Our show at Slim's was something I was looking forward to pretty much from the moment we booked it. It's been incredibly difficult for me to formulate a blog for this show in my head nevermind actually typing!) because there were so many things to fit in to any kind of synopsis. But at the urging of my fellow cohorts, this show is really something I really want to share with you all. That being said, here goes...
It was a homecoming of sorts for us as well, since BLVD had been doing tons of touring during the summer, but without many performances in the Bay Area. We had also been selling hard copies of our new album "Music For People" at our shows for a couple months, but our Slim's show was the official release party marking the date when people could actually buy the album through online channels.
The album "Music For People" represents many things for BLVD. For starters, it's our first release with our MC: Souleye. The last time we performed at Slim's, Souleye was relatively new to the group, and the CD we were releasing (the all-instrumental and electronically produced "Digital Disorder") didn't even feature him. It was refreshing to have an album with his vocals. In addition, we finally had a release that was way more characteristic of our live show! Our previous efforts, while exciting studio projects, didn't really capture what people heard from us live.
It's always been a battle for BLVD to try and bridge the gap between the live music venue and the DJ club, anyway, and this show was no different. The show itself was fun to put together...our friend Random Rab opened things up at around 9pm, which was maybe a little early compared to when most people are used to seeing him, but I thought he tailored his set to the circumstances really well. It's not every weekend that a DJ is done playing by 10:30pm, haha!
We took the stage at around 10:30, and played every song from our album, in addition to some newer tunes that haven't been recorded yet. We've also been playing a lot of tracks from "Digital Disorder" that have been modified and augmented to include live instrumentation. It's always been fun for us to represent older material in a new format, which is what we've done with songs like Brown Eyes, Deep State, and Stained Glass.
After we were done, James Christopher took over the stage to present "Savage Journey," which was a project he had been working on for over a year mixing drum'n'bass with documentary footage from Hunter S. Thompson's life. What I didn't realize until the show was that it was actually a full-on stage performance...Chris as Richard Nixon, MC Manny Vibes and Rob Newell (a.k.a. Dave Laser from Seven Minute Style) as a secret service agents, DJ Majitope as a 60s-era hippie, just to name a few...it was a kind of organized chaos and a pleasure to behold. It was hard to know whether to dance to the banging beats or watch and try to unravel the mystery of what was unfolding onstage!
After the show came to a close, we all walked outside to see our sleek new Dodge Sprinter van that our manager had pulled up in earlier. People kept coming up to me offering me their congratulations, and it was hard to know whether they meant the van or the show we had just played, haha! The Slim's show was the first date beginning our upcoming fall tour, so it was nice to know that we'd be a little more comfortable driving east the following week. Anyone want to buy a '99 Chevy Suburban? (grin)
Check out this highlight video of the Slim's show by our friend Luxvibes...
Showing posts with label music for people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music for people. Show all posts
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
BLVD News and Tour Update
News to mention:
- CBS is currently using many songs from our new album, Music For People, to advertise for the upcoming Victoria's Secret fashion show Dec 3...links can be found at the top of our home page.
- Our song 'Music is a Medicine' was featured on MTV's Making the Band 4.
- Music Connection Magazine named us as one of the "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists list for 08" coming out in their 11/27 issue.
- We are playing at the Sea of Dreams New Years Eve show with Thievery Corporation, Bassnectar and The Mutaytor.
Tour Update:
Opal Ultra Lounge, South Lake Tahoe, NV
Friday, 12.5.2008 with On The One
Lost on Main, Chico, CA
Thursday, 12.11.2008
Hopmonk Lounge, Sebastapol, CA
Saturday, 12.13.2008
W.O.W. Hall, Eugene, OR
Wednesday, 12.17.2008
The Good Foot Lounge, Portland, OR
Thursday, 12.18.2008
Tost Lounge, Seattle, WA
Friday, 12.19.2008
Live from Earthdance 2008, Santogold cover...L.E.S. Artistes
- CBS is currently using many songs from our new album, Music For People, to advertise for the upcoming Victoria's Secret fashion show Dec 3...links can be found at the top of our home page.
