Monday, June 22, 2015

Snoop Dogg BUSH G Pro

Grenco is working with Snoop Dogg for the release of his latest album, Bush. For this collaboration, Grenco has created a sub-$150 package that includes a digital download of “Bush”, a flower pot and seeds, and a custom BUSH G Pro vaporizer that is uniquely designed to Snoop’s specifications. The color scheme (cream and green) makes for a visually distinctive device.


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Depending on the overall moisture of the dry herb that one will be using, the G Pro’s temperature can be changed to 320, 380, or 420 degrees Farenheit. The device can hold up to .6 grams of dry material meaning that two people should be able to feel the effects after a session. As with all Grenco products, the BUSH G Pro Vaporizer comes with a 1-year warranty covering the electronic components of the device. As the summer months continue to allow individuals the opportunity to get out to festivals, camp, or find themselves on road trips, small devices end up winning out. The BUSH G Pro is able to succeed in ways beyond those available at gas stations by tying together portability with functionality in a rugged package.


The vaporizer is incredibly easy to charge, load, and use. The included USB charger means that one can have the device charging near/on a computer without getting in the way or being lost, while the included filter screens / cleaning brush package further increase the amount of uptime that the device will have. The Snoop Dogg BUSH G Pro would be the perfect purchase for anyone that is active and cannot bring a full-sized vaporizer along with them. The bundle shown here is fun and possesses considerably more value than merely receiving the device; keep an eye on the Grenco website for further information about their product lines.


Rating: 9.2/10


Snoop Dogg BUSH G Pro Vaporizer / Grenco Science / www.gpen.com/collections/snoop-dogg/products/snoop-dogg



Turtle Beach Ear Force XO SEVEN Gaming Headset

The gulf in quality between the best and the most lacking headphones available for the Xbox One is considerable. The Ear Force XO SEVEN gaming headsets by Turtle Beach represent the high end of the spectrum, marrying an approachable price point ($100-150) to a rugged build and large amount of functions. The audio produced by the 50mm Neodymium drivers allow for faithful reproduction of the highs and lows. Voices (whether in-game or player responses) are audible and capture the high and low sides of things. The ability of the headset to produce a large number of sounds and keep them separate no matter how busy things get is perhaps the strongest check in support for the XO SEVENs.


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This audio is bolstered through form-fitting foam cups, which bock out outside/environmental noise. In the same fashion, these cups allow players to turn up the volume without irritating other players in the room. The design of these pads ensures that players will be able to take on marathon sessions without succumbing to ear pain.


The XO SEVENs work perfectly with the chat on the Xbox One, meaning that one will be able to issue commands and coordinate movements without worrying about anything more than the server lag. The wireless connection of the XO SEVENs pairs easily without breaking the signal.


For those that wish to further personalize their XO SEVENs, Turtle Beach offers a variety of different speaker plates which are a breeze to replace. Make sure to update your controller’s firmware to ensure the best possible replay for the XO SEVENs; the update process is similarly easy, as owners will need to plug in the device to the headset adapter for the controller. With a small learning curve and amazing sound quality, the headphones would be a perfect birthday or holiday gift for the favorite gamer in your family.


Rating: 9.0/10


Turtle Beach Ear Force XO SEVEN Gaming Headset / www.turtlebeach.com/ / www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/xbox-one-headsets/ear-force-xo-seven/389



Sunday, June 21, 2015

Intelligent Governance for the 21st Century: A Middle Way between West and East (Polity Press)

Berggruen and Gardels establish the current state of world politics as being bipolar. The consumer democracy present in the United States and the Confucian one-party (the “modern manderinate”) role of China represent two paths which new states can take, but each form of governance could stand to be approved; “while China…would need more participatory government and a more accountable meritocratic mandarinate to achieve balance, the United States would need a more depoliticized democracy” (13). An alternative form of governance to those existing must devolve power from the ruling classes and involve those groups excluded from governance.


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The authors compare and contrast the United States and China to allow for a better understanding of the weaknesses and strengths that are inherent in each of the country’s methods of leadership (21). Discussing Fukuyama (2001) and Weiwei (2012), Berggruen and Gardels establish that neither of the established frameworks represent a best case for states attempting to adopt governance structures from either country.


Far from privileging the position of the United States or China, the pair conceptualizes a new framework for states. Intelligent governance attempts to solve problems inherent both in representative democracies and one-party systems. The benefits of adopting intelligent governance in a country would accrue to the citizenry and the government. The establishment of an “accountable meritocracy” would be essential for the continued success of the state (104). The meritocracy would be kept limber by the aeration of the bureaucracy through term limits; Berggruen and Gardels claim that employment in a bureaucracy at a period greater than a decade promotes agency capture and cronyism.


Berggruen and Gardels conclude Intelligent Governance for the 21st Century with three case studies – California, the G-20 states, and Europe. Each chapter describes the specific array of governance problems that are present in each governance structure and how their proposed system of intelligent governance could be utilized to ameliorate these issues.  The authors discuss an alternative form of organization for the Californian state government that would collapse the state Senate and Assembly into a unicameral body. As the amount of constituents per member would decrease considerably, the legislature would become more responsive to citizen needs.


The G-20 represents a form of global governance that struggles due to organizational inefficiency. The increase in the amount of countries during the switch-over from the G-7 to the G-20 meant that the organization had to coordinate states with different levels of democracy, types of governance, and overall goals and desires for the organization (150). With this array of desires for the group, constituent members have not placed authority in the G-20. Berggruen and Gardels suggest that past and present G-20 leaders meet to increase continuity between summits. Working groups should be established in policy fields to successfully guide G-20 leadership (160). As “a web of national and subnational networks should be fostered to provide global public goods,” regional organizations should be fostered and coordinated under this reformed G-20 organization.


