Home Blog Page 7

Tips For Going To Your First Metal Concert

Sean Oleve
-
0
Tips For Going To Your First Metal Concert

If you love metal music, then it’s to be expected that you’d want to attend a live event featuring it. However, if you’ve seen videos online of these events, you might be a little intimidated by what you see.

The following will examine a few tips to keep in mind if you are thinking about attending your first metal concert.

1.   Protect your hearing with earplugs

Metal music is known for how loud it is. While safety measures may not be considered very cool by most in the crowd, veterans will confess that ringing ears, and industrial deafness aren’t very cool either. Do yourself a favour and wear earplugs (most won’t even notice you’re wearing them anyway!)

2.   Be aware of ‘the pit.’

If you are going to a very aggressive style of the metal concert, it’s safe to assume there will be a ‘pit’ that almost always manifests in the front of the centre of the stage. The pit is filled with ‘moshers’ who throw themselves around and run into each other deliberately as part of the ritual. If you don’t want to be a part of this, then steer clear.

3.   Have fun

While your first metal show can be quite daunting, remember to have fun and don’t let anything ruin that for you.

 

Best Hip Hop Albums Of All Time

Sean Oleve
-
0
Best Hip Hop Albums Of All Time

There are so many awesome hip hop albums out there by artists that have loyal and amazing fans. Hip hop has the ability to touch a lot of different other genres of music, especially that of rap, and often hip hop and rap genres are used interchangeably. Hip hop music has certainly evolved over time, some say for the better, while others just want to live in the late 80s and 90s.

There are, however, a few stand out albums that have truly changed the way we think about hip hop music. These are the few albums that really helped the artist become more of a household name in the industry. These albums are filled to brim with hits and every song is well-loved by many.

So, have a read on below to find out what some of the best hip hop albums of all time are:

 

Doogystyle by Snoop Doggy Dogg

Back in the days when Snoop Dogg went by the name of Snoop Doggy Dogg, this was his first real album that cemented his position as one of the greatest in the hip hop genre. Snoop Dogg got the attention of many people after collaboration with Dr Dre on his album The Chronic. Doggystyle shot straight to number one and had a lot of catchy tunes, like Gin ‘n’ Juice.

 

All Eyez On Me by 2Pac

No greatest hip hop albums of all time list would be complete without 2Pac. His 1996 album All Eyez On Me was his last album, but also many believe to be his best. One of the reasons why fans love it is simply because it is a massive album, sitting at 27 songs, fans could listen to 2Pac for days. All of the elements came together for this album, and unfortunately, less then a year after he was released from prison, he was killed in a drive-by shooting.

 

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back by Public Enemy

Released in the late 80s this album tackles a lot of serious issues that are still prevalent today, like social injustice and black empowerment, and it was a truly influential album by Public Enemy. One of the amazing things about this album is that it took only six weeks to be recorded. Public Enemy helped lay the ground work for a lot of other artists to come.

 

The Chronic by Dr Dre

This is the album the really helped Snoop Dogg become a big name, but it was also a massive album for Dr Dre himself. This album is pretty much as typical 90s as you can get. It has all the beats and bass that you would come to expect from Dr Dre and his single, Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang, was one of the most popular songs of the 90s.

 

Ready To Die by The Notorious BIG

The 1994 album by The Notorious BIG was one of his best, and it tackled important issues like depression and suicide. While on the surface it can seem like it is just about violence and crime, all it takes is a deeper listen to understand the meaning in his songs. Some of the more iconic singles off this album include Big Poppa and Juicy.

 

Aquemini by OutKast

This was OutKast’s third album and they were still running off the successes of their first two. This album has a huge fan base within itself and there are a stack of major hits here as well. The tunes are catchy and make you want to get up and dance, while also having amazing lyrics to boot.

 

Top 4 Jazz And Blues Festivals In Australia

Sean Oleve
-
0
Top 4 Jazz And Blues Festivals In Australia

While they don’t quite attract the large crowds of people that dominate mainstream music festivals, there are still many popular Jazz and Blues festivals held in Australia most years. If you’re thinking of expanding your music palette, check out some of the best festivals below.

Jazz by the Bay

The Jazz by the Bay Festival takes place across the Margaret River region, usually at around 20 venues. The festival usually takes place between May and June. Check it out for some of the best contemporary Jazz music.

Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Melbourne is well known for its rich cultural history, and Jazz remains a trendy style with the locals. The festival focuses on local talent, interspersed with some of the best international acts going around.

Manly Jazz Festival

Home of one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, Manly is also home to one of New South Wales’s preeminent Jazz festivals. This fantastic festival takes place on Manly Beach itself and features hundreds of free performances from international artists.

