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Plain White T's new album will be out October 19, 2010. Here's a look at the album art. Read More!

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We posted our interview with Micah Aza the other day, and not only is he making great music he also manages The Hundreds San Francisco store. He let me know The Hundreds posted the interview we did with him on their official website as well. We are fans of The Hundreds here and we are fans of Micah Aza so I figured I'd include a link to where you could check it out there as well. Make sure to support that line and Micah Aza! If you have yet to check out Micah Aza's interview read it: HERE. Read More!

Click READ MORE to check out our review of the new album by Fences.

I’ve been listening to music long enough to not get too excited when people start ranting that something is going to be the next big thing (or is being compared to greats like Elliot Smith or Conner Oberst). One thing I have learned as a music fan is it really cannot be great until you listen to it and decide it is great for you. That being said the new album by Fences is a really good album and it causes you to ask the question: Is the guy with the most tattoos in the room the one that always wears his heart on his sleeve? By looking at Fences (aka Chris Mansfield) much like Dashboard Confessional who also has the heart-on-sleeve mentality, you notice he has quite a few tattoos. That really is not important, just kind of an observation.

It is probably one of the best albums I heard this year. The music is well crafted; the lyrics are genuine, at times blunt, and better than what the average songwriter creates. The mood of the album is spot on perfect for this time of year. There are few artists that I think are better than what is out right now upon first listen. I got this feeling the first time I heard Fences self-titled album. I cannot find many missteps on this album. It has certain and I hesitate to use the word “indie” pop mentalities, but lyrically it outshines a lot of what is out right now. Mansfield vocally either is on par or outperforms many artists with similar sounds. “Hands” is a track that shines lyrically.

Sara Quin (of Tegan & Sara fame) produced this album and did a phenomenal job with it. It is spot on. The mixing is nice. Everything is as it should be. It is a vast improvement from the demo quality of Fences debut EP The Puke EP. One downfall to old fans is that many tracks from the Puke EP show up, but they have been re-done and they sound a lot better.

I think this is top 10 albums of the year material. I don’t think you can find many missteps on the album. It is not 100% original, but it makes up for it with quality song writing and production. Sometimes certain people just do it better and make it feel more original and authentic than others are able to make it feel. With Fences, debut album, that is just the case. Do not miss this one and when my end of the year list arrives do not be surprised if this is somewhere in the top ten. Read More!

Click READ MORE to check out our review of the new Doombird album the new project from Kris Anaya (An Angle).

The last time we heard from Kris Anaya was when he was the front man of the controversial Drive Thru Records group An Angle. An Angle had really arrived around the time Bright Eyes hit it really big and An Angle seemed like Drive Thru’s way of cashing in on the current “it” thing. However, I for one always took away some enjoyment from listening to An Angle’s albums. Albeit they were not completely original, but at the end of the day, Anaya and company wrote quite a few songs that were not bad. I’m nice. Most people wrote the group off and it always seemed like an uphill battle for An Angle.

Fast-forward a few years and the musical landscape is quite different. Drive Thru Records has not done much since 2008, except incite anger by holding back releases and by delaying albums from bands that people care about. Anaya no longer uses the name An Angle. Instead, he returns with his new project Doombird a duo completed by Joesph Davancens. The new album has been completed and was available for stream on the band’s myspace for quite some time, but the band recently decided to release it via their website for free. I was eager to hear what Anaya would do post-An Angle.

Upon first listen, I was immediately reminded of the talent that Anaya has. The guy can write a good pop song. The production on the album is nice. The back up vocals has shiny moments that are almost reminiscent of the Beach Boy. The album is mellow, which is a change from the direction of the last An Angle album. The songwriting is strong and Anaya’s vocals are still reminiscent of the ones he used in An Angle, but there are some minor differences. However, vocally he gives a good performance. The instrumentation is interesting and the album is layered with different instruments, which creates a nice vibe.
“Naked” is one of my favorite tracks from the album. The use of instruments is really good. Vocally it is one of my favorites on the album and it has some interesting twists and turns.

Overall, I’d say this is a good album. I think that if anyone listened to this, and was not filled in on the back-story of Kris Anaya’s past and all the drama surrounding An Angle, it would be an enjoyable album with more positive criticism over negative criticism. Make sure to check this one out. I think you’ll enjoy it. Read More!

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Click READ MORE to check out my interview with Micah Aza.

