My favorites on the long-awaited new Specs Wizard "Golden Eagle EP" are "Shy" and "Golden Eagle." I'd really love to see Specs go for the gold and complete a music video or two for this project and to overall step into prolific artist mode. Shout out to Adam and Tyler Swan at Sauco who get the Engineering and Mixing credits on the EP as well as Adam Straney on the Mastering. Album photo by Astro King Phoenix from our field trip Deception Pass with Wolf Delux last year.
I cannot wait to see what Specs does next. If he can harness his momentum and put in the work, he'll be able to make the mark on the music and art communities we've known he was meant to for decades.
Specs recently headlined the 2016 Kickoff of Home Slice on the Showroom stage of The Crocodile with Silas Blak, Meteor Killers, Sir Withers, and DJ Able Fader. Thanks to Adam, my General Manager at The Croc, I was able to pay Specs to paint this mural on the 2nd Avenue wall as promotion for the show. The mural is gone now but will live on digitally. As with every month's Home Slice, I curated the event so that all of my favorite people would be there. Felt 100% at the end of the night because I got props from Vitamin D. Success!
1. Onry Ozzborn - "duofilm" 2016 (SEATTLE MUSIC) Congratulations to Onry on the successful Visual Album Debut at Nectar 2/13/16 for this project! It's wonderful to see people putting in huge efforts to do something unique. The following are his words on the video and the March 25 Fake Four release of "duo":
"DUO is an album I created of calculated duets with some good friends of mine (hence the album title), + duofilm is visual version of the album edited down to a 15min viewing. Almost every guest off the album participated in duofilm such as Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson, P.O.S, Nathan Quiroga of Iska Dhaaf, Terra Lopez of Sister Crayon, Rob Sonic, etc, bringing forth a very diverse sitting filled with variety + depth."
2. M.I.A. - "Born Free" 2010M.I.A. is a Queen On This Earth because she dares to be her true authentic self and share it with all of us in such an unfiltered manner. She's definitely found a way to channel her inner Bowie. Props.
Do yourself a favor and go to the only place you can leave with everything you want, money being no object...the library. Her self-titled book is there waiting for you to check out for free.
A multifaceted artist from Guinea-Bissau, based in Lisbon: rapper, poet, edutainer & beatmaker, creating music based on improvisation in which he blends his psychedelic, black music, afro ancestral influences and love for the non-quantized beats in the same way as with experimental jazz, mixed contemporary and urban styles. Last year Diaphra wons the 3rd place at the 1st International Poetry Slam in Rio de Janeiro (Flupp).
4. Thundercat - "Them Changes" 2015Thundercat and the Brainfeeder crew managed to fit a whole story in their three and a half minute video for "Them Changes."
Thundercat is part of Flying Lotus' WOKE Supergroup with Shabazz Palaces; which may end up being one of the most exciting musical endeavors we've seen in awhile. Even Thundercat is stoked on it.
5. Florence + The Machine - "Queen Of Peace / Long And Last" 2015 She has quite the flair for drama doesn't she? I'm down with Florence, her creative vision and efforts are inspiring. I'm not in love with this song in the least but still think the project is coo. "Cosmic Love" still goes.
7.Grape God - "Open: A Flexistential Crisis" 2015 (PORTLAND MUSIC) During his October 19, 2015 performance at Home Slice in The Crocodile Back Bar (my monthly local Hip Hop showcase) he painted, percolated coffee, burned his own scent of candles, and was all around totally awesome. Ripley Snell and Skelli Skel were part of the time travel magic as well.
Grape God is one of the most unique and talented time travelers I've ever met. He recently released a one track jazz album and painting that he made on Valentine's Day. All hail Grape God. #444
8. ZHU X AlunaGeorge - "Automatic" 2015 I was blessed to see London artists, AlunaGeorge, at The Crocodile on October 18, 2015; it was whoa. My master plan includes immersing myself fully in UK music scene for a bit when the time is right. I'm still working on the music bridge that will get me there.
