[MP3 Premiere] Nate Husser – Duck Hunt

Here it is: the third pre-release single from the Quinceañera: Marvelous Ish 15th anniversary compilation album (yes, that’s the art above, figured we could let it out now that the album is finally coming out TODAY!)

Nate Husser, one third of the acclaimed Montreal hip-hop group, The Posterz, is one of our absolute faves here at the Kitchen. If you ain’t know, get familiar with one of the best, most talented and most creative hip-hop artists, not only in Canada, but anywhere, period as his “Can’t Blame ‘Em” ably demonstrates for those not already up on game.

After you enjoy this little heat rock in preparation for the full Quinceañera onslaught later today, go back and enjoy his absolutely incredible Geto Rock For the Youth release or hit the jump for his latest relese (before this new exclusive single from our DK15 comp, that is), the 3-track minus 23 EP. Not enough? Go check out the excellent live session he did for CBC Music around the Geto Rock release that I was instrumental in setting up at the day hustle.

Shout to Exclaim! for premiering “Duck Hunt” yesterday on their site. We were obviosuly supposed to be co-premiering it but sh*t has been so crazy getting this comp ready for release later today (we’re shooting for 12:15pm) that we couldn’t even get to it! In the immortal words of Hov, “You need more poeple….”

#DK15 Previously on the Kitchen:

– OSIYM – Blueprint [WORLD PREMIERE]

– Yellow Shoots – sirens [WORLD PREMIERE]

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[WORLD PREMIERE] OSIYM – Blueprint

Well here it is, you may have seen varations of this in the lead-up campaign to the release this Friday but here, for the very first time, is the official front cover of Quinceañera: Marvelous Ish, the compilation album to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this here Different Kitchen blog.

I won’t reiterate the concept behind the album again (go HERE to read that) but I will say that this blog and the album were created for the same reason: to champion artists, especially those from my home town (Toronto) and country (Canada) like OSIYM, who are super dope and super talented but who get overlooked or underrated.

Now that being said, in the post-Drake, post-Weeknd world we live, the notion of Toronto and Canadian ‘urban’ music still being underestimated or ignored is happening less and less frequently and artists like the West End Toronto duo, OSIYM (it stands for ‘Out of Sight, In Your Mind’ in case you ain’t know) are increasingly starting to get their shine and due as you’ll learn from this short conversation I had with the fellas, Charlie Noir and Nova D’or recently:

DK: Y’all been buzzing on the underground for a minute. Tell us a little about how you started, where y’all from and your journey as a group up until now.

OSIYM: We use to work together. Met up and realized we both had some talent. We did a couple of records together and let the homies hear it, they all loved it so we decided to make it official. We’re both from west end of the city.

DK: Things seems to have really ramped up for y’all as of late with the 93.5 The MOVE Takeover, shows in the US at A3C and SOB’s in NYC and performances last month for both Manifesto and The Northern Power Summit here in the city. What’s clicked recently that allowed all these things to start happening?

OSIYM: Just being more consistent with releasing records. Content! Content! Content! That’s what this world is about now, not even just the rap game. The whole world. If you’re not continuously reminding people you’re the sh*t, they forget!

DK: Have you guys always been a duo? How do you compare yourselves to other duos out there like Rae Srem or fellow Tdot duo, 88 Glam or classic duos like Outkast, EPMD, Dogg Pound, UGK, Rae & Ghost, Meth & Red, Camp Lo etc.

OSIYM: We both were doing our solo thing before we linked up. We don’t compare ourselves to anybody because worrying what the next man is doing holds you back. We are fans and respect the artists you named though. We just stay focused on our own wave.

DK: We first started really f*cking with y’all from your “Flex” record. Can you talk about the making of that song and the impact it’s had?

OSIYM: We were having a smoke/drink session and Nova’s spot, just listening to new production and it just came naturally. That’s how we like to work. Nothing forced nothing rushed. And because we make records like that “Flex” really hit. Any time we perform that record we barely have to sing it. Crowd does it for us. That’s when you really know you have something.

DK: The track, “Blueprint” you gave us for the Quinceañera compilation is fantastic! It has a real nostalgic feel lyrically, about childhoods in Brampton etc. What’s the inspiration behind the song?

OSIYM: We just wanted to talk bring that house party vibe. That slam the furnace and leave blue jean dye on the white walls vibe. We’re actually not even from Brampton, but from west end to the east end we feel like everybody in the city has experienced a Brampton house party or something like it.

DK: Where do you think hip-hop, the music, the industry and the scene in Toronto, are at in 2018 and where you think blogs like Different Kitchen fit in the landscape?

OSIYM: There’s no business for music in Toronto! It’s starting to build up though, but definitely a work in progress still. The talent is undeniable though, our city making music the world loves. The blogs are important because they help make our voices heard. Shout out Different Kitchen for holding OSIYM down!

DK: We appreciate the love! That’s probably a good mic drop note to end on too but before we wrap, is there anything else you’d like to add or say?

