The chemistry between the artists throughout Rush Hour is undeniable. Their friendship exudes into the seamlessness of each track as Black Carl! and Saka explore a few different styles across the project. The opener, ‘Heaven On Earth,’ which features angelic vocals from The Lie Within Callie, is a groovy, house-leaning bop showcasing a new facet to both producers. ‘Rush Hour’ follows with the artists taking a much more familiar approach as they deliver a grungy halftime brute that boasts just the right amount of aggression without being overbearing. The biggest surprise in Rush Hour comes in the form of ‘Brutal’ – an unexpected yet mesmerizing collaboration with Protial. Perhaps it isn’t that unexpected, as the mysterious artist joined Black Carl! and Saka for bits of their Rush Hour tour. Nonetheless, the joining of forces of the three artists is exactly what one would expect, and more. From the quintessential Protial introduction to the flawless combination of sounds from those involed, ‘Brutal’ stands out as a personal favourite from the project. Finally, ‘Red Dragon’ closes out the ensemble of tracks with a more laidback appeal without escaping the bass nature of the project.

Speaking of the journey, Black Carl! said, “When Eric [Saka] and I first met, we joked that we should make a song called ‘Rush Hour.’ Three years later we got to play the biggest tour of our careers, we’re putting out the Rush Hour EP on Deadbeats, and Zeds Dead played our title track at Red Rocks. It’s hard to believe, but we’re so thankful for the support of our fans, friends, and family who got us to this point.” Don’t miss the Rush Hour EP below.

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Over two years ago, we had the opportunity to connect with the mysterious Protial for an eclectic guest mix and insightful interview. While the mix gave people a first taste of what a Protial live set could entail, the puzzling producer also stated that doing live shows “is honestly the dream and I have been preparing and collecting my favorite music for years now.” Fast-forward to today, and Protial just closed out a 10-day support run alongside Black Carl! and Saka (with a couple more shows still to come). The artist has been putting out consistently unique music since 2016, and to see his dreams come to fruition is nothing short of inspiring.

Today, we are stoked to welcome the masked magician on our newest edition of Floor Fillers, where he shares five tunes that are a must in his sets. Don’t miss his picks below – and be sure to catch him live if you have the opportunity.

Erotic Cafe – Oscillate

‘Oscillate’ is one of the favorite tunes I have in my set. Its huge sub bass and upbeat breaks-ish drop is a great switch-up and is super refreshing.

voljum – Missile

‘Missile’ is a lesson in space and variation. Every time I dropped this when on tour with Black Carl and Saka I was reminded that every little rest is important. Plus that switch up in the second half of the drop is just too much fun.

Floret Loret – Mango Madness

What’s not to love? Mangos? I actually don’t really like mangos but this tune is so good. Sounds how I imagine how eating the last mango after an apocalypse would feel like. I love playing this one after my own tune ‘Trapped.’

IMANU – Whatever It Takes (Herzeloyde Remix)

Whenever I have an itch in my brain this one scratches it. In fact I do believe the sound at 00:42 is the hand of Herzeloyde reaching into my (and everyone who listens’) brain to scratch that itch.

Tsuruda – Copout Dub

The bass patch must have a bit of magic in it that commands people to move. Either that or it’s just Tsuruda being the genius he is. Regardless, it is so much fun feeling the bass fill a room.

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We learned a few things about the Columbus-based artist when he did his first ever guest mix and interview for us last year, and to the pleasure of many, Protial just made his live debut in Denver last month. We’re hoping there’s more of that coming soon, as the producer has been a secret weapon in bass sets for years.

Like clockwork, Protial released a new tune last week titled ‘Tell You,’ and while all of his tunes are wicked in their own way, we feel this one is among his best. ‘Tell You’ is quintessential Protial with its looping vocals and heavy dosage of distorted bass, but there’s an added layers and fills that up the hypnotizing appeal of the piece. Protial is so underrated, it’s time for everyone to stop sleeping. Don’t miss ‘Tell You’ below.

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The anonymity behind the Protial project has always been an area of interest for many, as everything from the sound to the branding is immediately recognizable, yet the artist has a very minimal social media presence. We recently had the immense pleasure of connecting with Protial to discuss this mysteriousness, along with the future of the Protial project, being a lone wolf, their new band and more. In addition, we have the honour of sharing the first ever Protial mix, packed with a wide variety of bass music from the likes of The Prodigy, Nitepunk, Thook, a few personal IDs and favourites, and much more. Don’t miss the interview and mix below.

The Protial sound and brand is immediately recognizable. Usually, artists use branding to stand out and create a public image for their art. So our question is, why so mysterious?

The mystery is the result of me wanting to feel totally free in music. I think sometimes it can be difficult for artists to separate their own art from their personal identity. When those are linked, criticism can become personal. A negative response to a song can turn into lower self-worth. Some people are better at that than others. I am not very good at it. My sound is me letting loose and having fun. I don’t want to think at all about how people will respond to a particular tune while I’m making it and not everything an artist makes is amazing. If I can separate my own art from my identity I feel more free.

