For Fans of: Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, u-Ziq, Jerry Folk, FENGSEL
Jungle fans marvel at the sounds of Jerry Folk’s latest single ‘Dotted Red’. The single released last friday and was produced along Folk’s side project FENGSEL, which is bound to be the word on everyone’s lips in the months to come. Why is this you may ask? Jerry Folk will be releasing his first album in his career under the FENGSEL name. This album is rumoured to be years in the making. Be prepared to hear a new sound that contrasts with the music producer original acclaim.
In a conversation with The Playground (read interview) about his ‘Everything’ single, the music producer shared: “I’ve had a lot of side projects. Folkestad and some stuff on Soundcloud. Right now my new side project is FENGSEL. It’s gonna launch with this single and the upcoming album. It will be released as both Fengsel and Jerry Folk because Fengsel is the universe I want the album to exist in and since it’s a slightly new direction for Jerry Folk.”
Indeed this is a new direction for the producer that has performed on the stages of Coachella and opened for renowned electronic act Odeza in recent times. ‘Dotted Red’ is a huge leap from the Jerry Folk we know, with its feathery jungle atmosphere but we are loving this new direction for sure.
Jerry Folk previously featured on Muze FMwith song ‘On My Way (ft. Bearson)’
Interview with emerging dance music producer AIR APPARENT
Bouncing between electro-pop, trap & dance music, you are bound to feel the need to tap your foot to the floor listening to AIR APPARENT energetic dancefloor soundscapes. A rising musician currently sitting over 45,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, AIR APPARENT is known to collaborate with other emerging musicians on all of his releases. Neil Sethi, known popularly as AIR APPARENT shared his dancefloor worthy hit ‘Bad For Me’ via Pug Life Records last month featuring noteworthy singer GESS is sure to put you in high spirits.
We asked AIR APPARENT a few questions about his favourite memories thus far since pursuing a career in music.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
I began appreciating curated music in a serious way when I was a freshman in college and got involved in college radio. At the time, the best way to find new music was blogs and Hype Machine! Since then, the landscape has shifted a ton. I started getting into making music around the same time, working on a few childhood-inspired tracks that blended emo/pop-punk with experimental electronics. Some of that has stayed with me today!
Take us through your list of dream software/gear you would like to get?
I’d love to get some serious analog synthesizers like a Moog or a Prophet. So far, I just use digital versions :). I’d also love to get a bunch of non-digital instruments like a Nord piano and a couple of guitars, just to open up the possibility of making music away from a screen every once in a while.
What do you need with you when you sit down to write or produce?
I typically start by opening up a DAW and a notepad/text editor and jam on a midi keyboard. Stuff kind of opens up and unfolds from there!
What other artistic revenues do you pursue?
I write and produce some music for other artists and am looking to get into Twitch streaming soon :).
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
I think studio work and music creation is the most magical part, but I’m excited to spend more time connecting with audiences in person as we near the end of the pandemic.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
I think releasing ‘Asking You’ was pretty amazing. It was a track I threw together relatively quickly, but definitely the first time I felt there was a widespread appreciation for some music I felt I cobbled together.
Name 3 artists you would love to collaborate with in the future
Abhi the Nomad, Jai Wolf, Louis the Child.
Do you think music should provide social commentary and reflect the current world?
I think music could provide social commentary – but I don’t think music needs or has to be anything specific. I think the only thing music should be is an authentic representation of what an artist cares about.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Look forward to a virtual music festival gig later this year and an album in the summer.
Performing alongside the likes of names like Skepta & Stefflon Don in recent months, music producer & rapper Nutty P (Anton Flanders) is here to make music with impact & substance. The producer has even charmed the likes of presenters Annie Mac & Zane Lowe with his effortless swag & charisma while tackling important political discussions. Inspired by his dancehall & reggae upbringing, the music producer has shared his latest banger ‘Ballerina on a Minefield’ via Dream Walk Records.
We chatted with the one & only Nutty P below.
