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#000000: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/73809240″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

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Ryan Hemsworth’s new record, Alone for the First Time,’ is out November 4th via Last Gang, but you don’t have to wait to listen and you won’t be promoting piracy for your instant gratification, either. Right now and for the next few hours, you can stream Alone for the First Time (including accompanying visuals) on Boiler Room’s website. The visuals are basically separate videos for each track, starring Hemsworth himself and directed  by Brian Vu. Surprisingly, I turned on the live stream as ‘Snow in Newark’ started, so I had a reference point once I found a track list.

There is a real sense of space in the film. During ‘Blemish,’ Hemsworth sits at a table in front of two lit candles. Is he bored? Anxious? Content? I guarantee that this is probably the most time he has had to stare at candles in a long time, considering his travel itinerary. The visuals for the other tracks are similar: different shots of an empty bed, Ryan under a sheet, etc. Everything is still and alone.

The music is no different. Even the most uptempo track, ‘Surrounded,’ has a lonely, minor feel. But it’s not a sad thing. Or a bad thing. “Cup of soup and the covers ’round,” croons the vocalist on ‘By Myself.’ Sometimes it’s comforting to be home, sick, maybe, on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Sometimes it’s comforting to be alone.

There is no doubt in my mind that this will be one of the most discussed recordings of 2014. Whether you’re alone or with friends, head over to Boiler Room to stream Alone for the First Time. It’s also available to preorder at Last Gang Records.

Listen to ‘Snow in Newark’ here: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/168898878″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Read what we had to say about ‘Snow in Newark,’ the first single from Alone for the First Time, here: fuxwithit.com/2014/09/29/ryan-hemsworth-snow-in-newark-2/

Watch the official video for ‘Snow in Newark, here: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7y0iEQ_4iE&w=560&h=315]

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My first stop was at the Halifax Forum for Zeds Dead. I had planned on arriving early to see the opening acts but it just didn’t work out that way.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJm7IPrBmLY&w=560&h=315/]

We arrived at the Forum about ten minutes before Zeds Dead took the stage, grabbed some drinks and headed forward to grab a decent spot. They appeared right at ten and definitely did not disappoint. Within the first 45 minutes, the mix took the audience through several amazing cuts from their most recent EP, ‘Somewhere Else,’ and a helluva lot of dubstep. The bass nearly blew the roof off the place and it wasn’t long before I wished I had brought decent ear plugs. However, it was early in my night and I wasn’t quite in ‘dance/party mode’ yet, so as much enjoyed the music, I wasn’t an active participant in the show. Furthermore, my friend informed me that he’d read in the local weekly newspaper that Ryan Hemsworth would be the secret guest at a small club downtown, The Carleton. Tennyson, another act I was interested in seeing in a small venue would be playing prior to Hemsworth. Although both would opening for Danny Brown at the Forum on Saturday, my friends and I figured that seeing both of Tennyson and Hemsworth in a small, up-close-and-personal venue could be special. Thus, we left Zeds Dead about halfway though their set to get downtown.

After we waited in line for about 20 minutes, my friends and I were shuffled into the club. There really weren’t many people inside, so we figured that they held us outside to allow ticket holders more time to arrive. Pass holders were subject to capacity while ticket holders were not. Once inside, I thought about the contrast between the large and small venues.

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When Tennyson took the stage, the room was electric. Myself, I was really excited to see how tracks like ‘With me’ and ‘Lay-By’ would translate to the stage. They finished setting up and kicked the set off with ‘You’re Cute,’ a track that’s also up for grabs on SoundCloud. After a couple nervous mistakes, they settled into a groove that nothing could derail. It was truly amazing hearing mature music performed and created by such young minds. There were also a surprising amount of tunes played that I had never heard. I hope this is a sign that they will be dropping an official EP sooner than later.

I barely had time to grab a drink before Hemsworth’s set began. I was hoping to hear a lot material from his Secret Songs collection and maybe some new material he might be releasing on his upcoming record, ‘Alone for the First Time.’ I wasn’t let down.  Nearly all the material was either self-produced or remixed by him, or amongst his Secret Songs. Considering his recent announcement that he was becoming a little tired of performing in large party-clubs, this was definitely the perfect venue. It wasn’t loud, the crowd was involved, and the tempo and flow of the music matched perfectly. Near the end of the set, my friends bailed to make sure that they were able to get into the next venue, but my gut told me to stay put. Right after they left, Hemsworth spun ‘Club Goin’ Up on a Tuesday,’ and the entire audience sung along. It was definitely a memorable performance for everyone who was present.

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I left for Reflections immediately after Hemsworth’s set ended. I found my friends, found some drinks, and waited patiently for Thugli to arrive. The party vibe that I didn’t feel for Zeds Dead was definitely starting to kick in. I was pretty pumped to dance with strangers.

Thugli is DJs Tom Wrecks and Pat Drastik. Originally from Ottawa, ON, they met as teenagers and learned to spin records around the same time. After working for years together on different projects, the two relocated to Toronto and began working on producing and remixing songs with a heavy trap style. You can download most (if not all) of their music from either their SoundCloud or Facebook pages.

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And when they the finally took the stage, everybody went berserk. It was an experience. I can only imagine what we all looked like from the mezzanine above. Drunk, sweaty people, just moving around uncontrollably. At around 3:30, the lights came on. Nobody seemed to care, really. People who had been hiding out above started filtering out, but everyone on the main floor kept dancing. I was desperate to hear the remix of A$AP Mob’s ‘Hella Hoes’ before it ended, so I snuck through sweaty bodies to the front and drunkenly pleaded for my request. Just as the current jam was being mixed out, the the bartender told them to shut it down. It looked like an argument was going to ensue, but the bartender was adamant, to say the least. After they unplugged, I shook Drastik’s hand and thanked him for the good times. Not only did he give me a ‘your welcome,’ but he assured me he had ‘Hella Hoes’ loaded up to play next.

