Urthboy – Naïve Bravado feat. Daniel Merriweather

31 05 2012

Teaming up with incredible Daniel Merriweather, Urthboy sidesteps peers while exhibiting his trademark sharp flow, songwriting talents and that knack for well-crafted hooks. The concept of Naïve Bravado is like a lamb with a lion’s heart; a broken down car needing a jump start. It’s not a false courage if it leads you out of the mess.

Anchored in running bass lines, ominous horns and monstrous percussive drums—all concocted by the brilliant collaborative production of Count Bounce and Hermitude. Urthboy has kept a frenetic pace since the release of the AIR award-winning, ARIA and AMP nominated Spitshine (2009); with 2011’s Future Shade album from The Herd; and bringing the house down with his rendition of Stagger Lee at Straight To You, triple j’s Nick Cave Tribute concerts.

Naïve Bravado is out now. Taken from Urthboy’s new album, out October 2012. 

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Chasm – Smokey

28 04 2012

This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer.

Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix and Brad Strut.

Chasm approaches beats like a learned artist with a brush, building on classic principles to create evolutionary new music. The collection of beats chosen for the album vary from old to new, moving through down tempo, blunted soul, up-tempo funk, and reggae.

The new clip for the track Smokey lifted from This Is How We Never Die and is produced & directed by Bryce Hooper & Tristan S Edouard.

Chasm Beats  ||  Twitter  ||  Soundcloud


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Categories : allaussie hip hop exclusive, Elefant Tracks, Obese Records

Chasm – This Is How We Never Die

13 04 2012

This Is How We Never Die is the refreshingly on-point third instalment from prestigious Sydney producer Chasm. True to the quality displayed throughout debut album Beyond the Beat Tape (2008), and Move (with Vida Sunshyne, 2010) Chasm proves himself once more as a consummate composer. 

Joined by local and international artists; This Is How We Never Die features USA underground vocal heavyweights AG (Showbiz & AG), Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw), Vast Aire (Def Jux), and Fashawn (One), New Zealand’s Dave Dallas, and Blak Twang (UK). Not to mention an assortment of Australia’s top lyricists including Solo, Lazy Grey, Mdusu, Delta, Dialectrix and Brad Strut.

Chasm approaches beats like a learned artist with a brush, building on classic principles to create evolutionary new music. The collection of beats chosen for the album vary from old to new, moving through down tempo, blunted soul, up-tempo funk, and reggae. Lead single The Truth with its eclectic sample combinations, fuses Latin piano loops with brass accents and futuristic synth solos. Bringing a new shine to the art of braggadocio, the track features emcees The Tongue, Hau, and Dazastah.

Vast Aire and Dialect team up on the sample-heavy Intergalactic. The two brilliant rappers attack the beat as it slams alongside an eerie drone, while delicate piano flourishes glint throughout. I Am Legend features the masterful AG and Delta riffing over classic boom bap teamed with driving keys. Lyrically the track is a soulful reminisce to hip hop’s greats and the legacies left and lived by. This Is How We Never Die is certain to be a historical cornerstone reflective of the unifying strength hip hop inspires. A testament to the power an accomplished producer possesses, bringing the most diverse of artists and fans together.

Track List
1. New Day
2. Rusty Griz Feat. Lazy Grey
3. I Am Legend Feat. AG & Delta
4. The Truth Feat. The Tongue, Hau & Dazastah
5. Soldier and a Thinker Feat. Hau & Blak Twang
6. Highs and Lows Feat. Fashawn, Solo & David Dallas
7. Ruthless Feat. Guilty Simpson & Brad Strut
8. Intergalactic Feat. Vast Aire & Dialect
9. Smokey
10. Dreamin Feat. Gappy Ranks & RuCL
11. I See You Feat. Marvin Priest
12. All Lovely Feat. Phat Kat & Mr. Clean
13. King Pin Shottas Feat. Guilty Simpson, Mdusu & Hau
14. We’ve Arrived Feat. Jeswon, Tuka, Skryptcha, Scott Burns, Rinse & Dialectrix

Chasm – This Is How We Never Die is available through Obese Records on April 27.  

Chasm Beats  ||  Twitter  ||  Soundcloud


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Chasm – This Is How We Never Die

10 04 2012

Chasm’s highly anticpated LP release This Is How We Never Die is due  April 27th through Obese Records and features big names such as AG (DITC), Delta, Lazy Grey, Hau, Brad Strut, Guilty Simpson, Fashawn, Solo, Blak Twang, David Dallas and many more. 

Chasm is one of the leading hip hop producers in Australia, signed to Obese Records for his solo work and to Elefant Traks for his work with his crew Astronomy Class featuring Ozi Batla and Sir Robbo. Having released 2 crew albums, Exit Strategy (2006) and Pursuit Of Happiness (2009) and 2 solo joints in the last five years Beyond The Beat Tape (2008) & Move, Chasm also has a stack of production credits and remixes to his name.

