Fresh from releasing one of the most talked about albums of 2012, Urthboy hits the road with a new live band and a j Award nomination. Urthboy’s new album Smokey’s Haunt has received a phenomenal response after debuting at #14 on the ARIA Album Chart. It was triple j Album of the Week, The Australian gave it a 5 star review saying it was “absolutely captivating” and it was announced just this morning as a nominee for the 2012 j award.
From Rolling Stone to The Sydney Morning Herald and beyond, Smokey’s Haunt has been lauded for its storytelling, receiving 4 star reviews across the board with many calling it Urthboy’s most accomplished album. Fittingly, he’s put together a live band and a refreshed sound to tour the album in 2013 alongside cohort Jane Tyrrell. If you’ve been to one of their shows you can testify to the infectious spirit of their live performances—there’s a warmth to the music that perfectly suits live drums and keys.
Supporting are two recipients of the Hilltop Hoods Initiative, the latest Elefant Traks signing Jimblah (whose star is on the rise with his signature soulful hip hop sound) as well as One Sixth, the exciting young MC hailing from Namibia and residing in Melbourne, whose stunning debut album Electronic Mail just dropped on Obese.
All pre-sale ticket buyers will receive a free MP3 remix of Knee Length Socks by Trials. Tickets on sale now. Smokey’s Haunt is out now on Elefant Traks.
A killer flow from California’s Mighty Joe, paired with Ishu’s big beats and sample trickery, Way To Go is the first peek at the new album Hand Made, due for release in November, 2012.
Produced after they met in Melbourne and worked on the MoneyKat album release, the track discusses the topic of which direction to take in life, with conscious lyrics and driving hip hop beat.
An apt topic for the duo, who met when Mighty Joe was travelling from his native land of the USA, not long after Ishu’s debut LP A World In Progress which was written whilst travelling abroad. A World in Progress enjoyed support nationwide earning the producer a spot on various stages including the Dub Shack at Peat’s Ridge Festival, and the support slot for Joelistics Voyager tour. The main single Progress (feat. Mantra) was chosen as Catch of the Day on triple j’s ‘Mornings with Zan’ show.
The new album Hand Made will be available in November and features artists Mantra, Jeswon (Thundamentals), Candice Monique, One Sixth and Omar Musa. Equal parts dancefloor ready hip hop and downtempo electronic soul grooves, Hand Made’s production ranges from chopped sample based melodies to synth infused rhythms, drawing the listener in to an epic soundscape from start to finish.
One Sixth has been hip hop’s best kept secret for too long. Today, the brilliant young lyricist has released his highly anticipated debut album Electronic Mail through local indie label Pang Productions together with Obese Distribution. After winning the prestigious Hilltop Hoods Initiative in 2010, buzz surrounding One Sixth’s first LP has been building rapidly.
Bolstered by his memorable on-stage presence, and frequent stand-out guest verses, One Sixth’s name is constantly dropped by the local hip hop elite (usually in the context of “most promising” or “favourite” Australian rapper).
Notoriously personable and comical, One-Sixth has connections among all facets of the scene, and a strong and supportive following as a result. Electronic Mail is a concept album themed around the poignant and increasing apparentness of digital communication. Together with the Nokia 3310 inspired album artwork, song titles such as ‘SMS‘, ‘LOL‘ and title track Electronic Mail, surmise the digital experience.
Working alongside some of the most exciting modern producers in the Australian game, including Dyl Thomas (Polo Club), Must Volkoff (Mata & Must, Pang Productions), Tony Wolf & the late Charles Parker, and Geko (GOATMOB, Crate Cartel).
The use of evocative samples throughout the album assist to colour the tracks with clever pop-culture cues while lyrically One Sixth shines. Instantly impressive for his stylistic dexterity and use of language, the underlying messages woven masterfully through the album allow stories to unravel more after each listen. With his dulcet tones draped over illustrative metaphor and double entendre, One Sixth bares his soul with the upmost conviction.
Guest vocalists include Mantra, Maundz, Lotus, The Tongue, Candice Monique, Class A, Dyl Thomas, Fluent Form and Raven. Lead single Round The Sun, produced by long-time comrades Charles Parker and Tony Wolf, encompasses a m lange of vintage vocal samples, driving bass lines and melancholy woodwind loops. The track is especially sacred to One Sixth representing one of the last opportunities to work with Charles Parker, who tragically passed away in 2011. ‘SMS (Six Million Stories)‘ is produced by the ingenious Must Volkoff, who produced, recorded and mixed the bulk of the album.
