As much as I love and talk about Houston, I also do have a huge love for the world. Terrorists took advantage of the crowd’s vulnerability the night The Bataclan was attacked. The theater was filled with Eagles of Death Metal fans raging out to music that was suddenly halted by gunshots and fallen victims.
Here, My Morning Jacket shows their love by covering Eagles of Death Metal’s “I Love You All The Time” in respect to the victims of the attack.
Even though times get scary and hopeless, music prevails in uniting everyone despite our differences.
For those of you who have’t had the pleasure, sit back and relax, Lapalux’s second LP is definitely a mind-opening experience! The 25-year-old solo act from Essex, UK is known for his textured music and ability to manipulate in an unorthodox manner that many can’t help but be drawn into. Lapalux, which is short for “Lap of Luxury”, has been releasing music since 2008 and was recognized by Flying Lotus, signing him onto Brainfeeder Records.
I decided to dive in and review the album.
If you crave music that makes your brain salivate, I suggest you grab some good subs or earphones, a comfortable seat–maybe a bucket to catch your dripping brain juices–and soak into this piece of work called “Lustmore”.
The opening song “U Never Know” flutters into my ears with bug-like sounds and Andreya Triana’s soulful voice twirls me into a world of bass as she chants to me “I don’t think you’ll ever know.” Sensual yet heavy, her voice haunts you with foreshadowing of how we don’t know what’s in store for us. The songs on the album float into one another from the pulsating beats of “Sum Body”and organic sounds such as the light, bubbly bass and rain in “Closure”.
As I went onward with the album, excited to finally hear such delightful beats, “Midnight Peelers” wrapped a whole space of sound in my mind as that wonderful female voice waved in and out of the song, rocking me back and forth. Things get really textured with “Push N’ Spun” that you can feel the grains of sounds rub against your eardrums as it momentarily bends, twists and snaps between long intervals of low fidelity.
Next, “Autumn (Tape Interlude)” gave me some time to sink more into my seat, preventing my brain from getting too raw from so much stimulation. We return to Andreya’s seductive voice in “Puzzle” that’s cradled by the saxophone as they accentuate each other back and forth. I fly through “Bud” which bounced between my ears, massaging my temples, and into “Don’t Mean a Thing”–a dreamy female’s voice and sounds of air whistling by in this song launches me out of my head and into the open sky of possibilities, preparing me for the next tracks.
After “1004”, “Make Money” enters with a chant, same as the title, that is made for people out there working towards success; even though it’s not your typical hip-hop pump-me-up track, it sure motivates with its distorted bass. “Funny Games” wraps up the experience and it brings us back down to earth, catching us in waves of ambient taps and clicks.
Overall, from the moment I pressed play until the moment the last song ended, I thoroughly enjoyed this album. I already had a love for Lapalux’s unique sound, but this only made me lusting for more (pun intended). If you need something to inspire, motivate help you focus while at home cleaning, maybe doing a project or maybe you just want to daydream, have a listen to this album to get those brain juices flowing!
Travis Scott collaborated with Yeezy on their new music video for the song “Piss On Your Grave” that first appeared on Travis Scott’s new album, Rodeo.
For those who wonder, why Rodeo? Travis Scott is a fellow Houstonian characterized by his shows that are often herds of fans rounded up by Travis’ lasso of music.
Houston has had past successes, such as Beyonce and Patrick Swayze, and has even been advertised by famous names such as Drake. Now, Clutch City has a rockstar hip-hop artist to make a name for Houston in the music industry.
Houston sets out West.
The video merges Kanye West’s artistry and Travis Scott’s rebellion into scenes of ghosts trying to burst out of them as mother nature digs itself a grave. The shots are earthy and sway back and forth between the rappers.
Even though he is alongside one of the biggest names in hip-hop, Travis Scott glares into the camera with immense power as if he’s saying he means business.
The music business, at that. In an interview with Billboard, he expressed his thoughts on the music industry as being “a self-managing place” that is both “culturally controlled and artist-controlled” and “not really based on a label anymore” which he thinks is “amazing”.
A pioneer, Travis Scott started off sending seismic waves from underground Houston. Now, he’s making earthquakes in the music business and putting Houston on the map.
First off, I’ve never heard of the Asia Society Texas Center but as I walked up I wondered why I never noticed this immaculate building before. It exuded Asian culture, serene and full of zen, with lighted fountains on the second floor and beige walls that accentuated the towering glass doors.