And that was that. I managed to get home before sunrise and got a little bit of sleep before I had to do it all over again. It’ll be hard to for any festival day to compare to the fourth day of HPX 2014.

The post HPX – Day 4 In Review appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

The Halifax Pop Explosion is an annual music and arts festival. It takes place in several different venues in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has occurred almost every autumn since 1993. This year’s event will run from October 21-25.

Although it’s in an area of Canada generally known for Celtic music, Halifax has had a thriving indie music scene since the early 90s. Bands like Sloan, Superfriendz, Thrush Hermit, Joel Plaskett, Wintersleep, Matt Mays, and more recently electronic acts like Ryan Hemsworth all hail from Halifax and have also been involved in HPX. Furthermore, the festival draws headlining acts that are on the verge of exploding within their respective genres. Bands like Fucked Up, Arcade Fire, Buck 65, Hot Hot Heat, Death From Above 1979, the Wrens, Killer Mike, El-P (separate years, sadly) and Purity Ring have all performed at HPX.

HPX started as a festival containing mostly rock and indie bands. Now, not only does the lineup contain an equal amount of electronic, rap and comedy, but it also contains many music related workshops and presentations.

Here are some of the acts I am pumped for:

Rich Aucoin

Rich Aucoin is a multi-instrumentalist from Halifax. Although he gained notoriety from playing mostly solo shows with looping equipment, his current live show that promotes his new record, ‘Ephemeral’ includes a full band. He is renown for involving the entire crowd into his performances. Rich is playing two shows at HPX this year, so there is no good excuse for missing him.

Rich Aucoin performs at 7:00PM on Wednesday October 22nd at the Company House and 11:00PM on Thursday October 23rd at Reflections Cabaret.

Cam Smith

When Cam isn’t delivering Halifax’s rush hour traffic report on the CBC, he is making music to shake your ass to. His newest collection of music, ‘Cannon’ dropped on September 30th and is available on SoundCloud for download. With several appearances at HPX, you’ll have no reason to miss this up and coming rapper.

Cam Smith performs at 11:00PM on Wednesday October 22nd at Reflections Cabaret, 7:00PM on Thursday October 23rd at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre, and at 10:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Seahorse tavern. You can also catch Cam at a presentation called ‘That’s So Gen X,’ 2:00 PM on Friday October 24th at The Museum of Natural History.

Zeds Dead

From Toronto, ON, Zeds Dead is producers/DJs Hooks and DC. Since the mid 2000s they’ve been creating a grimy electronic sound that incorporates trap, dubstep, and drum and bass. And bass. And bass. And bass. I’ve had their latest record, ‘Somewhere Else’ on repeat for the last two weeks and I expect you will, too.

Zeds Dead perform at 10:00PM on Friday October 24th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre.

Thugli

This Toronto duo is responsible for one of the biggest trap jams of the year: ‘A$AP Mob’s Hella Hoes Remix.’ Thugli will be taking a break from Keys N Krates ‘Every Nite’ tour to bring Halifax bass ridden southern hip hop anthems that will extend late into the night.

Thugli perform at 2:00AM Saturday October 25th at Reflections Cabaret.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4TBRcVe4mY&w=560&h=315]

Ryan Hemsworth

Hailing from Halifax, Hemsworth has remixed tracks by Frank Ocean, Cat Power and has his own productions, including 2013s ‘Guilt Trips’ LP and ‘Still Awake’ EP. His upcoming record, ‘Alone for the First Time’ drops early November, and will be a “personal reaction to the current state of electronic and rock music” I’m sure we will hear a preview in two weeks when he opens for Danny Brown.

Ryan Hemsworth plays at 9:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7y0iEQ_4iE&w=560&h=315]

Tennyson

This teenaged brother and sister from Edmonton, Alberta have a very eclectic style, blending jazz keys, ambient synth and live percussion into a high energy show. They’ve released several tracks on SoundCloud and iTunes and if you can’t make it to HPX you can catch them on a coast-to-coast North American tour with Ryan Hemsworth this fall.

Tennyson plays at 8:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre and at 11:30PM at The Carleton.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6T40oMkD-0&w=560&h=315]

Danny Brown

There is no one in the rap game as unique as Danny Brown. From his appearance to his vocal delivery, to his animated lyrics, most first-time-listeners don’t believe he is for real. I’ve seen Danny Brown twice and the energy he brings to the stage is unmatched. If you are looking to party and get involved in a show, make it this one. Pick up his records ‘XXX’ and ‘Old’ and start googling those lyrics.

Danny Brown performs at 10:00PM on Saturday October 25th at the Halifax Forum Multi-Purpose Centre.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZHks316GBw&w=560&h=315]

I’ve made my own personal schedule around these acts, but there are many, many others who I hope to catch. Here are some other rap/electronic highlights:

Raekwon
Ghostface Killah
BADBADNOTGOOD
LTTRS & NMBRS
Pineo & Loeb
Smalltown DJs
Dead Horse Beats

Notables from other genres:

Tanya Teqaq
Twin Shadow
The Flatliners
Single Mothers

The post 2014 Halifax Pop Explosion Preview appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

Listen to ‘Snow in Newark‘ here:

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Listen to Tory Lanez’ ‘Mama Told Me (Produced by Ryan Hemsworth)’ here:

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_d_ral_ is an amateur everything from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He can’t wait to blab to you about music.

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