The Alchemist Teaches His Chemistry To Akai Pro

Posted in Music News with tags , , , , , , on Monday, March 9, 2009 by Tim Althaus

alchemist560 As I’ve mentioned before, Alchemist is one of the best producers in the game right now. Al sat down with the good people of Akai Pro and talked to them about many things, and one of them being how he uses the MPC for production. As many of you may or may not know, Al has been doing tracks for everybody from Mobb Deep to Ludacris in the last 10 years. He is also going to be putting out 3 albums this year (Chemical Warfare, Step Brothers (with Evidence) & Grangrene (with Oh No)) which is a staggering statistic as it is, because everything Al puts out is quality.

The interview probes into a lot of interesting areas of Al’s production. He goes into great detail when he ‘s talking about why legendary producers have always used the MPC for production, but in general he says: “[The] MPC always has and always will be the standard as far as when you’re talking about rap, beats and production. You know, my favorite producers from day one were Premier – MPC. Pete Rock? MPC. Diamond D? MPC. I mean I could go down the list forever. It’s pretty much the standard. It’s good to be able to even follow in those footsteps and keep that tradition going forward. You know, making music that comes out of that machine it sounds crazy.”

Make sure you check out this interview and get all the details because it’s a great insight into the mind of a genius. You can read the original interview here, and make sure you stay tuned to all of the info on the Alchemist’s up and coming projects here on Mind Inversion.

Russian Circles schedule May 2009 U.S. dates

Posted in Concert Dates with tags , , , , , , , , , on Monday, March 9, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Russian Circles, the hard-hitting, rhythm heavy post-rock trio from Chi-town, will be returning to the Triple Rock Social Club for the first time in (I believe) several years. This brief late-April/May tour will also feature Lichens (and Sweet Cobra on every date except the May shows). Even as a three-piece, Russian Circles is a band that sounds immense live; the intimate space and wall of sound that Triple Rock is known to provide is definitely the perfect venue for this kind of music. To put it bluntly, I highly recommend planning this one into your schedule; check out all the dates after the jump! Continue reading

A Movie That is Truly “Straight Outta Compton”

Posted in Music News, Video with tags , , , , , , , on Monday, March 9, 2009 by Tim Althaus

nwaThat’s right folks, you can all start jumping up and down yelling “Fuck the Police, Fuck the Police, Fuck ’em”. An article that I read today at Hip Hop DX mentioned that Dr. Dre, Ice Cube & Tomica Wright (Eazy E’s widow) are all going to be on board as well as producers of the movie. The article also said that they are thinking about a director somewhere along the lines of Curtis Hanson (who directed 8 Mile).

I can’t imagine how gangsta this movie is going to be. N.W.A influenced an entire generation of emcees on the independent circuit and paved the way for cats who wanted to rap for a living.  They did all of  the aforementioned information all while telling a After the success of the movie Notorious I really think that this movie, as well, could be a smash at the box office. Continue reading

Pitchfork Media Site Gets Overhaul, Now Rating Individual Songs

Posted in Music News with tags , , , on Monday, March 9, 2009 by Erik Burg

Great, as if their rating system for albums was ridiculous enough, now here comes this. Ever want to just hear one song off an album and not even give it a fair chance? Well now you can do just that thanks to indie music giant Pitchfork Media. They’ll be rating individual songs and remixes when they come out from now out, on their re-designed website. The most interesting change to the layout is the GIANT ad banner at the top, nice touch Apple (hehe). The site looks a little more streamlined and important, so yeah, good job I guess. Things can only go down hill from here, as Pitchfork looks to cater to the growing population of music listeners who want a single only. Goodbye albums, nice knowing ya.

Track Reviews

Pitchfork

Goodbye sanity and innocence, hello future!

Goodbye sanity and innocence, hello future!

“I’m Not Alone” Gets an Official Video and Release Date

Posted in Audio, Downloads, Music News with tags , , , , , , on Monday, March 9, 2009 by Erik Burg

Calvin Harris‘ blazing new single that’s been blowing up ever since it hit the BBc airwaves a little over a month ago now has an official video. I’m not as big of a fan of the video as I am of the actual track, but still, it’s certainly not bad. He returns with the signature “Bee Hive” look again, which is kind of an interesting motif. Anyway, check it out below, along with some more details about when can get your hands on an official mix. 

“I’m Not Alone” can be had digitally April 5th, or physically on April 13th. Apparently some remixes will be available on the 12th, but as far as who is doing the editing I’m unaware of, so feel free to comment if you know. I’m excited for his new stuff, he really seems to be growing as an artist, and if you weren’t originally a fan of his stuff I’m convinced the new album will convert you. 

