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THE CLAIM:
In an Oct. 5 news release, the Texas Democratic Party said that Gov. Rick Perry’s “`Pay to Play’ politics led him to send $899 million to an offshore call center in Bermuda.” The statement was referring to Texas’ 2005 deal with a group of companies led by Accenture LLP to run call centers applying the Children’s Health Insurance Program and sign up Texans for programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.
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A Northwest Austin man received a trespass citation after removing Anderson High School’s American flag when he saw it flying after sunset.
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Ghostland Observatory: We dare you to sit still
We are thrilled to welcome to Sound Check one of the hottest bands to come out of Austin in quite some time …
In just a few short years, Ghostland Observatory has not only taken over Austin, as evidenced by their sold-out show at UT’s Hogg Auditorium in January, but it has also swept the nation, playing sold-out concerts across the country and opening for the likes of Beck. After cutting their teeth playing gigs at small clubs around town such as Karma Lounge and Momo’s, the duo broke out in a big way last year with much ballyhooed sets at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.
This year has seen them play red carpet events in Hollywood and gigs in London, with more festival appearances lined up for the summer, as well as a featured showcase at La Zona Rosa on Thursday night of this year’s SXSW. The sky seems to be the limit for this self-made, humble twosome that always brings the dance party with their thumping, sweaty, sensual Electronica Sex Pop. Move with your lover!
CG International: Talking Swedish Brandy with DJ Chicken George
In the 4 years since DJ Chicken George showed up on the Austin music scene, he’s proven himself as a party rocker, a tastemaker and an all-around musical innovator. When he’s not shaking up the local scene, DJ Chicken George travels widely, both around the country and overseas. His second vinyl-only release on European label Swedish Brandy is already out on the continent and due in stores stateside later this month. Almost Urban is pleased to offer an exclusive 360SoundCheck preview of the release, “DJ Chicken George presents The Swed.u.s.h Connection 2” a suave, club-oriented platter that slips through variations of jazz abstraction and soulful groove. We caught up with DJ Chicken George to talk about his travels, the new release and, of course, SXSW.
AU: How did you hook up with Swedish Brandy?
CG: I was V-Zilla’s (Houston) DJ and in 2002, we had toured Sweden with the Narcissists from Stockholm. Over the next year or so, we went back to Stockholm a couple more times for more shows. On my third visit, I contacted, one of my favorite jazzy beats record labels from Stockholm, Swedish Brandy. Initially, my purpose was to make an introduction and just let them know that I was a fan of the label. I brought copies of my CDs as I had played many of their tracks on my mixes. By the end of the tour, I was offered a 12-inch record deal from the label. I came back to the States and compiled a 4 track EP featuring “Jazztronica” beats of producers that I favored as a DJ and music lover. My first EP (“The Swed.u.s.h Connection”) features tracks from Take (L.A.), Hydroponic Sound System (Dallas) and Malcom Kipe (Austin) and my scratches.
When will you be back in Europe and what’s the most interesting thing you’ve observed in the Swedish club scene?
I’ve been working on another European tour for quite some time now. I was just waiting until I had completed my latest 12-inch. Then at some point in the near future, I’ll be heading back to Sweden and this time, I’ll go to the UK as well. The most interesting thing I observed about the scene was the music. I’d never been any place where I found such a wide array of different flavors of music under one roof. The DJ’s there really know how to mix the genres up.
This release seems a little clubbier than the first “Swed.u.s.h Connection,” was that a deliberate choice? Is this an indication of how your interests are evolving?
The “Swed.u.s.h Connection 2” is definitely a bit more uptempo than the first. I was working with completely different producers on this project and I didn’t want it to sound anything at all like the first. I just wanted this release to reflect my styles and tastes as I play a combination of music from downbeat to upbeat tracks that also vary in genre as well.
What motivated the decision to make this release vinyl only?
The label started out only releasing only vinyl. Originally, their audience was mainly DJs and record collectors. After my 1st vinyl release (“#6”), I convinced them to release CDs and and have their tracks available for download to help expand their audience, as I knew that the average person does not own a turntable. My second release will be on vinyl and also available for download on various music sites worldwide.
Who is Lady Alma, and how did your collaboration with Philly’s Illvibe Collective come about?
