You may notice lots of “hashtags” throughout this edition. That’s for two reasons: 1. I’m kind of unoriginal in my humor and 2. To remind you that you should be following The Untz on Twitter (@TheUntz)! You’ll find plenty of tweets about ticket-giveaways, contests, exlcusive interviews, tracks and all sorts of other goodies. And while you’re over there on Twitter, you ought to follow me ( @nattymorrison). You’ll find plenty of inane jokes and festival coverage all summer. Also I want to prove to my 1^st grade bully I’m cool now. YOU HEAR THAT KIP FAIRFIELD? I HAVE, LIKE, 50 FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER.

When I checked my email, and saw a note to check out a new duo called DeathStar, I assumed it was Darth Vadar and Admiral Ackbar’s new side project. But I was wrong. Instead, rising stars Minnesota and MartyParty have teamed up to create a reimagining of bass music, where melody AND raw brutality can live in harmony. Be careful, if you listen too much you could get stuck in hypnosis. Do you know why? Because…IT’S A TRAP! GET IT? #starwarsjokes #notreallythatfunny

I believe this is my third week in a row with a pick from GRiZ. I don’t mean to play favorites, but I can’t help myself. At times, GRiZ sounds less like a bass artist, and more like a conceptual turntablist, blending together samples and textured vocals in the vein of Blockhead or DJ Shadow.

This drippy, liquid-y bass track from the man himself proves that he (Lorin Ashton) views the concept of a remix far differently from you or I. The initial track is simply a jumping off point, once he’s let the clip ride out as far as he’d like, it’s time to start from scratch and build a whole new world from foundation-shaking low-ends and omni-tempo insanity.

The combination of electro-noise masters Radiohead and synth-beauty master Caribou probably seems like a no brainer- that’s because it is. Daniel Victor Smith, otherwise known as Caribou, takes a widely different approach to the remix than Bassnectar. Whereas Bassnectar will use the track as a launch pad, choosing to venture into completely new and uncharted waters, Smith prefers it to be more like a jumbled-up jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces are there, but it looks – and sounds – completely different.

If this is only the “rough pre-master” I can’t imagine how amazing this will be once it’s done. I don’t like to use the phrase “next level.” But if I was living in the Sand World from Super Mario Brothers 3 (World 2), this would be roughly equivalent to the Big World (World 4). Next. Level. Shit. #I’msuchafuckingnerd

 

If you’d like to be featured on Natty’s Picks of the Week, shoot me an email at natty@theuntz.com.