Media Contender » Hip Hop

Media Contender Podcast 05 – Star Eyes

Danny — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:45 +0000

The name Star Eyes is synonymous with bass music in America. This DJ/producer extraordinaire with an affinity towards wizards and elves, kit kats, the color black, the rapper E-40, and lots of reverb has made contributions to dance music in this country in more ways you can imagine. We’re serious, you can look back to the nineties and reference the impact made by Vivian Host aka Star Eyes in so many ways. Back then she was best known as one of the first drum n bass DJs in the US, her more recent output as part of New York City’s Trouble & Bass crew is helping to shape the future of bass music, it’s no wonder critics are calling her New York City’s “Best Kept Secret”.

This is our 5th podcast and we’re proud to say that it’s gangster as hell. Thank you Star Eyes.

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“Potheads” Artwork by Stefan Simikich

Follow Star Eyes on Twitter, and check her website here.

Kastle – Essential Mix Exclusive

Clancy — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:53:53 +0000

I’m always hungry for new music and it is a real treat when you find a new artist you really enjoy; Kastle is at the top of my list at the moment. Transcending genres with each tune and mix, Kastle elegantly combines elements of 2 Step, Drum & bass, Dubstep, R&B, and anything else he happens to be feeling that day in the studio. I’m definitely a fan and you should be too.

Where are you coming from with your production and selection as a DJ? From what i’ve heard of your music, it’s all been pretty eclectic.

Yeah I mean… I love everything. I grew up listening to hip hop, r&b and like.. electro jazz funk. When I was 5 I was earning money from my folks so I could go pick up Run DMC, Herbie Hancock and Fat Boys records. It’s really refreshing to go back to the kind of sound that first grabbed me as a child. But while growing up through my teens and producing music I’ve done a little bit of everything and I pull influences from all over. I also worked in multiple record stores back in the day so I’ve got this huge catalog in my head of album covers, release dates and different sounds. Like.. the swelling strings on ‘Need U’ I totally got that idea from listening to some old Sinatra and Dean Martin one day. My hope is to continue to defy the usual genre labeling and just have a universal sound.

Tell me about the collaborations you have already sorted or have plans for?

I recently did a tune called “Need U” with Virus Syndicate which has just become available on Scion’s website on the No Static At All compilation. Those boys nailed it… it’s like a g-funk era love song. I did a tune with Armanni Reign and my girl Domonique from Boston for my upcoming EP on Seclusiasis. It’s called ‘Walking Away’ and it is the closest thing to a pop song I’ve ever done. We shot a music video for it too which will be coming shortly. Domonique also did a couple vocal cuts for me on two classic r&b tunes from one of our all-time favs and I am planning a little EP with amazing guest remixers… but well, don’t wanna say anything just yet.

What do you have coming up?

The debut single, ‘Better Off Alone’, will be coming on Seclusiasis in mid-July. The digi release features remixes by Starkey, Udachi, NastyNasty, Willy Joy and Blnd! and the 12″ will feature the Starkey, NastyNasty and Udachi remixes.

Months to come after will be a nice full EP which I am currently finishing now. I’ve got a few remixes as well for Blu Mar Ten, Jeuce and some others that’ll come out I imagine late spring or early summer. I’ve just got so many ideas welled up in my head right now I don’t really see an end to the output so it’ll just keep flowing.

Does your artwork hold any significance to your sound or the vibe you are looking to portray?

Yes… definitely. I’m a fan of a full finished product, and artwork compliments music so well and it’s definitely always a well thought out process when I combine the too. I gotta shout out to my designer, Kyle Brandse of So Gangsta, because he is absolutely brilliant. He totally took possibilities to the next level when we were shooting the music video for ‘Walking Away’. Before I was a musician I actually was huge into art and drawing and I’m trying to blow the dust off the counter, so to speak, and try and incorporate my graphical ideas and drawings more in the future.

