Beats Broke: Status Update

It’s been too damn long since our last post. I’m the first to hate on excuses, but there’s some exciting things going on with Beats Broke that have been consuming our focus. We’re overdue, so here is a snapshot of what’s been going down:

1) We just moved into a new office! There are still boxes sitting around, and records laying stacked on the floor – we’re debating if we should organize them alphabetically, chronologically, or autobiographically (bad High Fidelity joke). Seriously though, new digs are much needed and appreciated.

2) I’ve been executive producing a new group – Leadsmen. This is the electronic output of YaDamnSkippy! + fellow producer. Demos are being flushed out and they’re sounding lovely. Real hard, yet delicate tracks that’ll pulse in your head for weeks. We’re working on a digital 12″, and will hit you with more details when we know them ourselves. Exciting.

3) I’m overseeing production on Inf’s remix album for Utrecht, NL label Beluga. He’s basically flipping selections from their catalog. A fun side-project. After that, we’ll be dropping two solo Inf tracks of him RAPPING! Yes, Inf used to be a rapper, and I managed to convince him to dust off his notebook and give us some more sarcastic gems. It’s been over five years since he’s picked up a pen, and he’s honestly tighter than ever.

4) We got more Skiggy Rapz songs placed on MTV! Word is we’ve made the DVD box set for Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, and we’ll be on Season 2, Episode 2 of Jersey Shore. Now, get down to the beach and start fist-pumping with The Situation! Also heard word that Fuel TV used some songs for a snowboarding show. BOOM!

5) Most importantly, we’ve been scratching our heads on how to progress in these ever-changing times. Record labels are folding left and right, and we’re going to fight like hell to keep creating and supporting the music we love. To do so, however, we need to adapt our current business model. Don’t worry, Beats Broke as a label isn’t going anywhere. What’s changing are our capabilities.

We’re going to bring in a new partner by the name of David Reyneke who is the founder of PotholesInMyBlog.com. David’s dream is to focus full-time on artist relations, so we’ve created an opportunity to work together. David will be heading our newly created marketing/pr department. He will work on in-house campaigns, as well as concentrate on external non-roster artists and events.

Furthermore, we’re going to focus on licensing/publishing and sound design. We’ve done our fair share, but it’s never been pushed to the degree that it needs to be. Added support will be brought in, and we’ll highlight past work we’ve done for ABC News, Seat, and Dell (among others), and push for new work/opportunities.

Lastly, all of these changes will be reflected in an updated Beats Broke website. We’re working on time lines and planning at the moment, but we expect to have everything live by late Summer. I’m saying this publicly so we’re held to it, damnit!

This is Beats Broke.
-Ryan

P.S. – I also will be adding the entire Colemine Records catalog to our store, along with recent releases from the Q4, a new import compilation Skiggy Rapz is featured on from Japan’s P-Vine Records, and a restock of Arts The Beatdoctor’s Transitions on CD. Bump.

Arts The Beatdoctor – SXSW Schedule

Arts The Beatdoctor – SXSW 2010 Schedule
Austin, TX (USA)

3-13-10 (Saturday)
In-Store @ End of an Ear (2209 S. First St)
6-6:30 pm

Lamebook.com Party @ Shangri’la (1016 E. 6th St)
1-1:30 am

3-16-10 (Tuesday)
Loose Control Party @ Vice (302 E. 6th St)
6-6:30 pm

3-17-10 (Wednesday)
Backline Show Interview @ Halcyon (218 W. 4th St)
1-2 pm

3-18-10 (Thursday)
In-Store @ Suede Salon (201 E. 5th St)
5-5:30 pm

In-Store @ The 5th Gallery/Gomi (305 E. 5th)
9-9:30 pm

3-19-10 (Friday)
Cuba Libre – In The Back (409 Colorado St)
11-11:30 pm

www.artsthebeatdoctor.com

In Stereo (Kapabel & perCeptie) – “Dag” Music Video

From the “I can’t believe I let this one slip by me” category…

In Stereo (Kapabel & perCeptie) debut their video for “Dag” (nearly two months ago). Looks like I owe two Dutch rappers many beers.

I believe the beat is by Pry (of Pax & Pry), and the video is by Nikname & ironLiron. This clip completely kills. They knocked it out of the park. It’s the best video I’ve seen come out of the Netherlands in the past year. Congrats friends!

www.in-stereo.nl

RELEASED TODAY: Skiggy Rapz – “Talk To You Soon”

Beats Broke is proud to officially release
Skiggy Rapz – “Talk To You Soon” today!

Skiggy Rapz drops his new single “Talk To You Soon” today on Beats Broke for only 99 cents. The track will appear on the forthcoming Bang To The Boogie full-length.

