premiere

Video Premiere: SPT – “Everybody Knows Sh*t’s F*cked”

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SPT Single And Seventeen CD cover

On “Everybody Knows Shit’s Fucked” synth-pop artist Stephen Paul Taylor cuts through the bullshit like a hot knife through butter, astutely calling out the state of the world in which we’re presently living in. A talent with musical imagination and commonsense, he brings the song to life in an official music video directed by Alex Forge which we’re pleased to world premiere.

“The song and video were inspired by the crazy, messed-up state of the world,” he tells Big Shot. “The aesthetics of the video were inspired by ’80s movies, VHS tapes and disco.”

SPT will issue his five-track Single and Seventeen EP via Shitkatapult this summer, which includes “Everybody Knows Shit’s Fucked.” Here’s his breakdown of the four additional cuts on the EP:

“Graveyard Eyes” is about the dissolution of a long relationship using the graveyard as metaphor.

“Yes” is about being open and spontaneous to new experiences. It is also about parenthood. It is largely inspired by the Neue Deutsch Welle and dubstep.

“Single and Seventeen” is a boppy song about the innocence of youth and the pressures of adulthood.”

“Life is Life” is a cover of the classic song by Opus. I added a rap/talk verse about how life is actually quite important and it is also the opposite of death.”

Stephen Paul Taylor’s Single and Seventeen EP is out August 1, 2015 on SPT Records/Shitkatapult.

Premiere: Signal Flow – “Livin’ Off The Wall” (Ominous Remix)

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signal flow city livin culprit

Signal Flow are West Coast transplants Michael Tello and Ray Zuniga. When Tello was helping to put PillowTalk on the map while living in San Francisco, Zuniga was busy playing around Los Angeles. Currently making beautiful music together in Brooklyn — the best borough in New York City, in case you didn’t already know — the guys are about to step out with their five-track City Livin’ debut EP for L.A.’s Culprit.

Take a first listen to “Livin’ Off The Wall” — featuring vocals by Gustaph of Hercules and Love Affair and Tello — remixed by Ominous, a new live project featuring Jonny Cruz and Ricardo Dominguez.

Ominous’ interpretation veers into a slinky, synthy direction that’s definitely going to make those who frequent Williamsburg hotspots Verboten, Output and beyond a little weak in the knees.

Signal Flow’s City Livin’ EP is released June 15 on Culprit.

Premiere: Auriént – “Jackson Market”

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Auriént premiere

West Coast groove merchant Auriént‘s star is on the rise. Drawing from the teachings of French touch/nu disco/filter house masters — think everyone from Etienne de Crécy to Fred Falke — his fresh, contemporary sensibility inform the synthy, pop-driven songs that are all over his upcoming debut album, Aura Bath.

Today we’re pleased to world premiere “Jackson Market” from the upcoming full-length, a sampletastic 4/4 feel-good house jam that’ll get any party started right.

If you want more of where this slice of heaven came from, then be sure to check out Aura Bath when it’s released by Swedish label van Drumpt on June 16.

Premiere: Raw Calibre – “Madman”

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Raw Calibre

Manchester hip-hop/grime/bass trio Raw Calibre — MCs Guillotine Mack, Mic Beef and Christov — live by the credo that you can only rhyme about what you know. This authenticity informs every word and beat on their upcoming debut EP, Hierarchy.

We’re pleased to world premiere the EP’s lead track “Madman,” a hard-hitting, in-your-face, bass-driven tune inspired by the wrongful conviction of the triumvirate’s frontman Guillotine Mack. Produced by legendary dubstep/bass producer MRK1, the song touches on socio-economic issues and pulls no punches.

Listen to “Madman,” and get to know these rising talents in our exclusive interview below.

Raw Calibre’s Hierarchy EP is out mid-July on Waxman Music.

How long did it take for the debut to come together?
Raw Calibre: Since the early days of Guillotine Mack’s release [from prison] we became clear on the concept of the debut. Since then we have signed to Waxman Music and have been spending a lot of time both in and out of the studio looking to grow the sound and EP concept. Once we began to collaborate with Mark1, who produced the entire EP, we knew that his sound would compliment the direction we were looking to head in.

Manchester has such a rich musical history. What role if any has it played in Raw Calibre’s evolution?
The rich musical history of Manchester has benefitted the three of us from our early years. Taking different musical influences from both commercial and underground artists, this is where our love for music began.

There were some heavy circumstances that led to writing “Madman.” What exactly happened?
The main part of the story is that Guillotine Mack was convicted and sentenced to a stint in prison. We met with Guillotine Mack regularly as soon as he was released. He shared with us his stories from his time inside and what he had come to realize.

By mixing with inmates from all backgrounds and walks of life, he had created his own interpretation of the way things work in the world today. Our feelings were mutual and it was at this point that Raw Calibre was born.

Who would be on your grime Mount Rushmore?
Ooh, tough one. It would be a big mountain if we named them all. We have many grime musical influences from across the UK. To name just a few we would say Dizzie Rascal, Wiley, Kano, Skepta, Ghetts and Virus Syndicate.

What’s next for Raw Calibre? Any summer gigs?
Well, the debut single “Madman” is due for release in June with the EP being released in early July. We have some gigs planned towards the end of summer and later in the year. Watch this space.