Showing posts with label SPF420. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SPF420. Show all posts

Saturday, 21 February 2015

YES/NO GUEST MIX 025 :: LIZ [SPF420] PRESENTS GEMS HIDDEN FROM THE INTERNET, AND THEN SOME

Guest mix number 25 marks a quarter of a century (?) of guest mixes. Thankfully though, despite my wording, these aren't actually yearly – that'd be terrible. Awful. Instead, it's the latest in a semi-regular series of mixes kindly and lovingly crafted for this digital vessel, this paltry musical entity, by artists who are kind and loving enough to take the time and consideration to craft a mix. It's always interesting to hear what people do with a mix – the tracks used, the order of those tracks, any theme behind it, how it's mixed, etc. And for the people of the world mixes are invaluable: they become private DJ sets for your own little slice of the world you call home. You cookin? Put on a mix. You searchin online for car insurance? Put on a mix. You just sippin coffee lookin out the window? Put on a mix.

With that said, the 25th arrives courtesy of Liz. Aside from being "a floating soul," she owns and co-produces e-venue / online venue SPF420.com with Chaz Allen. "I would like to think that I'm not on earth a lot," she tells me (via email, when I ask who she is and where she is from), "but I am in a very comfortable part of North Carolina where I rarely leave my house." Spoken like a true floating soul.

I am just a girl, that was forced a name at birth, who believes that the sole purpose on earth is since we were born without a choice, almost into slavery, that we must make the best of our lives and do as many good things for the world as possible.
LIZ

Embarking on a big quest with SPF420, one would imagine that Liz would have to like music – and it certainly is the case: "Music has been with me ever since I was child," she says. "I remember my first music video being U2 - 'Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'. I love music and it will stay with me until the day I don't fall asleep at night." And apart from being inspired by "the good, the bad, the blood, the sweat, the tears" and Wikipedia articles of a scientific and historic nature, Liz is inspired – in terms of music – by her friends' projects, "even if they're works in progress." The person who most affects her in this way, however, is Skylar Spence. (This, if you didn't know, is the new name of Saint Pepsi because Pepsi didn't like it). "His artistry is incredible, his mind is too beautiful for this world," she tells me.

As for the mix, Liz told me the idea behind it: "basically the theme is Gems Hidden From The Internet, and Then Some," because a decent portion of the tracks are unreleased or not-heard-before-by-public-ears. "These tracks are super important to me because I have worked with (almost) every single artist for SPF420," she says, explaining the mix further, "It's basically just a mix of all my friends and family members, like a little ode to them."

From the bounce of Pocari Sweat (a new side-project of Bear//Face) and ugly mug, to the experimental chimings of 'High Rise' by Blank Body and THIRSTY's huge 'Last Drop' ("who i did the vocal drop for (don't i sound fantastic? hot damn)," Liz reveals), as well as the despairing chill of Yung Sherman's 'Fear' ("one of my favorite songs") and little cloud's very new 'who told u' and its swathes of loveliness, the collection of tracks is based on a foundation of turned up beats swaddled in emotive atmospheres, thick with damaged, decayed yet transcendental electronic sounds.

• Ｔ　Ｒ　Ａ　Ｃ　Ｋ　Ｌ　Ｉ　Ｓ　Ｔ •
☟ Social Media Presence ☟
Liz on Twitter • SPF420 on Twitter • SPF420 on SoundCloud
No comments:
things: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, 24 January 2015

MINO MINO – GLOWING

Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO? Who is MINO MINO?

Somebody has to be MINO MINO. Obviously, someone is going to be them. You don't just… or maybe you do… but generally you don't set up a SoundCloud and then almost overnight get like a zillion plays. I reckon it's the side project of somebody already established. I went back to see the first people they followed, and the very first one was Maxo. Maxo… Mino… Hmm. But that can't be it. Then again, maybe you really can set up a SoundCloud, follow the right people, get noticed quick-fast. BUT I am not a detective! What do I know! I know absolutely nothing! Who am I! GRAAAAARRRRGH!!1

Anyway, MINO MINO or Mino Mino or mino mino is a new musicmaker and their name is a repetition of the word Mino which is the name of a number of places in Japan as well as the name (kanji: 蓑) for a traditional Japanese straw cape, see here for details. It could also be a truncation of 'Minogue' maybe that's it. Etymology and identity aside, the music itself is really interesting. Most recently they put up a track called 'TBH' which kinda sounds like an electronic djent track vaguely crossed with the suspenseful music from Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine.

