Vancouver welcomes back the inimitable Lazer Sword, their first visit since the release of their eponymous debut album and Lando Kal’s subsequent move to Berlin. Despite my affection for said self-titled, I haven’t heard much from the left coast duo as of recently. My guess is they’ve been in their respective zones, crafting more unclassifiable electro ish. Basically, don’t go into this with any expectations.
Salva, the man responsible for 2011′s multifaceted powerhouses Complex Housing and Yellobone EP, is another big reason to love this ticket. Expect some seriously crunk vibes at The Waldorf March 9th.
I’d love to tell you that I’m really loving this because of the headliner. Africa Hitech (Steve Spacek and Mark Pritchard, who you might know as Harmonic 313) are on a shortlist of producers who created truly unique experiences this year based on the fusion of multiple styles of electronic dance music, old and new. They’ll get their due praise from their contemporaries. I’d personally like to focus on 2 of the names below the headliner, Jonwayne and Dibiase. Considering the relatively short distance between California and British Columbia, the LA beat scene has had very little interaction with the electronic music scene in our fair city, so when we get some Low End affiliates in these parts I tend to geek out a little (a lot). I’m not going to ramble here. If you already read this blog then you probably already know why this is dope. If not, here are a couple reasons to be at W2 next Saturday:
Dibiase has been doing his thing for a long, long time. His LP Machines Hate Me made him an underground chip-sound super hero, but long before he was blasting NES samples through his SP-404 he was known to make soulful, more minimal concoctions. You don’t know what you’re going to get with Mr. Dibia$e.
Jonwayne has become a cult star and for good reason. His strange synth-driven beats and his unexpectedly great mic skills, combined with his “nice guy” reputation and his dry wit, have made him an internet sensation this past year.
Both are members of seminal LA label Alpha Pup Records and have deep ties to the Low End Theory club night, the mecca for all things experimental hip hop. My recommendation for December 3rd: get there early-ish, soak in the sounds and have a drink before Africa Hitech. Enjoy some sounds that don’t come around often enough.
The fine folks at sub|division decide to grace Vancouver with their 2-year anniversary party and it’s major. Gathering at the Waldorf on December 10th will be BC’s Finest: Vancity rep Prison Garde, sub|div boss Monolithium and dub-mutant Max Ulis flank the Brooklyn badman, Kingdom. That’s a lot of descriptors! Anyway, for those not familiar with Kingdom hes all about fusion and makes music that will move you with 90′s rave meets garage with a dash of future house. Needless classification aside, it’s dance music of the highest order and I dare you to be at this party and disagree.
This one concerns anyone who is even vaguely interested in dance music. Falty DL’s You Stand Uncertain remains the years best dance record alongside Machinedrum’s Room(s), and it seems unlikely that either LP will make any room for another contender. It’s a thoughtful, expansive record that incorporates all the best elements from electronic music’s more dexterous moments and compresses them into a suffocating alt-UK bass music. I’m going to go out on a limb predict a similarly crafted live set on Novemeber 12th at the Electric Owl. Special Guests have been revealed as Vancouver’s very own resident dance floor destroyers Prison Garde and Eames, which pretty much guarantees a hot start to the cold season.
If you missed him during Olio Festival here’s your second chance. AraabMuzik returns for his second Vancouver performance in as many months, this time rocking the Electric Owl, which is blossoming into quite the haunt for lovers of electronic music. Araab’s use of the MPC as a performance tool is unprecedented and has granted him access to an array of very inclusive circles, from sweaty Low End beatheads to discerning Pitchfork hype-mongerers. Decide for yourself if the praise is warranted on November 19.
I’ve described him recently as the reigning king of the remix, and if you don’t believe me just test it on Youtube. Star Slinger‘s portfolio runs mad deep and what’s just as impressive as his output is the tracks he chooses to rework (or, quite often, the artists that look to him for a fresh take). One thing is for sure, this dude is a certified music nerd and that usually translates into great selections and amazing dancefloor potential. AND there’s a kicker: the mighty Mux Mool will also be in attendance, hopefully shedding some light on his brand of future hip hop for those poor souls who are still sleeping on his oft-overlooked, but nonetheless classic, Skulltaste.
You already know who these kids are, so there’s no need for more hype. Odd Future embark on their first world tour and will be shitting all over the Vogue Theatre on October 3rd.
Not really much to say here. “Fucking Legends” comes to mind. If there’s ever going to be a time when you let LiveNation gauge you for 55 bucks, let it be now. Chances are you won’t have an opportunity to see them again.
Inconspicuously delivered and impeccably timed, the space-bass beats and afro-arabian nomad raps of Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up offer the most refreshing take on modern Hip Hop heard all year. Like last years Of Light and Shabazz Palaces, their Sub Pop debut once again suggests the dissonance in expectation of what a Hip Hop record should be. They prefer to leave the interpretation up to you. They remain shrouded in mystery (except the unnecessary chatterings of Palaceer Lazaro’s previous work), and let the musics shifting moods resonate in whatever way you choose it to. They don’t want hype. They don’t need it.
Just got the word on this one through the Facebook feed. This is a serious match up of world class DJs, and I hope people don’t sleep. April and May are shaping up pretty well here on the west coast (words of RJD2 and Kode9 are also afloat), let’s hope things continue through the much anticipated summer months. Full list of tour dates and cities here.
