Category Archives: ShuffleCast

[ intelligent.sound.system ] ShuffleCasts by Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice. Hosted by Bandcamp.com.

Powers Combined :: NGHT HCKLRS + Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice Collaborate Live

Many months ago, an OVRLD hosted show was my introduction to the duo NGHT HCKLRS, and I was instantly impressed.  I only DJ’d that night, so they had no idea what I did lyrically, but I knew immediately that I wanted to collaborate with these guys.  I kept in touch with them over time, and last week, they hit me up with some tracks and an opportunity to perform with them at Kick Butt Coffee in Austin.  Needless to say, I jumped on the opportunity.  Above is the live video of that portion of the show, and hopefully it is the beginning of what can be a powerful collaborative project.  Stay tuned, I will certainly keep you in the loop with any possible developments.  Enjoy this for now, like it, and share it, and maybe we’ll see more of this in the future.

-chief

Nonstop Notes :: Notes Floats Strikes With ‘Lightning Butter’ Video

There are not many forces of nature comparable to my main man Notes Floats.  Dude is a one man army on the beats and rhymes, and lately, he’s been pushing things forward with the music videos as well.  His latest creation, Lightning Butter, is an announcement for the upcoming EP of the same name, and it’s funky like you’d expect a Notes Floats track to be.  His music video approach works well with the tracks, and Lightning Butter is no exception.. simple, but efficient, and relevant to what he’s spitting.  Dope as always, so check it out, like it and share it.

-chief

Guaranteed Fresh :: Exploded Records Provides Us With JuiceLand Radio

Screenshot_1

The Exploded Drawing family has done nothing but wonderful things for Austin since appearing on the scene.  The same goes with JuiceLand.  When the two entities combined a few years back to create Exploded Records at JuiceLand, it was a culmination of wonderful that seemed like it would be a peak.  Yet, somehow, the combined efforts has continued to grow and become greater than the sum of its parts, exploring all new realms.  One of these realms has been the online radio/podcast market.  With the constant influx of guests to Exploded Drawing and Exploded Records in-store performances, it’s no wonder that JuiceLand Music was born as a part library, part showcase for the wealth of talent associated with these ventures.  The channel is 19 shows deep, and it’s all quality material.  Do yourself a favor and take a deep dive.

-chief

Dropping Knowledge :: TEE-DOUBLE Releases ‘Bless The Child’ EP

a1563488301_10

Of all the Austin-based MCs and producers, you’d be hard-pressed to find one with the drive, vision and longevity of Tee-Double.  Of the many hats he wears (cultural diplomat, business educator, creative advocate), the man still finds time to produce, write and engineer his own albums, adding to his vast catalog.  Bless The Child E.P. finds Tee-Double really learning the limits of his studio, the newly crowned Teetopia.  Breakbeat exploration is still used, but Tee has been throwing more and more live musical elements into his production, giving this album the sound and feel of a funk-band’s back-up.  Add the natural dosage of lyrics about being hip to the business side of the game, the journey from where he came to where he’s arrived, and the inspirational messages he gives to listeners (artists and casual fans), this E.P. is shaping up to be one of the more important releases of 2017.  Cheers to you, sir, and keep doing what you’re doing.

-chief

Twisted Beauty :: Furly Travis Creates ‘The Failed Artist’

San Marcos icon Furly Travis has always been a creative spirit.  His music pushes all kinds of creative boundaries, his painting style has a deceptive depth to it that is not always obvious upon first viewing, and there has always been an experimental film director budding within him.  Recent creative stints with indie director Jeffrey Garcia seemed to have stoked those flames within Furly, and The Failed Artist is the first of many flames to catch fire.  The short film is a David Lynch-esque view into the search for inspiration, and even with its amplified narrative, them film is very easy to relate to on a gut level.  If this is the first of what are hopefully many creative endeavors, I am curious as to what the future holds in store.

