over the hump...

playlist updates, album rexx and the next party

Before I get into it — I’m throwing another AIR FRIED day-into-night party Downtown LA on August 16th. GET YOUR TIX NOW!!

As my last newsletter may have hinted at, I’ve been trying to break through self-imposed limits. Clara loves self-help literature and, although I tease her for it endlessly, it rubs off on me. On our many coffee walks in which I pontificate about my hopes , dreams and visions, she constantly reminds me of my “upper limit problem.” That is basically the creep of paralysis when you begin to reach for things you actually want.

I’m so used to my corporate job in which, even when I am doing cool music things, I am serving an overlord. Doing the work feels much easier when you’re representing a company vs. when you are serving your passions. Fulfillment, however, functions inversely. The more vulnerable you are to embarrassment, the more fulfillment you stand to gain.

And what’s more embarrassing than throwing a party where no one shows up? or fucking up a transition? or putting out a song that sucks? or writing a shitty newsletter with shitty playlists? JK on the last one, I know my newsletters & playlists rule! When insecurity and self-importance intersect, the risk gets blown out of proportion.

One of my goals for the last couple of years has been to start booking DJs to play my parties. I told myself that I wasn’t cool enough and my parties weren’t big enough. Inspired by some recent activities that I’ll share once ready, I realized it’s actually not that deep. The DJs I admire are also working artists looking for opportunities. The worst that can happen is they say no. So, for this upcoming party (again buy tickets here!), I finally got over myself and am pretty hyped on the lineup.

The aforementioned question-doubts remain and failure is certainly an option (once again *insert Bernie Sanders Meme* please come to my party!!) but, at least, I got over the hump.

the soft gaze (updated) + album recs

Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

One day I will update my other playlists but the soft gaze remains my favorite selection of music to curate and order. This one includes a song from my friend

Lish Grooves

new EP, three beautiful Arabic tracks, a handful of singles from forthcoming anticipated indie/shoegaze projects and even a standout from Justin Bieber’s surprisingly refreshing new album.

If you dig, listen to… Qur’an Shaheed - Pulse (Spotify / Apple Music)

Leaving Records remains my plug for new age, ambient-leaning sounds. Qur’an Shaheed’s experimental-soul alchemy reminds me a bit of KeiyaA’s instant classic Forever, Ya Girl. Here’s my favorite from the album but it’s well worth a full listen…

If you dig, listen to… Smerz - Big city life (Spotify / Apple Music)

The Norwegian duo Smerz have been quietly killing it for the last ~5 years but their latest album feels like a significant leap. Stringing together trip-hop, dance grooves, dream-pop and electronic experimentation, Big city life is a flawless, surprisingly catchy concept album with plenty of replay value. Not a single skip…

If you dig, listen to… Annahstasia - Tether (Spotify / Apple Music)

Annahstasia has the kind of voice that reaches into the depths of your soul but her raw songwriting & layered instrumentation is what makes her singular. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say Tether is some of the most beautiful music in existence…

If you dig, listen to… Buscabulla - Se Amaba Así (Spotify / Apple Music)

Despite being featured on a Bad Bunny album, Buscabulla remain a criminally underrated duo and their latest album may just be their best. Occupying the growing dream-pop space in Latin music, I’m hoping they’ll catch on in a similar way as The Marias. I’ll share one more from the album below but “Tártaro” is also one of my favorite songs of all time…