Soundclouds of the Underground: Spring Break Edition

ABOVE: USELESS EATERS

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 deep 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 many a college student, it is, just was, or is about to be the mess many of us know all too well as “spring break.” Whether you’ll be composed enough to realize it or not, music tends to be a crucial part of that big group trip to Panama City—it’s what sets the party off, keeps it going, and, when it is called for, can also tone things down. With all that in mind, check out the three songs we’ve grouped together this week for your vacationing pleasure. Even if you aren’t on holiday, we hope these tracks make you feel like you are.

Useless Eaters: “Feel Nothing”

Who: Useless Eaters (aka Memphis, Tennessee‘s Seth Sutton) is a fast fury of energy; his music, chock-full of distorted crashes and bangs, maintains a rather sunny disposition. An aggressive intersection of punk, pop, and surf is at the heart of this artist’s hip appeal, along with his pouty vocal and catchy melodies.

The Song: Although the track may not exactly fall in line with what the average spring breakers put on their party playlist, “Feel Nothing” can act as a great arrival anthem—think of a 1960s beach party movie involving psychedelics. Frenetic fun to the point where it’s hard not to grin when you hear it, Sutton’s song is sure to rev up the rebel in you, if only for the week.

Current Project: Sutton is currently on a West Coast tour through April—check out more info on that via his website.

Capital Cities: “Safe & Sound (Panic City Remix)“

Who: Having already shared the stage with artists like Zedd, Diplo, and Dillion Francis, San Francisco’s Panic City is a DJ whose production has also begun to get some shine. His remixes of big singles like Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” are grand in every sense, and prove his ability to turn unexpected tracks into an electro-fueled party.

The Song: This list wouldn’t be complete without some classic EDM, and Panic City’s epic remix of this Capital Cities cut has all the expected elements at their best—a slow build, heavy synths, big bass, and and a memorable vocal.

Current Project: Panic City just released a Daft Punk remix—listen to it (and find out more about him) on his Facebook page.

Wheez-ie: “I Miss Houston Summers”

Who: Matt Mauldin is Wheez-ie, a producer and DJ from Houston, Texas whose sound is ceaselessly full-out. Wheezi-ie blends and bends genres into a juke/breakbeat framework, which tends to take things from 1 to 11 rather quickly. His material is certainly not for the faint of feet, but if you can keep up, chances are you’ll want to do so all night long.

The Song: “I Miss Houston Summers” is one of those tracks you keep on reserve for when it’s time to take the festivities somewhere truly wild. Spring break seems a prime opportunity for the song’s jumpy house riffs and rapid-fire rhythm, so crank this one up during the after-hours if you’re looking for events to escalate.

Current Project: Wheez-ie just wrapped some gigs at SXSW and has a collaboration with Distal on the way—stay in tune by heading to his Facebook page.

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