Lowdown Brass Band Release Their Roaring New Single "Ghost Town"

 
Photo courtesy of Lowdown Brass Band and The Bloom Effect

Photo courtesy of Lowdown Brass Band and The Bloom Effect

We’ve sure seen our share of hip-hop/funk brass bands over the years, but nothing has compared to the thoughtfully hip, energizing and funky sounds of Lowdown Brass Band (LDB). This thriving eight-piece second-line extravaganza has been marching their way through venues across the U.S., steering audiences through a thrilling brass-powered experience that emulates a diverse and irresistible sound.

With a blistering array of horns, funktacious drums and a powerful sousaphone, the Chicago-based brass set has also perfected a gritty and dynamic sound through the genres of hip-hop, soul, ska and rock. The fusion of MC Billa Camp’s poetic rhymes and adaptive storytelling, one of the band’s leading vocalists, has helped catapulted LDB’s national movement with cruising vocals, ferocious depth and provocative flows that helped audiences to capture the LDB experience.

With the release of their fifth self-produced studio album Lowdown Breaks arriving January 19th, Lowdown Brass Band has continued to build upon their hip-hop, ska and jazz styles under their newest single, “Ghost Town". Lead by Billa Camp with illustrious wordplay, keen lyricism and intricate arrangements, “Ghost Town,” exemplifies LDB’s music through groovy brass hip-hop with a unique alloy of genres that is indulgently entertaining to hear.

What began as a Chicago collaboration between Lowdown Brass Band and Chicago hip-hop punk set, The Dread,” has grown into one of LDB’s biggest songs of 2017, aligning perfectly with the 2018 release of their new LP. With a commanding tempo ripe with roaring horns, long brass and robust beats, the song contrasts perfectly with Billa Camps flourishing vocals and profound individuality.

What we really dig about LDB’s new track is the music video – an entertaining, high-energy adventure shot on a fishing boat during Lowdown Brass’s Alaskan tour in July 2017. As a recommendation of a great way to see the Cordova region in Alaska, the band brought their instruments on the boat and randomly had a quick jam session right in the middle of the Prince William Sound. Suddenly, the session quickly turned into a video shoot for “Ghost Town” with people on the boat shooting the session entirely on their iPhone’s. A wild ride filled with humor and dance, Lowdown Brass Band’s “Ghost Town” video is one for the ages and is certainly a must watch!

LDB’s barrier breaking sound is as intricate and explosive through your headphones, as it is on-stage: A second-line brass-knuckle spectacular that gets you on your feet and keeps the party pumping all-night long. They’re a band that get’s it: progressive brass beats with a festive attitude and a groovy onslaught of stellar vocal harmonies and horns that are marvelously entertaining and unique. Lowdown Brass is a band that can’t be missed and a must see for when they march across your town.

For more on Lowdown Brass Band, follow their social media and stream/download their music below. 

 

Lowdown Brass Band

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All Year Summer & Duendita Put On A Stellar Performance at Jack Douglas Music Hall

 
 
Chris Toro and Miguel "MG" Gallardo (All Year Summer) on stage at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Chris Toro and Miguel "MG" Gallardo (All Year Summer) on stage at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

In our first major show of 2017, we witnessed two captivating performances by All Year Summer and Duendita, as they graced the stage at the Jack Douglas Music Hall for its first official music showcase.

Located inside the renowned Institute of Audio Research, both artists performed songs from their previous EPs and upcoming releases in front of an intimate crowd that lasted through the night. Filled with expressive vibes, soulful melodies and astounding entertainment, we were blown away by the incredible talent and genre-binding complexities that these artists displayed and whose music kept us standing at our feet – eager for more.

Miguel "MG" Gallardo quick with the flows at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Miguel "MG" Gallardo quick with the flows at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Bronx natives, Chris Toro and Miguel “MG” Gallardo, kicked off the show with a dynamically galactic and pulverizing set, delivering chill sounds, explosively driven beats and experimental lyricism that rushed through are bodies and cuddling our ears.

Their performances to “One Hell of A Ride” and “Lemonade” were synonymous with the room: gently steamy and soulfully warm. MG’s smooth vibes and Toro’s decadent flows complemented each other’s styles perfectly as they rapped over relaxing keys and soothing compositions – infusing their bars seamlessly with command.

Chris Toro vibe 'n out at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Chris Toro vibe 'n out at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Toro provided us with a treat of his performance to, “Watch Your Flowers,” as the songs cooling essence quieted the room as we bobbed our heads to its soul-soothing 90’s boom-bop sound. The dynamic duo also performed their new song, “Light The Tree,” which provided audiences a breezy baseline track, filled with a soft hook and pulse-cleansing rhythms that had us lighting up and cruising throughout the night.

Along with an unreleased track filled with ferocity and fired-up flows, All Year Summer truly provided the link between fantasy and reality – excelling through the poetic complexities of their sound at the Jack Douglas Music Hall. Their lyricism and thoughtful metaphors offered us a refreshing taste of unconventional hip-hop that urges audiences to challenge the genre to continuously seek creativity.