- Our song 'Music is a Medicine' was featured on MTV's Making the Band 4.
- Music Connection Magazine named us as one of the "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists list for 08" coming out in their 11/27 issue.
- We are playing at the Sea of Dreams New Years Eve show with Thievery Corporation, Bassnectar and The Mutaytor.
Tour Update:
Opal Ultra Lounge, South Lake Tahoe, NV
Friday, 12.5.2008 with On The One
Lost on Main, Chico, CA
Thursday, 12.11.2008
Hopmonk Lounge, Sebastapol, CA
Saturday, 12.13.2008
W.O.W. Hall, Eugene, OR
Wednesday, 12.17.2008
The Good Foot Lounge, Portland, OR
Thursday, 12.18.2008
Tost Lounge, Seattle, WA
Friday, 12.19.2008
Live from Earthdance 2008, Santogold cover...L.E.S. Artistes
Monday, October 6, 2008
'Music For People' Digital Distribution Begins Today, October 7, 2008
BLVD’s “Music For People” Brings Electro Hip Hop To The Masses
(San Francisco, CA – Tuesday October 7, 2008) – BLVD fuses live instruments with electronic production techniques to bring their audiences a refined and progressive musical experience. Combing hip-hop, house and breakbeat they continue to break down boundaries between dance club culture and the live music community.
BLVD was a three-piece instrumental ensemble until 2007 when they were joined on stage by the jet-setting MC Souleye. They had an immediate connection during an impromptu performance at the Tucson Gem and Jam and have been together ever since. BLVD's live interpretations of what are generally considered to be electronic musical forms blend naturally with Souleye's conscious and rhythmic approach to rapping. Souleye's partnership with BLVD is a natural convergence of two unique yet like-minded styles, and continues to earn these four talented artist great notoriety and devoted fans of many diverse musical tastes.
Drummer Dylan McIntosh and bassist Tripp Bains lock into deep, sub-woofing grooves while electric guitarist Curtis Sloane adds tight, rhythm based, melodic progressions and heavily effected looping patterns. Bridging gaps between hip-hop, drum & bass, electronica and funk, Souleye has emerged as one of the most sought-after MC's in the live music and dance club scenes. Together "they create an irresistible booty shaking combination of house, breakbeats and rock...tailor made for the dance floor" the founder of the Joshua Tree Music Festival, Barnett English, raves.
BLVD’s dynamic sound and broad appeal helped spark the fourth album "Music For People". Recorded live at Rodent Records to capture the group’s energy and chemistry, “Music For People” is a genre and mind-bending exploration of electro and hip-hop. Produced by McIntosh and Sloane and mixed at One Union Studio in San Francisco, fans are sure to be blown away by the electronic musical blends with conscious, thought provoking lyrics.
BLVD has become an unstoppable force as they push forward with their musical expansion, pulling you out of your seat and on to the dance floor.
Buy it now here!!
(San Francisco, CA – Tuesday October 7, 2008) – BLVD fuses live instruments with electronic production techniques to bring their audiences a refined and progressive musical experience. Combing hip-hop, house and breakbeat they continue to break down boundaries between dance club culture and the live music community.
BLVD was a three-piece instrumental ensemble until 2007 when they were joined on stage by the jet-setting MC Souleye. They had an immediate connection during an impromptu performance at the Tucson Gem and Jam and have been together ever since. BLVD's live interpretations of what are generally considered to be electronic musical forms blend naturally with Souleye's conscious and rhythmic approach to rapping. Souleye's partnership with BLVD is a natural convergence of two unique yet like-minded styles, and continues to earn these four talented artist great notoriety and devoted fans of many diverse musical tastes.
