Released earlier than the planned midnight release date, the Jack U album is now available on iTunes.
The full 10 track album features collaborations with Missy Elliot, Snails, Kiesza, Justin Bieber, 2 Chainz,and more!
Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü:
01 Don’t Do Drugs Just Take Some Jack Ü
02 Beats Knockin [ft. Fly Boi Keno]
03 Take Ü There [ft. Kiesza]
04 Febreze [ft. 2 Chainz]
05 To Ü [ft. AlunaGeorge]
06 Jungle Bae [ft. Bunji Garlin]
07 Mind [ft. Kai]
08 Holla Out [ft. Snails & Taranchyla]
09 Where Are Ü Now [ft. Justin Bieber]
10 Take Ü There [Missy Elliot Remix] [ft. Kiesza]
4.5 hours of Skrillex & Diplo to kick things off:
Month: February 2015
When asked, “why Tonic Room?” Sweet Mary replied,
“The Tonic Room is cozy and super intimate. It was perfect for my album release party.”
Dimly lit and providing enough space for 120 people shoulder to shoulder, cozy describes the bar well. It is a place where everyone can get involved and talk with the musicians before and after the show, a perfect setting for an artist aspiring to create a bond with current and new fans alike. The Tonic Room’s “stage” is right in your face as you walk in and also just one step up off of the ground as it wraps around the front corner of the room. This setup literally puts the front row right in the middle of the band which creates a certain irreplaceable intimacy only a small space can deliver. I ventured to the back moments before the show and found Mary deep in focus and clutching a giant Nalgene water bottle. The sold out crowd in front of her was eager in anticipation, and it was go time.
Mary approached the stage amidst cheers and hollers from around the bar. She sweetly smiled and grabbed the mic, tapped it, and went through a quick and emotionally charged thank you. Due to hard work, generosity from internet strangers, and the support of many prominent figures associated with music production in Chicago, Mary’s dream of an original album was a reality and this was her opening performance. The band kicked to life and just like that a burst of funky music had the entire Tonic Room getting down.
Sweet Mary’s set list was an upbeat mixture of Mary’s originals and funkified covers of tunes like “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind, and Fire, “Just a Girl” by No Doubt, and “Say my Name” by Destiny’s Child.” The original music, which was written by Mary herself, was most impressive. Connecting with her audience through her meaningful lyrics; Mary’s songs are inspired by real stories on her journey towards a life of music. Songs such as “KnocK” and “My Road” feature Mary hitting high’s and low’s that show off a dynamic, professional range that when paired her guitarist’s intricate solos and the relentless wailing of a trombone and saxaphone horns really brought her album to life. The original theme and direction of each original song resonated with the listeners not only with dance, but with raw emotion, making for a memorable party that the attendees will not soon forget.
Mary could not do her thing without a talented supporting cast on stage. She was being backed by some professional local musicians as well as some members from the band, The Main Squeeze, a staple in the Chicago funk scene. Ben Silverstein played the keyboard, Max Newman was shredding on guitar, Eugene McGhee on bass guitar, Reuben Gingrich on drums, Xavier Galdon on trombone, and Kyle Madsen played saxophone. With commendable precision they played to Mary’s strengths and amplified her abilities in ways that only an experienced group of professionals could do. The excellent support added to the evening in many ways.
My final takeaway from this evening was that of positivity. The music was on point and Mary’s trademark smile became infectious as she realized that she is well on her way down the road that she sings so elegantly about, the road towards the life of a successful musician. Mary will continue to pursue shows in Chicago so expect to hear more from her soon. For now, you can listen to and purchase her album at the following links:
iTunes
Bandcamp.com
This article was written in collaboration with Soul Source, LLC
DUBS Acoustic Filters Review
Attending concerts frequently can cause severe damage to your hearing. I learned that the hard way. While being on tour as a lighting director I was exposed to loud noise on a daily basis. When I started to notice my hearing was getting worse I decided I needed to start wearing earplugs to all the concerts that I attend. Covering concerts every weekend and taking photos in the photo pit I wanted to find good quality earplugs that protected my hearing without loosing the quality in sound. While searching the web I came across DUBS Acoustic Filters. I reached out to them and they were happy to provide me with a set to try out.
