The sorry state of digital music in Australia

I've been wanting to vent about this for a while, and it came to a head for me today something fucked.

Firstly, there are a few things I just don't wanna have to put up with - in order of importance:

1. Shitty formats (wmv, aac etc.)
2. Shitty bitrates (i'm lookin at you Mr. Jobs)
3. Shitty ass DRM shitty shit shit (Jobs, Bigpond etc)

Now the DRM thing, as annoying as it is, wouldn't bother me if there was a decent lossless format available, as I'd just have to do my downloading in one hit and burn em to CD for backup's sake.

I tried to legally download 'Get Shaky' by the Ian Carey Project today. I get all my electronic ish from Beatport, so naturally that's where I headed for this. BP had no less than four versions of the single, but I was restricted from purchase in my territory. Gaydom. Props to beatport, but fuck this regional BS.

Amazon i thought. Never tried it before. Australian Credit Card. Can't bounce.

I never fucked with bigpond due to DRM but hey, I thought i'd sacrifice a lil quality and convenience for the ease of grabbing it. WMV only. Get fucked you shitbags.

At this point I considered the devil's pie only to realise that I hadn't installed iTunes on my new notebook. I'm not planning on it.

I'd just installed Media Player 11 and saw it has a store link built in from Sanity's LoadIt. Searched for it (only one of the biggest songs on radio right now in Oz) and nothing came up.

This exhausted my commitment to playing fair. I mean, i get payed to DJ. I write produce and release music with the intent of making a profit. I even own a label and know how hard it is to stay afloat these days. But what the fuck is up? Pirate Bay came through and I still feel bad but i know I shouldn't as it's not my fault the music industry has dragged it's feet in updating the business model and delivery method of this content.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO START A NEW DIGITAL STORE.

Where are the dudes from Winamp on this front?

Kid Cudi / Plain Pat / X & Hell + More - THURSDAY!

Yep thats right. Miss Libs this thursday people. A-Style & Mafia holding down the decks in support also. Be an angel and roll thru.

Lamborghini Estoque

Finally a lambo you can fit more girls in after the show. I'm sick of cramming two broads (only) into the Gallardo. More Pics, info and Lambo press release here

GMC SUPPORTING THE X-ECUTIONERS @ THE ESPY

GMC performing tracks off the new mixtape Three Letter Mixtape Vol. G at the X-Ecutioners gig OCT 4!

Come check out GMC a long with P-Money, Roc Raida's world famous Gong Battle & of course the X-Ecutioners!

Mixtape give aways on the night!

http://www.myspace.com/gmcgmc
http://www.grounduphiphop.com/gmc

GMC LIVE AT STAR BAR THIS SATURDAY

Catch the Three Letter Emcee performing joints off his his mixtape this saturday at star bar's 31 flavours!

If u havent copped a hard copy of VL. G now is ur chance!

& if u havent heard the mixtape yet free download is available from

www.grounduphiphop.com/gmc

VIDEO: Bert & Ernie - Ante Up

This shit is just plain funny. Props to Stian Hafstad.

Swacked from Discobelle

Espionage Infrared Max 90 Launch

Footage from the launch party for the OG colourway Air Max 90. Sounds by X & Hell.

Late pass on this one BTW. I was gonna post it then I forgot, then weez did, and I can't post less than weez. I mean that wouldn't be right.

Shouts out to Espionage Sydney, a place where myself and A-Style have blown quite a bit of show money over the years while on tour.

X & Hell - Video Hits Competition

You can win a whole bunch of shite from Video Hits in a promo for the new X & Hell single. Contest is running for the next 4 or so weeks - you can peep the details here

GMC - The Three Letter Mixtape Voulme G... NOW UP FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!!

Yes, the mixtape is FINALLY up for free download from:

www.grounduphiphop.com/gmc/

Make sure u cop that shit!!!

If u wanna get ur hands on a hard copy keep a look out for upcoming shows or hit me up personally at:

www.myspace.com/gmcgmc

cheers - G

Video: F.O.B. Documentary - Watch It online

Well for those who missed the SBS screening of the FOB Doco, there is a way to view it online in it's entirety. The whole thing turned out amazing and we're really grateful for the work put in by those involved.

