Melbourne based producer Salad ups his ante with this latest chilled-out flip of “Spain” from fellow Aussie natives, Jubilants. It’s a formula that worked nicely for him earlier on the band’s track “Antics”, so like they say why fix it if ain’t broke? Get sunshine below.
Jubilants – Spain (Salad Remix)Salad 
(Bandcamp)
Jubilants (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Ambient music fans check your pulses with this mesmerizing and ethereal interpretation of Big Black Delta’s new single “Betamax” by SONOIO. Clocking in at it’s mere 9:13, the solo project of Italian musician Alessandro Cortini (of notable Nine In Nails fame), takes the reigns of “Betamax”, lifting listeners through high and low crecendi of cinematic soundscapes with his dramatic mix of permeating melody and orchestrated noise. Big Black Delta’s new single “Betamax” will be released on November 5th, and a collection of remixes via Kove, Deft, Climbers and more will become available digitally and on vinyl November 19th. Expect Big Black Delta’s aticipated follow up to the successful BBDLP1 LP in early 2013.
Big Black Delta – Betamax (SONOIO Remix)Sonoio 
(Facebook)
Big Black Delta 
(Official)
Rating 8/3
The latest winner to surface from good kid m.A.A.d. city finds Kendrick reaching for the swagger lines on top Hit Boy’s beat. Hit Boy’s beat, it should be said, is off the fuckin’ chain. Hit Boy’s in some kind of top of the game zone right now. Great look to see these dueling singularities of hip hop hype connect on a track (and for the track to be so good.)
Kendrick Lamar – Backseat Freestyle (Prod. Hit Boy)Kendrick Lamar (Facebook)
Rating 9.0
Last weekend Virgin Mobile landed at the Merriweather Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland for FreeFest. A Virgin media themed festival coined for it’s outgoing charity initiatives through the celebration of live music, dance, culture… and yes, ferris wheels! At a time where people are in the midst of habub about Sir Richard Branson’s Galactica space venture and the retired Endeavour space shuttle basically stopping the presses (btw the irony of people adoring a space shuttle from a program that basically died because it has lost support… is beyond us), EDM pioneer Skrillex took it upon himself to launch his own shuttle venture at the event. Seriously though, Skrillex had a spaceship on stage.
Thing kicked off with clean cut rockers Future Island, who are a spectacle to watch perform with their mesmerizing eclecticism and musical delivery from the future. The collective commands the stage with a unique brand of take-charge futuristic 80s inspired dream pop, and are fronted with the theatrically abrasive nature of singer Samuel T. Herring who’s passion for music is basically this dude’s spinach. On an opposite stage Allen Stone performed, basking his audience with the charisma of your next daytime soul star. Stone did an ample job of fronting his massive band. At moments Stone’s blue eyed soul pop harkens back to a time when his style music was more of a standard in general for festival music.
For us Portugal. The Man is always a festival favorite. It seems that everyone relates to their melodic diction and unique mix of rock. Songs, “So American” and “People Say” were highlights, and let’s not forget the band’s extended “Helter Skelter” interlude. Traveling to the next performance, we encountered Alvin Risk initiating the day’s Dance Forest. It was a party, the hard hitting electro pop banged and the new z-gen based crowd moshed like it was 1994 (little did they know). By the time Thomas Gold would later take stage, and the lights started happening, it became pretty clear that the glam of electro party music will never die.
Between some sets at the main stages, actor James Franco hosted a series of film shorts on the big screens. The 7FAM montages told stories with an organic dimeanor and they served an interesting distraction to the musical radness that lay ahead. Santigold soon took stage with her prehistoric-future and neon charged stage-show. Everyone took pictures like it was something they’ll ever see again. That’s what we call star presence. Traveling next to the pavilion stage we found Ben Folds Five performing. The recently reunited trio emitted their sentimental moments of mediocre key rock upon the audience. Everyone gobbled it up including us. It was great hearing tracks like “Brick” and seeing the trio still doing what they do best, just check out their latest The Sound of the Life of the Mind release to hear what we mean. That plus Ben Folds is reminiscent of some mad scientist child spawn of Elton John, which in effect almost makes him rock royalty. We’re still waiting for that reunion of The Bens.
More highlights of the festival included the Alabama Shakes. Singer Brittany Howard looked comfortable in her stage front setting. The singer was animated and seemed thrilled to be performing. And why shouldn’t she be, by all our accounts Alabama Shakes has been one of the best live draws in 2012. And “Found You” is still a standout track with it’s goosebumps caliber moments. Hip Hop star Nas was a sight to see in the flesh, spitting his raw talent on the mic. No frills here, just his DJ and his words.
Zedd and Porter Robinson soon took stage in the Dance Forrest with some epic sci-fi graphics in the mix. It was like the two were honing in on their future festival headline-act slots. Zedd – one of the few electronic producers today finding their credibility on both sides of the masses. Porter Robinson – one of the hottest names in electro house.