When my package arrived in the mail I tested out the earplugs at three different concert venues including Aragon Ballroom, Concord Music Hall, and The Abbey. Comparing them them to regular foam earplugs I was instantly hooked on the quality. Not only was my hearing being protected but I could hear the music just as good. I had to catch a flight to the Dominican Republic shortly after receiving the earplugs. My ears tend to pop when going on long flights and surprisingly they didn’t pop while wearing DUBS. I was happy I wore them on the flight because there was a baby crying a few seats away and it wearing the earplugs made that a lot less noticeable. I would rate my experience with DUBS acoustic filters 10/10.
I highly recommend DUBS acoustic filters to anyone that attends concerts or works in a loud environment. Once you lose your hearing you don’t get it back. Play it safe and wear DUBS!
Below is a recent write-up on DUBS partnering up with Coechelle Valley Music and Arts Festivals.
SAFE IN SOUND: DOPPLER LABS AND GOLDENVOICE PARTNER
TO LAUNCH DUBS EARPLUGS AT COACHELLA 2015
DUBS Earplugs to Be Included in Every Coachella Welcome Box,
Coachella 2015 Attendees Will Get Exclusive First Use of Doppler Labs’ New Product;
Sleek, Soft Molded Earplugs Offer 17 NRR Rating to Protect Hearing
Following the overwhelming success of the launch of DUBS Acoustic Filters™, Doppler Labs, the New York City-based technology company, and Goldenvoice have partnered to make advanced hearing protection available to all attendees of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Together, they will launch DUBS™ Earplugs, the second hearing protection product from Doppler Labs. DUBS Earplugs are stylish concert earplugs created specifically for music listening.
A pair of DUBS Earplugs will be distributed in all Coachella welcome boxes giving Coachella attendees the first opportunity to experience the newest DUBS product. The DUBS Earplugs are optimized for music and use a simplified version of the advanced acoustical physics found in DUBS Acoustic Filters. DUBS Earplugs are soft molded for ultimate comfort and designed for a fashionable aesthetic. They offer a 17 NRR rating to reduce volume to comfortable levels.
“We simply could not ask for a better platform than Coachella to launch DUBS Earplugs,” said Noah Kraft, CEO and Co-Founder, Doppler Labs. “Coachella has set the standard for live music and curation. We are proud to be a partner and provide hearing protection that allows all attendees to be immersed in the festival and optimize their music listening experience.”
In addition to launching DUBS Earplugs, DUBS Acoustic Filters – Doppler Labs’ inaugural product released in September 2014 – will be available for sale on site at Coachella. These highly acclaimed, advanced tech earplugs use a proprietary mechanical process to optimize the listening experience, lowering sound by an average of 12 dB while preserving audio clarity.
Doppler Labs is driven by the understanding that aesthetics and technological innovation are both critical to creating great products. As such, The DUBS products are tuned, sleek and stylish unlike most earplugs that are straightforward foam inserts, available at drug stores and in airports.
Both DUBS Earplugs and DUBS Acoustic Filters were designed for discerning, style-conscious consumers. Musicians and concertgoers in particular have embraced DUBS Acoustic Filters leading to rave reviews and several design awards.
DUBS Acoustic Filters are currently available at Best Buy, Guitar Center, Amazon, select boutique retailers nationwide and at www.getdubs.com. DUBS Earplugs launch exclusively at Coachella and will be available for sale later this year.
About Doppler Labs
Doppler Labs is a technology company with a primary focus on “hearables”: wearable technology for the ears. Founded in 2013 by industry leaders in the creative, tech and business worlds, Doppler Labs’ mission is to optimize the way you hear the world.
The Chicago Music Festivals hoop troupe will be performing at Loops & Hoops this Saturday. The event with showcase live looping artists including Trees, R34L, G Creature, and WET as well as live painting by Abbey Aura, Ryan Blume, and Jessie Lu.
Tickets are available on Ticketbud. Use promo code CMFHOOPS for reduced admission.
EUPHORIA MUSIC & CAMPING FESTIVAL added more acts for its 4th annual blowout event returning toCarson Creek Ranch in Austin, TX from April 10-12, 2015. Joining the already star-studded lineup are RL Grime,EOTO & Friends, Thomas Jack, Gigamesh, G Jones, Freddy Todd, and D.V.S*, among others.
