[Video] whysowhite Performs on AudioTree
Chicago funk band whysowhite has been incessantly working their way up the music rungs with their vibrant, fun combination of dance-inducing funk and hip-hop flows that come together to create one of my personal favorite live shows in the Windy City or elsewhere. Led by a trio of vocalist/MCs Davis & Charles Haines and Nick and Nick McMillan, the seven-piece band brings it every time they take the stage. Recently, they linked up with fellow Chicago outfit AudioTree to film a session for the website. Their set, perfected during incessant practice takes at their home/rehearsal space in a converted 'FireHaus' on the north side of the city, is wildly fun and imaginative, and available for purchase via AudioTree. The band has played gigs with the likes of George Clinton, Joey ChestnuTT and Macklemore, among others, and should turn this year's SXSW into a jump off moving forward. whysowhite has been boiling for a minute, it's about time they popped. Check out the full video, streaming below and if you're in Chicago be sure to catch whysowhite and Marrow on March 1 at Martyr's in Lincoln Square.
Sidewalk Chalk: "Grocery List"
Sidewalk Chalk is a band that has been making noise for a minute, but really stepped things up lately. The 8-piece multi-genre act, who was selected as Chicago's "Most Outstanding Group" in 2012 by the Chicago Music Awards, has been preparing for the release of its next project, Leaves. They have been building some serious buzz, first with their lead single, "There She Goes" and yesterday with their follow-up single, "Grocery List", debuted on Revive Music.
Blending genres is a practice found today in disciplines from EDM to rock and everything in between, and for Sidewalk Chalk the mix of different styles and aesthetics continues to mesh together into one of the most refreshing sounds out today. Check out the latest from Sidewalk Chalk, streaming here below, and be sure to pick up Leaves, due out February 25.
If you're in New York City or Chicago, Sidewalk Chalk will be playing a pair of album release shows in both locales on February 21 and 22, respectively.
[Video] Disclosure: "Together" (Ft. Nile Rodgers, Sam Smith, Jimmy Nape)
Disclosure teamed up with Funk legend Nile Rodgers, Sam Smith and Jimmy Nape for a star-studded and talent-packed track that dropped today. The track is jammed full of more funk-slanted aesthetics than most would know how to craft into a succinct track, but the foursome does it admiringly here, creating what many are calling an instant classic. Check out the track for yourself below and decide.
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MED, Blu, Mayer Hawthorne & Madlib: "The Buzz"
This super funky collaboration is, in fact, real. MED got together with the soulful trio of Blu, Madlib and Detroit's own Mayer Hawthorne to craft "The Buzz". With a beat perfectly suited for everyone involved as Hawthorne lays the hooks between which Blu, MED and Madlib do their thing. The track will make even the greyest of Fall days seems a bit more hopeful. Check out the track below and keep an eye out for the single dropping November 26 with D?M-FunK‘s “Peroxide” on the B-side. Pick up "The Buzz" via Stones Throw.
[Album] Blood Orange: "Cupid Deluxe LP"
Blood Orange is certainly an act to know in today's musical environment. Never one to tune into the traditional genre lines, Blood Orange (Dev Hynes) is as unexpected as ever on his latest release, set to follow the initial stream - on November 12. Below is one of the previously released singles from the project, "You're Not Good Enough" and stream/pre-order the full album via iTunes.