I’m definitely pleased to present this mix from Kastle that contains 100% of his own tunes done exclusively for Media Contender. Some slick summertime vibes in this one and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy

Download audio file (Kastle%20-%20Essential%20Mix%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Kastle – Essential Mix”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Tracklisting

01. Martin Buttrich – You Got That Vibe (Kastle Re-Flex)
02. Kastle – You Got The Love
03. Two Fresh – Whatcha Hangin Round Here For ft. Vince Harder & DOME (Kastle Remix)
04. Kanye West – Coldest Winter (Kastle Remix)
05. Kastle – Better Off Alone
06. Cassie – Me & U (Kastle Remix)
07. Kastle & Virus Syndicate – Need U
08. Heavyfeet – War ft. Jenna G (Kastle Remix)
09. Example – Won’t Go Quietly (Kastle Remix)
10. 92 Eternal – The Feeling (Kastle Remix)
11. Cosmic Revenge – Late Nights (Kastle Remix)
12. Blu Mar Ten – Nobody Here (Kastle Remix)
13. Kastle – Meu Amor
14. Kastle – Walking Away ft. Armanni Reign & Domonique
15. Kastle – Camera Phone
16. Sade – Soldier Of Love (Kastle Remix)

Website: Kastledub, Myspace, Twitter, SoundCloud

Interesting Times Podcast: Version.4 – ASC

Jeff Tovar — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:00:28 +0000

Representing NonPlus+, Exit and the highly influential Autonomic, UK-transplant ASC is no stranger to the progressive face of underground music. Club Muse first booked him in 2004 and has since had him back 3 times to bring our crowd something different. So naturally, when going over candidates to guest star in our Podcast Series, there was no doubt he would be among the first.

The Interesting Times collection is all about the vastness of today’s deeper sounds and Version.4 paints a great picture of our intent. Ethereal, moody and thought-provoking, ASC’s compilation takes us back to the experimental days of the ’90s where every track is laced with a haunting comfort and the direction of each mix remains unforeseen. We hope you enjoy this exclusive Media Contender pre-release and strongly suggest you check out ASC’s album forthcoming next month.

ASC – Nothing Is Certain
Available on 3 x Vinyl, Digipak CD & Digital
NonPlus+ Records – June 2010
Cat.no NONPLUSLP001
12″ Sampler (anytime now!) – NONPLUS006

Download audio file (club-muse-interesting-times_version-4_asc_may2010.mp3)
Click to Download “Interesting Times: Version.4 – ASC”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

01 – Carbon Based Lifeforms – Intro
02 – Tycho – Dictaphone’s Lament
03 – Dr. Octagon – General Hospital
04 – J Dilla – Won’t Do
05 – Mobb Deep – Shook Ones, Part II
06 – Bad Sector – Floating Point
07 – Pangaea – Router
08 – ASC – Halcyon Rays
09 – Takomo – Room 43
10 – TKR – Stolen Words
11 – By Proxy – 68 (Vaccine Remix)
12 – ASC – Advent
13 – Anstam – Brom A
14 – Croms – Invisible Cities
15 – ASC – Night Shift (Dub Version)
16 – Abstract Elements – Fourth Dimension
17 – Al Bleek – Final Moments

Subscribe to future and download past Interesting Times Versions via the Club Muse website. Our vision of the future is taking shape and we’d love for you to explore with us.

MC Podcasts 03+04: Skeet Skeet & Fashen

Danny — Wed, 12 May 2010 01:20:32 +0000

Music is moving at a fast pace all around us. In order to stay afloat in this sea of sonic creativity, we’re continuing to work with the world’s most respected and admired DJs to help keep you you the cutting edge. With Media Contender in full force at SXSW and WMC, both March and April’s podcasts unfortunately slipped right by us… meaning we’re coming at you twice as strong in May! That’s right, a double-whammy podcast release featuring Skeet Skeet and Fashen; two touring DJs who have worked their way to the top and have a reputation for rocking parties far and wide. These mixes are perfect for your morning workout, cruising down the boulevard, or the pre-party at your crib before you hit the club. Enjoy!

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Sade / J Dilla / Frank & Dank / Josh One

Danny — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:14:29 +0000

Josh One doesnt care about how cool you are, or how many friends you have on facebook. He just loves making music, and if you are lucky enough, you will be able to watch him work. He has a studio in the old Grand Royal building in Atwater Village now occupied by some of the city of LA’s most influential people. I have the utmost respect for this dude, have for many years. He has always reciprocated my efforts and I have always loved the organic soulful music he makes. His music is up there with the best of them. Here is a lil mash up he did, he doesn’t do this often but when you listen to it, you will see it just made sense. I suggest you look him up if you dont know, I think you will like what you find.

