#1 soso - Not for Nothing

What is there really to say about this record? It's made by soso, one of my absolute favourite artists. A guy who has never released a bad record, or even song, as far as I'm concerned. As soon as I heard Not for Nothing back in June, I kind of new already that this would be my favourite album of 2013. And it is, no other record has even come close to be honest. Heartbreakingly beautiful. Thank you Troy!

#2 Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels

This was an album I was almost sure that it would end up being one of this year's best even before it came out. I mean, last year both EL-P and Killer Mike released amazing solo albums, so to combine those forces had to result in something special. And that's just what Run the Jewels is. A superb album featuring one of my absolute all-time favourite producers and emcees, EL-P,  and Killer Mike, that wicked entertainer and emcee. As good as gold.

#3 Honningbarna - Verden er enkel

Norwegian punk rock sung in its native language. Not something I usually write about on this blog, but good music is good music no matter of genre or language. And Verden er enkel is quite simply a great record. Straight to the point, political, funny and with a constant middle finger in the air. This is a record that we need in today's social climate. Honningbarna definitely created one of the true soundtracks of the year!

#4 Swordplay & Pierre the Motionless - Tap Water

Such a treat this album is. Both musically, lyrically and visually. I hadn't listened that much to either Swordplay or Pierre the Motionless before I heard this album, but there was something about it that made me want to check it out more closely. That was one of the good decisions that you make in life. It's an album that has everything. Great melodies, nice beats, wonderful lyrics and vocals as well as a perfect package just by looking at it. Will definitely not sleep on these guys ever again!

#5 Burial - Rival Dealer

I know. There are two reasons that I perhaps shouldn't put this record on my best albums of the year list. First of all, it got released just 5 days ago. And second of all, it's just a 3 track EP. My answer to that is: So what?! Great music is great music no matter when it was released, and Rival Dealer is fucking amazing! And yeah, it might not be a full length album per se, but there are punk rock albums out there shorter than this when it comes to minutes. So just deal with it, Burial has once again released a brilliant piece of music and I will listen to this for a long time to come, and love doing so.

#6 nosunnofood - nosunnofood

This album really passed by unnoticed by most people this year, which I can't understand. Perhaps it would have gotten more attention if the artist behind nosunnofood had decided to release it under his more famous name, edison. But still. Great music is great music no matter what name it is made under, and this album is one of the most beautiful albums I've heard in a long time. It has it all; melodies, atmospheres, vibes, rhythms, the whole shebang. More than worthy of being on at least one top ten list this year.

#7 Hermitofthewoods - Land of the Lotus Eaters

Land of the Lotus Eaters is the brainchild of Hermitofthewoods and Scott Da Ros. Its mix between hip hop, poetry and straight up skills is still a real treat to listen to, and I keep discovering new layers each time I listen to it. If you still haven't taken the time to listen to it, you should be ashamed. This is what good music should sound like.

#8 Boogie Boy Metal Mouth - Boogie Boy Metal Mouth

Damn how I fell in love with this tape when it dropped at the beginning of the year! It sounded like nothing that I'd heard before. A perfect mix of punk, hip hop and rock'n'roll. And almost 12 months later, it still sounds as good! Emoh Betta and J.Ring really served up one of this year's finest soundtracks with this tape on I had An Accident Records.

#9 King Krule - 6 Feet Beneath the Moon

I was quite unsure if the hype surrounding this 19 year old Brit really would pay off once his debut album came out. Sure, he had released some really good tracks leading up to it, but like I said, I was sceptical. 6 Feet Beneath the Moon proved me wrong however. Very wrong. It's a really good album that you want to come back to time and again. Just imagine what King Krule will be able to produce in the years to come.

#10 Sadistik - Flowers for My Father

I must say that I'm a bit surprised how much I still like this album. When it came out early this year, I really dug it a lot and listened to it intensely for quite a while. I was however quite sure that I would grow tired of it, that the sounds of it would stop sounding as good after a few months. But it didn't. It's still an album I return to over and over again, and Sadistik's lyrics keep showing new life each time. Flowers for My Father is definitely worth it's place in this year's top ten. Best album to come out on Fake Four Inc. 2013.

Interview #30 - Tommy V

Low Key L.A. Legend

One of the most humble cats out there on this crazy scene called indie hip hop must be Tommy V. He's been part of some classic records and set ups, but he's always been in the background letting other people shine. He, if any, is the personification of why I started doing these interviews. To let the true heroes get heard. So without further ado, here's Tommy!

Even though you’re a cat who’s been around the block a few times, would you like to give us a short introduction to the man and the myth that we like to call Tommy V?

Thanks for the obligatory flattery (blushes).. Ok so I'm Thomas Valencia, I was born in 1975 in Los Angeles, California to a Mexican father and North American mother. The rest is pretty boring...

What made you start making music to begin with?

My mother's side of the family was pretty musical. My grandfather was a singer, with a deep and gravelly baritone voice. I recall taking rides with him as kids as he would sing along with his favorite songs. My grandmother was the foot tapper, heel slapper, finger-snapper type of gal who liked to point out instruments and melodies within the songs that she liked. At our house we had an old Hammond organ in the house that my mother would always sing along with. I remember in 5th grade music class when my friend Chris & I rapped in front of the whole elementary school while reading our lyrics off of a paper. I had some turntables in high-school and we'd freestyle and scratch over records. Then i got a 4-track and a sampler. After that I got an 8-track, then a 16 track, then Pro Tools. Some 30 years later Chris would help to press the Mockingbird 7" vinyl as part owner of Seaport Records.

