Archive for

December 2011

 

From our viewpoint...

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(http://twitter.com/therealbasscat)

This year has been a phenomenal year for us. Really. 

We've completed the '12x12', conceptualised (and realised) 'Manchester : Remixed', two projects we're immensely proud to have done, off our own back. We've remixed fourteen (from memory) tracks, for both major labels, and indies, put out three free bootlegs, completed a debut three week Australia and New Zealand tour, worked with BBC 2 on the Stargazing project, continued to build and grow with our friends at Gio Goi, seen the support we receive from BBC 1Xtra and BBC Introducing reach an amazing point, begun a weekly Saturday night radio show (started in February on Unity FM in Manchester) which has gone from strength to strength, plus somehow around our studio schedule, we managed to squeeze in a couple of UK festival gigs, and appear on a couple of industry panels... I'm sure there's more, but it seems sensible just to mention the events that come to mind easily. Phew.

It's very easy to think all this has happened because of the amount of graft that we put in in the studio every day of every week, and in many ways, it has, but it's very important for us to recognise the people around us who aid us in achieving our best, creatively and artistically, but also those who really help get our music out there. In particular, we'd like to thank Andi Durrant, Andy Booth, Aniff Akinola, Anton Powers, Chris Long, Dom Keegan, Kevin Grainger, Melissa MacTavish, Mike Toner, Nick Bright, Neil Briggs, Stretch Armstrong, Stefan Kazassoglou, Stevie Mac, Tim Medcraft, Tom Howell, Zed Bias... and of course, Mike Kelly, for once again ensuring we maximise our potential as artists and individuals, on time, and with a smile on our faces.

A big thanks to all the artists, managers, radio people and labels who were involved in the '12x12' and the 'Manchester : Remixed' project for allowing us to work with you. You were all amazing and we are very grateful for your involvement. It was good to get some really wholesome, unique Manchester music back on the map in 2011 in the form of a remix project! A big shout to our other 2011 collaborators, Nate James and Nick Thayer, too. As always, a huge shout to the DJs who support our music in clubs and on the radio airwaves across the world, as well as the respected radio producers/teams... there really are a lot of you who deserve a mention! Big up all the promoters who we've had the pleasure to play for across Europe, Australia and New Zealand too, and thank you to those labels we've been fortunate enough to work with this year. 

Ultimately this leads us to thank those of you reading this, who purchase our music, shout about what we do, and support what we're in the process of steadily achieving here. Your support is unbelievably appreciated, and without it, we couldn't keep doing what we do. So, without further ado, roll up 2012, lets get into this!

M&J

Filed under  //   12x12   2011   HeavyFeet   Manchester Remixed  
Posted December 31, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Some favourites of 2011:

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Blog-wise, and I don't tend to have much time to scout round the blogs these days, but my favourite urban music blog has to be Semtex's blog: http://DJSemtex.com. In terms of useful websites that I've come across this year, We Transfer has to take the prize here: http://WeTransfer.com. There've been many albums I've enjoyed this year, but 'Watch The Throne' from Jay-Z and Kanye West, 'Take Care' from Drake, SBTRKT's self-titled debut, 'Every Kingdom' from Ben Howard and Noel Gallgher's High Flying Birds self-titled album, are all firm favourites.

This year has seen some of the artists who I've bashed people over the head with on Twitter come to see huge success, in particular, Emeli Sande and Ed Sheeran, two amazingly talented British songwriters. I'd like to say I was championing Ben Howard also, but he appeared on my radar very late in the year, thanks to Lauren Laverne on BB 6 Music. Also through her show I was very pleased to be introduced to the work of Bon Iver, Lana Del Rey, M83 and some new Friendly Fires output that I'd have probably otherwise missed out on. 

In terms of the producers who I feel have excelled this year, it's certainly worth noting what the likes of 2 Bears, RackNRuin, Redlight and of course Noah Shebib (Drake's producer) have been doing. They've all produced some great music during 2011. Music people who have been an inspiration to watch and learn from this year most certainly include Eddy Temple-Morris (for his unique, all round manner, and great CMU columns I've previously blogged about), Nick Bright (a leading light at BBC 1Xtra, in terms of quality presenting talent) and Zed Bias (the mans work rate scares me... and we get told we're super-productive! Zed is on a whole new level of the term 'productive').

I could go on, but I want to keep this short, really. It's been a great year for British music, and a great year for us as HeavyFeet. Big up 2011!

Mike HF

Filed under  //   BBC 6 Music   BBC Radio 1Xtra   Ben Howard   Bon Iver   Dj Semtex   Drake   Ed Sheeran   Eddy Temple Morris   Emeli Sande   Friendly Fires   HeavyFeet   Jay-Z   Kanye West   Lana Del Rey   Lauren Laverne   M83   Nick Bright   Noah Shebib   Noel Gallagher   RackNRuin   Red Light   SBTRKT   The 2 Bears   We Transfer   Zed Bias  
Posted December 31, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Penguin Prison - Don't F*ck With My Money (video)

I met a hipster back in October at an industry event. One of the first things he mentioned to me was that he was into Penguin Prison. It sort of put me off checking them out, despite me having already heard the name being banded about. I can be a fickle like that. 