The Truth is the new single from superlative producer Chasm, the first instalment from his upcoming LP, featuring three of Australia’s most proficient emcees; The Tongue, Hau, and Dazastah, the track is innovative and brazen.

From the get-go the track detonates out of a vocal crescendo into its punchy, progressive party feel. Chasm with his exceptional ear for eclectic sample combinations fuses latin piano loops with brass accents and futuristic synth solos. Bringing a new shine to the art of braggadocio, the three emcees effortlessly glide through verses, each repping his distinctive style with assurance. The Tongue, Hau, and Dazastah all wrote and recorded their verses for The Truth in one day. 

Chasm Beats  ||  Twitter  ||  Soundcloud


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The Herd – The Better Alive EP

23 03 2012

In celebration of their A Thousand Lives tour kicking off next week, The Herd are set to release the Better Alive EP. Featuring 7 tracks, and including new single Better Alive, featuring the vocal talents of tour buddies Thundamentals and Sky’High. The single is available now as a free download.

The song came about as a result of a therapy session between The Herd and Thundamentals, following the bike sabotage incident which left The Herd’s Ozi Batla hospitalised. The drama was all caught on tape and has been turned into a reality-web series. 

Urthboy explains “Understandibly there’s been a lot of tension in The Herd and Thundamentals camp of late, but following our therapy session with The Doctor things have really progressed well— this song has been a part of the healing process and both groups are now really excited about the upcoming tour”.

In addition The Better Alive EP contains 4 exclusive new tracks from The Herd’s Future Shade sessions, alongside a complete reworking of the classic Under Pressure, and a bass heavy remix of A Thousand Lives by the fast-rising Sietta. The EP is available digitally from the Elefant Traks now. The A Thousand Lives Tour with special guests The Thundamentals & Sky’High kicks off on March 30 at The Manning Bar, Sydney before heading around the country, full dates here.

1. Better Alive feat. Thundamentals & Sky’High
2. Under Pressure (Repressured Version)
3. Like A Riddle
4. Same Song
5. Darkened Paradise
6. The City
7. A Thousand Lives (Sietta Remix)



Purchase EP  ||  Tickets  ||  The Herd


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Sietta – Dark Passenger EP

21 03 2012

Sietta take an inspired sidestep in creating the hauntingly beautiful Dark Passenger EP, remaining versions of their debut album, The Seventh Passenger released last year. This bold new direction shines the warm glow of the spotlight on the powerful vocals of Caiti Baker.

The emotion and raw honesty in her voice lays bare the heart and soul of Sietta. James Mangohig’s instrumentation is understated but considered, capturing the warmth perfectly with his use of vintage pianos and luscious string arrangements. They switch effortlessly from the up-to-the-minute coolness of bass-heavy electronica into the classic realm of voice and instrument from another era. It’s stunning.

1 Dark Passenger (Haunting Version)
2 I Was A Queen (Count Bounce Piano Remix)
3 Need No Help
4 No Longer Hurt (Dark Ballad Version)
5 What Am I Supposed To Do? (Stripped Back Version)
6 Arrived (Live At Bounce County)
7 Silence (Acoustic Version)

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Mini Documentary on the life of Sydney MC Sky’high Pt. 1

11 03 2012

Elefant Traks announces the signing of Sydney’s Sky’high, arguably the most surprising act to join the label’s roster yet. One of the most compelling artists to emerge from the local hip hop scene, Sky’high’s raw aggression seemingly puts her at odds with many of the Elefant Traks family, but her sheer talent and songwriting skills are undeniable.

Growing up in the housing commissions of Maroubra and Ultimo, surrounded by a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol and violence, Sky’s inner strength guided her through an upbringing completely foreign to most Australian kids. In many ways though, she embodies the spirit of hip hop and staunchly represents her area in a way true to her. She has a natural authenticity; an unpredictability that is kept in check by her fierce loyalty.

Apart from Elefant Traks, another co-sign tells a story about Sky’high’s talent. The highly acclaimed and respected NZ producer P-Money is handling the album’s production. Voted Best Female MC in the 2011 Ozhiphop Awards, Sky’high cites Bobbi Sykes, Betty Davis and The Last Kinection as influences, but there’s little doubt that there is no-one on the planet that sounds quite like her. Sky’high’s debut album is due May 2012. The 5-track Your Highness EP is available now for free on www.skyhighforever.com

Sky’high  ||  Elefant Traks  ||  Your Highness EP  ||  Interview


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Joelistics – The Shining EP

4 03 2012

Following on from Joelistics’ debut from 2011, Voyager, is his electro mutant 7 track remix EP featuring new single The Shining. The Shining picks up where Joelistics left off, forging ahead and pushing his sound further outside the realms of hip hop, into a land of pulsing electro and lush electronica.

