Marki | Chrome Music

#ChromeSelects: Crookers

By Marki August 5, 2015

Yea, you definitely heard his remix of Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite'” by now. But there is more to this Italian man than meets the eye. He’s got 2 record labels, countless remixes that are main weapons for every DJ set, and has toured the world, making everyone a believer in the process.

“Sixteen Chapel,” Crooker’s album, goes from Deep House with “Heavy” to Electro Pop with “I Just Can’t” with Jeremih in a matter of minutes, proving genres are just a thing is the past. Below, we checked in to see what he had to say about notorious eater TJR, his trippy music videos, and life after death.

1. PC Magazine just completed a study of the most used emoji’s in each country. The banana was the most used in Italy. What do you think? And, what’s your most used emoji?

Probably because we have a big banana so we always want to show it off. I don’t know, I tend to not use too many emoji’s unless it’s for a stupid reason. So, I think the one that I use the most is the kiss just because I want to kiss.

2. Differences between your two record labels – Lucky Beard and Ciao Recs?

Lucky Beard is a label I started when I was tired in a way of always making the same sounds, this label is where I can do weird, experimental, fucked up music. A reason why Lucky Beard is interesting to me is we don’t promote it, we don’t do any marketing for it, we are not trying to be a big label, we are just sending the music out.

Ciao Recs started as the home for my new records. I ended the relationship with other labels and I didn’t want to deal with other labels, I wanted to do my own thing. I don’t call Ciao Rec’s a proper label though.

3. In your 2^nd life, are you going to be a pizza like in “Picture This?”

Yes, it would be a nice end and a good start.

4. How did the concept come about for “Able To Maximize?” Is it going to be a series because at the end it says, “To Be Continued…”

There is going to be a crazy animated video for “I Just Can’t” but it the record is doing so well so we decided to make a real music video for the single too. I am the doctor saving lives in the video.

At the end of “I Just Can’t” you will understand why all the other stuff happened. It’s some trippy shit.

5. You and TJR go on tour. What is the tour name called?

TJR fucking hates to pay for food. He eats and I pay. I always say to him, “I pay, he eats.”

6. “Dangerous” off Sixteen Chapel is a bit different from the album. Can you tell me a bit about the track?

I was fucking around with some old groove that I had and I slowed it down to a funky line, I wanted to make a song with that, like ’92-’93 sound stuff.

7. What is your favorite kind of hummus?

The normal kind, I don’t want to see spice, pesto. If I want to add spice I’ll add my spice.

8. What should we be listening to?

Psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll from the 70’s. Italian bands.

SoundCloud ::: Facebook

Cheat Codes – Visions (Boehm Remix)

By Marki July 31, 2015

Boehm FTW.

This Romanian (does it get tropical over there?) DJ brings us a taste of sand between our toes and margarita in hand with his remix of “Visions.” We’ve been able to get a glimpse of this young rising star over the last couple months and with each release, there’s a new twist on the genre. His style is deliberate, melodic, and seemingly always incorporates the right amount of guitar, piano, horns, and xylophones that make the vocals shine.

You can see why Boehm’s fan base is growing quickly, as his music transcends every genre. Subtle in its approach, tropical house and Boehm are here to stay.

SoundCloud :: Facebook

The Beach – From Above (Boehm Remix)

By Marki July 21, 2015

Boehm seems to have found his niche in the topsy-turvy world that is EDM. He brings his production prowess to “From Above,” a tale of miscast teenagers set in the London night. This man lights the fuse immediately with every track, always leaves a lasting impression with his records. Case in point, another tune, “I Love It When You Cry” doesn’t have to be layered with head banging for pulsating nightclubs but instead gives us a shot in the arm of mild tempered drums and guitar.

“From Above” takes us through the peaks and valleys of what the genre “Tropical House” should be, further proving that Boehm is the scholar in the front of the room.

