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Big K.R.I.T. – Moon & Stars (Clams Casino Remix)

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Clams takes it all the way back on this mix for K.R.I.T.’s Moon & Stars. 80’s babies, let us see them hands.

Big K.R.I.T. – Moon & Stars (Clams Casino Remix)

Big K.R.I.T.: mississippi (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating: 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
12-20-11

Mac Miller – My Team (Prod. Clams Casino)

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Around b3sci HQ Mac Miller goes by the name “Cotton Candy”. “Did you hear that new Cotton Candy/Primo collab?” “Did you see Donald Trump is down for Cotton Candy?” Shit like that. As coined by b3sci fam Wyatt, Mac’s style of rhyme is “cotton candy rap”. It’s “Soft as fuck. Tastes good. Don’t gotta think about it.” Also, Mr. Cotton Candy can pick pretty dope beats. Here he goes in on a choice Clams production, excerpted here from Blue Slide Park.

Mac Miller – My Team (Prod. Clams Casino)

Mac Miller pennsylvania: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
11-06-11

ASAP Rocky – Leaf (Feat. Main Attrakionz) (Prod. Clams Casino)

mainattrakionzasaprocky

ASAP, MA, Clams. Witness. ASAP squad, ASAP team.

ASAP Rocky – Leaf (Feat. Main Attrakionz) (Prod. Clams Casino)

ASAP Rocky newyork (Official) (Facebook)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
10-31-11

Mac Miller – Cold Feet (Prod. Clams Casino)

macmiller

Mac drops this Clams-produced joint to commemorate his reaching 800,000 followers on twitter. Steamy beats.

Mac Miller – Cold Feet (Prod. Clams Casino)

Mac Miller pennsylvania: (Official) (Myspace) (Twitter)

Rating 7.5

brown71

reviewed by
08-26-11

Main Attrakionz & ASAP Rocky – Take 1 (Prod. Clams Casino)

rocky

Two of the hottest MCs in the game right now link up with one of the hottest producers in the universe. Space age heat.

Main Attrakionz & ASAP Rocky – Take 1 (Prod. Clams Casino)

Main Attrakionz california (Official)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
08-18-11

Interview with Mikky Ekko

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Interview by Cher Dunn

Mikky Ekko has been busy the past couple of years, and this year is no different. After writing 250 songs and narrowing it down to a cool 14, Mikky Ekko released his debut record Time. Each song on the record is raw, real, unapologetic and true only to the unique sound of Mikky Ekko. The talented singer, songwriter and producer has been touring the album, and we caught up with him over the phone to discuss his writing process, his first headlining tour, love for his fans, and his first taste of what it feels like to be Justin Bieber on stage.

How has the tour been so far?

“It’s been absolutely amazing. We approach it like a band, so everything from the album has been reworked to really make sure it feels like a live show. Like you’re going to see a band and you are going to see something which is as dynamic as the album, but has that kind of intimacy and rawness that you want to get at a live show.”

Do any songs take you by surprise when you perform it live?

“It creates an entirely new bond with the audience, with my fans. I think that for me is special about playing these songs. It doesn’t feel like you’re playing the same show every night. It’s just four guys on stage going for it.”

What’s your writing process like?

“I write a lot. I push myself to write even when I don’t really feel like writing. Sometimes it’s faster than others. Sometimes it takes a process of not getting the production right or bringing in other people. So I just really try to capture that lightning strike.”

How did you choose who to collaborate with on the new album?

“My goal when I set out was to write the absolute best songs I could write. To keep the album and the verses the music I listen to. So it’s everything from R&B style to punk rock and then to keep it vulnerable. That for me meant finding the best producers and writers I could for all the styles and that was a big part of me accomplishing what I wanted to do because I do like to do so many styles. So I worked with everybody from Dave Sitek who’s done Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, to Benny Blanco at Stargate, to underground hip hop guys like Clams Casino.”

Where did you write and record the new album?

He laughs, “Everywhere. I wrote about 250 songs for the debut. It was a process and elimination for me and keeping what was most important. But the songs that were on the album were written in everywhere from Stockholm to LA, a few were written on tour buses, just while we were literally on the road. Then, Nashville and New York.”

Did all the places you wrote have any influence on the songs?

“Wherever I am I’ll wind up being influenced by that culture a little bit or that sound. I did a lot of the early writing in London and it was my first time spending time in London and I was there alone a lot. So a lot of the songs kind of reflect a melancholy and a desire to connect.”

Do you have a favorite song from the album, either to play live or just based on where you were in your life when you wrote it?

“Honestly, I am so happy with all the songs it’s hard for me to pick one. But if I had to pin one down, it would probably be “Time.” Just because it’s the simplest song on the album. For me, it was- I was in a place where I really wanted to write a song that felt classic and I think that song really embodies the push and pull of the album.”

What are you looking forward to most with this tour?

