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Thundercat: The Golden Age of Apocalypse

Clare Felicity Reid — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:19 +0000

Sunshine state Los Angeles born Stephen Bruner loves the intergalactic cartoon felines Thundercats so much, he took their name as his own.

With a career’s worth of top-shelf session work with everyone from Snoop Dogg, and brother to Grammy winning drummer Ronald Bruner, Jr. makes the fact that Bruner is both the bassist of Suicide Tendencies, and responsible for this album of electro-jazz fusion seem not quite so odd. Long time friend and part of Flying Lotus Brainfeeder collective, Bruner has tapped into the vein established by Lotus’ Cosmogramma LP of last year-A continuum where break-beats and solo existentialism are paired with abstract sounds.

Bruner’s influences are simple and clear: Jazz and soul then focuses on the electronic aspects. While these inspirations are embellished it is where technological cinematic flourishes, and Bruner really brings something memorable is in his virtuoso playing. Entitled The Golden Age of Apocalypse and issued autumn of last year by the Brainfeeder label, it has already been hailed by BBC radio DJ Gilles Peterson as “the most essential bass player’s album since Jaco Pastorius’ Jaco Pastorius.” Bruner is undoubtedly what was once called a musician’s musician, a practice based enthusiast who reveres good playing and he is unashamed of his talent.

“HooooooO” opens the beat as a short intro with a sample from the 80’s cartoon over a 70’s fusion clip before “Daylight” kicks in with a bumpy psychedelic pop beat with synthetic programming mashed with analog. Breezy and dreamy soulful vocals chants over the up-tempo rhythm; “Open your mind, daylight.” This is spaced out soul from a newly arrived time machine.

It is on the third track, “Fleer Ultra,” that his true loves finally leaps to the fore, because that’s the first time the bass really buzzes. On the mellow “Goldenboy,” Thundercat toys with time signatures, cooing Moogs, and a melodic bass technique that would make Jaco Pastorious proud. The noteworthy “Walkin’” is about as close to convention as Thundercat comes here. The tune struts in all its 80s glory like a would-be Michael McDonald demo submission for Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. Throughout Apocalypse, it’s Bruner’s exceptionally fluid funky bass work that ties together the new millennium computer madness and that feels like they could have been laid down in the analog days of 1974.

However The Golden Age of Apocalypse is likely to confuse a number of those expecting some form of Cosmogramma part deux. It is primarily a jazz album with a touch of electronic interference, and clearly a sum of Thundercat’s numerous influences and co-collaborators rather than drawing on one area in particular. Regardless of the musical position it occupies in comparison to its immediate peers, Thundercat has a defiantly esoteric and individual debut, as well as a fantastic showcase for his remarkable talent. Perhaps not everyone’s cup of coolade, The Golden Age of Apocalypse seems specially made for a hipster SEGA game or long, hot, chilled California sunshine days.

Def Sound Is A Rapper That Thinks Like A Painter

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:30:00 +0000

There’s that “aha” moment after some time of listening to tracks, watching videos, going to shows, reading interviews, following an artist on Twitter, Facebook and whatever social network that suits your fancy where you start to “get” them. I caught glimpses of this feeling while watching the Los Angeles based emcee Def Sound breeze through his charismatic verse on the standout track “Quicksand” from J*DaVeY’s recent mixtape “Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes.” Rapping lines like “paintbrush lust…yeah we paint pictures,” paired with allusions to Salvador Dali and Picasso turn the dance floor at The Masquerade in Atlanta to Art History 101. And I can’t be mad a bit.