9. Flying Lotus - "FUCKKKYOU" 2016 Flying Lotus rightfully got mad props for this one...
*Official Selection Sundance 2016 *World Premiere Sundance Next Fest 2015 *Official Selection AFI Fest 2015 *Official Selection Fantastic Fest 2015 *Winner Zubroffka International Short Film Fest 2015 *Official Selection Zinema Zombie Fest 2015 *Official Selection Shivers Genre Film Festival 2015 *Official Selection Bogotá Short Film Festival 2015 *Official Selection HollyShorts 2016 *Official Selection Twister Alley Film Festival 2015 *Official Selection Madeira Micro Film Festival 2015
With the ability to travel in time, a lonely girl finds love and comfort by connecting with her past self. Eventually faced with rejection she struggles with her identity and gender, and as time folds onto itself only one of them can remain.
Director | Producer | Editor - Eddie Alcazar Composer | Sound Design - Flying Lotus Producer - Javier Lovato Cinematography - Danny Hiele Cast - Jesse Sullivan | Charles Baker
10. Mike Larry Draw - "Similar Contrast" 2015 This video stars the multi-talented Araless of Black Magic Noize, Vaughn illa, and Z3LLI from my hometown of Seattle. The video is so good that I didn't realize I wasn't into the music itself until I watched it again. Side note, Vaughn illa is not this evil in real life, not even a little bit.
1. Flying Lotus - "Ready Err Not" 2014 This one took me back to the video for Tool's "Sober" which appeared on Ten Music Videos Featuring Clay Or Puppets. Flying Lotus has obviously tapped into his superpower.
2. Kendrick Lamar - "Alright" 2015 This Kendrick and Obama photo is one of the best things I've ever seen.
3. Hawk House - "Chill Pill (Experiment 2)" 2014 I can't wait to feel the vibe of the UK Hip Hop Scene firsthand. I'm still trying to build this music bridge.
4. The Roots feat. Patty Crash "Never" 2014 This intro is kinda rough but mad props to The Roots for being consistently rad for 2+ decades.
5. Mndsgn - "Sheets" 2014 Another Stones Throw gem.
6. Erasure - "Chains Of Love" 1988 This song still goes.
7. Shabazz Palaces - "#CAKE" 2014 Cake is bomb.
8. Tyler, The Creator - "Fucking Young" 2015 It's amazing what he's accomplished by the age of 24.
9. JMSN - "Addicted" 2015 Excellent green screen action.
1. Anderson .Paak A N I M A L via Mass Appeal "Today, Mass Appeal premieres Anderson .Paak’s new web series, A N I M A L. Curated by Ian Schwartzman and Adrian Miller, and shot by Micah Stell, the show is a quick-paced, jump cut-filled account of newfound fame, which mirrors the wonderfully turbulent life that Paak is adjusting to. “It’s been a crazy ride and I’m not really concerned with stopping any time soon,” says Paak. “This is what we’ve been working toward for a long a time. We’re ready, and I’m glad I can share this moment with new fans and people that want to get to know me.” The cast of characters ranges from Paak’s L.A. underground homies like Dumbfoundead and LO_DEF, global superstars like Dre and Kendrick, to his wife and son." - The YouTube credits
2. KINDA NEAT
"This is a podcast about music…kinda. Hosted by Lee Shaner (better known as Intuition), a rapper, writer, photographer, curator, and producer haling from North Pole, Alaska and currently residing in Los Angeles. Produced by Ben Shim, also known as DTBS, an audio engineer, producer, beat maker, and fellow Knocksteady ex-patriot. The two previously hosted and produced over 70 podcasts on the now defunct “Knocksteady Live” show. Kinda Neat is a means of getting to know more about their friends and fellow dream chasers, while introducing them to, or better informing, folks that share similar tastes in music." - Kinda Neat ILLFIGHTYOU - "Potty" - Episode 30 9/11/13
3. King Krule - "What's In My Bag?" 2014 Amoeba Records 1/13/14
"Our award-winning series and tastemakers sharing what they found shopping at Amoeba."
