Fresh off of tour, and busy collaborating with pretty much everyone in the music business, Gilbere Forte doesn't seem like he slowing down anytime soon.
Polica's music is hauntingly smooth. Their debut album Give You The Ghost is something you must experience. The group is formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota and members include founders Ryan Olson + Channy Leaneagh as well as Chris Bierden, Ben Ivascu and Drew Christopherson. Pitchork filmed a Documentary on the american indie band.
Southern California's biggest and now most commercial music & arts festival Coachella just passed. For those who couldn't make it down to Indio or afford the pricey $350+ passes, there was another newly discovered festival. Brokechella means what it says. The event caters to a much smaller scale and more inexpensive Coachella, but for only one day. Brokechella provided 3 stages with over 30 bands and artists with many extra activities. Lot's to do in such little time. I had the opportunity to interview some of the performers including NOLD, Korova and yOya. Next year is sure to outdo this year’s Brokechella.
Exclusive Interviews
NOLD
What does NOLD stand for?
I got it as a nickname at the beginning of high school. My name is Arnold so my buddies started calling me NOLD. Then I started dj'ing when I got to school and it was kind of a logical progression to kind of go with that name. I'm stuck with it now.
You were born in Russia, but have since moved out here to California.
So my family is from Germany, but my mom was going to school in Russia when I was born. Stayed there for about 6 months and eventually moved back to Germany. I then moved to LA when I was 6. I definitely still go back home though.
What is the music scene like in Germany compared to Hollywood?
It's a lot different. I still love drawing influence from my original roots. I lived in Berlin my freshman year of high school. It was crazy picking up all sorts of different techno music and going into different clubs. I won't necessarily play these types of records, but I take that little bit of inspiration from it.
Who are your influences?
Real early I was listening to Arman Van Helden. I also listened to the real ghetto shit as well as being a 'House Head'. I was really into House music. My cousins were all older than me so they would take me out to clubs and introduced me to the music. I started getting into 128-130 House music in Europe, which was kind of the beginning of my musical process.
How do you keep a crowd entertained?
Now a day’s people usually go to a club to see 1 particular artist or their friend told them to go. I grew up listening to the radio and Top 40's hits, so I kind of blend in the new stuff that I listen to with the older hits from back in the day that people will recognize. I get on the mic a lot; I'm trying to limit that down. Being in a club and being a dj is about being a part of the party not the center of the party.
How are you preparing for your performance here at Brokechella?
Usually before I go on stage I will maybe thirty minutes before look over songs on my computer and just kind of make sure I'm comfortable with the things I'm playing. A lot of times I will feel out the dj's that play before me. I'm always changing and adding songs depending on the other dj sets. I usually try to keep it real mellow. It's crazy people start partying around you, but I don't know, maybe I'll talk to my girlfriend 5 minutes before showtime. I like silence.
What can fans look forward from you coming up this year?
I'm getting ready to put out my first EP this summer. I have been dj'ing and performing for a while. Ever since joining Shifty Rhythms I've kind of taken the production side a little more serious. More shows in the LA area and more Shifty Rhythms parties
Korova
What is Korova significant to?
It's what I have always released music under starting like 3 years ago. It's a name I have grown up with. I chose it from Clockwork Orange the movie. My brothers showed me it at a really young age. I was born in raised in Utah, so I'm from a really strange background compared to most LA kids.
When did you make your way to Los Angeles?
4 years ago. I was a junior in high school. Family, location and school were the main reason.
Have you always been into music?
Yeah definitely. I was in band and as I grew older I started making hip hop beats for my brother. I've been making music for like twelve years, but seriously as Korova for 3. I also make music with an indie band called Breakfast and we just played SXSW. I work for Teamwork too, the management company for Diplo and ATrak. So it's a good balance of life at this point.
Shifty Rhythms is a collective your apart of?
Yeah. It's about events and curating artists and people doing music. Neo Fresco, the commander in chief brought me on. He's kind of like my big brother.
You have been referred to as an electronic dance scientist. What are the main ingredients used to make a masterpiece mix?