Drummer Dylan McIntosh and bassist Tripp Bains lock into deep, sub-woofing grooves while electric guitarist Curtis Sloane adds tight, rhythm based, melodic progressions and heavily effected looping patterns. Bridging gaps between hip-hop, drum & bass, electronica and funk, Souleye has emerged as one of the most sought-after MC's in the live music and dance club scenes. Together "they create an irresistible booty shaking combination of house, breakbeats and rock...tailor made for the dance floor" the founder of the Joshua Tree Music Festival, Barnett English, raves.
BLVD’s dynamic sound and broad appeal helped spark the fourth album "Music For People". Recorded live at Rodent Records to capture the group’s energy and chemistry, “Music For People” is a genre and mind-bending exploration of electro and hip-hop. Produced by McIntosh and Sloane and mixed at One Union Studio in San Francisco, fans are sure to be blown away by the electronic musical blends with conscious, thought provoking lyrics.
BLVD has become an unstoppable force as they push forward with their musical expansion, pulling you out of your seat and on to the dance floor.
Buy it now here!!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BLVD on MTV!!
The moons have aligned and our new single "Music Is A Medicine" ended up on Making The Band 4. If you have the ability to record it, it is Episode 7 and it premiered last night (9.30.08). You will hear us during minute 52, right after a commercial break.
Also, check us out on Soundtrack to Making The Band 4's website. Just scroll to the bottom to see the "artist from this show". If you want to help us, click on our picture and vote for us. More votes gets us more exposure...you know the drill.
This is a very exciting time and we want you all to share in the excitement.
Want to be the first to own our newly released album "Music For People" featuring this song and the killer tune "Stamina", click here!!
Also, check us out on Soundtrack to Making The Band 4's website. Just scroll to the bottom to see the "artist from this show". If you want to help us, click on our picture and vote for us. More votes gets us more exposure...you know the drill.
This is a very exciting time and we want you all to share in the excitement.
Want to be the first to own our newly released album "Music For People" featuring this song and the killer tune "Stamina", click here!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
BLVD CD Release Party Saturday Night at Slim's in San Fran!
BLVD is having an "official" CD release party in support of their new upcoming album, Music For People, at Slim's in San Francisco, on Saturday, September 27th. Other amazing acts include S.F. local Random Rab, and a very special presentation by DJ James Christopher and KJ Sawka.
BLVD's dynamic sound and broad appeal helped spark their fourth album "Music For People". Produced by McIntosh and Sloane, "Music For People" is set for release in October 2008. This is the first album that captures the full spectrum of that unique and unexpected BLVD/Souleye sound. Recorded live at Rodent Records and mixed at One Union Studio in San Francisco, fans are sure to be blown away by the heavy hip-hop backdrop with conscious, thought-provoking lyrics.
James Christopher Featuring KJ Sawka -- San Francisco Premier of "The Savage Journey". An audio visual tribute to the early works of Dr. Hunter S Thompson
The Savage Journey will be set to the music of KJ Sawka. The purpose of The Savage Journey is to create a audio/visual music environment using visual imagery representing the concepts covered in the works of Dr. Thompson. The overall goal is to deliver a vision of Hunters point of view concerning politics, America and society using his most important writings as conceptual source material. Using modern computer imaging and 3D animation in combination with original stock footage from the 60's and 70's, our mission is to create a hyper surreal interpretation. During the SJ performance the imagery will be projected on no less than two movie screens and will be set to Drum & Bass with James Christopher mixing and KJ Sawka playing live .
Random Rab
Emerging from his own distinct corner of the West Coast electronic music scene, Random Rab offers a powerful, timeless contribution to sonic exploration. Rab is a master of manipulating our temporal awareness, leading us into seemingly ancient worlds, where to our amazement, we find visible shreds of the future. Allow his sound to catalyze your travels into haunting ecstasy, and you will not return to your same beginning. Playing only his own originally produced music live, the depth and craftsmanship of this offering is remarkable. With an array of drum machines, samplers, sequencers, and instruments, it is a clear devotion to expression and perfection. The beats are smooth, bold, and overwhelming. The original vocals, melodies and hitting bass merge seamlessly into a tapestry of unique and unexpected journeys."