First off thanks for the interview
Thank you, I’m pumped to be doing it

You just released your new instrumental album Micah And The World. Can you tell me a little about the recording process of the album what equipment did you use? Is there anything new you tried on the album you hadn’t previously done on prior production work?
I use a turntable and an mpc2000xl. No computer at all I don’t even own one. So the process is very low budget and simple. I like to keep it that way. This album was made in a little over one week. Most of the albums that I have put out I did that way.

This album for the most part has a really laid back vibe. This seems like a really good project for driving around to. Was that kind for what you were going for with this project?
No but I think most all of my music seems to have that feel.

“N.C.” is probably one of my favorite instrumentals off the album. Can you walk me through that particular song and how it came together?
Well I’m originally from North Carolina so that’s what the N.C. stands for. I took one of my favorite 45's and chopped it all up. Chopped a break apart and replayed it and that’s what I ended up with.

The album is out what are you plans to support the album. Will there be music videos, live shows, etc…?
Yea I have a few people working on some videos right now. I DJ for Fistfam and sometimes I DJ a set of old really funky 45's.

Who are a few DJ’s/producers/artist that really inspire you?
large professor, Pete rock, diamond d, Buckwild, T-Ray, DJ Premier, Prince Paul, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, No ID, Jay Dilla, and Madlib.

What got you interest in becoming a producer?
I got really into collecting old records and DJing and I was always just way more into beats and who sampled what from who. Then the homie lent me an akai s20 in like 1998 or so. That’s when I started making beats.

You did the Fistfam album which is 100% your production. Can you tell me a little about that project and how it came together?
Well we all are from the same small town in North Carolina. I had known al lover and Gus Cutty since we were little kids. Then they all moved out here to San Francisco where I have been living since 1996. So I just started giving them beats when they moved out to SF and we made a bunch of songs. I'm also now the fistfams SF DJ.

I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Do you have any closing comments you’d like to make?
Thanks to you guys for the interview and everyone that’s ever supported me and inspired me Read More!

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Doombird the new project of Kris Anaya (An Angle) have released their new album as a free download through their website. I streamed this album a while ago on their myspace and I am pleased the band finally decided to release it. Check it out: HERE. Read More!

Underoath have revealed one piece of a new song, which happens to be one of the most anticipated things about their new album, I hear they'll post a new piece tomorrow probably guitars, etc until they have released the entire song. Check out the drum track: HERE. Read More!

Sir Michael Rocks - S.S. (Ft. Latif) from illRoots.com on Vimeo.

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Interview with Questlove and video of The Roots performing at Hennessy Artistry Miami from The305.com on Vimeo.

Check out a new Valencia track titled "Spinning Out" over at: PUREVOLUME. Read More!

Q-Tip & The Roots perform "Sucka N*gga" (Miami) from The305.com on Vimeo.

Get it: HERE. Read More!

Here is the artwork for the new Every Time I Die DVD. Available for pre-order now out October 26, 2010. Get it: HERE. Read More!

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Here's a look at the artwork for the new N.E.R.D album. Read More!

This came out a couple days ago, but I haven't seen it posted anywhere so here it is. Get it: HERE. Read More!

The very cool (very pricey) The Hundreds Phoenix shades are available in 6 new styles. More information: HERE. Read More!

More information: HERE. Read More!

Mickey Factz - Skyscraper [Trailer] from slick jackson on Vimeo.

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Good*Fella Media: Yelawolf (Hip Hip Series interview) from Good*Fella Radio on Vimeo.

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Video is out tomorrow. More pictures: HERE. Read More!

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Mac Miller in the studio with Matt Friedman from ILLFONICS from ILLFONICS on Vimeo.

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Jeff Turner (Say Anything) new band. Buy the album: HERE. Read More!

10/11 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre *
10/30 Brooklyn, NY 171 Lombardy
10/31 Boston, MA House of Blues #
11/01 New York, NY Terminal 5 #
11/02 New York, NY Terminal 5 #
11/03 Toronto, ONT Sound Academy #
11/05 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall

* = w/ Belle & Sebastian
# = w/ Florence & The Machine Read More!

Here is a look at the new P.SO album art. Check out the new single: HERE. Read More!

Get it: HERE. Read More!

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Here is a look at Underoath's new album art for Disambiguation. Read More!

