B3-featured Ian Ewing wows us with his heavenly beat-drenched synth-centered Asian vibe instrumental jam “Oakland” which is a free song off the Rootnote (label) artist compilation. We like Ian’s sultry beats, mesh of vocal styles, and positively simple lyrics on the track and hope to peruse the compilation this weekend! Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We‘re into the vibrantly simple, Twista “Overnight Celebrity”-sampling, whimsical-watery synth-transfixed track “What’s Ya Name” by B3 featured artist Ian Ewing, who we covered here for his Noh Lifestyle-rep’d eclectic beauty track called “Water”. A seamless combo of luscious keyboard melodics and expressive trap accents mixed with playful electronic effects and the epic Twista sample, the song has a uniquely creative electro/hip-hop hybrid style that we dig. Out via Noh Lifestyle. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
B3 go-to producer Flamingosis goes retro-flamboyant with a funky instrumental mix of beats, 70’s lounge tv-sit-com vibe horn and synth infusions, and a rather catchy guitar groove on his recently-released charmer track “Frugal Living”; which also features B3 covered artist Ian Ewing (in October we liked Ian’s lustrous-toned playful-vibe beats-led eclectic beauty track called “Water”). If you’re as into the new track as much we are, look for it on Flamingosis’ soon-to-release “Great Hair EP” (out February 12th). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We’re beyond psyched on the brightly-animated soothing-sensed synthed-out lustrous-toned playful-vibe beats-led eclectic beauty track called “Water” from Milwaukee-based producer and Flamingosis pal-collaborator Ian Ewing off his brief joint creation EP Tons of Friends Vol. 1 which is out via nohlifesyle. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Ian Ewing (Soundcloud)
B3 favorite Flamingosis teams up with West Canadian producer Tendencies on electrifying new one “I’ll Be There” another impeccably wrought song from Flamingosis and the third to release in advance of his new “Great Hair” EP which is out on February 12. “I’ll Be There” is the second new EP track covered here after Flamingosis’ excellent Ian Ewing-featured retro-flamboyant gem “Frugal Living”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The quickly ascending Indianans Hoops announce debut LP Routines for the great Fat Possum due May 5. Paired with that announcement the quartet are previewing yet another captivating track in the form of new one “Rules” which you can stream below.
LA-based future boogie trio Cannons (featured here for excellent tracks “Down on Love”, “Evening Star” and “Touch”) are an accomplished bunch of musicians on the rise (they have only been around on Soundcloud for roughly one year). We’re listening to the group’s super catchy new song called “Call You Out” and it’s quite an impeccable earful. With its simple combination of a technicolor synth line, ticky-tacky trap beats, and Michelle’s complex emotive vocal feels, we can easily say that this is our favorite Cannons tune so far! After hearing it a dozen or so times and reviewing the duo’s other songs we are reminded why we like Cannons so much. Out via MANIMAL “Call You Out” is just resonant enough to reiterate that Cannons are clearly floating on a rising star trajectory on its way up to mass exposure. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Go deep with the fabulous intensity driven hybrid tech-house/techno stylings of new-to-B3 artists Venetian producer Audiohell and Italy-based Belgian Bimas. The pair, who recently created the 4-track “Destroy” EP (out on Gorge and Nick Curly’s 8bit Records), revel in a dreamy sense-extensive genre-meshing angle that we truly enjoy. Voluptuously appointed, attention commanding, and stewing in some potent magnetic rhythms, “Forever Yours” is our top choice from the compilation (which also features tracks “Destroy” and “The Hole”). We love it. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
We recently featured French rising star producer Roman Kouder for his dynamic Patawawa-assisted nu-disco club jam “Fly”. We’re soaking up his latest glam-effects-tinged disco-energetic spin on track “My Girl” (feat. Stuart Parmley) by fellow Parisian artist BLV (released last month). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The nightclub scene can be a tricky beast. Clubs open and close, what’s trendy now won’t be in a year and the turn over rate is pretty high for a “sustainable business”. However, Lure (where The Cabana Club once stood) in Hollywood seems to have a something good brewing. Being opened in May 2012, Lure is not only one of the hottest nightclubs in LA right now, but seem to be on a consistent track with booking the best of new and old talents of EDM. This was ever so apparent, with the bottle service crowd in full swing, for Breakbot and Bondax on Friday night.
Having already seen Bondax at SXSW, and knowing what Adam Kaye and George Townsend would do to a crowd brimming to kick the weekend off on the right note, I just sat back and watch the madness ensue. Some highlights from the set were Moon Boots’ remix of Gold, Pharrell and Jay Z’s “Frontin'”, Mystikal’s “Shake Ya Ass” and Bondax’s monster single Gold. The young UK producers are a must see if they roll thought your town.
A friend of mine would look at the scene for the next act, Breakbot, and would say that the club was “elbow to asshole” packed. Now take that saying however you want to, but the place was at max capacity and every soul under the tented roof were getting down. French native Thibaut Berland, nonchalantly started the funk/French house explosion and the crowd, already feeling it from Bondax, went nuts. The whole set was down right awesome, but a shining moment for me was Baby I’m Yours. The Ed Banger release track is just immaculate and the video is the ultimate compliment to the track. By Brian Litwin
Just like any Tuesday night on famous Hollywood Blvd, the streets were loaded with the usual seedy characters, hipsters, club goers and dirty dog vendors. Though Hollywood can be intoxicating, I was clear minded that night and ready for a much anticipated show from hyped DJ Goldroom and Poolside (DJ set) at Dim Mak Studios.
