Muphoric Sounds is on Team Natasha Kmeto! The Portland-based singer and electronic producer did a great set at the recent Decibel Festival in Seattle.  Kmeto not only makes great experimental beats, but her vocal ability add a unique element to her bass driven, futuristic soul productions. From the outset, the electronic music world is quite male dominated and it’s refreshing to see a female musician firmly driving her stake into the territory with assurance.

Since releasing her debut EP 9 in 2009, Kmeto has been steadily crafting her skills and exploring her medium. By 2010, the release of her full-length album Expressor opened doors, where she consistently toured around the Northwest building a solid fan base, connecting and collaborating with an array of artists in her field. Touring with the Emancipator on his East Coast tour and playing at events such as Coachella, Bumbershoot, MFNW, Low End Theory (LA and SF) and Decibel Festival, the Dropping Gems label artist is succeeding in putting the Northwest on the map!

Check out this video interview to see and hear her in action! You will jump on the Kmeto train afterwards!

Known as the SXSW of electronic music, this year marks the DECIBEL International Music Festival of Electronic Music Performance, Visual Art and New Media‘s ninth year. Founded in 2003 by Sean Horton, DECIBEL can be prided by its originality in creating experiences that are unique with a focus on live performance, interactive multimedia art and state-of-the-art sounds. Similar in style to SXSW in turning a complete area into a music haven, DECIBEL will be utilizing 15+ venues to host events.

Headliners for DECIBEL 2012 includes The Cannabinoids featuring Erykah Badu, Carl Craig, Arial Pink, Orbital, Shpongle, Matthew Dear, and so many others from across the globe — the list is LONG.  For more information on this ground breaking event, check out the DECIBEL roster, and get to planning, as this is a festival not to be missed!

The city of Atlanta marks its 2^nd Annual One Musicfest on Sunday, August 27^th, in Park Tavern‘s concert space. Last year featured Common, De La Soul, Goapele, the Love Language, DJ Mick Boogie, and earned the festival organisers Atlanta’s “Phoenix Award” for their efforts in captivating the city’s music culture with over 3,000 people in attendance. This year’s confirmed artists include alternative hip-hop group The Pharcyde, Grammy nominated artists, Anthony David, and The Foreign Exchange. More artists will announced, including featured DJ’s and live artists. If you’re not from Atlanta, August 27^th is the time you should make a trip there. It’s on our roster! For more information about the event, visit www.OneMusicFest.com.

Internationally celebrated Record Store Day, the third Saturday in April, is a day where stores across the globe give special offers, hold events, and some record companies unearth oldies, goodies, and use the day as an opportunity to release previously unreleased music. Kilawatt Music has done so with the release of this 7″ with two widely unheard tracks from DC songstress Muhsinah and London producer Ben Jones, originally on the now defunct label Arale.tv. The songs are two strikingly contrasting musical styles—Ben Jones‘s “Stereosine” is raw funk instrumental that gentle plays with experimental sounds with a dubstep flare; Muhsinah‘s “Are In Be” never fails in providing interesting vocals – her harmonies are always beautiful. The 7″ is available from Kilawatt’s Online Store and exclusively from hhv.de from today, April 16th. Check the tracks out below and purchase some music today!

“Stereosine” by Ben Jones

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Are In Be” by Muhsinah

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Every time LunchBox Theory sends out their email blast to promote their monthly AfroBeat For Ya Soul night, I get excited as the announcement comes with audible treats from their resident DJ, DJ Underdog. The latest mix, Africa UnDONE, is somewhat special—it marks LunchBox Theory‘s 2nd year anniversary and a redesign of their site. So it’s a full-on celebration of much success, taking place, tomorrow night, Thursday, March 31!

DJ Underdog is so skillful in how he finds the perfect song and puts his own spin on it, to a perfect theme. Africa UnDONE brings in themes of industrialization with African roots at the forefront. It’s a great mix of afro-beats, funk, and soulful house fusions. You’ll want to play this at home, in your car, with your friends.

I definitely plan on visiting the DMV area this summer to specifically attend LunchBox Theory’s “AfroBeat For Ya Soul” party! With DJ Underdog throwing down tunes like what he’s demonstrated over the past two years—the parties must be musical heaven. If you’re in the DMV area, you can get event details for AfroBeat for Ya Soul here. And if you’re like me–a little (or greatly) geographically challenged, then Africa UnDONE will appease you in the meantime. Enjoy this FREE DOWNLOAD, in courtesy of LunchBox Theory and Underdog The DJ!

