Z-Dar - Singularity (artist/music review)

Whatsup everybody? Z here once again and I'm coming to you to share with you Singularity. he is an artist that's been on the radar  as an up an coming producer from the states for quite some time and as a personal favorite I've wanted to cover for a while now. So due to his plethora of new tracks off his Breathe EP (free download!), I figured what better time than now? He has a style that is very precise on his productions, it have remnants of chip tune sensibilities that stand out well with tight production quality and crunchy rhythms that melt together amazingly as stand alone melodies that give a sound that boarders somewhere between Gameboy and alien crystalline planet. So today all you EGPunks, I'm gonna give an artist overview to the LA native Singularity, and play you some tracks from the new EP as well as some of my favorites from the back catalog.

Singularity - Fracture *FREE DOWNLOAD* by Singularity

Fracture is one of Singularity's newer tracks, taken off the Breathe EP. It's definitely one of the more interesting takes on a Glitch-Hop ensemble, with catchy rhythms overlaying the whole piece and drops that are on the less abrasive side that come elegantly after melted interludes. The arranging is top notch and the tight synth work that Singularity is quickly making a name for himself with is more apparent than ever.

Singularity - Crave *FREE DOWNLOAD* by Singularity

Crave is an amazing piece of art. It's melody instantly drags you into a comforting space with a electro vibe that has a lot to be admired. It's clean drum play has some real staying power keeping the overall flow of the track going well and the vibe high as hell. If that's not enough, it then smacks you in the face with some impressive vocal work that is consistent enough to be a feature but not done too long and frequent to take away from the actual song structure itself and to top it off it was done by Singularity himself. Multi faceted and talented in all fields I hope to hear more all encompassing work by the man In the future.

Singularity- Pulse *FREE DOWNLOAD* by Singularity

Pulse is a more reserved entry ensemble wise as it keeps to the tried and true dubstep formula, but don't let that fool you one bit. It's impressively done. It keeps a more airy vibe throughout and just lets the drums carry it through for most of the way giving a more Trance-esque feel that breaks off into a more liquidy breakbeat/drum and bass motif before it drops into a glitchy, crunchy, all around fun before bering it back to that trance feel you got comfortable with before. Not a party song by any means but one of his best chillout songs to date.

Singularity - Breathe (Feat. Steffi Nguyen) *FREE DOWNLOAD* by Singularity

Breathe, if you hadn't already figured out, is the title track to the newest EP, featuring vocals by none other than Steffi Nguyen who Singularity has used before on his song Fade. It's probably the most varied out of all the tracks on Breathe with super tight production quality and drum play that gets the intensity without breaking the overall chillout vibes from the beginning that are only intensified by the vocal, until it drops abruptly turning it into the banger you wouldn't immediately notice. Deserving of being the title track as I see it incorporates a lot of the skills from the previously featured tracks melded together in a way that gives it a stand alone feel.

Singularity - Earthbound (Original Mix) * OUT NOW ON ITUNES* by Singularity

This one off Singularity's back catalogue released about a half a year back is called Earthbound, It has a jumpy Glitch-Hop feel that keeps you dancing. It presumably features vocals by Singularity himself, It hasn't been made official but it sounds exactly like the person who does Crave which Singularity came out and said he did himself. It has more a video game chip tune feel to the entire thing that is done tastefully without being annoying, and the Mario jump is a fun touch.

Singularity - Nanox (Original Mix) *OUT NOW ON BEATPORT* by Singularity

Nanox is another one off the back catalog that was released a little more than a half year ago. It's one of the most cliff diving vertigo inducing tracks Ive heard in Glitch-Hop history. It bring euphoria whenever it kicks into overdrive from one modest end of the EDM spectrum till it soars into space with an impressive melody that glitches itself into percussion, and the only way that makes any sense is if you check it out yourself.  Finding impressive ways to be hard hitting as the best of them without being heavy to the point of being generic and abrasive.