Anyway, I finally did check them out late November and promptly got the album for my Birthday (which comes recommended btw). I love what they're doing, I really do. 'Don't F-ck With My Money' is sort of the best synth bits of Chromeo-meets-Frankmusik's first album, songwriting-wise. A really wicked, catchy track.

Musically, if you like this, also check out 'Multi-Millionaire'.

Mike HF 

Filed under  //   Chromeo   Frankmusik   Penguin Prison  
Posted December 29, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Ryan Leslie - Good Girl (video)

The third video taken from the forthcoming (we'll get it eventually...) album, 'Les Is More'. The video was release about half an hour ago via Ryan's Facebook page. 

I'm not loving it, I'm not hating it... somewhere in the middle (but as with all R-Les, more towards loving it than hating it). I'm not sure about the truly obvious lyrics and the slightly auto-tuned chorus. We all know he can sing, and extremely well, so why AT it? There's the debate of 'thats the sound people want to hear right now', but my comeback is, that was the sound people wanted to hear two years ago. Music is moving past that. 

The album needs to drop soon, anyway. I'm still tuned in for the rest of the videos, so I guess R-Les has got us all where he wants us, for now. 

Mike HF

Filed under  //   Good Girl   Les Is More   Ryan Leslie  
Posted December 25, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Azealia Banks - Liquorice (audio)

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Following on from the aural wonder that was '212', the rather amazing Miss Banks is back with a slamming new track that she uploaded to Soundcloud this week, 'Liquorice'...

And for the hell of it, here's the '212' video. Such a massive record from 2011:

Mike HF

Filed under  //   212   Azealia Banks   Liquorice  
Posted December 24, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Young Jeezy - A Hustlerz Ambition (Documentary)

Not sure the Samuel L. Jackson narration is entirely needed, but I suppose if you're gonna go in and do a full blown documentary, putting much of your life on camera, why the hell not! This is a 40 minute documentary that explores where Jeezy came from, through the struggles he has been through, and to where he is today. Definitely worth your time.

Mike HF

Filed under  //   A Hustlerz Ambition   Jeezy   Young Jeezy  
Posted December 24, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Take Care (in photos)

A few behind the scenes shots from the recording of Drake's 'Take Care', on the Octobers Very Own blog: 

http://octobersveryown.blogspot.com/2011/12/take-care-by-ruben-rivera.html

Mike HF

Filed under  //   Behind The Scenes   Drake   Take Care  
Posted December 24, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (video)

The latest video from the vocal wonder that is Lana Del Rey. Everyone needs a bit of L.D.R in their life. She's a sort of Marilyn Monroe figure of the twenty first century, and I hope she's here for good, and not just born to die! A phenomenal talent that 2011 has brought music lovers, across the world. 

Filed under  //   Born To Die   Lana Del Rey  
Posted December 21, 2011 by HeavyFeet 
 

The Beats, Breaks & Bass Show - 17.12.11

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The Beats, Breaks & Bass show - presented by HeavyFeet
Saturday night 11pm-1am, Unity Radio 92.8FM (Manchester, UK)

17.12.11

DJ Zinc - Recovered [Rinse]
Skepta - Hold On (Jacob Plant Dub) [3 Beat]
Bart B More & Rubix - Art (Disco Of Doom Remix) [BMKLTSCH]
Don Rimini G.O.O.D (Tagteam Terror Remix) [Mental Groove]
Birdy - Shelter (Photek Remix) [Warner]
Diamond Lights - In The Morning (HeavyFeet Remix) [Yes Yes]
D'Steph feat. JNM - Rude Gal (RackNRuin Remix) [Jalapeno]
L-Vis 1990 - Feel The Vibe (Pail Woolford Remix) [Neon]
Jordan & Santero ft. Illaman - We Bring The Vibes [Weird Science]

Artist Feature: Marble Players (Para One, Bobmo & Surkin)

Marble Players - Let You Go [Marble]
Bobmo - Limestone [Marble]
Surkin - Ultra Light [Marble]
Para One - Animal Style [Marble]

Florence & The Machine - No Light (Breakage Remix) [Island]
Andy Caldwell - Fear The Beard (String Mix) [Uno]
Karton - Chase It High [Klub Kids]
Detboi - Party's Zipped Up [Cheap Thrills]

Calm Before The Storm:

Mark Ronson ft. The Business Intl. - Record Collection 2012 [Kitsune]
Tensnake - Need Your Lovin'
Behling & Simpson - Left Behind [Future Boogie]

HeavyFeet In The Mix:

Kamikaze Space Programme - Um Bongo
Choclate Puma & Gregor Salto - Tragito De Ron
Franky Rizardo - Eu Vo Tu Baile [Copyright]
Major Lazer - Original Don (Diet Don Mix) [Mad Decent]
Crookers feat. Hudson Mohawke - Hummus (Donovans Remix) [Southern Fried]
Roman D'Amour - Make Love Tonight (Peo De Pitte Remix)
Erick Morillo - Stronger (Nicky Romero Remix) [Strictly Rhythm]
Eddie K & Millions Like Us - Sonar [Hench]


Top 3 Bangers Of The Week:

Zed Bias ft. Sam Frank - Night Lovers (HeavyFeet Remix) [Tru Throughts]
Sound Of Stereo - Diamond (Loops Of Fury Remix) [Lektroluv]
DJ Zinc - Juicy Fruit [Rinse]

Posted December 20, 2011 by HeavyFeet