TEST PRESSING | JUST VISITING
The Virgil and I have to say it sounds incredible. I might be biased though but kudos to Itai for the mixing and Tech for the
mastering. I have always respected the craft but my appreciation grew 10 times stronger. Another interesting element
is listening to your record in a way that allows you, the artist, to take it all in as a whole or in two sections, side a and b.
This album has so many different incredible directions that I am extremely proud of. I can’t wait for you to hear this record!
-av
JUST VISITING | EPK
I remember listening to certain songs over and over and over trying to get a basic mix
right. At times I would listen to it behind the mixing board and fall asleep. I would get
so lost in the mix. I am a perfectionist to a degree. Check out the making and process
of my new record “Just Visiting” which drops 6/5 on Plug Research!
-av
JUST VISITING UPDATE
A very special thanks to Mathieu Laurent for his work on JUST VISITING. Check out the art work here and for all
you vinyl heads make sure to pick up the LP which can be found at Fat Beats. The full length drops June 5th!
I am stoked about this release which features so many incredible artists and musicians.
-av
ANNA OF SONNYMOON
Excellent writing and recording session w/ Anna Wise of Sonnymoon. Not only did we record some great material
for my forthcoming project featuring so many of my favorite artists that I play on the radio, but I also got to hear
the new Sonnymoon album. I am proud of the duo and cant wait to see them kick things in high gear to promote
their debut on Plug Research. Oh. And I cant wait for you to hear what we recorded today over at the Vala Manor.
TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011
Here it is. Agree, disagree, hate it, love it, it is what it is.
10. Drake – Take Care (Cash Money)
Does anyone know where I can find the instrumentals? The album is dark, soulful and well crafted. The samples
mixed with heavy 808′s, chopped keys keep this record on repeat. What I love about Drake’s lyrics are his honesty
and ability to share his journey as a human being caught up in his personal growth. And with an album that has
production credits from Jamie XX (The XX) and Stevie Wonder? How can you go wrong?
9. Jonti – Twirligig (Stonesthrow)
Seriously. Choppy loops, drums sounds, humming, rapping and atmospheric melodies all put into this wonderful cd.
Every track is beautiful.
8. Ben Westbeech – There’s More To Life Than This (Strictly Rhythm)
Im not sure if this album made big moves overseas but I feel this album has been slept on in the States!
When I first saw the teaser I was instantly hooked to the album’s single “Summer’s Loss” via a youtube vid.
From soulful gems that remain on repeat on my gym playlist to the before mentioned single, this is such a great
feel good record.
7. DJ Cam – Seven (Inflammable)
Dj Cam has created an album that makes me reminisce to the days of downtempo soul and beats. This brother never
ceases to amaze me with his various directions and musical landscapes but with this he hit it off right! A nice collection of
headbangers at so many different tempos and moods.
6. Meshell Ndgegeocello – Weather (Naive)
Call me biased but Im a die hard Meshell fan. At times she has lost me and other times she’s won me back.
Weather has elements of Bitter and also demonstrates her growth with the help of the album’s producer Joe Henry.
I think its fair to say her work captures emotion and at times in a brutally honest sense. Unafraid to go where most
of her peers wont. This album has some nice moments and musical highlights that are sprinkled through out
this new release.
5. The Weeknd -Thursday (Self Release)
Easily my favorite break out artist of the year. It took a while for his sound to grow on me . What other artist fuses
R&B Soul with indie rock samples, guitars and heavy drums? When I first heard this second album I remember listening
to each track wondering if it would lead up to my expectations. And it did. Easily. It’s hard to believe Abel Tesfaye gave away this brilliant
record for free via his website. Download it! Google him!
4. SBTRKT – SBTRKT (Young Turks/XL)
I remember playing his early works with Sampha on KCRW. Sampha always reminded my of a British Aloe Blacc mixed with Kele of Blockparty.
But with this album SBTRKT pushes electronic music into uncharted territory. Tracks like Hold On and Pharaohs hold their own in the clubs but also
as solid written songs. Then I heard Wildfire featuring Yukimi Nagano and I threw my hands up in the air. Brilliant! I even slipped that song into my live
dj sets.
3. Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin (Sony)
This brother nailed it with this release. Songs that fuse yesterday with tomorrow. I got to see him perform these songs at SXSW and in LA and it was
great to see these songs come to life on stage each time. Tracks like “Over You” and “Just Don’t” were on constant repeat on my Ipod and radio show. But “The Answer”
hit a personal note with me. I remember sitting in his studio and hearing this song and being moved by the content. I told him this was my favorite cut on the record.
