Tune into the trance-y mellow 6:40 minute continuum of spacey-cosmic temperamental-synth-inspired atmospheres on “Modern Love” a bass-driven dance-floor stomper techno jam from Birmingham DJ/producer Ashique Subhan, also known as Subb-an. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Subb-an 
(Soundcloud)
Review by Bruce Rave
To say that Nathaniel Rateliff’s LA show was a hot ticket would be to put it mildly. Originally slated for The Echo, the concert was relocated to The Regent Theater in downtown LA to handle a larger sold-out crowd. A few short weeks had passed since Nathaniel and his Night Sweats broke the buzz meters with their Jimmy Fallon performance. The throng was psyched for this show, with a huge roar going up when the band took the stage. With the crowd knowing what the band are capable of, the set delivered on its hype. The guys are tight and they have a good time. Nathaniel surprised the country with his slick dance moves on TV, but those moves were more limited through the course of a full show. Their “S.O.B.” radio hit started to blow up after Fallon, and the band wisely saved it for the set’s final tune. Yes, they nailed it and when the band left the stage a recording continued with drums and the “oh oh oh oh” hook the song is known for. With the crowd singing along, fists pumping, the band returned and in the same tempo broke into their cover of The Band’s “The Shape I’m In”. What happened next was masterful. Nate Rate and his gang hit us with a reprise of “S.O.B.” without skipping a beat. One of the most effective encores I’ve seen in ages. Almost the entire set scored, and a personal fave was their “Howling At Nothing” from the band’s self-tltled August album. There was a slight momentum loss about two-thirds into the set. I turned to a friend and said what they really needed at that moment was an uptempo-super familiar cover that highlighted their stellar horn section. What came next was the opposite, a slower track that didn’t resonate. Of course the show ended with a tremendous bang. “Nate Rate” are blowing up in a hurry and only a few minor adjustments are required as they play larger and larger venues.
Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (Official)
We’re very pleased to premiere “Velvet Ghetto”, a the title track from Swiss band Kamikaze’s forthcoming EP on Mouthwatering Records. Reminding of the progressive R&B and jazz-tinged pop of bands like HONNE and Jungle, “Velvet Ghetto” rides an expertly produced route of inventive polyrhythms and jazzy chord changes while maintaining a cool pop tunefulness and structure. We dig. Look for the “Velvet Ghetto” EP from Kamikaze on Friday (Sept. 25).
Kamikaze 
(Label)
L.A. crew Mexico City Blondes ready release of new EP with spacious pop first stream “First Cut”. Pairing a charismatic melodic line with space-building electronics and wide frame-setting drums, “First Cut” succeeds in the easy immediacy of its tune while maintaining a certain sweep and cache in its instrumental. We’re into it.
Mexico City Blondes 
(Soundcloud)
Tune in to the dreamy-smooth synth-touched mellow-guitar-led instrumentals and beautifully melodic mesh of ambient male-female vocals of “Soak” the newest track from B3-featured DC artist duo GEMS (who we last featured for their rhythmic jam “Living as a Ghost”); both tracks are off the duo’s forthcoming debut album Kill the One You Love out October 30th via Carpark Records. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
Oct 9 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubador *
Oct 10 – San Francisco, CA – Social Hall *
Oct 12 – Portland, OR – Star Theater *
Oct 13 – Seattle, WA – Barboza *
Oct 16 – Denver, CO – Lost Lake *
Oct 18 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall *
Oct 20 – Toronto, ON – The Hoxton *
Oct 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle *
Oct 22 – Boston, MA – Middle East *
Oct 23 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall *
Oct 26 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom *
Skizzy Mars is the man out of New York. He puts his own pop-accessible hip-hop style on new remix of LÉON’s “Tired of Talking.” Skizzy’s smooth rapping skills pair perfectly with LÉON’s high-pitched melody. Check out his latest EP “Red Balloon Project” on iTunes or Soundcloud. Reviewed by Jake Goldstein.
