Category Archives: Underground Me Now

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Sound Expansion :: Evan Moran’s ‘Romantic Feelings’ About Future Funk

Posted on December 15, 2016 | Leave a comment

It’s been documented several times on this blog that Evan Moran is not afraid to explore the boundaries of his creative energy.  Recently, he has started a journey down the road of future funk (think vaporwave, but at a higher bpm).  He’s knocked out a couple of songs already, but romantic feelings is his first foray into the visual accompaniment realm.  All of the earmarks of the genre are there… synth sounds, obscure samples from decades ago, and glitchy video from a random source, but Evan puts it all together like he’s been doing it for years.  While I hope this is not a departure from the other music he makes, I am excited to see where these journeys take him.

-chief

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Cool Relax :: ‘September LP’ By MikeDbeatsbyD is Minimal, Yet Moving

Posted on December 13, 2016 | Leave a comment

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It’s amazing how much can be done with so little when the right elements are in the right hands.  Enter Dallas-based beatsmith MikeDbeatsbyD, and his nearly year-long in the making opus, September LP.  One of several released slated for late 2016/early 2017, this project encapsulates pieces made during travels to all sorts of destinations from this year.  The pieces were then pieced together as a whole, and the result is September LP, a journey through compositions that fall under the hip-hop, chill and electronic umbrellas, among others.  A pleasant surprise on my timeline indeed.

-chief

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Joyful Noise :: Kinder’s Latest ‘SP202 Mix’

Posted on December 13, 2016 | Leave a comment

There are not many producers out there who can do so much with so little in comparison to Kinder.  This dude can take an antiquated (though still beautiful) piece of equipment like an SP202 and create pure magic with it.  I imagine that this SP202 Mix, and previous iterations of this style of mix, serve as the warm-ups to the mind-blowing album-length creations that Kinder periodically serves up.  Like it, share it, and follow for more dopeness.

-chief

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Big Things :: Chisme’s ‘Nada Tengo’ Prepares Itself For Fake Four’s Freecember

Posted on December 9, 2016 | Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I heard from the homies Chisme.  At first, I was hoping that they hadn’t gone the route of so many other indie groups and thrown in the towel on their joureny, but I was ready to accept that reality if that was the case.  Then, out of the blue, 2 good bits of news dropped.  First and foremost, the teaser trailer posted above let me know that they had a new project on the way in the form of Nada Tengo.  As I read a bit further, I realized that I had not heard from Chisme because they had signed to Fake Four, and were prepping this release for Fake Four‘s annual holiday season promotion known as Freecember.  On December 23, this project will be available via Fake Four, so make sure to mark that date and give yourself a little holiday cheer in the form of what is sure to be a banger of an album.

-chief

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Warning Shot :: SIL3NCE Drops ‘The Prelude’

Posted on December 7, 2016 | Leave a comment

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The Dallas/Fort Worth area is always up to something.  This time around, artists Hologram Dagger and VOMOT have joined forces to create the production duo of SIL3NCE.  The first release from the team is aptly titled The Prelude, as it serves for a quick taste of the sinister sounds these two have in store.  I know it’s not always fair to set expectations off of this little data, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the next wave of sounds is equally as hard hitting.  Here’s to patiently waiting to find out.

-chief

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Beat Philosophy :: Flobama’s ‘Strong Style Slaps’ Hits Hard

Posted on December 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

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This album is good old fashioned boom bap beats, with a little bit of far eastern influence for good measure.  flobama came with it hard on Strong Style Slaps.  These are the kind of albums that make my producer wish list just keep on growing…

-chief

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Quiet Storm :: Delano Taylor Releases ‘Cloudy W/ A Chance’

Posted on December 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

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Delano Taylor continues to make some of the most moving music out there, independent or label artist.  His approach is deceptively simple, but I believe it is the way he uses familiar elements in original ways on top of his at times sparse (but always perfectly balanced) production, so that when it builds or changes, you’re invested in the journey.  cloudy w/ a chance is another sonic suite composed of several movements, with one of the most adorable cover photos ever as a complete compliment to the music.  Very good stuff.

-chief

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Worldly Views :: Evan Moran Rises With ‘Phoenix’

Posted on December 2, 2016 | Leave a comment

Man… the end of 2016 seems to have a common theme, and that theme is awakening.  Artist after artist that I come across this winter seems to have a prime directive of opening the eyes, ears and minds of any listener they are able to reach.  Evan Moran, who normally is already pushing boundaries, just so happens to be another example of someone practicing this awakening principle.  Phoenix finds him on a sparse (but suprisingly heavy) beat produced by UMRU, and with a little help from Ascendant Apaulo, they proceed to tear into the concepts of closed-minds, witch hunts and other human injustices in some of the most captivating ways possible.  Think music indeed.  I am very much looking forward to the release of Faulty Intercessor, and with a little luck (and hard work on my part), you may even see a familiar name pop up on future Evan Moran material.

-chief

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Powerful Beauty :: Upper Reality’s ‘Silver’ Is Must-Listen Material

Posted on December 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

First and foremost, I must thank Austin for being a city so rich in culture and talent that I never have to want for quality material to consume and review.  That being said, I have heard some captivating projects over the years from many, many talented musicians, but Upper Reality‘s Silver is quite simply one of the most breathtaking projects I have heard in YEARS.  Based in poetry and sparse production, but far from short on surprises and insight, this project should be mandatory listening for songwriters, emcees and poets in this area, as Silver is nothing short of a masterclass in all of those disciplines.  My ONLY gripe is that this is an EP, and not a full-legnth project, but this EP is incredibly powerful, which I cannot state enough.  Very glad to have stumbled upon this thanks to a recent Austin Chronicle article about Upper Reality, Anastasia and Alesia Lanai (which, out of the 3, Upper Reality was the only one I was not familiar with).

-chief

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Temple Work :: Anastasia Practicing ‘Kale & Yoga’

Posted on December 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

Austin-based emcee Anastasia (FKA Anya) is a picture perfect example of positive growth.  She was already fresh out the gate, but after making an introductory push to the greater Austin music scene the past few years, she took a brief moment to reflect and redirect.  The result is a mentally and spiritually stronger artist, who seems to be both enjoying the ride and focused enough to control the direction it leads.  More power to you, and here’s to great things in your future.

-chief

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