Tag Archives: the doomsday device

Around Town :: Ben Buck’s ‘Raunch Dressing’ Music Video

Ben Buck is a young man on a come up in the Austin hip-hop scene.  Recently, he connected with FOCI Productions to create a music video for Raunch Dressing, the lead single off of Ben Buck‘s instrumental project McNasty21.  The video captures a day in the life of Ben Buck as he goes around town with his musician friends to rehearse and perform (both on the streets and on the stage).  This one is definitely entertaining, and it does a good job of letting you in on the personality of the ever entertaining Ben Buck.  Definitely spread this one around, give it a like, and leave a comment.

-chief

Taking Action :: BlackLight And Ricki Savage Connect For ‘Crying AF’ Music Video

These days, it seems that the simple act of existing as a minority in a tension-filled society is one filled with paranoia… fear of systematic oppression, fear of violence at the hands of those meant to serve and protect, and fear of being judged unjustly are all very real concerns that have always been around, and that continue to be relevant as the times supposedly change.  Austin-based MC BlackLight, along with collaborator and fellow MC Ricki Savage, dove into this reality musically via BlackLight‘s track Crying AF, and with human rights rallies popping up in Austin, it only seemed right that footage from those rallies should be used in conjunction with their story for a music video.  The pair manage to show how art and reality often intertwine and imitate one another, as large numbers of people are shown uniting for the very same things that the pair are rapping about.  Definitely help these guys spread this much needed message via a like, comment and a share to their video, and never forget to support your local creators.

-chief

Stepping Up :: Alesia Lani Aims To Wow TRCoA With ‘Pay Me No Mind’ Performance

The journey of Alesia Lani from striving R&B performer to a force on the scene continues to gain momentum as time moves forward.  This summer, she made an attempt at a huge step forward by taking part in an opportunity for a sizable grant from The Recording Conservatory of Austin.  Part of this attempt included an in-studio performance of Pay Me No Mind, a strong composition about how important respect is when it comes to love.  With the help of her band and backing singers (plus a little bit of narrative footage edited in), Alesia Lani blew the roof off of TRCoA‘s sound stage.  The performance is a fun one, and the confidence running throughout is truly inspiring.  Check it out, leave a like, share and comment, and be sure to keep supporting your local creatives!

-chief

Recharge Zone :: Cory Mann Makes A Call To Humanity With ‘Sacred Springs’ Video

San Marcos-based performer and nature enthusiast Cory Mann recently collaborated with videographers Konstantin Belyshev and Paul Dubiel to make a plea to everyone who enjoys the natural resources that are the San Marcos river and the Edwards Aquifer zone.  As many in the area know, population growth and rapid development in the area have left a mark on the ecosystem.  Cory, in particular, took the time on Sacred Springs to educate people on the fact that pollution on the river has an effect on the recharge zones in the area, which in turn disrupts the flow of streams and rivers, which disrupts the Edwards Aquifer, the artesian zones, and the natural life (some of it endangered) that exists off of that flow.  Growth and change are natural, but we as humans must be mindful of the impact that we leave as we continue along with that growth and change, because that impact affects us all.

-chief

Muscle Memory :: Virgil Wolfe And Daroundhero Reconnect For ‘It’s Just Distance’

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Virgil Wolfe and Big Lo have been on a songwriting tear recently, so a new track from that neck of the woods is no surprise.  What makes It’s Just Distance so special is that it marks the first collaboration between Virgil Wolfe and Daroundhero in nearly a decade.  The energy between these two on the track is kinetic, and with Big Lo‘s off-kilter jazz-influenced beat as the driving force, the two emcees trade bars and hook duty as good as the cats from Project Blowed used to get down.  Tracks like these remind me of my transition from fan to artist in the early to mid-1990’s, strictly because tracks like these, tracks with so much love emanating from them, being performed by people in very similar situations to myself, let me know that the only hurdle to creative expression was a personal one.  Hopefully this collaboration between these old friends is not a one-off, and we don’t have to wait another eight years for a follow-up track.  Definitely check this one out, share it around, and leave it a like and/or comment.

