Daft Punk x Tron Legacy: "Derezzed" Extended Listen

I'm not sure which I'm more excited for:  the release of Tron Legacy in theaters, or the release of the soundtrack- produced entirely by Daft Punk.  

This new teaser/trailer features an extended listen to one of the songs: "Derezzed."

Audiotool: Create and Share Music From Your Browser

Audiotool is a web-based production environment that allows you to create and remix original music from the comfort of your web-browser.  Choose from a broad array of classic drum machines, synths, and an assortment of effects and processing.


While providing an amazing level of customization to your tracks, what's really impressive about Audiotool is the sound quality; most of the sounds were modeled from classic analog machines, but the level of sonic detail is astounding.
Setting up and creating tracks is a snap, and after familiarizing yourself with the interface, you'll be up and crafting beats in no time.  


Making beats alone is fun, but why not share your creations with friends?  Audiotool also has a social aspect:  after signing up to the site, you can compose and post what you've made for other subscribers to check out, as well as post links to your facebook, twitter, etc. 

As you can see in the screenshot, I cooked something up with a TR-808, a classic bass synth, and a Tone Matrix...hope my friends like it! 


Click HERE to try Audiotool now!

Nike x Jay-Z: All Black Everything

Just in time for the World Basketball Festival, Nike unveils a new flavor of Air Force 1- a collaboration with Jay-Z:  the "All Black Everything."
In keeping with its namesake, the sneaker has an entirely black upper.  Jay-Z will be wearing a pair for his upcoming Radio City Music Hall performance, the shoes will then be auctioned on eBay with proceeds going to the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

Texas Urban Music Summit 2010

Last weekend was the third annual Texas Urban Music Summit in Dallas, Texas.

The event, presented by the Core DJs and hosted by the Definition DJs, was a three-day networking event for music professionals focused on today's hottest music.

In between discussion panels from DJs, artists, and executives in the industry, the event featured showcases from up-and-coming artists, and a fashion show presented by Core Models and Lavish Models.

New to T.U.M.S this year was the inclusion of the iStandard Producer Showcase, in which we participated.  Out of the countless beatmakers from around the country who submitted material, we were among the eight selected to present our tracks to the summit's attendees and a panel of judges which included Drumma Boy (prod. for Birdman, Gucci Mane, Plies, Young Jeezy), Jai (prod. for Diddy, Nicole Scherzinger, T-Pain, Consequence) and Christina Prince (A&R, Virgin Records).  We ended up placing third in the showcase, with second place going to Texas native B-Eazy and first place going to 12 year-old music prodigy Vohn Beatz, also from Texas.  Vohn wowed the crowd by displaying an aptitude for beatmaking far more mature than his physical age.

Over the last year, we've frequented music conferences held in the midwest such as the NARM convention and the New Music Seminar, but this was the first time we migrated to another region for such an event.  I felt there was no barrier between attendees and panelists, and it was a truly open forum for exchanging ideas as well as contact info.  Maybe chalk it up to southern hospitality?

Shoutout to all the great artists, bloggers, DJs, label heads, and producers I got to meet in Dallas, hope to do it again next year!  


Big thanks to:  A. Steele Unlimited and Tony Neal at Core DJs for organizing the event, iStandard Producer, Grand Hustle Entertainment, So Icy Entertainment, the Core DJs, and the Definition DJs.  Also, thanks to the Doubletree Hotel in Dallas for that amazing cookie.     

Video: Mayer Hawthorne- "Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'"

Good, clean summer fun from Mayer Hawthorne and the good people at Stones Throw Records.