Lido

Lido is one of today’s most creative and innovative artists. So it’s only fitting that his live set matches his musical output. Lido takes the one man band concept to new levels with his groundbreaking live show. His set-up includes a computer with Ableton, a midi controller, keyboards, a mic, a vocoder, and a myriad of different drums. Each instrument serves as a vessel to expel his immense talent. Watching him switch from singing slow ballads while playing the keys, to pounding out drums solos is nothing short of spellbinding (see ‘Dye video below for a taste). At his Toronto show I witnessed him play the piano with a drum stick in his mouth, allowing for quick access as he frantically switched between instruments. It’s this dedication to performance that makes Lido’s live set not only one of the best in electronic music, but one of the best in all of music.

Brasstracks

Brooklyn-based production duo Brasstracks have had a quite a year, going from SoundCloud and blog favourites to winning a Grammy for their work on Chance The Rapper’s Coloring Book (they produced the stand out hit ‘No Problem’). Their “future brass” sound combines elements of future bass, trap, hip hop and R&B with their backgrounds playing trumpet, keys and drums. It should come as no surprise that their sets incorporate all of these elements in one hell of a way. When was the last time you saw someone killing the trumpet over a trap record? Needless to say Brasstracks are doing something that is massive. Check out their Band Class videos for a taste of what to expect.

FKJ

It’s not uncommon to have an ensemble of musicians assist you in your production. Of course, there are those who would rather create most, if not the entire experience by themselves. Vincent Fenton, better known as French Kiwi Juice or FKJ, uses his multi-instrumentalist prowess to achieve the very sound he wants his audience to experience. At a recent live show, an initial wave of glee came upon the crowd as FKJ came on stage by himself, with all of his necessary instruments set up around him. As he transitioned seamlessly from the keyboard, to the bass, to a guitar stationed across from it, there was a bonding sense of euphoria as we sang along with him throughout the night; he even sampled the crowd’s collective voice and created a track right before us, to demonstrate his wicked improv skills.

Keys N Krates

Toronto’s electronic trap trio Keys N Krates bridge the gap between DJing and live instrumentation perfectly. Originally starting out as a hip-hop cover band, KnK have evolved greatly over the years, moving from a local attraction to international superstars. Their live experience combines Jr. Flo’s incredible turntablism with the moving keys of David Matisse and stellar drum work of Adam Tune. Whether they’re playing out their incredible original tunes or flipping massive tracks (see ‘BitterSweet Symphony’) they always amaze. Their chemistry and energy are undeniable and they continue to get better each year. I’ve personally seen them live at least 7 times and look forward to catching them another 7.

Haywyre

Martin Vogt, best known by his musical project Haywyre, started off his musical endeavours as early as 6 years old. Monstercat‘s musical maestro produces music at such depth, not only on a sonic level, but a philosophical one as well; one example is the theme of dichotomy/opposites in his albums Two Fold Parts 1 & 2. At the heart of Martin’s prodigious skills is his main tool of the trade, his trusty keyboard. His eclectic jazz/glitch/bass-fusion style of music is awe-inspiring to watch, especially since his live shows are broadcast with cameras. In doing so, the crowd watches exactly how Martin plays, for a deeper sense of connection between him and us. As he’s playing, he is mostly fixated on his performance, and thus doesn’t continually prompt the crowd to throw their hands up or clap along to the beat. Given how much energy he’s delivering on stage into each note, chord, or intricate solo, the crowd throws about and claps along anyways, without the need of any encouragement.

Autograf

The explosive Chicago trio consisting of Jake Carpenter, Louis Kha, and Mikul Wing not only have an extensive cumulative background in music – Autograf also specializes in visual arts, which they incorporate into their music however they can. Whether creating their own artwork for their songs/projects, or even providing their own visuals to their live shows, they always make sure to capture an intense futuristic feeling, to further exemplify their future house sound. One key element that really stands out in their music is the electronic vibraphone. It gives their songs the perfect cheery touch, and in their live performance, you can feel the melody ring throughout your entire body, on the right speakers.

Tennyson

Canadian brother and sister duo Tennyson are well known for their forward-thinking jazz inspired creations. Despite their young age, they’ve manged to clock millions of plays online, collaborate with Mr. Carmack and perform at a slew of massive festivals. Adding to their appeal is their live set – with Tess on the drums and Luke on the keys and an Ableton controller, they bring their unique sound to life. Their performances pack the fun and youthful energy of a high school talent show whereas the music being created suggests a level of talent that is well beyond their years.