“I hope anyone who listens to the album can see how much respect I have for music, and for my craft. There are many dimensions to who I am as a person; I try to incorporate that idea into my music, because I think a lot of people can relate to that self perception.” – One Sixth
A sample heavy track, the full base line plods alongside strings nuances. Lyrically the track empathetically examines a series of unhappy stories; the concept derived from One Sixth’s interest in foreign films, and the SBS slogan ‘six billion stories‘. Track five on the album is the mesmerising ‘Around You‘, a highlight production from Dyl Thomas. Melancholy strings, heartbeat bass lines, and boom-bap kits set the cinematic backdrop for the track. The sensitivity of the femme fatale style sample juxtaposed with the assurance of One Sixth’s flow is a moving combination. With multiple interpretations, One Sixth is somewhat of an alluring enigma.
Brimming with heartfelt professions, Electronic Mail is a magnum opus, a work of art, crafted by a true connoisseur of his genre.
Track Listing Electronic Mail Round the Sun Sick – Feat. Mantra and Maundz SMS (Six Million Stories) Around You Electrolude 1 LOL (Love or Lust) Let Me Know VHS (Virtual Hot Stepper) Crossed Wires – Feat. Lotus, The Tongue and Candice Monique The Night Market Electrolude 2 Think of You – Feat. Class A and Dyl Thomas System Error #HTTP – Feat. Fluent Form and Raven Quartz
Born in Australia but raised in Namibia, One Sixth is an African-Australian who is emerging as one of Australian hip hops freshest talents. Schooled in Africa until 18, he recently returned to Australia to experience a new life. Now based in Melbourne, One Sixth boasts regular appearances with respected groups Illzilla, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, The Mega Horns, Polo Club, Black Jesus and his crew Pang Productions.
One Sixth has been Melbourne’s best kept secret for too long. In August 2012 the brilliant young lyricist will release his debut album Electronic Mail through local indie label Pang Productions together with Obese Distribution. We have already heard the brilliant first single from the album Electronic Mail titled Round The Sun, One Sixth now brings you the second single from this hotly anticipated albumand the track is called LOL (Love Or Lust). LOL (Love Or Lust) has been released alongside a killer filmclip once again executed by the team over at Full Clip.
One Sixth’s debut LP Electronic Mail will be available August 24th. You can pre-order now through Soul Clap Recordshere.
One-Sixth has been Melbourne’s best kept secret for too long. In August 2012 the brilliant young lyricist will release his debut album Electronic Mail through local indie label Pang Productions together with Obese Distribution.
The brilliant lead single Round The Sun is a rich insight to what is sure to be a new benchmark album for local hip hop. With production from long-time comrades Charles Parker and Tony Wolf, the beat encompasses a mélange of vintage vocal samples, driving basslines and melancholy woodwind loops.
The track is especially sacred to One Sixth being one of the last opportunities he had to work with Charles Parker, who tragically passed away in 2011.
“The track means a lot to me now because Sam passed away, I really wanted to do more music with him. He was such a dope artist and some of the conversations we had sort of influenced what I’m rapping about on the track.” – One Sixth
Full of illustrative metaphor, One Sixth bares his soul with the upmost conviction. With multiple interpretations available according to the listener’s mentality, One Sixth is somewhat of a lyrical enigma.
Mata & Must are about to let loose their second vinyl only release for 2010, the Low Life’s Gospel 12″ EP. This time the lads have teamed up with world travelled Rasta/Dub vocalist Jornick Joe Lick from French Guyana, as well as local lynchpin DJ Wasabi (aahh spotlight here).
Available digitally and physically in November from iTunes and independent record stores or pre-order now at www.pangproductions.com.au Catch Mata & Must on their Business In Tracksuits Tour through November and December with One Sixth and Kings Konekted on selected dates.
Vinyl Tracklist: Side A 1. Universal Cryout feat.. Jornick 2. Low Life’s Gospel 3. Equilibrium feat. Jornick
Side B 1. The Acrostic 2. Universal Cryout (Instrumental) 3. Low Life’s Gospel (Instrumental)
Universal Cryout feat. Jornick
The Acrostic
Tour Dates: Friday October 22 – Melbourne – Revolver Upstairs (with Kings Konekted) Saturday November 6 – Bairnsdale – Charlie’s Bar (with One Sixth) Saturday November 20 – Brisbane – The Step-Inn (with Kings Konekted) Friday November 26 – Phillip Island – The Westernport Hotel (with One Sixth) Friday December 10 – Adelaide – The Crown & Sceptre (with One Sixth)
The new Mata & Must 7″ Skills Don’t Pay / Business In Tracksuits is here. The launch for the 7″ vinyl will feature One Sixth, Fluent Form, Maundz, Maggot Mouf, Dekoda, Full Spectrum, Vince Van Go and Papercutts. All this Saturday July 31, at The Birmingham. Free entry before 10.30/$5 after.
Grab a copy of the new 7″ at www.pangproductions.com.au or grab it from iTunes…with the instrumentals.
Tracklist: A. Skills Don’t Pay B. Business In Tracksuits.
Produced by Mata & Must. Cuts by DJ Wasabi.
