Macklemore – Thrift Shop (Moduloktopus x Madd Martigann ReTwerk)

Apparently Macklemore has done more for thrift shop sales than any public de-lousing announcement ever has. Gotta get me some grandpa jackets, big time. Cause looking old is cool.

Digging this ReTwerk, and it’s age, cause Moduloktopus and this Mad Martigann character made sexellent re-use of the horns that Ryan Lewis so fittingly made such an integral element of the tune. #PopSomeTags.

Xian – Lifted

First and foremost, happy belated 420. Hopefully all those who partook had a well lifted time and day. Full pun intended. Along with the pun, a tune I had stumbled upon, without using StumbleUpon..

In 2003 Baby Bash released his final single ‘Sugar Sugar’ , from his album ‘Tha Smokin’ Nephew’ , featuring a dude by the name of Frankie J. Looking back the original was sub par. This past March Salt Lake City based Xian included his remix of said tune on a three track EP, released with three of his contemporaries, Aztek, Gaszia and BMills.

STICKYBUDS: 4/20 New Release – Smoke the Weed / Joker Smoker

Canada’s Okanagan-based artist Stickybuds drops two releases with Ed Solo for 4/20 titled Smoke the Weed and Joker Smoker. Tonight he celebrates by performing  4/20 @ Spiritbar, in Nelson, BC - saving the eccentric holiday for some of his premier fans.

This has marked the 22nd release for Sticky, and following this spring and summer will be his biggest tour yet with over 20 locations across Europe. We remember Stickybuds perform his first festival Shambhala in 2005, so we’re thrilled to see him perpetually raise the bar.
 

WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE

Drum & Bass

Ed Solo (UK), teamed up with the maestro of all things funky, Stickybuds. Smoke The Weed combines large rolling basslines, ragga style stabs and atmospherics with a wicked steppy-break that vibrates you off your chair to the dancefloor.

The two join forces again for Joker Smoker, which is a sublime slice of funky, jazzy business. It’s all there – stompin’ beats, ragga/dub elements, big chunky bass, incredibly catchy horns and “Joker Smoker” hooks; coming together beautifully to produce an absolute smokin’ tune.

Buy today at JUNO

Jungle Cakes Vol 17 | April 20, 2013 | Drum & Bass

Stickybuds

https://soundcloud.com/stickybuds/

http://www.stickybuds.com

https://www.facebook.com/Stickybuds

Ed Solo

http://soundcloud.com/edsolo

https://www.facebook.com/EdSoloUK

Label

http://www.toolboxrecords.com/en/label/Jungle+Cakes/

B.Traits: Rollin’ with B.Traits for her “Welcome Home Tour”

Last year was another game-changer for B.Traits. Her monthly debut at In New DJs We Trust transformed into her own weekly at BBC Radio1, representing the Canadian Westcoast on an omnipresent scale and getting us more excited than ever for her show at Fortune Sound Club this Wednesday, April 17th. Don’t forget to RSVP and buy your tickets here.

Apart from showcasing her signature carnival bass, we’ll be interviewing and travelling around the locale with GroundedTV and B.Traits, discussing “back in the day,” and how Vancouver inspired her to “think big” in her career aspirations which led to her now blossoming music career. Stay tuned!

B.its ‘n’ pieces timeline

2004 [Nelson]  the EDM seed is planted and DJ’ing begins in rural Canada
2005 [Seattle] First cross border debut
2006 [Vancouver] First global tour with World of D’n'B and MC Kay
2008 [Miami] WMC/Winter Music Conference at Ultra
2008 [Mixmag]  Mixmag feature while still a Vancouver resident
2009 [L.A.]  @ Respect, a traditional venue featuring the best global d’n'b talent
2010 [Singapore]   @ Zirca, an Alice in Wonderland massive
2010 [London]   @ Fabric, making regular appearances with Digitalsoundboy
2011 [Malaysia]  @ Mist, bringing the tropical thunder
2011 [Serbia]  making dubstep a big thing in Belgrade
2011 [Korea]  @ Answer, one of the most “complete” clubs B. has performed at
2012 [Fever]  biggest release to date, a feelgood underground vibe hitting UK charts
2012 [Lovebox] a notable world-class festival focusing on diversity and idealism
2012 [Global Gathering] on rotation at a festival reaching out to over 1 million fans
2012 [Mixmag] Mixmag features her in an extended profile titled “Blonde Ambition”
2012 [Net-A-Porter] luxury fashion attracting 2.5 million women a month
2013 [BBCR1]  fills in for Annie Mac at BBC Radio1

