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#BOTTOMRIGHTCORNER – JANUARY WEEK 3

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:04:37 +0000

January Week 03 and the month is crawling by like a dry snail… Everyone is broke as hell after the festive season and Monday mornings happen to score first place in the list of the worst things that have happened to mankind. Yes, we feel it too. But why sit around and mope? We have yet another round of good music to keep us all in check… as much as the week might have left our souls in tatters, it’s finally Friday and we’re here to bring it back once again!

Flume – 40 Minute Mix for the Fader

flume

Aussie Harley Streten goes by the name of Flume and this week we feature his 40 Minute Mix for Fader. It’s just dancey enough for those with loose hips and balmy enough for those who like to stand by and idly bop their heads. Here‘s some accompanying info, but before you read, make sure you listen to the track.

Submotion Orchestra – ‘All Yours (Insightful Fondle)’

submotion orchestra

Giles Petersen from Radio 1 had this to say about Submotion Orchestra: ‘Drawing upon dubstep, soul, ambient electronica, jazz and dub, their unique music is at once delicate and heavy, spacious and dense, highly atmospheric but firmly rooted. Earth-shaking bass and drums combine with lush keyboard and trumpet textures to create the perfect bed for the fragile beauty of Ruby Wood’s vocals, and the celestial effects of sound designer Ruckspin.’ And it’s all true. This UK band is hella gorgeous, and their music seems to hit every spot imaginable. Enjoy this one via Soulection.

DivaGeek – ‘Alien’

divageek

A duo comprised of American singer-songwriter Vula Malinga and British musician Ben Jones, DivaGeek is a combination of neo-soul and electro that is simple and catchy. The track has a slow start but builds and builds to a point that is equally dance-worthy, scintillating and tasty, surprising with each added note. Bon appétit!

Ladi6 – ‘Bang Bang’ (The Liberation Of…)

ladi6

Ladi6, born Karoline Tamati, is neo-soul at its most brazen. New Zealand is a goldmine of untapped musical genius, and Ladi6 is just one of many who have managed to impress worldwide. This album, The Liberation Of… has attitude, but is beautifully soulful. One might even go so far as to say that there’s a little Amy Winehouse in there too, but let’s not try to draw comparisons here… Give this one a listen if you like the versatility of a soulful-rapper-songstress.

Apparat – ‘A Violent Sky’

apparat

Dubbed ‘the face of German electronic music’, Apparat is at it again, this time working on a new release called Krieg und Frieden (Music for Theatre), an album based on the music he composed for Sebastian Hartmann’s theatre production of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Indie label Mute will release the full album February 19th, 2013, but you can have a little taste of what’s to come, ‘A Violent Sky’ is right here to stream and download through the link above!

The City - ‘Need Your Love’

the city

Locally born and bred The City are a fortunate addition to Cape Town’s thriving music scene. Why? Because their sound is groundbreaking, genuine, and on top of that, accessible to all. This track, ‘Need Your Love’ is dynamic and brave, thanks to vocalist Bonj Mphanza’s soulful contribution and multi-instrumentalist Clement Carr, both out of the UCT School of Music, along with bassist Ryan McArthur (Captain Stu, The Little Kings and Peachy Keen). Don’t sleep on these guys!

Moruf & Iman Omari – Euphoria (The Tape)

moruf & iman omari

Some soulful hip hop if you ever heard it. These guys are a fine pair: Iman Omari (THC) on beats and Moruf on rhymes, they set the tone just right. Hard and hip hop while soulful and explicitly melodious all at once, there are quite a few gems on this tape, including the ‘Euphoria Intro’, ‘School Daze’ and ‘Fallen’ to name a few. This music is fantastic and surprising. Go for it!

Szjerdene – 4th Stranger

szjerdene

Uh oh. Szjerdene’s vocals are enlivening — to the extent that Yukimi Nagano would either become very nervous or very much inspired. Released on January 1st, 2013, this track is a beautifully balanced electro-tune, much like the rest of her releases which are equally flawless and versatile. This could be the result of her operatic voice against the electronic backing track, which make for an interesting contrast.

