David Hayman, Creative Director and Lead Music Supervisor of the creative agency Supergroup Sonic Branding Co., sits down with Hot Tub Johnnie and Jeff Gray to talk about his passion for storytelling through music and film and more.
David's extensive experience spans across 15 years worth of multi-genre television series work, award winning advertising, and celebrated independent films. David works closely with The Toronto Raptors (MLSE) and was part of the Hubert Davis Documentary about GM Masai Ujiri “Giants of Africa” which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival. David has helmed series on Netflix, Hulu, ABC, CTV, CBC and has had a number of successful feature film projects, most recently debuting A David Hayman, Creative Director and Lead Music Supervisor of the creative agency Supergroup Sonic Branding Co., sits down with Hot Tub Johnnie and Jeff Gray to talk about his passion for storytelling through music and film and more.
Throwing Some Love to The Rock-N-Roll Genre!
We want to present to you this great song from Dinosaur Pile-Up called "Back Foot"! Dinosaur Pile-Up is an English alternative rock band who formed in late 2007. Hailing from Leeds, West Yorkshire. Current members are the lead singer and guitarist Matt Bigland, drummer Mike Sheils and bassist Jim Cratchley. Their past members include Steve Wilson (2008-2010), Tom Dornford (2008-2010), Tommy Davisdson (2008), Harry Johns (2010-2011), James Sacha (2013).
With the ink still drying on a deal with the legendary Parlophone Records, Dinosaur Pile-Up singer and guitarist Matt Bigland know the platform is now there for him to showcase his talents as one of rock music’s finest songwriters. His band has long been talked of as one of British music’s most consistently exciting outfits. Now it’s time to prove it.
Listening to “Let’s Get Cucked Up” a single by an underground punk band from Los Angeles, Mr. Max, literally the greatest punk band name I’ve heard in awhile has made me rethink that maybe punk is not dead. All the non-hardcore punks have died out and decided to listen to mainstream instead of remaining loyal.
Mr. Max’s “Let’s Get Cucked Up” doesn’t take itself seriously and hand delivers an amazing music video for the young men out there who still get sucked into their girlfriend’s lives and then get manipulated by them. It’s a perfect shoutout song. It also includes perfect humor and for some reason it looks like an old 2005 punk rock music video. It’s an amazing song with a fantastic old school early-ish 2000 punk rock feel. Check out Mr. Max perform live at the Mint on September 16 during the Hunnypot party.
One of the most curious aspects of Heavy Rock is the multitude of styles and genres that have developed over the years. Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, Doom Metal, Industrial, Celtic Metal, Alternative, Orchestral, Blues Rock, Southern Rock, and many more. You get the point. For me, I tend to gravitate toward the music that simply kicks ass regardless of what label someone gave it. If it’s good, it’s good.
Pennsylvania’s Crobot is good. Very Good. They’re a band that in some circles could be considered Stoner Rock. Imagine Black Sabbath (considered by some as the original Stoner Rock Band), mixed with a bit of Sound Garden, intertwined with a sprinkle of STP, and a dab of Alice in Chains in the spirit of Clutch. Crobot’s take on these influences is a high powered, fat, beefy style of music that equates to a funky kick to the teeth, that leaves you wanting more.
With their brand-new release Motherbrain, Brandon Yeagley (vocals, harmonica), Chris Bishop (guitar, vocals), and Dan Ryan (drums) who make up the core of the band, have put together a big leap forward from the band’s previous releases. Lyrically, Crobot seem to have arrived in the now and are focusing on the burdens of everyday life, in a darker yet still accessible way. Musically they’ve found their way to become their heaviest yet. Gargantuan plodding riffs provide the backbone to Yeagley’s powerful vocals in a way that’s just flat-out satisfying to your soul. The chunky and funky “Keep me Down” is one of these gratifying tunes that makes your whole being smile.
“Low Life”, their latest single from their 4th release, is probably their closest offering to an anthem on the album. Taking aim at those who judge, the song is a vehicle for all of us to rally behind, asking the age-old question: “Who in the hell do you think you are”? I see this as a perfect crowd pleaser and a staple at their shows for years to come.
Perhaps the one song that identifies Crobot the most is “Destroyer”. A dreamy song in places that explodes into a massively imposing chorus that warns of the consequences of crossing the most powerful entity of all. Your guess as to who that is. Melodies are not lost on this band either, as “Drown” and “After Life” storm through your ears. A steady meandering pace leads into an upbeat and precise chorus, showcasing the range of the band from melodic vocals to the Sabbath-like musical damage we’re all used to.
Crobot has skillfully assembled a groovy, filthy, in-your-face rock album in Motherbrain, which I think is so refreshing in today’s world. This record does what any good rock album should do; it pulls you in and doesn’t let you go. Not just a single or two, but the entire album. Like the good old days. If you’re a fan of good solid heavy rock, I challenge you to spin this one just once.
