Thread: Breaxxbaxx Journal

Decided to make a journal that's gonna pretty much be in the realm of music. Recommend music I like ranging from pretty much any style. Talk about whatever music issues are plaguing me at the moment. Nothing too specific, just music stuff.

So to start:

J Dilla-


Genre-Hip-Hop, Neo-soul

He's a relatively new discovery for me. I came across his video for "Nothing Like This" (see below) late one night while channel surfing. Very original sound. He was a influential Hip-Hop producer who began in the mid-90s underground hip-hop scene in Detriot. He's released five albums, two of them posthumously. He's worked with lots of artists/producers including Common, Mos Def, Busta Rhymes, The Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, Kanye West, etc. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2006.

Some songs to check out(highly recommend Nothing Like This):

Nothing Like This


Won't Do


E=MC2

Talk about 2 different genres in 24 hours i like glenn branca

Mission Of Burma-

genre-post-punk, noise

Mission of Burma were a post-punk band, formed in Boston in 1979. Had a relatively short existence initially, breaking up in 1983 and only releasing one ep, Signals, Calls, and Marches (1981), and one full-length, Vs. (1982), at the time. They reunited in 2002 and have released two albums (ONoffON, The Obliterati) since then. They have influenced bands like The Pixies, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Fugazi, The Replacements, and Husker Du. R.E.M. and Moby have covered their songs. One thing that set this band apart at the time was their use of tape manipulation during their live shows. Martin Swope, who was the tape manipulator and sound engineer of the band, would tape something that was going on live, manipulate it, and then send it back in through the soundboard. Though they were normally a hit or miss band live. Anyways, if you're interested in the 80s underground, they are a band you should check out.

Re-issue EPK (some more info on the band)



That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate


Trem Two

Nice review on Glenn Branca, The Ascension is a fantastic album. Have you heard Rhys Chatham or the Theoretical Girls? Similar No Wave artists.

I figured I'd dedicate a post to highlighting some things going on in the Boston music scene at the moment.

Band In Boston-



A weekly podcast/blog that gives you a preview of different bands (locals and out of staters) playing in the Boston area that week. It's run by a couple, Jen Kelley and Andy Guthrie, from their house in Somerville. They also produce the Flophouse sessions here acoustic/almost-acoustic sets are performed and recorded in their studio (which also so happens to double as their living room). It's a great way to discover new artists and to get your own music promoted if you're in the area.

Flophouse Session with Kid:Nap:Kin-




the Whitehaus-



A DIY music venue, an artist collective, and the home of the Whitehaus Family Records music label. All located in an 8 bedroom home in Jamaica Plain. They host many "hoots" (or hootenannies) which have gotten quite popular over the past few years. Musically you'll find a lot of folk,indie, and experimental stuff going on there. You'll also find a lot of poetry. Though their goal is to encompass all forms of art-mediums. They also open their doors to out of state artists who are traveling through and may need a place to stay for the night. This place definitely has a big community feel and It'll be interesting to watch how this evolves.

The Whitehaus Family-Weirdfest:




Artist Highlight: Tulsa



"After TULSA’s set a couple of weeks ago upstairs at the Middle East, we weren’t the only ones who walked out of the club convinced that we had just seen the best rock band in Boston. Their combination of songwriting and musicianship and an eargasm of a sound rendered jaws unfunctional."
— Boston Phoenix

Taking their name from a book of photographs by Larry Clark, Tulsa is a relatively new band on the Boston scene. Signed to Park The Van records, they have released one EP (Hunting With Cats) and one full-length (I Was Submerged). The have spent the last winter recording in Chicago with Brian Deck (who has also recorded with Iron and Wine). They definitely share a similar sound to My Morning Jacket, but Tulsa is also definitely darker in sound/lyrics. Anyways, definitely check this band out.

Shaker-


Rafter(live)-

No problemo. None of them are very well-known outside of the New England scene so I figured they'd be interesting to write about.