The European Union suffers from the effects of powerful economic recession exacerbated by the adoption of the Euro. This is a protracted crisis as the European Union does not possess the authority required to transform the region’s economic fortunes. Unifying the governance institutions of the member states into a federal union is the policy recommendation of Berggruen and Gardels. A European Union-wide budget would be crafted in the European Commission, EU-wide taxes would be levied, and the resulting federalist structure would be able to successfully navigate an array of crises.


The intelligent governance framework establishes a Platonic ideal to which states and extra-state actors can strive. The major concern about this conception of governance comes in the initial provision of positions by the members of society. A system of governance, be it democratic, autocratic, or monarchic, has been entrenched as the “way things are done”. The continued prevalence of parochial and crony capitalism states despite wide-spread distaste between classes for these types of governments provides some insight for the difficulty of adopting the intelligent governance framework. The average citizen possesses a considerable amount of power in the intelligent governance system. The lower level of the legislature is directly elected by the populace, while the citizenry has an unofficial role as a “monitory webocracy”. Berggruen and Gardel point toward the ability of weibu users in the Chinese context to influence government policy through the description of party excesses.


Berggruen and Gardels provide a set of policies for leaders unable to completely jettison their current form of governance; the involve-devolve mantra that the duo describe could be adopted at any government level. The intelligent governance blueprint utilizes firm numbers and exhaustively explains the structure of the political system while providing examples of how the structure could be utilized by world and regional actors, nongovernmental actors and intergovernmental organizations.


The scholars conclude that transition to intelligent governance is a possibility, as long as the affected populace feels as if this shift is required. By changing the paradigm under which society operates, citizens will be able to adopt the intelligent governance framework. The pair stress that conversion to this mode of government will attempt to address the inequalities that exist in society but that their framework should not be considered a panacea for states in search of a governance solution. The increased activity of the world’s citizenry on internet and communications technologies allow for the philosophy to be quickly and completely disseminated throughout the world, while facilitating discussion about the changes needed for each specific country.


Intelligent Governance for the 21st Century: A Middle Way between West and East. By Nicolas Berggruen and Nathan Gardels. (Polity Press, 2013.)



Selena Gomez "Good For You" featuring A$AP Rocky available now

“Good For You,” the eagerly awaited brand-new single from multi-platinum singer and actress Selena Gomez, is available now for digital download .  Produced by Nick Monson and Nolan Lambroza, the track features chart-topping rapper A$AP Rocky, who also co-produced it along with Hector Delgado. The video for “Good for You,” directed by Sophie Muller (Beyoncé, Rihanna), is scheduled for release Friday, June 26th.  “Good For You,” is the first single from Gomez’s forthcoming album, which will be released by Interscope Records.



iHeartMedia will host an exclusive World Premiere event to introduce “Good For You” to music fans across the country. Beginning tomorrow, June 22nd, at 6 am ET, “Good For You” will officially premiere across all iHeartMedia CHR radio stations and run at the top of every hour through 11 pm local. In addition, the single will be available on-demand across iHeartMedia CHR station websites, as well as iHeartRadio.com.


Gomez’s 2013 album Stars Dance debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and spawned the international hit “Come and Get It,” which earned the Grand Prairie, TX, native her first No. 1 single on the US Top 40 chart. Gomez, who has sold over 21 million singles worldwide, followed up the success of Stars Dance with a sold-out world tour.


Gomez has also had significant success in film and television, making the transition from young actress to adulthood with such films as Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers and William H. Macy’s Rudderless, opposite Billy Crudup. This year, Selena wrapped three films: Hotel Transylvania 2 opposite Adam Sandler, The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving opposite Paul Rudd and James Franco’s In Dubious Battle opposite Robert Duvall.


Gomez is the newest ambassador for the hair care brand Pantene.

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Facebook.com/selena
Twitter.com/selenagomez
Instagram.com/selenagomez
Youtube.com/selenagomezvevo
Selenagomez.com


 


 



Joi Noir Interview

Can you give us a little insight about how Joi Noir came to be?



Igor: Olga and I met during my previous music project in Moscow in 2010. I had a day job in Congo and was sharing my time between Africa, Moscow, Toronto and Barcelona where Olga had moved to. Later on she followed me to Congo. Jack was in Africa at the time too. He and I have known each other since mid-1980s from our University days in Siberia. He used to drum for all major underground punk acts which flourished then. Now that all three of us were in this one exotic place it would have been a mistake not to start a band. It was Olga’s idea. She had discovered a club in Pointe-Noire where local and expat bands played.




Jack: It was called Iguane Café owned by a Frenchman René Vernice. He welcomed all sorts of bands including us. He gave us a place to rehearse and play at. The music there was very diverse ranging from traditional West African soukous and rumba to Irish jigs. We had a chance to meet a lot of great musicians and collaborated with some of them. René encouraged all that. It was really fun times.



Olga: We started to rehearse in February 2014 and in March we played our first short gig at a St. Patrick’s bash in Pointe-Noire. A couple of months later we had a set of 12 songs which I wrote and several covers including Bowie’s Space Oddity and Pretenders’ Mystery Achievement. When we left Africa and arrived to Kuala Lumpur we figured it would have been a waste not to record them. We went to a studio in KL and recorded ten songs in three days.


Your self-titled debut came out on May 22nd. What are particular highlights from the album?