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Here is the artwork for Travis Barker's new single "Jumpdown" featuring The Cool Kids. Grab it for free over at Barker's official site:

Travis Barker Ft The Cool Kids - Jumpdown Read More!

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The Chariot have finished recording their new album Long Live. Read More!

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Curren$y ft. Trademark The Skydiver - J.E.T.S. from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Get it: HERE. Read More!

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Chiddy Bang's debut album was delayed a bit so the duo have decided to release an EP called the Preview it will be out October 11 (U.K.) & October 12 (U.S.). Read More!

After some remarks about Wale in Complex (were Kid Cudi called him a simple a** rapper). Wale has decided to join in. So the feuding begins. Here's a tweet straight from Wale. Read More!

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Here is one of a few pictures of Wiz Khalifa on set filming his new music video for his track "Black & Yellow." Read More!

Al Lover released his new album Creative Controlled Yesterday. We got the chance to interview him about the album, upcoming projects, etc... Click READ MORE to check it out!

Your new album is called Creative Control. Tell me a little about the recording process of the album? What tools are your favorite when you are in the studio?

The new album/beat reel was made fairly spontaneously, I usually have an idea of the records that I want to sample before I go into the lab. This time I just randomly dug into the crates and threw whatever on the platter and chopped it up as fast as possible. It was really an experiment to see what would come out of such an approach. I also did a good amount of live sequencing on the album. The tools I use are pretty much just the MPC 2000XL, a fuzz and delay pedal, and Pro Tools. Sometimes I use an old Tascam 4-Track for the tape hiss. I like to keep it simple, and don't really like when things are over produced. For This project I opted not to use the effects pedals or the 4-Track, clean it up a bit. Also, I quantized the drums which I haven't been doing a lot lately. Normally I like my beats to have a more human feel, a little off and sludgy, lots of subtle changes that one might not normally notice. This album was a little more "controlled by the machine" in terms of the MPC handling the timing and sequencing, I guess it's kind of a metaphor for the theme of the project.

You recently released a video for the song “Baby Please” which is the first single off your new album. The video is very interesting. What inspired the video?

Titties. Naw, I really thought it would be cool to set the track to an old 70's flick. I thought it had the - a big voluptuous girl should be shaken' around to it - kinda vibe. I'm a big fan of that era of cinema, so much raunchy, low brow shit was being made. The actual footage came from an old Russ Meyers film, I was basically looking around online for that kind of thing and just stumbled upon it. I'm a big russ Meyers fan, but I had never seen this film before. I think it was one of his later ones. I really Like the Idea of sampling audio, and visual together and mixing up the mediums. Sample it all.

I hear the record is about anti-piracy laws. I was wondering what your thoughts were on piracy?

Well, I like to tie my beat reels together with loose themes. I think it makes it a little more interesting, for me at least. The Idea really came from a project I released in June of this year, where I made a remix album using only samples from the Woodsist catalog. Woodsist is a small label out of Brooklyn NY, that I'm a really big fan of. They make really cool contemporary psychedelic rock music. Anyhow, I made this project, pressed up some CDs to give away for free, and put it up online for free, I even gave some copies to the guys from the bands I had sampled. They all seemed pretty stoked about it. I also gave a copy to Jeremy Earl, who co-owns the label, and is a member of the band Woods. So I email the dude, seeing if he's got a chance to peep it out, and he tells me to take the shit offline. I do initially, out of respect for the cat, and then I get to thinkin' about it, and I'm like "to hell with that", and put it back up online. Then he contacts me again, and so does his PR guy asking me to remove it again. I didn't, and they never said anything about it after that, so I guess it's cool. This project was basically a rhythmic retort to that shit. I don't know, If you can pay people for sampling their stuff, awesome. If you can't afford to, whatever, people have been recycling and reusing other peoples ideas, art, and music, and everything since the dawn of time. I believe it's only since the invention of the print press that people have started catchin' feelings about it. I see it as a very human process. It lets the art form evolve. We're all just playing our own variations of the same 7 notes, ya know?

Your Alexander Spit X Best Coast remix was really good. They both kind of capture the California vibe in their own way. What made you decide to put together that particular track?