Singularity is definitely one to keep on the radar, hopefully someone books him in NY or tries to get him on a few festivals that I could take the time to check out because I'm interested in seeing how he can do live sets. His sound is original to him as not much people in the same fields of genres take their time to cultivate a distinct difference in sounds that they can call their own so to see that progress further and taken into the live music territory would be nice. Any promoters who check our site out and I know there are a good number of you can make that happen, but for now go to his website and check out the new Breathe EP along with other music.

Festival Overview - Counter Point Music Festival

Even though there's so many awesome festivals going on and that we're covering, one that really catches our eyes is one we hope to make our next big adventure, Counterpoint Music Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. This seems to be the last big festival of the summer, with camping and a stellar lineup it may be your last opportunity to experience the magical power of a strong music festival in 2012. Located only 20 minutes outside of Atlanta on 8000 acres of woods along the Chattahoochee River, it's a first time festy brought to you with a big name backing it, MCP Present. Counterpoint features a lineup that's stocked with names you knew, names you know, and names you want to know.

Adventure Club

Zeds Dead

Pretty Lights

They released their day by day schedule and it has definitely gotten me excited. Thursday starts it off strong with such up and comers as Adventure Club and Run DMT with festival favorites Beats Antique and Big Gigantic headlining. Friday expands the lineup with something for you wherever your tastes may lie. With headliners Bassnectar, M83, and Aviici, and performances from such amazing acts as Atmosphere, Feed Me, Crystal Castles and Excision with over a dozen other acts.

Memories of Camp Bisco, also Brought to You By MCP Presents

Then Saturday closes big with headliner after headliner. Skrillex, Laidback Luke, Zeds Dead, Lotus, and Pretty Lights, who's label Pretty Lights Music is getting special attention with almost there entire roster having a slot on Saturday. So check out the lineup and start getting excited cause were now less than a month away, so if you haven't already started, I'd start getting ready cause this one is going to be unreal.

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Keep checking back here for artist spotlights and news in the coming weeks!! Also follow us on Facebook for updates, photo albums, and videos!!

The Z-Dar: Haywyre

Where to start?! What's up people Z here, and I'd like to share with you an artist that has had my ear for quite some time. Haywyre is the name, and if you hadn't been up on this increasingly popular artist then just let me enlighten you for a bit. Martin Vogt has a style that can only be called his own with a sick mix of electronica fused with dubstep, Hip-Hop styling, and classy Jazz breaks that come together nicely. He's definitely one of the more talented artists as he masters and produces all of his own stuff, and incorporates tons of live instruments in his recordings as well. He is definitely one to be on your radar and today at EGP we're gonna share and review some of my more favorite tracks by the experience known as Haywyre.

Mezmerize by Haywyre

This first track is off his most recent album Infinite Which is available for free by the way via Bandcamp where you can find a lot more of his music, Its stylings give almost a nostalgic feel with a very video game-esque feel that comes together nicely with an ambient flow in the beginning crushing into one of the most liquidy smooth drops I've heard in a long time. Definitely a favorite by most who know the extended discography.

The Observer (Preview) by Haywyre

This next one is off the Encompassing EP which is available at Beatport. It has an almost dark grinded glitch hop feel with great highs that bring the song full swing into an emotional roller coaster. The real drums in the overall package give it a very evil Big Gigantic feel. This song is totally nuts in the best way possible and its one that I frequent a lot, and that's hard to do. 

This hard little gem is off of his album The Voyage also available on BeatPort. It shows off his harder side with a Dubstep outing that boarders almost on mysticism. It definitely entrances with its sick breaks, and dramatic style. Another personal favorite I thought would be great to share.

Another one off of The Voyage, this track Atmospheric Evolution shows the intense versatility of Haywyre as it starts off with some smooth jazz, all instrument work done by Haywyre himself that prove his legitimate musicianship. It's one of those laid back tunes you play to get that fix of some harder Glitch Hop without getting too intense. Stuff like this really certify that he's got a lot more potential that I feel future releases will blow people out of the water.

