I love it when a guest in one of our exclusives is brutally honest and to the point. That’s the way the world should be. It cuts through the bullshit and things get done a lot faster and more proficiently. And today’s guest is a perfect example. That guest is Slug from Atmosphere. It’s that very honest, both with others and introspectively, that helped make Slug what he is today: A legend in the music industry and a founder of one of the most respected labels in that industry, namely Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Today I get to talk with Slug about the importance of being honest to one’s self, as well as their following. We also get in depth about ‘Mi Vida Local’ (My Local Life) and the meaning of the music and the process of making the album. We also get some updates of the Mi Vida Local Tour (tour information below) and the supporting acts.
Think of this more as a conversation with a true innovator.
Atmosphere on tour
US Hip-Hop legends Atmosphere return to Europe for the Mi Vida Local Tour. After extensively touring North America since the release of their ‘seventh’ album, Mi Vida Local, the kings of indie Hip-Hop will be coming across the pond for eight exclusive live shows this April.
Mi Vida Local has received extensive critical acclaim since its October release and showcases their innovative and defining style of Hip-Hop. With over 20 years in the game and such a phenomenal back catalog, Slug and Ant promise a run of unforgettable performances.
Main support for the Mi Vida Local Tour Europe will be from newer Rhymesayers signee deM atlaS off the back of his debut album Bad Actress, which was produced entirely by Ant (Atmosphere) and was also released October 2018. The innovative rapper/singer/crooner also released his spellbinding 5-song visual EP, “Bad Loves Company” in line with the album. Additional supporting artists include The Lioness and DJ Keezy.
Featured image credit: Dan Monick.
LINKS:
https://rse.lnk.to/MiVidaLocal
https://rhymesayers.com/artists/atmosphere
https://www.facebook.com/Atmosphere
https://twitter.com/atmosphere
https://www.instagram.com/atmosphere
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An Interview with x-blu
Jammerzine has an exclusive interview with the musical masterminds behind the project known as x-blu. Fresh from the heels of their new single titled ‘Fear’ (review HERE), x-blu are having a stellar initial year of inception with a solid debut and a bright future.
In today’s interview, we talk with Gary Parker (guitar, key boards, vocals and production), Dani Tagen vocals, production, and creative director), and Sybil Mayard (vocals, keyboards, production and digital director) about the beginnings of the project, ‘Fear’, and what is coming in the near future for x-blu. Consider this the ‘I heard about them when….’ moment while you watch. Enjoy!
Check out our other features with x-blu HERE.
About x-blu
x-blu are an Avant-garde/Post Punk band who formed at the beginning of this year in Thamesmead, SE London and are influenced by The Velvet Underground, Joy Division and Doves.
In this short space of time, the band have already built a reputation for passionate live performances and the innovative use of digital media. They are a band from diverse backgrounds and equality and diversity are at the heart of their ethos. x-blu are Gary Parker (guitar, key boards, vocals and production) Dani Tagen vocals, production, and creative director) and Sybil Mayard (vocals, keyboards, production and digital director).
Whilst encapsulating Punk, Soul and Electronica they are a digital media band working in visual art, film, music, poetry, live performance and video. This is their debut single ‘Fear’.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/xblu.music
https://www.facebook.com/xblu.music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUADoM-aX56VME65giJIKSQ
https://www.x-blu.com -
Serj Tankian Releases ‘Disarming Time: A Modern Piano Concerto’ (The Week in #Indie Segment)
Serj Tankian has today released a 24-minute modern classical composition titled Disarming Time: A Modern Piano Concerto on his Serjical Strike Records label along with a self-produced video Serj made utilizing a lot of his own pictures and videos as a visual complement to the epic track.
The multifaceted artist releases Disarming Time: A Modern Piano Concerto on the heels of his critically-acclaimed rock EP, Elasticity, that was released in March of this year via BMG/Alchemy Recordings.
LINKS:
https://serjtankian.com
https://facebook.com/SerjTankian
https://twitter.com/serjtankian
https://instagram.com/serjtankian
https://youtube.com/serjtankianClick HERE to watch Season 7 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 6 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’. -
Jammerzine’s The Week in #Indie for 4/5/2021
In this episode, we feature an exclusive interview with Jack McLeod from the Scottish Indie band The Rah’s. Also featured are premieres and previews from Julian Shah-Tayler, JPDL & Yogi Beats featuring Rider Shafique, Kirlian Camera, Kurtis Hoppie, Vix20, Pat Fulgoni, Pinhdar, and Sunlust.
