Downtown Records – poetry in an empty coke can

Tei Shi – Keep Running

Posted on March 9, 2017March 9, 2017 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Tei Shi struck a nerve in the zeitgeist in 2014 with hit song “Bassically” and has been running full speed ahead ever since. The NYC-based singer, born Valerie Teicher will release her debut full-length, Crawl Space March 31 on Downtown / Interscope records. The first single of the LP “Keep Running” is sonically aligned with previous efforts — a confident confluence of deconstructed pop, electronic and left-of-centre indie influences.

Speaking on the track, Teicher remarks: “‘Keep Running’ was the first new track I wrote shortly after releasing my last EP. It’s a kind of call to arms to someone you love, to take on and confront all of life’s obstacles together. To fight to stay together through thick and thin. A ride or die kind of love.”

It’s a highly evolved sentiment, much like Tei Shi’s sound itself. Stream below.

MAS YSA – Arrows

Posted on October 28, 2015October 29, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Thomas Arsenault, aka Mas Ysa is an interesting dude — in addition to being a composer and musician who’s toured with Hundred Waters, Deerhunter, and most recently Tanlines, he’s also a visual artist whose work has been displayed in various exhibitions across New York. This year the Canadian-bred artist released his debut LP Seraph via Downtown Records (Chet Faker, Electric Guest). Hearing him speak you wouldn’t think he’d be one to reveal all of his interior complexities so readily, but that is in fact Mas Ysa’s M.O. — pouring all of his fervid feelings into his experimental and genre-bending music.

Take “Arrows” for example, an affective track that commences as a ballad with a breakbeat, picking up speed at the 2-minute mark and eventually bursting into a full-on banger. In a press release Arsenault says as much: “’Arrows’ is sort of a Euro club banger, but also a very personal love song. It comes out of me wanting to make a universal, club-ready track but unwittingly giving into emotion.” His distinctive voice reminds us a little of Rationale in that it’s unconventional in tone, but somehow adds to the potency of the song. Stream “Arrows” below.

The Cactus Channel – Kill The Doubt (ft. Chet Faker)

Posted on September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

Australian instrumental act The Cactus Channel has announced a two-track recording with soul crooner Chet Faker. As formidable fans of both Faker as well as contemporary jazz, this is basically a collab made in heaven for CCP. The two tracks, “Kill The Doubt” and “Sleeping Alone” are purportedly two years in the making, and are available now on vinyl and digital via HopeStreet and Downtown Records. The ten-piece band’s horns and organic instrumentation pair well with Chet Faker’s vocals — who’s typically accompanied by a more electronic backing — and equates to a refreshing hybrid of classic soul and funk. Hear both tracks below.

RMX ROUNDUP: Cyril Hahn + Ryan Ashley / Disclosure + TEEMID / Slow Magic

Posted on August 23, 2014June 20, 2015 by poetryinanemptycokecan

So many remixes, so little time. Which is why every Saturday, we serve up the latest and greatest electronic offerings in a segment called Remix Roundup.

This edition begins with the new one from Swiss producer Cyril Hahn, whose sophomore EP Voices is due to be released via PMR Records (Disclosure, Jessie Ware) any day now. While the now Vancouver-based artist has built a name for himself remixing greats like “Say My Name” from Destiny’s Child in his unique production style, as of late he’s been working on his own material with the help of guest vocalists. Enter Ryan Ashley, who lends his luscious vocals to Hahn’s latest track, “Open,” a house track that splices two recorded sentences over swelling synths, a pulsing beat, and an undercurrent of vulnerability that seems to suggest an open wound. If you’re in the NY area, catch Cyril Hahn spinning TONIGHT, August 23 at Brooklyn’s Output Club.

Next is a reinterpretation of the ubiquitous Disclosure track, “Latch,” which gets a unique makeover from French producer TEEMID. Technically a cover, TEEMID reunites with Canadian singer Daniela Andrade to produce one hell of a deep house rework that’s a complete departure from the original. Listen below and latch on to a free download on SoundCloud.

Lastly, vibe out to the soothing all-instrumental track and recent single from Slow Magic, “Girls.” We were first introduced to the enigmatic producer through his dreamy remix of Delorean’s “Destitute Time.” Since then he’s signed to hit label Downtown Records (Chet Faker, Miike Snow), and is getting ready to drop his new LP How To Run Away September 9. Stream below — local folk can catch Slow Magic live September 23 at DC9.