G-Eazy’s forthcoming album When It’s Dark Out is set to drop December 4th. The Bay Area artist has dropped several singles from the project in the lead up to its release and not a one thusfar has missed. The latest, “Random”, is an anthemic track dedicated to Gerald’s hard work and devotion toward his art; proclaiming “none of this is happening by accident”. Reviewed by Jake Goldstein.
G-Eazy (Youtube)
Interview by Cheryl Dunn
What were you doing when you were nineteen years old? UK’s Sunil Heera is producing music under the moniker XO in his bedroom and has already played a massive BBC Radio 1 music festival. A great singer and songwriter in his own right, XO also works with other singers and artists to feature on his electronic and R&B tracks including Shay Lia on one of our favorites “U & I”. We spoke to XO about his process, playing Radio 1’s Big Weekend Festival in Glasgow, the release of his new EP “The Ethereal Experience”, and whether or not we will ever see a full length record.
When did you first start making music?
It was during my first couple of years of high school. I was about 14/15 when I got my first copy of FL studio after being inspired by the steady rise of young bedroom producers. Although I didn’t produce full tracks until I was about 16, and the XO project itself was started around 2013.
What was the music scene like growing up? Were you always a part of it making music or as a fan?
I guess I was a bit of both really, more so a fan in previous years. I was in to a lot of UK underground music like Grime, Dubstep, UK bass, House and Garage…that sort of stuff. It influenced me a lot and my first love was club music I guess. But back then, online platforms like SoundCloud were just emerging, so it was really difficult to get noticed. Great to see the tables have turned in favour of my generation, the scene is really thriving now.
When did you first realize you really found your sound?
I’d say my sound had blossomed after I finished The Ethereal Experience. It had been a tedious process at times, but completely worth it in the end. I’m fully comfortable in my own musical skin now, especially since I’ve gained somewhat of a signature sound. Time for expansion!
How do you approach songwriting? Do you always start with a beat or melody? Do lyrics ever come first sometimes?
There really is no set process as to how these things work. I’m a big fan of going with the flow. Most of the time, I’ll build a chord sequence or a short beat and gain conceptual ideas from there. Although, melodies usually come first and lyrics afterwards.
You’re incredible singer in your own right but collaborate with other artists and singers as well. How do you find the artists to feature on your tracks? Are they usually friends or did you find them through playing live?
Thank you! Most of the artists I’ve worked with were found online. Mainly as a result of late night SoundCloud binges just searching for good music, ha! This is why the Internet has been pivotal in the development of my project and I’m super grateful for that.
Out of all the songs you’ve written do you have a favorite right now, based on where you were when you were writing or recording it, or a feeling it gives you when you listen to it?
My current favourite is “Somethin’ About U”. I’m not really sure what it is, but whenever I listen to it, it’s like hearing it for the first time all over again. Whenever I think of music in general, I associate certain tracks with certain colours in my mind, so most of The Ethereal Experience is bright, bold oranges, reds and blues etc. I guess that’s why it has that sort of nostalgic “late summer night” vibe. My favourite part has to be the hook line – super proud of that.
What are you currently working on? Are you writing and recording? When can we expect a full album?
At the moment, I’m piecing together what I believe to be the 3rd release. Of course, a lot more needs to be done but I really want to bring branding and visuals to the forefront on this next one, as well as the music. But I won’t say too much. As for an album, I couldn’t tell you when, but I can certainly confirm I will be writing one at some point in my career, that’s for sure.
What do you like better: writing and recording or playing live?
That’s tough. Both are so good! I’d say writing and recording because obviously without them I wouldn’t even be able to play live. Plus, I’m very much a writer and producer first, rather than a DJ first.
What does your live show look like? Do you have a band/bring other musicians on tour?
The live show itself is something I should be working on in the coming months. I’m just DJing for the moment, which I really enjoy doing of course. That’ll probably continue for a while until my live show set up is, in my eyes, perfect.
Will you be touring extensively/coming to the US any time soon?
I hope so. Next year or even the year after may be the time for that. Watch this space.
What has been your favorite live show moment so far?
It’s got to be way back in May last year when I played at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Glasgow. It still baffles me that music I produced from my own home resonated so well with the crowd out there that day. They knew all the words and were singing along. Really bizarre, but of course, wonderful.