After our chat, I got it. Def Sound isn’t just a rapper, he’s a rapper that thinks like a painter. His approach, his output, demeanor and sound are all influenced by some of the same Art and Aesthetic aces we write about daily on Art Nouveau. A Rapper, excuse me, artist like that isn’t going to be your typical run of the mill.
“I was obsessed with Dali at the time,” Def Sound confesses. This heavy influence of visual art on his rhymes also has a deeper meaning and purpose. Def Sound frequents visual inspiration sites like FFFFound.com and Butdoesitfloat.com during the day. Part adoration, and part fascination, to him visual artists are respected more than rappers. “I want to make music that is so good it could be hung up in a gallery…I can’t draw, but I can draw lyrics,” he says before a quick laugh.
It’s no wonder Def Sound has found himself in good artistic company with the likes of Nikko Gray, Afta-1 and LA indie darlings J*DaVeY. Admittedly a huge fan of J*DaVeY, Def Sound met the duo a year and half ago through a mutual friend.
“A friend suggested, you and Brook should link up,” he says. Initially he was “nervous” meeting a band he’d obsessed over musically for a while. After sending music to Brook, with no response, chances of the connection seemed dim. Now a year later he’s working alongside the duo on multiple projects and has been afforded the opportunity to tour the country with them.

Like J*DaVeY, Def Sound is an artist that marches to the beat of his own drum machine. Anything that slightly bends the mold garners some resistance. He recalls a recent encounter at an unnamed Atlanta studio where listeners didn’t “get it.”
“They were hearing, but not hearing it,” he says with a sigh. “Everyone wants to label you, you might as well label yourself.” This prompted Def Sound to give a title to his sound, he dubbed it Trillwave. It’s a sound that Def Sound has pegged as his own, according to him, the main ingredients are that “it’s real, and it feels good.” We talk more of quirky song structures he’s attempting in newer works and nights spent in the studio recording from midnight until 5 a.m.
“When you’re been afforded the opportunity to solely create for a living, I don’t ever want to take that for granted,” Def elaborates on his mad-man like approach to productivity.

Looking forward Def Sound is ready to drop his upcoming project. The cliche for an artist is to say this is the best thing they’ve ever done. And Def Sound is aware of this, and puts out the disclaimer before telling me, this is “The best thing I’ve ever made.” Listening to his recently released mixtape “oooooH!thee.bitchtape” I can’t help but agree.

This Story appears in Issue #6: Kind of Blue available now via Magcloud.

DJ Skeet Skeet Turns J*DaVeY’s Nirvana Cover Into A Party Monster

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:04:36 +0000

Fresh off their recent cover of LA Weekly, everybody’s favorite new wave duo J*DaVeY recently sent us this awesome remix of their cover of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’ While their original cover was a sultry and soothing rendition, DJ Skeet Skeet turns the track into an all out experience in everything late night, early mornings, electronic, drug and sex induced. This is just one you have to hear. Listen and download it below. Macaulay Culkin would approve.

Smells Like Teen Spirit (DJ Skeet Skeet RMX) by I L L a V 8 r

J*DaVeY Takes A Raincheck

Rose Bellefleur — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:55:36 +0000

It’s Sunday evening at the New Era store in Downtown, Atlanta. The hat store is buzzing with life as media and fans begin to pack in for the event that is set to take place: a free J*Davey performance. The crowd isn’t your typical, you’ve got the J*Davey fans mingling with the urban New Era crowd and usually it would be a recipe for disaster, but tonight everything is just fine. After all the promise of Starbucks party platters, wings and Jose Cuervo is enough to make anyone get along.

In the New Era break room, sitting on a half broken stool tapping away at her BlackBerry is Jack Davey. Her signature half mullet/ mohawk has grown out into long layers, she’s wearing glitter leggings, and an oversized white shirt, burgundy shades and Taylor Gang converse. Her other half Brook D’Leau is off to the corner dancing awkwardly to the beats that the DJ is spinning for the rap battle that is going on. There is an outer worldly bond that the two share. Maybe the result of touring together, or working together but nonetheless, I make a point to comment on it. “Have you two ever dated?” I asked all bright and doe eyed. I was expecting no, but the two give me something else to hold on to: “Maybe in the underworld…perhaps,” Jack tells me.

The two met in high school when Brook went to prom with a friend of Jack’s. “She went to an all girls school we met there and didn’t find out until a year later that we were into the same types of music. And we decided to record one song and now we’re here,” Brook adds.