All Year Summer at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

All Year Summer at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Duendita headlined the Jack Douglas showcase with a timeless and captivating performance that stunned audiences in their seats. Her gorgeous vocals and perpetual depth masterfully resonated across the venue, as the singer-songwriter performed songs from her upcoming EP – illustrating her tenacious versatility as an upcoming artist.

duendita gracing the stage at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

duendita gracing the stage at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

The surrealist singer-songwriter lost in the music at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

The surrealist singer-songwriter lost in the music at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Also performing songs from her previous EP’s, Duendita offered us a surreal treat that deliciously contained euphoric rhythms, soothing keys and surmountable flows that whispered through our ears and into our souls. Kicking off her set with the stage lights off, the soul surrealist kept us guessing throughout the performance, as she provided us with aesthetically pleasing compositions consisting of gentle keys, empowering beats and euphorically complex productions.

Her vocals to “Dream of Me” and “Open Wide” were seductive, tantalizing and soulfully dreamy. Her performance allowed us to give way and provide our attention to her angelic notes blessed with divine serenity, meticulous lyricism and with an unwavering stage presence.

duendita looking on at the crowd at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

duendita looking on at the crowd at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

All Year Summer and Duendita enumerated two impressive and enjoyable performances for us to witness last month at the Jack Douglas Music Hall. Immersed in the urban soul and hip-hop genres, All Year Summer and Duendita have discovered excitingly new approaches to how contemporary indie-music should be. 

Both artists exhibit a strong dedication to sound, meaningful lyrics and complex arrangements that exemplify the quality of music coming from this independent New York scene. 

duendita singing majestically at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

duendita singing majestically at Jack Douglas Music Hall. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Make sure to follow, share and listen to All Year Summer and Duendita on their social for future shows, music and tours! Feel free to comment, share and follow The Fox and King, Inc. on our social below.

 

All Year Summer

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duendita

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Marcus Machado - Bringing Back Lead Guitar at Soul in the Horn 2016

 
Marcus Machado at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos. 

Marcus Machado at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos. 

It was the Soul in the Horn festival at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn last Wednesday and the amphitheater was filled with the thick, smooth, sounds of Marcus Machado and his guitar. Performing among a line up of talented acts, such as Maurice “Mobetta” Brown and Kendra Foster, Machado stands out amongst a roster of serious talent that flowed together beautifully at this years Soul in the Horn Festival.

Machado strummed his guitar effortlessly with a full and powerful sound. The jazzy notes and bluesy rock arrangements closely resembled those from Machado’s legendary influencers, such as Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Carlos Santana and Eddie Hazel to name a few. Yet, Machado projected an upbeat, fun, unique and intricate arrangement that blend the sounds of blues, rock and jazz masterfully. During his performance, a five-piece band accompanied Machado on the drums, sax, bass, keys and smooth vocals, filling out the sound. Songs ranged from classic jazz, to full on “I absolutely must move my shoulders” funk.

Marcus Machado and band at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Marcus Machado and band at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Marcus Machado at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos

Marcus Machado at SummerStage 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos

The music had the whole crowd moving and filled the summery air with a sweet, smooth and positive vibe. One that Machado purposely created, reminding the audience to “give love” and “practice peace” throughout his performance. At a particularly beautiful moment, before one of his closing songs, he asked the audience to hold up their peace signs as he dedicated the piece to those we lost in the tragic Orlando attack, as well as Mohammad Ali and Prince, whom we also lost this year. The amphitheater quickly filled with peace signs in the air and a subtle moment of silence before launching into another graceful, roaring, guitar track.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos

If his undeniable talent isn't’ enough to consume you, his stage presence will be. Machado stands tall and cool, front and center of the stage, holding his guitar like it’s an extension of himself and strumming it casually as if it’s completely second nature. He has a swagger to the way he moves about the stage; nodding at this band and coyly demonstrating that he’s the one in charge.

Marcus Machado at Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Marcus Machado at Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

It’s not often you see the guitarist front and center, leading the show; which Machado is trying to change. As he said in Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Next Young Gun” featured article, “While I feel like these days there’s a lot of great players out there, something has changed where you don't’ really see guitar players as the lead people.” He’s doing his part to bring it back. The entire band was amazing, and delivered a full sound, but the guitar lead the way. And those guitar solos? Damn.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Soul in The Horn 2016. Photo courtesy of Kevin Vallejos.

Seeing Machado playing live is a must. He willfully, and unapologetically, commands the stage beautifully with his presence, skill, and effervescent sense of love and harmony. He has dates here in New York from now through December. His guitar-powered EP, 29 is currently streaming on Spotify and on his website, Official Marcus Machado, where you can also see all of his show dates, bio and music. This artist is an act you don’t want to miss! 

 

Listen to Marcus Machado today on...

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