Advance Tickets still available here. Tell your friends that it’ll save them time if they buy a pre-sale vs. waiting in line for tickets.
BLVD's dynamic sound and broad appeal helped spark their fourth album "Music For People". Produced by McIntosh and Sloane, "Music For People" is set for release in October 2008. This is the first album that captures the full spectrum of that unique and unexpected BLVD/Souleye sound. Recorded live at Rodent Records and mixed at One Union Studio in San Francisco, fans are sure to be blown away by the heavy hip-hop backdrop with conscious, thought-provoking lyrics.
James Christopher Featuring KJ Sawka -- San Francisco Premier of "The Savage Journey". An audio visual tribute to the early works of Dr. Hunter S Thompson
The Savage Journey will be set to the music of KJ Sawka. The purpose of The Savage Journey is to create a audio/visual music environment using visual imagery representing the concepts covered in the works of Dr. Thompson. The overall goal is to deliver a vision of Hunters point of view concerning politics, America and society using his most important writings as conceptual source material. Using modern computer imaging and 3D animation in combination with original stock footage from the 60's and 70's, our mission is to create a hyper surreal interpretation. During the SJ performance the imagery will be projected on no less than two movie screens and will be set to Drum & Bass with James Christopher mixing and KJ Sawka playing live .
Random Rab
Emerging from his own distinct corner of the West Coast electronic music scene, Random Rab offers a powerful, timeless contribution to sonic exploration. Rab is a master of manipulating our temporal awareness, leading us into seemingly ancient worlds, where to our amazement, we find visible shreds of the future. Allow his sound to catalyze your travels into haunting ecstasy, and you will not return to your same beginning. Playing only his own originally produced music live, the depth and craftsmanship of this offering is remarkable. With an array of drum machines, samplers, sequencers, and instruments, it is a clear devotion to expression and perfection. The beats are smooth, bold, and overwhelming. The original vocals, melodies and hitting bass merge seamlessly into a tapestry of unique and unexpected journeys."
Advance Tickets still available here. Tell your friends that it’ll save them time if they buy a pre-sale vs. waiting in line for tickets.
Monday, September 15, 2008
2 New BLVD CD Reviews
Album Review:
Music For People
September 4, 2008
Genre bending electro hip hop for those who think young and have the energy to shake it all night long accordingly. Truth? The hot, young accountant or lawyer that's bleary eyed at your morning meeting was out until 4 in the morning bopping to this, not looking at your file. Get her a Red Bull and an Urban Detox and make your move, with this as the soundtrack.
Midwest Record Recap
www.midwestrecord.com
September 12, 2008
Album Review:
Music For People
BLVD is the marriage of Colorado's MC Souleye and San Francisco electronic mavens BLVD. The trio has become four as MC Souleye ads his rhythmic poetry to BLVD's breaktronic sound. Music For People, BLVD's groundbreaking debut will be available on September 29, 2008. If you want to be on the forefront of a new musical experience, this is the place to start.
Recorded live in studio, Music For People captures the energy of a live show. You can't help moving to this music. Even the rhythm challenged will be moved by BLVD. Music For People is party music, or feel good music, or workout music, or whatever you want it to be. It's lyrically safe for young rap fans (parents will approve). Highlights include 108 Rose Petals, Stamina, Sounds Of Blvd and Alignment. The messages throughout are positive, the music is bright and energetic, and the band itself is more than just samples.
BLVD is a talented concatenation including MC Souleye, Dylan McIntosh (Drums/samples), Tripp Bains (Bass) and Curtis Sloane (Electric Guitar/samples). Music For People is just different enough and full of sufficient talent to make a dent in urban and pop radio. Don't be surprised if you hear a lot more of this band in the coming months.
Wildy
wildysworld.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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