The world has never heard a Protial mix or set. What vibe did you try to create with this mix? What’s the best setting for listening?

I started the mix in bed at 3am, but I don’t think this is something you should listen to at 3am haha. I think this is a great mix for your morning workout or if you just need to power through the chores you have been neglecting while you’re stuck at home.

When the pandemic is no longer a factor, are there plans for Protial live shows?

I definitely would like to! That is honestly the dream and I have been preparing and collecting my favorite music for years now.

I like making tracks that are independent of each other and releasing them in the order I make them. I think that tells a story about the growth of an artist.

Since the inception of the Protial project, you have exclusively released singles. What drives you to release songs individually instead of as a collection? Is an EP or an album on the horizon?

I like making tracks that are independent of each other and releasing them in the order I make them. I think that tells a story about the growth of an artist and wish more artists did that! As the music industry continues to transition to more formal streaming services like Spotify, there is an expansion of labels and release schedules. I miss the time when it was just artists making tunes and uploading them. That being said, as I grow as a musician I find longer-form projects easier to take on. So I am definitely going to work on an EP.

Along those lines, you seem to be a real lone wolf. Do you prefer working alone? Why are collaborations so few and far between?

I definitely prefer to work alone. Most of the tunes are 1 or 2 day grinds where I hyperfocus for the whole time. I should work on more internet collaborations, but they can sometimes be exhausting and I would prefer to do more collabs in real life. That is definitely a priority for this year.

Your Twitter bio was recently updated to include “10/100 @dsgbanned”. Can you tell us what/who dsg is?

dsg is a group of my closest music friends who I’ve had since before 2016. But it took us a few years to figure out that we should make music together.

The mystery is the result of me wanting to feel totally free in music.

What motivated you all to form this band?

A while back my friends and I made a private Discord server where we all hung out, played games, and talked. We all make such widely different styles so we always had trouble when considering working together on projects. dsg is a way for us all to collaborate and make whatever styles we feel we want to.

Is it difficult creating art with nine other people? Do ideas often clash or conflict? How are these conflicts resolved?

Not every song has every member contributing to it musically. Luckily, we do not have to worry about how complex it would be working with so many people on every song. Art direction is usually one person throwing out an idea and the rest voicing their opinions and that goes for the musical ideas as well. Not to mention after 4 years we all know how to communicate with each other.

What do you enjoy outside of making music? Have you picked up any new hobbies since being in quarantine?

I’m kind of a boring person haha. Gaming and talking to friends online is most of what I do daily since quarantine started. I have been spending more time cooking which is very satisfying.

Tracklist:

S.P.Y – Ruffneck
Protial – Concentration
MOLOKAI x Cnopes – MOLOCHOPE
Nitepunk – Moonlight Crime
Digital Ethos – Trauma
The Prodigy – We Live Forever
Kill Feed – Scarecrows
HØST – Stuck In The Moment
Protial – Aluminum/Misery
Atsuda – Displacement
Protial – Puce
Groke – Twilight Zone
Protial – this keeps happening
Thook – Interior
nvctve – Spectre
Protial – ID
OCD – Confirmed
Thook & Jkuch – Carbon
Protial – Trapped
IC3PEAK – Грустная Сука Sad Bitch(anti.negative bootleg)
Protial – Termites
Protial – ID

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Lucky data:base subscribers have already gotten their hands on the sixteen-track journey that is Powered by Inspected #3, but since the tracks are slowly appearing on SoundCloud, we figured we’d highlight these early and get you prepared for what’s to come. Netherlands-based Buunshin led the way in high gear early last week with the menacing ‘Trauma’ that is equally sinister as it is mesmerizing. The attention to detail throughout the neurofunk monster is unparalleled, and kicks off the compilation in style.

Similarly awe-inducing but in a completely different way, Hudson Lee and Tom Finster provide an expedition through bass music with their contribution to the collection of tracks. ‘Flymmer’ draws on the beauty of melody and simplicity in the opening moments to lure you in, before blurring the lines between genres as the track progresses. Both musical and gritty, the pair of producers have crafted a grandiose, ethereal piece that exquisitely contrasts the opening single.

Enigmatic bass aficionado Protial followed with a track that is quintessential to his style. ‘All Caps’ is quick to the punch, featuring everything that we love about his inimitable signature sound. Repeated vocal samples, mind-bending synths and crisp percussion all arranged in a hypnotizing manner provide Protial’s welcome introduction to Inspected.

The last piece released at the beginning of last week was Monuman‘s ‘Hurts When I’m With You,’ sampling the popular ‘I Wanna Be Down’ by Brandy in a rather unusual way. A slow yet ominous bass ballad, ‘Hurts When I’m With You’ builds gradually in a soul-stirring fashion, before the vocal samples are juggled in the latter half to give listeners a sense of familiarity all while remaining mysterious and captivating.