What do you consider yourself mostly? Musician, emcee or producer?

I think all 3 have their moments, along with epic failures! The musician in me wants to understand the music more... I think that applying some theory with instinct makes for good results. The emcee in me is pretty withdrawn I think.. I feel like I bite everyone when I rap, so I feel more comfortable with melodies and harmonies, but my roots are pretty rappy :/ As far as producing, I enjoy fusing life instruments with samples, or vice versa.

Even though you never completely left, Mockingbird was your first solo release for quite a few years; I suppose the last one up until then was the final Toca album back in like 2007. What made you decide that 2012 was the year for you to release some new music?

Yeah I wish I was more consistent, where does the time go?? It was nice to release Mockingbird with Fake Four & Seaport Records towards the end of 2012. I mostly didn't want another year to slip by without releasing anything, so I squeezed it in before the year ended. I wasn't trying to align with the Mayans or anything.. Here I am now at the end of 2013 and I haven't even finished the rest of Mockingbird, ugh!?

I know there were plans of making the album a physical version too. Is that something that is still in the works?

Yeah, after that digital release of Mockingbird I got evicted from my spot, and since then I've been in transition. I can never really record unless I have a quiet place to set up my equipment, and I hate doing a bunch of takes where the whole neighborhood hears me or I'm annoying roommates. I've finally arrived in Connecticut and have all of my studio equipment set up, so I'm back in action. There is hope..... I think???

Influences/inspirations?

I had filled out this section, then I erased it... I listen to everything I can though...

One of the many things that I like about your music is that you don’t seem to be afraid to make fun of yourself without coming off as corny. Is that a conscious decision or just what happens when you put your pen to the pad?

Uh oh, now we have to psychoanalyze my motives, eek... A basic text book response would point out insecurities that I'm attempting to mask, kinda like a class clown maybe? I just don't wanna take myself so serious, keep it fun! Rappers are too annoying...

What do you want to accomplish with your music?

I want to connect with people and grow within my own understanding of music. I've made lots of good friends through music and just want to contribute what I can to the musical landscape.

What are you up to when you’re not making music and being one of the friendliest dudes out there in the digital world called the Internet?

I enjoy adventure and am always down to travel and commune with nature. You'll find me cliff-diving at Hermit Falls, hiking in Joshua Tree, chillin' in a Sequoia Tree, floating the Kern River, hangin' at Venice Beach, swimming in Flathead Lake, riding horseback in México, soaking in Hot Springs. Nothing like some adventure!

I've always collected rocks, I just got a bunch of new rocks at Kehoe's Agate Shop while I was in Montana visiting. I don't make energy grids with them and swing pendulums or anything but have always enjoyed collecting them.

Also skateboarding has always been a part of my life, I've broken a few bones and just last year took a bad spillI and woke up on the street with a car coming right at me, yikes!?

I like to study languages, and am currently working on my Spanish Degree, I'm about half-way there.. I would love to minor in music but can't pass Harmony 1, ugh!?

Any upcoming projects that you would like to let us in on?

Well I'm working on a 7" with you, David and I are writing to some of the instrumentals now. Plus I'm always working on music, and have all kinds of unfinished material that needs to resolve... Shouts to TorpedoHead! ;)

To finish it all, first off I like to thank you for taking the time to do this. Any final words?

Thanks for the interview and we'll be working on those instrumentals that you sent :)

Maybe one day we can meet up and have a beer? Take care yo!

Interview #29 - Tenshun

The Untitled Tracklord 

For fans of dirty distorted beats and noise, there are few people out there at the moment making it better than Tenshun. Both as a solo artist and together with his different crews, he's been making sure that there's always interesting and dark music to be heard. So I decided to look him up and ask him some questions. 

First off, would you mind sharing with us a bit about yourself? Who’s Jon and who’s Tenshun?

I'm Jon Calzo from San Diego, California. I make music under the name Tenshun and am part of Creatures, Kilowattz, Skrapez and Dtm.

What made you realize that you wanted to create music, and how old where you at the time? Was there a lot of music around you in your family growing up?

I have always been interested in sound ever since I was small and was really curious to how it was created. My older brother was into hip hop and he introduced me to mixtapes and records.

I remember hearing mixtapes and the DJ would be going off on the scratches and I would be thinking "how the hell did they make that sound?"

Or hearing beats and thinking to myself, "Did they hire a whole orchestra to create those sounds?"

And then later on as I found out about samplers and equipment and how people were actually taking sounds from records and other things and re-flipping them to create something totally different. From there I was hooked! Mike Russel from MRR ADM hooked me up with a Tascam 4 track and I was making beat tapes and looping records with a old Gemini mixer which had a 12 second sampler on it and a beat up turntable.

How would you describe your music and could you briefly tell us about the music-making process?

I would say my style of music is a mix of Turntablism / Noise/ distorted drums, feedback and improvisation.

The core part of my music is usually the drums Or a loop that has some type of pulse to it.

From there I find sounds which fit the mood of the rhythm.

Only a few people seem to be as productive as you when it comes to releasing records. Do you feel a need to have your music as physical objects or how come you like to release records so often?