Here as in the New Era store on a Sunday afternoon treating fans to a free performance the day after there packed out performance at the Masquerade. The duo is still high off of there performance from last night. “After all, we’re not on a label so everything is a bit more rewarding,” Brook tells me. Fans are mingling around, taking glimpses into the back room and asking for pictures. In a room full of snap backs, fitted hats, hat cleaner…hats galore, the duo stands out. But the band that originated in Los Angeles and is a compilation of rock, hip-hop, soul and R&B, is used to standing out. Recently released from their deal with Warner Brothers, the duo produced, arranged and organized their “The New World Culture Tour”.

“It’s really about reinvesting your money into your business,” Brook tells me.

Concerning their split from Warner, Brook D’Leau explains, “I think they saw something they liked but had their own ideas of what they ultimately wanted it to sound like and look like and that didn’t coincide with we wanted it to sound and look like. So, we just amicably parted ways. It’s that simple.”

Jacks jumps in, “95% of the artist that signs and the other 5% are willing to take the fall. They are fabricated to a small degree and there is a very small percentage who are actually doing what they want to do, how they want to do it on a label. Most of the time its because of the fact that they have invested in themselves and don’t really need a label…the labels need them.”

It isn’t J*Davey’s first time to Atlanta so they are not at all surprised at the Atlanta hipster crowd that has come out for them, “We’ve been here a few times. I think it may be our third or fourth time,” Jack tells me,“It’s different. I just don’t know how. It’s really flashy here I mean it’s flashy in Los Angeles too. A little bit of the same but with a slower vibe. A little more laid back.”

Tonight, the duo will be performing a couple of songs from their five song Evil Christian EP that was inspired by the simplest thing…life. “Life is always the biggest inspiration. I don’t think you need any other inspiration beyond that. The things that you see in passing. That was the biggest inspiration for us.”

Jack tells me that they were so inspired when they were recording the EP that it took no time at all. “When we’re feeling it, it takes us no time, and when we’re not feeling it, we work on other things. That came together really quickly, it was a no brainer. But we don’t like to rush our creative process. It takes us a while to get it out there, but it’s always worth the wait”

For a woman who was once wearing a half shaved mullet/mohawk and whose burgundy shades in a dimly lit room is the center of attention, I can’t help but wonder what Jack Davey’s definition of glamour is. “Glamour is all relative. To me my lifestyle is glamorous but to another person it might not be. It’s all relative. In the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter. If your project is shit and you’re living glamorously its a facade anyway so we live as real as we are. Its pretty glamourous to me,” she explains.

Concerning her styles she is cites vintage, thrifting and chucks as playing a huge part. “Style is my inspiration. Everyday that I wake up, I’m a different person and my style reflects that. I guess my clothes inspire me. Whatever I see is what gets thrown together. I like my stuff vintage, and I’m also a fan of the Chucks.”

I ask the duo if they are Taylor Ganged and a bit of laugher follows suit. “We’re representing a new division of Taylor Gang. We’re not so cool and swaggy though. We’re the awkward division.”

We begin to talk about some of the sounds that they have been listening to while on tour and Ariel Pink and a few others are mentioned.
“It takes me a while to figure out what’s new and current so I wait six months and if it’s still relevant then I’ll listen to it,” Jack explains.

While on the subject of popular music, Odd Future comes up. “Every journalist that we speak to asks us about them,” Brook tells me.

Jack adds, “They’re cute kids. We’ve know about them for a long time. It’s great to see them finally get what they’re getting. But, they’re cute kids.”

We switch the conversation from music to art and Jack gets a chance to tell me about some of her favorite artists.

“I like Gordon Parks, I love Hedi Sliman. He’s a french fashion photographer who was a designer for Dior. I love Toulouse Lautrec, a lot of old art. When I see it it strikes me. Art encompasses so many things, I can walk outside and see a bomb on a wall and thats great art for me. I enjoy it all for different reasons, what’s not to enjoy? It’s all a way of expression”

With such refined names being thrown around, I’m interested to see what other icons J*Davey hold in esteem.

If you could invite one person dead or alive for dinner, or tea, who would it be? I ask them.

Brook replies, “David Burn.”