Igor: This album is an attempt to reach a wider international audience. There is a few things that the listeners can relate to. Our main influences come from post-punk and new wave and you can hear it on Cake (The Queen Is Dead), All My Life and Miracles. I think this kind of music is coming around these days and we are definitely into it. Always have been.



Olga: We are a post-punk renaissance band.

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How have you evolved since your first few practices as an act? 



Olga: I started to write songs in Africa. Igor used to ask me: How many songs have you written today? I’d say: three. He would claim it was not enough: You should write at least ten songs every day. So I would do that and then choose the ones with the most potential, arrange them and Igor would come up with the lyrics. This became our approach.


The band contains members from around the world (Canada, Spain, and Siberia); how does the disparate life experiences contribute to what listeners will hear on your release?



Igor: Joi Noir is an example of the globalization phenomenon. Russian musicians playing Western rock music, singing in English, forming a band in Africa, recording in Malaysia, mixing and mastering in the UK, marketing in the US and rest of the world via the Internet! Music without borders or cultural differences. As above so below every step of the way.



Olga: Our songs are compiled of various pop culture and post modern concepts that have become a common point of reference everywhere.



Jack: Ramones and The Sex Pistols had a major influence on the underground counter culture in Siberia in mid-1980s which I was a part of. The whole punk movement in the Soviet Union was a ripple effect from NYC and London with a 10-year lag. Still it was remarkable how things, thoughts and events propagated in most similar ways in spite of geographical and time distances, cultural and political differences. Behind the iron curtain we were oblivious of the details of the Western punk lore and history and tried to glue together facts about it like a puzzle from any source of information we could come across which was very scarce. We used to pay half a monthly salary to buy The Sex Pistols and Clash records smuggled into the USSR black market. Yet we were so impressed with the phenomenon and the sheer energy and angst that we had no choice but to pick up guitars and start playing. We had a lot of anger. There was a lot of things to be angry about. But it was fun and it shaped us in so many ways that now we can’t get rid of it no matter how we try.


You have also released your debt album on vinyl. The resurgence of records has been amazing, but what specific qualities to this larger format made the band decide to go in that direction?



Igor: Vinyl is cool. It brings back a warm and fuzzy feeling about the good old days when vinyl was a special medium to give music a special value. Although our album was recorded, mixed and mastered digitally it sounds better on vinyl. I don’t know how but it just does. Alex Wharton made a great master for us at Abbey Road and cut lacquers to press it on vinyl.



Olga: Of course, none of it would have happened without Gareth Jones at Strongroom Studios in London who had done an amazing mix of the album and recommended Alex to us. The final result sounds awesome on vinyl.



Jack: Believe it or not but we sold more LPs than CDs. There’s a whole vinylomania going on right now.odm66qzKQySiQRXx1vqE_1486138_1391207361099903_5274092343656435897_o


Joi Noir just made it to Malaysia. What was the band doing over on that side of the world?



Igor: We are breaking into the local music community. The bands are big in numbers here. Working with promoters and exploring the rest of Southeast Asia. Malaysia is a great hub to allow you to do that. We have also traveled to Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal. Destinations with amazing cultures.



Olga: I’m working on new material for our next album. We also just came from a studio where we recorded a song for a tribute to one of the new wave Russian bands from the 1980s Obermaneken. We were excited when they asked us to do it.


Which sort of social media website have you had the best successes with? What about these online services are different from the traditional face to face meeting that musicians traditionally utilize?



Olga: Facebook is the best. It brings more engagement and interaction.



Igor: The Internet changed the reality forever. It offers flexibility to transcend time zones, international borders and accessibility to resources. A democratic cosmopolitan approach. Just the way we like it.


What does the rest of 2015 hold for you? What sort of hints can you provide about future music from the Joi Noir camp?



Igor: We plan our next album to be recorded by Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio Studio in Chicago. Two weeks ago we met with Steve in Barcelona and discussed the details. I wish I could say that he would produce our record but he detests the concept of a producer. Steve’s approach is to do the best job possible to record the band without imposing on their musical direction or creative process.



Olga: Steve’s cool, approachable and accommodating. We are looking forward to working with him.


How can interested readers find samples of your music?



Olga: Our album is streamlined from SoundCloud




You can also sample it from iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/joi-noir/id990827690






LPs and CDs are available only from our website joinoir.com/#store


Thank you so much for your time. Do you have any further information for our readers here at NeuFutur?



Olga: Thank you for your support and stay tuned for more.



Igor: Don’t be square, be there.



Jack: Long live rock’n’roll!




Thirsty Self-titled CD Review

The eponymous opening to Thirsty’s album showcases a dreamy set of vocals and a tight rock arrangements that works well in a variety of styles. Hints of sixties and seventies rock can be discerned as the vocals approach that of Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger. 10, 7 And Possibly 6 has a funky groove that succeeds based on the drum / guitar dynamic. Bits of blues music can be picked out here as Thirsty makes a track that links together Tom Petty with Talking Heads; the harmonies achieved here will tattoo themselves deep into the minds and hearts of listeners.


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God Bless America is a touching and intimate track that succeeds based on the additional vocals. I feel that the depth that is achieved during this effort provides considerable depth to this album, ensuring that listeners will be on the edges of their seats. The production shines through brightly during this album, meaning that the constituent elements of Thirsty can shine on their own and as a cohesive act. Flawless has the vocals take on hints of Mike Ness and Lou Reed to create further variety for the album.


