Music From the Year 2000

The year 2000 was the dawn of the future. I bought my first flying car. I would hop in my teleportation pod and go to the mall. I would watch these videos on MTV, which stands for Moon Television.











These songs are from the Billboard top singles of 2000 chart.

All these songs make me laugh and they make me proud to be living in Seattle in this time, surrounded by the creative people I am surrounded by. So future.

Yann Tiersen & Black Milk

Quite the pairing to work on, I must say.

Cedaa @ Baltic Room Feb. 2nd

So if you read this blog enough, you should already know about Mr. Cedaa. Hailing from Bellingham, Cedaa has takin' Chicago Footwork music & launched it into space on some 2089 shit. Having recently been signed to Dave Quam's Free Bass label out of Chicago & going from strength to strength in his production, Cedaa is one to watch in 2011. Head over to the Baltic Room February 2nd to catch his club debut & check down below for a free bit from the man himself.

Aaliyah – Are You That Somebody (Cedaa Remix)

Came across this short film, and was captivated from the first shot. It's been a long time since I've seen a short film of this caliber. The ending was too real for my comfort, but sometimes so is life. This is truly art imitating life, for the better or worse. The writing, sound design, and cinematography are near perfection. Hopefully I'm not the only one who thinks so...

THE DOOR - Short Film from Octagon Films on Vimeo.

I WANT YOUR BLOOD - P SMOOV REMIX

Hey I made a remix to Mad Rad's "I Want Your Blood" yesterday.

Here ya go.

I Want Your Blood Remix by psmoov

Ill Cosby @ Baltic Room Feb. 2nd

Ill Cosby is the Seattle based DJ/producer who operates the bass music label Car Crash Set. Following a decade of widely varied production work for a handful of labels, Cosby started Car Crash Set in 2008 and has since released over 40 releases that focus on the cutting edge bass sounds emerging around the world. With a bi-weekly show on sub.fm, Cosby’s DJ sets range from dubstep to UK funky, future garage to L.A. beats, and all points in between.

Come next Wednesday, February 2nd to the Baltic Room for Diff'rent Flex and catch him live with Samo Soundboy, LOL Boys, Cedaa & myself. In the mean time, download his tune 'Snakebite. Never been released and it aint coming out. Really into this one..

Ill Cosby - Snakebite (Mediafire)

Raise Money

Into The Woods needs just $500 more dollars raised by the end of the week. Can't we all just pitch in a lil bit? These guys have made video after video after video for bands without charging them anything. It'd be great to give back! Donate even the smallest amounts today and we will continue to be blessed by their hard work. CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Saddle Up

Brent Amaker and The Rodeo just released a new video for their song "Saddle Up" which talks about life on the road. The video was built by 89 separate animated gif files all made with pictures from their cellphones while touring. I think its fucking hilarious and gives me the same feeling you get when on tour. You're excited, weirded out, you drink your ass off, and every little bit of life is just a little bit miscued but in the most amazing way possible.

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo - “Saddle Up” (2010) from Jason Sievers on Vimeo.

Portlandia

This couldn't be more true.

Mad Rad Far From Home

Those beautiful humans over at Into The Woods did a Far From Home edition with us while in Portland. Here is the video they made of us perfroming Love In A Strange World.



We’re loading our gear into the Clinton St. Theater. Stragglers from last night’s screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show are still milling about, and the air reeks of dirty sex. We ask them to leave.

There’s 10 or 15 people here for our shoot, and it doesn’t look like anyone’s gotten more than four hours of sleep. As the hangovers wear off and the coffee kicks in, the guys in Mad Rad start getting antsy. Buffalo Madonna is on his feet, rocking back and forth, as if he wasn’t at Sassy’s only eight hours before. It’s early on a Sunday, and Mad Rad is here in Portland, 200 miles away from home. 200 miles away from the drama and misunderstandings that have followed them for the past three years. 200 miles away from their massive fan base.

