Jan
30

Video: Shabazz Palaces – “Are You…Can You…Were You (Felt)”

Shabazz Palaces, dropping the video for my favorite track off Black Up. Their raps have always seemed divined from some esoteric and secret scroll stashed in one of Haile Selassie’s hidden archives. So maybe it’s fitting that this video is half in Amharic and aims for the dopest Ethiopian vibes that the Pharcyde once spoke… Continue reading »

Sep
22

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: Only in Dreams and the Coming Down of Dum Dum Girls

Douglas Martin once went by the name Ray Ray Nickel. Dee Dee Penny is nowhere near as divisive as she could be. She’s the rare musician in indie rock to seemingly have it all. The unfettered admiration of the lo-fi/garage sticker set and the intrigued curiosity of mainstream-alternative media. She’s an outstanding curator of influences… Continue reading »

Aug
30

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: Endless Now and the Introversion of Male Bonding

Douglas Martin does not recommend Male Bonding as an adhesive. In spite of being repeatedly referred to as such, Nothing Hurts (http://passionweiss.com/2010/05/10/douglas-martins-dirty-shoes-male-bonding-gets-to-the-point-and-fast/)– Male Bonding’s forty-yard dash of a debut record– was not lo-fi. All the hallmarks were in place, though: the gnashing guitars, the skittering cymbals, the ear-piercing feedback. But those aspects were delivered with… Continue reading »

Jul
15

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: If You Liked It, You Should’ve Put Some Red on It

At this moment, Douglas Martin is reenacting the song “Homecoming.” After the wild artistic success of Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up– not to mention the signing of Shabazz friends and collaborators, Seattle space-rap / R&B duo THEESatisfaction– it’s hard to turn a skeptical eye at the idea of Sub Pop being a burgeoning destination for some… Continue reading »

Jun
21

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: Black Up and the Bold Progression of Shabazz Palaces

For today, you can call Douglas Martin, Ishmael. Within the first minute of Black Up, Ishmael Butler conjures an incredibly loaded image. “I cried with Mooch at Papi’s wake / Snuck an extra slice of cake / When the pigs came ‘round to make they case / I looked them dead up in they face… Continue reading »

May
25

Don’t Fear the Reaping: Shabazz Palaces Lighten Up

Photo by Alex Crick “Noir not withstanding.” Black Up. You don’t need to take tips from Shabazz Palaces’ titles to become aware that their music is murky, lampless Seattle rap (no Mix-A-Lot). When you dwell in a permanent mist, songs often assume a suffocating bass and aggression (see also: London). But unlike most of their… Continue reading »

May
02

Douglas Martin’s Dirty Shoes: Helplessness Blues and the Emotional Heft of Fleet Foxes

Douglas Martin usually uses the phrase “helplessness blues” to describe confused supermarket customers. So now, I am older Than my mother and father When they had their daughter Now, what does that say about me? These are the opening words of Helplessness Blues, delivered within the first ten seconds of lead track “Montezuma”. Robin Pecknold,… Continue reading »

Mar
08

Shabazz Palaces – An Echo From the Hosts that Profess Infinitum

The Butterfly born Ishmael Butler went cocoon over a decade ago and returned with these crawling caterpillar raps. Political rap for an apolitical period. Songs as formless cryptograms. Dying and dust and blowing up hopes. Slaves to network’s master plans. Caustic chants of “who do you think you are?” The revenge of those who once… Continue reading »

Oct
23

Where the Buffalo Roam

A fixture on the local club scene for the last six months, 18-year old guitar prodigy Avi Buffalo recently signed a deal with Sub Pop.  For those interested, I discuss the pact with the recent Long Beach Millikan grad and his A&R over at Pop and Hiss. For PoW purposes, I highly recommend downloading his… Continue reading »