I feel like music is one of the only things out there keeping me sane in this crazy world. Without it I would probably be getting into trouble.

For me making a album is like creating a limited edition art print which starts from creating the sound to making the album artwork. Each album that gets made is totally different then the next album. For some people the whole process of duplicating the music, drawing the artwork and printing them may seem like a lot of work but I like doing all of it.

I love getting albums that have been hand crafted. It shows that the artist put a lot of time & effort to really create something to present to the world to have.

People might have heard the name Skrapez. but might not necessarily know what lies behind it. Could you perhaps enlighten us all? And please tell us what influences/inspirations you have?

Skrapez is Psychopop and I. We have known each other for quite sometime now. We have always been into the same style of music. I remember back in the days we would always smoke a blunt before we go digging for records. We have always been into hard hitting drums, psychedelic music and jazz and art. So when we got together and jammed out it just clicked and Skrapez was formed. Our first Skrapez show was with Sumach back in the day. We just bum rushed the stage and started killing it on some Sun-Ra steez.

I usually get my inspirations from daily living and whats around me. I try to capture all the good and bad things going on in this world and transfer it into my music.

Or I listen to some of the homies stuff to see what they been working on and get ideas & inspiration.

What do you wish to accomplish with your music?

I just want to inspire people out there to make music and art & to do something positive.

Instead of focusing those negative thoughts on trying to kill someone, you could focus those thoughts and energy into some evil, dark sounding music or art.

What are you up to when you’re not making music? Any other passions besides music?

When I'm not working on music I'm usually out riding my bike trying to do tricks or working my job at the library.

I'm a fan of making guitar pedals, circuit bending and drawing and film.

Any upcoming projects that you like to share with us?

As for projects coming out, I've got a few projects in the works with Son of a Bricklayer, Stuntdouble, Psychopop, Mike Tappen and Deathpera.

Shout outs?

Creatures crew, Skrapez, Kilowattz, drums turntables mpc, San Diego and all the people out there that listen and who I have met.

http://shootyourfuckingheadoff.tumblr.com/
http://tenshun.bigcartel.com/
https://soundcloud.com/10shun-tenshun
http://tenshun.webs.com/

pavleisdead - Predestination for the Labyrinth

I love coming across artists I never heard about and know nothing about, and then really like their music. That's the case with pavleisdead. The only thing I know of the man behind this album that he's a 19 year old guy from Croatia. 

When I first listened to Predestination for the Labyrinth I wasn't really feeling it at all and was more than willing to dismiss it. But one morning I let it stay in my headphones on my way to work, and then it slowly opened up to me. It's like the soundtrack to a non-existing movie with a lot of layers and unexpected turns. Well, now I lied a bit. There actually is a bit of film to watch while listening to this, but I was just making a point. It's dirty and distorted at the same time as it's frail and beautiful. And what really speaks to me is how it all sticks together so well, it's a really well formulated album. Probably not a record for most people, but I'm at least happy to have made this acquaintance.

Rating: 7/10

Misanthrop - Filmmusik

Misanthrop has been responsible for some great music these last couple of years, but I think I personally have slept about on his skills as a musician and producer. So when Filmmusik now I arrived, I was keen to check it out. This is his first full length instrumental album, and I was looking forward to just paying attention to the beats and productions. And there are some nice tracks on this one, and I can definitely get the feel for a soundtrack to a film. There is something missing though. It feels that I need something more for this album to completely work. Maybe a film. Maybe lyrics. Worth checking out though.

Rating: 5/10

Interview #28 - a.hymnz

California Love

One of this year's most interesting albums is Second World by an emcee calling himself a.hymnz. Some of you might not have heard about him, but you should lend him your ear. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. 

I suppose that not everyone out there know who you are. Would you mind sharing some light on that subject? Who is a.hymnz?

a.hymnz, born Jason Scott Furman in '78. I was a b-boy, graff writer turned mc/vocalist from a little village in central California by the name of Kingsburg. The second son of a Leo and Pisces as a Gemini that grew up on the west side of the tracks and ran with misfits and hoodlums. An ex skate boarder whose only real offence was curfew violations, herb possession and vandalism so I don't got no stripes. A poet turned nerd rapper, an abstract surrealist! who ventured to Long Beach in 97 to attend a now bankrupt school for design, Brooks College, where he expanded his mind and outlook on life, art and spirituality in which I mesh together in my music. Probably ate too many hallucinogens in college, but that just added to the styles,tones and energies that I learned to manipulate. I use to sit at the edge of a b-boy circle and take it all in, and by the middle of the night be able to mimic what I saw. Never really had anyone to show me how to do things but got tips along the way, for the most part I felt my way through it all. I was fortunate enough to have experienced the L.A. underground and jungle scene in those days and that experience helped to shape who I am as an artist today. 

I saw AWOL One and Circus at the school I went to get booed off stage by a bunch of materialistic fashion police, and to me that was the best shit ever. Not that they got booed. but to see the reaction between real hip hop and rap. At the time I understood and followed the underground path with no thoughts of being signed or going mainstream. And as a graff writer and b-boy I enriched myself in all of the elements of the hip hop community and culture as well as spiritual welfare, something that resonated with me all of my life and tends to bleed out into my music, and the message I try to convey. not everything or everyone that claims to be good really is, and a lot of those that are deemed bad really are not. I learned to be a better judge of people and to see through peoples masks at that point.