I actually was fuckin' around with the Best Coast sample, and was trying to think of acapellas to put to it. I tried messin' with a couple old rap standards but wasn't feeling 'em. Then I was like "Oh yeah, Alex has the new album coming out". So I hollered at him and he sent me the vocal track. The shit pretty much matched perfectly with the beat, I think it's got a good stoney summer vibe. It kind of just organically came together. I was glad I could help hype the homey's new project a little as well.

You do remixes as well as original music. What remix tracks are you working on right now and how do you choose what tracks you are going to remix?

I just sample whatever moves me, the shit just speaks to me, ya know? As far as new stuff my man Gus Cutty of the Fist Fam and I are working on a couple of tracks right now we're gonna release at the end of this month as a double single for free download. It's basically 2 beats I made sampling Thee Oh Sees, and Ty Segall, two super dope SF garage rock groups, with Gus Rapping over them. I'm pretty pumped on these, I just got the rough mixes back from Gus and he's killin' shit. I talked to Jon Dwyer of Thee Oh sees, and he gave us permission to use the sample. Now we just gotta holler at Ty Segall, to make it legit. If I can, I want to be respectful of using other people's stuff. If not, whatever, I'm a do it anyway. Also, I've got this thing I just started the other day, it's gonna involve reworking some audio and visual stuff, but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag just yet on that one. Hopefully it'll be done this Fall. So far it's really coming together great. This isn't a remix project, but I gotta shout it out anyway. My rap group The Fist Fam has got a new record coming out this winter that I produced exclusively. I'm super proud of this shit, it's gonna be awesome. Me and my man Philo are finishing the final touches on the mixdowns this week. Not to sound arrogant, but this shit don't sound like anything else that I've heard recently. Though I'm sure fools will try to categorize it somehow. Other than that, I got 3 or 4 other albums I'm producing for various people, that I'm exited about, but are still in the beginning stages. I'll also try to keep pumping out the beat reels and various tracks when I get a chance. Gotta keep it movin'.

What do you think sets you apart from other artists?

I don't know, when it comes down to it we're all just artists trying to create, and harness that energy of the universe. I think I just bring a little of myself, and the experiences that I've had into my work. I'm really just trying to express the infinite love that exists within all of us, just with a little of my own added flavor.

I guess that about wraps it up man thanks for taking the time to answer the questions do you have any closing comments you’d like to make?

Aye, Thank you, man. I really appreciate it. As far as closing comments……..go make something.
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Here is the artwork for Lil Wayne's new E.P. That is set to drop at the end of this month (September 27). Read More!

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Vibe recently did an interview where he shed some light on his involvement on the new Kanye West track "Runaway." Read the interview: HERE. Read More!

Pac Div x No I.D. from Like PacDiv on Vimeo.

We support Le Grand Cru here at Sound In The Signals and we were super stoked when they let us know that they just released a new special edition shirt called Le Courage which is a collaboration shirt with Seattle band The Courage. Make sure to pick it up! Read More!

A pre-order has popped up on a site claiming the title for the new My Chemical Romance album is Danger Days: True Lives Of The Fabulous Killjoys and that the album will be out November 22, 2010. No official word yet...but I'm sure we'll here more about this later today. Here is the piece of artwork that was up for the pre-order. Read More!

After a couple pushed back release dates I am happy to announce the digital edition of the first issue of Sound In The Signals Magazine is out now! The physical version will be out soon we are just working out some details. The digital version is 100% free and can be read online. Check it out as we are extremely excited to finally have the magazine available:

Mind Equals Blown has an early album review of the new Underoath album. Check it out: HERE. Read More!

Al Lover released his new album Creative Controlled today for free download. Al will be in the next issue of Sound In The Signals Magazine, but I will also be posting the interview on the site either later today or tomorrow. Read More!

Kanye West is on the cover of the new XXL. Cool cover...Kanye is on fire right now. Read More!

I'm not sure who still cares about this band. Anyway here's a look at the album art for the new Good Charlotte album. All I am saying is I hope the music is a little better than this artwork. Read More!

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DOM KENNEDY: Leimert Park Legend from Sid Ashford on Vimeo.

Check out a new Bring Me The Horizon song: HERE. Read More!

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Toro Y Moi's Daytrotter sessions have been released. The sessions include re-worked full band arrangements of songs found on Causers Of This. Read More!

Curren$y - Pilot Talk 2 from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Alt Press have revealed the album art for the deluxe edition of The Recieving End OF Sirens album Between The Heart and The Synapse. The deluxe version will have 1 new song. Here's a look at the album artwork.