SoundCloud ::: Facebook

filous – Better Off ft. Josh Roa & Bishøp

By Marki July 15, 2015

As filous teases “Dawn,” his debut EP set to released this Friday(!), we get to hear another tune, “Better Off” featuring Josh Roa and Bishøp. The push and pull lyrics of “I’m better off with you” remind us all of a failed relationship that are intensified with the twang of the guitar and rhythmic melodic beat.

This young stallion is ready to ride and we eagerly await his accent with “Dawn.”

SoundCloud ::: Facebook

#ChromeSelects: Nicolas Haelg

By Marki June 25, 2015

Nicolas Haelg comes to us as the Deep House maestro. Haelg has arranged some artful electronic compositions over the years (which you can find in our playlist below) and with so much House getting lost in the ether, he has the effect of standing apart. His meticulous sampling and surprising go-to songs made for a unique look at this deep, down, low composer.

1) What artist/musicians have influenced you thus far?

Since my musical influence comes strongly from the hip hop and rap scene, so does my sampling. I was influenced many, many times by hip Hop and R&B and not necessarily by other electronic artists. The first 2 CD’s I bought were “The Marshall Mathers LP” by Eminem and “The Chronic” by Dr.Dre back in 2001. “The Masters of Sampling”, the one and only Wu-Tang also influenced me big time. I could now mention 100 other hip hop artists, but I guess I would loose myself in that topic. Anyway, when we talk about my “melodic” house influences, it would be a lie not to mention Bakermat. I do not necessarily listen to his tunes, but I guess everyone who ever used sax in their own tunes was somehow influenced by him, and so was I. But in the end I think I get inspired by everything that I perceive as being a cool sound. It doesn’t matter whether it comes from hip hop, house, drum n’ bass and so on.

2) What was the collaboration like working with MOUNT? What was the creative process behind the track?

Mount and I are pretty good friends. We met at a festival and we already discussed a possible collaboration the very first hour we met. So working with him was like two kids playing around. Mount pretty much showed up with the main idea of the tune and sent me the stems so I could work on it. It was very convenient to work with him, because we both knew what had to be done, so there wasn’t a lot of discussion involved.

3) Who would you like to collaborate with? Vocalist wise?

Well if I could choose from all vocalists, then for sure Alicia Keys! I like her achievements and her voice. She sings with a lot of passion and one can hear where her roots are and where she is from. Otherwise I like to collab with people that I know that the chemistry is going to be right. Cause if it is not, working together can be very tiring. Doing collaborations is like relationship building in my eyes. This means that it’s not necessarily about the skills someone brings in, but the personality.

4) What is the most absurd thing you ever spent money on?

Probably my skateboard, it’s given me so much pain in my life so far.

5) What is one app you can’t live without?

“SBB Mobile”, the app from the Swiss Railway Company. It shows me all train and bus connection, pretty decent app! And of course my alarm clock.

6) What is your dream festival to play?

Hmm I haven’t really thought about that yet. How about Urban Arts Form? I had a lot of fun there last year. Also Fusion Festival would be sick. Who knows? Maybe next summer?

7) What other genres are you/do you want to explore?

My musical history is broad and long. Producing-wise I started 10 years ago with hip hop instrumental tunes. I stuck to that for about 7 years. So 3 years ago I experimented with some liquid drum n’ bass, trip hop and dubstep, ending up with deep/melodic house. Producing is a learning process. Every genre I was into, I produced some tunes, learning so many technical skills I still use in my tracks. All the sampling comes from my experience with producing hip hop tracks. The synthesizer part I got from my experience with drum n’ bass and dubstep. I’m still exploring and changing my style all the time. As my Professor once said, “As a producer you most go through 3 phases: Imitate, Assimilate, Innovate.” I think it’s pretty hard to get to the last step of innovation. But of course my aim is to get to the last step eventually. But I guess not many producers even reach that level.

8) Favorite thing to eat before a set?

I don’t really have one. But I pretty much love all kinds of pasta.

