Soundclouds of the Underground: Cap ‘N Gown Edition

ABOVE: LAFAWNDAH BY JASON RODGERS.

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.

For college seniors around the globe, this time of year is all about getting those grades and getting the hell on with their lives—and their summers. To inspire those who are inching towards the academic finish line, we’ve selected three songs that should help you chill out and get your study on, or at least consider it.

Dev and Nanosaur: “Everything I Do” 

 

Who: Nanosaur is quickly becoming one of the Bay Area’s most recognized producers, having worked with everyone from Lil B to Antwon to G4 Boyz. Extremely eclectic in style, his newest effort is a collaborative EP with Dev, the singer responsible for such dancefloor jams as “Bass Down Low” and “In The Dark.”

Song: The EP, entitled Not All Love Songs Have To Be Sad, stays true to its word—”Everything I Do” is euphoric and ethereal, thanks in large part to Nano’s fascinating cord progressions and percussion. Dev also holds her own, her voice a perfectly mellow accompaniment to the relaxed beat.

Current Project: Keep up with Nano on Facebook.  

Lafawndah: “Butter” 

 

Who: Not to be confused with the character from Napoleon Dynamite, this Lafawndah employs intricate production (which she creates herself alongside beatmaker Garagem Banda), churning out eerie island sounds and a sexy vocal that effortlessly teeters between rapping and singing.

Song: With low, sexy synths that sound like a cut-up sample of Ty Dolla Sign’s “Paranoid,” “Butter” seems to be a prime example of #CONGOSWAG, which is how Lafawndah has chosen to tag the song on soundcloud. Lawfawndah’s hot vocals follow an a-typical path, making her melodic verses all the more engaging.

Current Project: Lafawndah is on Facebook if you dare to shoot her a friend request.

Craft Spells: “Breakthing the Angle Against the Tide” 

 

Who: A project we’ve seen (and written about)  go from underground to indie darlings over a fairly short span of time, Justin Vallesteros’ Craft Spells have polished their elegant indie-pop sound for their sophomore LP Nausea, which will be released June 10 via Captured Tracks.

Song: Fast-paced and fluttering with pretty guitar riffs and a soft, speedy patter of drums, the second single off the aforementioned Nausea finds Vallesteros’ hushed vocal as a perfect vehicle to anchor the melancholic track.

Current Project: Keep up with Craft Spells on their Facebook. 

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