New Hip Hop Videos

What a week for BandSoup related artists and their new videos! It's such a big week so far, that I had to split up the videos in two blog posts for two seperate genres. First up: hip hop. 

I will begin with the newer videos and then post some of the older ones that I somehow missed before. Shame on me.

Prof- Need Your Love

Listen to Prof on BandSoup

This is the first video off his free album, King Gampo, that you can download here.

ProbCause- Days Like These

Listen to ProbCause on BandSoup

"Days Like These" is the 3rd official release off the Stir Fry EP and gives us our last glimpse of summer in 2011.

Stalley- Slapp
Listen to Stalley on BandSoup

One of the many videos from Lincoln Way Nights.

Anacron- This is Me

Listen to Anacron on BandSoup

Open Mike Eagle- Nightmares

Listen to Open Mike Eagle on BandSoup

Click more for more videos! 

Soup of the Day #22: Blood Orange- Dinner

I fell in love with Lightspeed Champion way before I knew him as Devonte Hynes, or the prolific writer that has penned hits for artists such as Florence and the Machine, The Chemical Brothers, Diana Vickers, Solange Knowles, and Thephilus London. Mixing vintage brit-pop sounds with quirky modern pop melodies, Devonte, as Lightspeed Champion, made two endearing records (Falling Off the Lavender Bridge and Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You) that continue to find a place in my short rotation. When I first heard him as Blood Orange, I was immediately infected. I had no idea it was the weird motherfucker with the bushy wig.

"Dinner" is a Prince-esque summer jam that will haunt your repeat button. Produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear (and owner of Terrible Records), this upbeat yet dark ode to the broken heart is part 80s R&B and all groove. The song begins as a classic 80s cry for love, but transitions into a modern display of relationship melodrama: "Hoping that you die unhappy/ I'll do everything I can/ To make sure that you are never happy".

Listen to "Dinner" on BandSoup

Purchase the Dinner 7" here.

Video: The Truthseekers- To Get By/Star Wars Remix

New York City based collective, The Truthseekers, have just released their sophomore album, Meet Me.  The follow up to their 2007 unveiling, Super Cool, finds the band embracing instruments from around the world-- African Djembe, Tabla, Native American flutes, Indian Raga-- to spice up their already savory blend of soul, funk, and contemporary urban gospel. 

To get yourself more familiar with the band's sound and ethos, they sent over an older video from their debut album that is packaged together with a hilarious video (2:30 and on) from what I believe is the lead singer's son doing a Star Wars tribute rap (Jaden and The Beat Droids- Star Wars Remix (Chewbacca)). I think if the song was in a separate single video, they would have themselves the next viral smash hit.

Listen to The Truthseekers on BandSoup
The Truthseekers on Facebook
Meet Me on iTunes // Bandcamp

Unleashed from an artist uprising in a NYC Theater Loft at the beginning of the millennium, a voice from a movement grew. Energized by the vibrations of Harlem and the rhythms of the Boogie Down, a concept of a groove developed. Influenced by Motown’s preachers and 60’s musical prophets, poet and songsmith, Eric DeArmon, embarks on a journey, both musical and spiritual, to find a purpose and a sound. Hands blessed with the blues, electrified by a Wurlitzer piano, with a voice that screams and howls with the passion of a revolution and the tenderness of a lovers kiss, Eric defines purpose in songs of truth and celebration. With a transcendent vision and an inspired sound of deep soul he leads a band of true seekers.

Bouts- Bouts EP + We Tried Video

Dublin, Ireland has a bout of infectious pop-alternative as Bouts, a relatively new quartet, drop off their latest four track self titled EP.

Full of harmonious melodies, meaty guitars, and seamless drums, the Bouts EP is a short but sweet journey through 90s alternative and modern indie trends that will please any ear that's craving a feel good moment. We Tried (above video) is the standout, but the EP embodies a band with a bright ethos and bright future.

Listen to Bouts on BandSoup

Download the Bouts EP

Soup of the Day #21: The Doorbells- Too Young

It's budding bands like The Doorbells that remind me of what BandSoup is all about. As this New York outfit is constructing their new website and preparing the release of more new demos, we get to realize and hear their potential before the rest of the world catches on. The Doorbells, with an EP and a digital 7" inch release under their belt, carry a guitar heavy pop-rock swagger that sounds like popular Brit-rock meets The Black Keys.