Hopping in to our Virgin Mobile teleports we dialed into the pavilions stage (with seats) for ZZ Top. But there wasn’t much sitting. This blues rock trio sported their custom guitars with their novelty beards and still schooled most everyone in the house. Who needs a show production when you can play some straight forward and loud blues with a few timeless lyrical hooks to boot? We loved their new ‘hip-hop’ song about “getting paid.”
M83 were in full band mode that night. These guys rock at the next level making art with their instrumental use of power chords alone, something becoming less and less relevant to popular music nowadays. Combine that with M83’s sea of synthy atmospheres, and this band has only grown stronger with their years.
Deciding to head back to the other end of the festival, we found Jack White headlining the pavilion stage with his full band of female musicians. Drummer, Carla Azar owned her sticks with a finesse on the skins unparelleled at the festival. Possibly even out-staging the prolific tycoon that is Jack White productions. Then again you know Jack White feeds on that style of passionate musical rage. A performance quality of which might be staring too much in his own musical tendencies.
Skillex had a count down on the big screens before he took stage. People ran to the field where he was performing, hoping to catch their glimpse of the EDM icon. Sonny Moore performed his set of progressive electronic music via the front mast of his own space capsule. The showman fusing his hardcore tendencies mixed an artful display of electronic music inflections. It was an energized performance that got everyone moving, and of some serious showmanship (perhaps because girlfriend Ellie Goulding was spotted in the masses). As his spaceship was launched 20 ft. in the air, Skrillex would jump up on his decks table to incite the audience. Speaking of inciting, how bout the pyrotechnics and über controversial visual references? Skrillex even teased the audience with his remix of “Sabatog” from the Beastie Boys and peppered more of the set with a slew of other hip-hop classics. By the time Skrillex’ set ended I though his spaceship was going to blast off and race Richard Branson’s to mars. Instead things concluded per Skrillex’s gracious wishes for camaraderie upon the festival drenched crowd.
Virgin Mobile Free Fest (Official)
The beautiful Tammi Terrell recorded this flawless version of the Stevie-penned “All I Do Is Think About You” for Motown in 1966.
Tammi Terrell – All I Do Is Think About You
Snoop producer (and sax man) Terrace Martin offers up the jazzy 9th Wonder-produced vibes of latest track “It’s Real”. No word as to whether the song is related to the West Coast artist’s oft-delayed 3 Chord Fold project.
Terrace Martin – It’s Real (Feat. Punch)Terrace Martin (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Burn Boyz sink their teeth into the juiciest. (The juiciest being Chromatics’ nice Uncle Neil cover of “Hey Hey My My”.) The duo’s selection for a minimalist tech-house-y sort of beat underneath the track really works here. b3sci wouldn’t steer you wrong.
Chromatics – Into the Black (Burn Boyz Re-Edit)Burn Boyz 
(Soundcloud/a>)
Rating 8.2
Project 46 have released their latest creation “Feel The Fire”. With plenty of feel good climbs to the top of the world the song beckons for any reality outside of a dance club. “Feel The Fire” will see release via Armada/Zouk Recordings on November 5.
Project 46 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8
Kumra really brings out the ballad in “Wildest Moments” by Jessie Ware with this latest interpretation. Without it’s body-moving shell, the track’s melody and vulnerable subject matter swell in a sea of Josh Kumra’s blue eyed croon. Highlighting Jessie Ware’s contention at this year’s Mercury Prize table, with some serious writing chops to boot.
Josh Kumra 
(Facebook)
Jessie Ware (Official)
Rating 8.1
There’s something tender about the delivery from Michael Kiwanika throughout his Home Again release that always keeps us coming back for more. The 2012 Mercury Prize nominee seems to have a certain candidness and comfort as a songwriter, displaying a musical etiquette on this debut album that’s been unparalleled in his craft for years. The popularity of the soulful songwriter has grown equally proportional, making him a hot ticket to experience live (festivals, club dates, anywhere!) on both sides of the Atlantic. So needless to say, Kiwanuka showcases potential to be one of the most relevant songwriters of the decade, and we won’t be surprised to see Home Again as a recurring target on many 2012 year-end lists.
Needless to say, if you haven’t checked out this album, then we highly recommend that you do. In fact, we’d like you to experience it so much that we’re giving away a copy of Mr Kiwanuka’s Home Again debut release on 12″ wax to one lucky reader! Enter for your chance to win by dropping us a line here. Just say that you want to be entered in the Michael Kiwanuka drawing. Our winner will be picked at random next weekend (10/20) so keep your eye on those inboxes and more updates on Kiwanuka to follow. Good luck!
