arizona, general, hip-hop

602’sdays benefit for Mr. Puma: Nov. 1 at Bikini Lounge

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I’ve spent time waxing nostalgic on this site about the Bombshelter DJs, the three-man collective (Z-Trip, Radar and Emile) that I was fortunate enough to see perform regularly in the Tempe/Phoenix area during the mid to late ’90s. They are, without a doubt, some of my fondest live music memories. Those guys were open-minded and forward-thinking, proving you didn’t have to be one one coast or the other to start – and sustain – a movement.

But the weekly gigs and one-off shows weren’t just about turntablism. There were b-boys (props to the Furious Styles Crew) and live art (usually courtesy of Jim Mahfood), but the glue to it all was Mr. Puma, the unflappable emcee with a kind smile and killer verse.

Big-name guests came and went at the various Bombshelter nights, but for me, just a college kid and aspiring newspaper reporter/writer who devoured all things hip-hop, guys like Puma made a huge impression – not only on me, but on the scene he represents.

Without sounding overly dramatic about it, it’s time for the scene to pick up one of its own. I’ve been able to reconnect with Puma via Facebook, where he’s opened up his fight with cancer. Phoenix’s Djentrification is dedicating his 602’sdays night at Bikini Lounge to help raise money to defray Puma’s medical costs. I messaged Puma, asking him if he’d mind if I posted about what he’s going through, and he was (as expected) in good spirits and very forthright about his condition. With his permission, here’s what he said: “I found out that I had a retroperitoneal seminoma tumor, the size of a softball, surrounding my aorta, renal and messanteric arteries, about 9 weeks ago. I have been in chemotherapy for six weeks, have another six to go.”

Guests on Tuesday include M2, Robby Rob, Tricky T, Smite, Rani G and more.

Puma’s been working on a new two-man project called The Gentlemen Ether, which, from the small bit I’ve heard, pushes far beyond the constraints of traditional hip-hop (but that doesn’t surprise me because he’s always shown an eclectic ear for music). Check out the Gentlemen Ether’s “Whoompsh” below, and do what you can to show up to the Bikini Lounge on Tuesday or at least help spread the word.

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New Nada Surf: When I Was Young

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At 44, Matthew Caws isn’t exactly old. But with a career that’s spanned 15 years (and counting) since the release of Nada Surf’s first album, the band’s frontman is feeling reflective on “When I Was Young,” the lead single from the forthcoming album The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy (due Jan. 24 on Barsuk).

The man who sarcastically offered advice on the politics of teenage popularity – still a great song – is now taking inventory on life in his 40s. Thankfully, Nada Surf has aged gracefully.

“When I Was Young” finds Caws embracing the moment, the sort of earnest writing that took the band from the awkward teen years of “Popular” into more refined territory: “When I was young / I didn’t know if I was better off asleep or up / Now I’ve grown up / I wonder what was that world I was dreaming of.”

Stars is Nada Surf’s seventh album and first of new material since 2008’s Lucky.

hip-hop

Deru (feat. Casual): Spliff

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I’d say the last thing the world needs is another homage to weed in song form. But what I’m reminded of here is that we can never get enough Casual, a founding member of the Hieroglyphics crew, which is headed for a three-city spin through Arizona in January (via Universatile Music).

Less celebrated than his Hiero cohort Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual nonetheless has been a force since his 1994 debut Fear Itself. (Side note: Fear Itself was one of Hiero’s early releases on Jive before the label dropped the group, which then went on to form its own successful label, Hiero Imperium. As recently reported, Jive won’t last nearly as long.)

For “Spliff,” Casual teams with L.A.-based electronic musician Deru for the A-side of a new 7-inch Mini-Mini-Me (Gift of Gab guests on “Bad Bad Man” for the flip). This is Deru’s first collaboration with rappers, and he couldn’t have picked a better duo, with Casual easily navigating the bleeps and bloops a more non-traditional hip-hop beat.

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DJ Shadow: Border Crossing (video)

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bordercrossing

“Border Crossing” – off his new album The Less You Know, The Better – is DJ Shadow’s entry into the immigration debate, with Arizona’s controversial SB 1070 law the obvious inspiration.