After listening to their body of work thus far, I'm confident enough to predict this band could be blog darlings if their music reaches the right inbox. This notion is easily backed by their impressive debut Want Your Evil EP,  but I believe that the lead single off their 7", Too Young, will be the key doorbell to ring to get them in the door. The record-- full of energetic guitars, catchy lyrics, infectious melodies, and danceable drumming-- screams independent smash hit. The song strays from their Black Keys-esque stylings on their EP, but flawlessly embodies an accessible blend of pop and indie rock that is current, cool, and ready to infect worldwide like a delightful disease.

Listen to The Doorbells- Too Young on BandSoup
The Doorbells on Facebook
Downloads from The Doorbells

Prof- King Gampo

It's not too often I throw up a post in the middle of listening to an album, but Prof had me at track one (Gampo). The intro track epitomizes the rest of the album, as well as Prof's general attitude: “Everyone’s trying to be a preacher or a politician— telling you how to live your life,” he says. “I’m not running for Senate. I’m doing this for fun and I don’t watch my mouth.”

Halfway through and King Gampo is exactly that-- nothing serious but overflowing with originality, infectious beats, and gripping rhymes. Prof's album is a fun listen from a seasoned veteran ready to break through his Minneapolis obscurity and this is the album that could get him there. In my opinion, it has cult potential just like the oddball indie film Prof is portraying on the cover.

Listen to Prof on BandSoup

On top of releasing an original hip hop album, I've heard, almost too many times, that Prof's live show is not one to miss. Heralded by numerous top artists, die hard fans, and casual fans that accidentally catch his opening act,  Prof is said to have one of the most fun and electrifying shows in hip hop today.

Below is the free download link for his new album, King Gampo. Also, be on the lookout for the first video from the album sometime tomorrow!

Free Download: Prof- King Gamp

Campbell Trio

Hailing from the Happy Harbor in Southern Brazil, The Bruce Campbell Punk Rock Trio, commonly know just as Campbell Trio, have constructed a bedroom post-hardcore/punk album that could rival any seasoned or big label band shredding today. Their first recording, The Campbell Trio Sings the Blues, is a furious collection of distorted madness, raging vocals, and experimental arrangements that remind me of legendary west Texas outfit, At the Drive In.

As a complete DIY album (recording, mixing, album art) that was worked on over a span of three years, The Campbell Trio Sings the Blues is a tightly cohesive listen despite the disjointed timeline. The meat and potatoes of the record-- Don Copal or the Department of Death, I in Us, a Love Letter, and Ehnay/And I, End I-- ooze a dangerous mixture of youthful exuberance and apathy, as the band teases hardcore fans with an all encompassing display of influences from the genre's history while flawlessly executing their own brand of angry beauty.

Listen to Campbell Trio on BandSoup

In spite of the band's obscurity, their first recording trek in a small South American bedroom proves their potential and probability of emerging past the shores of the Guaíba Lake and onward to the states and beyond. In a world like this, music with ire is a necessary coping soundtrack for many. If this sums you up, the trio is ready to sing you the blues.

Campbell Trio on Facebook

Download The Campbell Trio Sings the Blues for Free

60 Second Review: From The Hollow

From The Hollow (aka Logan Nickleson) is an indie rock singer/songwriter based out of Memphis, Tennessee. His latest release Hundreds Of Miles is an atypical departure from his previous releases due to the much bolder guitar arrangements and darker undertones. “Dog On a Wall” immediately stands out the most because of its rock radio friendly vibe, but tracks like "Wrench", an eerie anti-ballad that sounds like vintage Conor Oberst with it's grinding guitar riffs and angst filled bleedings from a broken heart, and "Day and Night", a whimsical indie rock staple full of crisp drums, fantasy hallucinations and distorted vocals, give this EP its perpetual character.

Overall, Hundreds Of Miles is an exciting listen with fascinating instrumental arrangements and words that seem to stick to your soul. Watch out for this guy.

Listen to From The Hollow on Bandsoup

From The Hollow on Facebook

Purchase "Hundreds Of Miles" for $3.00