Cover, Remix | Producer/multi-instrumentalist Marvel Years unveils Pink Floyd tribute Have A Cigar EP
Posted by VMan on May 26, 2022
Shape-shifting producer and multi-instrumentalist Marvel Years has dedicated his career to redefining electronic music’s traditional genre boundaries. Melding guitar instrumentation with studio beatmaking, the Vermont-born, New York-based artist fuels his productions with soul and blues to create the raw, bass-heavy signature sound that’s landed him multiple performances at Red Rocks alongside ZHU, STS9, and Pretty Lights.
Marvel Years puts his hybrid instrumentation-production prowess on full display in his new Pink Floyd tribute EP Have A Cigar, inspired by childhood years spent listening to classic rock.
The two-track EP sees Marvel Years recontextualize an iconic record that soundtracked his adolescence – through both a collaborative cover alongside venerable musicians, as well as a self-produced remix.
The “Have A Cigar” cover showcases virtuosic guitar work from Marvel Years himself alongside sweeping vocals from trumpeter/singer Jennifer Hartswick (who has graced the stage with legends such as Herbie Hancock, Phish, and Tom Petty), emphatic drumming from Grammy-nominated drummer/producer Adam Deitch (from the band Lettuce), and lively synths from RAQ keyboardist Todd Stoops.
The cover pays careful homage to the psychedelic blues of its source material, mixing twangy guitar riffs and soulful vocal performances into a faithful adaptation of the original song.
Marvel Years’ own “Have A Cigar (Remix)” maintains the general structure of the cover but imbues its surface with a bevy of bass music elements. Bruising dubstep growls and drum patterns swirl around Hartswick’s voice and Marvel Year’s grand guitar solos, further filtering the Pink Floyd classic through a modern electronic edge.
The Have A Cigar EP allows Marvel Years to have it both ways: enamored equally by retro and futuristic aesthetics, this two-track project spotlights the artist’s production chops alongside his first musical love: the guitar.
Have A Cigar follows up this year’s Hidden Groove, Vol. IV, the latest installment in Marvel Years’ long-standing project series revolving around live loops. No stranger to the stage, Marvel Years has toured with electro-funk producer GRiZ and played at respected festivals such as Camp Bisco, Hulaween, and Electric Forest.
Marvel Years will radiate his spectral electronic soul sound across the country this summer, with performances at Knitting Factory Brooklyn and Thornville’s Secret Dreams Festival.
Cover | Mickey Kojak’s cover of “White Flag” by Dido will take your breath away
Posted by VMan on February 19, 2019
Who is Mickey Kojak you might ask. Well he is a budding talent from Australia you should keep your eye on. He released stunning covers of Daft Punk and Mac DeMarco last year that need to be on your radar. Now he’s back with an incredible rendition of Dido’s classic song White Flag. He makes the song his own building a beautiful synth atmosphere that pairs wonderfully with his emotionally filled vocals. Have a listen above and grab your free download here.
Chill, Cover | Apashe & Cherry Lena Cover Classic “Feeling Good”
Posted by VMan on November 16, 2018
“Feeling Good” was made popular by Nina Simone back in the mid 1960’s, but came out before that via a musical. Since those days it’s been covered by countless talents, but this newly released take by Apashe and Cherry Lena sticks out above the rest. Apashe’s tasteful interpretation of the composition matches the next level performance by Cherry Lena. Some might not think to put these artists with such names as Michael Buble, John Coltrane, MUSE and of course Nina Simone, but that’s just where they belong. So, click play and start feeling good!
Ambient, Cover | Selfish Skin & Strehlow Cover 1980’s Hit “Wicked Games”
Posted by VMan on October 3, 2017
This cover is simply gorgeous. Selfish Skin is a new vocalist out of the Midwest who teamed up with Noh Life producer Strehlow to re-create “Wicked Games”, originally by Chris Isaak. This new take on the throwback single gives it new life with a contemporary vibe, thanks to the laid back production style of Strehlow and the soothing voice of Selfish Skin. Kick back, relax and turn up the volume for this one you will not regret it. Enjoy “Wicked Games” above now!
Chill, Cover | Wilsonn Drops New Vocal Mixtape
Posted by VMan on July 18, 2017
This is Wilsonn’s second project in the past year, both of which feature fresh new takes on some of Electronic music’s biggest hits of the past couple years. On his new Idiocentric Mixtape he laces 6 songs with his lush vocal stylings, re-imagining them into his own unique sound realm. The outro is his edit of “Touched,” first created by fellow AUS native, What So Not (Emoh Instead), but Wilsonn’s vox help the track soar to the next level. Really great project from front to back, give it a spin now above.
Cover, Indie, Pop | NONA Releases Unique Cover of Beyoncé’s “Hold Up”
Posted by admin on March 8, 2017
Los Angeles 4-piece NONA has just released their unique and conversation-inspiring video for “Hold Up”, and cover of Beyoncé’s song of the same name. The band has played around Los Angeles a number of times and their music has clearly struck a chord.
Be on the look out for much more!
Cover | Patty Crash & Kronic reinvent a classic
Posted by VMan on October 28, 2016
To be honest, the idea of an Icelandic born songwriter covering a classic Australian electro tune sounds beyond bizarre, but somehow this is starting to make sense.
Patty Crash, who earned herself a Grammy nod for her work with The Roots, adds her “Macy Gray meets ODB” spin to Sneaky Sound System’s 2006 hit, Pictures. With a little help from the now LA-based Kronic, the duo transform the original electro hit into a trapped out downtempo jam.