He hasn’t abandoned the backstory though, with remixes plunging the EP back into hip hop. The charisma and adventurousness of one of our best lyricists shines through in this reimagined format. Lending their remix touch to Joelistic’s material include TZU band-mate Count Bounce, Monkey Marc, Indie dance outfit Rufus, electronic hip hop producers Damn Mroda, Ishu and more.

Voyager was a real quiet achiever in 2011, with songs such as Glorious Feeling and Days only just missing out on the Hottest 100 and having a strong impact on radio and the live scene. The Shining EP is a digital release which dropped Feb 24,. with a limited edition CD available at shows and through Elefant Traks webstore.

Tickets are now on sale for the Running To Shine National Tour featuring Diafrix and Joelistics. You can purchase tickets  and find out more information on that here.

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P-Money Interview on Sky’High

20 02 2012

A few weeks ago, New Zealand producer P-Money shared his thoughts and experiences on twitter, regarding the production he did with newly signed Elefant Traks member Sky’high. We caught up with P to delve a little deeper in to his role on the Your Highness EP. Check that out below.

How did you first come across Sky’high and what were your first impressions?
I first saw Sky’high rhyming on a YouTube video early last year posted by Sydney’s Fbi Stolen Records.  After watching that video I asked my mate Sam Dutch from Grindin’ to introduce us (I was hyped). We met at a studio in Sydney where she played me a lot of her music. I liked what I heard but I was leaving for New York in a couple days to help with David Dallas and his Rose Tint project on Duck Down, so we decided I would send her some beats and she could record demos to them. I finally sent a couple beats like a month later and Sky turned around and hit me back with two finished songs within 24 hrs. And they were awesome!

What was the first track that you completed with Sky?
The first song we finished was Look At Me Now. The first few demos came out so good that we (Grindin, Myself and Sky) decided to do an EP. We flew Sky out to NZ to record at my house and she knocked out 7 songs in 4 days!

How did the deal with Elefant Traks eventuate?
We had got the ball rolling with the Look At Me Now video (thanks to @askewone) so we did a second video in Don Dada. People liked that shit and Sky’high got some interest from labels in Australia and NZ.  Sky considered what was on the table and made the decision to roll with Elefant Traks, which I’m very excited about. With Grindin’ as management, ET as the label and me on production, Sky has pulled together a great team to support her awesome talent. Now we have the Your Highness EP available and are currently working on her full length album scheduled for a May release.

P-Money  ||  Sky’high  ||  Elefant Traks  ||  Your Highness EP


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Joelistics & Diafrix – Running To Shine National Tour + New Singles

6 02 2012

Illusive, Elefant Traks, SHM and Premier Artists are proud to present the Running To Shine National Tour, combining the dynamic pair of Diafrix and Joelistics, two of Australia’s most eclectic hip-hop forces. Spanning fourteen dates across the country this coming March and April, two of 2011’s breakout acts will grace the stage in a rare joint collaboration tour that kickstarts exciting campaigns for both artists.

Both acts are also excited to announce brand new singles for 2012 – Diafrix with Running It and Joelistics with The Shining. Melbourne duo Diafrix had a bumper 2011, including the release of their biggest single yet with the Daniel Merriweather assisted Simple Man (garnering high rotation on Triple J, Nova and Austereo’s Hot 30), scoring the national support slots for Bruno Mars and Tinie Tempah, accepting an invitation to perform at the UK’s legendary Glastonbury Festival, successfully touring Europe and beginning work on their sophomore album with acclaimed producer Styalz Fuego (360, Aston Shuffle).

Now in 2012, Diafrix kickstart the year with their brand new single Running It, a mellow, catchy creeper that takes in as many indie rock influences as it does from its obvious drum’n’-bass beat pattern. It is a taste of what’s to come from Diafrix’s incredibly eclectic upcoming LP, due for release in mid 2012. Running It hits iTunes on March 9th through Illusive Sounds. After releasing his debut album in 2011, Joelistics returns with the new single The Shining—pushing his sound further outside the realms of hip hop, into a land of pulsing, anthemic electro and lush electronica.

The single will be released on The Shining EP—and will also feature remixes from the likes of Ishu, Rüfüs, Damn Moroda, Count Bounce and Monkey Marc, of tracks off Joelistics’s critically acclaimed debut, Voyager. The Shining EP will be released digitally and as a limited CD edition, and is out February 24 on Elefant Traks.

Tour Dates
Friday 9 March – The Annandale, Sydney
Saturday 10 March – Great Northern, Newcastle
Sunday 11 March – Transit Bar, Canberra
Saturday 17 March – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 March – The Hills Are Alive Festival,VIC
Thursday 29 March – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
Friday 30 March – Bar 120, Hillarys
Saturday 31 March – Hyde Park Hotel, Perth
Sunday 1 April – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle
Thursday 5 April – The Gov, Adelaide
Sunday 8 APril – Republic Bar, Hobart
Thursday 12 April – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay - Free show
Friday 13 April – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
Saturday 14 April – Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Joelistics  ||  Twitter  ||  Facebook 


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