About The Rah’s
Fronted by the charismatic vocalist Jack Mcleod and featuring Jordan McIntrye (lead guitarist), Neale Gray (drummer), Lee Brown (bassist), and Jack Miller (keyboard/ guitarist), The Rah’s are an alternative rock band from East Lothian, Scotland.
Over the course of their career, the bands striking live performance style and electric sound have led to them touring across Britain and Ireland, capturing the curiosity of fans with their early releases.
Having supported the likes of The View, Chris Helm, and The Fratellis and with Radio X presenter Gordon Smart highlighting the band as one to watch on the Scottish Music Podcast ‘Telt’, the band is going from strength to strength, and The Rah’s are beginning to make their mark on the UK music industry.
After spending over a year in the studio, the year ahead is set to be the best yet, with The Rah’s due to tour up and down the country ahead of the release of their debut album. Not to be missed.
LINKS:
https://therahs.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/therahsmusic
https://twitter.com/therahsmusic
https://soundcloud.com/therahsmusic
https://www.instagram.com/therahsmusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRahsMusicAbout Julian Shah-Tayler
Julian Shah-Tayler has today premiered his new song titled ‘Melt’. This track, to start off, is a darker and mellower turn in Julian’s personal ‘evolution of revolution’. Featuring a more sensual vocal styling and an ethereal accompaniment, the hook is a bit more subtle yet just as powerful and signature in that singularity sort of way. Almost in the realm of Pink Floyd at times, but not enough to be noticeable to the casual listener. ‘Melt’ is a song that will endear you without trying. Captivate without realizing. Evolve without involving. This is music.
Check out our other features with Julian Shah-Tayler HERE.
LINKS:
https://www.julianshahtayler.com
https://www.instagram.com/the_singularity_music
https://www.facebook.com/thesingularitymusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/thesingularityband
https://twitter.com/TheSingularityMAbout JPDL & Yogi Beats featuring Rider Shafique
JPDL & Yogi Beats release their new video for the track titled ‘Madness’ featuring Rider Shafique. The track is a smooth blend of syncopated dissonance combined with beat-laden jazz style fusion-funk and a suave and varied percussion.
The meaning behind the music is the madness in the mental. A perfect fit for this era of isolation. What is mental illness but that final desperation in coping with the seemingly un-copable. What we often forget is that the end is never the end but the segway to a new beginning. This is the brilliance within the beats of ‘Madness’.
LINKS:
Yogi Beats
https://www.instagram.com/yogi_beats/
https://www.facebook.com/yogibearbeats
https://twitter.com/YogiBearBeatsJPDL
https://www.instagram.com/jpdlukhh
https://www.facebook.com/jpdl2Played Out Records
https://www.instagram.com/playedoutrecords/
https://www.facebook.com/PlayedOutRecs
https://twitter.com/PlayedOutRecsRider Shafique
https://www.facebook.com/ShujaaRiderShafique
https://twitter.com/RiderShafique
https://www.instagram.com/r7gin/About Kirlian Camera
Kirlian Camera has released their new video for the track titled ‘The 8th President’. While maintaining their dark presence that has become a signature for Kirlian Camera over many years, they have also brought forth an original, almost dystopian visual and audio aesthetic within the video that demands attention. Think of the movie ‘Blade Runner’ when I say this. It’s almost world-building.
The tack is all that one would expect from Kirlian Camera and, in some ways, more. There is a brooding, slow-burning underbelly to ‘The 8th President’ that, in some ways, reflects the current state of isolation and loneliness brought on by the current state of the world. Reflective of the things that are, Kirlian Camera gives a soundtrack to this that leaves more questions than answers and, while most current creativeness shows us what we could be, this shows us what we are. Brilliant.