These acts join Pretty Lights, Ghostland Observatory, STS9, Adventure Club, Thievery Corporation, The New Deal, SunSquabi, SuperVision, Herobust, Manic Focus, The Werks, Savoy, Vibe Street, Zoogma, The Geek x Vrv, Black Tiger Sex Machine, and more. This is the biggest lineup in four years!
More acts will be added in the coming months, and all sorts of on-site activities will be revealed a we hurtle towards#EMCF15. Visit euphoriafest.com for more info!
Sources: Theuntz.com
Chicago Music Festivals hosted their first event of 2015 at Excueses Bar & Billiards on January 17th. The line-up included Kaps, Bronson Rock, Homemade Spaceship, and last but not least – headliners, Inverse Universe.
The first performer to turn up the volume was Tim Kaplan, or Kaps. Kaps is a local future bass DJ/Producer whose main influences are Griz, Pretty Lights and Krooked Drivers. Kicking off a recurring theme for the EDM artists of the evening, Kaps provided music from both DJ elements and live instrumentation. His mixing was accompanied by a trumpet counterpart. Kaps spun bouncey and bass-infused hip-hop remixes with a horn flair that remained in the air as patrons filed in. Drinks flowed and the mood began to elevate throughout Kap’s entire performance, which he strongly closed with a remix to “Rock My Soul” by Pretty Lights. A strong opener, the venue was now nearly full and primed for an evening of tasty beats.
The band known as Bronson Rock took to the stage next. Comprised of Mike Del Principe playing drums, Matthew Robinson slapping the bass, Kyle Weck & Mike Mara each on the guitar, and the lovely Lana Marie on vocals, Bronson Rock opened their set in true rock n’ roll fashion, with the drone of guitars piercing through a thick cloud of fog. Matt Robinson commented on being the only traditional band of the evening,
“It was our first time playing with all DJ groups… [From the opening jam] it felt like the crowd accepted us as a rock band that grooves. It was a great feeling.”
With the crowd engaged, Lana’s psychedelic LED hoop skills appeared through the dissipating smoke and awed as the band played on. Del Principe was laying down resonating rhythms accompanied by Robinson’s effortless bass melodies and Mara & Weck’s skillful shredding. The band was quick to prove that they harness the talent and crowd-control of elite musicians. To me, this moment proved raw rock music will never die, this old-school fantastic five proved to be ear-gasmic in a world that is trending towards studio-perfected electronica.
A noteworthy moment from Bronson Rock’s set was bluesy cover of Since I’ve Been Loving You, a Led Zeppelin classic. This moment Bronson displayed their versatility and rock roots with a crowd-pleasing 10 minute variation of the tune. Vocalist, Lana, called it,
“The EDM and Rock fans came together during the Zeppelin cover; I saw nothing but blissful smiles in the crowd.”
Bronson Rock’s local Chicago following is sure to grow.
Next to perform was Homemade Spaceship, aka Rob ReVere from Denver, CO. Rob’s set was a hit considering it consisted of live guitar over an eclectic mix of beats. This one-man show was not only entertaining to watch due to his tight display of live mixing and musical multi-tasking, but also very enjoyable to listen to. He successfully kept the crowd’s energy up for the headliner, Inverse Universe.
Tyler Thompson and Adam Stephens make up the dynamic duo, Inverse Universe. These musicians turned producers have dubbed themselves dubstep-glitch-livetronica and strive to give the crowd a unique listening experience by performing everything live on stage as opposed to the traditional DJ methodology of mixing one premade track into the next. Their sound was unique and filled original tunes, their version of some classics, and of course plenty of punchy bass-heavy remixes. Tyler manned the sampler pad and keyboard while Adam shredded the guitar bringing the recurring theme of instrumentation supplemented DJ’ing full-circle as well as giving their set mood and life. As their music peaked, the venue was hot, the songs were loud, and everybody was getting down in a funky groove.
Founder of Chicago Music Festivals and event organizer Jerry Kamysz said,
“The event was a success and it opened my eyes to new endeavors that we would like to pursue in the near future. Good vibes, good music and good people.”