Wow. That's very poetic...You just have to have a story to tell ultimately. There's no point to make music unless there is a purpose. Life experiences, memories, nostalgia, anything that makes you listen to it that is redeemable. I like shit that is more meaningful. I don't know about an electronic dance scientist.
How do you get prepared for a show like today, Brokechella?
Well I haven't touched dj decks for like 2 months so I was a little unfamiliar with the DJM800, but I have been practicing with Shakewell who is a rapper. I'm helping produce his album for the past 2 years now. DJ'ing is easy. It's easy to go on stage and play music you like. That's the easy part. I'm focusing more on producing.
Fill in the blank. Today's word of the day is?
Hilary Swank. You should praise her and love her. Everything that we do is for Hillary and she is the one that blessed us. Andrew is the intergalactic Swank God. I haven't got my position yet, but its coming.
yOya
How has your day been going today?
It's good. We've actually played at Brokechella 3 times, since it's started. It's cool to see the turnout. Way bigger than it was last year.
Your music is classified as folktronic. Where did that genre come from? How was it created?
There are other bands that consider themselves folktronic, but we don't sound like them. So maybe we shouldn't use that word. Maybe that’s their word. It just makes sense because we were playing folk music with a drummer, but that didn't work out. We then used electronic drums so it kind of found its own sound.
In your opinions what makes a great performance?
I feel good about a performance when there is some energy moving back and forth with us and the crowd. You get that feedback to hype each other up. People have also come up to us saying it was a great performance, but we might have felt differently. So it depends a lot of how you feel personally.
Who are you looking forward to seeing tonight?
We're looking forward to seeing Manhattan Murder Mystery. Our friends Body Parts are playing and completely different are Planet Booty. They do this super duper dance set too. It's kind of like MC Hammer meets James Brown.
How are you preparing for tonight's performance?
We usually rehearse before the show, even the entire week before. Sometimes we're too busy to rehearse until day of, like today. Back in the day we used to listen to pre show music like Let Down by Radiohead.
What are your plans for this summer?
We are putting out new music. Our debut album came out in 2010, so we're excited to show people our new stuff. We have been working on this EP a long time and it's going to come out in July. We will be releasing a new single May 7th at the Satellite. Then we go on a weeklong tour up the West Coast and more serious touring when the EP drops.
The world of lo-fi and electronic trap is being mixed and mastered well by young Los Angeles homeboy Shlohmo. It all started when Shlohmo put out a rework of the highly popular Drake record Crew Love. His mellow dramatic trap mix caught the attention of Drake and The Weeknd who both supported and shared it. Under his family umbrella of Friends of Friends Records, Shlohmo started his own collective with good friend and innovative electronist Groundislava, called WEDIDIT Collective. Shlohmo had a big year last year and kicks off 2013 bigger than ever with a brand new EP and tour.
The Laid Out EP has just released worldwide and it is equal to or greater than his previous release Vacation EP. A consistant smooth vibe flows throughout the whole project. To start Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well features his live vocals on the opening track Don't Say No. I find this is the weakest track on the EP, put on only for collaboration purposes. On Out Of Hand Shlohmo gets back to his progressive transitions and epic builds. The way he filters his samples makes him most unique and in my top 5 artists to listen to out of Los Angeles right now. The last 30 seconds are broken down with a beautiful trumpet fading out. Later was the first song to be released via Soundcloud at the beginning of the year and is my personal favorite. The song builds and builds until a distorted vocal sample blasts through and begins harmonizing. First listening to this EP, you might feel like the songs and sounds are repetative, but in fact they couldn't be more different. Shlohmo does an excellent job of blend the Laid Out EP together, having you in a trance by the end. Put It could be one of the best crafted songs this young artist has ever made. But lets not get ahead of ourselves,
Shlohmo is young, wild and reckless and has a long career ahead of him.
Laid Out EP closes as it opened. Stuck in a trance, but by the end of Without, it is not possible to bob your head with amazement. Shlohmo will be performing live in Los Angeles next month at the Echoplex. See him for yourself and make the executive decision.