Shlohmo x Jeremih: Bo Peep (Do U Right)

We stumbled upon this nice little tune while doing homework late last night. Already at 100,00 plays and not surprising as it features two of the doodiest doods in the scene at the moment. Always a treat to see unlikely allies Shlohmo -> A skinny white kid from LA with a splashed out, genius brain for making music and Jeremih -> an R&B singer with the voice of a male angel, swimming in more pussy than the internet for cat memes (which by the way this is our favorite right now). Only thing is we’re wondering how long it’s going to take Ghostface Killah to find out about this colab for Jeremih to end up on his “softest nigga’s in the game” list. Anyway we had to share the tune. The lovely couple also made a little youtube video that documents just how wet a twenty something woman gets when either of these guys walk into a room.

And check the video:

Phil David – Count In (House Mix)

Tracklist:
Tapesh – Don’t You Know
Le Babar – The Pump (original heaven mix)
Mowgli ft. Amber Jolene – Back In The Day (Knight & Dahe mix)
Homework – I’m Into This (Andre Crom & Martin Dawson remix)
Claptone – Maximum
Mercury – You Lift Me Up
Wehbba – The Ride
Thermo – Take Six
Darius Syrossian – My side project
Sidney Charles – House Lesson
Noir – Satisfied
Jack Dixon – You Told
Justin Timberlake – Suit & Tie (Julio Bashmore remix)

Our friend Phil David decided to do a little mix for us here at Slowdjs to, not only promote his upcoming show with Breakbot (Paris), but also remind us just how much we love … you guessed it … HOUSE!

For many of us at slow, house is what originally got us into the electronic scene here in Canada in the late 1990′s. Those were dark days for what people like to refer to now as “EDM.” Standing in line at grungy loading-bays of weird buildings in industrial districts 30kms away from the city, flyering outside clubs that played Top 40 to try to get people to come to your house night on a Monday (which is basically the only night that you’d get from a bar owner at the time because they thought your music was weird), and paying $40 for a can of Redbull, because it was illegal in your Province, off your buddy that was always skipping school. Ah the ol’ days! But seriously, look how far we’ve come! I won’t get into the details of how far we’ve actually come because the Martinez Brothers Pepsi feature will shine some light on that … but it’s pretty darn far. Now we can barely get on the g-list at a DJ Sneak show (which is just so awesome to see crowds flocking to an artist like Sneak).

In any case, we’re very excited about Phil’s mix and pleased to present “Count In” exclusively on slowdjs.com. A word from Phil:

“When it comes time to make a mix, I try to create something that moves along with a certain sensibility to a sound or feeling. Count In was made to expand from the sound of the previous mix, Reform, which focused on the deeper, low-end side of electronic music. Count In opens up to different sub-genres of house music that spend their time just above the water, but not far enough down the length to dive in headfirst. The name of the mix refers to the basic tenets of DJing, the recording process, and the instrument that makes it all go: the drum machine. I believe that it’s important to know the history behind what you’re doing. Learning the history of house and electronic music, I developed a strong curiosity of drum machines and step sequencers – how they work, sound, and how they defined generations of music.

A friend of mine told me, “In order to guide it, you have to know where it came from.” Count In is my salute to the classics and represents the direction that I want to take the music and where I want to be within it. Tap along and have fun with it.”

!! THANKS PHIL !!

