That worked alright, but then Twitter came around. I was now starting to seriously networking with other bloggers and artists alike. I got the idea to interview artists, but in a different way. Ask the artists about stuff not remotely related to their music. I’ve always been striving originality, and this style of interviewing would also require the least amount of background knowledge about the interviewee. “Unrelated Dialogues” I called them, lazy, half-assed five-minute pseudo-interviews. I had never heard of 6th Sense, landed an “Unrelated Dialogue” with 6th Sense. I didn’t really enjoy Donnie Goines’ music, landed an “Unrelated Dialogue” with Donnie Goines. I was listening to Black Milk, a lot. Crash-landed a phone “Unrelated Dialogue” with Black Milk. He sounded like the questions were an insult to his creativity and achievements in the music industry. It wasn’t intended as such, but still it was a juvenile, irrelevant and useless interview. Still I was proud, one of very few norwegian 17-yearolds with 6-monthold blogs that had interviewed one of the very best hip-hop producers in the world, if you could call it an interview.

Fast-forwarding to one of my primer moments. The weekend before February 10th I decided to put together one of my most successful projects that reached out to many great artists. The questions was “What’s your top 10 dilla beats”, but was later changed to “What 10 dilla beats touched you the most?” after some back and fourth with Jeff Jank. Several artists, some very close to dilla gave me their lists, Illa J, Guilty Simpson, 88-keys and others. The post is still online.

Then SKD went silent for a long time. Arguably because of my new passion; web-design. I was too busy redesigning my site instead of keeping it updated. But eventually, the redesign was here and the format completely different. This new format was just like any other music blog, brief and only new music. I kept redesigning and it turned into a showcase of my web-design/js skills instead of my blogging. Sometimes to the degree where I would avoid posting something, like a video, to keep the site XHTML compliant. SKD 2.0-1 has always been XHTML compliant by the way, but what difference does that make for a music blog?

Therefore, I’ve decided to discontinue SofaKing Diligent. It’s by far the best-looking music blog in the world and the content is pretty nice. But that content can be found everywhere else and a blog trying to emphasize how music is everything while focusing so much on the blog appearance itself, that’s nothing less than hypocritical. I’m also in a place in my life where time is very limited, I need to prioritize and will henceforth stop spending time on reproducing Stones Throw press releases with my own words while figuring out new ways to say “I like this, this is original.”

I’ll still be here, my internet presence will still be very… present. I will continue to designing web-sites and blogs, some really nice ones are coming up. But as far as SKD goes, this is as far as SKD goes.

SKD has never really been relevant, but it has been appreciated. And I want to thank absolutely everyone for that, readers, commenters, artists, supporters, bloggers, blogrollers, twitterers and retweeters. In the most subtle and insignificant ways, it’s been amazing, for myself merely. Never had more than 300 visitors a day, never made a dime from it, never jumpstarted the next big artist on his way to stardom, but I did a little, I did something. I am immensely satisfied with the little I did and the little attention I got.

Thank you. Really.

Sincerely,
Magnus Mathisen

Photography courtesy of Rappcats

Yes, part three of Dam-Funks upcoming 5 LP set ‘Toechizown’ is here. This one is called ‘Life’ and features five full songs and ‘not only way out there beats & such’. Everything is still 100% original, no samples, just a man and his machines. ‘Life’ is unique like the two last, this time more emotional and melancholy almost. Incredible nonetheless, arguably because Dam looks like a funky lion on the cover, but primarily the music.
Damon Funky explains it further:

This particular part of my debut; Toeachizown is Vol. 3 & it’s called Life because these songs focus on relationships; good ones & weird ones (if U will). These songs also include vocals on all the tracks. The one I’m most proud of in this juncture of the album is “I Wanna Thank U (4 Steppin’ Into My Life)” as it’s dedicated 2 someone very special 2 me who came into my life at the right time and without judgement. It’s a full song. Hook, verses, bridge and ready for radio play. I just wanted 2 show that I can actually create a full song (if and when I choose 2), and not only way out there beats & such.

