Posts Tagged ‘Electronic’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Today marks BTB’s thousandth (yes, thousandth!) post! So to celebrate, I thought it felt necessary to post something that would mesh with what inspired the site’s creation to begin with, and that is shining the spotlight on quality independent artists.

Also, since it’s a mini celebration, it kinda helps when there’s free music involved…

Sexy Jersey pop prodigy, KDrew, has dropped his Free Volume 2 EP for FREE mp3 download. The second of seven consecutive self-produced EP’s, Free Volumes 1-7 presents KDrew’s swagger as singer/songwriter, producer, and performer.

He will be releasing five more EP’s on the first of each month through May 1st of 2012.

His music is like Pringles… once you pop! Lame description but whatevs.

Freakin’ love some KDrew!

Oh yeah, check out my exclusive interview with the dude himself, HERE.

KDrew Free EP Vol. 1&2 by KDrewMusic

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

ROB BRAYL: Ok, first things first. That shirtless pic of you in the Yankee’s hat has an old skool Marky Mark Calvin Klein vibe going on. How would you describe yourself, sound and image for those unaware?

KDREW: That picture shows more of the fitness side of me which played a huge role in my life. But on the other hand I guess my image is a little more rock when I’m fully clothed. [Laughs] I have a ton of sides to me, which definitely translates to my music.

RB: I understand that, like Lil Wayne, you tend to swing it in the studio? Do you always go in to record without lyrics in mind?

KD: Pretty much. I like to get caught up in the moment whenever I’m making a track. I never say, “Hey, you have to go into the studio at 1:15 and write a ballad about unicorns and fairy dust.” [Laughs] Sometimes it will be 4 in the morning and I’ll feel like making a dubstep record. So I just break out my laptop and start working. I guess I just go with the flow.

RB: I’ve gotta say that I love your music — it’s got a very commercial appeal that I think will go far. Has radio been supportive? I know radio can be a bitch to break.

KD: Thank you very much. Some stations have definitely been supportive and to this day still are. The other ones that haven’t jumped on my music yet hopefully will in the near future. But as hard as radio is, it’s just one piece to the puzzle. Sometimes people make it their number one priority to get on it. You gotta just make music for yourself and fans, everything else will come after that.

RB: Last album you purchased.

KD: ‘Mylo Xyloto’ by Coldplay.

RB: I see that you’re a huge Michael Jackson fan (join the club!). Was he your first inspiration for starting music? Also, can you moonwalk? Just curious!

KD: Michael was definitely one of the many influences I had growing up. I was raised around all different types and styles so I hope people can really hear that in my music. Every once in a while when I go to the store I’ll moonwalk there. Great cardio.

RB: How sad are you that Justin Timberlake hasn’t recorded a new album in 5 years? Your stuff is right up his alley BTW.

KD: I wouldn’t say sad. I would say more eager to hear what he’s been conjuring up in the studio. Whenever he comes out, his music becomes a style. So I understand as an artist why he hasn’t put anything out. He’s smart though for waiting.

RB: Any new projects you’re currently working on? Upcoming shows?

KD: I’m always working on new projects so you never know when you might be hearing a record I wrote or produced. Currently I’m working with a hip hop artist who’s really dope. Also I’m trying to get a bunch of my dubstep and house records finished so I can put them out. Show-wise I’m sporadically doing them all over the country. But soon I really wanna sit down and plan a tour or even hop on someone else’s.

RB: This might be a tough one, but what’s your favorite track you’ve ever recorded?

KD: Truthfully, every song I do is probably my favorite. I put so much time and energy into each one that to say I have a favorite would be unfair to the rest of my songs!

RB: Finally, thanks for talking to me, yo! Give us something random to end this interview on.

KD: Thank you for having me and I like turtles. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are great and I want to go skydiving.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Spinning a tale of abuse, drugs, and self harm, Rihanna has released the music video for her new dancefloor smash We Found Love. The undoubtedly visual feast has caused quite a stir among the internet with regards to the clip’s darker content. Directed by Melina Matsoukas (Hard, S&M, Rude Boy), the explosive video shows the story of two young people fueled by their toxic passion for drugs and for each other. British model/boxer Dudley O’Shaughnessy (who, let’s face it, looks obviously similar to Chris Brown) plays Rihanna’s lover in the clip.

This video is incredible on the artistic front, and perhaps her best work yet, but I find myself thinking that the latest additions to Rihanna’s music catalogue seem to spit out a message that’s a bit lost when it comes to genuine HEALTHY relationships.

I can’t be the only one? It’s a bit depressing…

Regardless, the song is pop gold and the video equates to one fierce vomiting streamers experience.

Watch the just-released clip below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sunday Girl (AKA Jade Williams) has written for a whole host of impressive collaborators with tracks on albums by Martin Solveig, Rusko and Booka Shade. Her skills in the pop-writing department are currently in demand from the likes of Deadmau5 and none other than the very Princess of Pop, Kylie Minogue. So needless to say, the material she creates for herself is just as stellar.