Looking back, what was your earliest entry into music appreciation? And music production?
Well, when I first got to Earth, the woman who you humans would call Grandmother introduced me to the likes of Bob Marley and John Holt. It wasn’t long before she discovered I was not of this realm and needed to channel my ethereal energies, so she got me a cheap Yamaha keyboard that I used to compose melodies and loops
How would you describe your sound?
On my homeworld, the sound of people is called Aadv651r-][[q which roughly translates in Earth English as multilayered bass-heavy melodic tunes you can vibe to.
Do you have a motto or mantra that you live by?
I only have another 136 years left on this planet, which seems like a lot to humans but where I’m from originally, that’s only a fortnight. So the mantra I live by is “treasure every moment, don’t hold onto grudges, have fun, and don’t be afraid to take risks”.
Outside of music, what inspires you?
Literally everything, movies, books, games, life, my memories of my OG realm. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to get a direct connection to the essence there and bring the vibes straight to Earth. I clear my mind, meditate and let the ideas form naturally.
Is there a particular historical moment in the music industry, that inspires you today as an artist?
That would probably be the moment 2pac existed, that era of mid to late 90s, he was just unstoppable. How’s a man making a million albums, starring in movies, writing books, shooting feds, getting shot, going to jail coming back with a banging album all at the age of 25. He was a beast, pretty sure he was from another planet as well, I’d have to check my sources though.
Tell us one interesting fact about yourself that no-one would expect.
Sometimes when I’m working on music I get synesthesia.
Wax Tailor, Nightmares on Wax, DJ Shadow, RJD2 and The Avalanches.
Music producer Wax Tailor returns with a trio of remixes
Image Credit: Ronan Siri
Not too long ago, Wax Tailor treated fans with the release of the spectacular hip hop LP, Shadow Of Their Suns. A collection of a unique range of talent from around the world, the album had several outstanding tracks, including‘Shining Underdog’with Boog Brown and‘Keep It Movin’with D Smoke. However, our personal favourite of the album was ‘Dusk To Dusk’ with South African artist Yugen Black, who has coincidentally worked with Kanif The Jhatmaster, the rising producer Wax Tailor commissioned to help remix ‘Everybody’. You can read our full feature on the albumhere.
Along with the remix from South African artist Kanif The Jhatmaster, Wax Tailor also shared his own reworked version of the song, as well as an instrumental edition for fans who simply couldn’t get enough of the hypnotic beats. The trio of tracks compliment each other, while the one Wax Tailor’s approach is softer, bringing a more orchestral element and Kanif The Jhatmaster leads listeners further infor the world of hip hop.
Kanif The Jhatmaster tells us about working on the remix: “I think one of the interesting things about remixes is bringing a different feeling to the song. To find different emotions in the words. Del and Lif are two of my favorite MCs. It was a great pleasure to work on this.”
Interview with confrontational, ‘Grammy Weeknd’ rapper Lucidious
Following the controversy of the Grammy’s & the past weekend’s event, rapper Lucidious shared his frustration. If you are not in the loop, the Weeknd single‘Blinding Lights’ was a top-charting single throughout 2020 and was not recognized as a Grammy winner due to slimy decisions & dodgy record deals. Rapper Lucidious then took the opportunity to shed a light on this controversy with a music video ‘Grammy Weeknd’, which speaks on the disgusting hierarchy in the Grammy voting board.
We spoke with Lucidious about his latest video release below.
Hello Lucidious, Thank you for sitting down with us to chat about your new music video ‘Grammy Weeknd’. The Grammy’s just happened this weekend, so can you tell us a bit about how your song fits into the conversations around the snubs of this year’s nominations?
Appreciate you having me! As artists on the come-up, we imagine winning a Grammy to be the ultimate accolade and something to reach for. With that being said, the last few award seasons have been telling. How can we be excited about something that’s so subjective, lacks transparency, and is riddled with networking politics? It’s discouraging for the rest of us. Seeing artists come forward about their sentiments really inspired me to do the same, which is how this song came about. Moreover, I used this song as an opportunity to touch on other factors of the entertainment industry that contribute to smaller artists’ quitting altogether.