Inside DJ Sun prepared to perform. With twenty years of making music under his belt, he has been recently added to the Houston Press’ Music Hall of Fame. The event was celebrating his new masterpiece from the trip he had taken to China to trace back his family’s footsteps.
He calls it Sun’s Resolution.
It was a two-person performance. DJ Sun at his turntables and his partner at his keyboard. The lights dimmed and the wall behind them was lit up with projection mapping.
This 7-song performance was dynamic. The projection was video art of film taken during the trip and it morphed into different scenes with every song transition. Each song was a chapter of the journey he took and how he felt during.
The music was full of soft bass and organic sounds of the Chinese landscape. Sounds of bells, drums and birds were woven through the songs shaping the song’s message.
Basically, chill electronic music but with a story.
A pamphlet was handed out at the beginning of the event and it had information on the making and definition of his work. For example, song number 3 was called “Chaos: War” and he was inspired to make the song due to the history he had learned his ancestors were a part of from the opium war.
It was a hypnotizing performance that made the audience melt into the music. It definitely brought together a diverse crowd with ear’s ready to hear this local’s masterpiece.
Everyone knows who the The Weeknd is or at least have heard his music on the radio. I know, I now can’t feel my face either from the repetition.
Anyways. Wiz Khalifa and The Weeknd recorded the song “Remember You” but surprisingly they didn’t make the beat. Instead, it was a fellow Houstonian who goes by Dpat. He won a Grammy for his work for the song.
A Grammy-winning Houstonian? Bet you didn’t know that.
My Gold plaque for 'Remember You' just came in. Don't ever give up on your dreams, no matter your situation. Big thanks to Bootsy, Illangelo, The Weeknd, and Wiz. Bless.
Dpat is moving on up in his career as a music producer. He makes electronic music that is so sensual and intense you’ll need a bib to catch your drool when you listen to his album, In Bloom. (Click the album cover below to start salivating.) It’s hard these days to pinpoint a genre but on his Facebook he calles it syrup. Probably, due to its soothing sound. His music is influenced by R&B and Hip-Hop, a merge between those two and electronic music has become the next big thing.
Only thing is, he does it exceptionally.
“The album atmosphere is dark, contemplative, enigmatic and embodies a nocturnal vibe” -Dpat
What’s even better is that he isn’t your typical producer that barely turns knobs every five minutes during his shows. He actually has a live band playing during his performances. The addition of drums, guitar and spectacular bass makes the music three dimensional.
You are basically wrapped in dynamic sound.
He played in this year’s Free Press Summer Fest but occasionally, Dpat likes to throw a show in his hometown in a more intimate and small venue. Whenever he does, I highly suggest you go watch him for yourself.
Houston grows more and more every day. I saw this growth once again when I walked up to Warehouse Live this past Friday night for the first time in years. New bars and huge crowds of people made the block look entirely different from what I last remembered. I almost felt like I was discovering a whole new world. What didn’t change though was Houstonians enthusiasm for live music.
Beats Antique was the main act, one I’ve wanted to see for years but never had a chance to until now. Once I entered the venue, I was immediately met by the large crowd dancing to the opener’s performance. I felt like I was 19 again. Being back in this venue brought back memories from so long ago.
The room was full of energy and people from all walks of life. The crowd was completely involved in the show and there was a definite less use of devices (possibly due to the band’s suggestion to detach yourself from social media during the concert). All in all, the ecstasy in the room was visible and its waves uplifted me.
The band and dancing group put much effort into the show, creating a theme of a “creature carnival” with theatrical performances and wonderful costumes, making the show much more grand and hypnotic. A strong connection was made between the audience and the show that the crowd relentlessly chanted “encore” and “beats antique” for a good three minutes straight when it ended. The chant was in perfect unison and echoed throughout the venue until the crowd cheered as the band and performers stepped back on stage for another twenty minutes.
From all the concerts I have gone to in the past eight years, seeing such an energetic audience and performance brought so much inspiration and thought. Houston is a great city of growth, diversity and high energy. There is a huge audience in this large city that thrives off of good music that connects us all. As I closed my eyes and danced to the music I felt lost yet found. In control and out control. But one thing was certain. This city has potential and one day we’ll be found.
Houston Updated 