-chief

Making Tracks :: Mama K & The Shades Unleash ‘Midnight Train’ Music Video

Austin-based super-ensemble Mama K & The Shades are shaping up for an extremely successful 2017.  After the late 2016 release of their debut LP Honey Made, the collective has released a stunning animated video for the single Midnight Train.  Mixing line drawn animation with color-filtered footage of 50s America, the video is a wonderful journey of visual stimulation and juxtaposed footage of a past reality.  Real, yet surreal.  Here’s to big adventures and a successful journey for Mama K & The Shades.

-chief

Pack Leader :: Curbside Jones Drops ‘Wolves’ Clothing’ EP

a0234914206_10

Nothing hits me harder than a well executed concept album.  I’m a casual fan just like anyone else… I dig it when production is going hard and lyrics are clever.  There’s something special, however, about an artist who can take an idea, explore it thoroughly from song to song, and yet have each song be its own entity.  I believe that Curbside Jones has dropped a concept album for the ages with his latest release, Wolves’ Clothing.  A very original take on the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ concept, Curbside Jones gets extremely personal by using the analogy of the timid sheep ‘wearing’ the persona of the wolf.  The smart part is how the analogy is direct, and yet open ended and easy to apply to other concepts, not just the literal imagery being set forth.  Add in some of the hands down dopest cover art I’ve seen in ages, and it seems like we’re dealing with something that will more than likely make many best of lists at the end of the year.  I’d be surprised if it doesn’t make mine.

-chief

 

 

Hidden Gems :: DEFY’d Gives You ‘Nothing For Your Birthday’

a2488104616_10

There’s problems, and then there’s good problems.  A problem is when you have every intention of creating music, but you lack the motivation or the opportunities to do so.  A good problem is when your motivation and opportunities are so abundant, that sometimes your musical output goes overlooked by even those who stay checking for it.  The latter would be the case in regards to the homeboy SymmaTree.  Dude stays busy both representing for Grid Squid Entertainment and StereoFiend, so when I came across a post about a project he was in called DEFY’d, I was surprised that I completely missed the boat on it.  nothing for your birthday is the solid first effort from a band, an amalgamation of members from Call Me King and Dancing with Gepetto, as well as the previously mentioned SymmaTree and additional vocalist M.E. Farrell.  It would be easy to classify this project as rock/rap [see the very self-aware (my ears matter) interlude], but that would be doing this collaboration a disservice, as there is something definitely brewing here.  I’ve heard the song Fingertips previously, but it does a nice job of rounding out this debut offering.  I am looking forward to hearing more from DEFY’d, believe that.

-chief

Another Take :: DDotElles Drops ‘EFAdemo:Take3’

a0887667242_10

You already know what time it is.  Whenever a new DDotElles anything drops, be it single, video, or especially album, it’s gonna get shine around here.  This cat consistently puts out HIGH quality hip-hop, and in all honestly, should be operating on a much larger scale than he currently is.  I guess all that artists of our caliber can do is keep dropping music and hope that one day the masses catch up.  That being said, EFAdemo:Take3 is truly a project to be proud of.  The album flows damn near seamlessly from track to track as DDotElles provides us with the elements that we become accustomed to hearing on his projects : lyricism on both witty and deeply personal levels, banger production, beautifully chosen guest spots and skits/movie samples to break things up and usher listeners through the project.  This is what hip-hop sounds like in my perfect world.  Share it, support this cat and spread the word.

-chief

 

Making Tracks :: Feral The Earthworm, Vanlife, Vanarchy And DIY Life

If you’ve ever been in need of true inspiration, Austin-based MC Feral The Earthworm is someone you need to look into.  He started off on the scene as a standout among the many wonderful MCs that frequent Austin Mic Exchange, and he was as brutally honest as he was talented.  You knew right from the beginning that he had a vision, and to see this vision manifest has been incredible.

After a DIY tour with Weird CityFeral began the process of eliminating bills and rent from his life in an effort to maximize doing what he loved, which was making music and performing shows.  What began as an idea has turned into his Vanarchy album and his Vanlife movement… he turned an empty van into a living space and a recording studio, and went straight to work on releasing the Vanarchy project:

vanarchy-cover

If this doesn’t inspire you to chase your dreams and say f-ck it to any obstacle in your way, I don’t know what will.  Mad props to Feral the Earthworm, and here’s to all of the well-deserved success that will hopefully come your way.

-chief