With Vellum curing your Monday blues with the unique, highly-anticipated bass house belter titled ‘Bungle‘ and the promise of more from Chee, COPYCATT, and RefraQ among others, fans are in for a real treat. If the range and versatility in these early singles are any indication, Powered by Inspected #3 is an early contender for compilation of the year. Stay tuned for more soon.

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Get lost in the metallic, bass-riddled ‘Aluminum/Misery’ below.

The post Protial’s ‘Aluminum/Misery’ Is Enigmatic Ingenuity appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

Hontis

Rhys Gillander, more affectionately known by his musical persona Hontis, possesses a remarkable talent despite his humble following of just over 600 on SoundCloud. What the Calgary native lacks in his fan base, he more than counterbalances with the depth of his sound, which carefully borders the line between trap and future bass. A deliberate emphasis on production assures that each track packs a punch, while the sheer range within his style brings something new to the table with each release.

Strap in for remixes of LUUDE’s ‘Don’t Leave Me’ and ‘Bottom End’ by What So Not & Dyro, which adopt a heavier, production-heavy guise, while a collab remix of Billie Eilish’s ‘Lovely’ with Yancey demonstrates a more sentimental side to Hontis. Don’t let the astounding collection of remixes fool you, Rhys is on the verge of discovering the true direction for his own sound, which he illustrates in his latest solo releases ‘Stims’ and ‘Pesanta’.
-SL

memphis

I’ve been hosting my own blog and radio show for more than three years and I can honestly say I’ve never come across anyone with the prolific output that Toronto’s own memphis can boast. A quick scan through my library shows at least 32 tracks released this year alone. So it while it’s safe to say he’s been making massive waves with this kind of turnaround, you can also say he’s been making wave singular, as in the genre. Often working with fellow Canadian and wave-maker MRKRYL (a pairing I deemed the magnificent M’s), their tracks have an indescribable allure. And that seems to be the thing about wave: there’s just something inexpressible, almost spiritual or transcendent at its core. While of course the choice of his more wave-centric tunes is large, my favourite comes in the beautifully haunting ‘Beyond The Waves’ with Codxinx and Djedi. All that said, lately memphis has been moving more towards trap and to great avail I might add. One of the most recent and momentous examples coming in ‘Zeus’ with Keiden. You never know what he’s going to drop or when, so keep a close eye on what this prolific producer will do next!
– OJ

Protial

Despite a solid SoundCloud following of over 3000 and support from bass music’s hottest names such as TYNAN, WHIPPED CREAM and PEEKABOO, Protial‘s name is not widely known due to his minimal social media presence. Nonetheless, he’s definitely an artist that should be on your radar, as his unique approach to bass music is truly unparalleled. First catching my attention almost two years ago with his heavy track ‘Below’ before truly amazing me with ‘No Signal’, Protial has continued to release astonishing tracks over the years, and is showing no sign of slowing down. His style is consistent, often using repetitive vocal samples layered over heavily distorted bass to create eerie, bass-face inducing soundscapes. A recent favourite is ‘Asterisk’, as it showcases this distinct technique to a tee. Keep an eye on Protial as he’s bound to make waves in the bass world sooner rather than later.
-SC

skeler.

Originals, remakes, collaborations, flips, there are no limits that can contain skeler.‘s genius. In case you missed it, during the past couple of years he has pushed some extra fine bass music from down under. Whether it’s trap, eurobass or wave, this young Aussie producer crafts only quality products. In this last act of 2018 he hasn’t slowed down in the slightest, ending up under my radar with two lush pieces: a remake of Hardwell’s dance hit ‘Arcadia’ and a brand new (long awaited) original titled ‘We’re Burning’. Both the tracks got put out under the ‘hardwave’ tag, etiquette that reflects the high tension of which the songs are pervaded. They are electrifying, uplifting, galvanizing, proper musical chimeras that embody bass music and trance in single, manifold bodies. If you’re looking for a rip-roaring adventure for your ears, skeler. is your new trusted dealer.
-AA

yojas.

If you’re wondering who to look out for in 2019, look no further than yojas. He first caught my ear with one of the standout tracks on Below The Surface’s SFBV4 in ‘Charisma’. A release that possesses the heat and intensity of a volcanic eruption and he hasn’t slowed up since. In the past month alone he unleashed two of the wildest rap flips to grace my ears in ‘ybn.’ and ‘x’. Both take familiar rap vocals, from YBN Namir and 21 Savage respectively, and drag them into a bass-laden dungeon. Standing above all of his releases is his latest ‘Apathetic’. Released on Quality Goods Records’ latest compilation, the track is the perfect display of his signature sound. The balance of brutal bass with punchy samples makes for something special. yojas.’s music packs the simplicity of early trap with the gritty sound design and wild bass we’ve fallen in love in 2018. yojas. is a must for any trap lover.
-CV

Get familiar with them all through our Focus Five Volume Eleven playlist below.

Words by Alessio Anessi, Colin, Oggie James, Steph Contant & Sam Lewis

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