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 8.9 out of 10
Artist: Crobot LP: Motherbrain, Release Date: Aug 23rd, 2019, Label: Mascot Label Group
INDICA mixes modern music with a retro feel in his new single and video.
"RETROMODERN" is the latest single by hiphop artist Indica, part of the 7-song EP with the same title. The video, directed by grey93, take you to a futuristic-retro ride through your favorite pop culture elements from the 80's, several movie clips and early computer special effects.
"RETROMODERN" was produced and engineered by Andrew Luce, known for his viral remixes of Jeremih‘s “Birthday Sex” and Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Nite” singles. The song besides being obviously a hiphop tune it also includes some influences by R&B, electro-pop, funk and soul music.
RETROMODERN is 100% Hunnypot Approved!
-Renata Vontobel
When you think of bay area rap, there’s a few names that immediately come to mind. E-40, Too $hort, and Mac Dre are a few of the legends who pioneered the rap sound in the Bay Area. But over the past decade, the collective known as The HBK Gang have been making some serious moves and dropping some serious heat. The most recent project from the collective is co-founder P-Lo’s Shine.
Born Paolo Rodriguez, the Filipino-American rapper with a mouth of full gold doesn’t disappoint, dropping his signature combination of lighthearted lyrical content over heavy bass line driven beats. P-Lo, who brought us the popular 2017 single, “Put Me On Somethin,” blesses us with 16 new tracks here, fresh off the press. Let’s dive into a few of my highlights.
The first standout song that caught my attention was the youthful, “Off The Chain”. Originally a producer, P-Lo’s beat selection is primo. As the beat bounces, P-Lo composes a song with not only a couple of verses for the rap heads, but also a chorus and pre-chorus for overall music fans. He’s loose and vibes on the beat, focusing rather on well-tuned transitions than on ultra-technical and sometimes forced sounding lyricism.
The second standout track for me was, “Can’t Break Code”. Starting with a 10 second interview snippet of E-40, the beat drops and the song kicks right into high gear with a melodic chorus. On this hook, P-Lo sings, “Ay, uh, I cannot break code, Ay, uh, I do not chase hoes, Ay, yuh, all about bank roll,” pledging his focused allegiance to the hustle and the music game. Dropping only one rap verse on this song, it’s clear P-Lo understands he’s much more than just a rapper. Similar to “Off The Chain,” P-Lo proves he’s a musician. He makes music. He vibes. And for the remainder of the track, P-Lo doubles up on the hook and ties the bow on this track at a solid 2 minutes and 54 seconds, despite only dropping one rap verse.
Lastly, you can’t drop a hip-hop album without dropping at least one song for the ladies. Assisted by Oakland’s own Kehlani, the two deliver a modern romantic duet on “Sneeze”. On most rap/R&B duets, the rapper typically steps aside and lets the female singer lead the way on the chorus. Interestingly, on this one, P-Lo stays in the driver’s sea and sets the tone with a classic rap chorus. Kehlani only makes her appearance for the second verse. They team up on the outro chorus with P-Lo rapping the hook and Kehlani offering up soft adlibs and overall masculine/feminine balance.
All in all, this album is packed with reoccurring themes. You got bouncey bass driven beats and a rapper who isn’t afraid to break into melody and carry his own choruses/hooks. This melodic trend in hip hop is on the rise and everyone’s trying to do it, but the ones who stand out are the ones who can start a rap verse and seamlessly transition in a melodic hook. Throughout Shine, it’s sometimes hard to tell where the rapping stops and the singing starts, and (vice versa). If you’re looking for a lighthearted, vibey hip-hop album, give this one a listen. You won’t regret it!
As always, rock on my friends! Hunnypot Approved! Overall Rating: 9.1 out of 10
Artist: P-Lo LP: Shine, Release Date: Aug 16th, 2019, Label: HBK Records
Doja Cat has released a new remix of her single “Juicy” featuring none other than Tyga. A typically vibrant cut from the Los Angeles-based rapper, “Juicy” also happens to fit well within Tyga’s wheelhouse of raunchy rap anthems. The song already slapped before Tyga hopped on it.
Doja Cat threw "Juicy" onto the deluxe version of her 2018 Amala album this year. The James Begert-directed clip is a vividly colorful one, as the "Mooo!" artist dons various outfits to match all of her favorite fruits such as bananas, cherries, and watermelon. Even in the midst of promoting healthy eating, her wardrobe changes are still oozing with sex appeal.
We love this single. Therefore, enjoy this official Hunnypot video pick.
-Shih Yi Wang
The name Channel Tres sounds like a perfume doesn’t it? But it is not I can assure you. Channel Tres the rookie rapper from Compton has a promising, but challenging career ahead of him; that’s a certainty with bangers like “Controller” and “Brilliant N***a “. With his background knowledge in music, which he studied at the University of Oklahoma it really contrived new insight in how to craft his work.