ODESZA

The founders of Foreign Family Collective perform live in such an enthusiastic manner – bouncing and throwing down with each drop, usually accompanied with the majestic clash of a nearby cymbal. Whether the duo’s performing on the drums themselves, or alongside a drum ensemble as they’re producing with their launchpads, each beat adds to the glittery feel of magic found in each song. Their performances fit perfectly within festivals based around a mantra of love, given that you can’t help but smile and let your body get taken over by the warm feel-good vibes all around you.

That’s a wrap for for our list. Let us know your favourites, and if there is anyone that you feel we missed in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter.

Words by Colin and ck.

The post 8 Electronic Artists Pushing The Boundaries Of Live Performance appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

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The post Tennyson & Mr. Carmack Team Up For 3 New Tracks appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

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Written by Travis Wagner aka Dreamcasts.

The post Tennyson ‘All Yours’ Will Make You Feel Like A Kid Again appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

All photos by Hassan Mo

I arrived at the venue just before 4pm. Branded birthday balloons signaled the entrance and entering the venue was as smooth as possible. After descending the steps I walked into a beautiful courtyard with a lush canopy of trees providing shade from the bright sunshine. The stage was located at the back and Ouici was warming things up. The vibe was pretty chill. Most people were nodding to the beat, talking with friends and taking in the sites. Ouici’s set encompassed a hazy, almost dreamfilled downtempo feel; a trap subtext with a more cinematic sound. Amongst the sounds were familiar vocals from Kanye and Drake to keep it just a little bit familiar.

Luke of Tennyson

After some set-up and an introduction from Keys N Krates, it was time for Edmonton based duo, Tennyson, to take the stage and deliver their unique live experience. The drum kit and keyboard piqued the interest of many and a crowd began to form at the front of the stage. The start was intentionally slow, building anticipation with smiles stretched across their faces. During the opening, Jr. Flo came out front and vibed out while shaking hands and talking to fans. It didn’t take long for listeners to get lost in the futuristic jazzy vibe that Tennyson created. Their chemistry and live show was nothing short of incredible. Tess killed it on the drums, never missing a beat, while Luke freaked the synthesizer and plucked at the Ableton controller. Their level of energy was transcendent despite the relatively mellow nature of their sounds. While Luke’s mic skills between songs were clumsy at best, it was hard not to smile every time he spoke. ‘With You’ and ‘Lay-By’ were stunning live as was the entire performance. Every pause between tracks warranted a round of applause adding to a set that without doubt garnered a number of new fans.

Tom Wrecks

As Tom Wrecks of Thugli took the stage and began setting up I thought, awesome, but what happened to Ganz? Wrecks warmed the crowd up with rich future bass before taking to the mic and announcing that the homie Ganz couldn’t make it across the border, but was here in spirit, dropping his ‘I Want You’ flip. The slight air of disappointment was short lived, as Tom had everyone getting turnt in less than 5 minutes. Showcasing his incredible DJ skills while blending hip-hop and trap never disappoints. With everything from LOUDPVCK to Fetty Wap, TroyBoi and Valentino Khan, Wrecks had the place lit mid afternoon. With Drake’s ‘My Way’ verse coming to a close he perfectly timed the “first off I’m start by saying…” into his own “Fuck Meek Mill” narration. Needless to say the Toronto fans loved it. Every time Thugli perform together or solo I’m amazed. The tranistions are seamless, the song selection kills and the scratch routines take it next level. Seeing Tom flip Rihanna’s smash ‘BBHMM’ with a scatched Drake sample “Bitch better have my money when I come for that shit like ODB” and then working it into ‘Worst Behaviour’ was just one example as to why.

Flat White with Jr. Flo and David Matisse

Once again, Keys N Krates took the stage to introduce to Flat White and encourage fans to say hello when they see them around the event. A true testament to their down to earth nature, Jr. Flo was personally handing out cookies to fans that were complete with the >l< logo. Flat White aka Virgil Ablo is known as Kanye West’s longtime creative director and collaborator. That said he can definitely handle himself on the decks. He instantly changed the tone of the party, opening with an ethereal deep bass sound. The darkness eventually subsided as he warmed things up with Fetty Wap, several Kanye cuts, and some Skepta. Bringing the chill back in, Abloh allowed James Blake to creep in before bringing out party classics like ‘Crank That’ and ‘Trophies’. Returning to where he started, things got dark once again with a sinister spacey club sound to close things out.

