Events, Featured, Review | RECAP: Alesso @ The Aragon Ballroom 11/23
Posted by dshaq on November 25, 2013
A brisk Chicago night seemed very fitting for the show that Swedish sensation and top DJ Alesso would soon play. A sold out show awaited us as we arrived to the beautiful Aragon Ballroom venue, with an array of personalities passing by. The line for admission went back a good couple hundred people deep and even curled around the alley next to the venue. Everyone stood freezing in line, anxiously awaiting to step into the warm building.
By the time we got situated at the venue, the opener, Luminox, began his set. We all remember him for the huge remix to Bingo Players’ “Rattle”. Showing a wide variety of sounds and styles, Luminox threw one hell of an opening set, even dropping in some Cashmere Cat “No Lie” a personal favorite… With the crowd getting into it, Luminox created a great atmosphere going into Alesso’s set.
Finally it was time for Alesso to perform and the crowd went nuts. Beginning with one of his notable singles, Years, he started it off with a lot of energy that really got the crowd engaged. Everything about the set was phenomenal. The drops never disappointed any of the great build-ups he created, and all the transitions were smooth and clean. He also made sure to highlight his brand new single with Calvin Harris, “Under Control”, by playing it as appreciation to the crowd for such a great show. With a relatively longer set at around an hour and forty-five minutes, Alesso never once lost his audience’s focus. A big round of applause to the Swede for putting on a fantastic show and set, and really look forward to his new songs.
Also, I would like to send a huge thank you to React Presents, who ran the show. I can’t say enough good things about how the concert was run so efficiently and smoothly. Make sure to hit them up on Facebook and Twitter as well because they have some pretty sweet upcoming shows in Chicago during December.
Chill, Dubstep | Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Big Sandz Remix)
Posted by VMan on November 21, 2013
Damn, what a remix of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” by Big Sandz. Consider this a throwback Thursday, because it’s a few months old, but I don’t believe this remix received the attention it deserves. Stemming from Chicago, Big Sandz produces Lovestep, which appears to be huge in the Midwest. My good friend Graham put me on to him, and told me to keep an eye out for future releases. I’m sold, I’m looking forward to more, this is not your regular remix. This is a must listen and a must download!
Free Download: Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (Big Sandz Remix)
Bass, House | NVOY – Breathe feat. Jess Brinham
Posted by mimada on November 4, 2013
With the return of deep house music, sometimes we get carried away with the trend and forget what actually sounds good. Luckily the boys from the Oxford-based duo NVOY have us covered. Their style of “music for beautiful girls” can be attributed to house’s roots in the Detroit and Chicago, as well as UK garage. Each track is numbingly good, hitting that sweet spot like a piña colada on a summer’s day. For those of you that are nearing the end of your infatuation with Settle, look no further than NVOY. Check out their most recent releases below in addition to their available free downloads via Facebook.
FACEBOOK || SOUNDCLOUD || FREE DOWNLOADS
This first track is their most recent and was featured on Skream & Benga’s BBC Radio 1 show. I lose it at the 2-minute mark.
This next track, “Is It Good,” is in fact, very good.
Hip-Hop | Lucki Eck$ – Want More (Prod. Plu2o Nash)
Posted by dshaq on October 23, 2013
It’s been a little bit since we’ve heard from Chicago up and comer Lucki Eck$. His newest offering brings back the sound we heard him craft so well on his Alternative Trap mixtape. The laid back beat with the distortions really sets the mood and his verses have an eerie sound to them that I love. Very interested to see what’s in store for Lucki in the near future.
Hip-Hop, Trap | E L Y – Life’s a Bitch Edit
Posted by yabishcic on October 8, 2013
Chicago reppin’, E L Y can bump out some seriously good instrumentals on the daily. Most of his music takes on a classical hip-hop sound and this is why this Nas edit made my head turn right off the bat. With the synced synth’s and Nas’s modulated voice to fit the beat perfectly, the chorus is what really brings it all together; “Life’s a bitch, and then you die. That’s why we get high, cuz you never know when you’re gonna goooo”. Couldn’t have said it better myself. I contacted & chatted it up with ELy for a little before dropping this post to get a better take on his music ambitions; “I have a mad love for hip-hop and I’m also an accomplished trap DJ under the name E1y. My main focus is instrumentals – instrumentals out the ass.” I took a listen to his DJ set’s as well – THEY GO ALL THE WAY. Here’s a player to both sooooo play on.
P.S. There’s free downloads for both, so take advantage!
Hip-Hop, Rap | Lucas G – EavesDrop Instrumental
Posted by yabishcic on October 5, 2013
Lucas G is a producer based out of Chicago that’s been throwing down some super dope instrumentals lately. EavesDrop is one of my favorites but most of his music is perfect for all you aspiring rappers out there. A great example of what artists can do with his productions is Valentino’s ‘Blues’, produced by Lucas G. With a perfect blend of hi-hats, bass, and incorporation of the sample, there’s no way your ears won’t fall for this instrumental.
Electro | Ellie Goulding- Burn (Robot Dentist Remix)
Posted by VMan on September 27, 2013
So many Ellie Goulding “Burn” remixes out there, but this one by Robot Dentist takes it by far! Irony of the sort, I don’t think we’ve seen the full potential of Ellie’s record “Burn,” considering she’s still running on “I Need Your Love.” Either way, Chicago local DJ/Producer Robot Dentist layers Mrs. Goulding’s vocals on a masterly orchestrated progressive production. Cop the free download, I guarantee it this track is fire!
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Free Download: Ellie Goulding- Burn (Robot Dentist Remix)