Download audio file (Dilla%20Soldier%20%28Josh%20One%20Edit%29%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Sade / J Dilla / Frank & Dank – Dilla Soldier (Josh One Edit)”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Check out the video of JOSH ONE – PASSING THROUGH Feat. Mr. BLQSTRDST, LDM & POET NAME LIFE:

Ghostface In Store at Not For Sale Gallery

Danny — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:06:50 +0000

Legendary Wu Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah has been on our radar for quite some time now. Ever since the release of their debut Enter the 36 Chambers, Ghostface has proven to be the most consistent of the Clan’s MC’s when it comes to forging a solid solo career and catalog. With the current release of the “Wu Massacre” album with fellow clan MC’s Raekwon and Method Man, and a solo album in the works for this Summer, there seems to be no stopping Ghostface Killah aka Iron Man.

Our friends over at 4CAST and the Not For Sale Gallery, in conjunction with Media Contender, proudly present a meet and greet with the legend himself on Tuesday April 20th in downtown Los Angeles. This event is to promote the highly anticipated release of the “Purple Tape” version of the Ghostface Doll, which will be available for sale at the day of the signing. We will have (thee) Mike B on the turntables plus a special guest and some cold brews for you to sip on.

Download audio file (It%27s%20That%20Wu%20Sh_t%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Ghostface Killah & Method Man – It’s That Wu Sh*t”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Foreign Beggars – ‘Get A Bit More’ video

Clancy — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:13:59 +0000

Orifice Vulgatron of the Foreign Beggars hit me up with a brand new video directed by D Zennie for ‘Get A Bit More’, a track that came out on their United Colours of Beggattron LP. Usually when we post, it’s a given that something is up for download but this video and tune are sick so fuck it.

I’ve included some behind the scenes bits from the crew that was put together during the making of this tune.

In further support of their original works, the Beggars have their second release on Never Say Die Recordings featuring a remix of the aforementioned tune, ‘Get A Bit More’, by UK Grime producer SkisM. SkisM has also remixed the video for the track so have a look.

On the flip for the Never Say Die release is another tune originally off the Beggatron album. ‘No Holds Barred’ ft. Noisia (Excision Remix) which features the handywork of Canadian dubstep producer Excision giving his own tweak on the Noisia original. An official music video is coming soon but in the meantime, here’s something to tie you over.

More remixes of these two tunes are out now as well including ‘Get A Bit More’ (Baobinga Rmx / Demus & Randomplay Remixes) as well as ‘No Holds Barred’ ft. Noisia (Affinity Remix).

If you want to know more about the Foreign Beggars, here are some other bits we have posted on this talented crew from the UK.

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc.

Foreign Beggars – DJ Nonames

Website: www.myspace.com/foreignbeggars, www.foreignbeggars.com

Media Contender Podcast 02 w/ (thee) Mike B

Danny — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:32:19 +0000

Bring on the Media Contender Podcast 02 by our good friend, (thee) Mike B, who has been rocking parties from LA to NYC for many years. Many of the best DJs in the world consider him their favorite selector. He is known to play very diverse sets and can rock any party he steps into. His recent collaborative project with Nate Day called Camo UFO’s delves into his love for old school Jungle/Drum&Bass. With several recent high profile remixes for the Count and Sinden, Major Lazer, and Laidback Luke under his belt, this dude is absolutely destroying it right now. We asked him to do our second podcast, simply suggesting a mix that he would feel good about. Seeing as how we just released the Camo UFO’s debut mix a few weeks ago and he has done a grip of Electro mixes in the last couple years, he decided to come with a fresh Dancehall and Hip Hop mix that has hot new joints, some classics, dubplates, and a couple specials.

If your in the LA area tomorrow night, come check out the new weekly at The Short Stop in Echo Park with our boys (thee) Mike B, Haycock, Nate Day, and hosted by me. Follow us on Twitter @CheapPop for easy entrance!

Spread the word about our podcasts, we will continue to deliver each and every time!

