Portishead

A soft female vocalist backed by a DJ and jazz influenced guitars complete what Portishead first delivered with their 1991 full length release 'Dummy' and are now known for that sound. There music touches many different styles mainly electronic, down tempo and trip hop but when it comes to influnces they are very diverse ranging from dr. dre to old jazz. On the other hand, Portishead has influenced many musicians new and old. Releasing three full length albums and one live album they sink you into it's sounds and create your love for down tempo. After 1997 Self Titled effort they went on a hiatus from 1999-2005 the members all pursued solo projects or other pursuits. On February 2005 the band played live to support Tsunami Benefit in their hometown of Bristol; their first show in 7 years, soon after Portishead released some demos on Myspace and came out with the long awaited third full length release titled simply 'Third'. From the sound of things they're just like before but with a little love for old hip hop with still that slow tempo feel. We are to expect more from this creative bunch, keep your eyes open.

Check out Portishead on Myspace | Lastfm | Official Website

Watch Porishead Videos on YouTube

Peter Gabriel

After departing progressive band Genesis Peter Gabriel went on to pursue his thoughtful solo project. His first four albums were self titled and are known either by I, II, III or also by Car, Scratch, Melt and the last one being also self titled but known as Security in the U.S his other albums were titled by one word either Us, So, or Up. So saw the biggest success and grew his fan base to not just Genesis fans. Peter's love for world music and soul musicians such as, Otis Reeding clearly explains his open mind. Peter Gabriel has collaborated with many different musicians such as, Stewart Copeland, Robert Fripp, Trent Reznor and producer Bob Ezrin. Peter has created or been apart of many different organizations to show his love of awareness and passion towards certain ideas. Some organizations include WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance), Real World Studios, WITNESS, On Demand Distribution, and Mudda. He has won many awards and has been apart of music for more than 30 years now either playing it or contributing to further improve certain musical endeavors. His music has been featured in many films and tv shows and i highly doubt you haven't heard his music in some form or another. His lyrics are realistic and express a lot of meaning. Peter Gabriel to me is a big inspiration to move forward with what I love to do and I'm certain I'm not the only one inspired by this brilliant mind.

Check out Peter Gabriel on LastFm

Full Peter Gabriel Biography on Wikipedia

Watch Peter Gabriel's Videos for In Your Eyes | Don't Give Up |

Watch Peter Gabriel's Live Videos for Solsbury Hill | Sledgehammer | 

Menomena

Individual instruments to individual musicians has gone way past Menomena's thought process when it comes to song writing lyrically and musically. Menomena came about as a side project of Danny Seim, Lackthereof and came fully assembled in late 2000. Menomena consists of three musicians which all members share singing duties and frequently swap instruments while recording. Menomena blossoms with brimming intricacy in some songs and others portraying crashing drums with piano driven bass lines. Music this full of ideas, can lead the mind to believe as overstuffed but then the next song plays on and you forget what you were thinking about it. The band's technique of building songs from improvised loops arranged with custom software make it even more appealing Knopf created what they call Deeler, read more about it here. Furthermore, their use of colorful language and words combine the art of music and poetry perfectly. Believe when i say you've found your new favorite band, Menomena.

Buy Menomena's Music on Amazon

Check out Menomena on Myspace | LastFm

Watch Menomena's Videos for Wet and Rusting | Rotten Hell 

Watch Menomena's Live Videos for Muscle N' Flo | Weird

Koushik

Soft Soothing Samples reminiscent of Manitoba and Madlib mixed in with that 60's Psych Pop Feel. Such Talent needs be recognized by other great musicians, that's why he's floating in the mist of all that's Stone Throw Records. He's collaborated with musicians such as Four Tet, Caribou and Madvillian and he's a resident of Ontario, Canada. Koushik is the son of Indian immigrants and growing up around that lifestyle Koushik took classical indian singing classes. Whilst his trips to the local farmers market in his town he visited the record shops and grew a strong love for hip hop. You can hear his vocals in some tracks on his album 'Be With' , I highly recommend this artists to everyone but if you're a fan of any of the aforementioned artists, you need this record.