Check Phil out here:
twit -> twitter.com/PhilandrewDavid
sound -> @phil-david
mix -> www.mixcloud.com/phil_david/

See Phil open for Breakbot here:
fb -> www.facebook.com/events/412090408876492/

Some love to Fortune Sound Club:

web -> www.fortunesoundclub.com/

HONEST

After Kastle on January 24th, 2013 @ Fortune Sound Club, a substantially lengthy Soundcloud tear ensued. Similar sounds being the object of desire. This pursuit met it’s end, at long last, upon the profile of HONEST. No additional information to the city and state of the artists residence was made available by the likes of Resident Advisor, and even the all knowing mind brain of Google. As sophisticated as the site may be, the terms honest and Post-Dubstep (don’t call it that) are in themselves extremely broad. ‘Geometry of You’ should be sufficiently similar enough to some of the more widely spread Kastle. Similarly vibe full enough to make you creme fraiche.

Also, slip some extra groove filled vibes into your day or eve with the Kastle live in Vancouver video, put together by Dub Selekta & RAD TV.

The Slow Spotlight: Blondtron

Blondtron, what or who inspires you to approach music with such fucking fun?

So many people and things inspire me, I’m inspired a lot by comedy, I know that sounds a bit weird for a musician but I think comedy is one of the most important things in the world to me. Putting yourself out there and laughing at and with yourself is such a powerful way to get to know who you are. It helps me to break down barriers and connect. I’m also inspired by sexual energy, not just by sex itself but I wholeheartedly believe that sexual energy is what makes the world turn. Blondtron is a character and vessel for my silly, sexual energy and having that character lets me do whatever the fuck I want and have fun with it. This should be fun, always.

I’ve seen you live and I’ve heard your DJ mixes, everything is all very unpredictable
but cohesive. Is it planned that way or does it just kind of come together?

I used to plan my sets but stopped doing that a long time ago. If I plan my set I get major anxiety and feel trapped. I am really all over the place but I think what I’ve realized is that if I like it, no matter what the genre, then it’s has a place in my sound. I have always been scattered in my interests. My teen years swallowed me into trying all the different scenes and spat me out a very confused but eclectic young woman. It’s taken me years to embrace that and make it my own. Now I’m just like “fuck it, yeah I like it, of course I’m gonna play White Town in the middle of this Bounce set, it works, fuck you.” I think I really hit my stride with my first ‘Bouncin’ Bush Stew feat. Prince Zimboo’. It got put up on Mad Decent and people were like, what the F is this, but they liked it so that really helped my confidence and now I think there is a quiet cohesion in the madness.

That being said do you plan your live DJ sets? Do you have an opinion on that at all?

I don’t, I have, but it really doesn’t work for me. Some people they have to or that makes them feel more confident. I really don’t think it matters either way, you have to do whatever is going to make you feel best on stage. If you plan your set, if you fly by the seat of your pants, hell if you even get up there and play a mixtape but you’re rocking out, then fuck it. The act of mixing two songs together is pretty simple and I wish everyone would shut up about it being an art. It’s not, you’re playing other people’s music, how you present it, the energy you give off your ability to connect with the crowd, that’s the art.

What does the future of DJing look like to you? Are you one of those people that feel
technology is taking DJ culture hostage or do you embrace it with loving arms?

I embrace it all with loving arms and don’t really have time for those dinosaurs that whine about it. People whining about a technology that matches the BPM for you is like a fax machine being like, “UMMM HELLO, you don’t have to email, I’M RIGHT HERE.” It’s stupid.

I grew up playing records and it was great and I know my ears for mixing aren’t what they used to be but I’m doing so much more now. I have ableton set up with the bridge in Serato, I have a little sampler, dicers, all sorts of fun shit. Now it feels like just mixing two songs with two turntables is like painting with only two colours. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just not for me anymore.

What bothers me are these DJs that aren’t adapting their live show with the times. I mean if you’re a classic old school cat, you do you, but there are so many possibilities, with visuals and gear and if you aren’t innovating then you’re going to be left behind in some dingy bar, whining about traktor and how kids these days have no respect.

You have a very special show coming up called Valentwerk @ Fortune Sound, what
is that all about?

It’s about fun! I love twerking and dancing and shaking my ass so much and Valentwerk is just about getting loose and letting that sexual energy run rampant in a safe and fun environment.