9) Your samples and vocalists are all unique. How do you chose them?

When it comes to samples, it’s pretty much luck. I’ve been working with samples and studying them for years. Meanwhile I think I can pretty much see which samples can add something special to the tune. So as I mentioned before, my productions started with Hip Hop music, a genre that is all about sampling. Sometimes I listen through samples the whole day and end up not using them. When it comes down to vocalists, it’s sometimes pretty hard to get in touch with the right one. Luckily I’ve got a network now. Nevertheless, it’s always a challenge to get the right voice implemented into the track. It often takes months.

SoundCloud ::: Facebook

https://soundcloud.com/chrome-music-vibes/sets/chromeselects-nicolas-haelg

#ChromeSelects: Molly Moore

By Marki June 22, 2015

Molly Moore, an emerging singer-songwriter, first caught our attention with “Natural Disaster” a tune that has racked up the love on SoundCloud, garnering over 35,000 plays so far.

Moore’s newish tune “Don’t Believe It” delivers an emotional performance that plucks at the heart strings. We truly get to see her range as a postmodern folk-pop queen. Look out, she’s just begun her voyage.

1) What talent past and present has influenced you?

I grew up in the 90’s so that era of pop music definitely had an influence on my taste at an early age. I loved Alanis Morissette; “Jagged Little Pill” was one of the first full albums that I listened to. Along with “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears. Third Eye Blind also holds a special place in my heart. John Mayer, Coldplay, Lily Allen, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Banks, Imogen Heap, the list goes on.

2) Who would you like to collaborate with?

I kept trying to find a different answer but the honest one is Max Martin. :)

3) Please talk a bit more about “Don’t Believe It.” It’s received a ton of love but more importantly, there is an important message behind it.

This song means a lot to me because of what it stands for. It ain’t real if you don’t believe it. Instead of accepting all the worry, darkness and hurt the world throws on us, what if we instead chose to see only light? It is easier said than done but I believe if you make it through the breaking point, your strength increases tenfold and your perspective widens. “Don’t Believe It” is really a song about changing perspective and seeing the bigger picture.

4) How did you link up with Win & Woo?

I reached out to them because I heard a remix of theirs on The Hype Machine and loved it. Afterwards I realized I’d missed a DM on twitter from them 2 months earlier and was so glad they got back to me when I finally messaged them! They’re really talented guys from Chicago, great vibes :-)

5) How did you get started as a singer-songwriter?

I was 7 when I was inspired to write my first attempt at a song called “Anarchy Girl” about my sister. My dad helped me put melodies to my lyrics. I think it’s safe to say I started there. I did a lot of musical theater growing up which exposed me to some amazing songwriters like Jason Robert Brown and Sondheim. My dad taught me the basics of piano & guitar. I always loved singing. I always wanted to perform for as long as I can remember. I graduated high school 6 months early to work and record my first “official” demos, kept recording & started getting gratis licenses on my own for the songs I was writing.

6) You’ve reposted some more “Pop” EDM (DubVision’s “Hollow” and Felix Cartel – “Ready For Love” ) in the past and there’s some EDM infused beats in your music. What’s your take on EDM? Is it a fad? How is it to sing over? How do you pick a beat?

I wrote those songs I reposted! I definitely have mixed feelings on this one. I think that there’s definitely been an over-saturation of music in this genre that doesn’t set itself apart. My goal with anything I do is to set myself apart. I might not always succeed but that’s always what I’m aiming for. I don’t particularly love tracking vocals over EDM tracks only because it takes some of the innocence away from the emotive experience I’m having, if that makes sense. I like to write to tracks that have breathing room for me to think, sing, have silence, have moments. You know? It’s hard to get inspired when there’s a new noise every millisecond in a track.

7) Who should we be listening to?

Brandyn Burnette, Banks, FKA Twigs.

SoundCloud ::: Facebook

https://soundcloud.com/chrome-music-vibes/sets/chromeselects-molly-moore