The distinctive percussion presented to listeners on this track make for a wholly different experience than had been present on earlier registers. The penultimate effort on this self-titled release is darkly emotive and strips things down to their base level. What results is a tremendously effecting track that is entirely immersive; it dovetails with White (the last composition on this release). White winds things to a neat end. The wide-open spaces created by Thirsty tie together hints of Pink Floyd as Thirsty provide a memorable ending to one of the most compelling albums that we have heard this year.


Top Tracks: 10, 7 And Possibly 6, God Bless America


Rating: 8.6/10


Thirsty Self-titled CD Review / 2015 Self / 10 Tracks / www.thirstymusic.co.uk/ / www.facebook.com/thirstymusic



Saturday, June 20, 2015

Novembers Doom Vocalist Announces Nerd-tastic T-Shirt Company INKOGNEETO

NOVEMBERS DOOM vocalist Paul Kuhr in partnership with Nikki Miller is proud to announce the launch of INKOGNEETO, a T-Shirt company for the nerd in all of us. 


Kuhr released the following statement about the new business.


In early 2015 a nerdgasmic idea was born between Nikki Miller and Paul Kuhr, to make great T-Shirts for the inner nerd in all of us. We’re all fans of Science Fiction, Television, Movies, Comic Heroes and their Villains, and most importantly, parody of all the above. Your inner hero needs a costume. We make Tees for your alter ego.


The goal is very simple. We want you to nerd out with us. When you wear one of our designs, we want random strangers to see your awesomeness, be jealous they don’t own one, and point it out with a passing mention of “Cool shirt!”With our bad ass designs we feel we can easily achieve this.


Offering shirts for a limited time allows us to constantly bring new, exciting, trending and timely designs hitting the pop culture nerdiness that we all love.


Our designs are awesome, but we know there are others who have ideas we don’t. Artists can submit their designs to the site, and if we choose their image, they will be paid as well.


Being no stranger to T-Shirts, Paul Kuhr is a founding member and vocalist for Chicago’s Dark Metal band, Novembers Doom. Over the years, he has designed the bands merchandise and has worked in the design and printing industry for over 2 decades.


When you’re not watching TV, movies or reading, what are you doing? Listening to music! INKOGNEETO currently has a “Featured Band”section. Now, tell me we didn’t just tickle all of your pickles? Here, we offer officially licensed band merchandise for a limited time, working closely with the band, and not management or record labels. We make sure the ARTIST is supported and taken care of. Unheard of in the music industry, we’re all about artists helping artists.


 


www.inkogneeto.com/


www.facebook.com/inkogneeto2015


www.twitter.com/inkogneeto2015


 



Friday, June 19, 2015

Pierce The Veil releases new single "The Divine Zero"

Pierce The Veil fans have been answered: The San Diego, CA four piece released their new single “The Divine Zero” on iTunes today, which is currently at #1 on the iTunes Rock Chart and is trending on Twitter in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.


“This first single, “The Divine Zero,” goes out to all of our incredibly supportive fans out there who have been waiting for it,” adds lead vocalist, Vic Fuentes. “There is nothing more special to us than being able to share new music with all of you, and this is the very first glimpse into our upcoming album.  We’re looking forward to playing this song live and singing along with all of you at the Vans Warped Tour this summer. See you at the shows!”



Pierce The Veil has been announced to perform at the Alternative Press Music Awards 2015, where vocalist Vic Fuentes is nominated for “Best Vocalist”, and guitarist Tony Perry is on the ballot for “Best Guitarist”. Fans can vote at Altpress.com/APMAS. Last year Pierce The Veil took home awards for “Best Live Band”, “Best Bassist” for Jaime Preciado and “Best Drummer” for Mike Fuentes, who is featured on the cover of Alternative Press’ Warped Tour Issue, in stores now.”The Divine Zero” is the first song Pierce The Veil has released since the rocket-ride success of the band’s 2012 release, Collide With The Sky, selling nearly 300,000 copies in the U.S. alone. The album features the single “King For A Day” (Feat. Kellin Quinn) which has been certified Gold and has racked up an astounding 50 million YouTube views.


The band also just won the award for “Best Fanbase” at the 2015 Kerrang! Awards in the UK.


Pierce The Veil kicks off their headline slot on the Main Stage of Vans Warped Tour today in Pomona, CA. Full routing listed below.


San Diego’s Pierce The Veil has become one of the fastest-rising and most compelling forces in the music scene today. Already winners of “Best Video” at the 2013 Kerrang! Awards, and 2014’s Revolver Golden God “Best Film & Video” award for critically-acclaimed documentary This Is A Wasteland, the band also won three 2014 Alternative Press Music Awards including Best Live Band. The band garnered a legion of dedicated fans worldwide through multiple tours around the globe, including stints with All Time Low and their recent sold out world tour with Sleeping With Sirens. 2015 has already seen the band grace the cover of Alternative Press, Rock Sound, and Kerrang! Magazine.