Check out Koushik on LastFm

Buy Koushik- Be With on Amazon

Watch Koushik- One in a Day on Youtube 

Jeff Buckley

Out of the many solo artists that I admire Jeff Buckley's music touched me instantly from the first time I heard 'Grace' to living his memory through Youtube videos, Jeff Buckley will undoubtedly be a great memory in our minds. Imagine not reaching stardom until after your death, Jeff Buckley came out with 'Grace' and saw some small success, but than after his departure his music was featured in Movies, TV Shows, and Soundtracks as being that one guy in that one song from that one show or movie. Jeff Buckley was raised in California and was the son of Tim Buckley which he hardly even knew. His cover for Lenoard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' gained the biggest popularity reaching #1 on itunes selling charts. He was known for his high falsetto voice and emotionally melodic lyrics. He'll always be known as that one musician that captivated our ears with his smooth smooth sound in acapella.

Check out Jeff Buckley on Myspace | LastFm

Check out Jeff Buckley Videos for Grace | Last Goodbye | Hallelujah | So Real

Check out Live Videos from Jeff Buckley of So Real/ Last Goodbye | Grace

Read more about Jeff Buckley on Wikipedia

Atmosphere

Collective thought about arguments, respect towards what's right and what's wrong, creating lyrics that melts the brian in meaning. Two Musicians, with a live band create passionate and meaningful hip hop music. Starting off with just a DJ and an Emcee, Atmosphere grew to become the core of Underground Hip Hop Music signing artists to what is now known as one of the most talented hip hop record labels out there, Rhymesayers Entertainment.  With 6 Full Length Album, Atmosphere brought hip hop music what it needed A Meaning. I guess you can call it complaining but others call it awareness, just releasing their 6th Full Length 'When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold' Atmosphere is looking to optimism and hope creating maturity in their lives mentally and musically and hopefully in the ones they grap through their music. 

Check out Atmosphere on Myspace | LastFm | Facebook | YouTube

Full Biography of Atmosphere on Wikipedia

Interview: Charts and Maps

Jemayel bass player for Charts and Maps took time off his busy schedule to support the Musical Brochure with this Interview, Enjoy!

I always start with this question just cause it's something on peoples' minds, Charts and Maps where did you guys come up with that name, reminds me of Maps & Atlases, we need to get you guys to open up for them that would be interesting?

Yeah, we were just sitting around after we started jamming, trying to think of a name. Charts and Maps was the only one that everybody could agree on. I found out that Maps and Atlases existed literally a week after we named ourselves, but we figured it didn't really matter. I mean, yeah, we're both progressive bands but we do sound quite different. There's another band called Maps as well, so all three of us could go on tour together, charts and maps and maps and maps and atlases"

When did you guys become a band?

John and I have been playing together since we were 15-ish. We had a band in high school called Soli i Sombra. The rest of us all met at USC--we all actually lived together for a year. We began jamming in this format in like May of 2007-

I enjoyed 'Charts and Maps Killed a Man' from the controlled chaotic solos to the organic fills.  What's your favorite song to play live off that EP?

As of this point, the only song off of that EP that we play live is Bury Pierre. We sort of discarded the rest. We often discuss bringing 10:58 back, but it's just so long that it takes up a significant portion of any set we're likely to play. We just think our new material is better.  Charts and Maps Killed a Man has pretty much the first five songs we wrote together. 

How did you guys get involved with The A.M.A.R. Collective and what is your opinion on the collective organization?

I think I started chatting with Andrew Newton (of ars poetria and like 10 different bands) on the 'ol interweb-- i think he was into our really old project Soli i Sombra-- and things just sort of rolled on from there. I think AMAR is excellent. Not only as a conceptual idea, but also the people involved that I have met have all been so open minded and laid back. AMAR really gives bands and artists of all kinds an opportunity to showcase their talents, involve themselves with a community of like minded individuals and grow through connections with people. We're really happy to be involved with them. 

Growing up as a kid I was forced to listen to Bob Marley, Carlos Santana, Talking Heads and because of my mother Prince but I thank my parents for that because it's made me so open minded. What did you guys listen to growing up? what influenced you to pick up a musical instrument and make that a passion?

When we were in high school John and I both had musical awakenings of sorts to the album 'El Cielo' by Dredg. It really showed us what music could be and made us begin to look outside of the box with our creative impulses. Before that we hadn't necessarily sought after music that challenged us. After El Cielo, even to today, we try to challenge ourselves in the composition of every song.

