Soundclouds of the Underground: Fourth of July Edition
ABOVE: FALSE WITNESS.
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.
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, a holiday meant to celebrate freedom (among other things). In the realm of music on the Internet, true freedom is a huge feat—more often than not artists get trapped in a box, defined by a few tags and some lazy comparisons. The below three acts, however, have found ways to field their influences into something excitingly new.
Groundislava: “Feel The Heat Feat. Rare Times” (Arnold Remix)
Who: A member of Cali-based young producer collective MOD, Arnold has proven himself time and time again with originals and remixes, such as his shimmery, strip club-ready edit of “I Luv Your Girl” and his more recent rework of “Gas Pedal.”
The Song: Arnold’s take on the Groundislava original starts out with an R&B snap before taking off into some crazy drums and cut-up vocals. The track makes you dance while tweaking the typical trap structure, even momentarily employing a B-more-esque beat.
Current Project: Keep up with future releases and upcoming shows via Arnold’s Facebook page.
False Witness: “CRYSTAL X CUFFARO”
Who: Marco Gomez is False Witness, a producer who effortlessly churns out multicultural dance jams that pull influence from Caribbean club sounds as well as darker electronic elements. The blending of these aesthetics is a genre Witness (along with fellow producers Rizzla & blk.adonis) continues to build, rightfully titled KUNQ.
The Song: “CRYSTAL X CUFFARO” is a cut that seems to perfectly embody the KUNQ style—a dembow track by the Dominican Republic’s DJ Cuffaro interspersed with Crystal Waters synths, it’s a piece that could only be thought up by someone like False Witness, whose myriad influences come together in a way that simply makes you want to shake your ass.
Current Project: Stay in tune with False Witness via his Facebook.
Dos Global: “Gols”
Who: Also known as Michael Tousana (a frequent collaborator of anonymous collective The Trp), Brooklyn-based artist Dos Global clearly has an impressive range. He leans more towards the experimental when working with The Trp, while floating into an ambient R&B category with his newer solo material.
The Song: A good example of said new material is his timely track “Gols,” which seems to be inspired by the happenings of the World Cup. Produced by 50BUTO, the track finds an echoed-out Dos Global soulfully crooning alongside the pitter-patter of drum sticks and filtered synths.
Current Project: Keep up with Tousana via his Facebook.
Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.