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Monster Block Party Artist Profile: Sister Crayon

artist sister crayonThe music of Oakland-based outfit Monster Block Party talent Sister Crayon is an eclectic marriage of intensity and influences – and unabashedly so. Originally from Sacramento, their sound is saturated with trip-hop beats, soaring operatic vocals, distorted guitars and sonic textures that allow you to drift into the waves of the music. Previously performing under the name Silent and Clemintine, the band now consists of lead vocalist Terra Lopez and Dani Fernandez playing backing tracks. Sister Crayon was the result of a daring sound change for Lopez, “I didn’t want to be shy anymore and I wanted to have a name that was bolder and a completely different alter ego.”

Their debut album Bellow is the perfect example of how the group can create a deep intimacy between artist and audience. Lopez explains, “When I think of someone bellowing, I just see a sad, really powerful thing coming out of someone. Years of an exhausting type of feeling.” Recorded at the famous Hangar Studios in Sacramento, the poetic and mythological lyrics on Bellow have a way of relating to a wide array of people in a number of hopeless circumstances. “[Almost] all of the lyrics are mini-conversations to people [who] I could never really tell [things] face-to-face,” Lopez explains, “so the song’s going to be what I really want to tell you, though I may never tell you this was written for you.”

Sister Crayon spent last fall recording their EP Cynic released earlier this year in April. Like its predecessor, the five-track EP is a confessional piece, bringing personal topics to light for both members. “For me, writing is a form of therapy, because I can’t really afford it, to be honest. There are so many unresolved things, just in life in general, that I’m still trying to process. And the only way to really feel comfortable or okay about it is by singing every night. If we have a tough night or tough day beforehand, I’ll look forward to playing a show because it’s a huge form of some kind of release. And I know for me, if I don’t play a show, I start — if there’s too much of a time period in-between shows, I don’t feel okay; I don’t feel normal. Something’s missing.”

The EP was finished over the course of a weekend and during the last day of recording, Lopez, Fernandez and their producer Wes Jones wrote and recorded the song “Meager Leavings” in one sitting. Using an experimental session with vintage synths and a variety of drum machines, both Lopez and Fernandez felt they had discovered the sound they were looking for all along. With the release of Cynic, Sister Crayon have begun writing new material for their second full-length, set to be released in late 2013. Don’t miss Sister Crayon at Monster Block Party in Nashville this Saturday, October 26th. Secure your spot to the spooktacular.

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  • Thursday, October 24, 2013

Something Wicked Artist Profile: Simon Patterson

artist simon pattersonSimon Patterson‘s drive is only matched by the energy in his fresh psytrance, trance, and tech trance productions. One of the fastest rising stars in trance music, the London-based Something Wicked talent got his start in the dance music industry not as an artist DJ, but as an Artist and Repertoire (A&R) agent for several labels, including working for industry giants such as Judge Jules. Simon began his DJing career at the turn of the millennium and quickly established himself as a bright young talent in one of the biggest and most-competitive metropolitan cities in the world.

Though his first productions came in 2003 as a part of the famous trance duo Dogzilla, Simon left the group in 2008 to focus on his solo career, which had already begun to take off. Simon’s first release as a solo artist “F-16” reached number one on the Beatport trance charts in 2006. What happened after that is nothing short of amazing. The next ten releases from Simon Patterson reached the #1 spot on the trance charts. That’s right – 11 consecutive #1 releases, which included tracks like “Latika” and his recent hit “The One.”

Perhaps just as amazing is that Simon has been able to fuse his mainstream chart success while keeping an underground credibility. Affectionately known by his fans as “Psymon,” the darker, dirtier genres of trance aren’t exactly mainstream, but Simon has found a way to attract, not only the hardcore trance heads and even the casual dance music listener. His podcast Open Up is a perfect example of his ability to unite the underground and the mainstream. Every week, Simon opens his audience up to new artists and tracks that they might not have otherwise been able to find while simultaneously being one of the most-listened to and downloaded trance podcasts in the world.

The philosophy behind his productions carry over to his sets as well. A “Psymon” set is a wicked combination of techno, trance and breaks and it is rare to hear from him drop below 138 BPM. An artist not to be missed, Simon Patterson will definitely bring the energy to Something Wicked on Saturday, October 26th. Tickets are still available, so make sure to pick them up today!