However, I first stumbled across them thanks to a track called 'GLOWING' or 'Glowing' or 'glowing' so, yeah. Again there's this atmosphere of tension, a impending threat, a mist of grit to it, sonically illustrated with schizophrenic insectoid synth rapid-chirruping high up the register, a bulging bassline – the type from Goldeneye (N64) – enacting a few notes of threat for some sweaty-palmed terror.

Elsewhere it glitters with nocturnal sophistication, sweeping pianos lending it a noir jazz air. All the time it is hotly dynamic, always shifting, an ADHD étude where hi-hats tick and shiver, morphing from glassy to abrasive, where toms tumble together, breaks in the low end of the track – including clusters of polished kicks – giving the track, and you, some room to breathe. It's the soundtrack to looking round the corner of a corridor you don't wanna go down. Or a road you don't wanna walk down. Or a fantasy heist. More than anything else it sounds like videogame music and that's a mega plus for me; that it can conjure so many things, I think this says more about the production (which is super-polished and fine-tuned as it is, regardless of imagination) than it does about me.

It also does say a lot about how being an enigma or operating with a certain air of mystery makes everyone lose their shit over you, i.e. makes you a more attractive artist to want to follow / listen to.

☟ Mino Mino Social Media Presence ☟
SoundCloud • Twitter
No comments:
things: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, 18 July 2014

SAINT PEPSI – FIONA COYNE [VIDEO]

It's Saint Pepsi, bitch. Remember that? From his Gin City EP that got released earlier this year? Now doesn't that seem like an actual age ago? Right? It may as well be an actual age ago – even since then, Ryan DeRobertis (by now, everybody should know: this is SP irl) has given his sound a right good seeing-to, uh, mainly in that he's added his own vocals to it.

As a component of the digital sample-heavy movement that was (and still is) vaporwave, usually Mr DeRobertis could be heard lifting vocals from a whole host of past-and-present material, from Justin Bieber to Aretha Franklin, but yes: this time around they're entirely his own. And he's got a brilliantly off-centre muse for his singing, the eponymous 'Fiona Coyne' – this is a character from the I've-never-seen-it Canadian (teen) drama series/universe Degrassi; Drake also cut his acting teeth here so, y'know, it must have some sort of following – be it genuine or retroactive.

Anyway, as you may have guessed, yes that's her picture above, and as Saint Pepsi himself sings with gorgeous Long-Island-lilt, "She's got emerald eyes" – or at least she sorta does. His voice adds an extra dimension to his music, a depth of personality, something for fans to not just appreciate but to find attractive, fall in love with. He's already put himself out there, creatively, but now THERE he is, voice immortalised. A real pop star.

Yes there's a video for the song. It features a guy encountering a lot of couples kissing or "MAKING OUT" or whatever, who himself is followed by an insistent disco (penis) ball. Watch.

As for the music itself, Saint Pepsi hasn't lost the funk – the good funk – no sir. Clean, simple drums keep head-nodding time, as groovesome bass darts fluidly below glittery staccato guitar stabs, whilst more ornamentations comes in the form of sparkling-pool glockenspiel magic, and bursts of triumphant brass; St Pep's voice moves over all of this, confident and laced with addictive hooks, especially in the undeniably catchy chorus: "Oh darling, won't you believe me? I'll love you till the record stops."

Though it's a stark change to his earlier sounds, it's a step in the right direction: this is pop perfection. This could live on the radio all summer for all I care – I mean, that's the place it deserves to be. Stuff this well-produced that is made by, and features the vocals of, the producer, a one-person vault of charisma and creativity, should be paid much attention to, especially considering his variations in sound, made by my reckoning at least 3 times a year, which combined promise unpredictable & wonderful things for the future of Saint Pepsi.