I read up on the interviews Jemayel did and he always asked this question so looking it from a different perspective. What do you think about filesharing?

Personally I fully support it in all forms. The majority of media companies are run by corporations who are selling a product more than they are facilitating art. Independent and smaller labels will be able to do fine by adapting to a new business environment. ---in my mind music is free. I'd be quite happy if all the major labels crumbled. 

I saw you guys had some shows up north how did those go and how did you guys get those gigs?

Fervent e-mailing by us and the danger bees.Pretty much we were willing to play anywhere that would house us, and if they gave us gas money, then excellent. We got lucky that a couple of really cool venues were into us. Specifically, The Comet Tavern in Seattle  was a lot of fun with a real cool crowd.

What's Charts and Maps plan for this year?

Well, we're recording again in June with Chris Schlarb, whose projects are on asthmatic kitty records. So that's really exciting. We're in the process of replacing Alec, our rhythm guitar player who was just so busy he couldn't commit fully to our band. Instead, Jay Watford, who also plays in Danger Bees, is gonna be playing with us. We finished our new EP (finally), titled 'Trouble at the Old Mill,' so we're trying to get that into as many ears as possible in the meantime. People can download it free from our myspage page. Um, also, we're in the process of starting an art collective with Pride of Kenya, Danger Bees, us, and a few visual artists--it's gonna be called Heard of Elephants (i think) and we're gonna get going in July. It should be fun.

Recommend me some music?

Well, I know you keep up on your music, jerry, so here goes anyway: tinariwen, dosh, harry nilsson, we're all massive battles fans, extra golden

Why should people listen to your music?

Well, if it brings them pleasure, they should do it

Show Review: Dulce De Leche

I was invited to attend Dulce de Leche's musical presentation at the Cobalt last Sunday. It was an early show and I got their just in time to hear the opening song, which is named 'Two Tone Jack'. For you's that don't know Dulce de Leche, they are a lovely duo compromised of mainly Guitar and Percussion/Drums. They evoke colorful melodies and foot tapping rhythms that conjure a cohesive acoustic sound. A different direction from the last venture the Lead Guitarist was involved in, growing up with punk rock he provided Lead Guitar for San Fernando Valley Punk Band, Blasphemy Squad. Furthermore, Percussionist/ Drummer met Jose (Lead Guitar) of Dulce de Leche back in the Punk Days and for fun started Dulce de Leche.  The show was something different from what I expected the two sat on stage after 'Two Tone Jack' composing acoustic ballads and soft sound effects provided by the percussionist, the songs were switched up lyrically with english and spanish compositions and fast and slow paced lyrics. The set ended with fellow Blasphemy Squad musicians sharing the stage with an improv track led by offbeat rhythms and jazz filled sax solos I felt like I was back in Venice's Infamous Drum Circle. For the man that missed the show check them out at Make Music Pasadena 2008 in June.

Download Dulce de Leche- Valley of Death through Mediafire

Check out Dulce de Leche on Myspace

Charts and Maps

I emailed an interview to Charts and Maps but they've been a little caught up so it's been a bit time consuming for them not only playing in Charts and Maps these lads are in other bands and are also students but nevertheless I've spoken to Jemayel the low end of Charts and Maps and he's gonna try to cut it out to me sometime soon. From reading the interviews Jemayel did for Menomena, BATTLES, and The Books i'm interested to read what Jemayel has to say, on the opposite side of the table. Charts and Maps are a Los Angeles based instrumental ensemble that brings in jazz rhythms, experimental sounds, post-rock elements, and nifty solos, keeping this bands progression balanced within the quartet. With Two EP's recorded and up for free download under Wise Owl Records these guys are getting straight to it and really expressing their love for these arrangements. Only being a band for about a year these guys have a great road ahead of them imagine when show 100 comes. The chemistry will be there even tighter and stronger. love. peace&absolut happiness are the motive. You can check them out Friday, May 23 at the Knitting Factory in the alterknit lounge or at The Cocaine Saturday, June 21. Charts and Maps musicians will also be performing that same night at the knitting factory with another other project, Pride of Kenya

Buy Tickets to the Knitting Factory show here

Download Charts and Maps- Charts and Maps Killed a Man and Trouble at the Old Mill'

