mocha bands, “real hip hop”

mocha bands, “real hip hop”

Hip hop artist Mocha Bands is next on our list of incredible artists providing the world with a fun playlist. With this one, we get to peep into her list of influence and see what she enjoys in her free time. With this stunner playlist, it looks like we might have a pretty nostalgic – and super incredible – weekend. So turn it on, turn it up, and let loose!

Biggie Smalls                            Juicy
Jay Z                                         Izzo (H.O.V.A)
Busta Rhymes                          Respect my conglomerate
Biggie smalls                            Who shot ya
Tupac                                        Hit em up
Lauryn Hill                                 Lost ones
Miss Mary J Blige                      My life
Kendrick Lamar                         Alright
Jay Z                                         Big pimpin
Nas                                           One mic
Nas                                           The world is yours
Puff Daddy                                All about the Benjamins

Keep up with Mocha Bands here.

jane in space, “gorerunner inspirations”

jane in space, “gorerunner inspirations”

This playlist mixes songs that influenced both Jesse and me in making “gorerunner.” Jesse’s inspirations for this record ranged from bruising electronic noise rockers HEALTH to subdued Philip Glass pieces. He frequently sent me these songs while he was writing the demos that became the record– not for melodic inspiration, but because he wanted me to understand the mood or structure that formed the foundation of the songs. As I worked on vocal ideas, I associated the snippets Jesse would send with songs in my musical vocabulary, which tends to be very different from Jesse’s. Doing so gave me inspiration on how to approach the songs vocally. For example, when Jesse first played me the music that eventually became the title track for the release, the density of the rhythm section brought These New Puritans to mind, and I tried to channel their unique vocal styling.

words + soundtrack by Tom Vickers

Keep up with Jane In Space here.

anna mae, “single-minded”

anna mae, “single-minded”

The Minnesota hailing artist Anna Mae has just released her new pop delight “Single-Minded” via Snafu Records. Having already gained quite the following, the rising artist has produced the perfect instantly infectious single to take her one step further.

This bouncy summer song finds Anna Mae sharing her thoughts on living the perfect single life, singing “I’m only thinking about me when I shop, party for one is the way that I like and I can’t stop’.

She says of its theme: Being single is often underrated so I wanted to write a song from my viewpoint about why it can be so amazing. Sometimes the best memories in life are nights spent going out with your friends or just hanging at home alone in your underwear, so why not enjoy them?!”

“Single-Minded” is out now – give it a listen below.

transviolet, “bad intentions”

transviolet, “bad intentions”

L.A.-based group Transviolet is high off the critical acclaim of their debut EP Kaleidoscopes and national tour with their latest video for “Bad Intentions.” At first glance, the electro-pop track seems to be accompanied by the visuals of a carefree party. But as we follow frontwoman Sarah McTaggart around, we see the darker side of your typical house party music video. It’s magnetic and colorful, yet there’s a deeper meaning behind the imagery. In light of a major cultural shift, the video highlights the power of women and what they can achieve when they stand together. In this case, it’s the women versus those ever-present jerks at a party. But the message is universal – stand up for what you truly believe in and watch what happens. Despite their major success, Transviolet remains fearless in their music and their mindset, and we need that now more than ever.

Check out their EP, and keep up with the band here.

billy moon, “white shoes” + “dingus”

billy moon, “white shoes” + “dingus”

Growing up in a small town in Ontario, Billy Moon, a punk-rock/alternative artist recently released two new songs from his upcoming LP Punk Songs, which is expected to be released very soon on September 14th! His two new songs, “White Shoes” and “Dingus”, combine elements of rock along with alternative, sounding similar to the likes of classic yet modern rock band The Strokes. If these two songs are just a teaser of what’s to come off of his new LP, then you can expect that the final project will surely be a phenomenon. Not only can you expect a new LP coming soon this fall, but you can also catch Billy Moon live in concert, when he sets out on his U.S. tour where you can hear his new music live!

Keep up with Billy Moon here.

bourgeois mystics, “atx homies, homiettes, $ gender neutral homeslices”

bourgeois mystics, “atx homies, homiettes, $ gender neutral homeslices”

We’re lucky to be part of the Austin, TX music melting pot. We’ve compiled some of our favorite local bands, many of whom we’ve shared the stage withOur sound reflects the diversity of the Austin music scene, containing elements of funk, rock, hip-hop, metal, latin, with some psychedelic tinges. it’s our contemporaries that inspire us to level up and we celebrate the influence that the local scene has had on our music and the support we’ve received from the musical community.

Keep up with Bourgeois Mystics here.

12 best music videos of july 2018 {so far}

12 best music videos of july 2018 {so far}

July 2018 has been a thrilling month for music videos so far. Energetic, beautifully shot, intensely introspective. Our minds are still reeling from June, and yet halfway through this month we’ve already had three to four times the amount of impressive visual representations from musicians around the world. We compiled a quick list of some of our favorite music videos so far this month, and we’re sure you’ll discover a gem or two to add to your playlist for the remainder of your summer shenanigans!

