Presenting the self-titled debut album from Sarm of the acclaimed Sydney duo That’s Them. Featuring guest spots from undisputed kings Kerser, Rates, Fraksha, Tornts, Dialectrix and Rinse (Bingethinkers), with production by Nebs, the album burns its way across your ears the same way the intense orange of the 6 panel digipack sizzles across your retina.
Never one for the same old humdrum, Sarm contrasts the sharp grime style of Fraksha with the mellow flow of Dialectrix, and the snappy bravado of tracks like I’ll Abuse You For Fun with the devastatingly honest When You Hear This.Out now through LookUp & Obese Distribution,Sarm is about to unleash volcanic heat on to the local hip hop scene.
Presenting the self titled debut album from Sarm of the acclaimed Sydney duo That’s Them. Featuring guest spots from undisputed kings Kerser, Rates, Fraksha, Tornts, Dialectrix and Rinse (Bingethinkers), with production by Nebs, the album burns its way across your ears the same way the intense orange of the 6 panel digipack sizzles across your retina.
Combining the futuristic, angular production of Nebs with the characteristic hip hop and grime flavoured flow of Sarm, this will be yet another hotly debated and passionately devoured release featuring the new sound shouldering its way out of Sydney’s West. Nebs‘ electro disco influenced production pops like fizzing, acidic neon across the black granite opulence lent by deeply dug soul samples cut by masters such as DJ Mathematics, DJ Floskel and DJ 2Buck.
Never one for the same old humdrum, Sarm contrasts the sharp grime style of Fraksha with the mellow flow of Dialectrix, and the snappy bravado of tracks like I’ll Abuse You For Fun with the devastatingly honest When You Hear This, about the diagnosis of Sarm’s daughter with leukaemia. Dropping on April 12 through LookUp & Obese Distribution, Sarm is about to unleash volcanic heat on the local hip hop scene.
Track Listing: Live And Direct Ft DJ 2Buck Fresher Than You This Is Our Time Ft Kerser, Nebs & Rates Nice To Meet You Ft Dialectrix I’ll Abuse You For Fun Back In the Day Ft DJ Mathmatics Keep It Moving Ft Fraksha The Cheeky Kid Ft DJ Floskel Don’t Mention My Name Raw Is life Ft Tornts & Nebs Love Of My Life Global Warming Ft Rinse Roll Up Ft Nebs & DJ Mathmatics My Own Back Bang Your Head Feat Kerser & Nebs When You Hear This Who You Know Ft DJ 2Buck All I Have
Distill rap music down to its base elements and what do you have: a MC and a DJ. Axiom is Kay Illa and Bom. Kay Illa is in front of the mic and Bom is behind the decks and production boards. The Axiom partnership was forged in 2004 while Kay and Bom were still in school on the North Coast of NSW.
Hip Hop was only just beginning to creep into the local music scene at the time and classic releases like Brad Strut’s – The Authentic were big influences on the early Axiom sound and subject matter. By 2005, the members of Axiom were pushing their music on opposite ends of the East coast of Australia. The distance between Kay in Brisbane and Bom in Sydney didn’t break up the group.
By the time the crew had regrouped in Sydney’s Inner West, Kay Illa and Bom already had hours of DJ gigs and open mics events behind them in both States. In late 2008, Axiom released their Home Brew mixtape Featuring Scott Burns, Rinse (Bingethinkers), LouLou (Gabi & LouLou) with guest cuts from DJ Jmez. In 2010, Axiom released Digi 12 Inch 01 and Digi 12 Inch 02 each featured two new tracks with accompanying instrumentals and acapella’s. The Digi 12 Inches are free to download here.
In 2012 Axiom bring you the Back Against The Wall EP, with 6 banging tracks this little gem is available for free download here.
Calski first started producing jams in 1998, and has since worked with the likes of Impossible Odds, Rainman, Shawn Lov, Binge Thinkers and more. It is not uncommon to find Calski rocking his MPC at b-boy jams and comps all over Brisbane, representing with Elements Collective.
Set to release his debut production album entitled Love Drive Commission through Obese Distribution next month, Calski describes the album as ‘sonically diverse’ with tinges of West Coast smooth, Detroit inspired grit, and New York drums. The LP will feature spots from Dialectrix, Rainman, Tommy Illfigga, DJ Butcher, Rinse and DJ 2Buck among others. Love Drive Commission drops Febuary 24. Calski has also jumped up on Brisbane emcee Rainman’s latest singleDarlin feat. Calski
There have been a few must have 7″ poppin’ off this year and here’s another to add to the collection. Melbourne Emcee & Producer Dazed, recently dropped a cracker titled Rest In Syn. This limited release, collectors edition vinyl features two deadly tracks from Sydney based artists with his Dazed’s own inimitable production.