Lady Alma has been deemed “the Heart and Soul of Philly’s soul scene” among tastemaker circles. She’s internationally known and has worked with everyone from Jazzanova (Germany) and 4 Hero (UK) to King Britt (Philly) and Kindred Spirits (Amsterdam). I met the Illvibe Collective when I was invited to play at their monthly party in Philly called “Body Rock.” I also mixed live sets on their Eavesdrop and Illvibe Radio Shows. I had just started working on my 2nd 12-inch at the time and I’d propositioned to them about contributing a track for the new release and they accepted. I knew they were really good friends with Lady Alma and I suggested that I’d like to have her guest on the track. She was touring frequently and it made it quite difficult for her to commit to recording vocals the track. After a few months of trying to get her in the studio, they somehow managed to catch her right before she went out on tour again. That’s when the magic happened! The Illvibe track is the only track with vocals on the EP It’s one of my favorites. Lady Alma is simply an amazing vocalist. I feel very honored to have her contribution on my release.
“Overthrowed!” featuring Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna is a pretty mind-boggling jazz-funk fusion piece. Since all three of you are currently living in Austin can we expect a live rendition at some point?
You can definitely count on a live rendition sometime in the future. I’ve been working with Adrian Quesada for over two years now with his Grupo Fantasma and Brownout! projects. My first collaboration with Martin Perna was on the “Overthrowed!” track. The chemistry was powerful. We collectively decided that we’d all like to continue to work together. Both are phenomenal musicians and I am looking forward to working on more projects.
Your music has such a strong global appeal. Have you had any memorable interactions with foreign fans who know you through the Internet?
Actually, I recently got an e-mail from someone in London telling how much she enjoyed my music. She stumbled across my mixes hosted on ThePlayers.fm music site and really liked them. She said that she had “been listening to (my) mixes on the Players Association Web site all day at work and It makes (her) day a lot more enjoyable!” I think that’s one of the most gratifying compliments that any musician could ever receive. It’s moments like those that give purpose to your music endeavors.
Anything good going on for SXSW?
March 13th will bring a special edition of my Move Somethin’ series at Whisky Bar! I’ve invited JRocc of the World Famous Beat Junkies/Stones Throw Records to play with me on 4 turntables. Sharing the soundtrack for the night will also be DJ Tats of the Table Manners Crew. Look forward to uptempo “Jazztronica” beats with plenty of mixing and scratching. Just be prepared to Move Somethin’!
DJ Chicken George opens for the legendary Wailers on Thursday, Feb. 8 at La Zona Rosa. He also performs with Grupo Fantasma at the Parish on Friday, Feb. 9 and Antone’s on Saturday, Feb. 10.
360SoundCheck listening party: Mike & Ike
In 2006, the hip-hop duo Mike & Ike seemed to slip onto the ATX scene under the radar then slowly rise on of a wave of steadily building buzz. Featuring the combined talents of UT graduates emcee Mic Flow (Michael Richardson) and emcee/producer Alpha 2020 aka Ike (John Isaac Ramos), the group’s debut album “Introducing Mike & Ike” circulated in Austin’s indie hip-hop underground and beyond, receiving high acclaim for its lush, soulful production and consistently intelligent rhymes. Meanwhile, Mike & Ike themselves began storming stages all over town, becoming regular fixtures at the Whisky Bar’s hip-hop sessions and landing a coveted opening spot for hip-hop legend Rakim at Emo’s.
“Introducing Mike and Ike” is a solid offering and a breath of fresh air for those of us who miss the late ’80s/early ’90s, Native Tongues era of hip-hop. Rejecting the gangsta aspirations that plague so much of today’s commercial scene, the entire album resonates with a deep and personal love of true-school hip-hop culture. It’s intelligent, politically savvy music that never ceases to inspire a head bob.
360SoundCheck is pleased to present a full-album listening party of “Introducing Mike & Ike.” To round out the occasion, we hit up the artists themselves for a little insight on the work.
Almost Urban: Give me three adjectives to describe “Introducing Mike & Ike.”
Mike: Honest, sharp, soulful.
Ike: Soulful, honest, intelligent.
What’s on your mind at the beginning of 2007?
Mike: Staying focused. Staying dedicated to my goals.