Just Blaze

With the sun beginning to set, legendary hip-hop producer and DJ Just Blaze took control of the crowd. A fittingly high energy opening, Blaze unleashed Jay Z’s ‘PSA’ into ‘U Don’t Know’. From there it was a barrage of hip-hop anthems with everything from Dipset to Freeway and Pharoah Monche. Flexing his sample chops, Just rinsed out ‘Superfreak’ then proceeded to freak the loop into the Rick James sampled ‘Kingdom Come’. After another round of hip-hop bangers, Just Blaze decided it was time to trap it out. Dropping classics like Flosstradamus’ ‘Original Don’ remix and Bro Safari’s ‘Scumbag’. From there Just bounced from jersey club to rap anthems including an all time classic in Beastie’s Boys ‘Intergalactic’. His hand skills were on point and his mic game was right with it, getting the crowd turnt to a whole another level. Giving a shout out to the weed smokers, Blaze dropped a minimix of chronic infused anthems that included Styles P’s ‘Good Times’, Ye’s ‘Get Em High’ and his collab with Baauer ‘Higher’. Add to the fact that he mixed Yeezy’s “Can we get much higher” sample in between each of those joints, it truly seemed that we couldn’t get much higher. That said, the billowing smoke clouds throughout the courtyard begged to differ. Nearing the end of his set, Just Blaze cut the music to shout out fans including a dude rocking a Wu-Tang mask. After some convincing the fan tossed the mask up to the DJ who immediately threw it on and dropped Wu-Tang’s ‘C.R.E.A.M’. Truly lost in the vibe he proceeded to mutter “aww fuck it” before playing out Celine Dion and adding a touch a trap at the end to go out with a bang.

Just Blaze taking a selfie

With the sun down, the anticipation had reached its climax and Keys N Krates walked onto the stage with a sense of sure determination as they took their place behind their instruments. Truly reppin’ their city, Jr. Flo rocked an OVO tee while David Matisse adorned an I <3 T.O. tank. After a steady build sparked a new level of electricity, the drums began to intensify leading into a massive drop that was timed with the first major hit of the lights, leaving fans blown away. It wasn’t long before they kept it 100 dropping the Grandtheft assisted smash with some live tweaks. I’ve seen and written about Keys N Krates several times and every time I find myself at a strain to fully capture the magic that makes their sets so special. There’s something about the way that they put their live set together; the chemistry, the openness for improvisation and the energy, that can only be heard and felt. From Adam’s fervent drumming, to Matisse’ swag on the synth and Jr. Flo raw DJ cuts, the trio create an experience that is truly unmatched in today’s electronic music landscape.

David Matisse

Adam Tune

Jr Flo

After just under an hour of playing they cut the lights and left the stage leaving fans to wonder “is it really over?” all while praying that it was not. After a few minutes of disjointed chants, cheers, and failed renditions of happy birthday, the hometown heroes returned announcing that they had to play a little longer, it is their birthday after all. A strong conclusion to a stellar day saw them playing out their recent single ‘Save Me’ and debuting their upcoming release ‘I Know You’ to a mob of immensely excited and grateful fans. The victory lap included the anthem ‘All The Time’ and an invite for every artist who performed that day to join them on stage to turn up to ‘Yes We Faded’. The stage was as wild as the crowd and it looked like one of the band members’ dads was up there for the revelry.

Though I don’t personally know Keys N Krates, I felt like a welcome guest and got to experience one of the best Birthday parties I’ve ever attended. I look forward to returning and seeing how they intend to top a near perfect event. Here’s to next year, Happy Birthday!

For more photos of the event be sure to check out our gallery on Facebook.

The post Keys N Krates Throw Unforgettable Birthday Party appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

Cashmere Cat

Cashmere Cat is truly in a realm of his own. This Norwegian producer emerged in 2012 and has been astounding listeners ever since. Whether it’s combining elegant melodies with stress inducing breaks and a pinch of Jersey club (‘Mirror Maru,’) or bending vocals to create new sounds while adding militant snares and stunning strings (‘With Me’). The beauty within Cashmere’s music is unmatched in the electronic space. His two EPs are flawless and have inspired artists to look at composition in new ways. This holds true with his original work, but also with his remixes. While many artists just tweak the drums and change a drop or two; when Cashmere Cat reworks a track he completely re-imagines it (see: ‘No Lie’ & ‘Do You…’). His immense talent has not gone unseen and last year his production credits included Ludacris, Ryn Weaver, Benzel & Juicy J and more. Despite the success he was able to stay true to himself and his fans. I’ve joked about Cashmere Cat’s music being “heroin step” as it takes listeners on a mesmerizing journey that will have you fiending for more.