Working a lot with my boy Murdoc or David Samuels, founder of Mind Theater Records and Articulate Sounds, I developed my style and honed my craft. A lot of who I am can be contributed to the support and time that he gave me as well as other close friends that really pushed me to do something with my talents.

a.hymnz, Jacobz'Ladder, Aux.Inx. These are three different names that I associate with you. Is it classic hip hop schizophrenia looming, or what’s the story behind these names?

I have gone by quite a few names in my past from yo’dif’runtone- yodif cause in college people would call me yoda, runt one – cause I was always a runt and I have always been a little different. Also been know my zonk and poe~wiz da dub dukted kalf, but a.hymnz kinda is the one that stuck.

a.hymnz or artcher hymnz an archer of hymnz, a to z with hym in the middle is the embodiment of all of the lives I have lived present, past and beyond. Jacobz'Ladder - jacobz' plural is the connection and path that I started long ago and was a label that I wanted to start when I was yonger. Aux.inx was a name auxillary ink being the vocal painting of my style and was also a crew name that myself and Murdoc had a few years back. Murdoc and I grew up together breakdancing and writing and both ended up making music. When we first really came together we had a group called nophuralmindz with his cousin Kiko and friend Lupes. But everyone kinda went their own ways and branched out. David and I are the ones that really took it further and continued. Murdoc and Lupes created Broken Language and released an album under that and then we all came together as a hip hop band Semantics adding other members and elements to that sound, but I eventually left the band due to personal issues I was having at the time and focused on my own path as a.hymnz.

What do you wish to accomplish with your music?

All I have ever really wished to accomplish with my music is to progress and be heard to keep climbing Jacobz'Ladder and growing as a person, artist and human.when I was in school I had trouble getting up in front of my class and speaking, I was quiet and inverted, still kind of am, but through hip hop and my music I have been able to conquer fears, find confidence and develop into someone that I am happy to be. I don't see artcher as a alter ego or split personality, but myself as one person now. I grew as a vocalist in garage bands and playing music with my friends most of them played acoustic guitar and so listening to a circle of them I stepped in one day and began to scat in which my freestyle ability developed from. I played percussion in marching band so I learned timing from that the art and creativity I got from my mom and structure from my day, depth I attribute to my grandparents. So I guess I have accomplished what I set out to do originally, but now I see it as a way to meet new people and hear others stories. I really enjoy collaboration as it reminds me of being with a band or crew, and I love that live energy

You’ve been working quite a lot with variex. How did you guys hook up initially?

I met variex. off of MySpace and was a fan of his music for quite some time. Funny thing is I had a dream one night that I was hitting Factor up for beats, and he told me he was extremely busy but I should hit variex. up. I did that next morning and off the beaten path was born. variex. is a great dude and has helped me pull a lot of shit together through out the years and I am so thankful to have been able to work with him.we have started a crew called Universal Roots that actually started back in Brooks College with my souls twin brother Habitat or F8th Folson of TasteBuds Records back then he would be getting on the mic at underground parties and I would be rocking the circles. We roamed the L.A. underground together for a few years and developed Universal Roots, but this last year brought in Variex, Oracy and his brother Leaves or Hiru the hidden light whom was on the off the beat path album. We all meshed well together with our own styles and artistry and I am excited to bring this full circle and what the future holds for us working together.

How did you get into rapping to begin with? Early influences?

I began rapping because after band after band broke up I felt it was the only way for me to develop my craft. I began freestyling with my boy Rick and started a local group called Next of Kin. after that another friend Jacob started acquiring tables and records, and he would drop instrumentals and I would rap. We put out a mix tape called Time Travelers and is the real birth of Jacobz'Ladder. Smoking herb, drinking, bbqing and having fun. My first influences where Del and Hieroglyphics, Aceyalone and Freestyle Fellowship, Visionaries, Outkast, Brand New Heavies, The Pharcyde, The Nounce, Living Legends, Atmosphere and a lot of other California hip hop, and bands like Portishead , Rage Against the Machine, Madness, Operation Ivy and Rancid.

Back in the 90's there was a music station called The Box. Before The Box I listened to whatever my brother listened to, death metal, ska, rock, and what ever played on the whack radio stations. The Box really opened my musical influences up to a whole new world and hip hop just resonated with me and gave me a way to find myself and to channel my creativity in a positive direction.

Do you mind sharing your creative process with us?

These days I do a lot of ghost writing. On my way to or from work, when ever a thought comes to mind. I use to do a lot of word play but as I get older I am working on bringing some more solidity and depth into my writing. Then I look into beats and what writings match. A lot of the times I would mismatch verses and edit it all together into a cohesive track. Although if I get a beat that just speaks to me which I feel are my more solid tracks it just kind of flows out of me. I really look for those types of beats these days, kind of like painting I do a bunch of motion sketches and paint what I see within those lines or positive and negative spaces. For the past few albums I have used a Boss digital 4 track recorder that took a lot of time and had no way of punching in and fixing shit, so I would have to do it all in one take. variex. or Oracy have really helped in cleaning up my vocals for me and I am eternally thankful for that, ‘cause without them my music would have not been what it is. I finally was able to upgrade and now have a better working method for recording and look forward to learning more of that process in the upcoming projects I am working on

You've been working with some of my favourite emcees and producers on your records. Do you have any dream collaborations?