Watch The Doco HERE

Late Pass: Get The Mixtape HERE

X & Hell Live Show Poll Results

Well the month's voting has concluded and it seems the majority of visitors to the blog favour a hybrid of live instrumentation and electronic elements on stage (which is what the group have been leaning to incidently). We're currently sussing out how the new live show will work and how to best do justice to the music we're producing, which has evolved from two rap dudes over a beat, so the live show needs to evolve too. Thanks heaps to all who voted.

VIDEO: Behind The Scenes @ X & Hell's 'Don't Stop Movin' Videoshoot

Shot and edited by Blaze Designs, who recently did some amazing work on the new X & Hell Myspace profile.

Fresh Off the Boat - The Documentary.

After months of post-production and airbrushing, the Fresh Off the Boat documentary will finally screen on Australian television this Wednesday, July 30th as part of the SBS 'mY Generation' series. Show will air at 10pm EST. Big thankyou to Mark and Trina @ Budaya Productions for their time, effort and dedication to the film.

Visit the SBS mY Generation site here for more information.

Here's the official SBS writeup:
"What do Australia’s Generation Y think about multiculturalism, and how do second-generation migrants deal with engrained racial stereotypes? Meet the band F.O.B (Fresh off the Boat), a mixed group of Malaysian, Indian, Filipino, Egyptian and Assyrian musicians whose savvy Hip Hop rhymes make light-hearted fun of traditional ethnic stereotypes. Says Christian (A.K.A MC Justice), “A lot of the time people just write Hip Hop songs about Hip Hop. We’re trying to break out of that and write Hip Hop Songs about stuff that relates to us, and stuff that other people can relate to.” Having built up solid credentials with an ethnic audience, F.O.B take their songs and message to a broader audience and perform at Federation Square, in Melbourne. But is Australia ready for a generation who are prepared to laugh in the face of issues which have traditionally been too sensitive to joke about?"

SHOW: GMC Live @ Playground (Melbourne)

Catch GMC Live at Playground (Seven) on the 9th of August. It's rumoured the man will have hardcopies (n/h) of his debut mixtape for the lucky few who throw they hands in the ayer, ayer. Check him out. He's a sexy man.

VIDEO: X & Hell - Don't Stop Movin

First video and single from X & Hell's sophomore effort 'Million Dollar Sex Party' scheduled for October 4th. Single is @ iTunes July 28th! Cop Cop Cop!

X & Hell - Don't Stop Movin - VIDEO LAUNCH (Melbourne Only)

BOWSSSSSSSS.......

New Jumpoff Goodies

The most consistant artist still making rap music delivers more some new music. Apparently there's a third part on the way. Stolen from Nahright and all roads lead to Shake.

By the way, for fans of the Mood Music series (or in other words all worthy humans) - that's Killa BH on the right there...

Joe Budden - Who Pt 1

Joe Budden - Who Pt 2

GMC - Three Letter Mixtape: Vol. G (Artwork)

Mixtape coming VERY soon. Peep the snippets if you haven't already @ http://www.myspace.com/gmcgmc

LEAK: X & Hell - Don't Stop Movin (Snippet)

Full song will be released digitally on July 26th. Buy 100 copies for yourself.

Now that the NBA finals are over...

what the hell are we all supposed to do with our time? I don't know about you, but for the past 6 months my work day consisted of steady rotations between nahright, nba.com and facebook. Without that triangle offence my day just hasn't been the same...but fear not...the Olympics are just around the corner and Team USA has just been announced...and wow...I'll probably go so far as to say there hasn't been a line up like this since the original Dream Team (not to say I didn't like Dream Team II...Reggie Miller baby). Check out the roster they're sending to China:

"Named to the 2008 USA Basketball Senior National Team were: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kidd; Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). "

Imagine a CP3 and Kobe backcourt! To celebrate the fun we're gonna have watching them play, here's the top 10 plays from Team USA at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona...

1992 Dream Team Top 10 Plays
Uploaded by auteuil92

HERALD-SUN - MELBOURNE - SAT 21ST JUNE

Yes!