While Seattle’s music community is clearly divided on the subject of Mad Rad (one side filled with vicious haters, the other, rabid devotees), word about the party-hop crew has been slow to make its way down the West Coast, and much of Portland still isn’t fully aware of the reasons why they should love (or hate) the group. But Mad Rad’s near-legendary backstory doesn’t seem to matter here. The previous night’s show at Mississippi Studios was almost sold-out, and as the group performed, they seemed perfectly capable of satisfying Portland’s craving for some edgy, grimy, rap music. Rap music that thrives on vocoder grooves, dance breaks, and crazy parties. Rap music that triumphs having fun over being cerebral or acting tough.

The theater is dark and filthy, filled with all the archaic film canisters and fucked-up backstage props you’d expect to find at a volunteer-run, communal auditorium in SE Portland. In other words, it’s a perfect setting for capturing one of Mad Rad’s raw, abrasive performances.

Buffalo Madonna is taking stock of the space. Eyeing the stage, noting the angles of the lighting. He’s a professionally-trained actor, a fact that’s reflected in the way he uses the environment to his advantage. His time at Seattle’s Cornish College was a challenging experience, but the pressures of theater eventually led him into music. “They broke your psyche down and watched you piece yourself together through your art,” he recalls. “My whole world became a performance. When people spoke, I watched scripts being written. I became so obsessed in my observations that, at times, reality took second to my art. It started to break me, so I began doing music as a release. The lightheartedness of that first record really pulled me out of a dark place.”

By now it’s only noon, but the energy is building. Buffalo and fellow MC Terry Radjaw are pacing back and forth as they practice their verses, articulating each syllable like they’re about to give an important speech. P Smoov’s microphoned keyboard spits out digitized vocals. DJ Darwin’s beats begin to filter through the monitors, accented by Trent Moorman’s hybrid electro/acoustic drum kit. We’re finally ready to shoot.

Buffalo is in his element during the opening verse as he strolls down the aisle, spitting emotive rhymes about drug binges and one-night stands and cheating on his lady. It’s a reflection on the lifestyle he knows all too well, and a cautionary tale on the consequences. “Basically, it’s about 4 or 5 different girls, and the horrible things I was doing to myself and the people I loved. I’ve hit some low lows, and this was during one of them.”

Radjaw replies to Buffalo’s regrets in the next verse with a more romantic proposal, describing the process of fighting for a woman that was traveling the world. “She’s been the love of my life for 4 years,” he says. “We were off again/on again at the time. She eventually came back, and after some tumultuous times, we are still together and stronger than ever.” While the subject matter isn’t quite as dark as Buffalo’s lines, Radjaw compensates with a powerful delivery, his forceful stage presence bringing the song to crescendo.

Coming from different perspectives, their verses somehow meet in the middle, meshing on the topic of the search for love. “Love in a Strange World is kinda our love song,” explains MC/producer P Smoov. “It’s fucked-up love. But what love story doesn’t have some fucked-up parts?”

Them Jeans x Balloons Remixes

Them Jeans - Balloons (remix ep teaser) from Top Billin on Vimeo.

Last summer at Say OK, we had the pleasure of having Mr. Jeans in town right about when the original 'Balloons' EP dropped on Helsinki label Top Billin. Great party & great tune. I have been playing it ever since, non stop, BIG tune. Now they have gone, remixed it again & came out with a smashing EP. Check the tunez & teaser video to see what im talking about. Oh L.A.

THEM JEANS - BALLOONS REMIXED by TOP BILLIN

Grab this cheeky 'secret' reworking. LARGE.

Balloons ( Secret Edit ) - Free DL now Available! by Them Jeans

Scissor Sisters "Invisible Light"

Just a new vid that I love and can only wish I was a part of. If you're not down with this video. Please don't talk to me about anything creative. I'm serious.

Scissor Sisters - Invisible Light from CANADA on Vimeo.

Matt & Kim - Cameras

For some reason, this video makes me want to fight Darwin.