All the songs on Life I hope connect with my friends who dig my take and contribution to this strain of Funk, which I consider Melodic-Funk, influenced by such great artist that came before me like: Loose Ends, KASHIF, MTUME, and some of Steve Arrington’s (of SLAVE) more mellower solo joints. I also enjoyed creating “Could I Be Loosing Another Lover?”. This one’s dedictated 2 all who may be able 2 relate 2 this type of situation. Bottom line, I just thank U 4 listening. Stay tuned for Vol. 4: Hood. Peace fam.

— D-F

Buy at Stones Throw.
LAtrik
Fly

Dam-Funk — Love Is Here 2nite (I Can Feel It)

Dam-Funk — Love Is Here 2nite (I Can Feel It)

SKD just got a little darker. Other than the slight design tweak (#fefefe to #f0f0f0) and new background, Lorn is here. Wreaking havoc, no pun intended, but Brainfeeder dropped four tracks by Lorn today, one of them a Mobb Deep retake. Also a biggie retake plus two other original tracks. All available here.
Not much is know about Lorn, his styles are dark and cannot be described much better without using explicit words and offending someone. Batshit mindraping beats. Though thoroughly built and with proper ingenuity. If The Gaslamp Killer was a controllerist instead of a turntablist, it would most likely sound a lot like this. Call it dubstep, because it is, but it’s more enjoyable than what most dubsteppers do. His next album is being released through Brainfeeder, called ‘Nothing Else’, it is anticipated like any other future brainfeeder release.

@LORNNN
LORNNMYSPACE

Wrong Place

Lorn — Wrong Place

Your favorite blogger’s favorite blog Yes Yes Yall recently put out this mix made in collaboration with Ben Thomas. Ben uses Sunless Records to keep track of all his aliases, which includes Jackhigh and Singing Statues among many others, one for each of his many colors and styles. Has been/is also working with Brainfeeder affiliate Teebs, better known for his incredible artwork and occasional dublab sessions. This happens to be YYYs 15th podcast, a tranquil and vastly enjoyable 41 minute creation. Providing assorted moods from vibrant, yet organic tunes to some more semi-dark impressions. Put this in your ears for a while and enjoy it to the fullest.

More on YYY
Sunless Records

Singing Statues

Singing Statues for YYY

Photography by Theodore Taylor.

You have people who do creative things, creating music, painting, photography, whatever it is. And then you have people who do two/three things, like music/drawing or music/drawing/animation. Theodore Taylor falls in the third and rarely spoken about category, the people who if there’s one thing you do better then them, they do everything and anything else twice as well as you. An incredible photographer, illustrator, beat-maker, the list goes on. But for the first time, he is showcasing his mixing/djing skills with this mix/mixtape/non-podcast “covercast”. The 51-minute mix is thoroughly composed with a fine blend of electronic/acousmatic/hiphop/jazz sounds. A great listen for anyone and you might find a new artist or two that you want to check out, I certainly did.

Download “CoverCast #1: G4G4″.

G4G4

Theodore Taylor – CoverCast #1: G4G4

Photo courtesy of Stones Throw.

Wouldn’t like to lower my chances of getting these, but hey. Only one entry per person. Nobody likes double-entry persons, which is why they don’t have friends.

Cover courtesy of Stones Throw

Stones Throws 50th podcast celebrates the 10 year anniversary of Lootpacks classic “Soundpieces: Da Antidote”. This podcast is actually a mixtape put together by Madlib before the album dropped in 1999. Songs of the first half are previous Lootpack singles, while the other half are tracks off Soundpieces. Topped off with some skits, unreleased Madlib beats and elements he put into later songs of his.
A great listen for anyone who enjoyed Lootpacks first and only album.

Stones Throw Podcast on iTunes.