My Winehouse Theory

So i reckon she died awhile ago. OD maybe. Dunno. But dead. No heartbeat. Someone (Ronson? Salaam?) did some black magic or buried the chick in a Pet Cemetary, and now she's a zombie. It's taken a while for her flesh to wither and decay, but the evidence is there (see middle pic). Pretty soon, she'll have gone full blown brain eater (see right pic). I'm guessin she died at some point between album completion and first single release, they've done a little HP Lovecraft-work on her cadaver because you can't promo tour when you're in a pine box, and now they are using this whole drug thing as a cover story for her zombidity. I have included a pic of her pre-undead for you comparison.

Solid Statement III : Pics and Rant

Pics from Friday are up at photographer Michael Danischewsky's Blog so check those out. There is even one with the "random yelling man" in all his glory. Thanks to everyone who came down and supported all the artists. Big thanks Weez, M.D. for the flicks (again!), Esscay & Gom, First Floor, and to all the crew who copped tees from me after the show (and ladies - I'm aware we need new merch which includes baby tees / tanks).

It's back to the lab for X & Hell for a month of solid (npi) work to get the album ready and to finalise what our new live show will consist of. Please see the poll in the sidebar and give us your $0.02.

Snippets from the Three Letter Mixtape: Volume G

Just a quick one to let you know i've put up some snippets from Volume G on myspace and also the Facebook fan page.

Links:
www.myspace.com/gmcgmc
http://www.facebook.com/pages/GMC-Three-Letter/14159529177?ref=ts

Cheers guys =)

Spit Syndicate - Weapon of Choice (Prod by Kaos)

Sydney-based duo Spit Syndicate (Nick Lupi & Just Enuf aka Jimmy Nice) are about to drop their debut album titled 'Toward the Light' on June 21st and judging by what we've heard so far, it should be bananas. Head over to their myspace page (www.myspace.com/spitsyndicate) to hear a low-fi version of 'Weapon of Choice', produced by yours truly, as well as the massive 'Here Today Gone Tomorrow' featuring Solo from Horrorshow.

Best wishes to the boys with the release and make sure you go cop the album!

It's like they made the future...but now

Have you seen this thing? I dont really have much to say that the pic dosent already say for me. It looks so sick that if I were a transformer/embolado I probably wouldnt bother being a robot.

Whip Game Proper

Latest BMW concept. Yes, it's made of cloth.

Instead of a metal or plastic body, BMW's latest concept, the GINA Light Visionary Model, drapes a flexible fabric material over a moveable wire mesh frame, creating a nearly seamless surface that can alter its form at the whim of the driver. - Fox News

Read more here

Finals Fever...

Hey people. For the uninitiated, or those who prefer to watch gayness like AFL, the NBA finals are currently in progress. After one of the most competitive regular seasons in recent NBA history we've been blessed with a historic finals match up between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Watching the post-season has re-kindled my love for basketball, so to celebrate this momentous occasion here are the top 10 plays from the 1997 NBA finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. Go Boston...

Vinylman & Wax Boy - The Communist Zombie Remix

B-More/Balifunk spinmen Vinyl Man & Wax Boy have unleashed their club tested Cranberries remix on the internets. This shit is pretty bananas. Right click the link to download or click to stream/preview.

Vinyl Man & Wax Boy - The Communist Zombie Remix

Don't Stop Movin Artwork / New X & Hell Logo Revealed

So with the single set for a July 26th release (at this point I'm assuming a solely digital release) we've been hustlin to get everything on track. Above is the artwork for "Don't Stop Movin" which includes the new logo as designed by The Zonders. More as it comes folks.

Don't Stop Movin - Video Shoot Pics + Rant

After a massive two day shoot throughout inner city Melbourne, we have a shitload of footage for the 'Dont Stop Movin' video. As you can see from the pics, the video will feature myself on a BMX, Hellvaro on skates, a host of extras on random modes of transportation and way too many cardboard boxes (no breakdancer). Hopefully we'll see some rough edits next week and a final will be up here as soon as possible.