Resident DJ Bones kicked things off mixing in different tracks from a variety of different genres. He did a nice job of warming up the trickling in late-night crowd. As the decks switched hands to tropical disco producer, Goldroom, the audience made their way more towards the dance floor. Josh Legg aka Goldroom had clearly come to Dim Mak that night with a plan to get the audience moving. An absolute highlight of the set was when he dropped his incredible remix of Niki & The Dove’s “Mother Project”.
As Goldroom wrapped things up he gave way to Poolside, the headliner for the evening. Having already seen and covered Poolside a handful of times, at Filter’s Culture Collide Fest and recently reviewing their edit of Laid Back’s “Fly Away”, I am what you may call a fan of their daytime disco sound. I was curious how a DJ set would come across, and was not a bit worried about the crowd response. Poolside opened their set to a packed house and played “Kiss You Forever” with the crowd singing through most of the song. The collective’s high energy set and overall mix blew me away that night. By Brian Litwin
Laid Back – Fly Away (Poolside Edit)Poolside 
(Facebook)
Goldroom (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Theophilus London @ Mohawk
Theophilus London packed the downstairs room of the Mohawk as part of the Mog/Lexus Party. Theo did an A+ job at engaging not only a kinetic swath of fans but a room, perhaps not so familiar with his music. “Flying Overseas”, “Why Even Try”, “Strange Love”, all the best examples of his unique Electro Hip Hop, hyped the crowd. His brief 30 minute set flew by, with multiple instances of girls-in-attendance brought on stage, numerous hilarious back-and-forths with the audience, and a few indie celeb-in-the-crowd shouts (TVOTR’s Dave Sitek, for one).
Theophilus London – Oops! (Tweet Cover)
Scars on 45 @ Brush Street Park
On our way to catch The Republic Tigers and Joy Formidable at the Chop Shop/Atlantic day showcase we caught the tail end of Scars on 45’s set. On point as they were with their set at Hotel Cafe in LA a month or so earlier, the band played with a hunger and energy that caught me off guard. We were into it. And it seemed that energy set the tone for the following two acts.
Scars on 45 – Loudest Alarm
The Republic Tigers @ Brush Street Park
Having caught The Republic Tigers last with Travis at the Wiltern in LA, we were impressed with their presence. A much more comfortable and confident band than remembered. Previewing material from their forthcoming “No Land’s Man” EP, we believed their songs and style of up-tempo and listener-friendly indie rock and roll. A few songs had a unmistakable Chop Shop tint to them, primed for mainstream TV.
The Republic Tigers – Buildings and Mountains
Joy Formidable @ Brush Street Park
Joy Formidable were one of the most talked about bands of SXSW. Again it proves what a great live show, star quality and some serious work can do for a band. The UK based, female fronted trio, plays with a profound intensity and passion. Their sound has an aggressive character to it, as one would expect from any rock trio, but when complimented with Ritzy Bryan’s vocals and a slick performance quality both confident and intense, the band is a force to be reckoned with. Pending hit songs, these guys have, dare we say, Muse-type potential. (Oh we just did.)
Joy Formidable – I Don’t Want to See You Like This
Oberhofer @ Virgin Mobile Live House
Virgin Mobile Live Host Abbey Braden was rightfully psyched to watch Oberhofer rock a bass and glock during their exclusive acoustic VML House session during SXSW. Their sound is fresh and evolving with a clear direction. Hear the session here.
Oberhofer – Away From You
Little Dragon @ Cedar Street Courtyard
Yukimi’s dances moves are adorable. Well, they’re less like moves and more like poses. Stop motion. Hold the frame. Hit all the angles. Make the next pose. Yukimi’s moves were adorable. The band’s performance was really not. The band seemed tired, bored, disinterested. The venue (Cedar Street Courtyard) was wrong. It’s outdoor stage doesn’t work for a band so dependent on atmosphere. Yukimi’s voice got lost. Much of the cool ambient synth work that make the band’s songs got lost too. Machine Dreams highlights like “Blinking Pigs” and “Feather” both never really worked. The crowd, too, seemed, at times, disinterested. The band did run through a new song or two. Showing off a sound that seemed to be more spread out, more engaged in space. Almost a more deep electro kind of sound. The songs centered on repetition of a few simple rhythmic figures with Yukimi’s vocal acting more as a frame to the rhythm than as the carrier of a tune. The new songs seemed to work better for the band in the outdoor setting. The band also seemed more interested. Little Dragon’s Cedar Street performance was not the worst thing we saw at SXSW but it certainly was a disappointment. We still you guys though! And the next gig in Boston or LA, we’ll still be there! We got you!
Little Dragon – Twice (Freddie Joachim Remix)
Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger @ Elysium
Ghost of a Saber Tooth tiger unfortunately lived up to expectations. I hoped that we would experience glimpses of Sean’s 2006 solo record, Friendly Fire, but instead we got a heavy dosage of maybe the Lennon family’s worst enemy… love. Kemp Muhl just doesn’t hold ground with a Lennon. Really, how many do?
Granted Sean said that the extra stage musician had one day to learn the entire set… it became increasingly clear that that may have been true for the entire band. Just Sean and his guitar would have sufficed. But then again, we wouldn’t be stretching the truth to say that we’d hoped to catch maybe a glimpse of Yoko Ono (also performing on that night’s bill) on stage with her son. In any event, the crowd was treated to large doses of Lennon wit. Sean got jokes. That’s genuine wit, folks, in the blood.
The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger – Jardin du LuxembourgCatch all of b3sci’s SXSW 2011 coverage HERE
Photography contributed by Genevieve Sheehan