Jack on the other hand says Jim Morrison. “We’re kindred spirits. Or maybe…Miles Davis. I’d just invite them all and see which one showed up”

And with that my persona time with J*Davey comes to a dawn. The venue has reached maximum capacity, the line outside is stretching way to long and the fans are getting restless because they want to hear J*Davey.

The “Girls, Girls, Girls” Issue Available Now

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:00:09 +0000

It’s officially spring. The birds are chirping. Pimps and players are flirting. And the girls? Well depending on who you ask, they run the world. It wouldn’t be spring without a tribute to the girls, girls, girls.

Art Nouveau’s Spring issue, entitled Girls, Girls, Girls is a tribute to the art of vintage pin-ups. You can see traces of the influence in just about every contemporary art form, in music they are barbies and Katy Perrys, in film there is always a new hot ‘it girl,’ in art, well you’ve seen pin-up tattoos on everyone from soccer moms to the typical biker guy.

For this issue, we’ve compiled pieces, artists and editorials that both evoke the art of the pin-up and push the art direction of the vintage style into new heights. On the cover Greg Gossel, probably at the forefront of the surge in pin-up art talks about his upcoming show in San Francisco and more. Elsewhere, Lady Aiko, Marcelo Daldoce, J*DaVeY, Oscar Olima, Adrienne Raquel, Alice Vandy and more provide the visual and sonic soundtrack that is sure to keep you stimulated–no pun intended.

Click here to view the entire issue and purchase a copy or two.

[View with PicLens]

New World Culture: J*DaVeY, Blu & Def Sound Invade Atlanta

Benjamin Carson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:40:53 +0000

In the ancient walls of the Masquerade venue in Atlanta, GA came an experience that has only happened once before in the southern state. On a rainy Wednesday night, hipsters, rockers and everyone in between were in attendance to see the LA musical duo J*DaVeY perform and bring their alternative pop sound live and in color to Atliens alike. Although having only released one two sided album to date with another one on the way, followed by four EPs, J*DaVeY has created a loyal following which showed in the attendance for their second debut in Atlanta. People were already crowded around the stage in preparation for a show they would never forget–unless certain toxins prevented them to do so. A night that opened up with notable hip-hoppers such as Atlanta’s own Lyric Jones, KeithCharles and LA rapper Blu ended with a banging performance by J*DaVeY.

As the night began, I approached the murky venue with my dark fedora low as to block the rain from my eyes. I took a quick glance at the billboard sign above that read J*DaVeY and Blu to actualize that I was about to witness something I had never seen. After questioning the ticketer about her iPhone, I took my ticket and walked into the dark hallway that led me to the already live space where the event was to take place. As usual, I walked straight to the bar where I also was able to charge my almost dead phone and start up my tab that wouldn’t close until my phone finished charging. As if the show were waiting for me, the obnoxious host for the night yelled into the mic as soon as the first drop of liquid slid down my esophagus. He loudly introduced Atlanta’s own Lyric Jones to the stage who banged out four songs that had the crowd waving their hands in the air as if a robbery were going down. Her energy was high and everyone in the room could feel it as Lyric gripped the mic and rapped ferociously as the bass shook the floor, almost as if she herself was causing the
eruption.

After DJ Golden’s crew of rapper’s featuring KeithCharles finished their live set, Blu came to the stage in true LA fashion with sagging jeans, a beige coat with a blue cap aiming towards the sky. He had a unique, laid back style of rap delivery that was mixed in with echoes that reverberated across the room. At this point, the alcohol was reaching my system so the sounds felt really cool against my ears as if water had been transformed into sound waves. Blu continued his set with some live songs and some laid back ones which either had you moving your hands or standing in awe.

The moment everyone came for had finally arrived and about 3 and a half drinks down, I made my way to the front to catch a first hand experience. Brook D’Leau, one-half and producer of J*DaVey came to the stage and took his place behind a table filled with midi key boards, beat machines and other firestarter devices. He served as the DJ for Def Sound’s hyped up set.