The new single, Love U More, takes Sunday Girl’s music into a more commercial arena, meshing heart with dance pop, creating an undeniable appeal. The track was recorded in Club Ralph in London with producer Mark Ralph (Ana Calvi, Hot Chip, The Two Bears).

Now signed with Polydor, Love U More marks a fresh start in the run up to Jade’s debut album, which is set to drop early in 2012.

Sunday Girl has also made a solid name for herself in the fashion world over the past year, which has invited the interest of Firetrap who approached her to design her own AW11 collection for the label. This exclusive range will be available from early October and is already being worn by a host of celebs including: Fearne Cotton and Rihanna.

Watch the super sweet and super chic video for Love U More below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The More You Know!

Girls, listen up. You can’t always add “sexy” to every Halloween costume and make it work. Example: What are you? Oh, I’m an aborted fetus. A SEXY aborted fetus! See. It ain’t always cute. Please take note and save yourself the embarrassment of looking unsexy.

Hope no one thinks my sense of humor is insensitive. Just trying to be a good samaritan and help a few ho-bags out! Please don’t bitchslap me. Thanks.

Speaking of ho-bags…

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

My favorite track from the new Lights album.

This song’s perfection wrapped in pretty poetics.

‘Nuff said!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Smashing the repeat button with a bottle of lube!

Swedish pop tart Agnes Carlsson is out with the music video to her new single Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, the first release from her upcoming fourth studio album. Co-written by Agnes, the sound of the track follows the electronic dancefloor heels of her smash single Release Me.

Says Agnes: “I write a lot about love and relationships. For better or worse. I love powerful music, as the music approaches the great feelings, and nothing is bigger than love. It’s the greatest thing in the end.”

If the vibrant lube-y description above didn’t make it apparent, I LOVE this song. Bittersweet Europop goodness!

Watch the kaleidoscopic video (directed by Mikeadelica) below.

[Related Post: Agnes Breaks Up On The Dancefloor]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

OBSESSED!

BTB favorite, Lights, has released the second single from her upcoming album, Siberia, due out October 4th. Toes is a magnetic track fueled with an electronic pulse.

The full track listing for Siberia:

1. Siberia
2. Where the Fence is Low
3. Toes
4. Banner
5. Everybody Breaks a Glass
6. Heavy Rope
7. Timing is Everything
8. Peace Sign
9. Cactus in the Valley
10. Suspension
11. Flux and Flow
12. Fourth Dimension
13. And Counting …
14. Day One

Cannot wait for October 4th to roll around!

Check out the official music video for new single Toes below.

[Related: Lights Trips Over Hip Hop, Drops 'Everybody Breaks A Glass']

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Myself, Heidi Klum, & Jessica Brasfield of Le-Mos]

Fashion’s Night Out in NYC is no joke! At the beginning of the night, my mantra was simple: As long as no one gets stabbed in da eye with a high heel, all is well.

Highlights:

-L’Oréal Paris spraying so much hairspray I could’ve sworn that if a cig was turned in the wrong direction someone’s ass would’ve been tickled. And by tickled, I mean torched.
-Seeing DJ Pauly D in SoHo. For real, I think you could crack an egg on that hairdo of his. It’s harder than a 2×4. Wait, that didn’t sound right.
-Meeting Heidi Klum!!!
-The original ‘Back to the Future’ car on display at Nike. I mean, how awesome is that? Uber-awesome. Duh.

Ok, back to Heidi for a second…

Yeah, oddly enough we met Heidi at QVC’s party! Who knew QVC would have the coolest party tonight?! Who knew QVC even had parties? Not I! But for real, it was swanky, chic and hella fun. Kathy Griffin was there, too. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet Kathy as she was busy being a ham with the press (go fig).

My only beef is spotting Marina & the Diamonds and watching her disappear before I could say hello. She was in attendance at Beth Ditto’s set at MAC Cosmetics. I’ve been writing about her long before she developed a buzz for herself and her music and I just wanted to tell her that. I love her work. Oh well, next time!

All in all, a night of epic proportions (but mainly size zeros — next year, someone needs to hand out deep fried twinkies)!

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Back to the eighties! We’re talking big hair, leg warmers, and mega synthetic pop. No, I’m not suggesting a time machine. I’m talking about Junior Boys. They manage the time warp all on their own.

I’d rather a walk on the dark side of the moon than chew a stick of bubblegum, but these boys are good for when I’m taking a break from the gloom. And they’re not pure bubblegum, anyways. More like fresh peppermint under strobe lights.

The swoonable vocals make me think Justin Timberlake. The synth additions scream Culture Club. And the trancey underbeat sets me into a placid meditation, a state wherein I could dance and dance and never get tired.

