Ypsi’s Brandon Wiard writes in an update on his latest mixes, producing an epic hip/hop-funk/pop odyssey via his alter-genre-ego BUFFAY:
“Just muscling through… …take no prisoners.”
It’s one thing to have a vibrant vision for dynamic party-starting hip/hop ballads (complete with cascading brass, bongo-fills, and soulful female back-up vocals), it’s another when the songwriter/crafter is an accomplished (and sufficiently-equipped) recording engineer who has his own studio (i.e., the means to slowly-but-surely pull off this “out-of-this-world” proposal).
“I just need to get it done and out… …as the gear collection is getting smaller and smaller, the -fish- or -cut-bait- mentality becomes stronger and stronger.”
Here’s one still in its demo-stage (so says he, though he admits its probably the closest to being ready…and thankfully its this writer’s personal favorite, dig that saxophone)… Such A Freak”. It’s endearing and hilarious to hear him croon, with such heart and soul: “wassup gurl, I-am-horny…” (btw, this might not be work-friendly, so put your headphones on)…
Can’t wait to hear more…hopefully it’s out in the spring or summer…If we wait till autumn, I’ll be pissed. Listen to some more BUFFAY – “Bed Bath & Beyond,” featuring singer James Linck of House Phone (http://www.facebook.com/housephone).
In the meantime, if you’re like me and no one wanted to be your Valentine, than maybe the day-after, you can find sweet sonic solace at the Blind Pig, when Ann Arbor’s shuffled-up surf-pop quartet Swimsuit (http://www.facebook.com/swimsuitsounds) use their intertwining bass/guitar counter-melodies and measured-swoons of sweet harmonies to open up a show for a pair of touring bands at the Blind Pig, (2/15).
DJs Tim Sendra and Heather Phares (facilitators of the Absolute Beginners (http://www.facebook.com/pages/absolute-beginners/139092199438781) dance-night series at Woodruffs) will spin records between sets spanning groovy new-wave jams that’ll blend the new romantics to the post-punks.
Veronica Falls (http://veronicafalls.com/) comes to A2 all the way from London, bringing their delicately-noise-scuffed / near-C-86-recalling shamble-pop, plenty of reverb, plenty of charm. Dig this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bE6BFAwzwLU) – Their debut album (self-titled) is out now on Slumberland. (http://slumberlandrecords.com).
Swimsuit’s other guests include San-Fran-based post-punk-inclined/shoegaze-dabbling pop/rock outfit Brilliant Colors (http://itsbrilliantcolors.blogspot.com), an all-girl trio (who also has some Slumberland releases – take a listen – (http://itsbrilliantcolors.blogspot.com/2010/11/our-featured-songs.html)). There’s a reverb-roiled sunniness to it sure, maybe a bit of pop-cuteness in its corners, but heart pulses to the ramshackle rhythms of punk. It’s their second Ann Arbor visit… …see you what you think…
Wednesday, February 15, 9:30 – Blind Pig (http://www.blindpigmusic.com)
Until next week…