OSIYM: Thanks for giving us the space on your platform to talk to the people! And for anybody reading this if you have dreams, chase them!

DK: True ting! Thanks again, fellas.

“Blueprint” will be out commercially on all the DSP’s on Oct. 12. Until then, you can listen to it exclusively here and on the Quinceañera: Marvelous Ish album dropping THIS Friday (Sept. 7)

Song credits:
Written by Joel Holder/ Christopher Cooke/ Nickolas Palet
Produced by Zepfire
Audio Mastering by Neil McDonald for Neil McDonald Audio
Art and Creative Design by Christine Lieu for CL Designs

Follow OSIYM Online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[WORLD PREMIERE] Yellow Shoots – sirens

Well here it is: one of the first two opening salvos from the next big project from the Kitchen: Quinceañera: Marvelous Ish, a 15 track compilation album of brand new or previouly unreleased music to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the blog set for release this Friday (September 7, mark your calendars).

We won’t get into to much detail about the album now but, like our last compilation album project, This One Goes To Eleven…., expect a multi-genre collection of the best new and veteran artists from right here in Toronto, the rest of Canada as well as all around the world doing the best in left-field, alternative and underground hip-hop, pop, electronic and soul music.

One such artist is Greg Matthews (pka Yellow Shoots), a new favorite of ours who we discovered earlier this year via his amazing single, “Desert Rose.” Since then, we have been checking for everything he has done including his fantastic debut full length album, everything which is an apt description of his music which takes in pop, soul, funk and rock to create it’s sound.

Since becoming champions of his we were eager to have Yellow Shoots be part of our latest anniversary celebration and were over the moon when he offered us the “sirens’ track. Recently, we got to chat with Greg over email about his music, his career to date and the new song, “sirens.”

DK: Tell us a little about how you started, where you’re from and your journey as an artist up until now?

Yellow Shoots: I’ve been making music for a little while now. I’m originally from Philadelphia, PA. That’s where I got started playing guitar for a lot jazz, gospel, R&B and hip-hop artists. I’ve been blessed to share the stage with some incredible musicians.

At some point, I started to become interested in producing music. One thing led to another and I started singing on my own production demos. The artists would often flake, so I’d end up with all these demos for other artists with me singing the hooks and verses. In 2014 I started Yellow Shoots when I moved to Brooklyn. It took forever to put out my first single because I’m a crazy perfectionist when it comes to my sound.

Over the last few years it’s been fun to see how the music is maturing and where my creativity is going. I feel like recently I’ve been getting back to my some of my root influences.

DK: So what are those root influences inspirations? On the blog we’ve variously described you as a throwback blend of pop, rock, funk and soul and referenced Prince. We also used to work with singer, Raheem Devaughn who used to call himself the ‘The R&B Hippie Neo-Soul Rockstar’ which seems like an almost perfect description for you too, but how do you see or describe yourself?

YS: That’s pretty funny. I can relate to the “R&B Hippie Neo-Soul Rockstar”.

I would say my music is in the fantasy/R&B realm. At least, I think of it that way. When I listen to music, if often puts me in another zone or world. So I think there is an element of fantasy in my experience, so I’m trying to bring fantasy to my listeners.

As for the big influences… man, so many! I pull a lot of influence from UK music like Yes, Genesis, Nick Drake, as well as a lot of Black music like Stevie Wonder, Prince, Hendrix, James Brown and Gospel music, of course. I think you can hear both elements in what I’m doing. So it’s getting fun now. Presently, I’m listening to a lot psych rock bands like Unknown Mortal Orchestra and some funky shit like Anderson Paak.

DK: An unsuprsingly ecelctic list given your music. We first started really f-cking with you from your “Desert Rose” record which we discovered via submission from our inbox (a method we sadly have less and less time to focus one) but looking back it seems like you’ve been active for at least a year before that (your “Make It To The Summer” was on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist and The FADER was on your Stormy Weather EP from last year). How did making “Desert Rose” fits with the music you were making before it?

YS: “desert rose” is a part of the most recent sound I’ve been working on. It’s sorta that airy dreamy funky sound. Ultimately it’s all pop music but I’m always incorporating twists and turns and instrumental parts that I feel reminiscent of the 60s and 70s. Sometime’s 80’s synth creep in there too (laughs). A lot of the new music I’m making is recorded with having a full band in mind. Where in electronic music you can ignore the live orchestration because of tracking and computers. Everything I’m making these days I want to be able to replicate with a full band fairly easily though.

DK: So you produce all of your music, right? It’s interesting that you talk about wanting to be able to replicate your songs with a full band because the music has a very naturalistic, organic, vintage feel (70s am soul, easy rock etc. come to mind as references).

YS: Yeah, I produce my own stuff. Some times it makes me go insane (laughs again). But I wouldn’t have it any other way. In the last 2 years the music has really gone back to my instrumental roots. I started recording full takes instead of making more electronic like edits. It’s funny, the more I record straight live takes, funk and psychedelic rock sounds creep into the productions. I’ve bought a ton of vintage gear, which adds a lot of sauce to the aesthetic.