PIERCE THE VEIL TOUR DATES 


 

VANS WARPED TOUR 2015 



Jun 19 – Pomona, CA @ Pomona Fairplex 


Jun 20 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater


Jun 21 – Ventura, CA @ Seaside Park – Ventura County Fairgrounds


Jun 23 – Mesa, AZ @ Quail Run Park 


Jun 24 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater 


Jun 25 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Remington Park 


Jun 26 – Houston, TX @ NRG Park Main St Yellow Lot


Jun 27 – Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavilion 


Jun 28 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center


Jul 1 – Nashville, TN @ Tennessee State Fairgrounds 


Jul 2 – Atlanta, GA @ Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood 


Jul 3 – St Petersburg, FL @ Vinoy Park 


Jul 4 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheater


Jul 5 – Orlando, FL @ Tinker Field 


Jul 6 – Jacksonville, FL @ Morocco Shrine Auditorium and Grounds 


Jul 7 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion 


Jul 8 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Farm Bureau Live


Jul 9 – Pittsburgh, PA @ First Niagara Pavilion 


Jul 10 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center 


Jul 11 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Amphitheater


Jul 12 – Hartford, CT @ Xfinity Theatre


Jul 14 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center


Jul 15 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake PAC 


Jul 16 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center 


Jul 17 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheater


Jul 18 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion 


Jul 19 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center


Jul 21 – Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain 


Jul 23 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center 


Jul 24 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills Parking Lot 


Jul 25 – Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre


Jul 26 – Shakopee, MN @ Canterbury Park 


Jul 27 – Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater


Jul 28 – Milwaukee, WI @ Marcus Amphitheater


Jul 29 – Noblesville,  IN @ Klipsch Music Center


Jul 30 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheater 


Aug 1 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah State Fairgrounds


Aug 2 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center Parking Lot 


Aug 5 – San Diego, CA @ Qualcomm Stadium Parking Lot


Aug 7 – Portland, OR @ Portland Expo Center 


Aug 8 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheater




Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Rodney Patterson Feature

Rodney Patterson is a unique performer that has taken on a wide variety of genres during his career. The ability that he showcases in his music means that ambient, jazz, and R&B-themed tracks are commonplace. In fact, the only thing that listeners can be sure of when they sit down with a new Patterson track is that the arrangements will be tight and the music fun. The spontaneity that is discernible in tracks like Just Relax separates Patterson from other performers garnering radio play.




Upload your music for free at ReverbNation.com


Love > Fear, Patterson’s 2012 full-length album is a good place to start for individuals looking to familiarize themselves with this performer. Desire to Love is an emotive piano-led track that tells more with Patterson’s composition than performers can do with vocal and instrumental efforts. Memory Lane showcases the highs and lows achievable by Rodney, while the complex instrumentation that is commonplace during the ultimate track Destination to Perfection (Version 2) will require a number of listens before fans can hear every twist and turn that Patterson has included onto the composition.


Just Relax is Patterson’s best known track due to the sheer density and wide-reaching spirit that it possesses. At any second, there are so many things happening – sultry horns, impeccable percussion, and a rich blues, funk, and jazz groove that reaches prominence at points. Continue listening and a more Spanish-themed bit of guitar dominates; the track may only be four and a half minutes but the space that it will occupy in listener’s minds and hearts is considerably greater.


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For those that wish to hear samples of Patterson’s music, his CDBaby has bits and pieces from Love > Fear as well as Just Relax. For the latest in information about Rodney, give his Youtube or Facebook  a spin. Here’s to hoping that Rodney is able to bring out a few more singles this year to tie together his discography; the timeless compositions that fans have already been treated to already represent a stellar collection of styles, genres, and approaches. Patterson’s music would be perfect for any fans of classical, jazz, blues, funk, or soul music; there is an allure to what Rodney has laid down in efforts like Just Relax that will speak to anyone fortunate enough to listen in.



Ted's Montana Grill 6195 Sawmill Road, Dublin, OH)

Ted’s Montana Grill is an upscale dining establishment; we were ecstatic when we were invited in for a meal. The restaurant is decorated in a late-19th / early-20th century format, eschewing the big screens and less formal aspects. What ultimately is presented is a comfortable, accommodating restaurant that has enough variety in its menu to appease young and old alike.IMG_20150606_121302117 We ordered the bison nachos to begin the meal. The tortillas were thick and large to accommodate the two types of cheese, jalapenos and bison chili that were liberally placed on the plate. The nachos were enough to sate us before our entrees were delivered.


I ordered the Canyon Creek, a burger (available in beef or bison) that links together cheddar, bacon, jalapeno, a fried egg and blackberry jam into a varied experience.  IMG_20150606_122901317 The fried egg was cooked properly, oozing out slowly after the first bite. The bacon was crispy but pliable enough to add a different mouthfeel to the burger, while the jalapeno and jam united to create something that was simultaneously spicy and sweet. The Bison pot roast was tender and succulent, with enough in the way of gravy to cover the included potatoes. The carrots were a little on the crisp side and could have stood to be placed in the steamer for a few extra minutes.IMG_20150606_122850046


The portion sizes of the entrees were enough to ensure that we had enough to bring home, but we forged bravely on and order the strawberry shortcake from their dessert menu. Ted’s Montana Grill stepped up their game with this deconstructed dessert, utilizing drop biscuits as the top/bottom of the shortcake. Fresh strawberries and sauce were drizzled over the biscuits and the ice cream comprising the middle of the dessert. This meal-ending plate would easily feed two but could easily be stretched to a family of three or four.IMG_20150606_125819896


Sustainability is a core tenet of Ted’s Montana Grill, from the biodegradable paper straws to recyclable paper on the tables. The bison used in a number of the restaurant’s dishes is a sustainable food source owing to intelligent herd-raising practices. Ted’s Montana Grill locations are available throughout the majority of the Midwest / east coast, Colorado and Montana. A dinner for two will typically run about $30-50, with appetizers and desserts each adding around $6-10 to the total bill.





Ted’s Montana Grill 6195 Sawmill Road, Dublin, OH / www.tedsmontanagrill.com / www.facebook.com/tedsmontanagrill



Curioustin Interview

We had a moment to sit down with Hamar, Norway’s Curioustin. How is everything going with you today?