One thing I love about a Peter Hadar show, is he likes to put a spin on it. It’s never just “Peter Hadar,” there’s always a twist. When he released his EP last year, Full Time Lover, it was “Peter Hadar with Dynasty Electric.” Now, scheduled to perform at New York City’s SOB’s tomorrow night, February 24th at 7pm, the show is called “Amusement Park” which is hosted by Va$htie Kola & R.I.P. The Ruler, and featuring Ninjasonik, Moruf, Tecla, Judah Tribe & LA. Check out the promo video for the show below, and if you’re in the New York City area, go to the show. Let’s put it this way—I’m intrigued by what Mr. Hadar has up his sleeve!

Hadar has a quite a lot going on at the moment—the SOB’s show is the start of his new monthly showcase that will take place in NJ and NY, entitled Amusement Park;  an indi-movie about his band; a new EP Entree Gourmet, with new singles and videos to follow, starting with the song, “Stuntin‘” in March; and his new album Take Off Victoria, which is scheduled to release in the fall.

Got to give DJ Underdog a pound for kicking this mix off with Peter Tosh‘s radical call to arms about the state of senseless music! With Africa Africa Africa pt. 1, DJ Underdog took us on a journey to the continent, and with pt. 2 he takes us into the future, giving those of us who aren’t in the DMV vicinity, a direct taste of what is experienced at the Afro-Beat for Ya Soul party, hosted by Lunchbox Theory at Bossa in Washington, DC. The next Afro-Beat for Ya Soul party is this Thursday, August 26th, with music by DJ Underdog and live performance from Funk Ark Band. For event information, click here. But in the meantime, wrap your ears around the track below, then head over to the Lunchbox Theory Bandcamp page to download Africa Africa Africa pt. 2.

LunchBox Theory, are a group of people who host a slew of events in the DC area. Their signature Afro-Beat For Ya Soul! party is scheduled for Thursday, April 29th at Bossa Lounge, featuring DJ Underdog and Slimkat78 with a live performance provided by The Cornel West Theory performing Fela covers. As a warm-up to the party, DJ Underdog has put together fab mix called Africa Africa Africa, a selection of afro-beat tunes which include remixes of various artists such as Madlib, Fela, Karizma, and many more. This mix is FREE, so visit LunchBox Theory‘s Bandcamp page and get your download! For those of you in the DC-area, this is a party not to be missed. Go to LunchBox Theory for full event details.

So if you’re able to make this show, we suggest that you go and see Res! Get a bus ticket, rent a car, bum a ride, whatever you can; Res gives a great performance. She’s performing in her home town, Philly, so it’s sure to contain her usual intimacy, if not more. Tickets can be purchased from Johnny Brenda’s here!

Alternative R&B artist Peter Hadar has been making serious waves over the past few years. Releasing his debut album Memories of the Heart in 2006, and two EP’s Well Dressed Art Show in 2008 and She’s Four Months in 2009, while being ever so stylish with it. Hadar is about to release his new EP Full Time Loverwith Damon Dash’s Creative Control, with a kick off show at Joe’s Pub in New York, on Thursday March 12 with Dynasty Electric (for full details on this event click HERE.

Hadar grew up around a musical family but resisted, and built a name for himself styling his musician friends for shows and working with some of the industry’s top fashion brands. Studying fashion and later becoming a stylist, dressing many people in the music industry, the art form started to pull him closer and before long, Hadar was sharing the stage with powerhouse performing artists, such Mos Def, Questlove, Q-Tip, Musiq, Raheem DeVaughn, Carl Thomas, Joe, Bilal, and Chrisette Michele, to name a few, and has been revered by the media.

Below is the video for “Full Time Lover,” directed by Coodie & Chike and CreativeControl.tv, a very catchy tune that is reminiscent of those years when music came in three parts – verse, chorus, and the bridge, and dance expressions were fluid and free; “Full Time Love” will have you dancing in no time. Visit his Bandcamp or Myspace pages to hear more music by Peter Hadar.

The name Res has been floating around for the past decade. Having hit us hard with her seminal debut release, How I Do in 2001, we patiently waited for more. Unfortunately, Res fell prey to record industry politics in the frame of a liquidation, which left her on Geffen Record‘s shelf. This did not stop the urban chanteuse from getting things done, from her song “To Empower” being featured in movie Akeelah and the Bee, forming a band, and now is all set to release her an official sophomore release EP.

With quite a few tour dates to hit in March, expect to see more of Res in the coming months. Headlining the show at North 4th Bar on March 12th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will be a chance for Res’ fans to get reacquainted with her.

We were able to get Res to answer a few questions for you to hear about what she’s been doing over the years. Check out the Q&A below!