Dream collabs for me would have to be Adeem, The Chicharones, Aceyalone, and David Ramos, and to do more tracks with Ceschi and James P. Honey. I have such appreciation for the music they make and the people that are, but other than that I've always dreamed of being a part of a crew the size of Wu Tang, Living Legends, Heiro or Visionaries. I just love the energy between people and how creativity sparks and the brotherhood in it all.

I’ve been talking to other artists about this. What is your view of the so-called scene? It is a real international scene where artists from all over the world create music together without necessarily ever meeting. Does that make it harder to get a good vibe going when creating a song?

I am actually a big fan of this international scene and honored to be considered a part of it, and to be honest I have found it easier to work on stuff with artist abroad then with a lot of artist in my local area. It is more supportive then the local scene and I find a lot more like minded and humble people out there then I do at home. Now don't get me wrong, there are a handful of dope artist in my local scene and I respect what people are doing, but I find it more accepting in the international realms. So I tend to aim more of my creativity towards that while working with local artists that deserve more respect than they have gotten from our local scene. Oracy, Leaves, Splynter, Murdoc, and E.Rose  Just to name a few are all dope local cats that should get more recognition. They are all dope in their own way, along with countless others that I haven't worked with.

How did you hook up with New Cocoon?

I hooked up with New Cocoon through variex., and have been a fan of what they are doing before that. They are a talented group of artists that have bonded together to put out some really dope music and I am honored to be a part of the collective. I am inspired by what we are doing individually as well as collectively.

Upcoming projects?

Universal Roots = myself, variex., Oracy, Leaves and my boy F8th Folson are working on putting together an album and building for the future. As well as I am working with wormhole to get a New Cocoon compilation together and I am working with my boy Splynter on an EP. As well as starting work on a new solo a.hymnz album in which I will feature some dope artist that you have as well as haven't heard of. I am constantly writing so who knows what else will be on the list of things to come but those are the ones I would say to look out for.

Final words/shout outs/last thoughts?

I'd like to give a shout out to everyone that has been supporting this scene and the music we all make. Shout out to everyone that is supporting the Free Ceschi campaign, if you don't know about it you should defiantly look into it. Ceschi has not only helped in building this scene but has really supported all of us. I would like to thank Epic cause without the track Side Effects most people wouldn’t even know who I am. variex. and Murdoc for always having my back and helping me to grow and find my own style and voice. All of New Cocoon, I love my tribe and all that we are doing. And to Michael at beats, breaks and big smiles 2.0, much respect for everything you do for us artist and exposing our art form to a wider audience. My wife Andrea and kids Kylee and Levi who keep me grounded and focused on what matters most in life, and to everyone that has ever listened. You have all help me become the man I am today and to continue to grow. Be on the lookout for the new projects in the near future and the video for Light Posts feat. Tommy V, Thorts, and variex. from off my last album Second World coming really soon.

Peace and blessingz

a.hymnz

http://www.newcocoon.com

http://ahymnz.bandcamp.com

http://www.reverbnation.com/ahymnz

Gajah & Graves 33 - Your True Colors

From an upcoming collaborative EP between Gajah & Graves 33 comes the video to the track Your True Colors.

Psychopop - 13

There is only one bad thing about this tape from Psychopop. It's way too short! 2 tracks, 13 minutes. But at the same time, it's an amazing 13 minutes and the sounds and emotions that the music provides is more than most full length albums out there. Quite simply, I love it! Unfortunately the physical tape, released on I had An Accident Records, is sold out, but do yourself a favour and check out the digital tracks if you can. You won't be disappointed. 

Rating: 8/10

Ancient Mith - Melungeon

I saw this video a while back and I'm glad to see that the public will now be able to enjoy it too. The track Melungeon is taken from Ancient Mith's album And the Dead Shall Lie There. Enjoy!

"Melungeon" from Ancient Mith on Vimeo.

Blindspot - Mars Athletics

In the beginning of last year, Blindspot released their album Apart. This duo was a new discovery back then, but I felt that they had some interesting stuff to offer so I've kept a lookout for new music from them ever since. 

Now it's the time for the follow up, Mars Athletics. And it's clear that they have come quite a bit since last time. Even though Apart was good, it didn't stand out in any way. It felt like they hadn't quite found their own personal signature at the time. Mars Athletics however stands much stronger, and feels like a more complete and focused album. No hits, but who's really looking for hits in this genre. 8 solid tracks, what more can you really ask for in a record? Keep an eye out for these guys. I have a feeling that we will hear more good songs from them in the future.

Rating: 6.5/10

Swordplay and Pierre the Motionless - When the Hurricane Comes

From Swordplay and Pierre the Motionless's amazing Tap Water comes the video to When the Hurricane Comes.

Equinox Records is No More

Sad news today. One of my favourite labels out there today, Equinox Records, have decided to call it quits. It's sad to see the label go, but I tip my hat to Günter Stöppel a.k.a. DJ Scientist who has brought us so much good music. See you around! If you want to read more about why he made this decision, please read here.

F. Virtue - We Are Not the Shame

At the age of 23, F Virtue is no newcomer to the rapgame. These last few years he have released records with people such as Emoh Betta and his Fameless Fam crew as well as collaborating with Mac Lethal and Watsky amongst others.