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Mr. Carmack

Mr. Carmack is somewhat of an anomaly in the electronic music scene. Mention his name to casual listeners and it’s unlikely they could list even one of his songs. Mention his name to a producer and they’ll tell you he is one of the most influential and inspiring figures in the game. Carmack seems to have found the perfect place; he has attained a cult following without crossing over to the mainstream, therefore he doesn’t need to. Carmack plays sold out shows worldwide and was the back to back #1 selling artist on Bandcamp in 2013. His unorthodox approach to bass music has resulted in almost an entirely new sub genre. It’s dark, hard hitting, and infinitely strange (even the soundwaves look odd). This style has gone on to inspire a wide array of similar sounds and his name has even been used a verb. Like any great producer, this Hawaiian beatmaker can explore many directions, often taking a break from dark and gritty to create something more laid back and beautiful (see ‘Dear Mama’, ‘Grapevine’). Adding to his mystique, Carmack often uploads songs that get terrific feedback and support but disappear from his SoundCloud without notice. So, if you enjoy one of his tracks be sure to take it in as much as you can, because it just may disappear.  The wealth of material that Carmack has produced is far too much to explore here, so be sure to check out his SoundCloud and Bandcamp pages for more (be forewarned you may get lost for hours).

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TroyBoi

Londoner TroyBoi describes himself as a “music manipulation specialist,” “drum molester,” and “drop addict.” These uncommon descriptions become strikingly accurate after exploring his music. Instead of labelling his work with widely accepted genres everything he puts out is listed as “my style” and one listen demonstrates why. Though a large portion of his music could be considered trap, its originality and uncharacteristic sound makes the label seem juvenile. ‘Don’t Be Judging (MJ Edition)’ may be the best example, as it combines an epic and eerie build with moving Michael Jackson samples and mind-boggling drops. His ability to combine heavy bass, incredible percussion, obscure samples and rework vocals is second to none. In the past year TroyBoi has amassed nearly 90k SoundCloud followers, put out an official remix for Danny Brown and was just named as one of Annie Nightingale’s Future Stars. 2015 is set to be a massive year for the rising star with a collaboration with Flosstradamus coming soon, his debut EP on Fool’s Gold (date TBA) and much more. Can’t miss tracks include ‘Memoirs of an Angel’, ‘4321’ and ‘Meduza Dayz’. And I haven’t even touched on his SoundSnobz project with IceKream; I’ll let you explore that for yourself.

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Woolymammoth

His name may be prehistoric but his sound is definitely something from the future. I first encountered this producer when he released ‘Cult’ back in September. I was amazed from the initial listen. The sound design is insane; it’s trap, but it is like no other trap song I’ve ever heard. It’s near impossible to listen to one of his songs for the first time and not think or say “what the fuck?” To better understand this concept let’s explore a small sample of his work. ‘Ella’ opens with jazzy vocal from the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. As the vocals are chopped we are met with epic TNGHT style horns and a drop that is straight up baffling (Lil Jon’ samples, sinister laughter, booming percussion and the beauty of Ella Fitzgerald all collide perfectly). ‘Lucid Dreams’ is a nightmare inducing trip that feels like battling a 30 foot Minotaur in a strobed out dungeon. ‘Foul play’ uses hypnotizing tones and haunting vocal bends to create an eerie vibe that is turned up with slapping drums and entrancing synths. Listening to Woolymammoth takes you into another dimension and when you return, that tired festival trap you’ve been bumping will never sound the same.

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Sam Gellaitry

This 17 year old hailing from Stirling, Scotland is a SoundCloud favourite that has somehow seemed to allude most media. Sam Gellaitry has received support from a who’s who in the industry (LOUDPVCK, Carnage, gLAdiator) and is now a member of the legendary Soulection crew. That said, he still manages to remain largely under the radar outside most underground circles. That’s not to say people haven’t taken note; ’..bruh’ is his biggest release to date and has over ¾ million plays on SoundCloud. The track which is built around Danny Brown samples sees some next level vocal manipulation that needs to be heard to be believed.  Combined with pounding percussion, booming bass and some absurd synth work, this track is filthier than D. Brown himself. What continues to amaze is Gellaitry’s keen ability to effortlessly move from silky smooth to disgustingly hard hitting, at times fusing both together for a sound that is the audio equivalent of the ‘Otis’ Maybach. You’ll need to listen to ‘No Good’, ‘grot’ and ‘business’ to fully understand. If you’re looking for a more housey vibe, look no further as Sammy G also happens to be an absurdly talented house producer (‘understanding’, ‘waiting so long’, ‘1,2 step’). Considering his range and imagination, it’s impossible to predict what he may release next, but it’s safe to say it will be incredible.

