Now, some time ago, a chap named Machel left a comment here on bluntbeats.com on a post regarding graffiti. We took it upon ourselves (being the inquisitive souls we are) to check out Machels site, called M-DZYN. Needless to say, we were impressed. So impressed, in fact, that we got in touch to arrange an exclusive interview for you lucky people. It’s Agent M on the questions, chattin’ to Machel. Continue reading…

Our good friend Dex Digital at mixtapeshow.net (snap, son!) has just released the latest edition in his video podcast series. Check it out. Good beats, good visuals, from probably the best hip hop website on the ‘net. Nuff Said. Do yourself a favour and take a look. This video concept looks like its gonna run and run, so get up to speed with what’s happening.
For the lazy among you, I’ve embedded the video itself below. More details/comments etc are up the post at mixtapeshow.net 

Now, my obsession with sports shoes is well documented by the crew here. It’s a well-known fact that I can’t help myself when it comes to buying old-skool Adidas (and Nike…and Puma…and Reebok) My bedroom at Blunt HQ looks like a sports shop with all the trainers, boxes, bags, laces and whatnot. But there are people who put me to shame when it comes to their love and understanding of sneaker culture. – These people are Woody and the gang at Sneakerfreaker, based in Melbourne, Australia.

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OK, it’s been a while since our last podcast recommendation, but we’ve found a good ‘un to kick things off again.

Mowaxcuts is a nice little arrangement featuring “rare and not so rare tunes from mo’ wax back catalog and other related labels/artists”. Each one is a beautifully crafted 20min. (average) minimix of smooth breaks and beats. Produced by the guys at Bare (creators of designer vinyl toys and figures that are just as cool as this podcast), there’s 17 episodes so far, and they seem to drop on a (almost) monthly basis.

If you know Mo’ Wax then you’ll be right chuffed with this lot. If you don’t, give it a go - you won’t be disappointed. Check it!

After a bit of a break der Berliner is back on the block with Episode 25 of his podcast.

It’s a firin’ 30min. mix of drum and bass styleee, broken beats, hip hop instrumentals and old-school Russian jazz funk.

It’s been long awaited, but I can’t complain as I promised him a guest mix a couple of months ago.

Anyways, it’s new, it’s good and it’s there for the taking, so go grab it!

Like most graphic designers I need inspiration almost as much and as often as I need food and air. The internet is a brilliant invention for shifting creative block, but sometimes you just can’t beat seeing quality art and design close up in large format.

Every now and then, usually when I’m hunting for ideas, I head down to the Design Museum in London to see what’s on show. I did just that on Sunday and thought I’d put up a quick post to tip you guys off about an exhibition that’s well worth catching. Until 10th October the Design Museum is showing ‘Friendly Fire’ a collection of works by prolific British designer Jonathan Barnbrook. Continue reading…

The time has come. Burt Fox and Sonny Noir have put the final touches to number 7 in the Riot Control podcast series, entitled “The Payback Mix”, and it’s now available for download. Do yourself a favour. Get hold of it. This episode is back to basics. Pure hip hop and funk material on a wicked vibe. Also of note is the inclusion of some material from Burt Fox and El-Juba. Well worth a check. Really really nice tune, and a spot-on mix overall. We’ve been on the Riot Control tip for a while here at HQ, and are loving the shows. As I say, do yourself a favour and download it. Simple as that.

The keystrokes you’re gonna need to do that are: www.riotcontrolnyc.com

i first saw Battles about 18 months ago supporting Prefuse 73 at Scala.
When Battles first came on stage the audience were gobsmacked. Im sure no one had ever heard anything like this before, there was 3 guitarists & a Drummer with laptops, keyboards and other toys at their use. It must have been like seeing Capitan Beefheart or Sun Ra back in the day.

This time the audience knew what they were letting themselves in for. The start of the night was a bit of a let down, the first act on seemed like a poor version of the fantastic Keiran Hebdon & Steve Reid, with a person on digital oddments & a poor drummer. The music playing in between the acts was supplied by Four-Tet aka Keiran Hebdon, what can i say, great tunes.

Battles came on to a rapturous applause. When they played their last single Atlas, the crowd just erupted. They rattled of tunes from their latest Album Mirrored which went down really well with the crowd, toes tappin, shoulder twitchin head bangin, body movin, great stuff. If you like your music a bit unusual try the avant-garde tones of Battles.

I was lucky to be put on the guest list for Rodger Waters at Earls Court courtesy of the Afghan who has been changing light bulbs for him on his latest European tour. What a tour to work on, Mr Waters has been performing Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirety. I was lucky enough to catch Rodger & his band perform this at Hyde Park last summer and to find out he was touring the same show and to be offered a couple of tickets I had to go.

The journey down there was a bit of a mission, train lines being worked on and alternate routes to be made, thanks London Underground for making my journey to and from Earls Court easy, NOT!!!.

i was a little late and missed the start but in time to catch the performance of Dark Side Of The Moon, the show was fantastic, as soon as the crowd heard the start of Speak To Me, tensions rose and people started standing up and moving to the front, me being already at the front didn’t need to move.

The whole performance was great as was Mr Waters band which included the likes of Snowy White and Andy Fairweather Low guitar maestro’s of 70’s & 80’s, one of his backing vocalists was PP Arnold of First Cut Is The Deepest fame and one of Ike and Tina Turners Ikets, his son Harry was on Keyboards, and on Drums for the Performance of Dark Side Of The Moon was Nick Mason. Wow what a gig.

S’sup all you Olde English sippin’, home lounging crew….

I’m conscious of the fact that I haven’t presented you with any stare-inducing eyeball stimulation by way of my Blunted review of things worth watching for a while now. I’ll hold my hand up to it. I’ve been slack.

Things have been “as fast-paced as one who has sexual relations with their female parent” (hectic as a motherfucker) here at Blunt HQ of late, and my time has been taken up with all manner of other stuff rather than trawling the ‘net looking for things for you people in webland to watch. However, I’m nice. So I’ve made up for it by putting this selection together for your bloodshot retinas. Empty the ashtray, grab that can of O.E., sit back and enjoy Continue reading…