MP3: Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone” (Extended Mix)

 

Sunday Metalhead Minute: Skeletonwitch, “Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod”

Posted in Sunday Metalhead Minute with tags , , , , , on Sunday, March 8, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Skeletonwitch premiered an awesome new video for “Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod” this week, and since I’m too bogged down by homework, I’ll let you proceed to the awesomeness without further commentary.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Chicago’s Big Summer Festivals Get First Announcements

Posted in Concert Dates, Music News with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on Saturday, March 7, 2009 by Erik Burg

lolla-091It’s sad to see some of the summer’s biggest festivals go under in this tail-spin of an economy, but the ones that are hopefully gonna stick around for a long time are getting their first line-up announcements. Lollapalooza, arguably the biggest festival of the entire year, and Pitchfork, both got some big line-up news this week, tempting fans to jump on tickets sales early. 

Lollapalooza has only announced a few of the headliners for the event, but it’s a very interesting mix. Jane’s Addiction, The Beastie
Boys, and Depeche Mode are going to anchor the festival this year. Stereogum put it very nicely, “if only it was 1990”. I’m very interested to see how ticket sales go right away, seeing as those acts really aren’t in huge demand. I mean yeah, the Beastie Boys still rock, but Depeche Mode and Jane’s Addiction haven’t exactly stirred my interest lately. I’m a lot more interested to see some of the other acts that will be leaking out throughout the next few months.

Pitchfork, the slightly more budget friendly, yet just as amazing festival has given away a little bit more information about what you’ll be seeing in Union Park this summer. Their friday night line-up, curated by All Tomorrow’s Party called “Don’t Look Back” for it’s theme of older acts playing their most popular albums, has roped in some huge bands again. Yo La Tango, Built To Spill, Tortoise, andp4k-09 The Jesus Lizard will all be playing that first day, but with a little different and completely awesome new spin to it. The entire set lists that the bands will be playing will be voted on by the fans who buy tickets, which go on sale March 13th. A cool idea, an very cool idea. Some of the other acts that will be appearing throughout the rest of the weekend include the extremely popular Grizzly Bear, the National, Vivian Girls, Pharoahe Monche, the Walkmen, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Pitchfork always does an awesome job creating a line-up geared towards all listeners, and this year’s festival is looking to do the same thing. Coupled with the fact that a two day weekend pass is only 60 bucks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this festival sell out earlier this year, gaining attendance from those music lovers out there who aren’t willing to spend upwards of 200 dollars to get to Lollapalooza. 

Check out the links to more information below!

Pitchfork Music Festival,  July 17th – 19th 2009.

Lollapalooza, August 7th – 9th 2009.

FREE sampler: Deathwish/Malfunction/Six Feet Under team up for stellar MMIX of modern hardcore

Posted in Downloads with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on Friday, March 6, 2009 by Ryan Buege

MMIXDeathwish Inc. continues its trend of being the only hardcore label worth paying attention to; this month they’ve teamed up with the Malfunction and Six Feet Under labels to bring their early 2009 sampler of the best active talent on their roster. In addition to tracks from recently released albums by Trap Them, Victims, Supermachiner, and Carpathian, we’re treated to completely new songs from the likes of the legendary Hope Conspiracy (from their forthcoming True Nilihist EP), Pulling Teeth, Coliseum, Integrity, Narrows, Resurrection, and J. Bannon himself. Plus, there’s many more contributions, including some crazy 4o-sec. Doomriders cover of what sounds to be White Zombie’s “Thunderkiss ’65” that bluntly questions “Do You Like to Slam Dance?”.. Well, since you asked, hell yes!  Why don’t more record labels do this type of thing on a regular basis?

Keep reading for the complete tracklist and the FREE download link… Continue reading

“A Yo”, Method Man & Redman Are Back!

Posted in Downloads, Media with tags , , , , , on Friday, March 6, 2009 by Tim Althaus

method_man_redman_how_high_001-757149 I’ve been hearing buzz about a new Blackout! album that is in the works, and let me tell you I’m pretty pumped about it. Method Man & Redman just dropped this new track “A Yo” which features Saukrates and a bomb ass beat. I remember when Meth & Red’s album Blackout! first came out I had that shit. I was like 12 or 13 when that album dropped. Let me tell you, that album didn’t leave my constant rotation for like two years straight. Not only are these two guys great fucking emcees, but they are downright hilarious as well. Blackout! is a classic in my opinion and the thought of these two getting back together for another album makes me think about the possibilities.

These two have established themselves at the top of the game, and this track is one hell of an example. Make sure you listen to the track and stay tuned to Mind Inversion for current information about Blackout! 2.

Download: “A Yo”

Spotted at OKP

WHOAAAA! Mastodon “Divinations” music video is fucking sweeeet

Posted in Video with tags , , on Friday, March 6, 2009 by Ryan Buege

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Watch now! Crack the Skye hits stores on March 24th! Click read more to read the band’s own thoughts on this gorgeous new cinematic masterpiece they’re calling a music video and see their forthcoming U.S. tour dates… Continue reading