They’re touring right now, and admittedly, I’m not sure they’re tasty enough to spend a ticket on. But when I go to a concert, I’m expecting headbanging, crowd surfing and nothing less. Something tells me that’s not the vibe going on at their shows.

They may not be number one in my heart, but they could make it to number one on the charts. Will they?

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Lester C. is too cool for me. That’s all there is to it. When I listen to his mightily electronic compositions, I feel like I’ve snuck into some V.I.P. party.

This talented lad runs under the title of Another Long Year. He’s nothing less than a king of quirk and master of the dance floor. I reckon his songs would feel right at home at some underground rave, or a car ride home from a long day at work.

His music isn’t linear enough to hold on to. In order to truly enjoy it, you have to let it blow through your hair like an especially excitable breeze.

It’s impressive how he’s able to shock and mystify me with so little lyrics and so much alteration of regular sound. He’s like a one man Negativland, only more apt to party.

I’m hoping we’ll see more of his stuff in the future; potential like his needn’t be wasted. Sometimes his rhythms leave something to be desired, but once he breaks out of his shell he’ll make jaws drop. He’s been spotted as recently as June, unloading a new album onto the world. I don’t know much about him, but I know his tunes are smooth.

RELOADED (Colossal Deep House Remix)

Another Long Year | Myspace Video

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Canadian synth pop tart and one of my favorites, Lights, is out with a fresh new sound on new single Everybody Breaks A Glass. Pouring the style she’s known for over dubstep and a messy hip hop beat, Lights sings about the flaws of being human.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the new sound, as something felt a bit off to me. But the more I throw the track against the wall, the more I like the way it sounds when it breaks.

Listen to the track below.

Are you feeling the new sound from Lights?

[Related Post: 'In The Dark I See' Lights]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Up and coming artist, Barbie Hatch, has a delightful style that I want to share with the world. Barbie’s an indie/electro/pop singer, signed by Squeak E. Clean of N.A.S.A to his own Spectrophonic Sound label. Her debut album Hypertrophic Heart will be available June 28th, and she has a new single floating in the galaxy called Stars. Anticipate husky lyrics pooled with a synthesizer device thing that I can’t put a name on (but whatever it is, it’s brilliant) with a side of dazzling rhythm, all colliding to join a vast soaring chorus.

In her own words: “Stars is a little song about the night sky and the feeling of falling in love.”

Just to give a brief history lesson for those of you who are just getting introduced to Barbie, if you are a follower of the hip hop group N.A.S.A. (noted up above), she is known for her vocals on the duo’s hit Way Down, which also featured Wu-Tang’s RZA and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante. Pretty impressive lineup right there, but hold up. Barbie has dropped hip hop, for now, and is absorbed on a brilliant solo sound; sentimental lines, guitars and percussion with a tough presence.

Who’s that girl? Not your average manufactured Barbie, that’s for sure.

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

On the hunt for an epic tune to add to your playlist this summer? Consider Helena Beat from Foster the People, an up and coming indie act from Los Angeles. The single is free on iTunes this week, so be sure to pick it up. Pop tempos, twinkling rock and awesome handclaps take over here, with high pitched vocals from frontman Mark Foster that fit the mood the song creates. It’s unpretentious and entertaining, and will surely make you get off your feet and do the hustle.

Good music is in the air; feels like summer to me.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Last year we had the wonderful opportunity to interview Talia Coles. At the time, she was making us all move with her reggae influenced Nikki Wine record (which featured Elephant Man and appeared on over 100 mixtapes last summer). And now, the glamorous hip hop songstress is back…

Talia Coles has released her newest single, Never See You Again, via Couture Music/Phase One and is currently #19 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart!

Written by Talia Coles (and produced by red hot producer Teetimus), Never See You Again is laced with Talia’s slick yet relatable lyrics: “Everything was picture perfect ’til you moved the frame, and now because of you it’s barely hanging. Boy in a flash it’s like you start to replace him, that photograph is fading.”

Adding an extra drug to the already intoxicating tune, DJ Extraordinaire Fatman Scoop adds his signature hype track for a special club banger version. In addition, Couture Music artist KO Stiggity lends a memorable 8 bar verse to set the tone on the original version.

Managed by Jojo Brim from KWL Enterprises (Trey Songz, Estelle, Big Sean, Nelly), Talia Coles is also an accomplished songwriter, stylist and designer who has lent her talents to some of today’s top notch creative forces. Whether its styling videos for Trey Songz and P. Diddy, or writing songs for Slim from 112, Musiq Soulchild or Tyler Perry, Talia proves that she has what it takes to be amongst the elite of the entertainment industry.

The song is now available for purchase worldwide.

Listen to Never See You Again below.

[Related Post: Exclusive Interview: Talia Coles]

Talia Coles – Never See You Again by PhaseOneCom