Category Archives: Spotlight

Artists of all varieties that I know and work with.

Fair Warning :: Three Headed Dragon Comes Together For ‘Movement’

Posted on January 4, 2019 | Leave a comment

a0197228906_10

Evolve has always got something dope up his sleeve, and this time, it’s a crew dubbed Three Headed Dragon, comprised of himself, Mic Melt and Palm Leaf Skylines.  For Movement (a banger produced by John Henry), the crew perfectly encapsulates the essence of the AWOL ONE cover art for their upcoming release Stand Alone Different : Evolve hits folks with stab after lyrical stab, Mic Melt assaults listeners verbally with high energy and powerful bars, and Palm Leaf Skylines delivers the lyrical version of sweet science by taking the verse apart piece by piece in a calculated manner.  If this lead single is any indication of the project as a whole, I can’t wait for it to drop.  In the mean time, support this single by purchasing it and sharing it around so folks can get hip.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Big Noise :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice + Lo Phi Connect Once Again For ‘Uncanny Valley’

Posted on January 3, 2019 | Leave a comment

48389148_10156030789358994_8337870353036476416_n

Lo Phi and I have been working on this one for a hot minute… after some final touches, finalizing of the track list, and a little love from IQ at FrownLand Records, we are proud to finally release Uncanny Valley.  This project is a celebration of distorted sounds and distorted thinking coming together to create harmonic resonance… Lo Phi kicks things into the red as he leaves his heart inside the beat machine, while I dug deep into all that’s been going on in my life the last few years to mine it for all of the wisdom, knowledge and wordplay that I could.  The album is now available to stream and download on Bandcamp, and will arrive everywhere else by mid-January.  Share it around, download it, and leave a few bucks if you can, but most importantly, enjoy!

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , ,

Glow Up :: Poolboi Blu Releases ‘ANTSY’

Posted on January 2, 2019 | Leave a comment

a0684478910_10

Over the course of the past year, the homie poolboi blu has been cooking up tons of production, releasing beats, mixes and collaborations steadily from month to month.  All of this appears to have been foundation building in preparation for the release of ANTSY, his latest solo project.  A handful of these tracks have seen the light of day over the summer, but hearing them as a collective works extremely well.  Add to this the fact that poolboi blu is becoming a bit more of a vocalist, and it makes ANTSY a perfect closure for 2018 and an indicator of where things are going for beyond.  Don’t sleep on this project, seriously.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , ,

Cosmic Nostalgia :: Riders Against The Storm And Ayuma Combine Forces For A ‘Reminisce’ Remix

Posted on January 1, 2019 | Leave a comment

Riders Against the Storm (RAS), more so than any other group I am lucky enough to consider a peer, embody a fullness of culture that is sorely lacking in hip-hop today.  Not only do they represent where they were born, raised, and currently reside, but they have a keen knowledge of their music and cultural roots across a wide span of eras, even down to the indigenous roots of the rhythm and dress.  For Reminisce (Ayuma Remix), the duo teamed up with producer Ayuma to create a trip down memory lane with a driving beat as the tour guide.  The lyric video further embraces the influences of each group member individually, as well as (RAS) as a collective, and it hits all the right nostalgia-centered marks.  Leave a comment, like the video, and share it around so everyone can enjoy and do the same!

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Live Vibes :: Stereofiend Visits Untapped SMTX For A Live Performance

Posted on December 31, 2018 | Leave a comment

Over the last 6 months or so (it seems), there have been a handful of bands promoting live performances at the Fire Station Studios in San Marcos, all of which I’ve unfortunately missed due to my own gigs.  Recently, Stereofiend took part in one of these performances, and Untapped SMTX documented the event for their YouTube channel.  The band is on point for this one, with every member getting plenty of opportunity to shine.  Check it out, leave a like or comment, and share it around so others can enjoy as well!

