Spin Off 2007 - Ruta Maya - December 29, 2007

From the check out the Austin Hip-Hop Store on the right sidebar department... Spin Off 2007 @ Ruta Maya on Dec 29th with Meridian Prime, The Fools Inc., The Halo Error, Spin Alley, DJ Trouble & DJ Shoestring and B-Boy City!

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So I'd like to introduce you to the Austin Hip-Hop Store on the right sidebar... it's a PayPal widget so you can be certain that it's safe... as I get more products to sell, I'll add to the store... but for now, check out a couple of the hottest CDs in the Austin Hip-Hop Scene... Great Holiday Gifts!

DJ Shadow - La Zona Rosa - January 18, 2008

From the rational choice theory department... Kicking off our new year on the right beat... DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist @ La Zona Rosa on Jan 18th!

Cool description from the La Zona Rosa website about the show...

Following in the footsteps of their now-legendary "Brainfreeze" (1999) and "Product Placement" (2001) sets, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist have outdone themselves. Their new, all-45 show, entitled "The Hard Sell," incorporates eight turntables and two guitar loop pedals, allowing tricks and complexity rarely attempted by a DJ duo.

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So I just read this great article on Bruce Bueno de Mesquita a political scientist that uses a computer model based on rational choice theory to predict political outcomes. Don't know how accurate the model is, but it's a great read. Check it here, The New Nostradamus.



More info:

DJ Shadow (born Josh Davis in 1972)[1] is an American DJ, turntablist, music producer and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed entirely from samples.

DJ Shadow began his music career as a disc jockey for the UC Davis radio station KDVS. During this period he was significant in developing the experimental hip hop style associated with the California-based Solesides record label. His early singles for the label, including In Flux and Lost and Found (S.F.L.), were genre-bending works of art merging elements of funk, rock, hip hop, ambient, jazz, soul, and used-bin found records. DJ Shadow is often cited as a leading creator of U.S. trip-hop, a label he contests. Though his music is hard to categorize, his early contributions were certainly important as an alternative to the voice of hip hop and gangsta rap, scenes that never accepted him. He cited groups such as Kurtis Mantronik, Steinski and Prince Paul as influences on his sample-based sound, further claiming that "lyrics ...were confining, too specific". His music rarely features voices or vocal work. [2].

Although he previously released several original works (during 1991-1992 for Hollywood Records) by the time Mo' Wax's James Lavelle contacted him about releasing In/Flux on the fledgling imprint, it wasn't until his distribution association with Mo' Wax that his sound began to mature and cohere.

He eventually formed the label Quannum Projects in 1999 out of the previous label Solesides.

DJ Shadow has also collaborated with fellow hip-hop DJ Cut Chemist. Together they have created two popular mixtapes entitled Brainfreeze and Product Placement. These mixes fuse jazz, funk, and soul in the framework of a cohesive concept. He has also collaborated with several other artists, including Blackalicious, Zack de la Rocha, Keak Da Sneak, Mos Def, David Banner and Dr. Octagon (also known as Kool Keith).

In 2005, Brian Udelhofen began work on the Shadow Percussion Project, an attempt to adapt some of the tracks from Endtroducing... for a live performance group. The result was largely successful and well-received by DJ Shadow himself.[citation needed]

In 2006, he signed a deal with Universal Records.

Interview: J Biz R

J Biz R (aka JBizzy) of Dented Mindz is soon to be a household name... comin' up in the Austin Hip Hop Scene... We recently got a chance to catch up with him outside of his busy schedule. Thanks for taking the time... here's what he had to say...

Can you give your fans a quick bio of yourself?

I'm a rapper from Austin Texas and founder of my very own production company DENTED MINDZ PRODUCTIONS. I have been rapping and putting together projectz since 2003. Solo and working with other members of my group DENTED MINDZ. I have Produced and written over 300 songs, 8 underground albums. Dubbing my solo music Polar Rap. My style is often that of a bi-polar person. Sometimez I'm friendly/party-party. Sometimez im wicked/sinister. I like to divide the two into separate projectz.

Every Halloween I release a limited amount of my Darker style albums. This year it was the first of the series "The Terror Tapez Vol.I". Available in most Austin Record Storez.

Because I've lived in many different places throughout the United Statez. I've become very versitile, allowing me to have a great sense of adapting to what ever project I happen to be working on.

Which is your latest CD? and how do you think it differs from your previous works?

Actually, I have two that just came out.

First was my Full-length Halloween Album. . . THE TERROR TAPEZ VOL. I

Then on Veterines Day 2007, I released my newest mixtape for free download at www.soundclick.com/jbizr . It'z entitled. . . MIND BENDIN' MIXXTAPE .

20 trackz of that raw rap spillin, hi-jacked beat havin, remix flavor packin freshness!

With every project I really feel that I grow as a Artist. So the Biggest difference is that slowly you see the quality of work inproving.

I look back at old projects and think. . . ... "I can't believe I left it that way!"

But hey, Live and Learn baby! . . ..

What gives you inspiration and how does that transpire into your music?

Honestly, a nice peace of mind. After a couple of bluntz and few drinkz. When all the drama is off my mind for the night. The sound of nothingness kickz in. That shit'z fuckin' nice!!

Now, I'm kind of a workaholic so I eventually start feeling the need to be doing something productive. So I hit the lightz up the studio and get to work. It'z a beutiful thing!

Which artists inspire you the most? and why?

First would have to be Tupac Shakur. Followed by Esham Smith, Insane Clown Posse and Tech N9ne.

I've alwayz admired multiple-style artistz that had lotz of material. It really showz the dedication of a person to have such a volume of music.

What has kept you from moving to cities with larger markets? especially since it's only been recently that Houston has blown up.

Well, I will take any chance to do a show anywhere. If I'm traveling, as long as the price is right! I was actually born in Houston, I go there every once in a while, but I would love to go more often. Shit, if your a promoter, . . .. Hit me up!!

How do you see the scene locally? and where do you see it going?

I see several different campz of artist around Austin. It'z good to see the unity.

They heard of us (Dented Mindz). Might not know alot about us, but we're around,

I'm around. See I'm striving to make this DMz a household name!

People just need to listen out for it!

What is your favorite venue to perform at? and why?

We use to do alot of open mic'z @ the Gatherings back when DJ Notion was having those at Emo's Lounge. I like that place alot. Also Flamingo Cantina on sixth has a good atmosphere.

Can you give us 3 of your most favorite local artists?

Locally. . ...

Bavu is cool.

Jonny Danger rocks some shit. (but I think he just moved to Dallas.)

Dubb Sicks is fresh, (though he never callz a motha fucka back!).

It'z all good though!

What is the best piece of advice that someone in the industry has given you?

"Watch those closest to you."

Straight up!!

And a more light-hearted question: Have you seen a correlation between your level of success and quality of hoes?

Chickz just tend to be hotter when your out on the seen.

I think it all dependz on how you go about handling them. If your just meeting the chick, don't tell her exactly what it is that you do.

If it'z at a show to where it'z pretty obviouse, then just watch all the pretty smilez.

That too is a beutiful thing!

Any parting words?

I just wanna part with these final wordz. . ..

"Watch for the snakez, be like an owl at night."

and as alwayz, STAY DENTED!!!