Mad Rad Pics Mill Creek

Here is a shot Stephan Gray took at The Jet the other night. I must say, any band/artist/musician not playing The Jet in Mill Creek, just a 17 minute drive away, is fucking up. The owner, Steve, goes out of his way to take care of you and the people that come out love having fun. It's great to see a crowd fully embrace the idea of just seeing live music. To see the rest CLICK HERE.

Fresh Espresso x Mash Hall BHAM

Sasquatch! 2011 Launch Party

Seattle, WA – Live Nation and Adam Zacks are pleased to announce the 2011 Sasquatch! Music Festival Launch Party on Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 8:00 p.m., presented by Esurance and sponsored by Verizon, in partnership with Kokanee, Pop Chips and 107.7 The End.


Following the success of last year’s first-ever live line-up announcement, this year’s party moves to the Showbox at the Market and includes performances by The Thermals, Das Racist and Mad Rad. The evening will be hosted by comedian Todd Barry.


Free tickets are available beginning Thursday, February 3 at the following Verizon Wireless store locations: Downtown Seattle (6th & Olive), Northgate Mall and Bellevue Square Mall (limit 2 per person). Please note: a ticket does not guarantee entry into the party—entry will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tour Recap

A little tour recap up on Mad Rad's site. CLICK HERE

DARWIN x JAM JAM x BALTIC ROOM

So this Monday at Baltic Room, I get the honor of stepping behind the decks of Seattle's longest running Reggae night, Jam Jam. Held down by Seattle staples, Selecta Element & Dj Collage. Playing this night has been on my bucketlist for a hot one now. Its been a Seattle mainstay for as long as I can remember. So come join us this Monday, January 24th. Imma be playing all different styles; dancehall, uk biz, weird cumbia roots edits, ragga muffin jungle from '94. You get the point. Come and kick it, ill by ya a Red Stripe. GWAN

Here is a lil' somthin to get ya in the mood. One of my fav's of ALL time.

Tanto Metro and Devonte - Everyone Falls in Love

God & the whore

God & the whore

There are many ways
to break the seal
like only having
one drink at the bar
the first drunk piss
the first line of coke
the first girl you fuck
the first girl you fuck
that isnt your girl.

Once you do this
you will always go back.

There is no first time
& everytime you'll swear
its your last.

But it isnt and
you hate yourself
more and more,
only it hurts
less and less,
because more and more
you think less and less
of yourself.

You disown your body
It doesnt deserve to feel.

Walk home
numbly into her arms
Its hard to love her now
because
you cant believe yourself.

The whore cooked you eggs
after she couldnt make you
come.

You tried to picture Yours
so your soul would be in it.

She yells like she loves it
Whispers nasty shit in my ear
only her pussys drying up
& Im sick of fucking
nothing.

I cant fuck the whore
like a whore
should be fucked.

Guilt sets in
& this poor body of
flesh beneath me
would love to be loved.

So much in fact
that she stopped
loving herself.

She gave it all to me
Holes like me
Guys with gals at home.

Angels they truly love
& make love to.

The whore gets
fucked & fucked
& fucked & fucked.

She knows they wont come
back.
Unless they are
drunk,
drugged, &
desperate.

She doesnt get kissed
when they leave
& shes left naked with
her cats & tattoos.

Never watch "Kids"
the morning after.
Your dick itches for hours
& you avoid getting tested.

Instead
I prayed
I prayed to God
regardless of disowning him
I prayed anyway
because thats what people do
when their terrified.

They pray
& God just like the Whore is
used & thrown aside.
God just like the Whore
cooks you breakfast & waits.

God just like the Whore is
a scarificationist.

God just like the Whore
wants you to come
wants you to come home.

But God just like the Whore
is shamed.
Your too embarrassed to be
with Him or her
So you fuck & leave
& pray
She doesnt find out.

You pray that she was clean

You pray
God & the whore
dont kill you
for fucking them.

You pray.