Rest in Syn is a record that explores this great big, unknowable, inexpressible ride we’re on – and looking back with gratitude to the past and sheer amazement at where our travels have taken us. This theme takes us to the opening track of Side A, No Regrets featuring Sydney’s powerful Bingethinker, Rinse. This impressive track imagines how different life could be if things had taken a different turn. The track features an instant classic Trem vocal sample, folded over an amazing backdrop of strings and crisp drums. Rinse threads his lyrics like a true craftsman, creative and skillful. Dazed sets off on this track with some beastly production, with the clear thought in mind of vinyl being the end product. This track yearns to be played on that platter… even though you do score a free digital download of the album with every purchase.
“What if I be born in the 90′s, would I wear tight jeans, and white slippers instead of a pair of Nike’s…”
The contrasting Side B of Rest In Syn, holds another massive track in King Killaz featuring another Sydney crew in Grand Arkiteks. This ominous sounding track will sneak up on you in the dark and snap your neck. With its dark synths and drawn bass line, Dazed flex’s his dynamic production skills with ease and sense of maturity. Grand Arkiteks obliterate the mic with each of their respective verses, while asking questions of those who hold power and governmental control.
To put it simply this is a 7″ with two dope as tracks. Dazed has proven his talent on this one and we’ll be on the look out for his next effort. Dazed – Rest In Syn earns a cracking 4.7 out of 5. Grab one or two if you still can… With all purchase’s you also get a DFTC remix, instrumentals and accapellas. $15 well spent.
It’s rare for the scene to be blessed with the release of a 7” in these often cynical times. Making music is an expensive habit, and there are a lot of broke artists languishing out there with stillborn plans. Melbourne based producer/MC Dazed has said fuck all that and gone ahead with a limited release, collectors edition vinyl featuring two tracks from Sydney based artists and his own inimitable production.
Rest in Syn is a record by a man who still values the memories of flipping through magazines and freaking out on seeing new track produced by a favourite artist; as Dazed puts it, “it’s all about remembering where we came from in this digital age.” The solid, dependable feel of a slice of vinyl, slightly warm in your hands – so much more precious than an mp3 ever could be. But this record isn’t about unchecked nostalgia and pissing on where local hip hop has taken us. It’s all one, big, unknowable, inexpressible ride we’re on – and looking back with gratitude to the past and sheer amazement at where our travels have taken us is the theme of the A side to Rest in Syn, No Regrets featuring Sydney’s powerful Bingethinker, Rinse.
“No one gets to hide from their fate,” as he says – and the choices make the man. “What if I’d've never smoked weed? What if Hoods had never had the Nosebleed? What if Kingsmill was a fan of real hip hop?” - how different life could be if things had taken a different turn! The ribboning Trem vocal sample combined with yearning strings folding throughout this track create an impressively mature sound that lingers long after the needle has found the end of its groove. Flipping over the record we’re treated to another taste of Sydney, this time in the form of the Grand Arkiteks crew.
Dazed has chosen a more sinister sound for the B side, layering unsettling synths over the tics of insolent strings and ominous dragging bass for the track King Killaz. The contrast between the two sides could not be more pronounced, but it shows off the malleability of Dazed’s production – this is not a man to get stuck in a rut – or one to happily choke on the easy lies of the powers that be. King Killaz is a healthy, alert companion to the dazzled wonder of No Regrets.
Rest in Syn is a rare collectable gem in this modern throwaway world, and a fitting tribute to the places we’ve been. All copies include the digital album and pre-orders receive a DFTC Records compilation CD featuring new tracks from G-Force, Sparts, Sinks, Mol1 and Dazed.
It’s rare for the scene to be blessed with the release of a 7” in these often cynical times. Making music is an expensive habit, and there are a lot of broke artists languishing out there with stillborn plans. Melbourne based producer/MC Dazed has said fuck all that and gone ahead with a limited release, collectors edition vinyl featuring two tracks from Sydney based artists and his own inimitable production.
Rest in Syn is a record by a man who still values the memories of flipping through magazines and freaking out on seeing new track produced by a favourite artist; as Dazed puts it, “it’s all about remembering where we came from in this digital age.” The solid, dependable feel of a slice of vinyl, slightly warm in your hands – so much more precious than an mp3 ever could be. But this record isn’t about unchecked nostalgia and pissing on where local hip hop has taken us. It’s all one, big, unknowable, inexpressible ride we’re on – and looking back with gratitude to the past and sheer amazement at where our travels have taken us is the theme of the A side to Rest in Syn, No Regrets featuring Sydney’s powerful Bingethinker, Rinse.