  • This comes from the Fiona Coyne/Fall Harder 7" out 12th August via Carpark Records – pre-order it here. I might buy a record player just for this release – you know, like how a load of people bought a Wii U just for Mario Kart 8.
  • It's not the first time we've heard St Pep's voice: check out this rap (second rap in the track) he lends to SPF420 co-founder Chaz Allen aka Metallic Ghosts' track 'Destroy'. It's actually really good. More rapping pls!

Like SAINT PEPSI on Facebook
Listen to SAINT PEPSI on Soundcloud
Hear more SAINT PEPSI on bandcamp
Follow SAINT PEPSI on Twitter
Check SAINT PEPSI on Tumblr
No comments:
things: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, 14 March 2014

SPF420 @ SXSW

On Tuesday night I went to this really cool gig. It was like, 5 hours long and I loved pretty much every minute. But I wasn't hungover this morning, I'd spent no money and, in fact, I didn't even "go" in the physical sense. It was entirely URL. This was online venue SPF420's SXSW show, and the first that brought its founders and some of its longtime components together IRL, resulting in a joyous togetherness that reeked of chatroom frivolities and community spirit. Welcome to the New Generation of music.

I mentioned these guys before, introducing them in a piece I wrote for Dummy Magazine in which post-vaporwave heartthrob Saint Pepsi and SPF420 co-founder Liz lent their thoughts on the movement that they had pioneered; one that resembled a grassroots, local scene, but was totally global, wholly online. The SXSW show – a house party somewhere in Austin – marked a huge stride forward for them. Just being there, having a presence that included sponsorship from Sailor Jerry's and Crap Eyewear, seemed big but— that's not the point. The point, well, the point can be summed up in a pre-SXSW tweet earlier this month from SPF420 co-founder, Chaz Allen (who's also made music under the monikers Metallic Ghosts and DJ Sugar C):

The overriding feeling here was one of excitement, physically meeting each other for the first time, digital love translating into actual gestures: hugs, conversation, getting drunk together. Having fun and sharing music; doing the URL thing IRL. And there I sat, eating peanuts and drinking tea, soaking up this atmosphere via a YouTube stream. This was pulled shortly into the festivities thanks to, we supposed, corporate copyright butthurt (it was confirmed thx to screenshot below), so SPF420 broadcast from its steadfast Tinychat HQ. The chatroom, crucial to the whole thing from day one, was missing from the start but fate brought it into frenzied life.

The lineup was glorious: Tony Hawk Pro DJ, Bear//Face, Giraffage, Wave Racer, Beat Culture, Saint Pepsi, Ryan Hemsworth, Spazzkid, Anamanaguchi, Deebs, Different Sleep. The stream was wonderfully DIY-quality – audio and video – the set a makeshift desk and window curtained with the American flag. It was peppered with the increasingly inebriated hosts and guests at the event; Chaz and Liz shared the announcer responsibilities, screaming later on their thanks to the sponsors, their love to all watching, enjoining everyone to chant '420!' – those there shouted; we typed. A tribute to weed, music and friendship.

The chat buzzed with banterous furore the whole time, sometimes nonsensical, often hilarious, but always loving what it was hearing. Any sense of celebrity ebbed away, the chat graced at points by some of the lineup, Saint Pepsi saying hi, Ryan Hemsworth (who'd tweeted prior to the event that he was cleaning dog shit off the kitchen floor in the house at which the party was being held) popping in, Liz garbling intoxicated love to everybody. Others tuned in, too: producer and Zoom/Lens founder Meishi Smile dropped by, as well as George Clanton of Mirror Kisses, blog 1833, Claudio Gallo – the man behind Bad Panda Records, Tom Doyle (musicmaker, sometime SPF420 poster-designer, and moderator of the chat), and many others I'm sure, who either didn't talk or whom I missed in the general mad scrolling of the whole thing. Everybody was equal.

Awesomely evident was the staggering variety on offer here – trap transitioned into house into happy hardcore into J-pop into juke into 90s-pop into chiptune into drum n bass. All the while, track IDs were demanded, Spazzkid's beat improvisation techniques admired and discussed, Ryan Hemsworth dropping a remix of the Super Mario 64 menu screen music made everyone go crazy; we guessed the animé OSTs being sampled, fell for Anamanaguchi's relentless bleepery, and dismissed or soap-boxed the apparent similarities of Wave Racer and Rustie; Bear//Face's t-shirt got a mention, Tony Hawk Pro DJ [below] did the 900 (skate helmet on because safety first), Saint Pepsi rapped with Chaz. The evening, afternoon, night, early morning – whatever – rang with entertainment and internet fun for a global audience. The future.

