Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Beat Fatigue - Malfunktionality Part One
Beat FatigueMalfunktionality Part One
Label: Adapted Records
So many of my favorite things all rolled into one! Clever guitar jams are imbibed with funky bass lines and blues stamina while pushed out on the dance floor with groovy electronics. This Amsterdam based DJ, producer promises much more to come with Part 2!
• Beat Fatigue WebsiteFine Alarm Funk - Abandonearth
Fine Alarm FunkAbandonearth
Label: CD Baby
Even though the album is themed as, “A DIABOLICAL journey to the center of the Earth and the subsequent DESTRUCTION of the planet!!!” you probably aren’t expecting what this 9 member heavy funk outfit from Vancouver has cooked up for you as they blast through a barrage of breakneck Balkan brass n punk infused musical roller coaster rides while vocally sounding like a gruffer Gogol Bordello. Surprising and refreshing!
• Fine Alarm Funk Website • Fine Alarm Funk FacebookBlockhead - Bells and Whistles
BlockheadBells and Whistles
Label: Ninja Tune
Snatching snippets across time and genre, Blockhead provides a fine blend of vintage ambiance crossed with contemporary electronica. Surges of warped melodies find home amid the morphed mantras, jazzy infections and serene soundscapes.
• Blockhead Website • Blockhead Facebook • Blockhead WikiWookiefoot - You’re It
WookiefootYou’re It
Label: Wookiefoot
These magical now age bards have just tagged you with a full spectrum barrage of musical medicine, hop scotching across genres with whimsy and delight. From reggae to bluegrass to jam to conscious hip hop to middle eastern melodies and the combination of all the above there is never a dull moment, especially when complimented by their ever uplifting, thought provoking and clever lyrics. I am excited to see these tribadellic warriors perform this landmark new material!
• Wookiefoot Website • Wookiefoot FacebookDubFX - Thinking Clear
DubFXThinking Clear
Label: Convoy Unltd
Melbourne born street performer, beat boxer and looping artist extraordinaire Dub FX (aka Ben Stanford) gives us a potent and powerful dose of his unique artistry with Thinking Clear, which shows off his soulful lyrical exploration of social, political and spiritual subjects while injecting the additional live instrumentation of a bass player, pianist, percussionist and a 3 piece horn section to his groovy vibes. Recorded in his own Treetop Studios and offered on his Convoy Unltd label, this release builds on his grassroots busking success that propelled him into selling over 200,000 records and receiving 100 million and counting YouTube views after performing in 40 different countries and at numerous festivals. Bravo!
• DubFX Website • DubFX Facebook • DubFX WikiDutty Moonshine Band - Most Wanted
Dutty Moonshine BandMost Wanted
Label: Rocstar Recordings
The electro swing genre keeps heating up and this debut album from Dutty Moonshine Band certainly fuels the fire! Capturing the swing era sound, then embellishing with skits and surprises before blasting it back to our future infused with hip hop, ghetto funk and filthy bass makes for a delicious slurp of manic musical entertainment. This 14 piece big band from Bristol, UK brings zany amounts of energy and creativity to the stage when they headline festivals around the world. Look for them!
• Dutty Moonshine Band Website • Dutty Moonshine Band FacebookDirty Heads - Swim Team
Dirty HeadsSwim Team
Label: Seven Five Records
Dirty Heads’ 6th album covers all the bases. Encompassing elements of reggae, hip hop, dubstep, pop, world and alternative while utilizing everything from bongos and banjos to classical piano and synthesizers, these 12 tracks play and experiment with the bands fame at every turn, both lyrically and metaphorically. Benefiting from a bevy of collaborators (Jonas Jeberg, Rome, Blueprint, Oren Yoel, HEAVY and The Score) this release is bound to make it’s mark thanks to experimental approaches and invigorating production.
Appearing live on 11/18 at Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI with The Unlikely Candidates and Tyrone’s Jacket.
• Dirty Heads Website • Dirty Heads Facebook • Dirty Heads WikiGinkgoa - One Time
GinkgoaOne Time
Label: Self Released
What happens when invigorating electro swing gets infused with trap, house and future bass sounds? In such a space, a myriad of tempting time tried dance crazes fly together in an explosive experiment of sound and energy. This France-based duo further enhances the mix when vocalist and front-woman Nicolle Rochelle unleashes her talents. Irresistible! Appearing 7/14 & 7/15 at LaFete De Marquette. Appearing 7/14 & 7/15 at LaFete De Marquette.
• Ginkgoa Website • Ginkgoa FacebookRed Baraat - Sound The People
Red BaraatSound The People
Label: Rhyme & Reason Records
Bhangra beat music has many avenues to choose from and the crazy twists and turns that this now 6-piece outfit infuses it with is undeniably spectacular. Their brassy global perspective and experimentation continues to push the musical boundaries of psychedelic, jazz, hip-hop as well as what can be accomplished on individual instruments. (9) Appearing with Tribu Aharu and Charanga Agoza’ on 8/16 at Central Park in Madison, WI.
• Red Baraat Website • Red Baraat FacebookTwenty One Pilots - Trench
Twenty One PilotsTrench
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Bands with 2 billion+ hit videos are hard to ignore. That being said, this groups bizarre yet amazingly attractive conflagration of alt rock, hip hop, metal, and singer songwriter swings are often as confounding as they are comforting. But it works! Trench definitely captures their signature sound and approach, but simply isn’t quite as high strung as prior releases. It is still lyrically provoking though and offers a bunch of great songs and potential mega hits.
• Twenty One Pilots Website • Twenty One Pilots Facebook • Twenty One Pilots WikiSoDown - Jet Black
SoDownJet Black
Label: GetDown Records
This EP is smokin hot! Establishing a menacing synth ambiance before introducing slick slices of glitch amid strong casts of electro bass and funky beat breakdowns makes for an entrancing listening experience. Chest pumping, hip hopping electronica doesn’t get much better than this.
• SoDown Website • SoDown FacebookGramatik - Re:Coil, Pt. II
GramatikRe:Coil, Pt. II
Label: Lowtemp Music
Exactly two years after the release of the first part of this Re:Coil, electro-funk pioneer Gramatik delivers Pt II. As with the first, these tracks are all collaborations, except the final which is solo. Showing off many faceted styles and approaches to the electronic genre with such luminaries as DeFunk, Big Gigantic, and Beat Fatigue insure many memorable jams. See him do his thing live on 11/15 at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI with Balkan Bump, Opiuo.
• Gramatik Website • Gramatik Facebook • Gramatik WikiView More
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