The song’s aggro metal riff certainly suggests Rage Against the Machine-like political fury, but the sepia-toned, seizure-inducing visuals complete the picture for the instrumental’s theme.

I definitely applaud DJ Shadow for taking a stand (Sheriff Joe Arpaio should be tied to a chair and forced to watch this video on loop). That said, I don’t see Shadow’s name on the list of Sound Strike artists boycotting Arizona, so I certainly hope he’d feel compelled to come to our state to perform and help educate the masses.

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Incoming: Wilco, Jan. 21 at Gammage

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wilco

This show announcement has awoken me from my recent blog hibernation: According to a Facebook post from the band’s official HQ, Wilco is playing Gammage Auditorium in Tempe on Jan. 21. And that’s an official screengrab of said post.

What you probably already know is that Wilco’s new album, The Whole Love, came out last month, one of the many albums piling up that are demanding my attention.

I have zero ticket information, but I can only assume this is a Stateside Presents show. More info as it comes. Full list of dates at the band’s website, too.

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New Phantogram: Don’t Move

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phantogram

Lest too much time lapse between album releases, electronic-pop duo Phantogram (whose debut, Eyelid Movies, came out in early 2010) will release a “mini-LP” next month. Nightlife is due out Nov. 1 on Barsuk Records.

The label unleashed the first track of what appears to be a six-song collection – a handy companion to the fall tour (which stops in Phoenix on Nov. 5) and something to bridge the gap until the next album is released.

Josh Carter (vocals/guitar) says Nightlife serves as “kind of an extension” to Eyelid Movies, and Don’t Move certainly retains that album’s feel with its synth/horn stabs punctuating another of the group’s hip-hop-inspired beats.

RELATED:
Phantogram: Mouthful of Diamonds (feat. ?uestlove)
I Used to Love H.E.R.: Sarah Barthel (Phantogram)
Phantogram: Mouthful of Diamonds (live on KEXP)

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People Under the Stairs: Highlighter

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I’m in the process of purchasing/downloading my copy of Highlighter, the new album from L.A. hip-hop duo People Under the Stairs.

I’m a big fan of Thes One and Double K for numerous reasons, and the video above is just another. Their laid-back brand of California cool has just always struck a chord with me. And, to be honest, I haven’t heard a lick of Highlighter yet; hell, I had no idea the release of a new album – their eighth – was imminent. It’s a good idea to pay attention to my email every now and again.

Anyway, check the video of Thes One discussing the digital transformation of the new album, which the group claims to be the first ever commercially released in the Fraunhofer 24-bit HD-AAC. In other words: It’s gonna sound pretty awesome. I wouldn’t doubt it coming from a guy who restores vintage stand-up arcade games. The gearheads out there will probably find this somewhat fascinating, but it’s easy enough for the casual fan to follow along.

And here’s a brief video trailer/teaser about the making of Highlighter:

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WATERS: For the One (video)

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waters

I should probably do more drugs. This video for WATERS’ “For the One” would then make total sense. Maybe.

Either way, it’s a trip. I think every Arizonan who hangs a dreamcatcher from their rearview mirror could learn a lesson here.

Out In the Light, the new album from ex-Port O’Brien frontman Van Pierszalowski’s new project, came out today.

RELATED:
WATERS (ex-Port O’Brien): For the One
I Used to Love H.E.R.: Van Pierszalowski (on Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III)

general

DJ Shadow (feat. Tom Vek): Warning Call

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DJ Shadow - The Less You Know The Better

So, Tom Vek disappears for five-plus years and now he’s showing up everywhere (not that I’m complaining). It’s good to make up for lost time. After dropping his sophomore album Leisure Seizure in June, he’s now showing up as a guest on new track for DJ Shadow. You could say Vek’s name is, uh, being plastered everywhere.

Warning Call comes off Shadow’s forthcoming album The Less You Know, The Better, due out Oct. 4 on Verve.

I wouldn’t have expected this collaboration (I guess Vek didn’t either), and the skittish, dance-y energy seems tailored to Vek’s style.