Skizzy Mars 
(Soundcloud)
Tune into the pleasant-vocaled catchy-hooked muted-rowdy guitar-hung indie rock attitude of Sheffield, England foursome The Crookes on their vintage-vibed classics-leaning gem “Don’t Put Your Faith In Me”; which is track 2 off the group’s April-released third album named Soapbox that includes the very good Bruce Rave-featured headliner “Play Dumb”. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
The Crookes 
(Facebook)
Skylar Spence sets us in a perfectly sunny lovingly-upbeat serene-vibed (going solo at-arms-length) type mood on his excellent new track “Affairs” which is the second single to release (after B3-covered “Can’t You See”) off of Skylar’s forthcoming album Prom King that is out on September 18th. Skylar, a.k.a. Ryan Derobertis a.k.a Saint Pepsi, (who was just victorious it at Lollapalooza) begins his North American tour on October 14th in Vancouver, BC. Reviewed by Erin Shay.
October 14th – Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound Club
October 15th – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
October 16th – Portland, OR – Holocene
October 17th – San Francisco, CA – Treasure Island Music Festival
October 22nd – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
October 23rd – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
October 24th – Santa Ana, CA – Beach Goth Festival
October 25th – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
October 26th – Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture
October 27th – Albuquerque, NM – Stereo Bar
October 28th – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
October 29th – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
October 30th – Dallas, TX – Cambridge Room
October 31st – Austin, TX – Stubbs, Jr.
November 2nd – Norman, OK – Opolis
November 3rd – Bloomington, IN – The Bishop
November 4th – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
November 15th – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter
November 17th – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle Back Room
November 18th – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
November 19th – Orlando, FL – The Social
November 20th – Miami, FL – Bardot
November 21st – Mexico City, DF – Corona Capital Music Festival
Skylar Spence (Soundcloud)
We’re into the melodically sweet infectious indie pop from Montreal band How Sad and new track “Cloud Nine”. The song, which is excerpted from the September 25th-due new LP Everything Happens, careens about hooky and kinetic percussion, engaging major key guitar lines, and a very strong set of tuneful melodic phrases. Well done. Stream the B3 Premiere of “Cloud Nine” from How Sad below and if you’re in Montreal, the band plays at La Vitrola Friday night (Thursday).
How Sad 
(Soundcloud)
Here’s one of the most buzzed-about late night TV gigs of the year. First of all, this is a song that caught my ear on its own merits. “S.O.B.” Is a raucous, retro feeling tune that will make you want to nod your head if not shake your entire body. Their first network TV appearance was August 6 on Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show”. When Fallon said “a party’s gonna break out right now”, he wasn’t kidding. As the song began with the stocky Rateliff in full beard and looking pretty serious, there was little indication of the mayhem that was about to ensue. He seemed like he’d be more at home on a football field than on a dance floor. When all hell broke loose, we got to see why the show booked them. Rateliff goes into full motion and displays nifty dance steps. See this for yourself, and no wonder the song has been garnering airplay increases based on this buzz. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats (Official)
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.
Unlike many Brit bands who become part of the powerful UK hype infrastructure, the Manchester band Blossoms is building a truly organic international buzz that is solely based on their talent. Back home, that machine is more present and why not? Whether in studio or onstage, they consistently deliver the goods. Blossoms have mistakenly been categorized as a psych band and while past tunes have included some of those elements, “Blown Rose” is a beautiful track that shows off their depth without a hint of psychedelia. It’s got jangly guitars and an alluring melody that reminds of fave music from any decade harking back to the 60’s. Yet, it’s totally modern. It’s one of those rock songs that should become a massive pop hit, but songs in this vein often miss the mainstream mark for some strange reason. Let’s hope it does reach the upper part of the charts. At the very least, it should be a long-term live winner for them and it will be a killer album track. Hopefully that first Blossoms full-legth will drop in the not too distant future. Reviewed by Bruce Rave.
Check out Bruce’s weekly “Go Deep” radio show; air dates and times for “Go Deep” as well archived past shows can be found on Bruce’sblog. Don’t forget to follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Hear my interview chat with the band, that took place at The Great Escape last May.