When it comes to putting your heart on your sleeve with your music, there is always a fine line between coming across as sincere, or more as a poser. There are great examples of people who at first seem to produce heartfelt music, but quite soon is discovered as nothing more than a emo crybaby looking to get laid. But this is not that Canadian. F. Virtue have just chosen to show us all who he is, telling us that it's ok to just be yourself and that skills and heart has nothing to do with being cool, it's about being human.

Do yourself a favor and pick up We Are Not the Shame here, you won't regret it.

Rating: 6.5/10

Factor - Woke Up Alone

I've never really been a fan of concept albums. Not because I don't like the idea, but simply because they seldom work. Often they come out sounding forced, fragmatic and sometimes downright silly. So when I heard about Factor doing a concept album, I got a bit worried. 

But there was no need for that. Canada's finest producer manages to tell the tale of a man losing his wife and attempting to bring her back from the dead without, even for one second, letting the music itself suffer. It's a dark and sad story that is brought to life with the help of people such as Jeans Boots, Ceschi, Myka 9 and Astronautalis. Factor is without a doubt one of the best producers out there today, and Woke Up Alone is another medal for him to pin proudly to his chest. 

Rating: 7/10

nosunnofood - nosunnofood

I've been meaning to review this album for quite some time, but I couldn't. Not because I was too busy or anything like that. The album scared me in some way. I didn't know how to put words to what edison under the moniker nosunnofood have managed to accomplish here. It's the frailest, most beautiful music I've heard in a very long time. Instrumental lo-fi hip hop with an indie vibe. That's what it feels like, but it diminishes what this album has to offer. It is so much more than those simple words, it's music for everyone, for all moods and for a bright new future. See what I mean, I'm just rambling here. I can't do this album justice. Luckily enough the album is more than able to speak for itself. A real masterpiece that you can find here. Support one of the true musical geniuses out there!

Rating: 9/10

Kodacrome - Strike the Gold

Brand new video from my favourite boy and girl in Kodacrome. Strike the Gold is taken from their forthcoming album. The horse scares me, but the track is finding the duo taking their music a bit further and I like it a lot.

a.hymnz - Second World

A topic that I have touched upon several times in different reviews is solo albums that contains a lot of different producers and guest vocalists. There is always a big risk that the artist himself gets lost in it all, and it mostly come out sounding like some kind of compilation album.

When sitting down to listen to Second World for the first time, I was a bit worried that it would end up sounding like something else than a solo full length from a.hymnz. That wouldhave been a shame since I've been a huge fan of him ever since listening to off the beaten path that he released together with variex. back in 2010.

Fortunately my worries were uncalled for here. Second World sounds and feels like a coherent album no matter what producers are responsible for the individual tracks. And there are some really good ones on this one; Factor, zöen, Pierre the Motionless, variex. and Chuckchee are just some of the people serving up great stuff for a.hymnz to do his thing to. And even if I might feel that the number of vocal contributions from other people are perhaps stretching the limit a bit, you can't really go wrong with awesome emcees such as Thorts, Hobs Sputnik and 2Mex. 

I have a hard time picking favourite tracks on Second World, mostly because I feel that they all complement each other. I must however say that Light Posts stick out amongst the others, mostly because of Tommy V. He truly is the unsung hero of this underground rap game.

A great album I think that you need to check out.

Rating: 7.5/10

Walter Gross - Rotorcraft

Walter Gross. One of the guys you can always go to if you want those nasty, dark and dirty beats. Productions filled with distortion, noise but also wicked melodies and a lot of heart. It's not beautiful perhaps in the classic sense, but who cares when the music is as good as it is. As quite often on this blog, this might not be everyones cup of tea. I drink it almost daily though.

Rating: 7/10

Tigermoth - Duality and the Infinite

Like I have said plenty of times before, sometimes you just hope that all rappers and emcees could keep quiet because you're sick of their voices getting into your head. At times like that, it's always nice to pick up some instrumental music to clear your head for a bit. Unfortunately most instrumental records when it comes to the hip hop genre can't really stand on it's own. The music isn't strong enough to survive without the help of a vocalist. 

Melbourne based Tigermoth however has no problem with that. On his third full length, Duality and the Infinite, is a nice collection of heavy beats, turntable and sample heavy productions that comes together to give you just what you need. Not memorable perhaps, but good enough for the moment, and that's what music is all about most of the time. 

Rating: 6/10

Now streaming: Swordplay & Pierre the Motionless - Tap Water

Want to enjoy one of the more interesting albums this year. Then feel free to listen to Swordplay & Pierre the Motionless album Tap the Water here on the blog. 

The digital version of the album will be available tomorrow and on July 20 the vinyl version will drop through Dora Dorovitch. Please get familiar with these slept on artists and support good music!

Esh & Arc - The Third Tit feat. Romen Rok

The second video off Esh & Arc's Nightworks EP. Like the sound of it? Then you can download the EP here for free. 

Wordburglar - Croque Monsieur

The video for the third single from Wordburglar's third studio album, 3rdburglar, was inspired by 70s cop shows and the French sandwich the song is named after. Music to make you smile.

