Lately my passion for cutting edge music has brought me to L.A. where, unknown to me, there are amazing things happening in music. I was already familiar with the works of the likes of Flying Lotus and Daedalus, but what I discovered was something that went much deeper than those two. They, along with many others, are part of a scene of forward thinking artists that are truly exciting and bringing everything we know about music to the next level. Here I will examine WHO and WHAT is going on at the Low End Theory club that is central to this scene, and why a pilgrimage, so to speak, will be of utmost necessity to those who seek to be enlightened by true visionaries. These creators are taking a syncretic philosophy to their music, destroying boundaries and trends (mainly propagated by their distant east coast Brooklyn hipster types), making music that fits no specific temporal reference, genre or system of beliefs.
Why not start by talking last night's CD release party at the Low End Theory Club by a duo long in the coming, Jogger. Their album, This Great Pressure is a creative tour de force. Annihilating everything every boundary you can imagine, by summoning a monster list of genres and influences, glitch, hip-hop, drum and bass, metal, indie-rock, electro, guitar solos, folk, psychedelia, with vocal harmonies to top it off. Hard to imagine until you hear it, obviously.
The duo is composed of Amir Yaghmai (violin, guitar, vocals) and Jonathan Larroquette (laptop, controller, vocals) and signed on to non other than Daedalus' new label Magical Properties (part of Alpha Pup Records). They mark another step in to the burgeoning L.A. scene and in the process unleash one of this year's best records!! A must hear for anyone ready for the mental and emotional assault that is Jogger. Get it at boomkat and read Shiloh Urban's review at Glitch.fm!
Now let's talk about the motherfucking Gaslamp Killer. I started listening to his mixes back in September and only yesterday saw the guy's live clips on youtube. Wow. I have a new hero. His mixes are dark and contemplative, very brilliantly orchestrated with elements of kraut rock psychedelia, dubbed out electro, swedish rock ( DUNGEN!!!), funky hip-hop breaks, and other obscurities. Just when you recognize the track, KAPLOWWW, next! He also knows how to scratch his needles!
All in all, I was immediately a fan. His live act takes these concepts a step further. He becomes a monster, taking lead of his crowds like a King before his royal subjects, or maybe more like a King Buffoon. You be the judge. Needless to say, he does "slay his audience" wherever he goes. Sticking to no formulae, his live mixes take on the shape of a mutating radioactive monster, summoning old classic rock, juxtaposed with some bassy garage-dub, and so on, all the while going absolutely apeshit behind the turn tables. He is a master and I am his humble disciple.
In a recent interview given to Fabric London, GLK had this to say about the L.A. scene:
We in LA are at the beginning of the road with this beat shit - there is gonna be a lot more stuff coming out of LA in the future - everyone is inspired & excited & competitive as hell!
Excellent. I look forward with glee, GLK!! HAIL!!
Obviously, I have only scratched the surface of who is involved here. I hope you are now curious enough to go discover who else is doing what!!
Bless.
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