Band to Watch: Young Magic
Good luck putting a label on New York City’s Young Magic. Singer and producer Isaac Emmanuel began the project during his never-ending voyage of sorts from his Australia across the globe and back again. Emmanuel made a multitude of recordings using whatever instruments presented themselves along the way, crafting a patchwork quilt of sound. In Mexico, he met soon to be band mate Michael Italia, who had been participating in his own global one-man-band approach. After the two finished their trips they decided to reconnect in NYC where they roped in Indonesian vocalist Melati Malay to create Young Magic. After listening to their debut release Melt, it is evident that their influence is pulled from a melting pot of sounds.
Young Magic is for those that embrace echoed vocals mixed with native rhythms. Opening track, “Sparkly” features African style drumming that immediately introduces new listeners to their hybrid sound. On the surface this project comes off as highly experimental, but it is backed by a strong foundation of soul. The textures thicken as a psychedelic, electronic vibe fills out most of their tracks. Locals can absorb the myriad of sounds live and in person as Young Magic is playing in Bloomington on July 26 at the Bishop along with Thought on Tracks favorites Quilt. Cincinnati readers can catch both acts at MOTR Pub on July 27. Until then, listen and watch the video for “Sparkly” below and pick up on the indigenous vibes.
Connect with Young Magic via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Brett McGrath
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Rapper to Watch: V8
To call Chicago MC V8 unique would be an understatement. While his unorthodox rhyming style draws inspiration from underground hip hop mainstays like El-P and Aesop Rock, whenever V8 appears on a track, you know it’s him. While the word abstract is often misused as a blanket description for thought provoking hip hop, it’s the perfect word to describe V8’s musical approach. His voice, delivery, and content all walk the fine line between brilliance and absurdity. It’s clear he has a perspective to share, and even though his linguistic armor often shrouds his message, the style is so fresh that it forces me to keep listening and extract whatever meaning I can.
I got into V8’s music through his collaborations with Brooklyn producer A.M. Breakups, who has also worked extensively with Thought on Tracks favorite billy woods. Breakups and his roommate Jeff Markey (who together go by Surface Tension Beekeepers) teamed up with V8 while the rapper was in Brooklyn for a recent weekend to create an excellent little release entitled Venus Infinity. While I haven’t heard any material from V8 since his last collab with Breakups a couple years ago, he picks up right where he left off in creating a trio of trippy, introspective sonic bursts. A.M. Breakups and Jeff Markey provide the perfect soundscape for V8’s maniacal musings , Markey’s psychedelic strummer “Spraycans for Chanclates (Metal On Metal)” sets the table for one of V8’s best ever performances. He raps “My sentences run forever like Kenyans/ I’m not playing, like video games after Sega Genesis” and shows off his ‘nothing is as it seems’ metaphorical style. Each song is stranger than the last, closing with the seductive but cryptic track “Drinking Water for Lovers”. Stream/Download Venus Infinity below and get a taste of why A.M. Breakups’ new label Reservoir Sound, and V8 in particular, is a collective I’m really excited about.
Connect with V8 via Twitter
Written by John Bugbee
Video: The Orwells “In My Bed”
There is a certain inherent youthfulness that underlies rock and roll. It’s tough to define, but you know it when you see it. Since its inception, rock’s narrative has been crafted by cocksure, rebellious characters on a path towards upheaval. Thus, it should come as no surprise that a Chicago five-piece, comprised entirely of 17 year-olds, appears next in line to leave their mark on rock and roll’s evolving history.
On August 7, The Orwells will release their debut LP Remember When (pre-order) on Autumn Tone Records. The band has dropped a trio of videos as an appetizer. My personal favorite can be found below. The video for “In My Bed” features clips of Santa Monica’s legendary Z-Boys skateboard team. Another group of teenagers that once set its sights on lighting its respective scene on fire. The Orwells have spent the past couple of weeks cutting their teeth in and around Los Angeles. Initial impressions appear favorable (see: Live Music Blog). Check out the track list for Remember When, and brace yourself for a new teenage crush.
Connect with The Orwells via Facebook | Twitter
Track List:
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 