Directed by Dwele

The last Slum Village video that was recorded before the passing of group-member Baatin, unreleased until dropped today by Scrapdirty. Includes a little cameo by Black Milk. The song is produced by Karriem Riggins.

R.I.P. Baatin & Dilla.

“Standthis” — Cover by Jesselisa

Dak is another addition to the electronic LA beat-scene, and to answer your question, no there cannot be enough of these people. In this genre, unoriginality is very hard to find. Anything not well-sounding, even harder to find. Dak is no exception to this rule, backed by the LA based collective of all sorts of arts; Leaving Records, he brings something new to the table. Soundtrack, soul, funk and jazz elements manifest in Dak’s creations. Leaving you with a more grounded and organic sensation while still being fairly far from earth. Present, but yet acousmatic and inconspicuous, great sounds for half passive listening. His first album dropped a little over a month ago, called “Standthis” and is now back with a limited edition cassette, with silk screened slip-covers plus a digital bonus track off the b-side called “fortheSUN”. Peep this.
fortheSun

Dak — fortheSUN

Gobtween

Dak — Gobtween

Leaving Records
@LEAVINGRECORDS

In other news…

Directed by Henry DeMaio

Mayer Hawthorne’s newest video off his album “A Strange Arrangement” dropping this fall (09/09/09, but actually 09/08/09). Shot in the vicinity of the beautiful yet bizarre area of Venice Beach, LA. Some intriguing cameos in this one. I didn’t get the chance to talk about Mayer Hawthorne before now when everyone knows about him, what he does, how he does it, how he got introduced to Peanut Butter Wolf, how he wants his eggs boiled etc.

But for the rare cases of people that read my blog but doesn’t know shit about anything; Mayer Hawthorne is a singer, DJ, plays several instruments and makes all his beats himself. His music sounds like it’s originally recorded in the late 60s and his voice does not fit the one of a 29-year-old from Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is also what PBW thought when he heard Hawthorne’s songs for the first time. Thinking it was just some odd re-takes of some retro records, he later learned that Hawthorne did not only sing, but played all the instruments himself. PBW could only have been more surprised if he played all the instruments at once, singing, while solving a rubiks-cube with his feet. Not too long after, Mr. Hawthorne had a record-deal.

I have no idea how he likes his eggs, he might not like eggs at all.

@MayerHawthorne

Aye?

“LOCATION:WITHIN” by Gas’D.

The unisex ▲❍▼❏ V-neck is now available on the Gas’D Station. Along with a free Afta-1 album, “COTTON :: DRUM”. If you don’t know him, he composes sounds in rhythmic patterns and make it sound beautiful (music).
Gas’D’ message that “love is real” is powerful enough, but yet simpler than it seems. You are all and everything, divinity is present in everything, therefore love is not only real, but real is love. Sit still, meditate, peace and love comes from within. A person repleted with love and peace will never start a conflict. That is how we change the world.

Love is real.

Gas-D.com
@gasd

Photography by Shaun Bloodworth

The Gaslamp Killer “My Troubled Mind” is a Blistering Shitstorm of Beats, Re-Arranged and Fucked Up Over the course of 3 years.

Describes it well, but believe me when I tell you this is some incredible music. LA DJ/Turntablist The Gaslamp Killer, known throughout the universe for his incredible shows and immense, yet organic and original dynamics, released a new EP today. “My Troubled Mind EP” takes you through three years of GLK’s mind, a plethora of beats, fucked over, sometimes twice. Though somehow it still turns out very pleasing to the ear. The ever so animate sounds, the intense presence of all the elements and the due diligence of this fastidious turntablist manifest in a dark and bizarre EP. If Tarantino was a turntablist, this would be it.

Available on Boomkat (FLAC&MP3), iTunes (CRAP-MP3) and limited edition singed 10″ EP.