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  • Thursday, October 24, 2013

Something Wicked Artist Profile: Crizzly

artist crizzlyCrizzly has taken over the bass scene in recent years. Known for his heavy mixes and dirty breaks, this Something Wicked artist ignites crowds with his intoxicating, infectious, and crunkworthy sounds.

Born and raised in Texas, Christopher Lee Marshall started working on his own sound about five years ago by playing music with basic experimentation in middle school with the trombone and then guitar. “I was an only child ’til I was 11 and still never lived with my other siblings. I had a lot of time to myself in my room and I’d either play video games all day or just surf the web. One day I was digging through myspace music and came across Justice. Their sound really got me wanting to make dancey stuff. But before I knew who they were I played guitar and wanted to at least be in my school’s talent show.”

By the age of 15, he immersed himself in production, calling his early bedroom-made creations “weird stuff.” Finally stumbling onto dance music production when he was 19, Crizzly acquired a set of turntables shortly thereafter. The first gigs he scored were usually birthday parties. Crizzly states that before he started producing, he used to promote music as much as he could. “Before I started making music, I was a promoter. And not even a promoter for a club, just promoting music in general. Like just trying to get people to come to some random shows.”

Merging his first and middle name to create his stage name, Crizzly started making a name for himself producing bootlegs of hip hop songs that he heard on YouTube. Soon after releasing his own versions of “Hard in Da Paint” by Waka Flocka and also doing some edits on “Snap Back Swag” from AJ Hernz, the worldwide blogosphere went crazy over the tracks and many websites began sharing his cuts, thereby multiplying Crizzly’s following.

Always merging his love of bass and hip hop, a cocktail he calls, “Crunkstep,” his latest release Crunkstep Volume 2: Back 2 Da Streets, shows Crizzly is ready to reek havoc on the bass music scene. “I expect a ton of energy. I want the fans to get buck wild, crazy, and crunk. I want them to make some bad decisions and have fun.”

Come get crunk with Crizzly at Something Wicked on Saturday, October 26th in Houston when he takes does damage to our bass tent. Buy your tickets today!

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  • Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Inspire the Next Generation at Something Wicked

Dr. Bob's Sonic Workshop of the Bob Moog FoundationWhen you join Disco Donnie Presents and NightCulture for the return of Houston’s Something Wicked, you won’t just be dancing to talented artists all day and night. You’ll also be helping to mold the minds of the next generation.

With our strategic partnership with the Bob Moog Foundation, an organization that honors the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, ticket sales generated from last year’s Something Wicked allowed the organization’s Dr. Bob’s Sonic Workshop to ignite the creativity of students at the Cornelius Elementary School in Houston, TX.

Centered around science, math and technology, the 45-minute presentation taught the entire student body of 950 students the basic physics of sound, including sound creation, travel, vibrations, waveforms and more. All fourth and fifth graders participated in Dr. Bob’s Interactive Sonic Experience which included a setup of theremins and synthesizers that provided students the opportunity to explore the boundless sonic universe through old and new electronic musical instruments.

Dr. Bob Moog poster at Dr. Bob's Sonic WorkshopDonnie Estopinal, Founder and CEO of Disco Donnie Presents, describes the partnership, “Dr. Bob’s Sonic Workshop is especially rewarding way for Something Wicked to give back to Houston, because we can offer our strengths and expertise to positively affect children’s lives. The goal of the workshop is simple — we want to help develop the creative abilities of the community’s children in a lasting manner.”

If you want to help inspire creative innovation for future generations, all you have to do is join us on the dance floor for this year’s Something Wicked in Houston, TX this Saturday, October 26th. With artists like Tiësto, Wolfgang Gartner and Cosmic Gate all set to perform the Halloween event, you were probably planning on going anyway. Grab your tickets today!

  • Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Grab your Exclusive Merch at Something Wicked

Something Wicked is just days away and we’re very excited to show off our commemorative shirt designs for the Halloween event. Our Wicked Muerta designs were screen printed on 100% cotton t-shirts and hoodies. With minimal shrink, all you ghouls can enjoy a regular fit for years and years. Let the world know how much fun you had on October 26th and stop by our Merch booth this Saturday!

  • Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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