Facts Only: a clownstep remix of KP and Envyi’s Atlanta bass classic “Swing My Way” is going to eventually find its way onto John’s Music Blog. Clipz is an OG of the genre. His music plays behind only the finest ancient clown YouTubes. But this song is brand new. What we have here is a grown-and-sexy take on clownstep, if it’s even clownstep at all. What is clownstep? One of the many questions that keeps me awake at night… Shout to Warp Mode: If this is the music they use for promo, you know it’s going to be a good rave.
Ibex Clone “Nothing Ever Changes”
Got a tip from my guy Pete about a new Memphis all-star powertrio–record out on Goner, natch. The darker side of jangle, with that Grind City touch we all know and love. Music for walking out of the funkypunky 2nd-wave coffee shop at 10:30 on a Wednesday. A.M. or P.M… Doesn’t matter.
BabyTron and Certified Trapper “Live In Milwaukee 2/10/23”
Scene report alert: The Midwest is on fire with chaotic rap energy. I had a blast watching a recap of this show, which happened in the basement of the Rave/Eagles Ballroom, a venue that many Milwaukee residents have a “complex” relationship with. For those who don’t know, the Rave has a billion different rooms. It’s a sprawling building and formally home to a chapter of the Fraternal Order of The Eagles. The one time I played at the Eagles Ballroom (supporting Girl Talk on New Years Eve 2011), we got to hang out in a dressing room that I guess was custom modified for a single Prince concert. A lot of lava lamps. Also: the abandoned basement pool. Some think it is haunted.
No, not the legendary electronica artist SHAMS. This is simply SHAM and he is a rapper from Florida. “Target” has a catchy chorus. It makes fun of someone for shopping at Target. Which is almost something SHAMS might’ve written way back in the day, come to think of it.
The last gig I saw before lockdown was a loaded one: Lightning Bolt, Theusaisamonster, Animental. And the first-of-four was this Providence band. Their new record came out today and it is damaged electronicsplatterpop supreme. Salute the East Coast freakout continuum, still churning.
MIX OF THE WEEK: Finn “Organ Special 24th February 2023”
Do I post too much Finn on John’s Music Blog? Probably. But the guy does the best mixes. Here is an hour of only dance music with organs. A simple idea, sure. But have you seen it done? On this level?