His single “Sexy black Timberlake” pretty catchy title, right? Is guaranteed to get you on the dance floor at any dance club in L.A. Imagine listening to this song while on molly or something, (which I don’t consent to) and not having a good time. The music video for this dank banger has soothing aesthetics and amazing choreography, accompanied with great camera work on locations any L.A native might recognize. In one scene he’s shown dancing with the backup dancers on a metro terminal in the freeway and the whole way it was shot was perfect, maybe it's just me.
Creative and with a killer opener to “Sexy Black Timberlake”, Channel Tres an underrated modern rapper brings a plethora of new sounds into the song with different camera techniques utilized in the video that makes it unique to other rappers of this generation. It’s a smooth song that most of his audience cannot fathom why he’s not heard of more in the rap community.
Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses are coming back to hellfire, sunny Los Angeles, California next month through September 13 - 15, at Cacida and Saint Rocke in beautiful Hermosa Beach, CA. Get the tickets at the links below.
Cacida Restaurant and Club - Friday Sept. 13
Originally formed in 2007, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses began to hit full stride at their breakout performance in the 2010, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. They’ve toured from Los Angeles to Sicily and shared the stage with talented artists including Aretha Franklin and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Impatiently waiting to show the world what mayhem could come from the collective talents and years of diverse musical experience that make up the whole of its members. If you’ve seen them in concert, you’ll know what to expect from the musical minds of the Witnesses. As energetic and over-the-top as their live shows go, "BLOW" continues the ever-changing musical journey that Prima Sr. began in the 30’s. A different kind of musical dawn is awaiting to emanate with flashes of simmering soul and swaggering rock ‘n’ roll as Louis Prima Jr. and The Witnesses prepare to ignite a new legacy with their second full-length album "BLOW," out now on Warrior Records/Universal Music Distribution. With "Blow" LPJ and the Witnesses revive a boogie woogie spirit for the modern generation. “The message is to have a good time and enjoy life,” explains Prima. ”Get up and move. This album is hyper. It makes you want to dance.” Not content to sit on the legacy they so passionately protect, LPJ and the band are taking a page from his father’s playbook, by wailing “Prima-Style” like its 2014.
Building off of the success of their critically acclaimed debut CD Return of the Wildest!, Prima and the Witnesses immersed themselves in writing original music for the first time together and headed into the studio with co-producer and Warrior Records C.E.O. Jim Ervin. Recorded at Capitol Records in Studio B where Louis Prima Sr. recorded his hits of the 50’s and 60’s, the seriousness of this music is masked only by how galvanizing it was making it. The outcome is a host of creative, innovative new material as eclectic and unique as each member of this powerhouse band, plus revved-up versions of Adam Ant’s "Goody Two Shoes" and Louis Prima Sr.’s "Robin Hood". Prima also sneaks in a vocal and trumpet duet with his father on "That’s My Home," utilizing Prima Srs.' original vocal/trumpet solo from the 1959 recording combined with a new music track created by LP Jr. and the Witnesses. The Louis Armstrong cover bridges the gap between family generations as it rises into a heartfelt and hypnotic tribute to his father reflecting a loving homage to the city they both adore. But it’s on songs like first single "Go Let’s Go", the musical party "I Just Wanna Have Fun" and the soulfully explosive "Fame And Glory" that the band’s uniqueness shines through. The result of blending the skills of these musicians is a blistering assault on your senses that will make you shout out loud and get up and move. His offspring and predecessor Prima Jr. has a lot to live up to; sharing a name with his celebrated father, but a new legend is being born and it’s about to BLOW you away.
We have experienced our fair share of unusual songs and music videos that leaves us scratching our heads and we often think “How is this a hit single,” but it is either way and especially on platforms like YouTube; it goes on making more than a million views on any social media site. Y2K and bbno$ have done exactly that with their single “Lalala”.
Their single “Lalala” is a great catchy beat like any other rap song nowadays; it really reminds you how cold Canada is when you start singing along to the lyrics and it encourages to stay in California, and not get cold nips from the great white north, but I digress. Aesthetically the video is awesome Y2K and bbno$ both really bring out nerdy white guy look whence rapping in a make-believe kids environment. The puppets appearing in the video stole the show because who doesn't want to see puppets rapping about Canada being cold and having Gucci on your body. It’s absolutely the perfect music video for a ride along with James Corden.
Lalala is almost reaching 2 million views on Youtube and counting. The targeted audience dig the tune; they get “Charlie and the Chocolate factory vibes” from listening to this video and that’s the greatest thing I’ve read in the comment section from this video. Even though the hilarious antics portrayed before us are amusing to watch they have something here. Y2K is creating dialogue among their fans that keeps them tuned in and him in the spotlight in some fashion. Lalala is out now and dare I say it’s a good song with a weird video.