We drove through the night from the Coalessence Festival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas to Houston, Texas... the first time BLVD would be visiting! Hurricane Ike hit the city about 3 weeks before, and the stories sounded like some pretty intense clean-up happened over the weeks leading up to our arrival... century-old trees with 10-foot stumps up-routed into the air... Showers of glass from windows breaking in the high winds... Days and days of chainsawing broken limbs... my favorite quote: "There's a sailboat in my yard and it's not mine."
Club Dub Dub is actually in a residential area called Houston Heights, nestled in the trees behind the owner's house. The venue itself actually has a rich history of bands playing there over the years. It's become a favorite tour stop for many bands on the road due the intimate setting and amazing hospitality. We were treated to a great dinner and had an entire section of the house to call home for the night.
It was an honor for BLVD to be the first performance at the Club since the hurricane had rolled through. The start time was earlier that we are used to for a Saturday night, but a good number of people made it out by 9:00 when we started. By the time we were in the thick of the show, you would have thought we were in a downtown club by how much the people were getting down.
The people of Houston that came out to the show were amazing and encouraged us to come again, and it was fun to spend time hanging out after the show. I was joking with some people that it was a pleasure to be done with the show before midnight, because usually we would be rolling into a hotel at 4:00 in the morning! But the concensus was that rocking at Club Dub Dub was the perfect way for people to shake off the vibes from the hurricane. Thanks for inviting us!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
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!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Zebra Lounge and The 8 Degrees of Ani DiFranco
Bozeman, MT : 7-25-08
So, we arrived in Bozeman and checked into the Lewis and Clark Motel (everything in this part of the country seems to be named after them btw). We learned that Ani DiFranco was playing a show in town the very same night, and we immediately sought out the venue to promote... which gave me an idea. You know how iTunes will tell you "people who bought X also bought Y"? So, I got on iTunes and tried to see how many degrees of separation there really are between BLVD and Ani.
ani difranco
pj harvey
stereolab
zero 7
massive attack
prefuse 73
modeselektor
vibesquad
BLVD
There ya go... i really wanted it to be 6 degrees, but facts is facts. I don't really see a lot of crossover, but maybe some Ani fans were at our show, who knows. Souleye was yelling at them out of our vehicle like a madman!
By: Tripp Bains
So, we arrived in Bozeman and checked into the Lewis and Clark Motel (everything in this part of the country seems to be named after them btw). We learned that Ani DiFranco was playing a show in town the very same night, and we immediately sought out the venue to promote... which gave me an idea. You know how iTunes will tell you "people who bought X also bought Y"? So, I got on iTunes and tried to see how many degrees of separation there really are between BLVD and Ani.
ani difranco
pj harvey
stereolab
zero 7
massive attack
prefuse 73
modeselektor
vibesquad
BLVD
There ya go... i really wanted it to be 6 degrees, but facts is facts. I don't really see a lot of crossover, but maybe some Ani fans were at our show, who knows. Souleye was yelling at them out of our vehicle like a madman!
By: Tripp Bains
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
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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