January 28, 2013 was a mark in history for the indie electronic band Niki and the Dove playing their first ever Los Angeles full show to my knowledge. The band had a show previously the night before at a sold out show at this same location. The band was formed and surfaced in US in 2010 with their first effort The Drummer EP. Touring the world, Niki and the Dove take their two person show on the road through north america now.
To kick things off the Swedish duo was introduced by a haunting sample from The-Dream's Nikki pt.2. Over and over, "and it's all because of Nikki, its all because of Nikki..." Niki and her Dove appear from the darkness with neon flashing lights in hand. The Dove then manipulates the beat a little beat and on goes their set.
I was only introduced to them last year via Iggy Azaleas Back Seat record, which sampled the song Last Night. Their official debut album Instinct released May 14th of last year. Speaking of that song, the performance for Last Night included a trippy 5 minute interlude, where Niki screwed up her vocals to play a different role.
Performances for DJ Ease The Mind and their finale, a 10 minute version of their breakout single The Drummer, really impressed me. The set list included music from their first ep The Drummer, but predominantly Instinct. The show in its entirety was amazing especially for a Monday night. So if you have the chance purchase the tickets and experience another world with Niki And The Dove.
This trailer for the HollyValens upcoming show on January 25, 2012 (THIS FRIDAY) was too dope I had to post. The duo @KingLaPlaya_IV and @Yerren2X are making real music right now worth listening to. Whenever I am around the two I feel madd energy, it's inevitable they will be a household name soon. Until then come this FRIDAY and check HollyValens out, live at the Airliner 25TH in Los Angeles. $10. 10PM
Beneath the radio and popular music, there are humans making music that comes organically from their mind, body and soul. Master producer, artist and engineer Ken Barrientos is of that realm. While Ken is a multi talented artist with his own commune and workshop called The Breath in Los Angeles, he is also conducting an ongoing and open-ended experiment he calls The Log.Os. With help from Nikko Gray and Iman Omari, two Los Angeles locals, the music they make is perfection.I could list all of Ken Barrientos accomplishments, but wouldn't you rather have him tell his story?
Next In Show Presents Ken Barrientos aka The Log.Os
When did you first get involved in music?
Music wasn't ever a conscious decision in my case, I sort of found myself doing it though. It was always prevalent in my upbringing; in my understanding of the more abstract world and I feel it was always somehow a part of me in my internal language. My father was a musician too [a guitarist]. The chords he would play, I’ve realized, have been carried with me and into my own music a lot. Ultimately, I suppose my process has always been one where I’d only find myself creating once there’d be a real message behind it. Something you tap into and become responsible of delivering through. It’s a spiritual thing as much as it is just therapy or a pastime for me. It’s transcendent, for me anyway.
You’re an artist as well. When did you discover that talent?
My mother says I was drawing at the age of 2. Anyone who knew me then would say that I wouldn’t stop. I was obsessed. Eventually, anything visual-based or design-based I'd become into and found myself doing. I would love to build things with my hands, with limited resources, and to reverse-engineer things – to get something out; I’ve always had the drive to manifest. “The ghost in the machine”. I believe its still a cornerstone of all of my creative processes – whatever that same logic and emotive force is.
What were you listening to growing up?
“Eleanor Rigby” was the first song that gave me "that mood". I think I was 5 years old. I’ve always liked darker sounds that have a certain sweetness to it. I had my father’s music around early on too, as a child. Later, I never really wanted to fall into any crowds or music scenes. I’d have my stints with [say] the hip-hop and the formal band-type kids, but I could never agree with the regulations that were imposed on either of them. I enjoyed [and continue to enjoy] the aesthetics of underground art and music. I think that, with too many rules, they could easily become too insecure for their own good. I feel a good artist is willing to destroy and rebuild his or her own work and comfort zone. Anyway, I think I’ve consistently appreciated anybody that would transcend the confines of genres that never really existed in the first place. I never listen to any types of music as wholes, but each artist or artistic statement on their own – whether that be Brian Eno or Pete Rock. To me, Aphex Twin is greater than house; and Autechre or Dilla are greater than hip-hop – the types of music which they’ve each ironically failed to adhere to. That's the twist, I guess.
What do you listen to now?