Ike: Sacrifice and work.
On the track “Real Talk,” you call out “fake cats who are offending you.” Can you name names?
Mike: I wasn’t talking about anyone specifically. I believe many people in the industry, at all levels (underground, mainstream, CEOs, promoters, etc.) and in all regions, are being dishonest to others and themselves. “Real Talk” attempts to shed some light on that dishonesty by honestly telling y’all how I feel.
On the track “Time Traveler,” you talk about taking hip-hop’s sound back in time. What’s your prognosis on hip-hop today? Is it really dead?
Ike: Hip-hop is well and alive … The average person just isn’t exposed to enough of a variety, unfortunately.
Name three classic albums you draw influence from.
Mike: “Midnight Marauders” - A Tribe Called Quest, “Moment of Truth” - Gang Starr, and “Things Fall Apart” - The Roots
Ike: “The Low End Theory” - A Tribe Called Quest , “Reasonable Doubt” - Jay-Z, “The Main Ingredient” - Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth
When you’re not rocking the mike, where in Austin do you get your groove on?
Mike: We’ve been doing shows at Whisky Bar recently and I like the vibe they got over there. Also, I went to UT and I’m from Houston, so anywhere I can watch a UT or a Houston Rockets game while having a beer is cool with me.
Ike: I like to kick it at Whisky Bar, Plush, Red Fez or wherever my man DJ Diamond Tip is spinning.
What’s up next for Mike and Ike?
Ike: We are still promoting, selling and doing shows off the album. I also sent a batch of new beats to Mike recently, so you can definitely start expecting new material from Mike and Ike.
Mike: We’re gonna stay on our grind and try to take it to the next level. We started working on the next Mike & Ike album. We’re gonna continue doing shows with DJ Diamond Tip, and also with the band In the Pocket.
Any shout-outs?
Ike: The list is too long, but I definitely have to shout out the immediate family, DJ Diamond Tip, Poise, Global, Checho, The Projeckt, Abe, Chopsteak and In The Pocket. I also have to give a shout-out to everyone out there in the hip-hop community, whether they are supporting, doing or living it.
Mike: I gotta give a shout-out to my family, my homies at UTMB in Galveston, my people in Houston and Austin, the Soul2020 crew, In the Pocket, and everybody that has supported the music. We appreciate y’all, for real. Peace!
2007: Year of the Fantasma
My prediction for 2007’s great Austin music success story? Grupo Fantasma, the little cumbia band that could, blows onto the international music stage in a very big way. Back in November, I told y’all about how Austin’s favorite border-town funk outfit had picked up a residency gig at Prince’s glitzy Vegas nightclub, 3121, as the Thursday night house band. Well, not only has that residency been extended through March, but apparently the Purple One has taken to sitting in on the band’s sessions, astounding the bandmates at their most recent Thursday gig.
“He just grabbed a guitar, jumped on stage and played a song,” guitarist Adrian Quesada said, understandably awestruck.
And in the freshest piece of “local Latino dance faves hanging out with international supercelebrities” news, the band played at Prince’s Golden Globes afterparty to a packed audience of Tinseltown A-listers. Thrown together at the last minute, the shindig (which took over the top two floors of the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills) was essentially a high-powered house party with Grupo Fantasma functioning as Prince’s backup band.
“We were just improvising, and Prince would lean over every so often to ask what key we were playing in,” says Quesada, trying to describe the surreal scene. Mary J. Blige, Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and Talib Kweli all took turns sitting in on the set. Meanwhile, out in the audience the band peeped P.Diddy and Justin Timberlake breaking it down while the likes of Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise milled about. When J-Lo walked in, the Latina diva marched directly to the front of the stage and spent a good part of the Grupo’s set shaking her famous derriere a few feet from the band. Her hubby Marc Anthony jumped on stage. Cuba Gooding Jr. reportedly “lost his (mind),” and climbed on top of a speaker whooping before the party was over.
Whaaa … ?!
2007: Grupo Fantasma is in the MIX!
To celebrate the band’s success, 360SoundCheck is hosting a Grupo Fantasma listening party. Comprising 13 tracks from all three of the band’s releases, we invite you to settle in, turn the music up and get ready to groove with Grupo Fantasma.