When writing this song, what was the main feeling as an artist who is at the mercy of these “industry gatekeepers”?
Complete frustration. We’re living in a time where independents have more opportunity than ever before to gain exposure and recognition through their own marketing efforts (which is great), but we also have no chance of reaching a level playing field with the majors. We’re blocked out by an imaginary line where private conversations and handshakes land placements. What’s most disappointing is that The Weeknd is not independent or small, he’s earned his stripes and is still being crushed by these “gatekeepers”.
The truth is, less than 1% of artists will be able to sustain a long-term career in the music industry. This unfortunate reality is reinforced by low streaming payouts, suppressed engagement via social media (because Facebook and Instagram’s job is to rake in marketing dollars), playlist limitations, and the inability to “pay-and-play”, because most artists pockets aren’t that deep.
Other artists have been really vocal about the Grammy snubs this year as well… does that change how you feel or how you express your thoughts on the topic?
If anything, it’s made me feel even stronger and more confident in the message we’re trying to get across. Musicians deserve more transparency, representation, and proper recognition on every level.
You accompanied the single with a music video – How does the music video represent what’s being sung about lyrically?
I wanted to tip my hat to The Weeknd using similar visuals and styling from his album, After Hours. We intentionally elected to have the video be more performance-heavy so that the lyrics could be the focal point, but still added in a few symbolic elements. For example, the limo scene was a representation of walking through the music industry – surrounded by a hazy superficial environment and not wanting to be a part of it.
How do you hope that this song affects listeners? The industry?
It’s simply my goal to bring more awareness to what’s happening and not happening. The more noise that is made around artist mistreatment and industry corruption, the better chance we have of seeing some change. The Grammys in particular has always been – and is supposed to be – iconic, respected, and sought-after.
What would be your first step in making a specific change in the industry?
First and foremost, I’d like the public to be more aware of how these votes are weighted and what they are based on (other than the opinion of those allowed to vote). I’d love to see nominations and awards given based on genuine universal impact, engagement, and authentic listenership. Ultimately, I’d also love to see more of a focus on the independent artist community, even if that means adding potential awards to the line-up.
Grammy’s aside, there are some things that would drastically change the sustainability of artist careers:
Allow artists to disseminate information to their audience more seamlessly. What’s the point of having Spotify followers if we can’t inform them of a new release? Open the gates.
Allow artists to reach their fans. Social platforms will say we have hundreds of thousands of followers, but restrict organic reach to 5%. Oh, unless artists choose to spend more hard-earned money on ads to reach fans who voluntarily followed. Open the gates.
Playlists run the game right now. Allow artists a chance to actually land a placement without having to know the right person. We get it, labels need to make their money back. Have your playlists for hand-selected artists, but these playlists are based on making money back on signing deals and label expenses, not skill or curating a listener experience. Open the gates.
Do you think that everyone speaking out this year will make any change happen? Or will the industry be at the same place next year?
I’ll choose optimism on this one. Let’s just keep making noise.
Music producers Wuki & Somkepurpp link up on trap banger ‘Birdz’
Smokepurpp and Wuki link up on the official music video for their new single “Birdz” out now via Hard Recs. Riding through the desert on high-powered quads and sand viper dune buggies, Wuki and Smokpurpp endure the rocky terrain and take us on a reckless, off-roading adventure. Shifting into high gear, Smokepurpp is seen spitting hard-hitting bars while Wuki hypes him up as they both create a rowdy and rambunctious scene. The “Birdz” single has been lighting up airwaves with support from iHeartRadio, Hot 97, Dash Radio as well as major playlists on Spotify including Cratediggers, Beast Mode, Trap Mojito and many more. Already racking in hundreds of thousands of streams so shortly after release, “Birdz” is quickly becoming one of the hottest tracks of 2021.