Michael Kiwanuka 
(Facebook) (Purchase Home Again)
Photo by Jasmine Safaeian, Filter
Last week the Culture Collide music festival returned to Echo Park, Los Angeles. The third annual Filter Magazine event produced a four days of non-stop music by emerging talent from around the globe. Team-B3SCI were on the grounds making all the rounds to venues, parking lots, champaign rooms… you name it! Below is a collection of some favorite first-hand accounts from our troops on the ground.
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THURSDAY October 4, 2012
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Photo: Aida Daneshvar
Dean Wareham @ Methodist Church
I feel like a better music fan, and more specifically a better indie music fan, for having seen Dean Wareham at the Methodist Church. The cozy, intimate setting was dimly lit and provided the perfect setting for Wareham’s lo-fi aesthetic. The capacity of around 200 was nearly full, with casual listeners strolling in and out to catch the other acts during the time slot, namely Blood Red Shoes. Wareham is a true rock craftsman — I’m more a fan of his Luna project than Galaxie 500, and although the set was mainly Galaxie material, I found myself recognizing most of the cuts. At his preferred tempo, Wareham is hard to beat. By Chris Gedos
Photo: Andrew Slough
Blood Red Shoes @ The Champaign Room
I left Wareham early to catch the last three songs of Blood Red Shoes’ set. This Brighton duo pack more of a wallop than most three and four-piece groups, check our interview with drummer Steven back in 2k10 for more on their sound. Apparently I had missed some technical difficulties earlier in their set, but the three cuts I heard were raucous, euphoric, abrasive, fleeting, and all those other words which come to mind when thinking of the group. The Champaign Room at Taix was packed to the brim, with a healthy mosh of about 50 adding to the excitement. Unfortunately for this listener, Blood Red Shoes ended almost as soon as they began. By Chris Gedos
Photo: Monique Hernandez
Tribes @ The Champaign Room
I could not have been more pleased with Tribes’ set. They’ve been here in LA for the past couple months recording the follow up to February’s Baby, which btw is sure to land somewhere in my top ten at the end of the year. While the usual smattering of attendees relocated to another room for John Talbot, much of the crowd were engaged singing along, and genuinely pumped to see the Camden four-piece. While Tribes only played “Dancer” off the new album (great cut, similar in sound with a big chorus), the songs off Baby were spot-on. I was especially pleased to hear closer “Bad Apple”, which was left off when they played The Bootleg in March, and of course “Sappho” and “We Were Children”, two of the better power pop songs written since the mid-90s. By Chris Gedos
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FRIDAY October 5, 2012
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Photo: Monique Hernandez
The Balconies @ Taix Lounge
Every music fan hopes to catch a surprise discovery or two during any festival, and my most pleasant surprise at Culture Collide came with the first band I saw. The Balconies from Ottawa/Toronto are a hard rock trio with amazing energy and good melodies. Singer Jacquie Neville not only has all of the moves of a star front woman, but she is also the band’s guitar player. They were on the lips of many during the rest of the weekend. By Bruce Rave
Photo: Bruce Rave
The Royal Teeth
The Royal Teeth from New Orleans delivered a spot on set packed with some flawless harmonies and radio-ready songs. These guys have a band next door kind of vibe, and their “Wild” single has been gaining some traction on many radars. By Bruce Rave
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SATURDAY October 6, 2012
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Photo: Jake Giles Netter
Morning Parade @ Taix Lounge
UK and Morning Parade have seen a fair amount of radio success this year. It’s definitely worth noting that their strong live set helps backs up some of the buzz. By Bruce Rave
Photo: Brian Litwin
Moss @ Taix Lounge
While heading over from the a set at Echoplex, I bumped into the bass player of the next band I was heading to see. We talked over a cigarette about how Moss have enjoyed playing in the US and were going back to Amsterdam shortly after playing this festival. Not giving me much insight into the show I was about to take in, and by some suprise the dutch quartet blew away their small but captive audience. Their unique indie pop sound explores various influences with spot on harmonies and an overall musicianship, that would almost seem like they have been playing together for 20 years, culminating to an outstanding show. A definite highlight of the festival for me and a band worth taking note. By Brian Litwin
Photo: Jasmine Safaeian, FILTER
Ewert and the Dragons @ Echoplex
Ewert and the Dragons hail from Estonia, playing a blend of sweet melodies set in a sort of Mumford & Sons feel. More than just an A+ band name, these guys showed why they were one of the more buzzed-about bands at Culture Collide. By Bruce Rave
Photo: Brian Litwin
Gold Fields @ Echoplex
This show had everything from loads of energy, an injured lead singer, Aussie accents, radio ready songs and cowbell – lots of cowbell. Astralwerks backed Gold Fields had the Friday night Echoplex crowd moving. Playing songs off their 2011 self titled EP and closing with recent single “Dark Again (Lights Out)”. By Brian Litwin