LINKS:
https://www.kirliancamera.com
https://www.facebook.com/kirliancamera.official
https://kirliancamera.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPIm8M8kN3uqU3sOXm82ZpA
https://soundcloud.com/kirliancameraAbout Kurtis Hoppie
Kurtis Hoppie has released his new video for the track titled ‘Vegan Burger’. A unique track featuring Kurtis’ original rap cadence and lyrical phrasing way left of the creativity side, ‘Vegan Burger’ transcends the rap genre into pop with a killer sense for songwriting proving that a hook can be a monster.
The video is a story with heart and a visual with art and fits perfectly to the beat of the track. A video track for the sound.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/thekurtishoppie
https://www.facebook.com/TheKurtisHoppie
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIR10g1HVLaYF2vHuBa6u7A
https://soundcloud.com/kurtishoppieAbout Vix20
Vix20 has premiered their new video for the track titled ‘Broken Melody’. Taking a large detour from tracks past, Vix20 shows a lighter side of originality with a retro-hook-filled melody-induced track with tips of the hat to the likes of Christopher Cross, Pink Floyd, and more. Sound like an original mix? You have to listen to find them, but they are all there. This is as much a classic approach to songwriting as it is a time-honored way to lay a track down.
The video gives that lucid memory to the graphic artists of old that worked on such classics as ‘Heavy Metal’ and ‘Animalympics’. Given the music-heavy tinges of those two classic films, it’s easy to see where Vix20 gets some of its influence. And that influence is worn on the sleeve on the jacket of originality.
LINKS:
https://www.vix20.com
https://www.instagram.com/vixtwenty
https://www.facebook.com/vixtwentymusic
https://twitter.com/Vixtwenty
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuPABFfRP8fWPKkp6mA9Kkw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/01fEKKUsAN1pp9jguVrTQG?si=0cMw1OI6R6mM2iO_42M6swAbout Pat Fulgoni
Pat Fulgoni (Kava Kava, Cabinet of Millionaires) has released his new live album titled ‘Dark Side Of The Blues’. Featuring a stellar lineup of musicians from the Czech area, at gives a sturdy repertoire of standards and favorites from the golden era of the blues with the conviction of a bluesman who sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads and never looked back. Each musician gets a turn in the spotlight as this is a showcase for a new band in the making only waiting for COVID to end to get busy with the blues. Magnificent.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/patfulgonibluesexperience
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1C27324867B56BD7
https://patfulgoni.bandcamp.com/album/dark-side-of-the-blues-pat-fulgoni-live-in-pragueAbout Pinhdar
Pinhdar has released their new album titled ‘Parallel’. Angelic and operatic vocals soaring over lush and vivid soundscapes would be the immediate way to describe Pinhdar. Cecilia Miradoli and Max Tarenzi, the minds behind the music of Pinhdar, make music that is much deeper than that, though. There is a soul to ‘Parallel’. And a personality. Almost on the level of a concept as much as an album, ‘Parallel’ is, at times, a concept opera with the songs relating to chapters of a bigger, coherent piece. A ‘theater of the soul’, if you will.
The album gives you enough diversity to take what you want and bond with what you will. This is brilliance as an art form.
Check out our other features with Pinhdar HERE.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Pinhdar
https://www.instagram.com/pinhdar
https://twitter.com/pinhdar
https://pinhdar.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dyLnwsbDsTfxa6qPi7LjFAbout Sunlust
Sunlust is set to drop their new album titled ‘Geek Confessions’ on April 12th. The album is a solid set of hooks harking back to when alternative was still alternative, and not he mainstream. Quirky at times and gritty throughout, Sunlust leave the garage door open and lets the neighborhood soak up the goodness ringing out of the garage.
The album is set for release on April 12th alongside a special edition pressing of 180g Vinyl. The band is looking forward to getting back out to play live, moshing with friends, and tearing up the stage!
LINKS:
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/sunlust/1530877003
https://music.amazon.ca/artists/B08HNFJRLS/sunlust
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4WMqN2pDXq83U4OUc0IlQO
https://sunlustband.wixsite.com/website
https://www.facebook.com/sunlust.band
https://www.instagram.com/sunlust.bandClick HERE to watch Season 7 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 6 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 5 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 4 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 3 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 2 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.
Click HERE to watch Season 1 of Jammerzine’s ‘The Week in #Indie’.