Slash Future - Goodbye Summer 2012
“The
four of us all live in Austin, TX, where we rehearse and compose.
Gathering our creative energies after making our first record, we've
been sharing music with each other, plotting our course for whatever
come next.” — Slash Future
Slash Future just released "Singles" EP, which you can check out here. And be sure to subscribe to Slash Futures’ playlist on Spotify.
_____________________________________________________________________
Playlist compiled and written by Slash Future, who are Jackson Bennett, Justin Williams, Michael Rey & Michael Stavitz.
1. Haitus Kaiyote – “Mobius Streak”
(MR)
An old friend & trusted musical consigliere sent me a link to this
Neo-Soul outfit from Melbourne, Australia. It's immediate, transcendent,
beyond classification. The bass bouncing those heads like Australia was
on the west coast. The chorus is another matter entirely. It's enough
to make me truly believe in ancient aliens. How else can something sound
like that? Prayer music conceived in the desert of the real. There is a
killer version of this on youtube featuring Nai performing this with a
classical guitar & two cocteaus just kickin it (I don't know how
else to subscribe it. Just go watch it.)
2. Amon – “Bridge″
(JBW)
Here is another example of my fascination with repetition in music.
Amon is a master at allowing a phrase to evolve slowing while still
maintaining a wildly interesting forward pacing. This is often missed
out on in the electronic genre. Quite a few electronic musicians were
using jazz samples in the 90s, but no one arranges like Amon. You'd
swear he's actually playing all the instruments in the room, given the
way each piece of the puzzle compliments the others. Also, listen to
those horns! This tune is in 5, and it grooves like mad. The percussion
samples are super dense throughout the song without being distracting.
You will hear that concept our song, Frame, with all the subtle
auxiliary blips and swooshes.
3. Jai Paul – “Jasmine (Demo)”
(JB)
Jai Paul has these two great tracks on here and jasmine has this spot
at 2:35 that has this strangely emotional synth progression/release...
like the character is really digging deep in the song. It's really
simple but effective.
4. Hundred Waters – “Thistle”
(MR)
Hundred Waters had to make this playlist since they were the ones who
inspired us to curate our own. Hundred Waters is a band that is getting a
lot of well deserved buzz right now. They just released a video
featuring the artwork of Martin Allais (http://juntosotravez.com).
I highly recommend checking out both artists work in depth. "Thistle"
takes all of the best elements of this band and consolidates into one
idea. It's fluid, subdued, detached, precise.
5. Hall & Oates – “I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)”
(JB)
Recently heard Hall and Oates "I can't go for that" and thought, "what a
great simple track."...and that's some sweet Sax at the end.!How can I
get Justin to play that?
6. Frank Ocean – “Sweet Life”
[JB] Channel Orange is amazing. I can just listen to it on repeat. I find myself singing "Sweet Life" all the time.
7. Get The Blessing – “Americano Meccano”
(JBW)
After Clive Deamer joined Radiohead, I naturally stalked his other
projects online. I've always had a thing for Portishead, but I think Get
the Blessing is some of his best work. They channel Ornette Coleman's
quartet in a way that is more digestible for a wider audience. I love
love love the nature samples in this track. The low, smoky voice really
compliments the smooth bari sax that casually prods the tune forward.
I've always been a fan of vocals/horns that double each other. Jackson
and I have experimented with this concept a few times. It shows up on
Indefinitely.
8. Sufjan Stevens – "Casimir Pulaski Day"(MS)
Recently, I've found myself in the car very early in the morning. I
seem to only want to listen to a certain type of song; soft, simple,
pretty, and did I say soft already? I guess something that inspires,
but eases you into the day. Maybe it's me turning into a full on folkie,
getting older, turning into my father or all of the above. But there's
something about listening to these songs or songs like them while alone,
in your car, just you and the early sun.
9. Talk Talk – “I Believe In You”(MR)
Talk Talk has been one of my biggest inspirations for almost a decade
now, since first hearing "Laughing Stock". Beautiful sonic mosaics that
define space & time as well as any Rothko painting. You can hear so
much of what's not there. The organ in the chorus and Mark Hollis
chanting "spirit" is about as close to a religious experience you can
get sonically. If I had to choose, I’d pick TT to be my only music on a
deserted island, the soundtrack to my end of the world party, my
wedding band, etc…
10. Erik Satie – “Gnossiennes No. 1: Lent″(JBW)
Satie has this hypnotic way of controlling the atmosphere around you.
All of the Gnossiennes are amazing, but this was the first one I was
introduced to when I performed with Chameleon Chamber Group in Dallas,
TX. It has been said that Satie helped usher in the Minimalist movement
in music in the early 20th century. Classical "movements" are not
something I'm formally educated about, but my natural gravitation to
ambient and minimalism (particularly subtle repetition) makes Satie a
lock-in for my influences right along with Eno. I only wish I found him
sooner.
11. Bark Psychosis – “From What Is Said To When It's Read”
(MR)
Bark Psychosis, this song in particular, is my silent prayer of what I
hope we can accomplish sonically as a group one day. I can't think of a
stronger navigational point for me artistically then this song. So much
of the DNA of Slash Future is in this song, the elements, the
performances, the arrangement, the instrumentation. Lee Harris' drum
work here is something I will chase forever, my Moby Dick as a
recording/mix engineer. This song has been with me for so long, yet it
always sounds fresh & I feel everything like I'm hearing it for the
first time. So enchanting.
12. Bon Iver – “Re: Stacks”
(MS)
Another great tune to drive to early in the morning. Our mastering
engineer Jeff Lipton, worked with Justin Vernon on the 2nd self-titled
Bon Iver record. Bon Iver is definitely a band favorite.