“The single “Talk To You Soon” sounds like John Mayer walked into the studio and put his vibes into the cut.” — Rock The Dub

In celebration of the new single, Beats Broke is offering Skiggy Rapz’ Bang to the Boogie EP on CD for $5 with the discount code “LOVE” (valid through midnight on Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2010).

In case you’ve been sleeping, let me rehash some of Skiggy Rapz’ vital stats:
- he opened for Kanye West
- he won “The Grand Prize,” an annual award given to the best Dutch artist
- he co-produced “Slaap Lekker,” a number one single in Holland by Diggy Dex (feat. Eva de Roovere)

In other words…he ain’t no chump! Cop the new single on iTunes for under a buck.

Inf – The Go Round: Best of Everywhere

Inf has been tearing it up all over the place with his debut instrumental full-length The Go Round. Here are the highlights of the past couple months:

Inf Invades Columbia

The title track, “The Go Round,” was featured in the trailer for a Colombian graffiti documentary entitled Bogotá Todo El Día. We’re itching to gets our hands a copy of the DVD to see how the music was used in the film.

Austin Interview + Best of 2009

The Backline Show was kind enough to reach out to Inf and do a nice feature on him. In return, he nerded out and took some pictures of his studio, showing off his 8 trillion vintage keyboards. We feel sorry for his wives; that’s a lot of keys to dust!

Josh Sheperd also tapped Inf with his best of 2009 list on the Backline Show. Boom! Not bad for a lone Dutchman in a sea of notable Austin albums. Josh had this to say about the record:

“I found this album flipping through CDs at End of an Ear. It was a total chance I took. Most listeners know me as a Dilla disciple. I like that organic, creative, sonically colorful hip hop beat. Inf did just that this year with The Go Round. This is an amazing album with just a good smooth, solid, understated sound. If you want to know more about the album and the artist, read up on Inf with the Q and A on Time to B.S.”

The Go Round – Best of 2009

Finally, we’ve all got Kool Aid smiles when we discovered The Go Round made a best of 2009 list. James B. Eldred of Big Shot Magazine declared Inf one of his ten “Big Shots” who owned his ears last year. Other notables who made the cut are Royksopp, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dan Deacon and The Prodigy. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s not often that a breaks album has mainstream appeal, but this debut record by Dutch producer Inf should. Big-beat loops and haunting vocals are paired up with funky rhythms and groovy horns samples, creating a funky feeling that sounds like it came right out of the late-’60s but still modern at the same time.”

Vote Beats Broke – Best Austin Label

Vote for Beats Broke as the best “Local Label” (very last category) in the 2009-10 Austin Chronicle Music Poll.

We got 2nd place last year, and this year we’re gunning for 1st.

Deadline is Friday, January 29th. Winners announced during SXSW. Lookout!

Thanks,
-Ryan

Eefje Wins Dutch Grand Prize!

We’re proud to announce that Eefje (Skiggy Rapz’ girlfriend) won ‘De Grote Prijs van Nederland‘ in the singer/songwriter category. Congratulations Eefy…we’re so proud of you!

Skiggy won the hip-hop/r&b category a few years back, making them the first Grand Prize couple of Holland. If you two ever have children, I’m putting money on them winning in 2032.

We’re expecting great things from you, Eefje. You are a master melody maker, and we’re completely envious. Here’s to your future!

Eefje – “Hartslag”

www.myspace.com/eefjemusic

Hip-Hop Lives in Utrecht (Hiphopleeft.nl feature)

The hip-hop artists of Holland are known for their hippie-like work ethics, cross-collaborations, and unexpected pairings. Hip-hop is evolving, and the epicenter of the blast lies in Utrecht.

Hiphopleeft.nl recently ran an extensive feature on Utrecht’s scene, how it began, and where it’s headed. I even got in on some cross-continental interview action. Boom!

If you English speakers need help on the Dutch, check freetranslation.com.

Poem: Vinyl Ups And Downs

VINYL UPS AND DOWNS

Everyone used to love vinyl.
Then everyone hated vinyl.
Now everyone loves vinyl again.
But in the very near future
Everyone will hate vinyl
Again.

(December 2009)
- LMNOP.com

Skiggy Rapz covers Snow’s “Informer” on 3FM

Let’s face it, 3FM (Dutch Radio) is in love with Skiggy Rapz. They can’t get enough my man! He’s ripped Bang To The Boogie tracks live on air, destroyed a Coldplay / Killers medley, and now he’s doing the impossible…a perfect rendition of Snow’s “Informer.” A licky boom boom down!

Purchase Skiggy Rapz’ Bang To The Boogie EP today for only $8.99, or cop it on iTunes for only $5.99.