“No one gets to hide from their fate,” as he says – and the choices make the man. “What if I’d've never smoked weed? What if Hoods had never had the Nosebleed? What if Kingsmill was a fan of real hip hop?” – how different life could be if things had taken a different turn! The ribboning Trem vocal sample combined with yearning strings folding throughout this track create an impressively mature sound that lingers long after the needle has found the end of its groove. Flipping over the record we’re treated to another taste of Sydney, this time in the form of the Grand Arkiteks crew. Dazed has chosen a more sinister sound for the B side, layering unsettling synths over the tics of insolent strings and ominous dragging bass for the track King Killaz. The contrast between the two sides could not be more pronounced, but it shows off the malleability of Dazed’s production – this is not a man to get stuck in a rut – or one to happily choke on the easy lies of the powers that be. King Killaz is a healthy, alert companion to the dazzled wonder of No Regrets.
Rest in Syn is a rare collectable gem in this modern throwaway world, and a fitting tribute to the places we’ve been. DAZED INTERVIEW aahh: You have a new solo project that your working on at the moment which has resulted in a 7″ vinyl pressing titled ‘Rest In Syn’, tell us a little about the title behind this release? Dazed:It’s a name I’ve been toying around for a while actually. The 2 artists on the record are both from Sydney, so it’s play on the Syn-City thing and the overall theme of the 7″ is fairly sombre. It fits and works pretty well, I think. If you want to get deep and go on about how we all have a dark side and a past you could but let’s just leave it at that haha. It sounds dope.
aahh: Why did you want to release a 7″ at this point in time, we know your busy working on numerous other projects including an LP release for Dazed & Flawlezz? Dazed: Yeah the Dazed & Flawlezz album is on the way. I just heard the first mix and it sounds pretty crazy. It’ll be nice to finally put out an LP after all these years and EPs; it’s something we’ve been working really hard on and we hope to turn a few heads with it. I’ve always had respect and a passion for the DJ and vinyl culture. I mean, if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be here. In this day and age kids are growing up not knowing what vinyl is cos they have their mp3s and CDs to a lesser extent. My boy JD runs a studio and he had these kids come for a session, looked at the usual Expedit (shout outs to Ikea) full of wax and didn’t know what it was. They thought they were big arse CDs and these are hip-hop heads. That’s pretty sad, right? There’s only been a handful of local independent cats releasing wax in the past year or so, so we can’t let this shit die. It (vinyl) sounds better, you get to appreciate the cover art more and shit, what hip-hop artist doesn’t want their own wax?! I found myself in a situation where I think (as an artist) I’m finally happy to put my name and product out. None of this rushed bullshit. Now or never, you know?
aahh: Let’s talk a little about the tracks that will feature on this 7″. The first is an absolute cracker titled King Killers and features Grand Arkiteks. Firstly tell us a little about how you hooked up with Grand Arkiteks for this one? Dazed: Grand Arkiteks are Dazed & Flawlezz family. A few years back the lookUP boys held a comp with the winner getting CDs pressed, etc. We were both in the same heat that got through to the finals (we both lost), but we both had mutual respect for each other’s music, similar ideas and started building. There’s not many groups with 3-4 emcees out dropping raw underground shit as dope as those boys… easily one of Sydney’s best and underrated. We’ve done a few tracks together (plus some more to come) but when I made the beat it screamed for them to murder it. I sent it through and they came through. They seem to dig my production so it makes it a lot easier too haha… none of this back and forth shit.
aahh: King Killers is a fierce track addressing the state of government and those in control. Are you passionate about this issue and how did you guys develop this idea into the track we’ll see on the record? Dazed: To be honest when I made the beat it sounded like some regal “watch the throne” type shit and I named it “KingMPC” or something. I guess they either rolled with the name or picked up the same vibe haha. I’m not really into politics. I mean, I understand what’s happening in the world and have a view but it’s far from passionate. I have too many other things to worry about! We’re all fucked at the end of the day anyway.
aahh: The second track featured on the Rest In Syn 7″ features Mc Rinse from the Bingethinkers tilted No Regrets. Now this track is a little more chilled. Did you set out to make that contrast between the two tracks featured? Dazed: Subconsciously I probably did. I wanted to show a bit of diversity in my production as well as two completely different artists. When I made the track I had Rinse in mind the whole time. He rapped over one of my beats in the Undertow album, I think it’s probably the best verse on there, and he sounds dope over something real chill.