This is the piece that caused such a reaction at the City Arts, "Hip Hop Church" event.
I wrote this piece quite a while ago. But I thought it was fitting for the Church theme.
I was terrified to read this piece and even post it. However, its time that the work
I craft in my tiny room on my typewriter be shared. If it offends you, be offended.
If it excites you, be excited. Your reaction is greatly appreciated.

Buffalo.

Mr. Hill - Smirk

The famous Mr. Hill has just dropped a new beat tape, but this one isn't has hip hoppy as people think. He has taken the time to chop up old 60's records and put more of a DJ mixtape of beats together. Shit flows great and I'm enjoying, great bounce to everything. DOWNLOAD HERE

LOL Boys @ Baltic Room Feb. 2nd

If you dont know already, February 2nd at the Baltic Room will be showcasing the cream of the crop of west coast, future bass pioneers. Over the next two weeks ill drop a lil' info on each artist playing and give ya free tune from them for ya'll to vibe out with.

First up to bat, LOL Boys from Los Angles / Montreal

LOL Boys might be the humans Markus G. from Montreal and Jerome P. from Los Angeles, or they might intricately constructed androids conceived on the internet. Along with a growing number of new school producers that are encroaching on uncharted sounds in today's dance music scene: a fair bit of latin beats, a lot of house, and an inability to name exactly what it all might be. These two producers hold down nights in their respective homes, bringing innovative artists through Footworkin' in Montreal and Mega in L.A. Though they are across the continent, LOL Boys have done a variety of remixes over the past year for acts such as Hot City, Crystal Fighters, Para One, Bambounou, and Samo Sound Boy. Their debut, "123," on Palms Out Sounds has been supported by a number of today's "tastemaker" DJs, and it's no surprise that buzz is building about their forthcoming releases on Palms Out Sounds, Discobelle Recods, and Cool Records/Mad Decent.

Mediafire Link
Tambor urbano y un solo pueblo - le ole ole le ole ola (LOL Boys edit)

Who is DJ Blowgun?

Just found this youtube video from a DJ calling himself Blowgun. It's a dope mashup of Fresh Espresso's "The Lazerbeams" and Calibre's "Steptoe". Whoever he is, I'm lovin the vibes on this remix.



To download the remix for free go here

Champagne Champagne - Tropical Trina video

While we were in Vegas we took time out for Champagne Champagne to shoot a video for their song "Tropical Trina". After hours of extensive shooting and days of after affects, they have finally finished this masterpiece.

Truck Stop

A truck stop along our tour this past week, we all needed sleep but really enjoyed that much needed Arizona sunshine! I couldn't ask for better people to tour with.

Make It Better

A video concept declining in typography and color theme phrase "I'm Gonna Make It Better". Animation work of highly successful letters Sebastián Baptista motion for the part, and Climent Canal to the idea and design. The soundtrack is signed Aimar Molero.

Make it better from Sebastianbap on Vimeo.

via Fubiz

Helluvastate - Make Moves

Tay Sean (Swan Coltrane) and TH (Thadwick Tristen Trevor III) join forces to become Helluvastate. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD



"Fitting of the winter months, the tune instills the spirit of a young artist's mentality as they stay on their grind never letting their ideas stagnate. Creating the perfect soundtrack to whatever your hustle is in these quite grey months."

Phee Dill Beat Tape

Phee Dill has just dropped a new beat tape called The Man Behind The Machine. Now he might not have produced our version of The Machine but I have worked with him in the past on some solo joints and the original version of Superdope. I'm blessed to hear some new shit form this guy out of The Physics camp. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Cloud Nice Goes to Hollywood

A nice little video delving into the minds and personalities of the Cloud Nice clique. Looks like they had a blast, and I can only imagine what they cut from this video.

"In September 2010, we made a journey down to LA for Helladope’s appearance on the Sneakerpimps tour, opening for Travis Barker and The Cool Kids. Most of the clique came, and we went super ham for the couple of days we were there. Mikey Nice brought his Flipcam along to document the trip, so we have the opportunity to share with you some of the highlights of our trip."

