The Sounds of VTech

After a triumphant return to the stage in London, Courtney Love and Hole will play their first U.S. show in more than a decade at SPIN’s annual SXSW bash at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas, on Friday, March 19 brought to you by VTech.

Nobody’s Daughter, the first Hole album since 1998’s Celebrity Skin, was just picked up by Mercury/Island Def Jam for an April 27 release, and Love graces the cover of SPIN’s March issue, hitting newsstands.

Das Racist and Dam-Funk will drop DJ sets between main stage performances.

On the indoor stage, Philly rockers Free Energy (also on the 10 to Watch list) and Austin’s own power popsters Harlem join Goons of Doom and Audible Mainframe.

This event is invite only… BUT if you want a chance to win, enter the SPIN sweepstakes HERE for your chance to win a free trip to Austin, Texas  and passes to SPIN’s Stubb’s party featuring Hole.

Last month we celebrated the life of hip hop producer JDilla at Nightlife in Los Angeles. And if you weren’t there, you missed so much amazing music. The energy, the sold out crowds, the special guests that graced the stage, it was one of those nights where everything just went right.

For those who want to relive the experience, there’s no better way than by downloading these podcasts. From J.Rocc to Mr. Choc, Rhettmatic to Slum Village, it’s all here waiting for you.  And those who couldn’t make it out, the music speaks much louder than words ever could.

Right click to download: Nightlife Part 1

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Right click to download: Nightlife Part 2

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TRACKLIST:

(1) THE BEAT JUNKIES: J.Rocc, Rhettmatic, Mr Choc, & Curse
1. J Dilla Inst
2. They Call me Muddy Ranks
3. Turn Me Up Some - Busta Rhymes
4. Don’t Say A Word inst - Chino XL
5. Dedicated To The Suckas -Phat Kat
6. What Up - Busta Rhymes
7. Jay Dee Inst
8. Busta’s Lament - A Tribe Called Quest
8. J Dilla Inst
9. Jay Dee Inst
10. Dynamite - The Roots
11. Alright - The Visionaries
12. Volume 4 Intro - J Dilla
13. Game Over - Dabrye feat J Dilla & Phat Kat
14. Clap Your Hands - Guilty Simpson
15. Keep It On - Slum Village
16. Say It - J Dilla feat Taraach
17. Sweeter Than Love - J Dilla
18. Jay Dee inst
19. Last Donuts Of The Night- J Dilla
20. Get A Hold - A Tribe Called Quest
21. Act Like You Know - PPP feat J Dilla
22. Time 4 Us Is Now - Chali 2na
23. Reality TV - J Dilla feat Black Thought
24. It’s Like That - J Dilla feat Hodge Podge (Big Tone) & Lacks (TaRaach)
25. Let The Dollar Circulate - Spacek
26. 24KT Rap - J Dilla feat Havoc & Raekwon
27. Make It Fast - J Dilla feat Guilty Simpson
28. Thelonious - Common feat Slum Village
29. Let It Ride - Q-Tip
30. Time Of The Heart - J Dilla
31. Thelonius Rmx Inst - The Roots
32. Various J Dilla beat tribute - The Roots
33. Various J Dilla beat tribute - The Roots
34. Breathe & Stop Inst - Q-Tip
35. Shoop - De La Soul
36. Outro (Donuts) - J Dilla
37.Various J Dilla Beat Tribute - The Roots
38. Various J Dilla Beat Tribute - The Roots
39. Askio - Tony Allen
40. Heat  Inst - Common

(2) SLUM VILLAGE PERFORMANCE / BEAT JUNKIES
1. Intro
2. Untitled
3. Fall In Love
4. Players
5. I Don’t Know
6. Get Dis Money
7. The Look Of Love
8. Climax
9. Do You
10. Raise It Up
11. 1nce Again - A Tribe Called Quest
12. Runnin - The Pharcyde
13. Drop - The Pharcyde
14. Fever Inst - Q-Tip
15. The Heist Inst - Jaylib
16. Gone Til Its Gone (rmx) - Janet Jackson
17. Without You (rmx) - Raphael Saddiq
18. Still Shinin - Busta Rhymes
19. Peer Pressure - De La Soul feat B-Real
20. Love Junkee Inst - Dj Cam
21. Eve (rmx) - Spacek feat J Dilla and Frank N Dank

Earlier this year, DJ Babu started shooting short stop motion films from his iPhone and began setting them to music from his new LP “The Beat Tape Vol. 2.” The first short film, only a minute long, shot from Babu’s POV, were a way for you to spend a day “walking in his shoes.” Though short in time, the response he received was incredible. So what do the laws of supply and demand say when there’s demand?? Make more…   Since then DJ Babu started releasing a new short film every week through his YouTube channel, and is now up to #10. His latest film “EuroTrip” is substantially longer than his first video (6:18 min) and the buzz continues to grow. And with 39 tracks on “The Beat Tape Vol. 2″ I’m sure there are many shorts yet to come.

So to celebrate the launch of his new LP, the second volume in his instrumental LP series and an ode to the beat tapes he grew up listening to, and his short films, Babu has decided to avoid the cliché DJ/nightclub event and has rented out the only silent film theater in Los Angeles and have a screening. The event is from 9pm to 12am. With catering, open bar, free popcorn and soda, and giftbags.(That’s what I call a proper release party!!) The screening starts at 10pm and Mr. Choc and Babu will be on hand to handle hosting duties as well as taking questions from the audience.

Space is limited so pick up your tickets at Fat Beats today.

D is for DILLA

The line to get into the EchoPlex last Friday for Nightlife was long. I can only compare its actual length to that of the line I waited in to get onto Space Mountain at Disneyland. Yes, it was amusement park long, but surprisingly, everyone in it seemed to be in good spirits. They patiently waited as it slowly moved inch by inch. They remained loyal and determined, unhindered that they faced a full capacity venue which only let a few individuals in at a time.. but I’m pretty sure it’s because they knew what awaited them inside.

The music inside the Echoplex was beyond good, it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Mr. Choc and JRocc spun their hearts out for the wall-to-wall audience, and they were rewarded with cheers of appreciation. It was exciting and upbeat and reminiscent of Dilla. You could feel the energy and the serious body heat in the air. There were so many people inside that the notion of personal space seemed non-existent. It was a struggle moving from one side of the room to the other without getting an elbow in the gut, brushing against a stranger’s backside, and a drink being poured down the front of your dress. But it was worth it.

And once Slum Village came on stage, the energy level in the place soared to new heights. The audience threw their hands in the air and sang along to every song as if it had rehearsed. You could not avoid being swept up and singing along, or in my case, humming. Music and love was everywhere and we all spent the evening celebrating and remembering J Dilla.

Though its been four years since his death nothing has changed. J Dilla’s music still lives on and we still continue to listen. Since his passing he’s gone from hip-hop to symphony orchestra, reaching new heights and finding new fans, and his legacy only continues to grow. Where there’s music, there’s love, there’s understanding, there’s remembrance. Let’s keep the celebration going this month.. there is nothing better than this.

photos by Azul

If you’re in LA and have no plans this evening, make your way out to Echo Park  to the EchoPlex and celebrate the life and music of James “J Dilla” Yancey. Tonight is not only the fourth anniversary of his passing, but also Act 2 of Songs in the Key of “D.”

J.Rocc, Rhettmatic, Mr. Choc and more will be hosting this event, remembering their good friend. Good music, positive energy and special appearances by Slum Village as well as other special guests will provide you with an evening to remember.

Dilla, we miss you , we love you, and we’ll be there tonight showing you just how much. So, let’s all go down to Nightlife and Turn It UP for Dilla.