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Josh One – Passing Through

Danny — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:15:43 +0000

For over ten years, DJ/Producer Josh One has found a way to separate himself from the rat race of cookie cutter producers. From the anthemic to the most eclectic riddims, you wont be able to label or categorize him. I have known Josh for quite some time, I met him through one of my best friends in the music game, Lewis Kunstler. When I first met Josh, it was around the time he went platinum with his Grammy nominated remix of Nappy Roots “Po Folks”. Just prior to that he released his first record in 2001 titled “Contemplation” and rose to the top of the European dance charts. You see, Josh has always had the gift, an inherent quality that helped him establish the highly influential collective, Abstract Workshop dating back to the mid 90’s with partner, Cocoe.

I worked with Josh alot when I was a music supervisor doing shows for Fuel TV. His music created the perfect soundscape to action sports, the different textures of organic melodies and basslines quickly became my favorite to synch with the most amazing snowboarding, surfing, and skateboarding footage.

Earlier this year Josh One released another highly anticipated album, make sure you go and download Tolerance on iTunes now. It hosts a slew of diverse songs featuring brilliant artists and musicians such as Lateef The Truthspeaker (Latyrx), Uncle Imani (Pharcyde), Blu (Johnson & Jonson), Lili De La Mora (The Year Zero), Shenkar (Heroes, Shakti), Patrick Bailey (Rebirth, Breakestra, Bittersweet), Mount Cyanide (Camarillo Blues Triangle), Caleb Speir (Estelle, Macy Gray), Eighty (Jupiter Rising), Allensworth, Jud Nester (Abstract Workshop) Poet Name Life, Golden & Looga Man (Dutty Cup).

Josh laced us up with some goodies, here is a dubplate special featuring SEAN PAUL, and one of my favorite joints from the album featuring BLQSTRDST, LDM, and POET NAMED LIFE.

Download audio file (So%20Fine%20%28Josh%20One%20Dubplate%29%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Sean Paul – So Fine (Josh One Dubplate)”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Download audio file (08%20Passing%20Through%20%28feat.%20Mr.%20BLQSTRDST%2C%20LDM%20%26%20Poet%20Name%20Life%29%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Josh One – Passing Through (feat. Mr. BLQSTRDST, LDM & Poet Name Life)”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Flying Lotus’ Lil Wayne Remixes

Danny — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:45:43 +0000

I had to get these Flying Lotus remixes up as soon as I saw them. This man has single handedly created a shift in the modern music world. Opening up the eyes and ears of many with his abstract, jazz influenced compositions. Flylo comes from a place where he was surrounded by accomplished musicians, being the great nephew of Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane’s wife, he shares a heritage not many can lay claim to. He has stated that growing up around his family are his greatest influences and the simple things in life are his inspiration.

“I see these tracks as little short films that play in my head… I have this beautiful lemon tree in my backyard, and on a sunny day the light shines through. Little things like that inspire me.”
- Flying Lotus.

We are so lucky to have this man representing the city of Los Angeles, and let it be known he has been a huge inspiration to us as we strive to make an impact. Also a part of the Low End Theory family, a local club night consisting of Daddy Kev, Gaslamp Killer, Nosaj Thing, Daedelus, The Glitch Mob, and Nocando. Low End Theory serves as a platform for artists that dont fit into the traditional format of genre specific club nights and is paving the way for future music. In my mind, Flying Lotus and his Brainfeeder/Low End Theory comrades are like the jazz/blues greats of our time.

FlyLo just released these remixes on the Brainfeeder site, if you dont know about Brainfeeder, go now.

Download audio file (I%20feel%20like%20dying%20mx3%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Flying Lotus – I Feel Like Dying”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Download audio file (i%20feel%20like%20dying%20INST%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Flying Lotus – I Feel Like Dying Instrumental”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Download audio file (Robo%20Tussin%20Ft.%20Lil%20Wayne%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Flying Lotus – Robo Tussin ft. Lil Wayne”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)

Download audio file (Robo%20Tussin%20INST%20%28www.mediacontender.com%29.mp3)
Click to Download “Flying Lotus – Robo Tussin Instrumental”
(Stream & Download Courtesy of Media Contender)