FFO: FFO: The Chainsmokers, ILLENIUM,One Giant Leap
Future bass trio One Giant Leap debut environmental music video, ‘Human Race’
Directed by: E.T Rouleau ( @e.t_rouleau)
In light of our world’s growing need for environmental sustainability, musician JiLLi was inspired to write a song from the POV of our dying mother nature.
“Human Race” is the first track of an award-winning EP created by JiLLi and two classmates at Icon Collective College of Music under the project named One Giant Leap. This song has been a modest success for them on streaming platforms.
The group hope that this video could go viral with the right publicity, as environmental awareness is on the rise and it’s imperative that we take action.
Ancient Astronauts, Thievery Corporation, Public Enemy, Wizkid, Damian Marley and Kruder & Dorfmeister.
Ancient Astronauts provide spotlight for talented African musicians in new album
Image credit: Adam Kroll
Let’s explore some of the hidden talent Africa has to offer with Ancient Astronauts. The German pair has set out to highlight the socially conscious artists found within the continent – creating a space for each artist to express themselves and providing a platform to reach the Europen market. The ZIK ZAK album via Switchstance Recordings was released today and preceded by several singles as well as the Kampala Fire EP, all taken from the dynamic album. However, fans will still find a wide variety of previously unreleased tracks.
Ancient Astronauts strike a vital point when discussing the current relations between Western society and its African counterparts: Multinational corporations exploit the resources of Africa, Western governments play out white saviour complex and come with financial support, but at the same time block their own markets from African products. There is no balance.
The two have striven to work against this mindset, with each release being tailored around the featured artists involved. Our personal favourite track of the album is ‘No Luv’, featuring a simple snare drum, irrefutable lyrics and the dynamic vocals of Modenine. Fast on its tail, in both on the album and in our hearts is ‘Social Distancing feat. Ife Piankhi’. The two strike two very different note and are but a small example of the complex issues addressed in the album.
New Premiere: wave producer Glacci unveils ‘LCD Sunscream’ song
With a loyal cult following of over 10.2 thousand on Soundcloud, you can already sum up that experimental grime producer & remixer Glacci is one to watch. His ability to produce surreal soundwaves that are still desirable on the dancefloor leaves one in awe with every release that he puts out. Today, we are thrilled to share this innovative talent’s latest single, ‘LCD Sunscream’ via The Wave Stage. It is the perfect amount of whimsical, along with the undoubtedly refined structure in the production.
Electronic duo Lick Drop release latest banger song, ‘Made O Stone’
Image credit: Lick Drop
London based duo LICK DROP unveil their new track Made O Stone. LICK DROP are the self-proclaimed AI cosmic production Demons. Pouring emotion and non-linear transmissions into the stream of monotony viewed through internet life, the duo see a generation in peril and provide a voice so little represented in modern music. Inspired by AG Cook, Grimes, Melanie Martinez and Lil Uzi Vert, LD create a new vision for music that blurs the lines between genres but that takes influence from trap, rock and hyperpop to create a unique music composite.
Made O Stone is the perfect example of that, 808 booming bass and drums devastate Hyper-Pop synths to take you on a heroic journey through the psychedelic cosmos. Guided by the anime style left of centre vocal melodies Made O Stone explores the sounds of Charli XCX and lil Uzi Vert to create their own unique style.
Hailing from South London, they have rejected the trappings of the modern music industry as true underground artists to create something wholly unique, building a collective in their studio in South London of like-minded individuals, artists and creatives.
It’s this exciting vision that attracted the duo to global-pop star Kiesza. First meeting Kiesza through a previous label, LICK DROP and her have bonded as friends and collaborators, with the duo having writing credits on Kiesza‘s latest album (for tracks Dance With Your Best Friend and Sky Aint The Limit. They recently collaborated on LICK DROP‘s Halloween track Dracula and have more music to come soon.