#BOTTOMRIGHTCORNER – DECEMBER WEEK 02

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:58:34 +0000

December is finally upon us. And that means excess. Everywhere. No matter who you are or where you are, ’tis the season to be jolly; to eat too much, drink too much and spend way too much. Christmas carols on repeat, sweaty scrambling among the red and green shiny crap, and overpriced, well, everything. Sounds depressing, doesn’t it? Well, fear not because this week’s #bottomrightcorner features some shiny new favourites, some startling collabs and some underrated, unappreciated, underground gems we know you’ll like. With just one month left to 2013, let’s spend it remembering what matters most: togetherness, eating too much and drinking too much – with the ones you love.

Freddie Joachim, Toro Y Moi & Esthero

Toro Y Moi - via PagesDigital

Producer Freddie Joachim knows just how to handle a remix. Adding bits and pieces to take the song further without taking away the integrity of the original, he still manages to add his own style. This is what makes a great producer! Esthero‘s vocals are so beautiful on top of this beat, one cannot help but shut their eyes for a second to move along to the track… And we just can’t wait for Toro Y Moi‘s new album coming out January of next year called ‘Anything in Return,’ for which he had an exhibition and sneak-peek for recently in New York. Get farmiliar with all three of these amazing artists.

Dandy Teru – ‘The Grey Cat’

dandy teru via thomas babeau

French art director and host for LaidBack Radio, Dandy Teru has got an ear for good music. This trip hoppy, jazzy number is a great one for the smoothest of the smooth. LaidBack has its own set of great music, so go on over; you won’t regret it.

Tatham, Mensah, Lord & Ranks – Various

kaidi tatham via bandonthewall

Kaidi Tatham, Akwasi Mensah, Matt Lord & Dego Ranks have pulled together a fine quartet, with future jazzy sounds that are reminiscent of some of the things you may have listened to with your father, but somehow could at the same time play to your children. Futuristic and nostalgic, as far as oxymorons go, is the only way to describe this wonderful collab. Enjoy!

Lakim & Bahwee – ‘Prima Donnas’

bahwee via p.Lo

This track will give you goosepimples… Not because it’s touching and gentle — on the contrary. It’s got attitude for days! These guys are two of the hottest producers at the moment, and this collaboration between Bahwee’s futurisms and Lakim’s hip hop flavours has made for the perfect balance of soulful and edgy. One time for your mind!

Pépé Bradock – ‘4’ (Joe Kay’s 3:15 AM Slowed Edit)

pepe bradock via last.fm

Producer, remixer and DJ, Julien Auger, aka Pépé Bradock, is well travelled and well rehearsed in the world of techno and house. Rumour has it this track is great for late nights, or early AMs depending on how you live it… either way, we love the slowed edit by Joe Kay, and we hope you will too!

Melodiesinfonie – ‘Ithinkfrvr’

melodiesinfonie via evagna

This track is brand new; having dropped his 4 track EP on December 6th, entitled The Wohlklänge EP, Swiss producer Melodiesinfonie’s music is like a drug; inducing feelings of happiness that are addictive as it gets. Check out the rest on the various sites, but in the meantime, jam to this one!

Zikomo – ‘Cookie Dough’

zikomo

What a surprsise to find that ‘zikomo’ in ChiChewa, the language spoken in Malawi, means ‘thank you.’ I’m completely grateful for this track, and the many he has up on his sites right now. Funky, smooth and just hip hop enough to make you move, Zikomo is a class act, however a little underrated if I do say so myself. Enjoy these and you’ll never look back.

Image Credits:
Toro Y Moi: PagesDigital
Esthero: Last.fm
Freddie Joachim (Bottomrightcorner Banner):
Pepe Bradock: Last.fm
Dandy Teru: Thomas Babeau
Melodiesinfonie: Evagna
Tatham, Mensah, Lord & Ranks: Moovmnt
Zikomo: Zikomo

Dreaming of sonic landscapes & Talking with Fruit

one small seed — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:39:51 +0000

Originally from Botswana, Ungwang Boiteto is no ordinary mid-20 year old. Currently completing his final year of a Master of Architecture at NMMU in PE, he poses an obsessive curiosity that feeds his passion and gives him a liberating and humbling freedom of expression. He takes waking up every morning a pleasure and an adventure…

Title: Sakeng

Tell me a little about Botswana. What’s going on there?
Well the vibes are chilled man. I’ve been in and out of Bots twice a year for over 10 years and it’s never the same every time I get back, it’s always growing and developing. There are a lot people there with tremendous potential doing “big tingz” that side, I’m sure you’ll hear about them soon.