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Lido

Another Norwegian producer, Lido is a modern day Mozart on the synthesizer. Whether he’s producing originals for LIZ and Alison Wonderland or putting out remixes (official and unofficial) of S-Type, Bill Withers, Bastille, ZHU, and Alt-J, everything he puts his hands on is masterful. He creates music that is deeply emotional and moving, yet forward thinking and unconventional. His remix of ZHU’s ‘Faded’ may be the most glaring example yet; I’ve truly never heard anything quite like it. His creative genius stretches beyond his production ability and has even carried over into his distribution. The artist’s last two releases (I Love You Too Remixtape and 2014 Remixes) were free downloads that were only unlocked if you could play a few notes on an interactive keyboard.  Add to the fact that it’s all but officially been confirmed that Lido moonlights as Jersey Club producer Trippy Turtle and his catalog literally get twice as impressive.

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Tennyson

Tennyson hasn’t been very active on SoundCloud recently; there hasn’t been a new snippet of music since ‘In One Piece’ dropped in mid November. Considering Luke is 17 and his sister Tess is 14, we probably won’t see much until school ends. But in the fall, nothing kept these Edmonton natives from popping up on the world’s radar. Festival appearances, sold out shows and the support of Ryan Hemsworth all forecast that 2015 should be a banner year for the siblings.

And about their youth; it isn’t evident in the music. Tennyson has a sophisticated and diverse sound, blending Luke’s jazz education with his production ambition and Tess’ syncopated percussion. You won’t hear their tunes at the club. Rather, songs like ‘With You’ and ‘No Answer’ truly capture the trending ‘happy/sad’ feeling, basically provoking a nostalgia for nothing in particular. Evoking samples and sounds from technology like cell phone rings and car alarms is not a new thing, but it has never been so subtle; so musical.

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A.G. Cook

A.G. Cook understands the current musical landscape. In creating PC Music, Cook takes our obsession over technology and transforms it into the music, rather than use it solely as the medium. Artists signed to PC Music each explore different elements of technology and also focus on using sounds and tones that can be heard from tinny cell phone speakers everywhere. Sometimes, even the way you have access to the music is custom-made by the label. A. G. Cook’s collaboration with Sophie, titled ‘Hey QT,’ is basically a theme for a fictional energy drink which can be heard on the drink’s fake website. Using the tones and sounds of technology doesn’t mean that the music is full of iPhone sounds and ambient white noise, however. Rather, most of it sounds like oversimplified product jingles; a lot of major chords, clean vocals, and extremely catchy melodies. However, the high pitches and sharp corners of this kind of production can end up sounding like a dial tone to some. Listen to both versions of ‘Beautiful’ below, and you’ll quickly see what I mean. If you can’t get passed the quirkiness of A. G. Cook’s futuristic and technological sound the road ahead may be rough. With all the attention garnered by his label on SoundCloud and now iTunes, Cook is here for the long haul.

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et aliae

There isn’t a lot of information out there about London producer et aliae. All we can say for sure is that she is 21 and music is just a side-project while she studies. In the modern age of SoundCloud over-abundance, however, there is something attractive about the unknown or the mysterious.

et aliae first popped up on my radar through Ryan Hemsworth’s Secret Songs SoundCloud moniker. ‘Baby,’ one of my favourite tracks of the year, stands on stilts above the rest of the tracks on Secret Songs’ first official compilation, #ffb6c1. It’s an eclectic mix of vocal samples, a trap-style groove, and a faster-paced dance tune, all in one jam. There is something energetic, something emotional about it, and all this can be felt with nearly zero audible vocals. You can hear this energy in her remixes as well. One of her most recent is a remix of ASTR’s ‘Operate.’ Not only is the dream-feel of the original maintained but it is amplified by the subtle addition of keys and several vocal chops. However, changes in tempo midway through give this tune a upbeat danceable feel. It’s this versatility that demonstrates the breadth of et aliae’s creativity and ability.

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Please bear in mind this only a small sample of the immense talent out there right now. If you enjoyed the list, be sure to share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. For a deeper dive into each artist, please check out our playlist below featuring our hand picked favourites.

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The post The Most Inventive Producers Right Now appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

Listen to ‘In One Piece,’ here: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177668189″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Listen to ‘With You,’ here: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/171082727″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Listen to ‘No Answer,’ here: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124907822″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The post Tennyson – In One Piece appeared first on FUXWITHIT.

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.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/users/5326994″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

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.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/users/114629″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

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.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/users/19814435″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

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.

Soft keys, jazzy percussion and interspersed vocal samples build the track to a climax of synth and ride cymbal before we’re brought back to the humble beginning. It’s not a dance track, but you’ll probably dance to it.

Listen to ‘With You’ here: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/171082727″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Listen to ‘You’re Cute’ here: [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/148192138″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Watch Tennyson perform ‘For You’ here: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6T40oMkD-0&w=560&h=315]

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