“It’s all about connecting with the fans for me. I love my fans and I love creating a moment with them that we can all remember forever, you know? For all the people coming out to these shows, it’s only going to get better.”

Is there a particular place you are excited to play?

“We are in Minneapolis right now and Mini is always pretty crazy!” He laughs, “It was crazy we played a Salt Lake City…it’s crazy I don’t even know what day it is. We played Salt Lake City three or four nights ago and I had no idea what to expect because the only other time I’ve played there was with Broods and when we hit the stage,” he laughs before continuing,”it was almost like being at a Justin Bieber concert I mean it was like everything we did people were just screaming, going crazy. It was so unique and city to city it’s just exciting for me. This is my first headlining tour. So I’m getting to see how all these cities are reacting to the music in their own way and that’s really special.”

Do you have any free time to explore the cities you are playing on tour?

“Sometimes. You know, I’ll throw a tweet out just asking for a park because we like to kick a soccer ball around while we’re in town. Then sometimes I’ll go for a run and just put on music while I’m running and that’s how I’ll explore cities. Or I’ll just Yelp stuff,” he laughs.

What can fans look forward to from you for the rest of the year? Mainly touring? Will you be releasing any new music?

“I’ll be touring up until November, but I don’t know…I don’t like to talk too much about what I’m doing,” he says apologetically before continuing, “Right now there’s definitely new music in the works, just because I’m always working on music. We’re out here touring an album I’m super proud of and I’m already working on what’s next.”

What are some musicians or bands you love that you think everyone should listen to?

“I really drew from the heartache of Elliot Smith, so pretty much any Elliot Smith record, but my favorite is From a Basement on the Hill. Then Jeff Buckley’s Grace and maybe Bjork’s Vespertine.”

THU / OCT 22
ALLSTON, MA / BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL
FRI / OCT 23
PHILADELPHIA, PA / UNDERGROUND ARTS
SAT / OCT 24
WASHINGTON, DC / U STREET MUSIC HALL
MON / OCT 26
CHAPEL HILL, NC / CAT’S CRADLE – BACK ROOM
TUE / OCT 27
ATLANTA, GA / CENTER STAGE
THU / OCT 29
NASHVILLE, TN / MERCY LOUNGE

reviewed by
10-22-15

Active Child – Subtle (Feat. Mikky Ekko)

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Active Child, one of indie music’s biggest success stories of 2011 built in great part because of the strength of his “Playing House” single and You Are All That I See LP, unveils a new sound with the Mikky Ekko-featuring “Subtle”. The beats are beefed up and more muscular, the vocals fuller, the prevailing sound of the track starker and definitely influenced by current trends in mainstream & major indie hip hop and pop (Clams Casino, A$AP Rocky, etc). “Subtle” is taken from Active Child’s upcoming “Rapor” EP for Vagrant that’s coming out October 22.

Active Child california (Facebook)

Rating 8.1

brown8

reviewed by
09-10-13

Monarchs – Loose in the Knees

monarchs

Monarchs a/k/a Celeste Griffin drops a free hip hop & r&b mixtape called Ft. Celeste featuring the Austin singer-songwriter vibing over beats by Dilla, Jake One, Clams Casino and this sweet feel good Javelin beat on “Loose in the Knees”. Catch a little 2010 below.

Monarchs – Loose in the Knees

Monarchs texas (Facebook)

Rating 8.0

brown8

reviewed by
01-10-12

B3SCI TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2011

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Although we’ve come to the end of the road, still Adele we can’t let you go. We’ve reached 2011’s closing hour and now it is time: b3sci presents it’s Top 50 Albums of 2011. No one’s even come close to having the year Adele’s had. The most albums sold in a single year since 2004, two of the biggest singles of the year, etc, a truly international breakthrough both commercially and critically on a level we haven’t seen in a long time. Adele, our girl, the crown is yours. 21 is b3sci’s Album of the year.

So where the fuck is Adele on many of these respected-indie-press-dude best of lists? That period between Nov 2010 when “Rolling in the Deep” first broke and the lead up to the album’s release in late January, Adele ruled the blogosphere, the fold was united. Then “RITD” got overplayed to the point of absurdity, your mom bought the record, probably your grandma bought it too; those bros that listen to Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 started bumping “Someone Like You” out their trunk. Soon, the “wrong people” liked 21 and Adele’s brief moment atop the indiesphere was over. Right.

Thanks for reading this year, y’all. We’ve got some big plans for 2012. Stay tuned. Much love.