Muphoric Sounds: What have you been up to since the release of “How I Do”?
Res: I have written another album called Black Girls Rock!, recorded an acoustic EP called BARE set for a indie release May 1st, toured with Gnarls Barkley singing backup for Cee Lo, traveled a bit, started a new group with Talib Kweli called Idle Warship and just continued living life as I know it!

MS: How did Idle Warship come about?
Res: It was a way for Kweli and I to do music in genres we are not known to do. Just another outlet to create something fresh!

MS: How would you describe your sound now?
Res: Lauryn Hill meets Fleetwood Mac.

MS: You released Black Girls Rock! last year. Is there anything new coming? What can we expect?
Res: I have recently recorded an acoustic EP called BARE. I plan to release it May 1st. And I am working on a new album with the producer of my first album. I am also gearing up to work with Kweli on the Idle Warship album. So far we released [in October 2009] a mixtape for free download called Party Robot.

MS: What do you have in store for your March 12th show in Brooklyn, NY?
Res: This performance is going to be the begining of my acoustic series. Me and one maybe two guitar players. It will be very intimate and raw.

MS: Are there any artist’s you’re listening to at the moment, you’d like our readers to check out?
Res: There is a guy in the UK named Tinashé.

—

Also check The1Res.com for tour dates and if you missed the Mick Boogie Idle Warship Mixtape, Party Robot, it’s available here for download.

Put Me On It, known primarily for its outstanding music blog on underground music, is throwing the must-attend Halloween party in London at Market Place. Showcasing some of the hottest emerging female talent around, it’s going to be fire! If I could fly to London for this event, I would be there! Check out the event trailer below and if you’re not familiar with Put Me On It, you need to go to there now!

For more information about the event, click here.

First of all, let me apologize for being out of commission for a bit. I was in London visiting family, getting reacquainted with old friends, and checking out a few musical events. Muphoric Sounds was in my brain, just couldn’t log on to tell you what was happening. Here are a couple of events you should seek out if you’re in London.

Plastic People in Shoreditch, East London with monthly resident DJ, Theo Parrish. We left the club muphorically ecstatic. The night was incredible! Theo Parrish is by far, now, one of my favorite DJs. How best to describe Parrish is to think of Soulful House fused with R&B, hip hop, broken and afrobeats, and an experiemental flavor. He took it to the left, in a smoke haze, with a crowd who were rhythmically free. Mixing Bill Withers to J Dilla caused the crowd to wear ugly music faces. A musical purist, I’m in awe of this guy. Check out his podcasts on Last.fm or BBC Radio.

Benji B‘s Deviation night at Gramaphone in Bank. This night was pure heat. Literally. Featuring dub step, UK garage innovator MJ Cole, and MCs Serocee and Judah, was non-stop dancing, and a battle to position yourself in front of the limited air conditioning; the UK is not up on club ventilation. The event was the kick off to Nottinghill Carnival at the end of the month, where Deviation will be playing at a secret location. Make sure you visit the Deviation website for clues on where the next party will be.

Was extremely sad to leave London, as there is SO much ground to cover; definitely needed more time.

One of the things we do here is bring to you news about new artists and events. I’m so bummed that I won’t be in London for this one!

OneTaste is hosting the Exhibition Road Music Day to be held at London’s Hyde Park on Sunday, June 21st, from 1pm through 8pm.

The line-up is fantastic. With main headliners Little Dragon; actress and singer Ebony Bones; human beatboxer MC Xander; unique R&B singer Jamie Woon; poet and rapper Polarbear; rapper, poet, and playwright, Kate Tempest with band Sound of Rum; one man band, Joe Driscoll; the soulful electro-pop duo, Pearl Apollo; ska, funk band, United Vibrations; and electronic hip-hop, funk, and broken beats, DJ John Hendicott.

It definitely is “a not to be missed” event. So if you’re in the London area, brush off your Oyster travel cards and spread your sheets on the grass to take in some good music. It’s also a great event for all those hipster pops to spend their Father’s Day soaking in the sun and notable artists.

Lemi Ghariokwu is the artist who was responsible for creating Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti‘s iconic album covers, which not only illustrated his outstanding talent as a visual artist but also how he used art to create political statements apropos to Kuti’s prolific message. Punch Records has secured the rights to the graphic designer and fine artist’s archive and has partnered with the BASS Music Festival (British Arts and Street Sounds), to tour the Art’s Own Kind exhibit across the UK starting on June 9 at the Rich Mix in Shoreditch, London.

Opening night will bring key Afrobeat players, such as pioneer Tony Allen, who was Kuti’s musical director and drummer; Wunmi (the Queen of Afrobeat); Rich Medina (of Jump n’ Funk, NYC); and the visual artist, Lemi Ghariokwu for performance and panel discussion. The Art’s Own Kind exhibit is scheduled to end July 6.