Are you listening to anyone right now you think everyone should hear?
Check… Siba – “Ur My <3”. SO much more great stuff coming from that dude. I can’t wait.
What are you looking forward to most for the rest of this year?
Playing lots more shows of course, finishing off my 3rd EP release and just living life man. It’s what a 19 year old does right?
Listen to XO’s new EP “The Ethereal Experience” out now below and get your copy via iTunes here.
“Wake Up This Day” is the newest stream from rising UK producer/artist Tom Misch’s upcoming Beat Tape 2. “Wake Up This Day” featuring the syrupy smooth vocal stylings of singer Jordan Rakei, the track spins a decidedly neo-soul bent; deviating a bit from Misch’s more typical modern vibe pop oeuvre. Beat Tape 2 is out August 28th.
Tom Misch 
(Soundcloud)
Indigo Future is the PNW-focused (Pacific North Wilderness) artist collaborative/label that currently features the work of many local-area artists and bands, including Spokane trio WILD PACIFIC, whose guitarist Daniel Riley unveiled his dreamy-vibe solo project debut track “Security” in 2014 as his new act King B (also rep’ed by Indigo). Ryley just released the first single since the launch of his solo debut called ” Blind” which is a fresh vista into his developing solo artistic potential as King B. New track “Blind” has the listener wrapped up in a soulfully-melodic chilwave vibe that sports King B’s superbly calm and decadent experimental instrumental style that meshes perfectly with the depth of honesty that we feel in the slightly-hazy at-times-woeful expression vocals (which with the dramatic accent of the synth sometimes borders on the sound of a beautifully expansive cry). Reviewed by Erin Shay.
King B 
(Soundcloud)
Tora, a 5 peice band whose name is based on the Greek word ‘τώρα’ meaning now, just released a gorgeous new chillwave single called “High Enough” which according to group member Jo Lowenthal is about “missing somebody and feeling like the distance between you both is getting bigger”. With its subtle astoundingly-refined vocals and brightly-metered melodic charm “High Enough” highlights the unique, beautifully balanced sound of the unsigned New South Wales, Australia group who just began their European tour; that includes a June 28th gig at England’s Glastonbury Festival where they play along with a variety of new acts like the amazing Jack Garratt as well as some big names and classics like The Who, Pharrel Williams, and Glass Animals. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Tora 
(Soundcloud)
JUNE
15 – Sebright Arms (UK, London)
21 – Best Kept Secret Festival (The Netherlands, Hilvarenbeek)
24 – Fusion Festival (Germany, Lärz)
28 – Glastonbury Festival (UK, Pilton)
JULY
10 – Feel Festival (Germany, Berlin)
11 – Sacred Ground Festival (Germany, near Berlin)
13 – Hafenkneipe (Switzerland, Zurich)
21 – Boomtown Festival (Belgium, Gent)
24 – KOKO – Club NME (UK, London)
26 – Somersault Festival (UK, Devon)
AUGUST
01 – Sound of the Forest (Germany, Bad König)
07 – Boardmasters Festival ( UK, Cornwall)
14 – Haldern Pop Festival (Germany, Haldern)
15 – MS Artville Richtfest (Germany, Hamburg)
Born in Devon UK but raised in Australia, Emmi, already a known commodity within the industry after working on the writing of tracks for Little Nikki and Leona Lewis makes her online debut with first original track “My Kinda Swag”. Operating in channel firmly anchored to 90’s R&B (think Aaliyah and Mary J. Blige), Emmi ably adds a modern and personal spin on that sound with the fresh “My Kinda Swag”.
