Jimi Jaxon here! And this is my new mix alongsideMachinedrumin Seattle! In awe that this is the third show I’ve played with Travis Stewart. I consider him to be one of the best artists around, a serious gift to the universe. Disco Droppings draws influence from this dude, and I intend to continue holding my light for diverse sounds such as these.
Wide range, reppin’ allies from this site, 7 Deadly Records, and my local area ++
I’ve been looking through the Hyperdub Discogs, and one of the newest releases is Walton’s debut album, Beyond. This was my first time hearing of him, and after discovering some of the tracks, I’m absolutely obsessed. This album takes various styles and genres and puts them through Walton’s brilliant perspective; creating distinct (and familiar) characters with wild lives of their own.
Although the end result is to me Walton’s unusually gifted talent, I draw some connections between his music and others in the underground. “Frisbee” reminds me of the Night Slugs and “Amazon” is like a cousin of Kingdom’s “Stalker Ha” living in the jungle. Could just be my ears, but I can imagine it.
It’s difficult to have cohesion in an album. I’ve listened through recent records that have great tracks, but one of my critiques is that there isn’t a unifying element to the collection of songs as an album. Amazingly, a 22 year old dude from Manchester has emerged with an effortless, unvided debut album for Hyperdub.
In an interview with Thump, Walton said the album “has quite an industrial feel to it.” It’s a perfect way to describe the similarity in Beyond. There’s an almost mechanical perfection of multiple sounds in dance music today, which is a little eerie but mostly just badass. Walton is making a strong statement as a producer with this Hyperdub release, and his age seems to show that he’s just getting started.
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.
dd 