The idea of couples tickets and the overall promo of this event is quite unique, Lady as
well headlining a night of unorthodox Valentines celebration gets a nod as well.

Yeah the Fortune crew is pretty good at keeping things fresh, this is no exception.

I find female artists such as Lady, Azealia Banks, Kreyshawn and Rhianna who are
very unapologetic in their approach have been gaining a lot of momentum lately,
actually it seems even male performers are saying things I never heard before. Am I
late to this party or is it the last couple years we’ve seen it a bit more?

I think we’re definitely seeing it a lot more now thanks to the internet and trailblazers. I mean when a collective consciousness is ready to boil over, it does. It’s hard to say where it starts and of course there are your Peaches, and Lil’ Kims and Sissy Nobbys and Big Friedas and Scissor Sisters that have been doing it for forever. I think people get sick of everyone telling them what they are. “Oh you’re a sexy girl DJ, Oh you’re a girl rapper, oh you’re gay? You can’t be a gangster rapper.” All this shit gets exhausting. I think the internet is a powerful tool for encouraging these artists to practice their art and be themselves. Of course there will always be your trolls commenting ‘faggot’ and ‘slut’ on everything they can but that is so much less powerful than connecting with a fan that just totally understands you half way across the world.

I bring it up because I find you to come across the same way. DJ mixes that range
from garage to hardstyle and photos with pieces of food covering your privates, all
of that is so raw and in your face. Has this always been you? Is this what completes
the Blondtron package?

I think I’ve really connected with my ‘pussy power’ and it’s fucking liberating. People will say, ‘what if you want to run for mayor one day and you have all these pictures with cheeseburgers on your boobs and fried eggs on your butt.’ Well if this guy can do it, then so can I. I refuse to believe that silliness, openness, and oneness with self will ever be detrimental to my future. You see these young girls getting slut-shamed for showing their bodies but that’s all they ever see everywhere they look and we’re not helping them by saying, ‘Don’t do that, you should wear pant suits and be serious and then one day you could be the first female president.’ I get really frustrated by this misguided feminism ranting about all the negative female tropes in society. Instead of yelling why not rise above and make fun of it? Be better than it, be your own sexual deviant and then no one can ever call you a slut without making themselves look stupid.

Is there anyone else locally that you feel is bending the rules a bit?

Oh I am obsessed with TLC (Tropical Love Connection) at The Biltmore on Wednesdays. This is what it’s all about. It’s just people being out there and fun and silly and not taking anything too seriously. If you haven’t been, GO. You can also check out my promo mix I did for them last month.

Lastly, give us a bit of insight into what we are going to hear on your long awaited
slowcast?

This slowcast is totally different from anything I’ve ever made, it’s a two hour vibes journey that I made with the thought of inviting someone over in the evening. That being said I’ve totally done the dishes to it, but it’s meant to be shared with someone.

Thank you very much for taking the time to give us a bit of insight into Blondtron.

For bookings email:  miche@stirlingagency.com

A son of the Mohegan

Another attention finger is being cast at one relatively unheard of name in the game, Mohegan Son. This NYC based selectah enjoys serving things large in the realms of bass, juke and footwerk. It might be an idea to keep at least one of those pivoting sight seers on this son. Supposably he has some upcoming releases with the likes of Freshmore and #FEELINGS out in Texas.

Pop

Pop music has intrigued me lately. Not the Lady Gaga, Katy Perry type pop music, but sounds that you and I might consider pop, whereas someone unfamiliar to it might ask “what the heck is this?” Music that might have silly lyrics and a cheesy chorus, but might also provide the listener with something more than just an 8 bar loop of instrumentation. I mean it doesn’t always have to be silly and cheesy, it can also be heartfelt and intelligent. Music that might appeal to anyone, even if it seems to be made for someone or some group of people specifically. Music with different textures and sounds that we might not usually hear from your typical pop song. Really i’m just talking about music that doesn’t have to be labeled as this or that, but rather as me or us. Listen to music, feel it and if it gains momentum don’t be afraid to love it. Pop music can be great too! Here is a video that inspired me to think about this.