Newcastle Jazz Festival

The Newcastle Jazz Festival attracts enthusiasts from not just Australia but often New Zealand as well. It features a variety of different Jazz strains, ranging from contemporary to traditional performances. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

 

Why Artists Like Kazuki Tokaji Are Mentoring The Next Generation

Sean Oleve
-
0
Why Artists Like Kazuki Tokaji Are Mentoring The Next Generation

When it comes to educating the next generation, Kazuki Tokaji is wildly adamant about practicing what he preaches. The young artist is no stranger to overcoming incredible odds and succeeding in creating a unique vibration and undeniable sound that stands above the rest. Throughout his musical career, the young artist has managed to become part of two distinctly unique and vibrant bands ‘Dylan n Alice’ and ‘Circle The Earth’.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kazuki Tokaji (@kazukiguitar)

He’s also crafted a career unto himself, releasing a number of solo albums and tracks that have been widely acclaimed and on repeat for his fans around the world.

His Educational Journey

Kazuki Tokaji started his self-found journey at the age of 7, when he picked up his very first guitar. He began hearing his Japanese influences through his homelife and when his family moved to the USA, he began collating his influences into a unique and fresh sound that would define his career.

Kazuki Tokaji

He attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood where he developed even further, learning the ropes of live performance and creating. He even played with Steve Vai and Marty Friedman in his time there which would be a massive highlight for any young artist looking for guidance.

After graduating, he hit the ground running and began writing and releasing his own music to great critical acclaim.

From Learning To Teaching

As any great artist will tell you, teaching benefits the students and the teacher simultaneously. When Tokaji Kazuki isn’t busy creating music himself, or touring with his two bands, he’s teaching a burgeoning generation of musicians. The coaching has allowed him to further develop his own signature style, while impressing a young and exuberant generation of upcoming musicians with the valuable lessons he’s gathered along the way.

Why Mentoring Matters

Artists like Kazuki Tokaji being in the mentoring and coaching game is vital for maintaining a healthy connectivity between artists. His own experience with Marty Friedman and Steve Vai at the Musicians Institute is reason enough to understand the inherent and necessary nature of mentorship in the arts.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kazuki Tokaji (@kazukiguitar)

After all, musicians entering the fray of professional artistry see the immense challenge and overwhelming challenges that befall them on their path. Having a helping hand and unique influences like Kazuki Tokaji are what drives the next generation to give it their best shot, to create with authenticity and to not be denied.

You can listening to Kazuki’s music here:

  • Spotify – here
  • Amazon Music – here
  • Apple Music – here

Follow Kazuki at kazukitokaji.com or connect via IG @kazukiguitar

What Is Mumble Rap?

Sean Oleve
-
0
What Is Mumble Rap?

With the evolution of hip hop, a new competitor arose in the past couple of years, coming to dominate the market. A new style of rapping called mumble rap, due to its hard to understand the style of rapping. As well as this, it revolves around trap beats, with a lack of creative lyricism and involves a form of rapping mixed with singing.

Whilst not always accepted by older hip hop heads, mumble rap has blown up in popularity and tops the charts consistently being topped by the likes of mumble rappers, including Lil Pump, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, 6ix9ine and Migos.

The formula of placing auto-tune over simple lyrics with a catchy hook and a banging trap instrumental has been so successful that there are so many new mumble rapper artists coming out, and sometimes it can be hard to differentiate them all.

Whether you like it or not, mumble rap is here to stay.

The Early History Of Metal Music

Sean Oleve
-
0
The Early History Of Metal Music

Metal music (also commonly know as heavy metal) has its origins during the Vietnam war in the late 60’s with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks and even The Beatles starting to define the archetypal ‘rock band’ act. While it may be heavily commercialised today, the birth of metal certainly had anti-authoritarian roots. Some argue that the Jimi Hendrix’s Star Spangled Banner (US anthem) at Woodstock was where heavy metal was truly invented, with distorted guitar riffs symbolising the artillery shelling of the Vietnam war.

Later, metal was cemented in the 1970’s with bands like Black Sabbath, and their iconic song ‘Iron Man’. They were followed by Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke On The Water’, and these two bands created the bedrock for metal that later acts like Judas Priest synthesised into a proper ethos. It was at that point that the visual motifs of metal music (black leather, spikes etc.) were truly cemented.

Heavy metal really exploded in the 1980’s were British bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon and Diamond Head made their debuts. The songs from these bands began to explore fantastical and mythological elements that allowed for more elaborate stage design (and album art) that really set the genre apart from anything else at the time.

 

Think Jazz Is Dead? Check Out These Modern Jazz Performers

Sean Oleve
-
0
Think Jazz Is Dead? Check Out These Modern Jazz Performers

While many critics view Jazz as a genre of the past, there are still many performers keeping the style alive. If you’re looking for some modern, nifty Jazz sounds, then check out some of the discographies from the performers below!

Andrew Cyrille

Andrew Cyrille turned 80 last year; however, that isn’t stopping this Jazz drummer from continuing to produce more new music. Check out Cyrille’s recent album, “Lebroba”, which received positive reviews from Jazz critics.

The Bad Plus

The Bad Plus are a well-known Jazz trio from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They’ve released a dozen studio albums since 2001 and remain one of the most active, contemporary Jazz bands. Their last album called “It’s Hard” was released in 2016.