It's luckily mostly peers and friends of mine, namely Nikko and Iman. Quadron's really amazing, and I'm really excited for them right now [for their deal with Epic]. Currently, Inc. [on 4AD] and a lot of the signees on Tri-Angle Records and Hippos In Tanks are really instilling lots of hope in me with what they're bringing to the table. Actress, Hype Williams, and Zomby have also put out some really fucking beautiful works that cross into full-fledged art. Rap has been good lately too. The Weeknd. Beyond that, I appreciate anyone that’s delivering a breath of fresh air into everything.
Are your inspirations similar with music and art?
Yes. The two are one in the same for me, I can surely say. It’s just life.
Have you always lived in the Los Angeles area?
No. I was born in New York. I have to say that it's a pretty intense place to be all you know for so long in your life. It's a main hub, if not the center of the human universe, in terms of it as a source of information. I take the good and the not-so-good that that implies with me. It’s sort of influenced a dystopic view of things for me, but with a light at the end of the tunnel; some Philip K. Dick stuff.
In my opinion you are already a very accomplished producer and engineer. Who have you worked with that are most special and that would help solidify my statement?
Well, to their credit, I'm personally honored to have worked with Sa-Ra, Erykah Badu, J*DaVeY, Blu, Quadron, and Flying Lotus. I also co-produced “Levels” for Bilal. I don't even know how I can trace myself to now claiming them in my resume. I often feel like I'm a fan, foremost. I guess it took my obsessiveness with sound to make us find each other. Still, everything I’ve done is an experimentation. I don't know what I'm doing.
The Breath is a boutique label that you and Nikko Gray started. What does the brand mean to you?
It's a commune and workshop I've built. It’s a remote creative oasis with an open-door policy. You have to seek it but you kind of have to let it find you. It’s like a tiny cult. Ha. It's also a venue, studio, and art gallery. Nikko designs and sells her own art from it. Everything that comes out of it is "it".
Who are The Log.Os and what do they represent?
The Log.Os isn't any one body. It is an ongoing and open-ended experiment of mine. I've recently related it to time-travel. It's hard to explain. Iman Omari and Nikko Gray sing on it. Honestly, they’ve been amazing enough to endure through my crazy vision and strange requests!
Your self titled debut album is a classic in its own right. What were the studio sessions like recording that project?
Thank you. It happened pretty organically, yet also a little disjointed. That also kind of hits the nail on the head of my intention with it. These songs were cultivated almost accidentally, during a 3-year period. I had written some of it literally in my sleep. I would transcribe it when I’d wake up. I didn’t know I was making the record until it was too late. I sort of saw the path and took the reins from there. Nikko and Iman never met each other until it was completed. I asked each to sing on it as my voice, essentially. Also, the reason I had revealed it on November, 11 2011 was because the numbers 11:11 had been haunting me in an ominous way for the whole time leading up to its completion. I’d owed it to make that an acknowledged variable in the whole experiment. I was using my life as grounds for the poetry.
What do you hope to accomplish for 2013?
To just be.
If the rumors are true and the world really does end this year, how do you want to be remembered?
I believe I’m just energy and my “memory” will continue into the next world and into deeper levels of existence, regardless. It’s the butterfly effect and that’s enough to be my legacy.
The Future Is Now. Listen To The Log.Os. Energy Is All Around Us.
Crystal Castles landed in Los Angeles on October 20th for a riot party and a completely sold out performance. Lead vocalist Alice Glass and composer Ethan Kath shut down The Palladium Saturday night with an outstanding set including classics as well as new material.
On tour for their upcoming album (III), This show was by far one of the most entertaining and energetic shows I have been to in a very long time. I was hoping to get more footage, but being dead center in an ocean of people prohibited that. Check out Crystal Castles latest singles Wrath of God and Plague.
Multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Dani Ivory is new to the scene, but already has been around the world and back. Starting off touring as a backup singer/keyboardist for Cee-Lo in the group Scarlet Fever, Ms. Ivory is no stranger to world tours. Next In Show caught up with Dani at her studio in Los Angeles, while she was relaxing after just getting back from Japan. Check out the exclusive interview below.