I am fine, thanks. I was hoping that the weather would be nicer so that I could go outside, but since it’s cloudy and it started to rain, I might as well stay inside and work some more with my music. I am very nervous to release it, but mostly very happy.


Can you give us a little insight about how Curioustin came to be?


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In Norway we have a thing called Folkehøgskule, which is basically a school where people from all over the country, and even from outside of Norway, go for a year to study something that they like. The school has no exams in the end, we go on school trips to different countries (we went to Berlin and London), mostly just working with what you like, and having lots of fun with our new friends! I was in a class called Music Production, which is basically learning how to produce music, use the studio and learn how to rig for a concert and controlling live sound.

Before all this I had all these musical ideas which I couldn’t do anything with except for recording them on my phone. Singing with a piano on a stage isn’t really my thing either. My goal for the year while at Folkehøgskule was to find my sound, and create my own musical space/environment. After just a few months at Sunnhordland Folkehøgskule it was all clear to me; I had to start to produce these glitchy and ______ (insert other genre here)-music. By the way, it is pronounced [Kjuriostín], like curious + teen.


Your Dreamescape EP is going to be released on 1 July. What are particular highlights from the release?


In my opinion they are all good songs. None of them are alike, and they all have something exciting and new. I have shown a few of the songs to some of my friends, and they often tell me that they’ve never heard anything similar before, which is great. I don’t want to make boring music, music that you have heard before. I like changes, I like the new, and I like that a song is a bit challenging to listen to.


What artists or genres have played the largest role in influencing your music?


There are so many, I don’t know anymore. I am really inspired by Alissa White-Gluz and the rest of The Agonist, and Hol Baumann. Also, Infected Mushroom have played some part to inspire me. As you can see, they are totally different people in different genres, and that is the whole idea: Mixing genres. I like almost all kinds of music except a genre called dansband. I think it is some swedish/norwegian sub-genre from Country. After a while, I have stopped to compare my music to others, because I can’t find anything to compare it to any longer, just small parts, and that is good. New and exciting!


How have you evolved since the first few tracks that you recorded?


I have evolved a lot! Dreamy Clouds of Glass was the first song I finished. I got much help from my teacher. I am still learning though, mixing and mastering is hard work, and takes a long time to master. Luckily I have worked with a friend from Sunnhordland Folkehøgskule, Ehtergram, who is also  into the same music as I. We have exchanged both inspiring songs, ideas and experiences. It Ends or Begins was the first song we cooperated on. She is really a genius, who knows how to make a good sound, and good songs. Since the school year is over, and I am in Hamar, I have to mix and master my own songs again, and each time, I get a little better.


Which sort of social media website have you had the best successes with? What about these online services are different from the traditional face to face meeting that musicians traditionally utilize?


I am still a very unknown artist, so it’s hard to tell. The SoundCloud community is big though, and as long as I am active there, commenting, liking and follow other users, I get some attention and new followers from time to time. Also, since I haven’t released something properly yet, it’s difficult. It’s hard to advertise for something I can’t show to them. But I am also on Facebook, Bandcamp and a norwegian site called Urørt to reach out to as many people as I can. If one gets big on Urørt they can be played on the national radio.


The internet, I think, is not very personal. You don’t get to feel the energy of a person through Facebook. One often don’t recommend a facebook page to a friend personally, like you would have invited them to a concert. Invites are often ignored because people “don’t have the time” to find out what the page is. Therefore it’s very hard to reach out to people. I used to play in a band before called FirstImpression, and we always got to know other people by their faces and not their profile picture, and vice versa. It was much easier to get fans by playing live gigs. In the future I am going to be working on how I can play my songs live on a stage. It’s not that I can’t play the melodies, but performing with Ableton Live, I have never done that before. It’s like learning a whole new instrument from scratch. I am very motivated though, so the next year I am going to learn how to do that as well. Almost like DJ-ing my own songs.


What does the rest of 2015 hold for you? What sort of hints can you provide about the music that you will release after the Dreamescape EP is released?


The first few weeks after the 1st of july I will probably just chill, take a little break from composing, but not for long if I know myself right. I have a few vague concepts, and ideas now, and I will probably try to further develop the sound environment that I’ve already made. Glitch-ballad was a thought that popped into my head a few days ago. Hopefully, next time I will make an album, but that’s going to take a long time. I prefer to work in my own tempo, which can be a little slow, but the quality of the songs always turns out good. But for all we know, maybe Curioustín and Ehtergram will be a duo?


How can interested readers find samples of your music, and what can they do to help spread the message of Curioustin?


Right now I have a soundcloud profile and a Bandcamp page where Dreamy Clouds of Glass is. And I try to be active on Facebook as well. I wish I  could travel and play gigs, because then I would have more to write about. Please buy my EP when it releases on BandCamp. Take it with you on your phone and play it at parties. Contact me if you want to use any of it in a game, or in a live set or in some other way that I have not thought about. It would be much appreciated. And of course I will spread the word of your thing as well.


Thank you so much for your time. Do you have any further information for our readers here at NeuFutur?


In about one week I am going to share with you the last song from the EP – It Ends or Begins. Only you who read this article from this page are going to be able to hear it one week before the whole EP releases. Also, I will share a discount code that you can use if you decide to buy the EP from Bandcamp, so stay tuned!



Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Carry Illinois Explicates Themes of "Alabaster"

“Alabaster” is an album that means a lot to me in terms of my personal growth and journey in professional music throughout the past seven years. I am so proud to have released this set of songs and to have finally come into myself, my style, and to have found my true voice.  I wrote the album throughout a serious bout of depression, a difficult band break up, and witnessed a friend lose her father and another separate from his longtime girlfriend.  Alabaster was the light at the end of the tunnel and it is a great joy to be able to share the music with all of you.