Big thanks to all involved especially Adaweez, Benny and Joel @ Paper Plane, Simon, Bec , Justin, Julez Mephisto and the random 'winner' at Fiztroy bowl who stole his 15 seconds of fame.

Big shout to Michael Danischewski for the flicks.

Solid Statement #3 - X & Hell LP Preview

Third time's a charm. Be the first to hear what's being cooked up by myself and Mr.Monobrow with a lotta help from Fuego. Absolutely sterling line-up. What more can I say.

LEAK: Dirty Mob - Headrock Remix (Ft Ethical & Weapon X)

These dudes from Brisbane have been on their grind for a minute now and hollered at yours truly to bring some fire to the remix of their first official single. Beatkamp on the production (Savage/XY). Also features Ethical of NZ crew Smashproof.

You Breakfast...Bitch!

Big shout to the homie Byron Tevez for the heads up on this one. You don't have to appreciate dance music to know that the guy on vocals is that dude.

When Babes Lie...

WTF is White Widdow?

Sometimes you gotta change up the pace a little. Or a lot, depending on how fast you were or weren't going in the first place. Click the pic.

Motley "Save Some Time" is at radio

Melbourne-via-Manchester emcee/producer Motley has just ser...viced...... well.....we better speak on that artwork. I can't call it. There's something Narnia meets Playgirl about this cover. I don't know what the aim was if nothing other than to cause this type of bemusement. Motley is the first signee to Melbourne indie label Hooded Ink and I'm sure the good folks over there know what they're doing.

His first single is called 'Save Some Time' and it's produced by yours truly. It's a pretty slick sort of love lost / love found ditty about his defection from the UK to Australia. It's up at his myspace so peep it at the link below. If you're feeling supportive and you maybe should, click the link below that to vote for it on Triple J (that station where they play everything I produce but not my own records). His tour is about to start too as advertised below so check out those dates, he's an absolute monster performer.

Motley Myspace - Save Some Time

Request on Triple J

Fuego x Danity Kane

Danity Kane - Damaged (Styalz Fuego Skybox Remix)

You should probably check this one out. Actually you'd have Shit For Brains x Hater Goggles if you don't.

Papoose Tries to Bust Remy Out of the Bing

This one's hilarious. Pap was set to marry Remy Ma a.k.a. Shesus Christ while she is in prison for shooting her friend in the ass or the thigh or some shit. He has smuggled in a handcuff key and been caught. Get the low down here.

This is the same dude who managed to trick a local ambulance crew to appear in his straight-to-youtube video for the creatively titled song "ambulance" on the grounds it would be a song denouncing violence in the hood. The song is really a series of threats against Uncle Murda, promising to put him in....you guessed it...an ambulance. He's being sued for it by the Ambo crew.

X & Hell 2nd Album Update

You may have noticed we've been walking around the past few weeks with shit eating grins on our boat races. That's owing largely to the fact that recording for the next album is well underway and the first single has shaped up a corker. Most of the work is coming out of a new studio at my place, which has seen a pleasant resurgence of the 'all-nighter' and the somewhat elusive drunken-euphoric fluke.

The first single is called 'Dont Stop Movin' and is due for release in June/July all being well. It's nothing like anything we've done before and you may hear it in the odd club at the moment as DJs have been showing us a lot of love. It's Produced by Styalz Fuego and Myself. We aim to shoot the video in the next 2 weeks so we'll update with some pics from that.

The biggest change going into this album has been having Fuego on board producing the entire album with me. That and the fact that the last album was compiled over the three years prior to release and showcased our development somewhat, this one we're in a creative zone that is wholly different.

Nothing to really speak on about collabs yet. Production while handled chiefly by Fuego and I, we're taking bits and pieces from a few talented people and far from the usual suspects. The album is coming together is a very diverse and musical group of songs. I'm gonna up some video of some of the process in a few days.

More as it comes.

Under Construction...

Brand new blog which will be updated by the artists and associated people's at Solid State Recordings.

Expect the obvious gratutitous promotion of sounds and wares but with a healthy dose of shit talking and heads-uppery on random things you should know about / listen to / stay away from in the world of both the internets and the physical world and of course the all important world of Eternia where He-Man lives. In the meantime, check out the latest He-Man news here