The Motherfucking Gaslamp Killer – Anything Worse

Known to many as a beatmaker, brainfeeder affiliate Dr. Strangeloop exhibits his primary passion as a VJ in this short. First presented during the Amsterdam Film Experience 2007, it is now on the internet along with you and all your friends.
Although, if you haven’t even heard about Dr. Strangeloop nor have you heard his last EP “Are We Lost Mammals of an Approaching Transcendental Epoch?” I suggest you make like a Hans Blix and check that shit out sooner than later. Here.

Brainfeeder

Photography by Mpozi “PoZi” Mshale Tolbert

R.I.P.

Marvelous

Baatin – Marvelous (prod. Black Milk)

Photography by Mathew Scott

Dam-Funks second installment to his upcoming modern funk album ‘Toeachizown’. Not much to say about this other than what was said when the last part dropped. ‘Vol. 2: Fly’ is just as good as the previous, but it still has an unique mood to it. It feels smoother and more sensual this time around. Just how much, you’ll have to find out for yourself. You can either get this brief 37 minute album now, or if you’re extraterrestrially patient you can wait for the 5 LP set this fall.

Candy Dancin’

Dam-Funk – Candy Dancin’

Buy at, yes… Stones Throw.

Photograph from Now-Again Records

Triorganico is a trio as the name suggests, three guys from the heart of LA, Pablo Calogero, Tiki Pasillas and Fabiano Nascimento. They make latin-jazz, the uttermost ear-pleasing latin-jazz, best described in words by Waxpoetics:

Triorganico’s debut.. is something you’d expect to hear floating from a smoky Bossa Nova club in the 1950s—not downtown LA…. Triorganico finds comfort in history and hindsight

‘Convivencia’ their album is called, and though it seems inspired by modern electronic music, it still very much keeps intact the warm latin-jazz soul. Latin-jazz is something that hasn’t particularly thrilled me, before now. Some music is just so beautiful that whatever mood you’re in, it hits you. This is that kind, an album you can put on whenever and it’s perfect, though even more perfect in the dusk. Let this not go unheard.

Tempo De Amor

Triorganico – Tempo De Amor

Currently available only on 1s and 0s, but soon on wax and cds (citation).
Released by Now-Again Records, distributed by and for sale at Stones Throw.

Photography by prawnpie

12 years ago, DJ Honda and Mos Def put together an amazing track, called “Travelin’ Man”… you might have heard it and if you have, you’re probably scrolling down already to see if there’s a song you can stream here. There is, “Magnetic Arts” dropped today, a song that will be on DJ Hondas next LP “DJ Honda IV”. Incredible track, DJ Honda provides very much the same mood as he did more than a decade ago. Listen to this.
Magnetic Arts

Mos Def – Magnetic Arts (prod. DJ Honda)

(via WDIRM)

Photography by B+

Madlib combo. British magazine ‘The Wire’ whom recently conducted Madlibs first interview since 06, also dropped a snippet of his next creation today. A whole five minutes of ‘The Last Electro Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble’s ‘Fall Suite’, due this fall. If you had a chance to hear his ‘Summer Suite’ you should by now be smiling in anticipation. If not, get it now or listen to this snippet and you’ll know what I’m writing about.

Fall Suite

The Last Electro Acoustic Space Jazz & Percussion Ensemble – Fall Suite (Snippet)

Photography by Muskito

As if you don’t know by now, Los Angeles producer Madlib and Detroits own heaviest of the heavy hitters Guilty Simpson are working on an album together and have been for some time. They call themselves OJ Simpson, OJ as in Otis Jackson and Simpson as in Guilty. Their first single dropped today, named ‘Coroners Music’. The digital 12″ contains everything you expect from an piece of that circumference, two tracks with instrumentals. Track two is the OJ Simpson anthem… ‘OJ Simpson’. Another album one we just can’t wait for. It will hopefully arrive this year, but we know that it will feature some guest rappers like Elzhi & Strong Arm Steady, with a few cuts from the almighty J.Rocc.

No streaming here this time, buy it at Stones Throw.