-chief

Games Played :: CHHK And Tall Kyle Drop ‘The Way She Goes’ Video

There’s no shortage of talent within the ranks of the College of Hip-Hop Knowledge (CHHK), and the collective has had no trouble proving that time and time again.  The latest creative offering from their ranks comes in the form of a new music video from Tall Kyle for The Way She Goes, a reflection on that ever present battle of attraction between men and women that ebbs and flows so drastically.  Tall Kyle uses the first verse to visually and lyrically break down how the situations play out, while the second verse is a much more reflective rumination on what could have been, what could be, and how fault ultimately lies at the feet of both parties.  The real point to be considered from everything, in my opinion, is that drive to not let things like this hold you back on your path to fulfillment.  Artistic integrity and rewards are our responsibility, and with achievement of these goals comes the confidence and notoriety that brings people closer to us (which is another examination in itself).  Props to Tall Kyle and CHHK for continuing to put out dope product.  Be sure to like, leave a comment, share the video around, and subscribe to their YouTube channel for more quality content.

-chief

Soft Parade :: Muff Continues To Grow With ‘Go Gently’

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There’s something about the Austin-based band Muff that just works for me.  I don’t know if it’s their wonderfully playful guitar and bass melodies, the driving drums, the lyrics that reveal new insight upon repeat listens, the way that they sing, or a combination of all those elements, but Muff makes music that I can just hit play and allow it to take over.  Go Gently, the band’s new release, not only continues their tradition of great songwriting, it ups the ante by introducing new elements : production that is more layered and textured, synth sounds that were either not present in the self-titled debut or not showcased, and an overall more composed and up front sense of being about the band.  The performances are more confident, and listening to this album is like getting to know a friend better more so than meeting them for the first time (which is how it should be in terms of musical progression).  I still have high hopes for Muff, as I can envision great things happening for them due to the caliber of band they are.  Here’s to hoping that Go Gently points them in the right direction and affords them new opportunities.

-chief

Renaissance Man :: Andrés Forecasts ‘Friendly Skies’

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andrés is a man of many diverse interests and styles.  When I originally got to know him, it was via his Unusuals moniker and the unique production approach he took with his albums.  Over time, I’ve gotten to know him deeper via his radio exploits with Cosmic Grooves on KZSM Radio San Marcos, his vintage clothing ventures with BORDER PALACE VINTAGE, and a recent transition into the middle ground of beatmaking and singer/songwriterdom with his work under the name andrés.  Friendly Skies is a reflection on connection, a lament about what one feels when an opportunity for intimacy presents itself, and all you want to do is make things as easy and easy-going as possible.  Bonus shoutout to me on the artwork assist, inspired by the recent admiration and respect andrés has for Missy Elliot.  andrés is certainly carving out a niche for himself that the San Marcos scene hasn’t seen since the likes of Roger Sellers, but andrés (much like Roger) is a wholly unique individual, so it should be a journey worth watching for those lucky enough to witness the growth.

-chief

Smart Money :: Riders Against the Storm (RAS) Present ‘OverUnder’ Video

It’s late August, and in Austin that means folks are gearing up for RAS Day, a celebration of the Austin-based powerhouse that is Riders Against the Storm, all that they do for the community, and the overwhelming positive energy they’ve brought to the music scene.  With this year’s RAS Day gearing up to be something special, it’s only fitting that the duo dropped a new song and video in preparation.  OverUnder finds RAS waxing poetic on taking action and not being passive in regards to both your support of and your contributions to your culture, hip hop or otherwise.  The video is a simpler affair than past videos, but still effective with it’s striking color palette and it’s portrait-esque portrayal of RAS and friends.  Tracks like these hit that much hard with RAS laying them down, as you can almost feel the ‘walk it like I talk it’ mentality emitting from their lyrics.  The fact that the track, a collaboration with Walker Lukens for his Song Confessional music project, was conceived, written and produced in two hours is a testament to that realness, as well as the message of not accepting limitations in your quest.  Great work from a great squad doing great things.

-chief

Clean-up Hitter :: Poolboi Blu Knocks It Out Of The Park With ‘Sincere (Volume 005)’

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sincere (volume 005) just dropped, and it’s safe to say that poolboi blu is feeling maximum levels of swagger these days.  The sincere series has been getting progressively stronger with each release, but (volume 005) is a true achievement.  The song selection flows seamlessly… the mixes are clean, concise and executed precisely… best of all, poolboi blu doubled down on the mix length, clocking in at just over 45 minutes with (volume 005).  There’s a handful of songs I really dig on this mix, as well as a few that feel like possible new favorite songs in the making.  This mix is most definitely the right way to transition out of that summer madness.

-chief