Category Archives: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Album reviews.

Another One :: Notes Floats Releases ‘Lightning Butter’ On Your Eardrums

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You already know what it is when it comes to the mad genius Notes Floats.  If there were a contest for hardest working man in Austin hip-hop, Notes Floats would hands down be a finalist.  His latest project, LIGHTNING BUTTER, is another sure shot in a catalog full of standout work.  Dude has the touch on the beats and the lyrics, and his covers are either extremely compelling or hilarious.  Cop this one, and keep your eyes and ears open, because word on the street is that he’s already in the studio working on a full length.

-chief

Diverse Vibes :: 7evenThirty Introduces Listeners To ‘Jentleman Jack’

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Dallas has a large number of MCs and producers who are not afraid to embrace their individuality wholeheartedly.  My latest discovery (and I appear to be late to the party) is MC/producer 7evenThiry of Vintage Noize Records.  I stumbled across his latest release, 7evenThirty is: Jentleman Jack, and the cover alone immediately got my attention… one of those ‘I have to listen to this at least once’-type covers for sure.  The music does not disappoint at all… the music has a newer vibe to it, but the lyrics are full of references, many downright nerdy in the best ways possible.  I’m pretty sure I will be revisiting this album over time, and I will definitely be keeping my ears and eyes open for music videos and more releases.  It’s a name your price release, so why wouldn’t you cop it?  Share it too, and support your local scene.

-chief

Culture Foundations :: New ‘Escapism Plan’ Promo Hits The Internet

The city of San MarcosTexas has been through many changes over the past decade or so.  There has been nearly enough turnaround in regards to the population of the town that past events such as Electric Mayhem that defined the scene are forgotten, if not completely unknown.  Therefore, when a venue steps up to take a chance at locking down an event that will help define the direction of the scene and the culture, it’s on the people to take notice and support.  Tantra CoffeehouseChief and TheDoomsdayDevice and Bad Ingredients have teamed up to provide their respective talents and help create Escapism Plan… Tantra provides the atmosphere (as well as the infamous Happy Minutes specials that bookend the event and the newly instituted discount on all Hops and Grains beers during the night), Chief Doomsday spins a vast array of hip-hop, and Bad Ingredients sets up their infamous pop-up record shop with their ever-rotating inventory.  Friday nights, no cover, and all ages… what’s not to love?

-chief

Nurture Sounds :: Acclimated Assassin’s ‘Together’ Beat Tape Soothes The Soul

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Discovery is the fuel that keeps my blogger fire going.  Even though I have scores of talented friends, their are times where there are lulls in the output, and I am forced to go outside of my circle for content.  More often than not, this is where I find hidden (to me) gems, and Acclimated Assassin‘s Together is no exception to that trend.  Nearly 20 beats deep, and no filler here.  Acclimated Assassin states that this tape is for transitioning from spring/summer to fall/winter while keeping the good vibes going, and I’d say that he nailed that goal.  I will certainly be on the lookout for more from this cat.

-chief

Inner Visions :: Ryan Darbonne And Company Embark Upon ‘I AM TX’

Local musician and actor Ryan Darbonne, in light of experiences growing up in Austin and experiences within the Austin culture as a young adult, felt inspired to capture that experience into something he could share.  After sharing his script with OVRLD creator Morgan Day, the two felt that the idea needed to become a reality.  After enlisting the help of cinematographer Mariana Gonzalez, the gears began to turn for I AM TX.  Ryan reached out to Audrey Campbell of Pleasure VenomJonathan Horstmann of BLXPTN and Greg Williams, better known as Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice, and boom, a cast was born.

I AM TX is now in the crowdfunding stage, and the Indiegogo Campaign is up and running.  If you would like to help turn this vision into a reality, there are many things you can do.  Share the campaign with your friends, whether they’re in Austin, in Texas, or anywhere else in the world.  If you feel inspired, go ahead and donate, as there are many levels with many excellent perks available.  This vision will happen, but every bit of support that is garnered will improve the vision.  We thank you in advance.

CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO GO TO THE I AM TX INDIEGOGO PAGE

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-chief

True Unliving :: ‘More Friends, More Funerals’ Touches Down Thanks To Spik Vicious

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Not many cats out there put out the quantity (or quality) of work that EVOLVE consistently puts out.  Lately, he’s taken to stepping his alter-ego game up, and the latest part of that evolution has been the release of the MORE FRIENDS, MORE FUNERALS project released under the nom de plume Spik Vicious.  The theme is simple but strong… loyalty, humility, and skills.  The production is dope, the bars are thought provoking and touching, and the project as a whole falls beautifully into the canon that Evolve has created.  Cop it, share it, and always support your local artists.

-chief

Serious Bars :: Crew54 Drops ‘DAE1NZ’ Single

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Crew54 is back at it in a big way.  They’ve been teasing the release of Slaprapz 2 for a hot minute now, and recently, M.O.S. mentioned a music video in the works that he believes will blow some minds.  Not too long after that, DAE1NZ showed up on Bandcamp, and man, these cats just get rawer and rawer.  Crew54 has a way of embracing the classic hip hop sounds and group dynamic without coming off as dated or passe.  If DAE1NZ is any indication of the song quality for Slaprapz 2, I’m ready with money in hand when it drops.

-chief

Mental Imagery :: HOMEROOM And Friends Connect For ‘Mind Masters’

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For anyone under the impression that HOMEROOM may be on an indefinite hiatus, those thoughts have been struck down with the release of mind masters, one banger of a surprise single.  Heir Max and Jayoin jump on the track to make the lyrical onslaught double the potency, and John Tunstle comes through with another wonderfully produced beat for all of the chaos to collide on.  If this is an indication of an upcoming HOMEROOM album, I’ll be right here, ready and waiting to listen.

-chief

Placebo Effect :: Sugar Pill Debuts With ‘Monsters’

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Quite often, the best introduction is a direct one.  Let folks know what you’re about, speak with confidence, keep it short and sweet.  If that’s the case, then consider yourselves introduced to Sugar Pill.  A four-piece rock outfit based out of Austin, the group finds themselves preparing for the release of their debut EP Out of the Gate with the release of the single Monsters.  Are they talking symbolic or literal monsters?  I guess that’s for them to know, and us to decipher.  Here’s to more music from Sugar Pill, and hopefully in the near future.

-chief

Calm Maturation :: Branden Rex Drops ‘B&W Hipster’

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From the digital desk of Branden Rex :

‘Originally from Milwaukee, WI Branden Rex moved to Austin, TX to pursue his musical career 7 years ago.  While in the past 3 he has rerouted himself into the direction of fashion and business after co-founding an art/music company, Calm Child Lifestyles, the last year of his life has been spent producing his next endeavor.  A music/visual project entitled B&W Hipster has been the result.  With an array of audio tracks accompanied by cinematic visuals, Rex has mastered a way to brighten up the inevitably dark reality of his world.  Not only has he given you something to listen to and see, but you’ve been given something to feel.’

I am looking forward to more of the visuals for sure, as 50¢ Wings was a top notch music video in a year full of stellar Austin-based music videos.  Show some support, share, like the work, and stay tuned for more.

-chief