Check out Charts and Maps on MySpace LastFm Facebook

Check out Jemayel's Interviews for hatesomethingbeautiful.com

Charts and Maps Net-Label Wise Owl Records

Soft Machine

They are nothing new to the psychedelic spectrum, highlighting improvisation, jam sessions and carefully and carelessly improving the real meaning of psychedelics and progressive music. listening to bands like king crimson, emerson, lake and palmer, and Can, Soft Machine is a must for those captured by the 70s psychedelic movement. Soft Machine went through many line up changes and grew into many different styles. Robert Wyatt the form of Soft Machine grew the band and increased it's popularity in the Canterbury Music Scene in the Mid 60's to early 70's. Robert Wyatt left the band in 71 but the band lived on to many lineup changes. 1976 saw the end of all Original Members and was carried on till 1977 where Soft Machine saw their last show as a working band. Soft Machine only lives on as a memory some slid towards other projects and interest and some fans left but not doubt that all will remember the talent of Soft Machine and others may never.

Check out Soft Machine- Theatre De La Musique 1970 (Live) on YouTube

Check out Soft Machine- Moon in June 1969 (Live) on YouTube

Soft Machine on WikiPedia

Soft Machine Legacy on MySpace

BATTLES (i'm an architect and here's my prison)

The diamond that was stolen held the code that melted water into letters spelling where it had been taken to. In fact, I had a vision of the numbers corresponding with the letter T-H-E-D-I-A-M-O-N-D

"I think it would be next to impossible to be less than amazed by the musical qualities exhibted by BATTLES. Their music is legendary when you listen to it and differs from the lyrics when you read it. Very few artists can claim such talent and BATTLES definitely falls into the category. The lyrics seem quite metaphorical and deep, and seem to signal a struggle or fight within an individual leaning opposite of the optimism. Whatever the meaning, the lyrics show a complicated thought process that cohesively builds the lyrics and vocals as Mike Patton does with Fantomas using less the vocal as a mainstream instrument, by as staccatos and tones that are musically cohesive with the rhythms of the other instruments in the song." 

This whole band highlights creativity in general. Promising band for the future, and the best thing about this band is that every song on Mirrored challenges the last one.

Check out BATTLES on Myspace

Check out the video for BATTLES- Atlas on YouTube

Buy BATTLES- Mirrored on Amazon

DJS/ Producers Stay Away from Mac OS X 10.2.5

Mac Audio Glitches: ; Avoid 10.5. 2,
AirPort For Now

As more readers send in reports, the picture looks something like this: both Mac OS X 10.5.2 and an AirPort update for Tiger are suspect in problems causing audio dropouts and other issues on some (not all) recently-updated Macs. Serato is joining Native Instruments in saying 10.5.2 is "officially unsupported." At the same time, a number of readers on Tiger are reporting dropouts with their AirPort switched on; if you haven’t installed the AirPort update, I’d avoid it just in case, but in the meantime, try switching off your AirPort card while doing audio work if you run into trouble.


Here’s the Serato report:

Mac OS X Version 10.5.
2 not officially supported

Scratch LIVE users have reported various problems, including increased USB dropouts, after installing the 10.5.2 update of Mac OS X.


While these are yet to be confirmed and followed up with Apple, it is currently not recommended that users update to 10.5.2.


Users who have already updated and are experiencing problems should start a topic in the help forum to let us know the details and receive technical support.


In case this comes as a surprise to anyone, it shouldn’t. Real-time music applications are very probably the most timing-dependent of any consumer application. If only we could get every software engineer in the world to do real-time music making. (Well, at least a fair number do.
)

Speaking of real-time, we appear to be getting this news close to real-time. Be sure to send detailed results to software you’re working with — as precise as possible — and hopefully this issue will be resolved soon. And be sure to comment here, as well, as all that data really is helpful.


AirPort fix upcoming? If it makes you feel any better, 10.5.x Leopard could generally screw up your AirPort, too. MacFixIt reports that 10.5.3 will resolve these issues and suggests some fixes. I hope that music playback issues get on Apple’s priority list with these fixes, as well, with these other fixes — rather than music users getting left by the wayside. At least AirPort seems to be the target of the updates, which suggests that whatever is causing this issue may be in the process of getting fixed, as well.




