Getting To Know You: Dan Turner of Washington D.C.’s deadbeatniks

Today’s feature is on Dan Turner and his band The deadbeatniks, a hip-hop/funk collective out of the nation’s capitol, Washington D.C. Dan, a Berklee College of Music grad, took some time to sit down with us to tell us about his musical roots as well as the band and their album Can. The band recently moved down to New Orleans to get “weirder and jazzier” and work on their new album. Check out what Dan had to say below.

 

Gigmor: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us at Gigmor! First question, how did the deadbeatniks get started?

Dan: We have all been friends for a very long time, all kind of doing our own music. Then we said, “Screw it, why aren’t we doing this together?” I’m originally a sound engineer, one of us is a visual artist, and the other one is a classical jazz player. So we kind of just brought all three of those together you know, making music, making videos. As far as the name, it’s just kind of a joke at one point and we ran with it. Also, side note, the d is lower case.

 

G: Noted. What’s in store for deadbeatniks? Any new music coming out?

D: Yeah we’ve got some new music and videos coming out, we’re trying to have our album done by 2017. We should have some new videos out in the next couple months we’ll be sure to post them on our Gigmor page. We’ve got this new song about Daiquiris, we’ve been obsessed with them ever since moving down to New Orleans, and we’re actually going to the New Orleans Daiquiri Festival next weekend so we’re going to shoot the video for our song then.

 

G: Wow, very cool. So personally, what’s your musical background? When did you start playing?

D: I’ve played drums since I was 14 but really now a days I’ve been focusing on mixing–I’ve been doing sound engineering for about four years now. What I like to think about my musical career is–at this point–that I’ve got the ears for it, I’m more on the production side. We just moved down to New Orleans and I’ve been connecting with a lot of great brass musicians.

 

G: Do you have any solo work out?

D: I have some beats and stuff but pretty much everything I do is for deadbeatniks.

 

G: What/Who are your inspirations behind deadbeatnik’s songwriting? Kristen Ritter?

D: Pretty women yeah for sure Kristen Ritter is definitely an influence. But in terms of musicians…uhhhh… Gorillas, Portishead, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.

G: What was the songwriting process of making your album Can like?

D: It wasn’t rushed, it wasn’t like we had songwriting sessions. We would just hang out and you know, we’d have a wall full of ideas… like a creative wall. So we didn’t force anything we just kind of let it play its self out. It was simply a group of great individuals with great ideas just bringing it all together. We didn’t really have a process.

 

G: Well you guys definitely have a great sound. Now in terms of Gigmor. How did you find out about the site? What do you like about it?

D: I just moved to a new city and saw an ad online about it. I just thought it couldn’t hurt to try and connect with as many new musicians as possible. What I like about it– it’s aesthetically pleasing and easy to find what you’re looking for. Keep it up!

 

G: Well Dan thanks so much for the input and talking with us today. Check out deadbeatnik’s album Can here and give them a follow to keep track of their upcoming releases.

 

Written by Gigmor guest blogger: Ari Kapner

Toronto’s Alternative Hip-Hop Collective Earthphonics

Today’s spotlight is on experimental alternative hip-hop group Earthphonics. The band is an eclectic group of three talented musicians who are from three different parts of the world. Earthphonics does a great job integrating their different musical styles to create one consistent, worldly sound. Check out their video for their single “Heartbeat” below, which really shows off their raw passion, and energetic talent.

 

Earthphonics consists of rapper/songwriter AO Gorman, lead vocalist Nicki Mack, and guitarist and producer Paul J. Doron. The members are from Ghana, Slovakia, and Poland respectively. Between the three extraordinary musicians, Earthphonics finds a way to channel a voice that isn’t always heard in modern hip-hop these days. They want to focus on the language that is music and how we can use it everyday to communicate with others more effectively. The group has done a lot of self-promotion to accompany their many performances across the Toronto, Ontario area. Check out their newest song, which was released yesterday, titled “One.”

 

Lastly, enjoy their behind the scenes video for their performance at Landmark Showcase in May 2016, where they won the semi-finals and will be advancing to the final round. It will take place on August 27th at the Mod Club in Toronto. Looking to buy tickets for the final round of the Landmark Showcase? Click here.  Make sure to follow them on Gigmor for more music and updates on Earthphonics!

 

Written by Gigmor guest blogger: Ari Kapner

Gigmor’s Saxiest Videos

Saxophone is my favorite instrument that I, sadly, cannot play. Today I want to highlight some of the best sax players Gigmor has to offer. Whenever saxophone is added to a group’s dynamic, it is a surefire way to add some spirit to your performance and some soul to your sound. Adding a saxophone player might be the perfect one-up your band needs so check out a few of our favorite videos featuring musicians performing brass-wind.

 

First up is Peter Van Siclen, an extremely talented songwriter/composer. Peter got his Masters in Jazz Composition from UMass Amherst. Check out his looping cover of “The Damariscotta Shake” on sax and his wind synth. This guy is seriously talented and looking to compose and perform more so be sure to shoot him a follow and reach out.

 

 

Next up is a 15 year old Collin Logatto, better known to Gigmor as MrSaxMusic. A Long Island teen, Collin is extremely talented for his age. He has played at CitiField during a Mets game, as well as all over New York. Enjoy the young talent’s solo from Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” and be sure to follow his page on Gigmor.

 

 

Willie Moore is proud to call himself a saxophone player. He hopes to meet more people across the industry who can push him to become as good of a musician as he can possibly be. Willie specializes in Soprano sax and loves to play jazz and neo-soul. Check out his smooth sounds below and be sure to follow his page and reach out.

 

 

Written by Gigmor guest blogger: Ari Kapner