Pasadena, CA (September 25, 2012) - LNDLien, Yancy Deron is releasing his latest project, the highly anticipated mixtape entitled, Bad Bitches x Good Weed, available at noon. The mix tape consisting of fifteen songs features guest appearances by Skeme, Crooklin, and Rocky Rivera, and production from LA’s hottest producers, Polyester, Sincere, Intricate Sound, Quamie Yae and more.
BBGW and its track listing is set in place to be the soundtrack to an endless summer in Southern California. As we all know, Cali is the land of no seasons and when it comes to summer in So-Cal there are several things to look forward to...Good weather, pool parties, beaches, nightlife, etc...And nothing enhances these summertime experiences better than Bad Bitches and Good Weed.
This past Monday was Labor Day, but also a regular monday night at Bardot in Los Angeles. KCRW's Chris Douridas hosts a weekly event called School Night, and this week happened to feature LA native Def Sound and indie underdog Father John Misty. Check out some footage from the show below.
You might overdose off of this new Overdoz song and visual for the new single Lauren London. Visual is directed and shot by fellow #DEST team member Calmatic. This is another smash production from the team THC & Iman Omari. Spot the Syd Tha Kid cameo.
A lot of artists and rappers claim to be a part of the Los Angeles music scene, but no other person is as heavily involved with the city as the homie VerBs. Not only is he an up and coming rapper with serious talent, but he is also a community organizer, event mastermind and an all around good guy. Most likely you already know VerBs through six degrees. Check out Next In Show's Exclusiveinterview with the young MC.
What happens when you blend a west coast up and comer with a member of the lyrically destructive TDE camp all laced together by the beat-smith of the Cool Kids? You get this masterpiece of west coast hip hop brought to you by Tiron, ScHoolboy Q and Chuck Inglish.
By now the whole world knows what ScHoolboy Q and the rest of TDE can do, and Mr. Inglish has been in the public eye for sometime now having recorded countless projects with Sir Mikey Rocks as the Cool Kids. Tiron, while having been around for a few years now, is generally an overlooked member of the current west coast scene that is leading the underground AND modern hip hop revitalization. With artists such as Kendrick Lamar (not to mention the rest of the TDE team), Dom Kennedy, Nipsey Hu$$le and countless others coming out of the woodwork it is really no surprise that Tiron is somewhat overshadowed, but in no way does it mean that his music isn't up to par.
With 2 fantastic solo projects (Ketchup and MSTRD) and several others with label mate Ayomari, Tiron has shown his skill on the mic and proves that he is ready for the limelight. While his style is somewhat more underground and experimental, I believe that a number of this young man's songs can easily mesh into the playlist of any hip hop fan. Having met and conversed with him on numerous occasions I can say that he truly is a humble and jubilant kid who is doing what he loves and is loving what he is doing. Don't sleep on Tiron or else it will come back to bite you!
Miguel drops his second volume to the Art Dealer Chic series. The direction that he is going with his music is on a whole different level than the norm or even those who are buzzing right now. I think a lot credit goes to the amazing production, known as Fisticuffs who happen to be Los Angeles natives. The EP features 3 high powered love songs with 2 particularly sex infused. Arch n Point, ...ALL and the beatbox inspired Broads. Stream ART DEALER CHIC Vol. 2 Below
Jhene Aiko has been low key making big moves in music. She is new to my knowledge so thank you Iman Omari, Coolroy, Ryshon and FlowJo for putting me on to her music. This is a teaser visual for an upcoming track Jhene did with LA-based producers Fisticuffs called 3:16am. If you haven't already, get familiar.
Last week in Los Angeles, CA. was the debut premiere of Anthony Evans and El Monstruo's Beautiful Gallery. The gallery poses as the first in a series of 4 this year. Next In Show was on location thanks to @RigoDM. Look out for surprise guest, model Maya Michelle Rew. Check out exclusive coverage from artists of the new school at the Beautiful Gallery.