I recently just got back from travelling around Botswana, I found everyone really happy, friendly and content with life, what is it about the country?
Well for one thing the standard of living across the demographic spectrum is pretty comfortable for an African country. I’m sure if Botswana was a radio station they’d be playing dub/reggae and kwaito, it’s laid back and happy but still very African and forward-looking. We’re a peaceful happy people, it’s our nature and our culture.

When did you start taking interest in photography.
I started about two and half years back in my third year of architecture, after being infatuated by the way in which ideas and spaces were being communicated at NMMU art exhibitions, architecture books and of course one small seed, which at the time featured a lot of work from NMMU’s Art School. I then decided to start shooting experimental compositions with my girlfriend’s camera and enrolled for a short course in photography at NMMU.

How do you feel behind a camera?
I feel like the reader of a great novel, at once taken aback by the scenery painted by the writer but still observant enough to take in and remember (and capture) the special moments that make this story of life so beautiful.

Title: Why

What helps you choose your subjects.
It’s a tough question because a lot of it is intuitive but I would say it’s a desire to make those people who are so vulnerable in front of the camera strong and proud in a way they never knew they were.

Sum up how you choose to live your life, in one sentence.
Ideally I’d want to sleep and do what I want in-between.

Tell me your favourite word is Setswana and what it means.
It’s my name “Ungwang” which means people must “go and be fruitful” which in my case as a creative makes sense because the fruit I bear are my ideas.

You also play music?
Yes I do, I play guitar. It started because I love the joy it brings and I wanted to give myself joy. I’m fundamentally a student of art and music so listening to music got me to play it. I want to see myself in a dub, jazz, lounge, soul or fusion band one day once I’m good enough

You also illustrate, can you tell me a little about your work.
Illustration is a more intuitive medium for me as an architecture student because it’s one of the ways we design.

It’s also the most honest and flexible way for me to express the intangible emotions and beams of light going through my head at any given point.

Again it’s a seed of the tremendous work so many talented artists out there have planted in my mind.

Give three words that capture your illustration style.
Afrocentric. Psychedelic. Textile

Title: Talk to the Eye

Fabric Print

Social Engineering

What have you been dreaming about?
Space.

I’ve been dreaming about African’s in space, an intergalactic African village with a martian rural landscape and the futuristic ethnic African tribes living there, think Masaai warrior meets Anakin Skywalker’s home town in Star Wars.

I’ve also been dreaming of sonic landscapes the kind you’d get if you got into the music of 1980s electro disco bands, Kraftwerk, Toro Y Moi, Little Dragon and South African groups like Dalom Kids, Mdu and Moses Molelekwa. I’m yet to put that to paper, pixel or form.

How do you think photography can help to change society?
I think it can change society by bringing awareness to the injustices of society as well as bringing out the beauty of our planet and the positive feats of humanity. Both situations can bring much needed attention to those in need and allow people to appreciate the wonderful gift that is sight.

What do you hope for the future of creativity in Botswana?
I hope that it can accept itself and mature, with public support. There are a lot of highly talented and creative Batswana who aren’t getting the necessary support from the public because the public isn’t willing to believe and support its own and because we do not have a strong culture of innovation and creativity. But like we say in Botswana ‘Go tla siama,’ which means ‘all will be well.’

How did you hear of one small seed?
I was and still am a loyal reader of the print magazine and member of the online network of creatives.
I have massive respect for the work in your magazine and am very humbled to be featured on your site, really appreciate it.

Title: The Angry Butcher

Untitled

Title: Thataganyane

Title: Spaza

Title: Parked Outside

Title: Lontone

Title: Invisible people

Title: Chiskop

Title: Market Lady

Title: Ditsala

Title: tswanaonthemoon

Blue Note

View his tumblr here and his one small seed network profile here.

Interview by: David Plenderleith