Still is.
2. James Blake – James Blake (Polydor)
There is nothing out there similar to what he is doing. Respected by Dubstep heads, folksters, hipsters, hip hop heads, dj’s, etc.
He covers all musical ground and capturing moods with every chord. When I first heard “I Never Learned To Share” I remember playing
it to friends in the car at 2 or 3 am after the club and still being moved every time. I remember his set time was 1 am in an old church at SXSW
and I got there by 8 pm waiting and anticipating for his debut in the America. And it was worth the wait.
1. The Weeknd – House Of Balloons (Self Release)
Another artist who is unparalleled in the music game today. The Weeknd’s debut release was a free giveaway on his website.
When I first heard this album I thought “its like Trey Songs singing over Beach House records”. Its indie rock mixed with Jodeci.
But smoother. When I first downloaded this full length it took a minute to grow on me. And when it did, It was on repeat. The perfect
album to drive home to after the club. It became my soundtrack after 3 am.
Honorable mentions
Thundercat – The Golden Age Of Apocalypse (Brainfeeder)
Gotye – Making Mirriors (Samples ‘ N Seconds)
Jay Z and Kanye West – Watch The Throne (Roc A Fella)
Teebs – Collection 01 (Brainfeeder)
Michael Kiwanuka | Liam Bailey
Being a dj on a radio station and given the freedom to play what you love is one of the most wonderful
things that keeps me balanced in my line of work. No stress to make people dance or keep a crowd moving,
keeping the bar happy or keeping the door numbers up. I come into the station after a long weekend of gigs
and its my turn. My turn to make me happy with the hopes of listeners co/signing.
These are two artists who I have stumbled upon in the past couple weeks that give me hope for music.
I am always drawn to electronic sounds, drum patterns, new soul, old soul but there is something happening
in the UK that I find myself gravitating too. Free of the previous descriptions. It’s this raw soul that almost feels vintage
but simple. Michael Kiwanuka and Liam Bailey are the kinda artists that remind me of listening to Morrissey’s
Your Arsenal album and the place it put me in. Maybe It’s just a parallel with my love for British comedy and humor
but there is something wonderful happening in with British sound. Always has been really (See? That last sentence
sounds British). But remove the samples, dirty passlines and you have simplicity that equally moves the soul.
Check below! I hope you enjoy!
- av
NICK ROSEN | IN STUDIO
Got a chance to take a listen to Nick Rosen + the crew recording the follow up
to his “Into The Sky” release on Porter. His album got lots of love from myself
and a few other of the KCRW djs as well as Lefto + Gilles Peterson. Sounds really
great + fresh. Cant wait for this full length to drop!
DARONDO X THE PARK | FLY ON THE WALL SESSIONS
I find myself constantly surrounded by creative people. I decided to kick off a series of shorts following these people
in their creative environments. Darondo is someone who captured my musical ear with heart breaking rendition of
“Didn’t I”. I was invited by one of my favorite bands “The Park” to come and hang out. I instantly gravitated towards
Darondo and his passion for both his music and a good laugh. I hope I was able to capture some of his magic.
Enjoy!
BUS STOP LULLABY | SLIMKAT 78 REMIX
Never made my second album for whatever reason. But now you can download it for free!
Dj CAM – SWIM (ANTHONY VALADEZ MEGAMIX)
So honored to be asked by Dj Cam to do a mix of his latest single “Swim” from his forthcoming projects which
includes a an EP and an album. I have always been inspired by his ability to transcend genres from his early
boom bap french beats to a new platform of new musical ideas. I was about 17 years old when I first purchased his records.
The beats took me to a different place. There was nothing like it at the time. When he agreed to come on to my KCRW show
I was watching this man who had help me develop my appreciation of music mix right before my eyes. That night was an honor.
And the honors continue.
To help promote the single here is a quick mix of all remixes of the track from the likes of Blackjoy, Nick Cooke and Conforce
with vocal duties from Chris James of Stateless. Reworking an artist’s original is always tough. But when Cam hit me back
saying he loved it, well, my day got a lot better.
Enjoy!
Ep drops 16 of May
Full album drops end of September.
Support this brother!
Check out his site.
THE PARK – BELLEVILLE (DIRECTED BY ANTHONY VALADEZ
It was a cold Thursday night in Downtown LA. These guys traveled all the way from San Francisco
to perform at DIRTY KICKS. Right after I threw them all into my Scion and we shot a nice video. The timing
could not have been any better considering they have been getting radio play on my show on KCRW and
Gilles Peterson’s show “Worldwide“We shot till the sun came up and even had a casualty in the band.