Dust On Snow - Circuit Bent Zoo

Brand new video to Dust On Snow's song Circuit Bent Zoo.

soso - Not for Nothing

Some albums that you listen to just leaves you lost for words. You try to come up with phrases to describe what you hear, but all you can do is feel the music. Feel it with you entire body. It makes you happy, it gives you goose bumps and it makes you stare into space, just getting lost in the music and the lyrics.

I've been really trying to figure out what to write about soso's latest album Not for Nothing, but I can't. My knowledge of the English language is too poor to really give it justice. So if you're looking for a review that will describe the music, then this is not that one. All I can say is that soso and Maki has come up with the, so far, best album of 2013. Period.

Rating: 9/10

Interview #27 - soso

Way More Than So-So

Behind the name soso hides one of the finest artists that have come out of the alternative hip hop scene in the last ten years. He might not be the most productive emcee out there, but everytime that he release something, you can count on it being extraordinary. So when he's just about to release Not for Nothing, his first album in 4 years, I made sure look him up and ask him some simple questions.

Could you please start off with telling us who you are and what made you into that awesome person that you are today? A brief background history that is. 

My name is Troy Gronsdahl. I grew up in a-semi rural place near a pleasant little city in western Canada. I fell in love with hip hop in the pre-internet era through videos, magazines, and movies. I was a voyeur (and pretty ignorant in retrospect) but my love of the music really drove me to move from spectator to participant. I started dj-ing and making beats in 1995 and became active in the community as an organizer. Almost everything I've learned has been in the service of hip hop. I've met some really generous and sincere people and visited some wonderful places.

You are a multiple skilled artist and you have a lot of projects with your name on it and, if I understand it correctly, it all seems to be connected, can you tell us how?

I started my formal art studies at the same time as I was getting my feet wet in independent music. I think my studies helped me to think critically and my music and visual arts practice has grown over the past ten years or so. My work is usually based on personal experiences, family history, ideas of place and often deals with issues of an existential nature. I've always been trying to figure shit out. I'm actually starting a new graduate degree program in visual art and it will be interesting to see how my practice develops over the next couple years.

Since you are both making music and visual art it would be interesting to know what gets you started and maybe a bit of the process that you go through when you making music or/and art? What are your sources of inspiration?

Most of my songs reflect on my experiences and the songwriting process unfolds in a couple of different ways. Sometimes I'm working within a specific concept. For example, on the new album I was interested in using the drowning of a raccoon – the kind of banal violence of rural life – as a way to think about my family, the place I grew up, my relationship to nature, the mysteries of creation and certain anxieties around not knowing. When I start writing, I usually begin with a phrase or a couple of lines and build the song around that. If I'm not working within a specific concept, I find that the song takes shape during the writing process. One of the interesting things about writing raps, is that the need to conform the lyrics to a structure – finding words that rhyme or work well together – can lead you into an unexpected place.

Working on art is a similar process. I usually have a topic I want to explore and/or a medium or approach I want to work with. Sometimes I discover things through the process of making that helps develop the work – experimenting with an idea or a medium, responding to accidents in the studio or things that work. It's process of discovery.

How did it all begin, I mean artistically? Is either one of the creative skills more dominant than the other and if so, which one do you focus on the most and why?

The world of independent music was much easier to penetrate than the art world. Through the work I was doing in my local community – organizing shows, recording and releasing music, working with other artists –I felt like I was part of an international music community that shared my interests and values. Through a network of homie relationships and like minded artists I was able to produce and release my music, promote my work and tour across Canada and in Europe and Japan. I was largely self-sufficient and felt like I was contributing to the growth of independent hip hop. In the past few years I have definitely prioritized my visual art practice and have tried to adapt some of the strategies of my music practice into building an art practice – building relationships, working in the local community, striving to create good work and finding an audience for it.

When you have spare time away from your creative work, what do you like to do then? Any guilty pleasures perhaps?

I like to drink beer and kick it with the homies – it doesn't happen as much as it used to. I like to go to restaurants and travel when I can. I go on meandering bike rides with my girlfriend, cook, watch sports on tv. I like getting hair cuts and building things.

What are your hopes and wishes for your upcoming release, Not for Nothing?

I feel like I had something to prove to myself with this project. I'm really proud of the album and I hope some people get to hear it.

Maki is responsible for the productions on the new album. You guys have worked together before, but never on a full length album, how come you ended up doing it this time around?

I've always admired Maki's production. Part of my writing process is driven by the production and Maki provided me with such a great selection of beats to work with it made the writing process that much easier. He really kills it on this record – I think it's as much of his project as it is mine.

Will there be any form of touring following the record release, and if so where?

One of the challenges of being a rapper with a non-rap career is arranging for time off to tour. We've kicked around a few ideas with my pals at Kütu Folk Records and Endemik Music but we haven't made any concrete plans.

It’s been about 4 years since your last album; All They Found was Water at the Bottom of the Sea, that you released back in 2009 together with DJ Kutdown. How come it took this long for a new album to see the light of day?

I pretty much gave up any delusions I had of doing music full time after my last album. The past few years have been a transition time for me – building a career, buying a house, focussing a bit more on art. The transition was difficult at times, I was dealing with disappointment. I decided not to push myself too hard to write but work on it when I was inspired to do so. It wasn't until I had a handful of songs written that I made a more concerted effort. Maki has been really great in keeping this project moving. I owe a lot to that guy!

I’m a big fan of both you and Recyclone, and one of my favourite records in my collection is Stagnation and Woe that was released back in 2006. How did that album come about, and do you guys have any plans of future collaborations?