Emmi (Soundcloud)
Athens band Alabama Shakes turn up the heat on their new track “Future People” which is off their recently released “Sound & Color” EP that (according to the group) has a “genre-bending” sound. The EP is the band’s first to release since their Gold-certified debut album, Boys & Girls; which features the single “Hold On” that earned the group a top rank on Rolling Stone Magazine’s Best Songs of 2012 and #34 on our B3SCI Top 50 songs of 2012. New track “Future People” is worth the wait as it is stunningly wrought with a fresh new psychedelic vibe that works to enhance the group’s well-developed soulful blues-rock bravado that has garnered them three GRAMMY® nominations. We are impressed with the band’s centered new direction on the EP and of course we love the superbly rich and soulful, gorgeous blusey classics-inspired vocals from lead singer and guitarist Britney Howard. Indeed, the ultra bright dynamic in the groups new sound is between the high-art hazy psych-rock vocals and a seasoned, furiously focused guitar-riff-driven instrumental side. Hit play below and be sure to check the Alabama Shakes website for the April-released “Sound & Color”, EP which was co-produced with “young guitar wiz” Blake Mills. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Interview by Bruce Rave
B3SCI was the vehicle that introduced me to these talented dudes. Lead singer Jake (“The Turntan”) wrote to me in January through the blog and he mentioned he liked some my “Rave’s Fave” posts. He attached their track “Little Grace”. All too often, these sincere notes are accompanied by music that isn’t quite my glass of scotch. I immediately liked what I heard and got in touch with Jake as well as band management. The rest of their “Bashful Creatures” EP lives up to the promise of that first track. Meanwhile, buzz was developing thanks for local radio support for the band in Minneapolis-St.Paul and an NME nod in England as one of the bands to watch in 2015. Reaction at SXSW was really strong and the band had one of the best weeks a new act could hoped for. They’re awesome live as you can see from their Conan appearance the week after SXSW. This chat took place just as that amazing week in Austin was getting under way for the guys.
Hippo Campus 
(Official)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles, KX 93.5-FM/Laguna Beach, and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Review by Brian Litwin
Tuesday nights are just done differently in Hollywood. Good looking people, drinks constantly flowing, smiles around and buzz around what the new hottest thing may be. This is the Hollywood norm and LANY at the Sayers Club brought all that buzz to life last night.
Riding a giant wave of Internet love, now LA trio LANY ripped into one of their first live shows. Playing catchy electro-pop tracks like “BRB” and the new single “Bad, Bad, Bad”, the group had the massive industry presence chomping at the bit. Friends and fans were singing along to the lyrics of “ILYSB” and the at capacity crowd vibed to the single “Made In Hollywood” to cap off the impressive showing.
Give these three amigos 2015 to find a home, develop more songs (they only have 7 songs to date and have been a band for 9 months) and hop on a tour (opening for the 1975 would do wonders for these dudes), and check back to see how big they can be.
LANY 
(Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Have a quick look through some of the artists that this band shared a stage with recently or generally attracted the attention of and you’ll notice the likes of Bonobo, SOHN and The xx. They’ve even been described already as “the Finnish Portishead”. That should be enough to make you hit play with a certain degree of confidence and from there on in you’ll be handsomely rewarded for giving Phantom you’re undivided attention. ‘Shadows’ is an astonishingly deep and enchanting listen – it sits comfortably within the aforementioned names yet crucially has enough to say for itself and doesn’t tread on the toes of any of them.
As a duo, singer Hanna Toivonen and beat-maker Tommi Koskinen have been crafting brooding, jazz-inflected trip-hop for a couple of years now and it’s worth looking to their first release “Scars” if you’re not already familiar. It’s perhaps a less developed track overall but the achingly soulful vocal more than hints at the potential breadth of any forthcoming EP/LP and is clearly a huge asset to their live performance.
“Shadows” is available now from VILD Recordings. Reviewed by Nathan Hetherington
Phantom 
(Facebook)
Cheshire UK band Racing Glaciers hand select three producers for new remix package out this week. The track in question is “Animal” which has accumulated nearly 100k Soundcloud spins since August debut. Among the three producers selected by Racing Glaciers to remix “Animal” (the others are Devil’s Weather and Australian producer Scholar) is Danish artist Carassius Gold who selects for in the mix a house-laced mid-tempo burn. Stream the B3 Premiere of Carassius Gold’s remix of “Animal” below.
Racing Glaciers 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
“I Feel Everything” is the excellent new single from San Francisco rock band WATERS. Power riffs and immediate hooks without sounding goofy or cliched, “I Feel Everything” is an effective jolt of rock and roll music that your preferred music playing device is likely missing. PLUS WATERS are playing our San Diego Music Thing kick-off show on Thursday with Zella Day. You can find more info on the SD show here. WATERS’ “It Might Be All OK” EP for Vagrant Records is out October 14th.
WATERS (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.1