aahh: No Regrets is a great track questioning peoples past choices and also raises the issues of fate. Do you yourself believe in fate? Dazed: I wouldn’t say that our lives are already pre-determined and that there’s a fixed natural order in the universe which is unchangeable, but I think that free will and fate can coincide in some sort of harmony. At every moment of our life we make an unchangeable choice, so since a choice will inevitably be made at some point doesn’t mean that we don’t make our own decisions. I do believe that a lot of things happen for a reason, but it’s up to the individual how they handle it.
aahh: Why a 7′? Dazed: I think it’s the best way to highlight two dope tracks on a classic medium without any of the bells and whistles, It’s a mini record too, you can’t fuck with that.
aahh: Final comments? Dazed: Massive thanks to everyone involved in this record… Rinse, Grand Arkiteks, Cam, Talz, Geko and Jack The Bear. Keep and eye out for DFTC Records (G-Force, Sparts, Sinks, Mol1, Dazed) as there’s a gang of dope releases coming in the near future. Dazed & Flawlezz LP coming soon with production from Vanderslice (Black Poet, Roc Marci, Vinny Paz, Maundz), WIK, Must and more. Big ups Flawlezz, props to Jim for the Q’s, Big ups to all my friends and crew. Cop the 7′!
Tracklisting Side A: No Regrets feat. Rinse Side B: King Killaz feat. Grand Arkiteks
All copies include the digital album and pre-orders receive a DFTC Records compilation CD featuring new tracks from G-Force, Sparts, Sinks, Mol1 and Dazed.
Heres is a brand new track taken titled Killer, taken from the forthcoming That’s Them album The G-Up set to be released Dec 17th. The G-UP features 17 tracks, with guest appearances from Smashbrothers, Kerser, Swarmy, Scott Burns, Rinse & DJ Mathmatics. Get your hands on this track below. More info as it comes.
That’s Them – Bam (feat. Swarmy, Kerser & DJ Mathmatics)
Thats Them Feat. Kerser, Swarmy & DJ Mathmatics – BAM! Heres the brand new video which is taken from the forthcoming That’s Them album The G-Up set to be released Dec 17th The G-UP features 17 tracks, with guest appearances from Smashbrothers, Kerser, Swarmy, Scott Burns, Rinse and DJ Mathmatics More information to come soon. Directed by Avene www.facebook.com/thatsthem www.lookupinthesky.com.au
Minds Believing is the title to emcee Undertow’s (SYD) debut hip hop LP. Featuring 15 tracks, with the bulk of the production handled by Dazed. Guest spots include Flawlezz, Fame, Swarmy, Rinse from Bingethinkers, Ayeone, Nehi, Double G, Logical (UK) and SPEx. On first impressions Mind’s Believing has all the makings of a quality package. Cover design is by April77, with the album mixing handled by Fame and mastering by Joseph Carra. With Undertow’s diverse emcee background in dnb, grime and electronica, we were quite interested to hear what style Undertow would bring to the fore front of this album……..It was quite clear from early on that this was a hip hop album.
The track Open Doors, our first higlight, bouncers around building on a subtle violin string backdrop. Undertow raps about the opportunities present in life on this track, dealing with this issue from a positive stance. The appropriately titled track Swagger featuring Dazed and Flawlezz on the mic, really hits a great note. Swagger has a smooth mellow sound that will ‘Make ya nod your head like a bunch of yes men, live life with few regrets, looking round the next bend’. Some Call It Life, one of the few tracks not produced by Dazed, features Flawlezz on the boards. Undertow steps things up a notch here and has him flexing his mic experience from the get go. The beat on Some Call It Life is planted around some great horns, that sound like they have been taken straight from a 1920′s Steamboat Willie cartoon.
Australian youth culture, love, mental illness and friends who have passed away are some of the other heavy issues that Undertow deals with on Mind’s Believing, an album that offers real in site to the mind of a dynamic artist. Between The Cracks featuring Bingethinkers emcee Rinse, plays along nicely with some great verses from both Undertow and Rinse (check out Between The Cracks below). Dazed delivers some sinister sounding shit on the track Level Of Proof which features Flawlezz again on the mic. Work It Out, the albums posse track featuring Ayeone, Swarmy, Nehi, Double G and Logical, Dazed and Flawlezz, Rinse and Fame. Work It Out is an epic track with all involved coming together in a great way.
Final conclusions, Undertow drops an album with strength and great replay value. The grime, dnb and electronic music lovers will find something here and the hip hop heads won’t be turned off either. Undertow- Minds Believing is an album that crosses the whole gamut of human emotion, with a heavy lean-to the positive side of things. Dazed puts in some solid work on the production front and the guest appearances add a nice touch to ahighly enjoyable album. We rate Undertow’s – Mind Believing 3.2 out of 5