Even on a small scale, a successful event can get people talking. In a city as big as Chicago, it is not always attendance that is the challenge – it’s getting the right group of people to the event. In music especially, it is often said that the fans themselves are the headliners. Without a captive audience, even the most crowded event can seem off.
This event drew a passionate and die-hard audience for being held at an obscure venue out in the northwest suburbs. A venue like Excueses could feel like an oversized basement to some, but adding a little musical magic and including great people both performing and listening made this event an overwhelming success!
One good evening of music and dancing can spur an evolution and this newfound momentum is a testament to the spirit and positivity that Chicago Music Festivals has been working so hard to spread. Let’s preserve that energy and scale it up a few notches. Fortunately, the next CMF hosted event at Excueses is just around the corner on March, 28th and featuring a performance by Indigo Sun! Support to be announced.
This article was written in collaboration with Soul Source, LLC Entertainment
Electric Forest Lineup Announced!
Setting the bar very high!
May We Present To You….. The Official Lightning in a Bottle 2015 Lineup
If you haven’t already, Pick Up Your Tickets Here
React Presents is thrilled to announce the lineup for the fourth annual Spring Awakening Music Festival, happening at the historic Soldier Field in Chicago, IL, June 12th, 13th, and 14th! Grammy-award winning producer ZEDD is joined by the #1 DJ in the world, HARDWELL, and dance music legend TIESTO returns! Eric Prydz, Diplo Afrojack, Dada Life, Duke Dumont, Excision, Chicago’s Flosstradamus, Martin Garrix, and Zeds Dead round out the headliners, with a SURPRISE HEADLINER making their Chicago debut to be announced in the coming weeks!
In 2015, SAMF continues it’s expansion with a new fourth stage added under the historic colonnades on the east side of Soldier Field. There will be over 75 national and internationally touring artists spanning all genres of dance music. Trance legend PAUL VAN DYK headlines the Trance Arena, with dubstep producer ZOMBOY taking over the Bass Kitchen stage, and Hot Creations Records own JAMIE JONESheadlining the Beatport Stage.
Chicago artists are well represented once again, paying homage to the city that gave birth to house music. Cajmere and Derrick Carter return, with trap pioneers Flosstradamus, who recently sold out two Chicago shows in December 2014. SAMF continues to support regional talent and will be announcing rising producers in the coming weeks. In 2014, local production duo Dionysus won the DJ contest, and later went on to be featured in the Chicago Tribune.
As previously announced, in 2015 SAMF will be an 18+ event.
ZEDD • HARDWELL • TIESTO
ERIC PRYDZ • DIPLO • AFROJACK
**SURPRISE HEADLINER TO BE ANNOUNCED**
DADA LIFE • DUKE DUMONT • EXCISION
FLOSSTRADAMUS • MARTIN GARRIX • ZEDS DEAD
Trance Arena | Bass Kitchen | Beatport
PAUL VAN DYK • ZOMBOY • JAMIE JONES
-Listed In Alphabetical Order-
ADVENTURE CLUB • AERO CHORD • ANDREW RAYEL • BORGORE
BRANCHEZ • BRILLZ • CAJMERE • COSMIC GATE
DJ SLIINK • DUSKY • EATS EVERYTHING • EVA SHAW
FIGURE • GRANDTHEFT • HEADHUNTERZ • HUCCI
ILAN BLUESTONE • JUSTIN MARTIN • KEYS N KRATES • LANE 8
MIJA • MK • MORGAN PAGE • MYON & SHANE 54
NICOLE MOUDABER • OLIVER HELDENS • PARTY FAVOR • PEGBOARD NERDS
SANDER VAN DOORN • SAVOY • SEVEN LIONS • SHIBA SAN
SKREAM • SLANDER • THOMAS JACK • TJR
TOMMY TRASH • UMMET OZCAN • W&W • WOLFGANG GARTNER • YELLOW CLAW
…and more to be announced!
Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas announced that general admission is sold out in record time. The festival is at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, With over 350,000 attendees over the course of 3 days the festival is one of the largest in North America. You can still purchase VIP admission for $699 on ticketmaster.