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

High Resolution :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice + Lo Phi Release Lead Single From ‘Uncanny Valley’

Posted on December 21, 2018 | Leave a comment

48389148_10156030789358994_8337870353036476416_n

2017 was shaping up to be the year for me.  I was coming off of a strong series of releases for about 8 years straight, and my docket for collaboration was starting to grow.  One of the ground floor collaborators was the homie Lo Phi, who has always been prolific in my eyes when it came to production.  What started as a follow-up EP to Manifest Station, over a period of 2 years, has shaped into a full-length project showing our collaborative growth despite both of us going through some of the most tumultuous periods of our lives.  I am proud to announce, finally, that our latest collaboration will be ready for release in January of 2019.  The project, Uncanny Valley, is full of wild production and deeply coded lyrics, as demonstrated by the lead single Just To Be Clear.  Stay tuned for this release, and many others, in 2019, as many of my former loose ends come to fruition.  Give the track a listen, a like, a comment, and share it around for prosperity in 2019!

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , ,

Vice Principles :: MC Homeless Drops Fake Four Debut In The Form Of ‘Sex And Death’ EP

Posted on December 20, 2018 | Leave a comment

a0635538424_10

When I caught wind of the fact that MC Homeless had a handful of Moodie Black-produced beats and was working on an EP, I knew that we were all in for something memorable.  Over the past year, MC Homeless was showcasing tracks off the project, but there’s something about finally getting to experience a fully realized creation that not even the arresting nature of live performance can capture.  Sex and Death is part examination, part celebration of the trappings that come with the creative spirits.  Sex, depression, drugs and death form the four corners of the framework for Sex and Death, and the instantly iconic artwork is pitch perfect.  Definitely download and share this one around, and if you can, get a hold of the limited edition vinyl, which is equally dope.  Props to Fake Four for putting this one out.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , ,

Full Bloom :: Brown State Of Mind Showcases Poolboi Blu With ‘Flora Sound N°3’

Posted on December 19, 2018 | Leave a comment

artworks-000458799042-96173a-t500x500

Every time the homeboy poolboi blu makes moves it makes me happy to know I’m in league with such creative and motivated people.  After a successful run of several mixes in his sincere mix series, poolboi blu was tapped by Brown State of Mind to create a mix for their Flora Sound series.  The series, a showcase of Austin-based DJs, fits right in line with poolboi‘s eclectic range and refined tastes, making N°3 a standout piece.  poolboi made sure to cover the hip-hop, R&B, rock, electronic and remix bases perfectly on this one.  Give it a like, give it a comment it, and share it around so that everyone can get down.

– chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Night Moves :: SymmaTree Of Grid Squid Entertainment Releases ‘Second Star To The Right’

Posted on December 18, 2018 | Leave a comment

a4216637997_10

SymmaTree of Grid Squid Records is a man on a mission.  Over the course of the last two years, I’ve personally witnessed him work a full-time job while performing and touring regularly, at times crossing multiple state lines over the course of long weekends.  Over that same span of time (a bit longer, actually), SymmaTree amassed a collection of loose tracks that begin with Eren Yeager.  While finishing up the production and waiting for features on his Frozen Leaves EP, Symmatree revisited the tracks, and eventually, the groundwork was laid for Second Star to the Right.  He’s been hyping this one up for a minute, and after hearing the project, I can fully understand why.  The album is a free download, so there’s no reason not to cop it and share it around so that others can do the same.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , ,

Social Network :: ChurchCough Celebrates Collaboration With ‘ChurchCough & Friends’

Posted on December 17, 2018 | Leave a comment

artworks-000458499030-zhb7ku-t500x500

Like George Clinton once said, ‘the funk can not only move, it can remove’.  In my opinion, he meant removal in the sense of healing, and the healing power of music is undeniable.  With that in mind, I think of ChurchCough as both therapeutic and entertaining the way that they bask in positive outlooks and affirmations.  For ChurchCough & Friends, if it’s not obvious by the title, ConductHer and NonsenseSpence called in the help of some fellow like-minded artists to multiply the positive vibes.  I’m honored to have been a part of this project alongside Token, Eddie Baty, and Lemur & Dream Puppy.  Check it out, share it around, and keep supporting your local creatives!

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , , ,