News: Nero Provide Details On New Album, Release Epic Seven-Minute Title Track
–Written by Kevin Madert
Save the date: Nero’s sophomore album Between Two Worlds is due out August 28 via Cherrytree. The UK electronic outfit made the announcement via a short Facebook video, releasing the sweeping, seven-minute title track simultaneously. There’s a distinct noir feel, with art direction reminiscent of a Scorsese gang biopic or a Sin City spin-off. Other than this, and the text “28.08 #between2worlds” that conclude the video, we’re given little else.
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Choppy Oppy Traverses Multi-Genre Terrain On “Into The Aleph” Mix
–Written by Kevin Madert
If you’re a DMV resident, chances are you’ve heard of Choppy Oppy – real name Jared Oppenheim – even if you think you haven’t. Based locally, he’s been warming up the bass bins at shows around the area for about a half-decade. He’s been heavily involved in the planning of Trapitol Hill, a series of events that’s brought artists like ETC! ETC! alongside a host of familiar local names to DC for an always wild evening. Most recently he released a mix that caught our ears, and it’s that mix we’re sharing with you here.
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Weekend Warm-Up No. 14: Mixed Bag #2
–Words & list by Kevin Madert
Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and remember getting amped up doesn’t require a specific genre or style. Snoop Dogg, Jack Beats, Tipper, and Goldfish all know plenty about the topic – even if they have different ideas about how one gets there. Now, I’ll stop talking so you can start listening.
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Frequencies of 2014: Bass/Beats
–Words and list by Kevin Madert
End of year “best-of” lists are a funny thing. First off, they’re entirely subjective – unless you rank based upon sales, which we all know is often the least relevant factor when considering a work’s merits. Second, they’re often far too ambitious and broad in scope. “The 50 Best Songs of The Year” looks good on the top of Rolling Stone’s website, but what the fuck does that actually mean? The editors and content compilers didn’t listen to every single release from January 1 to December 31, and even if they had there’s no way they could sort through the sheer volume of material and pick the definitive top 50. (Side note: Rolling Stone’s #2 song of the year was “Turn Down For What,” so their grasp on the definition of the word “best” is questionable.)
In my mind, a “best-of” list should mutually benefit the writer and the reader. Rather than futilely attempt to decide which songs or albums or artists were the indisputable winners, these lists should be cross-sections of the year in their respective musical spheres. I’m not here to be the pompous judge over some imagined contest that you signed yourself into appearing in solely by releasing music in the last calendar year. I’m just here – as always – to share the music I enjoyed too much to not talk about with anyone who’d like to hear it.
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Frequency Of the Week No. 3: Snails
–Written by Kevin Madert
In electronic music, emerging artists are often content with piggybacking onto whatever happens to be the flavor of the week (I’m looking at you, every big room house producer ever). It’s easy to play it safe by downloading familiar sample packs and mimicking popular song structures, especially when you know it works. There’s no risk and no reason you should be lauded. I could rewrite “The Sun Also Rises,” add a few details and throw in a Pryda snare, but that doesn’t put me in the same conversation as Hemingway.
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