Soon after, Jack DaVey herself came onto the stage doning a red Where’s Waldo hat on with a draping white shirt just barely hanging on to her body, a pair of tight white shorts and high top white Converse. She began her set in true rockstar fashion with a sweet cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Her voice soared beautifully over the guitar riff made by her illustrious red painted guitar that went perfectly with her outfit. She definitely won me as an official fan after that one. After the song, she put down the guitar and got into her more alternative pop side as she sang songs from her earlier EPs as well as her latest one Evil Christian Cop. From “Quicksand” to “Mama’s Back” the band covered every favorite.

During “Mama’s Back,” she offered for the crowd to join her onstage which of course, no one would pass up. She danced, they danced and it was a party for everyone. In the midst of it all, I stumbled out into the misty air of the outside world to soak in what I had just witnessed. The band ended their set with a new song “Queen of Wonderland.” But fans demanded an encore which prompted Jack straddling atop a speaker to sing a riveting medley of “No More” and “Raincheck.”

The appearance of J*DaVey was a huge success and it diluted anyone in Atlanta who needed to see them live. They really delivered and satisfied all who had high expectations. Atlanta is just one of the many cities that they are to visit as their New World Culture Tour continues until April 14th in Seattle, Washington. If you missed them here in Atlanta, don’t fret we have footage by K.D. Gray and photos by GreatEclectic that’ll make you believe you were there.

[View with PicLens]

Enter To Win Tickets To See J*DaVeY & Blu In Atlanta March 30

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 16:37:10 +0000

Now this is something to look forward to. Next Wednesday, Los Angeles will take over Atlanta as J*DaVeY and Blu hit the Masquerade. The show is apart of their joint 15-date New World Culture Tour. Being a huge fan of J*DaVeY I’m more than excited about this show. I can’t wait to hear live versions of new tracks from their latest project the Evil Christian Cop EP.

Find out how you can win a pair of tickets to see J*DaVeY and Blu on us after the jump.

Here’s the deal. We have a pair of tickets. It’s simple.

If you’re on Facebook post this message to your status: ‘Want To See A Sad Boy Smile? Pay Him’ by GreatEclectic opens April 14 at Studio 900 http://www.an-mag.com/smile

If you’re on Twitter tweet this: ‘Want To See A Sad Boy Smile? Pay Him’ 4.14 at Studio 900 http://www.an-mag.com/smile #Smile

A Winner will be selected randomly. And notified tomorrow morning. Good luck. Go.

The show will also feature Def Sound, KeithCharles and sounds by DJ Golden. Doors open at 8pm, so please don’t be late. For additional tour dates click here.

J*DaVeY & Blu
March 30, 2011
Masquerade
695 North Ave NE
Atlanta, GA

Six Artists & Shows To See At SXSW

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:20:55 +0000

If I get another email about SXSW I’m going to scream. Even louder than I’m currently screaming because I won’t be there. A.K.A. Frowny Face. As painter Tatyana Fazlalizadeh tweeted, “#sxsw feels like all the fun kids leaving school for a field trip and you gotta stay back cus you didn’t get your permission slip signed.” If you’re one of those ‘fun kids’ with permission slips currently frolicking indie music heaven here are six artists and shows you must check out.

6. Theophilus London

If this man isn’t winning I don’t know who is. He isn’t. Theophilus London (Interviewed) A total of 12 shows, if he isn’t everywhere after this something is wrong. Notable shows include the Windish Agency showcase on Thursday evening and his highly anticipated show with Questlove on Friday.

5. Perfect Attendance
The Smoking Section and iLuvLola have teamed with hometown heroes Fadia Kader and SMKA to bring The Perfect Attendance stage to SXSW. If you didn’t know The Perfect Attendance Stage is a known showcase that takes place during the A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta. The lineup includes Aleon Craft, Surf Club, Freddie Gibbs, Mac Miller, and many more. Friday, March 18 you need to be at The Light Bar. Follow Perfect Attendance on Tumblr for more exclusives and show times.

4. Wise Blood
Wise Blood (Interviewed) is an Art Nouveau favorite. You can catch the self proclaimed ‘aspiring popstar’ at at least four shows this year. Notable shows include the Ear of the Beholder Party at The Brixton Wed and the Windish showcase on Thursday evening.