Wayne Shorter

While Wayne Shorter came to prominence during the 1950s (a period when Jazz was one of the most popular music genres), he continues to produce new music to this day. Throughout his career, Shorter has received 11 Grammy Awards and his most recent album, “Emanon” was released in 2018 to rave reviews.

Dan Weiss

The final entry in this is Dan Weiss. His music is highly experimental and, at times, incredibly wacky. Check out his 2018 album “Starebaby” to hear it for yourself.

 

How To Become A Hard Dance DJ

Sean Oleve
-
0
How To Become A Hard Dance DJ

So, you want to be a DJ? You want to DJ hard dance music? Well, it’s a tough path you have ahead of you, but you should definitely give it a shot if you are passionate about it.

Take a look at the following tips for how to become a hard dance DJ like famous examples of Coone or Da Tweekaz.

1.   Pick your subgenre

While you can always DJ all styles of hard dance, it can be helpful to focus on a specific niche at first before branching out. Some of the most popular subgenres of hard dance include hardstyle, UK hardcore, Dutch hardcore, and hard trance.

2.   Choose your tracks

Before anyone can DJ, they need to select the tracks they are going to play. While there are no rules here, your first set will likely go better if you play popular tracks that a lot of people know rather than obscure music.

3.   Buy some DJ equipment

Before you start playing out at a club, you need to get some practise experience, and this usually means purchasing a DJ controller. These days there are many affordable options for DJ controllers from brands like Numark and Pioneer.

 

Things Worth Waiting For In The Imagination Festival

Sean Oleve
-
0
Things Worth Waiting For In The Imagination Festival

No matter what genre of music you are into; you are probably going to have to wait until the worldwide COVID-19 situation is a little better before you can start making your way to music festivals again. It is certainly an unfortunate situation but there are a few music festivals that are going to be worth the wait, like the Imagination Festival.

The Imagination music festival is for all those fans of hard dance and it is more than just a stock standard music festival. There is so much more you can see and do at the Imagination festival, so if you are able to get on over to the Czech Republic in 2021, then you certainly should! The 2020 edition of the festival has been cancelled, but organisers are working on releasing a new date in 2021.

While it is going to be annoying having to wait for such an amazing music festival, it is going to be worth it! Have a read on below at some of the things that are worth waiting until 2021 for at the Imagination festival:

 

Two Massive Stages

That’s right, there isn’t really just one main stage, but there are two. The organisers of the event really put time and effort in to ensure that no matter where you are in the crowd you still get quality sound and can see what is happening.

Live performances at Imagination are all about the show and spectacle, so you can be guaranteed that there will be heaps of LED lights and screens. All you need to do is have a heap of fun and dance the night away. No matter the artist on the stage, you’ll be able to get super hyped!

 

The Meet and Greet

If you have ever wanted to meet your favourite hand dance artist, then the Imagination festival is probably a good place to be. The great thing about the meet and greets at the Imagination festival is that they are free.

But you also need to know that everyone may be looking to meet the same artists, so have a look at the schedule to make sure you get in the line as early as possible to ensure you meet the artist. There would certainly not be anything worse then waiting in a long queue only to not actually meet the artist.

 

International Artists

While the line up for the 2021 event has not been finalised, just taking a look back at the previous year’s line up will give you some good indication on what to expect. There are artists from right around the world that come to play at this music festival.

With so many different artists to see and such little time to see them all in, you may need to make some compromises. You can’t be in the crowd the whole time, you will need to do things like eat, have a drink, go to the bathroom, etc. So make a plan of the artists you really want to see and then you can work everything else around that.

 

The Experiences of Prague

This may be your first time in Prague, so you can get to soak up the culture and atmosphere. If you are travelling from a while away, like the United States, then you may even want to book a holiday around the music festival so you can see other parts of Prague and potentially even more countries in Europe. There is certainly a lot to do in Prague with shopping, drinking and cafes all worthwhile checking out.

 

Aussie Hip Hop’s Rise In Popularity In The Past Year

Sean Oleve
-
0
Aussie Hip Hop’s Rise In Popularity In The Past Year

Aussie hip hop has always been around, associated with names like Kerser and 360. With some popularity, the names were known but not everyone would enjoy it, and it certainly didn’t get any recognition outside of Australia. But in the past year, a new sound in Australia has risen in the form of Aussie drill.

With groups like OneFour and Hooligan Hefs leading the game, many more names came behind them, with the likes of HP Boyz, No Money Enterprise and so forth. Furthermore, this music is being played worldwide, specifically in the UK thanks to reaction channels.

The rise of Aussie hip hop has been unprecedented in the past year, with music gaining popularity in top 100 charts in Australia, as well as being played in clubs locally and clubs in the UK. With this fast rise in popularity and evolution in music style, it is exciting to see what is in store for Aussie hip hop in the next coming years.

 

1...678...11Page 7 of 11