However myself, the band and our assistant Diana worked through outthe early morning tirelessly to
create this clip. Its my directorial debut.
Enjoy!
Ps.. you can download the track here
LIVE FROM MY LIVING ROOM
One of the things I love about having musicians crash at my pad is having them lay down keys, bass, drums
or vocals over my tracks. Or even watching them rehearse in my living room. Ladies and gents, The Park and Wallpaper.
Google em’
1/2 SONNY MOON | NICK ROSEN
Today I managed to bring 1/2 of Sonnymoon & partner in crime Nick Rosen together to help work on this Bilal remix for Plug Research. Working w/ Anna Wise on vocals is always amazing. Hearing her layer vocals is always a wonderful experience. Nick broke down Triads and vocal harmonies that really took the remix to another level. Cant wait to share
5 ARTISTS TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR IN 2011.
2010 was an amazing year for both indie & pop artists. On both fronts we began to see artists embrace change. Kanye lost the vocoder, Bonobo picked up Andreya Triana, Fly Lo picked up Thunder Cat on bass and Bilal took on a whole new sonic aesthetic. This is my list of 5 artists/albums to be on the look for in the new year.
Ben Westbeech – There Is More to Life Than This
James Blake – James
Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’
Om’Mas Keith – (Unknown album title) – Plug Research Release
The Stepkids – (Unknown album title) – Stones Throw Release
RECORDING | JOYA MOOI
I had a great night recording a new song featuring an artist I have been a fan of this year from Amsterdam. Her name is Joya Mooi and she put out a wonderful album entitled “Hard Melk” which featured some amazing production and packaging as well. Its always interesting approaching music making and writing with someone from across the globe who have a different approach and then being in a creative space w/ them and making something that sounds so wonderful. Cant wait to finish this song. Hoping to complete this new record by early next year.
JOYA MOOI TALKS MUSIC
I remember first hearing about Joya about a year ago. I remember playing her on KCRW w/ a track featuring Mar also from Amsterdam. Really smooth beats and soulful vocals from a person I was not familiar with. I had the pleasure of finally meeting the young lady courtesy of my good pal and photographer Holly Port. We all had dinner last night and I was eager to hear what kind of sounds and artists influenced her. Enjoy the sound bites below as we discuss her new record, Hard Melk as well as her influences.
But before we got down to chit chatting about music me and some of my talented friends got down w/ grub first. Thanks to Holly Port for the pics above! Peep the love below.
INSPIRATION MCFERRIN
I have been working and logging in hours working on a new record w/ an emphasis on the keys and bass. Ever since I bought my rhodes its been a blessing to have amazing artists like Dexter Story, Nick Rosen & Evan Lasrey come through and record tracks on it. This sound seems to be my direction at times and It was such an honor to meet and play with Taylor when he was in LA earlier in the year.
SESSIONS – THE PARK
Hooked up w/ SF’s The Park. Big ups to Derek + Josh for putting it down during today’s session.
SESSION W/ REBEKAH RAFF
Worked today on a super secret project w/ the wonderful, talented and mysterious Rebekah Raff. You might have seen her on tour w/ Kanye West or heard her amazing contributions on Cosmogramma. Regardless, her positive energy, chats are just as wonderful as her musical offerings. Cant wait to hear her solo work.
LABOR DAY | LABOR
I spent the entire day going through records for tonight’s KCRW program. Also managed to get some time into edit yesterdays amazing recording session with Nick Rosen. Most of the tracks are recorded w/ I, Ced of Hawthorne Headhunters and always receive new life when someone drops something new over it. Cant wait to share with you once its all done.
OZOMATLI VS KCRW SOUNDCLASH
So honored to be a part of this remix project featuring one of my favorite bands. I was asked to write a little something about Ozomatli an their importance to Los Angeles and KCRW. That was not very hard. Ive been blessed to grow alongside the group. Watching them play at CSUN as a student, then seeing them at the Hollywood Bowl as a KCRW Dj in box seats.
I’ve also been honored to remix their song “Love Comes Down” with Itai Shapira on sitar, Miguel Atwood Ferguson on viola, I,Ced on keys and bass and yours truly producing, chopping up samples and drums on the mpc. It was am amazing experience. I am also proud of the other remixes by the other KCRW djs!
Check it out here and download my remix for free!
The Making of “Love Comes Down” Remix
2010 is Quadron + Sonnymoon
2010 is Quadron & Sonnymoon. Trust.
Quadron / Pressure / Plug Research
Sonnymoon / Run Away / Self Release