Cloud Nice goes to Hollywood from NICE DREAMS on Vimeo.

Nice Dreams

Macklemore - "Irish Celebration" video

Directed by the ever talented Stephan Gray this piece speaks to the people. Thanks, Mack & RL.

Silver Lake lounge - LA

Mad Rad and Champagne Champagne live from Los Angeles. Check out part of their show and an interview from the Silver Lake Lounge! Out For Stardom all day everyday.

OC Notes x Rik Rude = Dope Fiend Jazz

Visualize......

Its another rainy day in the square. Rude and Notes walk the back alleys to the murder mart to pick up a sweet and some of the finest pois-ons the city has to offer before returning to the laboratory. The sweet gets rolled, the cork pops, the machines get turned on. An agreement has been made. Today our scientists have decided to try a new experiment in spoken word and electronic African rhythms. One take, free form, freestyle, jazz. This is pioneer square....Dope Fiend Jazz.

The L gets blazed. Rude steps in the booth, OC gets on the pads. The record button gets pushed. No pens, no paper, no pre made beats. This is Live improvisation. New experiments in space and time. Dope Fiend Jazz.

-OC Notes x Rik Rude

This is a brilliant whimsical listen from these geniuses. Highly recommended.

Listen and Download

Kaputt

Right now, Destroyer's "Kaputt" is on my top 10 of 2011. It seems to have captured everything that is the essence of what I need to hear right now. A Post-disco sound and use of the "dark silhouette" style saxophone and lyrics that have and are relayed with tons of texture very much makes it a theatrical listen. Well besides making a pretty great record, Destroyer decided to top it off with a video cherry. I don't know what the song is about and the first time I watched this video, I didn't understand what it was about either, but it was obvious I had to watch it again. So I watched another video that was kinda amazing and then went back to the first video. It didn't make too much more sense, but it did and its perfect. So since I came to this crazy conclusion, I thought it might make sense to make my listening and watching scenario available to you.

[Please note - this is a long crazy process, but would you expect anything less?]

-listen to the track
-watch this
-then this [Kanye West tweeted this video today. "Super simple and creative! Kate Moss for Balmain". He's right.]

-watch again

What do you think?

"Kaputt" is out on Merge Records on 1/25.

Paramount Video

This video barely touches on how amazingly epic this night was. Thanks again to City Arts.

Hip Hop at the Paramount from brad curran on Vimeo.

Year of the Tiger

My lady, the ever so talented Mary Kalhor, put her 2010 mix of music. These are songs she had on rotation all year long and made this mix for her closest friends for Christmas.

She really opens me up to so much music, more than I could ever imagine sometimes. And since I didn't have time to put together top 10 lists or anything like that, why not enjoy someone so close to me? I Love You, Ono!!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Samo Sound Boy Poster

I'm sure Darwin will be breaking this show down for you in the next couple of days.

Kool Keith Poster

Probably one of my favorite posters as of late for Black Elvis himself.

Mad Rad @ The Jet Poster

We are playing with our homies SOTA & Katie Kate. This one should be crizzackalacking.

Last Meal

Been awhile between blogging, I blame Marcus. Regardless I'm hungry, and these don't help. A series of photograph by designer James Reynolds based in London who has staged the last meal requests of former death row inmates before execution. Makes me think what would your last meal be?









via Fubiz

Fresh Espresso - Live New Years Eve Video

(photo by Lavid)

So us Michigan kids had a lil party at The Crocodile on New Years Eve. It was a total blast and sold out the day before. We knew it was gonna be an awesome packed house filled with drunken F.E. fans ready to start off 2011 with dancing and debauchery. We rented tux's and played some new songs.

This video is of a new song called "Green Windows" and looks to be shot by a fan from the crowd, but the image is relatively good and the audio sounds pretty nice, so check it out.