DK: How has your songwriting and recording process evolved because the stuff you were doing before was a little more on the electro-soul tip, right? Why the change-up?

I think the last Stormy Weather EP had more electronic R&B elements to it, whereas everything was recorded with more organic and live style. There is something vibey about recording all the imperfections so I’m probably going to keep doing that for the next EP as well.

DK: Let’s talk about “sirens.” It feels not out of place with the everything album. Was it originally recorded for that? If so, why did you not include it?

YS: “sirens” was originally intended to go on the everything album. For some reason I felt it didn’t really fit the arc of the album, so I decided to release it as a separate experience.

DK: What was the inspiration for “sirens” and the process behind creating it?

The original inspiration of the song was from a unrequited love I experienced in the past few years. The concept of the song is based on a journey at sea, where greek sirens are luring you to a lonely demise. It’s one of the more darker sounds I’ve written recently. I actually made the song in about 4 hours on New Years eve. I think I finished it in the second hour of 2018!

DK: Wow, that’s pretty amazing We’re a mostly hip-hop blog but obviously f-ck with all kinds of music on the site. You’ve worked with Brooklyn, rapper Skyzoo in the past. How did that collab come about?

YS: Oh yeah! Skyzoo is a homie. I met him while working with producer, !llmind. I live in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, not too far from him. He’s a really special guy. One of the best writers in the game, by far. Skyzoo heard a song I was working on called “Heaven” and really dug the vibe. I thought he was a really great fit for the intent of the song, so we basically cut his vocals in an hour and finished the song. He wrote his verse in like 20 mins, it was pretty incredible.

DK: Nice! Would you call yourself a big hip-hop fan? Any plans to work with other rappers again in the future?

But yeah, I’ve always been a big hip hop fan. Will most likely be doing some collabs in the near future.

DK: What do you think of where music, the industry and culture at large are at in 2018. How do blogs like ours and musicians like yourself fit in the current landscape?

YS: The music industry is in a really interesting place. I think music is getting more commodifized day by day. It seems like they are a lot of players and less crafts people, but maybe I’m not looking hard enough. That being said I’m pretty optimistic for the future. I think there’s no better time to be alive and make a career as an artist. It’s easier than ever if you have the drive and creativity.

DK: Before we wrap, is there anything else you’d like to say or add?

YS: I just wanted to say “thank you” to Different Kitchen! Your support has been incredible over the last few months. I’m excited to come play for y’all in Toronto very soon!

DK: We’d love to have you, Greg. Thanks for the great music and for giving us “sirens” for the album.

Song credits:
Written and Produced by Yellow Shoots
Post Production Art & Design for this compilation by Christine Lieu for CL Designs

Follow Yellow Shoots Online: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

[Video Premiere] Yellow Shoots – Desert Rose

We posted the single back in May but here goes an EXCLUSIVE World Premiere of the video for “Desert Rose”, the single previous to the current online viral hit (currently #7 on the HypeMachine chart), “magic on my pillow” from Brooklyn-by-way-of-Philly artist and new Kitchen fave, Yellow Shoots.

Both tracks come from the forthcoming album, everything due out next week on July 23 (yes, that’s a Monday, not the usual Friday release). Want to know why you should start your week off with this stack of funk/soul/pop/rock goodness as your soundtrack? Just hit play on that video for the answer!

Follow Yellow Shoots on social media – Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

[Announcement] Follow the New Different Kitchen – Fresh Picks Spotify Playlist

Welcome to a new feature introduced to take into account the changing nature of how listeners are now discovering and consuming music. Fresh Picks will be a playlist featuring music from the blog, scheduled to be featured on the blog and even music that we may never get on the site plus, possibly, a few other treats and goodies along the way. Think of it as an easy way to catch up on (most of) what’s happening here at The Kitchen though.

We will try to operate Fresh Picks the same way the big playlists in the game like Rap Caviar that update on a rolling basis, discarding older tracks as new ones are added. Unlike many of those though, we hope to do some kind of archiving of the older music featured as we are still a little old school in our thinking that we don’t believe in the microwave, disposable mindset that has pervaded (even more than in the past) the modern music industry.

Expect to hear music on Fresh Picks that runs the gamut of what we post here on the blog: (mostly) hip-hop, jazzy/R&B/soul, ‘urban alternative’, electronic, dance & bass music and some indie & pop music if it’s to our liking and fits The Kitchen aesthetic. Right now you can hear bangers from local heroes, Roy Woods, Tory Lanez, Prime Boys, Baka Not Nice, 88 Glam, CMDWN & Lil Yachty, Jazz Cartier, DillanPonders, ShaqisDope, Charlotte Day Wilson, Jessie Reyez, Keys N Krates, K. Forest, Wasiu & Kaytranada, Beatchild, Tasha the Amazon, 11:11, Kennedy Rd., Omar LinX + Zeds Dead plus Grand Analog with Pos from De La Soul, CyHi The Prince & Kanye West and much, much more….