Tag Archives: mirage

Soothing Sounds :: (iN)Sect Records Presents Usedtobe Self-Titled Release

A bit of information on Usedtobe, courtesy of our friends at (iN)Sect Records :

Chris McDowell; aka Solar Shield (Austin Boogie Crew) aka Very Rich (Growth In Decay); is now also known as Usedtobe,

Usedtobe came from long nights in art school in Georgia.  I had finally gotten the Mirage to actually read the floppy discs it came with, sitting on an endless pile of sampled drums from the internet, with the DX7 and Mopho and no plans outside the house.  I was digging deep into the question of ‘what counts’, with file names like isThisFunk? and maybeEnough.

His debut long-player consisting of Boom Bap 90s beats, modern funk sketches and soul flips clocking in at 36 songs and 50 minutes.  At 32, he’s been making music for over half his life under different monikers.  He also owns a synthesizer company called supersynthesis.com, a musical instrument design and manufacturing firm based in Austin, TX, where he was born and raised.  He plays drums, bass, guitar and is absolutely blessed on the keys.

For this record, the equipment he you used: Yamaha DX7, DSI Mopho, Ensoniq Mirage, Ableton Live, the web at large.

This one is money.  Check it out, support if you can, and share regardless!

-chief

Advertisement

Coming Attractions :: Mirage The Gr8 Readies Release Of ‘The Rhythm Still Plays’ Documentary

After several years of collaborating on music video projects, Mirage the Gr8 and myself decided that 2020 was the year we would step our game up.  The year also coincided with the 20-year anniversary of Mirage‘s first label release, Life Is A Rhythm (L.I.A.R.) on Good Vibe Records.  Based on the importance of this anniversary and the release of that record at the time, it was decided that a documentary should be created to commemorate the release.  With interviews from NickNackDJ Mike SwingBrotha K.DJ Crash and key figure Tee-Double, plus the candid story of the album from Mirage himself, this is definitely a project of great importance in regards to Austin hip-hop history.  Check out the trailer, and stay tuned for the release of the full documentary in early July!

-chief

Scenic Route :: Mirage The Gr8 Drops Video For ‘Rollin’

Mirage the GR8 has been focused on dropping groups of videos for his musical releases over the last couple of years, and with each coordinated effort, the quality of the work seems to grow.  With RollinMirage reached out to some of his Dallas people to help capture images, and he reached out to yours truly for the edit.  The result, in my opinion, is quite impressive, and the type of quality that all involved can stand behind and be proud of.  Check it out for yourself, leave a like and a comment if you dig it, and share it with others so every can be blessed by the dopeness.

-chief

Trill Talk :: ‘They Wrong (Bruh)’ By @Mirage512

Mirage‘s journey through 2016 of bringing us the audio-visual project #TheAmeliorationCollection has been a wonderful journey to witness.  They Wrong (Bruh) marks my second involvement in the editing process, and this song is straight up hot flames.  Arson Optics comes through with a banger on production, and Mirage drops knowledage the only way he knows how.  Highly recommended viewing.

-chief

Staying Power :: Mirage (@Mirage512) Drops ‘Till The End’ Video

Austin MC Mirage is continuing #TheAmeliorationCollection with the subtly powerful and moving Till The End.  Over some very solid and smooth production by Trill GatesMirage waxes poetically about the importance of longevity in the hip-hop culture, and his efforts to express that through his career and his art.  Bonus trivia: he hit me up on the edit for this one.

-chief

The Golden Moment :: ‘Finally’, By Big Package And EVERYONE

Anom and Brokebread are good dudes.  The music they make collectively as Big Package is dope.  Over the years, they’ve worked with a who’s who of talented Texas hip-hop artists.  Finally is their opportunity to showcase the love they’ve shown and been shown… enjoy it, share it, and hope there will be another collaboration album in the future!

-chief

Mirage The Visionary :: Artistpreneur

from the digital desk of Mirage

Artistpreneur is just what it sounds like : Artist & Entrepreneur.  It is the first release off of my Art & Commerce album, a new interactive album I”ve released.  I have adopted a new strategy to release this music.  Instead of putting the 10 songs contained on the album out all at 1 time on a CD, I will be releasing the album 1 song at a time over the next 2 years.  I will be promoting each song like an album.  You can just take the songs you like.  Please follow me on twitter @MIRAGE512 (I DO FOLLOW BACK)… also check all the links below.

Peep this video @
WWW.SOULOFFERING.BLOGSPOT.COM

WWW.MIRAGE512.COM

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/MIRAGE512FILMZ

Listen and download ARTISTPRENEUR @ WWW.SOUNDCLOUD.COM/MIRAGE512