Photo: Brian Litwin
Icona Pop @ Echoplex
Shortly after Gold Fields, the dancing continued for Swedish DJ duo Icona Pop. From the start, the twosome had control of the crowd. When they dropped blogger crazed “I Love It” featuring Charli XCX it sent the crowd into a frenzy, and during the whole performance it seemed the duo were taken aback by how responsive the crowd was. Look for the band’s sophomore showing The Iconic out on October 16th. By Brian Litwin
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SUNDAY October 7, 2012
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DIIV @ Block Party
DIIV (pronounced “dive”) is the perfect band for the Culture Collide crowd, on the vanguard of third or fourth gen shoegaze (depending on who you ask). This band do just about everything right— they play loud and they sound exactly how you would want them to sound live after listening to their acclaimed debut album, Oshin. The audience listened intently with little to no dancing— after all, shoegaze is a sub-genre meant to be listened to with a stoic objectivity. I’m certain that their follow-up show at the Echo on Tuesday night was near max capax and did not disappoint. By Chris Gedos
Photo: Chris Gedos
Tapioca and the Flea @ The Champaign Room
Tapioca and the Flea (top 20 coolest band name in history) played the Taix Champange room as a last-minute addition. Hopefully enough people saw their adroit and energetic set that they’ll be properly added to the bill for next year. They provided an interesting dynamic and can mix up tempos mid-song extremely well. With an aura never quite descending into Sugar Rat indie thanks to some Wayne Coyne lyrical coyness, the keyboardists’ contribution to the arrangements even reminded me of a 21st century Question Mark and The Mysterians. By Chris Gedos
Photo: Monique Hernandez
School of Seven Bells @ Block Party
School of Seven Bells can be slotted under the classification “Interpol-wave”, and in fact their band came to fruition opening for Banks and company. Their style is a refined and nuanced art-rock which held up rather well in front of the slaphappy West Coast crowd. Singer Alejandra Deheza has an enchanting presence, to say the least. By Chris Gedos
Photo: Bruce Rave
The Wombats @ Echoplex or Block Party
The Wombats are finally nearing the end of a long run supporting their album This Modern Glitch, which contains surprise US radio hit “Jump Into the Fog”. Most of the band’s set rejoiced from This Modern Glitch but their UK smash “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” recieved great reaction, and will always be a standard for them. The Wombats were one of the more fun bands at Culture Collide, which the crowd was happy to share. By Bruce Rave
Photo: Brian Litwin
Class Actress @ Block Party
Class Actress, an electro-pop duo, drew many festival goers away from the limited shady spots located near the hot and sunny main stage on the closing day. Fusing pop-friendly lyrics and heavy synth leads and instrumentals, lead singer Elizabeth Harper swayed side to side of the stage moving the crowd along. Playing mostly from their 2011 release Rapproacher, Class Actress set the stage nicely for the acts coming up. By Brian Litwin
Photo: Brian Litwin
Poolside @ Block Party
Brazilian trio Bonde do Role couldn’t make the show due to some Visa issues so festival producers had to scramble quickly to get a replacement band. They signed on LA’s own Poolside, which proved to be a very nice surprise. Laying down some daytime disco, the crowd started to really get into it. Grooving to songs like “Next to You” and “Kiss You Forever” the crowd didn’t mind that Bonde do Role couldn’t be there. Ironically enough, Poolside starts a fall tour in San Francisco today (October 10th) with Bonde do Role and headliner Com Truise. By Brian Litwin
Photo: Carl Pocket
Nikki and the Dove @ Block Party
Nikki and the Dove set the trippy stage for the Of Montreal out-of-this-world main course that would soon follow. As for numbers, Nikki and the Dove had nearly as many people in attendance as Of Montreal would anc their set was loud enough to reach other galaxies. I loved their stage presence, and while there’s a part of their musicianship eerily reminiscent of Prince, it’s debatable how much of their panache translates to CD. By Chris Gedos
Photo: Chris Gedos
Of Montreal @ Block Party
Of Montreal provided the perfect capstone to a weekend of great musical variety. Within the first few songs a fleet of aliens and a giant ghost (consisting of three performers)had already stormed the stage. Lead / musical virtuoso Kevin Barnes relished his moment as headliner and delivered a set of fitting distinction, one which touched upon the entirety of the band’s catalog, from its more traditionally quirky indie roots of Satanic Panic in the Attic and The Gay Parade, to the indie psych of Hissing Fauna, are you the Destroyer, to the neo-indie-soul of their most recent compositions. By Chris Gedos
War on Drugs member Dave Hartley readies the release of his second solo LP Oak Island with new single “So Far So Long”. The breezy track adeptly straddles multiple spheres of influence including 60’s pop, Brazilian music, and more modern indie rock.
Nightlands – So Far So LongNightlands 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