3. ATL gets Weird

Pretty Ambitious and Purge ATL present… ATL gets Weird! I’m loving the lineup. Here’s your chance to see The Back Pockets. If you haven’t seen them live, you need to. The show also features Light Pollution, Abby gogo, Mermaids, Turf War, Sealions, Little Tybee and more. Best of all the show is free. What’s not to like?

2. Move Forward Music x Fusicology SXSW Showcase
I have to wait until the end of this month to see J*DaVeY when their tour with Blu hits Atlanta. You can catch the LA based duo along with a bevy of guests including the aforementioned Blu, Pac Div, Tanya Morgan, Stalley, Homeboy Sandman, YC the Cynic, Troy Ave, Skotch Davis, Curt@!ns and DJ sets by RTC and Meka from 2DopeBoyz. Click here for more information.

1. Odd Future

To say Odd Future is everywhere right now wouldn’t suffice. A million posts on 2DOPEboyz wouldn’t add up. Prepare for the LA based group to take over Austin with high profile performances at shows by MTV, Fader, BIllboard and more. Can we officially dub the term ‘Jimmy Fallon effect?’

Mondays Aren’t Boring When You Have New Music From J*DaVeY

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:56:30 +0000

And they say Monday’s are always filled with ennui. This Monday, Feb 21st, Los Angeles based duo J*DaVeY decided to make today feel like the weekend and drop their latest mixtape Evil Christian Cop. Fans have been waiting patiently for some new work from the duo and now they’ve help up their end of the bargain. The beauty and the beat are currently gearing up for their joint Spring tour with Blu. Take a listen and download the five track mixtape after the jump.

Download J*DaVeY’s Lusty Cover Of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 21:29:38 +0000

I never thought I’d have to type a headline like the one above. I mean who knew “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a song with so much angst, it’s more depressing than anything. Well leave it to J*DaVeY to sex anything up. The Los Angeles-based duo recently released this cover and well, it’s a bit lusty, like i like it. Lead singer Jack Davey brings new meaning to the lyrics “with the lights out” every-time she coos them. Listen and download the track after the jump.

“Nirvana, as well as this song, embodies a realism and ‘fuck-it’ mechanism that Jack and I attempt to create in everything we do” says producer, Brook D’Leau.

MP3: J*DaVeY- Smells Like Teen Spirit (MP3)

Ron English Covers Art Nouveau Magazine’s Summer Issue

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:10:41 +0000

These days Pop isn’t such a dirty word. It’s just another way of saying “Popular.” And there’s nothing wrong with being on top. When Andy Warhol said everyone would be famous for 15 minutes, I doubt even he knew the effects the Internet would have on our popular culture. If any contemporary artist is the direct heir to Warhol’s legacy it’d be Ron English. His mastery at creating not just amazing artwork, but marketable products is a testament to an idea Picasso began and Warhol later perfected.

Also in this seasons’ Art Nouveau Magazine former Terry Richardson assistant Keicchi Nitta talks iconography, Fahamu Pecou, Sarah Weaver and Mr. Brainwash are Neo-Pop saviors, J*DaVeY is ready for the world and eye popping fashion editorials featuring clothing by Mishka NYC, Gold Coast Trading Company, Pepper + Pistol, Stevie Boi Shades, Fresh Printz, Chilly O and more.

The Art Nouveau Summer Issue Super Pop is on sale June 1st at MagCloud.com.

An accompanying art show featuring work from the issue will take place August 5th at Wm Turner Gallery. More details to emerge soon.

J*DaVeY- Outta The Window (Video)

Kendrick 'GREATeclectic' Daye — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:24:17 +0000

In their video for “Outta The Window” J*DaVeY takes us on a mind-bending journey into the desert. The video was helmed by director V-Chip. Originally envisioned as an adventure through an ethereal abandoned carnival, the video took on a new life of its own once the crew discovered a desolate Mad Max-esque setting for the shoot. Watch “Outta The Window” below.