abroad. Welcome To The Chi was a huge landmark for what was until then a more or less underground scene, in one bold stroke defining footwork for a new international audience and pushing it to its breaking point.”

 

Rashad has recently teamed up with Kode9’s Hyperdub label, and the results have been huuuuge. I can’t say enough positive things about this label. The pairing has encouraged Rashad’s evolution as an artist; showcasing a broad range of sounds, textures and moods. There’s the I Don’t Give A Fuck EP, with energy so high I want to move until I pass out from sheer excitement. His previous Rollin EP, with my personal favorite track, the emotional and freeing “Let It Go”. His newly released 2nd album, Double Cup further demonstrates his variety as a producer. It’s got plenty of soul, with an ultra smooth flow. Equally relaxing and gangsta’ in the best way.

 

I can’t talk about all this music without mentioning the Teklife crew. DJ Rashad is the chief member of this Chicago based unit, and you’ll notice many of the others in production collaborations. The releases I mentioned above also showcase DJ Spinn, Freshmoon (Tony Mundaca Jr. and Lacey Mundaca), DJ Manny, Taso, DJ Phil and DJ Earl (+ Addison Groove from across the water). There are others such as Traxman (see Teklife Vol.3 The Architek). Click over to their Soundcloud’s and take in this massive collection of vibrant tunes.

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It’s such an honor to not only be opening for DJ Spinn for a second time in just a few months, but to be joined by DJ Rashad, who was unable to perform at dB Fest 2013’s Hyperdub Showcase. This kind of thing doesn’t happen very often; it seems the universe demands these two come to Seattle and wake the city up. It’s exciting to note that DJ Spinn is working on his album for Hyperdub as well..

 

DJ Rashad – Soundcloud Facebook Twitter

DJ Spinn – Facebook Twitter

– Jimi Jaxon

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Kill Them With Kindness – Slick Shoota Gives Away Two More Trax

2013/09/18 //
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When I’m mixing in the juke realm, Slick Shoota is a go-to producer. Some of his superb tracks have been in my sets lately, opening for Bok Bok in Seattle and in my upcoming set for the Decibel Festival Hyperdub Records Showcase. I now have a couple more tracks to add to my Slick arsenal. Make em’ yours.

 

 

Slick Shoota – Facebook Twitter Soundcloud

– Jimi Jaxon

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dBx Spotlight – Hyperdub Records Showcase w/ Kode9, DJ Spinn, Ikonika and Jimi Jaxon

2013/09/16 //
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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.

Hyperdub – Facebook Twitter Soundcloud

hyperdub.net

– Jimi Jaxon

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Wheez-ie Interview – Juke It Out

2013/04/15 //
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Gotta say right off the bat, I absolutely love Wheez-ie. This interview is a dream come true, as his raw productions have influenced my DJ style a lot lately. Between him and Slick Shoota, I’ve got some powerhouse tracks that have demolished audiences. In this feature, I’ve posted some favorites that I frequently play out. In terms of his most recent releases, check out the Remember The Score EP on Well Rounded Records and the All Werked Up EP on Individuals. We talk about a whole host of things here on Disco Droppings; from his work with Embassy Recordings label boss Distal, to acid juke, his musical family and his favorite Busta Rhymes track. You should know that when I post long interviews, it’s because I just have so much to say to this artist and they responded in a warm and inviting way. Let’s get started..

 

DD Whatsup dude? So happy to have you here on Disco Droppings. Been meaning to write about your work. I first played one of your tracks at Decibel Festival 2012 here in Seattle. I opened the Warp Records Showcase (Clark, Jimmy Edgar, Machinedrum), and included “Keep Yer Chin Up”. That track was one of the ones I was most excited to present. The energy just gets me sooooooo hyped! Have you heard any mixes using your tracks that especially got you excited?

W Dave Q played Keep Yer Chin Up at DubWar. That was a real highlight. I had been going to DubWar for a while and to go from just being a guy vibing in the back to having a track played by one of my favorite Djs. That night really meant a lot to me.

DD “Keep Yer Chin Up” is the title track of your Embassy Recordings EP release. This is a brilliant collection of originals and remixes. That label is run by Distal, who I interviewed for Disco Droppings last year. He’s a prolific dude with a razor sharp perspective on music and life in general. What’s your relationship with him like?

W I met Distal on the Internet in 2010 after listening to “Boss of the South” on Youtube. We exchanged tracks, and since then we’ve become really good friends. He and Mite put out the EP with Keep Yer Chin Up on it and are also putting out my new EP on 12”. I’m really excited for you guys to hear it!

 

DD I’ve never been to your hometown of Houston, Texas. How would you describe the music community as well as the general environment?

W Houston is an interesting city. Rap culture is unavoidable. I doesn’t matter where you go in the city you’ll hear bass booming out of peoples cars. We also have generally good food, and nice (but sometimes random) weather.

DD One of the free tracks on your Soundcloud is “Dreamz”. This one is INSANE. Acid juke is something I’d like to hear a lot more of. How has the acid sound influenced you?

W HAHA. I’m glad you liked Dreamz. That was the first Acid track I ever made. At the time I was listening to a lot of the old Trax back catalog and was trying to figure out how they were making their tracks sound so raw. I don’t think that Dreamz really nailed that sound, but it turned out to be a banger.

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DD You’ve said in a past interview that you “..like the idea of playing around with funny words and serious music”. Can you think of some tracks outside your own that really embody that?

W For a long time I struggled with trying to figure out if words in music even matter. So many pieces of music have no words, yet they are extremely emotional. I’ve always felt my instrumentals were serious while the lyrics didn’t have to be. A Lot of Ghetto House and Ghettotech is like that for me. Trax like “Nut In Your Eye” by DJ Assault or “3 Fine Hoes” by DJ Deeon are really great examples.

 

DD I’ve also gathered that everyone in your house plays music. Your mom is an orchestra director, dad’s a retired band teacher, your brother is in school for classical piano and you play the oboe. How does your family react to your music as Wheez-ie?

W I think by now I’ve written this answer like 6 times. Everyone has been really supportive. As I’ve progressed and my arrangements have become tighter and more musical they’ve really started to like a lot of my music. I’ve been writing electronic music in various forms since I was 11, so they’ve had to hear every stage of the process lol.

 

DD Your “Woo Hah! (Wheez-ie RMX)” is hilarious. Every time I show it to friends it makes them laugh. What’s your favorite Busta Rhymes track?

W My favorite Busta track is “Break Ya Neck.” I remember seeing the video for that track on MTV back when I was in middle school and I thought it was AWESOME. HOW DOES HE RAP LIKE THAT?!? Busta might just be my favorite rapper that isn’t from the South, and he just DESTROYS that track.

 

Wheez-ie – Soundcloud Facebook Twitter Tumblr

– Jimi Jaxon

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