DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEK: Peoples, Adult Swim, Radical Face

Peoples – B.I.G. (Believing In Greatness)

Believing In Greatness. The title really does some it all up. Its like a hip-hop self help book, but written on a level that is a lot easier to appreciate and harder to dismiss. Stuffed with poems of striving for greater things, grabbing hold of your dreams and putting everything else to the side in order to make it. Don’t panic though. Peoples is still happy to crank songs on money, bitches, sneakers and weed when the time is right.

There is no time in Peoples raps where you have to rewind to try and work out exactly what he just said, every syllable is solidly spat directly into your head. The flow is in the same vein as Jay-Z and Kanye (even referencing them within his own verses).

He believes in greatness, and also in open mindedness. Tracks are full of all sorts of instruments, production and textures. From dirty synths to soulful loops to beep-boop beats, it’s all there with hooks a-plenty. It is a testament to his delivery that he can bring together these differences and produce a unified Peoples sound.

DJ Skee is the guy presenting this album and he is happy to admit this is “history in the making”. That’s big words coming from a big name! (DJ Skee has a massive CV of his own – producing some of the best music videos and being voted into Billboard’s “30 under 30” plus a billion other things. Check out a bit more about DJ Skee here.)

I got in touch with him to talk about growing up, what it took to get this album out, and just how BIG he is dreaming…

You have said that the track 'What The World Made Me' is a reflection of how you became who you are. Where are you from and how did your upbringing shape the artist you are today?
I was raised in the Bay Area in a small town outside of San Francisco, California. I didn’t grow up having money but I went to good schools on scholarship because of sports. My classmates had mansions and I lived in public housing. I’ve been homeless. I’ve been broke without a dollar to my name but I’ve always been into writing. And over the years I learned how important it is for me to surround myself with solid people. My music is just a reflection of what I’ve seen.

You have tweeted that you have a "cult following". Do you have aspirations to be known and appreciated by a wider audience?
I mean, every movement starts with a cult following. But at some point the music takes on a life of its own. And if people like it then it will naturally reach a wider audience. But yeah, I want my music to touch every continent.

A question you are probably getting a lot right now, but exactly how did it all go down to end up working with DJ Skee?
That situation all came about through my management. I don’t know a hip-hop artist that doesn’t want to work with Skee. His movement is so crazy. So being able to work with him, and having him believe in the music was a blessing.

From your site thisispeoples.com you have links to twitter, youtube, facebook, etc. How important is social media marketing to you? How has it helped/hindered you?
We live in the information age. Everything is online now. There are people that live in cities I haven’t even been to yet because they heard it online. I think social networks are for artists. I guess the only way it’s hindered me is that a couple girls I dated in the past have found me on Facebook and sent me friend requests.

You studied at San Diego University, what did you study? Has education had an impact on your music?
I majored in communications at San Diego State. I didn’t graduate though. But I’ve always valued education. I try to read as much as possible. It helps inspire creativity. Besides, there’s nothing cool about being stupid.

What is your track writing process? Do you produce beats yourself or focus purely on writing lyrics?
My creative process starts with the beat and what I’m going through at the time. It all depends. Some tracks are more of a lyrical exercise. Others I have a specific message that I’m trying to convey.

Are there any re-occurring subjects or people that find their way into your lyrics?
The people that I’m around the most always end up in my music. I’m their voice. But as far as themes, my lifestyle and personal experiences can be heard in every track. I’m very honest with the audience. But overall, I think the idea of thinking big and dreaming bigger is the main theme you’ll hear in my music. 

You have tweeted that "nothing is free" yet you gave away this album for free...did you do it with an ultimate pay off in mind or purely to share your art with the world?
Both. But let me explain what I meant by that tweet. Yes, the album is available for a free download on my site. But the process of creating this album wasn’t free, and I don’t just mean in terms of money. A lot was sacrificed for this to album to come about. It took a lot of work. And it’s going to take a lot more work for me to reach all my goals as an artist. That’s what I meant when I said, “Nothing is free.”

How important is playing live shows to you? How often and where do you tend to play? Is there any chance of a NZ show in the foreseeable future?!?
I would love to come and rock out in New Zealand!! That would be crazy. I hear Auckland has a great hip-hop scene. But as far as up-coming shows, I got a few events lined up in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Colorado. Anyone interested in booking me should contact: bookingpeoples@gmail.com.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Adult Swim Singles Collection

You know all those cartoon TV shows that make you laugh and cringe non-stop? I’m talking Family Guy, American Dad, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and a whole heap of other funny stuff. Well, they are all part of this monster that is Adult Swim. That might not be news to you, but maybe this is.

For the last wee while Adult Swim has been giving away free music from amazing artists. 11 tracks in all, over an 11 week period. You name the genre and it’s there. Punk = Cerebral Ballzy. Hip Hop = EL-P, Indie pop = Active Child, Synth Pop = Clams Casino, Hazy summer pop = Best Coast, Face slapping metal = Mastadon, etc etc. Theses collections really don't disappoint.

The one thing you can be sure of is that the reason Adult Swim have selected these tracks is they have an edge, a difference, they stand out…just like their cartoons. Some of these songs are actually only available as part of this compilation.

It would take about another 5 articles to review all the different singles so I will just have a chat about my highlights of the project.

Cerebral Ballzy – On the Run
It’s energy-ridden old school American hardcore style punk from the storybook of Minor Threat and Black Flag. It’s nice that there are still bands willing to just thrash through songs and leave you with a nosebleed. They are becoming the next big thing in NYC. That’s not an easy city to crack so something must be right.

Best Coast – Gone Again
This track serves up the usual doo-wop haziness you expect from this trio. Even though the lyrics are depressing you are left with a warm feeling. “Ooo Ooooo Oooo” - never has this lyric been sung so sweetly.

JJ feat. Ne-Yo – We Can’t Stop
JJ are an electric dream pop duo from Sweden. This track is beautiful. A big fat low hum with a beep here and there makes it oh so sweet. Just as you are getting used to the way the track is going in walks Ne-Yo to take you on a little ride around RnB lane. It’s a weird combo but it just kind of works.

Full Track Listing:

Ford and Loptin – Too Much MIDI
Best Coast – Gone Again
How to Dress Well - Us in the Sense of Forever
Mastodon – Deathbound
Active Child – Hanging On
The Tallest Man on Earth – Weather of a Killing Kind
The Rapture – How Deep is Your Love?
Clams Casino – Wizard
JJ feat Ne-Yo – We Can’t Stop
EL-P – Drones over BKLYN
Cerebral Ballzy – On the Run

At some point you have to just take my hand and trust me. There will be at least a few things off here that you like. And if I’m wrong then bill me for how much it costs to purchase and I will reimburse you.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Radical Face – The Bastards: Volume One

This is a 3-track mini EP from Ben Cooper, from Florida.

To be honest, I hate acoustic guitar. I hate real sounding piano. And you have no idea how much I hate violin stringy stuff. But I do like lo-fi, so when you strip things down like the first track of this EP then I am keen to hear more (even when the offensive instruments named above are part of it).

After track 1 it all goes a bit “real” for me. Too much tinkling piano and happy-clappy hoo-ha. If you took out the twang then I might just like it. The vocals are still soft and easy to listen to and remind me of Iron and Wine, just without the same kind of substance.

Summary? Track one - good, nice, lo-fi. Track 2 and 3 – not the most inspiring and unique thing ever. Are they still all free? You bet. So hit the link and see if I’m right or wrong.

DOWNLOAD HERE

If you are greedy and want a bigger slice of the free download music pie and frequent news on what’s new and good then get on twitter and follow @electricpuppet.

By Oli Holmes.