Raw Crunch by Haywyre
 

Raw Crunch ft Jay Fresh by Haywyre
 

Rawest of the Raw, Raw Crunch, My FAVORITE track off Infinite, goes ridiculously hard with some of the chillest lightest glitched out intro and interludes that make an altogether full spectrum song. With one of the dopest funk influenced drops you can ever imagine with vicious velocity inducing highs that make anyone wanna dance. It's a killer for sure and there are even two versions of this song at your listening disposal. The second one features rap by none other than Jay Fresh It adds a lot of emotion to the overall package that was already a great track made even better. A god send for DJs that wanna mix some variation into their sets if they are already on the haywyre train.

As you can already tell Martin Vogt of Haywyre spares no punches in his race towards EDM glory. Keep your eyes and ears open for him, He's climbing in popularity as we speak and I for one look forward to seeing him at tons of events and festivals in the future. He has six releases available for download and purchase here at his website but I'll list some quick links for your ease.

Haywyre - Lotus (2009) (FREE!)
Haywyre - Of Mellows and Revalations (2010) (FREE!)
Haywyre - Dubsonic (2011) (FREE!)

Haywyre - Infinite (2012) (FREE!)

Haywyre - Encompassing (2012)

Haywyre - The Voyage (2012)

Love & Light

Z

The Polish Ambassador: Superpowers EP Preview (Fitz)

So, The Polish Ambassador has returned with more news of a future filled with space aged beats. His new album "Superpowers" (which is being released FREE on his website on August 1st) is a marked departure from his last release, Homeboys in Outerspace 2. Sounding more similar in tone to his more recent Explosions in the Sky and Bon Iver remixes, this new EP has six originals that seem to suggest the Ambassador is trying to increase the population of his listeners in more ways than one. This is straight baby-making music with a beat. Equally befitting  night stargazing on an empty beach or a trek home from whatever strange planets your adventures have brought you. You can check out the albums first single "Earth Crush" on his soundcloud now, and while you're there you should catch up with all his music. If you haven't been following The Polish Ambassador already, do a little homework 'cause this mans music is definitely out of this world.

 
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine (The Polish Ambassador Remix) *FREE DL** by Polish Ambassador
The Polish Ambassador - Earth Crush by Polish Ambassador
 

You can catch The Polish Ambassador live on tour. He appearing this Sunday, July 29th at Catalpa on Randalls Island, New York, and at Gnarnia in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. The Polish Ambassador's live performance is something you have to see to believe. Imagine a non-stop flow of every type of song, regardless of genre or generation, that makes it impossible to stand still. I frequently refer to his last NY appearance in March with Stephan Jacobs and Alpha Data as minute-for-minute the best show I had ever seen in NY, and I am looking forward to as much time with the Ambassador as I'm allowed.

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Camp Bisco Artist Spotlight: Alpha Data

Camp Bisco 11 starts tomorrow! All throughout the weekend we will bring you different artist spotlights from an awesome guest writer who was just returned from a 6 month festy tour. I am pleased to introduce you to the very well cultured and well traveled Fitz!

Alpha Data on the Grind

Alpha Data is an artist who struck me by surprise when I saw him open for the Polish ambassador this past March. I was first struck by his inventive sampling, in particular his use of clips from the early days of internet meme culture, in songs such as “I'm a computer” or “WTF, mate”, and then by the tasteful and hard hitting choice of remixes ranging everywhere from cherished album tracks “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” by the Flaming Lips and cultural standards like Wild Cherry’s “Play that Funky Music White Boy”, to breathing new life to such recent hits as the Red Hot Chili Peppers “Snow” or Muse’s “The Uprising”. His most recent release “ADHD” shows a good portion of his range from upbeat glitch hop like the aforementioned “WTF, mate” to heavy electro-house like the title track “ADHD”.

If this promising young producer has managed to craft these beats while finishing his law degree, I cant wait to see what hes been able to do on his summer vacation. Be sure to catch his set at 12:30 to 1:30pm on the label stage for a chance to catch one of the most talented up and coming producers playing this festival.