Recyclone has a really unique voice in independent Canadian hip hop. When I was trying to build my label and work with some other artists he was the first I wanted to approach. We connected through a mutual friend – the incomparable Pip Skid - and had a short but fruitful association. We never met in real life. Although we kinda fell out of touch, I still cheer for him.

Being Scandinavian I must admit that your real name, Troy Gronsdahl, is interesting. What kind of ancestry do you have?

I have Norwegian ancestry on my father's side of the family. We eat strange nordic delicacies at Christmas like lutefisk but I don't the speak the language. I'd love to visit there someday.

Shout outs? Final words?

It takes commitment from folks like yourself to keep independent hip hop thriving. If any of your readers enjoy my music please track down an album on Endshoppe.com or Kutufolk.com. Hearts!

Not For Nothing is released on June 10. The vinyl version can be found at Endemik Music. For you CD people, please check out Kütu Folk Records. 

http://troygronsdahl.com/

Freddy Knop - Polyphonies EP

I had never heard about Freddy Knop before this, but the fact that Polyphonies is released through Circle Into Square is enough for me to check it out. And I'm glad I did. Freddy Knop is a Berlin based producer who here serves up 7 instrumental tracks that is made for the times that you feel like relaxing at home or just escaping the outside world with the help of a pair of headphones. It's frail, minimal and might I even say Björk-esque at times. It's music for recharging your batteries in order to face another stressful day.

Rating: 5.5/10

Ancient Mith - And the Dead Shall Lie There

For some reason it seems like a lot of people are sleeping on Ancient Mith. I can't understand why. Sure, not all of his tracks are the most easily accessible, but he got talent coming out of his ass to be quite honest. This bearded gent has a rap style that is far from unique, but he got lyrics and tracks that stand out from most people that I listen to to. At times he feels like the hardcore version of Sage Francis, but that is also very unfair. Ancient Mith is a solid artist that easily can stand on his own without any comparisons. 

And the Dead Shall Lie There is not his most immidiate record to date, but give it time and let the tracks work their way inside your mind and body. I promise you won't be disappointed. The only thing really that I feel that I'm missing out here is the live version of him. As much as I love his recorded material, I get a feeling that it is live that he comes to his true glory. One day perhaps I will get to see him live, but until then I'm more than happy to listen to his records.

Rating: 7.5/10

Hermitofthewoods - Land of the Lotus Eaters

Before this release I have to admit that I hadn't really heard any of Hermitofthewoods earlier material and wasn't quite sure what to expect. But the fact that Scott Da Ros was handling the production on it was enough for me to get interested. And I'm really glad that I gave this album a chance, because such an album it is! Hermitofthewoods is, for you who haven't heard of him before, a hip hop and spoken word artist based in  Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The concept of spoken word artists dropping albums is far from always a good thing. A lot of the times they end up being too shattered and uninteresting to listen to in full length. Land of the Lotus Eaters however is a great example of how to combine hip hop and poetry and make it a highly enjoyable listening experience. The lyrics and the delivery throughout the album is of the highest class, and goes perfect together with Scott Da Ros personal and dark productions. It's perhaps not the easiest album to get into. The songs take you on weird and unexpected journeys, but journeys that you are more than happy to take as soon as you give the artists the control and just follow along. One of the best albums I've heard so far this year. This is what anticon should have sounded like in 2013.

Rating: 8/10

Factor - Woke Up Alone (Cover and Tracklist)

The cover and the tracklist from Factor's upcoming album Woke Up Alone that is released on Fake Four Inc. on July 23rd. Looks like it's going to be a treat.

01. Woke Up Alone
02. The Empire Has Fallen ft. Paranoid Castle
03. After the Service
04. Raise the Dead ft. Ceschi
05. Alive Tomorrow ft. Nomad
06. Stone Cold ft. Open Mike Eagle
07. Long Hallways
08. In Sickness & In Health ft. Onry Ozzborn
09. Don’t Give Up ft. Paranoid Castles and Jeans Boots
10. Denied ft. Myka 9
11. Devil’s Call ft. Evil Ebeneezer
12. Carry Over ft. Jeans Boots
13. Let it Go ft. Astronautalis
14. Give Up ft. Gregory Pepper & Paranoid Castle
15. The Grave (Burial)

Chrystal Oak - Post Romanticism

Behind the name Chrystal Oak we find probably the most productive Swedish hip hop artist ever. This is the 14th(!) solo album from Prosperous. He's not just the most productive one, but he's also without a doubt one of the most talented. We do however run into a bit of a problem here. First off I have to say that I really like this album. We're treated to 15 tracks of high quality and it's on regular spin in the headphones. 

But the fact that he is as productive as he is, makes it a bit much after a few years. I've been listening to Prosperous since like 2004 and love him to death. He do however release too much material for his own good. Not everything he's dropped is of high quality, and after a while you kind of reach a limit of how many Prosperous tracks you can listen to. I kind of wish that he would release a solid release about every two years or something. That would make me long for new music from him. At the moment I've almost stopped being able to say which of his albums that I'm listening to at the moment. 

But with that being said, this is still better than most music out there, and I really feel that you should support the man. The album has now dropped as a digital release, but it will soon be released on a jelly red tape through Hiss Tapes. 

Rating: 6/10