Photography by Mathew Scott

Dam-Funks new album is officially finished and will be distributed to the people in five equally sized, but yet, distinct parts. A 5 LP set, ‘Toeachizown’ will be released this fall. ‘Toeachizown Vol. 1: LAtrik’ is the first LP of this set, showcasing a more electric and dynamic modern-funk style as described by himself:

LAtrik is more of my ‘electric style’ (hence the title of this volume) which is influenced by, yet never bitin’, such great artist as Juan Atkins (Cybotron) & Prince to name just a few. It also highlights the more Modern sounds of L.A. based Funk right now with instrumentals like ‘Toeachizown’ & vocal tracks like ‘Mirrors’ which, I feel are distinctly my sound, humbly speaking. I hope U dig it, as this was made 4 U! Stay tuned 4 Volumes: 2. 3, 4, & 5.

— D-F

Dam-Funk does his thing sans samples or loops, still while exhibiting unparalleled originality and producing truly exquisite sounds. To find anything that sounds alike, you have to go back at least a decade, and even then he’s still doing his own thing.
Don’t wait until the LP set arrives, get this now and enjoy it while the sun is still out. Currently only available digitally (320kbps mp3), CD version will follow the LP set.

Toechizown

Dam-Funk – Toechizown

Buy @ Stones Throw.

Press-release with tour-dates.

@DamFunk

Cover (presumably) by Gas’D. Apologies if incorrect.

Ambassadors of ill, Afta-1 & Gas’D brings you the third installment of audible love with ‘Love Is Real Vol. 3′. In their series of mixes, they take you through old and new, while emphasizing a simple, yet powerful message, ‘love is real’. Gas’D, real name Imani Waddy, also have a clothing-line in the works along with this message. ‘Love Is Real Vol. 3′ includes music from Dilla, Dam-Funk, Afta-1, J Davey and other marvelous people (hope I’m not the only one that hasn’t heard about all of them). A thoroughly executed, beautiful mix that will have you putting shit on repeat… repeatedly.

Tiden Flyger

AFTA-1 – Tiden Flyver Remix

Download with zshare.

Do not neglect the first two pieces.

But do follow @gasd & @AFTA1 on your twitters.

A good idea is also to add Gas’Daily to your GoogleReaders or whatever because it alone serves an adequate amount of dopeness regularly.

.

Thanks to @wilhel1812 for letting me use his MacBook Pro, mine is still getting service. This MacBook Pro is pretty fucking nice, I’m still on some anti-pro shit.

A little cut from J. ‘bestDJ/turntablistintheworld’ Roccs upcoming album. Mostly guessing at this moment, but it’s being released through Stones Throw and will be out of this world dope. J. Rocc actually played this when he was in the UK recently and ripped the shit out of every London area radio along with Benji B for BBC 1Xtra. You can stream the show/read more here.

The album is still a working title, on the show he calls this beat ‘Malcolm was here pt. 2′, however serious that was. Anticipated nonetheless.

@jrocc

Afta-1 & Gas’D brings you ‘Love Is Real Vol. 3′ July 1st.

I will not pretend like I really know what this is. But I’ve been listening to Afta-1 for quite some time and I love it, this video is beautiful + it seems like there’s a dope album dropping July 1st. So let’s talk about it then.

Come to think of it, the woman is singing in Danish (I’m pretty sure) and I can understand it. How savvy.

@▲FTA1

Photo from D/Will on MySpace.

While the vast majority of HipHop producers these days settle for boring high-hats and 8-bit videogame samples, D/Will is one of the few maintaining the soul of real HipHop with organic percussion and soul samples. Rapping on this is Stik Figa, both him and D are from Kansas City, Missouri. D/Wills debut-album, ‘Battery Effect’, will drop June 23rd through 2dopeboyz, sans this joint though.

Shouts to Jane once again.

Body Language

Stik Figa – Body Language (prod. D/Will)

@dwillbeats