LOS ANGELES – In a day and age where anyone with a cell-phone is a tenured photographer and anyone shooting with a fish-eye lens can claim to be leading the art world into new realms how can you creatively push the envelope? With that in mind, where and how is there a place for Los Angeles based artists Anthony Evan (www.anthonyevanla.tumblr.com) and Fern (www.elmonstruola.com/)? Well, as far as the place goes, look no further than Hollywood and as far as how… the answer is consistency.
On March 1st, the duo opened the doors to their Melrose avenue installment and welcomed their friends, family and connoisseurs to what they dubbed as the “Beautiful Gallery,” their first collaborative effort showcasing what will be part one of four collections slated for later in the year.
As they so aptly describe it, the “Beautiful Gallery” is “a visual dialogue… [that] takes on a new meaning in the case where animated characters and reality collide.” The vivid photography by Anthony Evan documents everyday events in the lives of four beautiful and alluring girls. Only this time, you get a firsthand look at their sub-conscious through the aid of their animal alter-ego, animated by Fern. Think KAWS meets “The Golden Compass.”
In one series, the stunning and voluptuous Maya Michelle Reu is seen in her intimates early in the morning getting ready for what can only be a hectic day full of sexy shoots for magazine covers or music videos. The vixen is quickly brought back to earth when her alter-ego panda is seen cuddling with her and asking for a snack from the fridge. One can’t help but laugh that even the sexiest of creatures (Maya) still has a playful side and wants to laugh and play like a kid.
And like a child’s endless and bountiful imagination, both artists have been pushing their creative boundaries for close to a decade and always seem to come out on top.
In one respect, Anthony Evan has used his midas-like gifts across many visual platforms. Honing his craft through graffiti his attention to detail has found him success in fashion, jewelry, photography and most notably tackling cuisine and emerging as a seasoned and classically trained chef. This “tastemaker” needs to create and is constantly on the grind looking for the next tasty recipe… and not just in the kitchen.
On the other hand, you have Fern, AKA “El Monstruo,” who definitely lives up to his moniker which in spanish translates to “the monster.” But all blood, guts and gore aside this monster is scary on one focal front: dedication. Fern has pushed his schoolhouse training to the limits and self-admittingly states that, “School was just a place where I could practice my artwork for 8 hours a day. They provided the drafting tables and drawing utensils, except they called them quizzes and desks.” And where Anthony Evan might be the man making the light bulbs flash, Fern is definitely the vision and down-right scary work ethic. His talents go well past illustration and solidify themselves across a successful clothing line known as Ghetto Rock.
These two young artists have only given a taste of what they have to offer. By their own account, they will “only grown from here,” and true to Ferns mantra (Create. Destroy. Rebuild) it’s all meant to grow, to regenerate into something bigger, something scarier, something tastier.
Keep the good times rolling with the new visual to Waka Flocka & Drake's stripper anthem Round Of Applause. The track was leaked around the end of the summer via his blog. It was hot then and still is burning up. Shot last month in Los Angeles atCafe-Club Fais Do Do. Check it out.
This morning I woke up to a ridiculous email from the music platform SongKick. It said that Bon Iver, infamous for his haunting features on Kanye West's last album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, will be playing a show next week at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles, CA. This news threw me off, and what's more is no one knows how to get tickets yet. Next In Show will find a way. Another strange thing is under Additional Details all it says is Tour Name: Awesome Awesomeness Either way, something amazing is going down Thursday February 16, 2012. Stay Tuned...
Last night was a big night for the Odd Future Wolf Gang. It seemed like Tyler was kicking it with Kanye, Earl Sweatshirt mysteriously appeared in Los Angeles and Domo recorded a new track with young Wiz Khalifa. Production is courtesy of Taylor Gang house producer Cardo. Check out the very recently recorded track below.
Drake joined Waka Flacka atCafe-Club Fais Do Do last night in Los Angeles to shoot their visual for the club banger Round Of Applause. The visual is directed by Mr. Boomtown. Check out pictures below courtesy of RapDose.com
Rapper OhJay straight outta Pasadena, CA. is #nextinshow and in this video her talent is strongly sensed. OhJay's upcoming debut mixtape entitled Crowd Molesters drops New Years Eve and this the first single to go along with it. Beautiful Day is the song. Get 1000 and OhJay will personally drop the video immediately following.