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It seems highly fitting that our first video be for the title track of our new record “Alabaster.” We shot the video on a rainy February weekend out in rural Dale, Texas at our friend Josh Ball’s ranch.  Before even getting started on the recording and filming, we found out that our guitar player would be bringing a dog that he was pet-sitting, our keyboard player had to bring his rabbit and dog due to a gas leak at his house, and Josh Ball already had two resident cats and a dog. It was a wonderful bonus that we would be filming amidst actual animals considering the theme of the song “Alabaster.”


 


The song is about an alabaster owl that was gifted to The Blackwells (the previous project I was involved in).  I often like to look around my immediate environs for inspiration and the owl caught my eye.  I wanted to bring life and a story to this beautiful inanimate object.  One of the central subjects in the song is that animals are much wiser than we will ever know.  The song is also about the complexity and struggles that life brings for all creatures: “You stay at rest as we wrestle the beast. You tend to the family as we grasp for relief.”  “Alabaster” stands out as one of my favorite songs I have written thus far.


 


It was really special to have the chance to film and record a live version of the song in such a unique setting.  Since we filmed over a whole weekend and stayed out at the ranch, we were able to dig deep into the emotions and each band members’ connection to the song.  We captured the power of the group playing together in a classic ranch house setting with a psychedelic light show.  To contrast that feeling, we represented the intimacy of my music through a solo performance amongst candlelight in the cold.  We were very lucky to have to chance to work with Josh and his talented crew (including Ben Bloom from amazing Austin, TX. based Onion Creek Productions). We began filming two other live videos at Josh Ball’s ranch in addition to “Alabaster”, so keep an eye for those later this summer/early fall!


carryillinoisband.com/ / https://www.facebook.com/carryillinois


 



Frank Steiner, Jr. Momentum CD Review

Frank Steiner, Jr. is releasing his latest album Momentum on Real Music in July. These five compositions provide listeners with over fifty minutes of introspection and compelling music crafted by Steiner. Momentum begins with the ten-plus minute composition, “To Fill the Sky”. This effort begins with a sedate, twinkling set of arrangements that add disparate elements before gradually gaining tempo and created something that sits at the precipice of American folk, jazz, and new age music. A narrative is present during this opening that far outstrips vocal music; listeners can take the rising and falling actions as part of an epic journey that contains innumerable stimuli; the track possesses bright and dark elements before Steiner moves to his next work.


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“Swimming with Delphin” is a similarly deep and intricate set of arrangements that shift and change just enough to establish a theme that matches the titular action well. Listeners will be sent on a journey through synth and vocal elements. The track picks up and elicits comparisons to schools of fish and larger aquatic animals flittering by.


“Tigam Enome” bridges the gap between classical and current styles of music. The raw passion and emotionality of Steiner’s arrangements are given further depth through the inclusion of vocals. While the track stands out, “Tigam Enome” is threaded through by the same thematic elements that have been presented throughout the title.


Momentum concludes with “Out There” and “Epiphany,” two tracks that unite despite possessing wholly different foundations. “Out There” has a flair for more Latin elements even as a nod to modern electronic artists like Kraftwerk and Klaus Schulze can be discerned, while “Epiphany” provides an emphatic ending to the album as well as a pulling back of the veil concerning where Steiner may take listeners on later titles.


Top Tracks: Swimming with Delphin, To Fill the Sky


Rating: 8.7/10


Frank Steiner, Jr. Momentum CD Review / 2015 Real Music / 5 Tracks / www.realmusic.com



Summertime Wheat (Rahr & Sons)

Summertime Wheat from Fort Worthy’s Rahr & Sons brewery is a hazy yellow beer that has a small amount of white head. This haze is due to Rahr & Sons’ decision to leave the brew unfiltered, which gives a different mouth feel and considerably denser flavor profile than filtered products. The beer has a nose not unlike that of a hefeweizen, with bits of citrus and clove that can be discerned. Rahr’s Summertime Wheat has a small amount of bitterness that is immediately evident before the more sugar and fruit sides shine. This seasonal is perfect for the warming months of the early summer, having more than enough in the way of twists and turns present that one will be able to stick with a sixer over the course of the night.SummertimeWheatBody


Whether paired with burgers, chicken, or as a palette refresher for stronger-flavored fare (Mexican, Indian, Thai), the Summertime Wheat is able to add a further level of complexity. While there are a number of bold flavors that can be pulled out from each sip, the beer never loses its ability to quench one’s thirst. Instead of continuing with the sweet-forward flavors that were immediately present, the tack that Summertime Wheat takes in the second half of the bottle balances hops and grain into something that will go down easily.


The Summertime Wheat warms up nicely, with greater malt overtones present as the beer approaches room temperature. For more information about the full range of Rahr & Sons efforts, visit their domain; additional news about events, beer tastings and the like can be located on their social media profiles. The Summertime Wheat is one of the first airy yet flavorful, fruity and wheaty beers that we have received and represents a high hurdle for later efforts to jump.


Rating: 8.9/10


Summertime Wheat / Rahr & Sons / 6.0% ABV / 19 IBU / rahrbrewing.com/ / www.facebook.com/rahrbrewing



Joey Bada$$ shares Paper Trail$

Today, Joey Bada$$ is sharing the music video for “Paper Trail$” from his debut album B4.DA.$$ which is out now via Pro Era / Cinematic Music Group. The Tom Gould-directed black and white video depicts Joey and his mom during the struggle before he found success, B4.DA.$$.