- Amoeba Records
4. Crate Diggers via Fuse TV
"Invited into the private homes and studios of some of the most influential personalities in music, this award-winning digital series profiles musicians through the thing they hold most dear—their record collections. In Crate Diggers, renowned artists, DJs and producers allow Fuse’s cameras to document personal vinyl collections that have frequently never before been seen by the public. Each episode becomes more than an exploration of a crate of albums, it becomes an exploration of the music that shaped the artists’ work and lives. In 2013, Crate Diggers was named an Honoree for Best Online Music Documentary by the WEBBY Awards." - FUSE J Rocc's Vinyl Collection - 2012
5. Thursday Plantation - Larry Mizell Jr. + Propadata Films circa 2006
Playlist of all Ten Episodes from his pre-KEXP days. The Prince Paul interview is my favorite part.
6. 7 Slaps In The Sack w/ Carrick Wenke for MissCaseyCarter.com 2014-Present
I wish he'd work with more local artists but it's still a great series.
7. Coolout TV Interview with Treach and DJ Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature 2008
Georgio Brown and Coolout TV feature Gloria Medina w/ Naughty By Nature at the 92.5 House Party 2008 with Coolio in Seattle.
"I'm feeling the fire right now" (2:14) -says the woman standing next to Treach
"Presenting the best bands performing in one of the worlds most iconic vehicles!" -Chris@blackcabsessions.com
9. Rhythm Roulette by Mass Appeal "Mass Appeal challenges producers to make a beat by sampling three random records, chosen from a local record store while blindfolded. The results offer us a unique perspective into the musical minds of these world-class beatmakers and the hidden souls of the records that destiny hath given." -The YouTube Description
1. Neka + Kahlo - "Mayweather" 2015 Two of Portland's most interesting people (up there with Grape God of course). I booked them at The Crocodile Back Bar on Sunday, July 26 for a show with Astro King Phoenix, Wes Guy, and Fountaine. It was amazing.
2. Dam Funk - "We Continue" 2015 STONES THROWI would love to go on a spacecruise with these dudes. Dam Funk coming through with another great message.
3. Oddisee - "Belong To The World" 2015 My team at ReignCity is bringing Oddisee and The Good Compny Band to The Crocodile on November 7. He is a cool ass dude.
4. Akua Naru - "The World Is Listening" (prod. by JR + Ph7) 2010 This reminds me of the Canary Sing video for "Freak Show" in the best way. These are some down ass chicks.
5. J'Von + Ackryte - "Tasia" 2013 J'Von is one of my favorite producers and also one of my favorite artists to work with. For a good time, follow his Soundcloud.
He's also an amazing visual artist. I fully hijacked this photo from his Facebook page.
6. Nu Era - "Cops" 2014 Andrew Savoie of Nu Era and myself host a monthly Local Hip Hop Showcase at The Crocodile Back Bar called Home Slice. Come through, the pizza is bomb and the people are even better.
7. Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams - "Get Lucky" 2013 These are some relevant mother-f***ers. This song made the world happy, what could be better than that?
8. Jaden Smith - "Scarface" 2015 Not that he needs it, but, I wholeheartedly cosign Jaden Smith. He's an intelligent 17 year old actor, musician, and fashion designer #props. I hope to see him at The Crocodile someday soon.
9. SBTRKT feat. Ezra Koenig - "New Dorp, New York" 2014 Haven't seen SBTRKT live yet, that day will be awesome. His self titled album released on Young Turks is a classic.
10. The Good Sin feat. Alisha Roney - "Eye 2 Eye" 2012 (Produced by Justo) (SEATTLE MUSIC) Breaking stuff in reverse and road trips are totally awesome, they obviously know what's up.
*BONUS* It felt weird to leave out the legendary DJ Shadow, so I'll just leave this here.
