Category Archives: Spotlight

Artists of all varieties that I know and work with.

Skill Share : Ben Buck Drops ‘Beat Tape #5’

Posted on January 27, 2018 | Leave a comment

Ben Buck stays working on the beats, rhymes and beatbox output, sometimes to an almost unfathomable degree. Like clockwork, you can expect Buck to drop new batches of beats every 4-6 weeks or so. His latest collection, Beat Tape #5, is a collection of mellower offerings than normal. Most hit around the 90s tempo (beats per minute and era of hip hop), and while a handful still have angular rhythms, most are good for lyrical vibe sessions or smoke sessions. Props to Ben Buck for his perseverance and dedication to his craft.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged beat tape #5, ben buck, chief, the doomsday device

Vigilant Vibes :: Kal.Kal Drops ‘January EP’

Posted on January 26, 2018 | Leave a comment

Baytown-based beatsmith kal.kal is becoming a fixture on this blog. The dude stays hard at work in the lab, and his sound variety is quite awe-inspiring. Right out of the 2018 gate, kal.kal finds himself experimenting with an electronic based, slightly dancier sound, while still managing to incorporate some of the trademark moods and textures he is becoming known for. The January EP may be more of a taste-tester project, or possibly it is a sign of the shape of things to come. Either way, we are certain that there will be more and more coming from kal.kal, and smart people are tuned in.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged baytown, chief, january ep, kal kal, the doomsday device

Powerful Nostalgia :: Total Sound Group Direction Action Committee Footage From Trophy’s Surfaces

Posted on January 25, 2018 | Leave a comment

Anyone unfamiliar with the legend of Tim Kerr (especially anyone native to Austin) has some homework to do. From Big Boys to Lord High Fixers to Total Sound Group Direct Action Committee and more, Kerr has left an indelible mark on his city, punk/rock music, and art as a whole. Recently, Butcher Bear uncovered some footage of a Trophy’s on South Congress show, and decided to upload it to (in)Sect Record‘s YouTube channel. As a result, all of us have been blessed with the raw power than was Tim Kerr and his bandmates, and their extremely passionate sound. Enjoy, share, and let the nostalgia of a simpler and better time take you over.

-chief

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Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged austin, big boys, chief, iNSECT RECORDS, lord high fixers, punk, rock, south congress, the doomsday device, tim kerr, total sound group direct action committee, trophy's, youtube

Mood Music :: Soda Lillies Release ‘Sleep Reel’

Posted on January 24, 2018 | Leave a comment

Sometimes, when you have no power, but you have a need to create, you’ve gotta run an extension cord a few windows down to a neighbor and make something happen. That’s what Soda Lillies decided to do for Sleep Reel, a collection of lo fi goodness in the vein of Jesus & Mary Chain or My Bloody Valentine. The sound washes over you, creating a feeling of waves when it comes to the instruments and lyrics. This one is definitely primed for the headphones, so throw a pair on a dive in.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged austin, chief, lo fi, sleep reel, soda lillies, the doomsday device

More Doom :: George VonDoom Talks ‘Power’

Posted on January 23, 2018 | Leave a comment

Austin has a vast and diverse cross section of MCs. Some spit bars about money, some drop knowledge, and some are abstract. Some, such as George VonDoom, find ways to touch upon several areas, each with equal passion. Power finds VonDoom in video form talking about the main aspect that keeps him a head above his competition. The beat is a nice, dense, driving production that works perfectly for the forceful lyrics, and the blend of lights throughout the video give it an MK Ultra mind control vibe. Very cool work from an artist holding it down for the Austin underground.

-chief

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Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

Tagged austin, chief, george vondoom, hip hop, mk ultra, power, the doomsday device

Connected Spirits :: The Vapors Caves Emerge, Release ‘Who Are You?’

Posted on January 22, 2018 | Leave a comment

BoomBaptist and Yadira Brown are not strangers when it comes to combining forces. After a few one-off collaborations, and the work both have done with Keeper, I am sure I am not the only one happy to hear about The Vapor Caves coming into existence. The duo will most certainly be a formidable one on the scene, with Boom‘s skillful tracks providing the perfect foundation for Brown‘s soothing vocals and thought-provoking lyrics. If the first single, Who Are You?, is any indication of the group’s potential, then we’ve got plenty to look forward to in the years to come.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

Tagged boombaptist, chief, keeper, the doomsday device, the vapor caves, who are you, yadira brown

Game Plans :: Flyhorse Radio Episode 1 Available, Featuring The Teeta

Posted on January 19, 2018 | Leave a comment

Hope everyone is ready, because FLYHORSES have entered the podcast game with FlyHorseRadio. Norman Ba$e and DDotElles have taken their collaborative music project and transitioned the energy into an interview show that asks real questions and demands real answers. Episode 1 features Austin rap legend in the making The Teeta as he talks about his inspirations, his goals and what he’s been going through over the years. Props to FLYHORSES for bringing their dope vibes to the podcast game… definitely a breath of fresh air.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged chief, ddotelles, flyhorseradio, flyhorses, norman ba$e, the doomsday device, the teeta

Stay Working :: Another One From Virgil Wolfe

Posted on January 18, 2018 | Leave a comment

There’s something about creating an album that opens up the creative and introspective floodgates. It seems that, in the wake of Before the World Wakes Up (no pun intended), Virgil Wolfe has been consistently dropping moving and thought provoking singles. His latest, I Wish, speaks of growing up protected by those that love you, wondering what it would be like if you knew then what you know now, but still loving those for understanding why they chose to protect you, and all in under 3 minutes time. Virgil Wolfe is definitely doing all that he can to leave a mark on 2018, so I recommend keeping an eye and an ear out… it’s all been wonderful thus far.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged before the world wakes up, chief, i wish, the doomsday device, virgil wolfe

Hustle Sounds :: Tory.D Productions Drops ‘FLY BEAT TAPE’

Posted on January 17, 2018 | Leave a comment

There’s a beat renaissance going on, and Austin seems to be hip to it. I could go on for days talking about quality beatsmiths in my hometown. My latest discovery is Tory.D Productions, creator of soundscapes that seem to tell stories within each song’s run time. FLY BEAT TAPE is a 7-song collection of textured and moving instrumentals that offer more than your standard boom bap elements. Essentially, Tory.D Productions is making collections of songs, minus the lyrics. His work is definitely worth checking out, and I recommend doing so sooner than later.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Tagged austin, beatsmith, chief, fly beat tape, the doomsday device, tory.d productions

Soulful Takes :: YUMA Presents Live Video For ‘Ozy’

Posted on January 16, 2018 | Leave a comment

When it comes to shooting live videos, it’s hard not to fall into the vast trap of relying on tropes : biggest stage and venue possible, screaming fans, slow motion, black & white intercut with color, and so on. It’s refreshing to see bands like YUMA collaborate with visual artists such as Corey Kline in attempts to stretch the boundaries of what defines conventional presentations. For example, their live video for Ozy consists of the band located in a warehouse somewhere in East Austin. A variety of lamps and film lights are used to illuminate them, and the audio was captured live. The camera floats through the situation, capturing every member of the band working together and vibing in their respective spaces. A video like this should certainly bring them attention in anticipation for the release of their upcoming EP later this year.

-chief

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Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged chief, corey kline, east austin, ozy, the doomsday device, yuma