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01. Adele – 21 (Buy It) (Read)

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02. The Weeknd – House of Balloons (Buy It) (Read)

drake-take-care
03. Drake – Take Care (Buy It) (Read)

james-blake-james-blake
04. James Blake – James Blake (Buy It) (Read)

kendrick-lamar-section-80
05. Kendrick Lamar – Section.80 (Buy It) (Read)

gil-scott-heron-and-jamie-xx-were-new-here
06. Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx – We’re New Here (Buy It) (Read)

wu-lyf-go-tell-fire-to-the-mountain
07. WU LYF – Go Tell Fire on the Mountain (Buy It) (Read)

jay-z-kanye-west-watch-the-throne
08. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne (Buy It) (Read)

the-horrors-skying
09. The Horrors – Skying (Buy It) (Read)

m83-hurry-up-were-dreaming
10. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Buy It) (Read)

wye-oak-civilian
11. Wye Oak – Civilian (Buy It) (Read)

girls-father-son-holy-ghost
12. Girls – Father Son, Holy Ghost (Buy It) (Read)

real-estate-days
13. Real Estate – Days (Buy It) (Read)

aap-rocky-live-love-aap
14. A$AP Rocky – Live Love A$AP (Buy It) (Read)

sepalcure-sepalcure
15. Sepalcure – Sepalcure (Buy It) (Read)

pj-harvey-let-england-shake
16. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake (Buy It) (Read)

the-war-on-drugs-slave-ambient
17. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient (Buy It) (Read)

charles-bradley-no-time-for-dreaming
18. Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming (Buy It) (Read)

metronomy-the-english-riviera
19. Metronomy – The English Riviera (Buy It) (Read)

sbtrkt-sbtrkt
20. SBTRKT – SBTRKT (Buy It) (Read)

oneohtrix-point-never-replica
21. Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (Buy It) (Read)

the-vaccines-what-did-you-expect-from-the-vaccines
22. The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From the Vaccines (Buy It) (Read)

destroyer-kaputt
23. Destroyer – Kaputt (Buy It) (Read)

the-antlers-burst-apart
24. The Antlers – Burst Apart (Buy It) (Read)

tune-yards-whokill
25. tUnE-yArDs – w h o k i l l (Buy It) (Read)

beyonce-4
26. Beyonce – 4 (Buy It) (Read)

wild-flag-wild-flag
27. Wild Flag – Wild Flag (Buy It) (Read)

noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds
28. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Buy It) (Read)

big-krit-return-of-4eva
29. Big K.R.I.T. – Return of 4eva (Buy It) (Read)

clams-casino-instrumentals
30. Clams Casino – Instrumentals (Buy It) (Read)

gillian-welch-the-harrow-and-the-harvest
31. Gillian Welch – The Harrow and the Harvest (Buy It) (Read)

low-roar-low-roar
32. Low Roar – Low Roar (Buy It) (Read)

araabmuzik-electronic-dream
33. AraabMUZIK – Electronic Dream (Buy It) (Read)

active-child-you-are-all-that-i-see
34. Active Child – You Are All I See (Buy It) (Read)

fleet-foxes-helplessness-blues
35. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues (Buy It) (Read)

raphael-saadiq-stone-rollin
36. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ (Buy It) (Read)

cults-cults
37. Cults – Cults (Buy It) (Read)

radiohead-the-king-of-limbs
38. Radiohead – The King of Limbs (Buy It) (Read)

florence-the-machine-ceremonials
39. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials (Buy It) (Read)

alex-clare-the-lateness-of-the-hour
40. Alex Clare – The Lateness of the Hour (Buy It) (Read)

nicolas-jaar-space-is-only-noise
41. Nicolas Jaar – Space Is Only Noise (Buy It) (Read)

jhene-aiko-sailing-souls
42. Jhene Aiko – Sailing Soul(s) (Buy It) (Read)

the-stepkids-the-stepkids
43. The Stepkids – The Stepkids (Buy It) (Read)

freddie-gibbs-cold-day-in-hell
44. Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day in Hell (Buy It) (Read)

gardens-villa-gardens-villa
45. Gardens & Villa – Gardens & Villa (Buy It) (Read)

laura-marling-a-creature-i-dont-know
46. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know (Buy It) (Read)

kurt-vile-smoke-ring-for-my-halo
47. Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo (Buy It) (Read)

foster-the-people-torches1
48. Foster the People – Torches (Buy It) (Read)

explosions-in-the-sky-take-care-take-care-take-care
49. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (Buy It) (Read)

friendly-fires-pala
50. Friendly Fires – Pala (Buy It) (Read)

reviewed by
12-27-11

James Blake x Drake – Half Heat Full x Up All Night

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Last night, James Blake became the latest artist to air a set inside BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix. The mix played out much like a palette, an insight into some corners of JB’s sort musical universe. There were darker, sparer songs, more soulful even uplifting songs and there were new James Blake songs too. One song in the set that especially stuck us was this mix of Blake’s “Half Heat Full” and YM’s “Up All Night”. The mix sort of fits in a sound lane with Clams Casino or other similar Future Garage Hop productions. Get into it.

James Blake x Drake – Half Heat Full x Up All Night

James Blake england: (Official) (Label) (Myspace)

Rating 8.3

brown8

reviewed by
09-17-11