(P.S. There is a video from June in this roundup. And that’s because we do what we want.)

Lyves, “Rest Your Head”

Mac Miller, “Self Care”

Campdogzz, “Run Wild”

Fime, “Hover Hand”

In The Valley Below, “Desperate Dance”

Jack Ellis, “Small Change”

Payson Lewis, “Can’t Go Back”

Vacationer, “Magnetism”

Houndmoth, “Waiting For The Night”

Spooky Cool, “Strange Rooms”

James, “Hank”

Madeline Kenney, “Cut Me Off”

lawrence field day fest: the summer music festival you don’t want to miss

lawrence field day fest: the summer music festival you don’t want to miss

There are more than a few reasons to partake in Lawrence Field Day Festival this coming weekend. Now in its seventh installment, the 3-day annual event in Lawrence, Kansas continues to feature great live music from dozens of bands at a very affordable ticket price. The festival runs Thursday through Saturday.

Started by Cameron Hawk and Quinton Cheney in 2012, LFDF was envisioned as a live music showcase for Lawrence residents while University of Kansas was on summer break. Of course, students are welcome at LFDF, but the environment on Mass Avenue is different, in a good way, when there are about twenty-thousand fewer people clogging up the joint.

And, fewer students is the first reason you should attend. If you’ve had prior experiences in downtown Lawrence in which it took you five minutes to drive one block, or you’ve ended up parking 4 streets over, or you’ve had your shoes puked on by a drunken frat boy celebrating his 21st, then you really need to come to LFDF. You will finally be able to devote your attention to music.

Another perfect reason to attend is the cost. It sounds almost unbelievable, but you can get a wristband with 3-day access to five venues and sixty bands for only $15. So far this summer, I’ve heard of no festival offering so much music for such a low price. And the great music is the other best reason to attend.

Lawrence Field Day Fest has featured several genres of music, but there is an undeniable focus on rock, and secondarily on hip-hop. Although Lawrence and Kansas City are well-represented, this year’s fest is pulling in talent from Denver, St. Louis, Minneapolis, and other cities. Let’s do a look and listen on some of this year’s bands.

Truck Stop Love will make a visit from the past. The early-90s rockers are back after a 25-year hiatus and a couple of personnel changes. Known for their county fuzz rock, the Manhattan, KS band hits the Bottleneck for the Black Site Records Showcase on Saturday at 11 pm.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/truckstoploveband/
Listen: https://truckstoplove.bandcamp.com/track/you-keep-searchin-3

Denver punk rockers The Windermeres are scheduled for 7 pm on Friday at the Replay Lounge.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewindermeres/
Listen: https://thewindermeres.bandcamp.com/track/angel-of-batavia

You can get a dose of electro hip hop from Lawrence’s own Sean Hunt, aka Approach, at the Replay Lounge at 9:30 pm on Friday.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Approach1
Listen: https://approach.bandcamp.com/track/the-luv-2

If you missed Bruiser Queen when they played the Riot Room in Kansas City back in March, you’ll have an opportunity to take in some good indie garage pop from the St. Louis two-piece. Just show up at Jackpot Music Hall at 9:15 pm on Friday.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruiserqueen/
Listen: https://bruiserqueen.bandcamp.com/track/sugar-high

The Ghoulies want to show you punk rock with a bluesy, garage feel. Adding an organ to the mix only amps up the excitement for this Denver band that’s been busy touring all summer. See them at the Replay Lounge on Saturday at 11:45 pm.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theghouliesband/
Listen: https://theghouliesdenver.bandcamp.com/track/texas-machete-2

The Bottleneck has been involved in LFDF since the inception, and will have about 20 acts during the Fest. Don’t miss metal rockers Hyborian of Kansas City at 12:15 am Friday night. Bringing a mystical and sci-fi vibe to metal, Hyborian built their own studio in the West Bottoms.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HyborianRock/
Listen: https://hyborianrock.bandcamp.com/track/maelstrom

The immutable laws of physics will prevent you from seeing the complete sets of all 60+ bands at LFDF, but some of the other acts that I’ll make a point to see this weekend are The Uncouth, Westerners, Momma’s Boy, Headlight Rivals, The Sluts, The Goodbye Sort, Vigil and Thieves, and Stiff Middle Fingers.

Check out the complete lineup and schedule for Lawrence Field Day Festival at: http://hellohamhawks.wixsite.com/lawrencefielddayfest/schedule

meg myers, “tourniquet”

meg myers, “tourniquet”

Alt rock princess Meg Myers hit her stride again this weekend with the release of her latest single “Tourniquet”. Soft, voluptuous vocals bring an ethereal energy to the track as it floats through your speakers, shaping your memories of the world around you. The song echoes Myers’ quintessential dark lyricism, as she sings of self mutilation, be it emotional or physical, related to love.

Get deep with the new track below.

Keep up with Meg Myers here.