Read The Full Article: 
http://createdigitalmusic. com/2008/05/09/mac-audio-glitches-serato-reports-avoid-
1052-airport-for-now/

Wagon Christ

Such a clever name right, I thought so to. Wagon Christ is another creative venture of Luke Francis Vibert. You may have heard some of his music on compilations and or with his other projects; Plug, Ace of Clubs, Butler Kiey, Amen Andrews, and Kerrier District. He's a British recording artist and producer known for his work in the many subgeneres of electronica. Vibert originally became involved in electronic music through his interest for hip-hop as well as the environment of bedroom experimentalism associated with the swelling late-'80s U.K. dance scene. He's put out five albums under the alias Wagon Christ and 16 albums all together and many EPs. He's collaborated live with Aphex Twin and Aphex Twin used the song name 'Analord' from Vibert's album Lover's Acid.  Luke Vibert is alongside Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, µ-Ziq, and Cylob as redefining the rules of electronic music in the UK in the early to mid '90s. My roommate likes this song because he can break dance to it. Enjoy the song 'My Organ in Your Face' on Volume 6.

Check out Wagon Christ on LastFm

Check out the Video for Wagon Christ- Lovely on YouTube

Buy His Music on Amazon

As Tall As Lions

Hearing about them off an Elbow comparison review I caught interest in the band through their more nurtured self titled release in 06. The band hails from New York and from what I read they got pigeonhold in the emo music scene when they started playing shows. The "Emo" genre always astounded me and the scene it was named after astounded me even more but hey we all have era's in life. look at the 70s, 80s, and 90s. 'As Tall As Lions' has the melodic and rhythmic overdubbed vocals that brings that Comparison to Guy Garvey of Elbow. You'll hear everything from acoustic strings to trumpet and ambient (mellow relaxed feel) to high falsettos. Lyrics lingering in love in which we can all relate. Emotions are described in many ways lyrically is just another method. Enjoy these fresh cats from New York. I Recommend their 2006 Release 'As Tall As Lions' one of my favorites.

Download As Tall As Lions- 505 AM courtesy free from As Tall As Lions Myspace through MediaFire

Check out As Tall As Lions on Myspace

Watch their video for their Single 'Love, Love, Love (Love, Love)' on YouTube

Check out As Tall As Lions Official Site

The Musical Brochure Vol. 6

So I've changed the Musical Brochure to each month in which i will feature 15 artists and in that month i'll write about each band individually. A couple of things to address the project that I was talking about before has been cancelled due to creative differences both parties decided it's what would be best for all us. So with that said I have been brainstorming ideas in how to promote the Musical Brochure I've spoken to neighbors, family, and friends about it and i've come up with some good ideas. Soon these ideas will be polished and ready to be announced to The Musical Brochure friends, I've been trying to add more and more bands and people to my myspace each day to promote this thing I soon will be hosting my own website, but i'm still brainstorming those ideas and their flaws. Also no one messaged me or asked to be featured as this week's Artist so no cover artwork was provided for this brochure, hopefully this will be the only time this happens. So anyways enough talking here are May's Artists I hope you Enjoy IT.

The Musical Brochure Vol. 6 (15 songs/ 59:27 total time/ 89.2 MB)

1. As Tall As Lions- Ghost of York (4:07)

2. Wagon Christ- My Organ In Your Face (5:12)

3. Battles- Ddiamondd (2:34)

4. Soft Machine- Priscilla (1:03)

5. Charts and Maps- Hypnotiq American Fireworks/ Nautical Murder Highway (6:04)

6. Atmosphere- Wild Wild Horses (4:15)

7. Jeff Buckley- Last Goodbye (4:35)

8. Koushik- Be With (4:10)

9. Menomena- Weird (3:05)

10. Peter Gabriel- Red Rain (5:40)

11. Portishead- It Could Be Sweet (4:19)

12. Tomahawk- Point and Click (3:09)

13. Idiot Pilot- Last Chance (4:06)

14. mewithoutYOU- Disaster Tourism (3:01)

15. Penuckle- Study Music (Get Ready) (4:12)

Downloads:

For Mac Users:

Download through Mediafire

For PC Users:

Download through Mediafire