Some might think disparagingly, "Is this not like Boiler Room?" Well, it is. Of course it is. However, as Liz explained to me a while ago in an interview on Kuala Lumpur-based GUMBALL magazine, "there are people before/during and after SPF420 that will be doing live internet performance art. Basically what I'm saying is, SPF420 should be one of the many 'channels' we turn to for internet entertainment." The most connected nation on earth, South Korea, watches most of its TV on one of four million internet channels; when the digital divide begins to close in other nations, this is where we'll be.

It's not the existence of SPF420 in itself that pushes things forward, but the existence of SPF420 in the context of today that helps us to realise the opportunities present in furthering the world of music and live performances. Tuesday's albeit deep web, punk-spirited stream didn't mark a superficial step forward for one particular entity, but the fledging of how music will eventually come to be experienced, an inspiration for others to follow suit.

For some I dunno background fun or whatever check out Japanese site HiHiWhoopee's list of SPF420 affiliate's favourite music of 2013. Just cause.

Credit to

Like SPF420 on Facebook
Listen to SPF420 on SoundCloud
Follow SPF420 on Twitter
Check SPF420 on Tumblr
CHAT & LISTEN at the SPF420 Tinychat
Visit SPF420 official
2 comments:
things: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, 5 June 2013

SPAZZKID LIVE ON #SPF420

Yeah, if you're reading this thinking, "wtf is #SPF420??" then you are in the same boat as I am. That is, a boat adrift and constantly in wonder at what marvels/marvel at what wonders can be found on the internet. There's a lot to find. Anyway, I should probably explain what exactly #SPF420 is.

It is an online venue, unique in that it exists exclusively online, and it is a veritable hotbed of New Generation artists - I explained a little about New Generation when I wrote about SAINT PEPSI - one of the brains behind it all - a few days ago, but to reiterate basically: it's an artist collective leaning towards a wholly net-based music industry (my assumption). Alongside SAINT PEPSI are many other artists including Spazzkid, whom I wrote about the other day.

Enough of the Pokémon-style digression into the proclivities of this artist collective. More about the music. The reason I'm writing this is that Spazzkid has gone and done a 25-minute set on #SPF420, which aired yesterday. Astoundingly, this only has (at time of writing) 7 views, which is mental considering the sound of the music itself - not so mental if you consider the pitfalls of being a relatively unknown artist. Anyway, without further ado, please enjoy the smooth, wholly chilled vibes of this man's innovative beat-strong glitch-hop electro-pop.

The tracklist is this:
1. Forgiveness
2. Kokeshi Doll
3. Getting To Know You
4. Better Off Alone (Alice DeeJay cover) UNRELEASED
5. Loving Free

Yep, from the clicky otherworldly ambience of 'Forgiveness', to the sombre sunset romance vibes of 'Kokeshi Doll' - both with their fair share of bassy rumblings - we arrive at the wonderfully cute 'Getting To Know You' with its bouncy vocal samples. Then a surprise cover of Dutch Eurodance group Alice DeeJay's massive 1999 hit 'Better Off Alone', done to Spazzkid's trademark swaggering beat and complete with mind-ooze synths and steel drums. The set ends with the ravey 'Loving Free', a sharp cross between lo-fi bedroom pop and the soundtrack to people playing volleyball on a yacht harboured in the Maldives.

The visuals are great, too, and found according to Mark Redito (real name of Spazzkid) "from deep internets". Certainly looks that way. In any case, they're cool and fit the style of his music totally. He also looks like he is having a very nice time playing the music that I can only assume he loves making.

All songs come from his new album Desire, which is totally out now.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Listen to Spazzkid on Soundcloud
Hear more Spazzkid on bandcamp
Visit Spazzkid's official site
Follow Spazzkid on Twitter
Check Spazzkid on Tumblr
Watch Spazzkid on YouTube

Like New Generation Collective on Facebook
Like #SPF420 on Facebook, too
Keep an eye on #SPF420 online venue

No comments:
things: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)