Joey premiered the video today on REVOLT and will appear on REVOLT Live tonight at 7pm ET.


Joey is also proud to announce the first annual Steez Day Festival to honor Pro Era’s fallen comrade and founding member Capital Steez. Joey and the Pro’s will be joined by Flatbush Zombies, The Underachievers, Smoke DZA, Phony PPL, and more. Steez Day will take place in Central Park on 7/7 as one of this year’s NYC Summer Stage concerts. Tickets are now on sale.


Joey is currently on the first leg of his World Domination tour on the West Coast. His critically acclaimed B4.DA.$$ is now available everywhere via Pro Era / Cinematic Music Group. Check out the Paper Trail$ music video, the flyer for Steez Day, and Joey’s full list of tour dates below.


TOUR DATES


6/16 – Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA *


6/17 – Regency – San Francisco, CA *


6/18 – WOW Hall – Eugene, OR *


6/19 – Wonder – Portland, OR ^


6/20 – KUBE Radio Show – Seattle, WA *


6/25 – Bravalla Festival – Sweden


6/26 – Provinnsrock Festival – Finland


6/27 – Tinderbox Festival – Denmark


7/03 – Wireless Festival – London, UK


7/04 – Woo Ha! Hip Hop Festival – Tilburg, Holland


7/05 – Coloeur Café Festival – Belgium


7/7 – Steez Day Festival (Central Park) – New York, NY


7/09 – Balaton Sound Festival – Hungary


7/10 – Uebel & Gefaehrlich – Hamburg, Germany


7/11 – Splash Festival – Berlin, Germany


7/15 – Fresh Island Festival – Croatia


7/17 – Slottsfjell – Tonsberg, Norway


7/18 – Hip Hop Open – Stutgart, Germany


7/25 – Fuji Rock – Tokyo, Japan


* w/ Mick Jenkins & Denzel Curry


^ w/ Denzel Curry


Joey Bada$$


B4.DA.$$


(Out Now, Cinematic Music Group / Pro Era)


1. Save The Children (prod by Statik Selektah)

2. Greenbax Introlude (prod by Lee Bannon)

3. Paper Trail$ (prod. by Dj Premier)

4. Piece of Mind (prod by Freddie Joachim)

5. Big Dusty (prod by Kirk Knight)

6. Hazeus View (prod. by Kirk Knight)

7. Like Me feat. BJ The Chicago Kid (prod. by J Dilla & The Roots)

8. Belly of the Beast feat. Chronixx (prod by Hit Boy)

9. No. 99 (prod. by Statik Selektah)

10. Christ Conscious (prod. by Basquiat)

11. On and On feat. Maverick Sabre & Dyemond Lewis (prod by Freddie Joachim)

12. Escape 120 feat. Raury (prod. by Chuck Strangers)

13. Black Beetles (prod by Chuck Strangers)

14. O.C.B. (prod. by Sam I AM w/ instrumentation by The Soul Rebels)

15. Curry Chicken (prod. by Statik Selektah)

16. BONUS: Run Up On feat. Action Bronson & Elle Varner (prod. by Statik Selektah)

17. BONUS: Teach Me feat. Kiesza (prod by ASTR & Chuck Strangers)



Monday, June 15, 2015

Paul Doffing Sure Doesn’t Matter Anymore Single Review

The soulful voice of Paul Doffing during his latest track, Sure Doesn’t Matter Anymore, will resound loudly in the minds and hearts of listeners. There is a timeless aspect to Doffing’s vocals that ties together the work of early Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Paul Simon into a composition that is beautiful and affecting.


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Nothing more than a guitar and Paul’s vocals are needed to create a rich narrative that straddles the line between the folk and singer-songwriter traditions. The dynamic created between these two elements establishes something that is decidedly greater than the sum of its constituent parts. Enough ground is covered in four minutes to ensure that this track can be played on repeat as new insights are continually gleaned.


Rating: 8.6/10



Paul Doffing Sure Doesn’t Matter Anymore Single Review / 2015 / www.facebook.com/pauldoffing / www.pauldoffing.com/ /



Here Gose Nothin’ (Destihl Brewery)

Here Gose Nothin’ is an effort from Destihl Brewery’s Wild Sour Series. The beer pours with a light orange / yellow color and no appreciable amount of head. The nose of HGN is a little salty, a little sour and provides imbibers with some idea about where the beer will ultimately go. The tartness of the effort is immediately discernible, while the savory aspect of the salt does well to change up the overall palette toward the end of the sip. The beer’s effervescence keeps things light and airy through the entirety of the can, while warmer temperatures keep things interesting.


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There are hints of grains and malt that can be picked out in these later quaffs, while the saltier side of things does well in establishing Here Gose Nothin’ as something wholly separate from other beers currently in the cooler. The higher than normal ABV of this gose adds further complexity to the beer, meaning that one will taste the slightest hints of astringency. It is this layered approach taken by Destihl that further increases the drinkability of the beer; one will easily be able to drink the four pack one after another and continue to find different twists and turns.


For information about the full range of Destihl offerings, visit the brewery’s domain. News updates and events are found at the brewery’s Facebook. We have reviewed Destihl’s Vertex IPA , Counter Clockweisse  and  Abbey’s Single previously in NeuFutur.


Rating: 8.4/10


Here Gose Nothin’ / Wild Sour Series / Destihl Brewery / 5.0% ABV / www.destihlbrewery.com/ / www.facebook.com/pages/Destihl-Brewery/333916803337860



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