Soundclouds of the Underground: The Whole Team Edition

ABOVE: MOJEK

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

The past few years have placed the emphasis on group mentality—whether it’s a mob, squad, or collective, it seems as though more artists are teaming up to form strong musical and personal bonds. One of the more exciting groups is Whole Team, a cluster of kids from Chicago and beyond who make blissful dance music with washed-out synths and samples, straddling the line between juke, hip-hop, and chillwave. Three of their strongest, party playlist-ready tracks are posted below.

Amirite: “Demdays” ft. Hush

Who: “Music, either in a bad or good mood, is expressed to show emotion. These emotions are recorded and exported as mp3’s or waveforms. This is what I do,” states the Los Angeles-based producer on his Facebook page. He also mentions his love of sampling and J Dilla, two things that are evident in his old-school sounding laid back beats.

The Song: “Demdays” maintains a “Bonita Applebum” style, with jazzy piano keys occupying space above some chilled-out drums. With the track Amirite creates a vibe that only some new school artists can attain—it’s easy to see a rapper like Common taking this track to town.

Current Project: Keep up with Amirite via his Facebook page, and be sure to check out the rest of his new EP.

Zookeepa: “Windows Aren’t Mirrors When We Miss You”

Who: A Chicagoan and one of the more experimental members of Whole Team, Zookeepa’s range hits everywhere from lo-fi to straight up twerk music. Jams like “Heka”  make you want to throw your behind in a circle, while “I Don’t Even Party Anymore, Really” has a more nu-disco vibe.

The Song: More proof of his versatility, recent release “Windows Aren’t Mirrors When We Miss You” sounds like something Twin Shadow might make—it’s an energetic, overjoyed indie-pop track that’s noticeably different in its approach.

Current Project: Keep up with Zookeepa on Facebook.

Mojek: “Into the Night”

Who: Arguably the most prevelant member of the Whole Team crew, Mojek has developed a reputation for his inventive brand of juke music, employing ambient, melancholic, and joyful sounds over fast-moving percussion.

The Song: A track released through Mishka as apart of the Chicago-themed mixtape W2NDCH2LL, “Into The Night” is a sexy, trap-esque banger with loads of energy. Using what sounds like a barrage of pitched vocal samples moving in different directions, Mojek integrates his own style into the genre of the moment, making for something altogether current and creative.

Current Project: Check out Mojek’s videos for “Six Flags” and the Tokwio-featuring “Holla At Yo Guala, and keep up with him on his Facebook page.

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.