"5 ON IT" BIG SEAN & Chip tha ripper from Brandon Vaidean on Vimeo.

Trackademicks has released his new single for free via his bandcamp. Get it: HERE. Read More!

Click READ MORE to check out my interview with Sam R.U.B.I.K.

First off thanks for the interview

And secondly, Thank you.

You relocated from Texas to New York City. As a hip hop artist what it is like to be in New York City which has such a big history for hip hop?

It's really humbling actually. Coming from a place where the hip-hop culture is so different, really brings things full circle for me. Living in the city is a crazy experience too because some of the first hip hop artists I really got in to when I was younger were from New York, so I get a deeper understanding of the music being in the same environment. The rich history here really sets high standard for me to meet when I go into the studio.

Your new mixtape is called Life Without Commercials. Can you tell me a little about the recording process of the mixtape and what people can expect from the mixtape?

The recording process for this mixtape had to be one of the most intense experiences of my life. I spent countless hours in the studio over a really short period of time. Not to mention I was preparing to move out here. So, I would work all day and hit the studio every night, til about 4 or 5 AM on an early night. So in turn in the mixtape has a lot of emotion and frustrations of mine because I was constantly pushing myself. The content of the tape also has a lot of everyday experiences and real life problems that I was struggling with right before I moved.

You are part of the young crowd of MC’s that are coming up. What do you think sets this generation of rappers apart from rappers of the late 1990’s or early 2000’s?

What I've noticed about a lot of new artists is that the music is not in a single category. One hip-hop artist is not just a rapper; he (assuming the artist is a he) sings, he produces, he plays instruments, he does pop, he does rap, and really displays a thorough understanding for other music. Things like that have always been happening, but as hip-hop expands, it also provides a market for artists of wider genres.

I hear you have opened for Wale and that J. Cole and Bun B are also supporters of your music. What is it like opening and getting noticed from Bun B and other up and comers and what kind of things have you learned about the music business from watching artists like those?

Wow I wasn't aware about J. Cole or Bun supporting me, but if it's true, I appreciate that. I really respect those two as artists. Opening for Wale was great. Getting to feel the energy a crowd brings for a major artist was amazing and something I won't soon forget.

What are some of your biggest influences and why? And who are some of your favorite new artists?

My biggest influence has to be everyday life, things that I go through as my story unfolds, then crossing other peoples paths and their stories really inspires my creative process. Music wise I really enjoy music of all types, I love listening to new sounds without regard to who it is or what type of music it is. La Roux is pretty dope, so is Theophilus London, Lykke Li, Dom Kennedy and Pac Div.

To anyone who hasn’t heard of you or checked out your music what sets you apart from other rappers?

I'd like to think that I bring a very organic feel, environment, personality on every song, regardless of what new sound I may be experimenting with, or what old sound I may be attempting to re-invent. Listeners can decipher who may be doing the opposite.

I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks again for answering the questions! Do you have any closing comments you’d like to make?

No problem, anytime my dude. For anybody who hasn't heard my music, y'all can find it on samrubik.com and Life Without Without Commercials will be out next month, satifaction garaunteed. Read More!

The Rocketeers have released a new single titled "Leave Me Alone." Make sure to download it for free: HERE. Read More!

We have a new featured album download. Everyone make sure to check out Tarek Kasmi and purchase his new E.P. on iTunes:

iTunes - Tarek Kasmi The New Century Read More!

D.I.Y. Touring has officially launched their new site and is offering a lot of really good opportunities for artists for a low monthly cost. Make sure to check out their new site it may help you as an artist get out on the road. Read More!

Hellogoodbye's new album Would It Kill You has a release date of November 9, 2010. It will be released on the band's label Wasted Summer. Here is a look at the album art. Read More!

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Here is an article about Tim Tebow's debut in the NFL official season:

CBS Sports - Tebow's debut hardly legendary, even in his hometown Read More!

Tarek recently released a new EP titled The New Century on iTunes. To purchase the EP go: HERE. To download a new track from the EP titled "We're Not Sorry" go: HERE Read More!

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J. Cole at Bumbershoot (Seattle, WA - 9/6/10) from DJ Hyphen on Vimeo.

Kendrick Lamar - "Cut You Off" from CALMATIC on Vimeo.

Download a new Republic Of Wolves song free: HERE Read More!