GET BUZZZED 2016 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: PAT LOK

Whoop whoop we're only 10 days away from our Get Buzzzed Austin 2016 Showcase!! If you haven't RSVP'd yet what are you waiting for? RSVP HERE! In anticipation for this epic event we want you to get to know a few of our fantastic artists. Without further ado we present

THE GET BUZZZED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: PAT LOK

Q1. How old were you when you first started making music? When did it become serious?

I started piano when I was little, then I got bored of classical music and quit. Making music became more serious to me after winning this remix competition for DFA Records with my friend Cyclist, it sort of showed me that people might actually like what I wrote! 

Q2. Whether it’s a remix or an original what is the first step you take when writing a track?

Usually chords, for me songs are all about finding or writing interesting, inspiring chords. A lot of the biggest hits use the same chord progressions though so maybe that's what's holding me back from a #1!

Q3. What is one of the best moments so far in your musical journey?

Whenever you accomplish your vision for a song, that's a satisfying moment that stays with you. Externally, hearing my music get played on BBC Radio 1 - as someone who came up obsessed with the Essential Mix it's a very surreal and fulfilling feeling.

Q4. What is another BUZZZworthy artist that inspires you and why?

I'm a big fan of Jarreau Vandal, a Dutch producer with Soulection who mixes hip hop and house influences with trap, grime and even Brazilian soul. I remixed a single of his recently, Nobody Else, but the original was really so unique it was a treat to try and do it justice.

Q5. Of all of your releases, which one is your favorite and why?

My favorite is so far is the next one I'll be dropping :) But since that's not out yet... Probably this one. Surprised?

ILLENIUM - ASHES (ALBUM DOWNLOAD)

It's not a mystery that I have a total fangirl crush on this Denver based producer, I talk about Illenium all the time actually. I think everything he's done in the past few years has been nothing short from brilliant - his songs are so lush and dreamy, I can listen to his originals and remixes on repeat for days!  Today Illenium drops his debut full length album Ashes and we are gushing! With a combination of indie dance, electro pop, future beats and soulful R&B vibes, each track is a little piece of heaven. It's pretty rare that we feature an album, but this one is special and we think everyone should know about this masterpiece! I've picked a few tracks to feature here, but for a limited time you can download Ashes for free HERE! 

[FEATURE] THE FLAVR BLUE - NEW KIND OF VIBE

WRITTEN BY LACE FROM THE FLAVR BLUE

I'm all about vibes. Throughout my life, I've always felt deeply connected with music: my first memories are listening to old funk and soul vinyl; I started going to live grunge rock shows on Capitol Hill from the age of seven on, and finally picked up the drums and started playing my own music when I was twelve. Music is universal: we've all experienced space and emotion change through the literal vibrations that music makes. 

As The Flavr Blue, we tend to write from our life at the moment, off the cuff. This song came about when we were in Los Angeles, both Parker and I taking a breather from and some perspective on what was happening with us personally at the time. Our friend Sebino, who is a senior engineer at the legendary Paramount Studios on Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood, called us after a session and welcomed us to slide through late night. Walking into Paramount is like living history: countless platinum plaques on the walls, knowing that top tier artists are working in various rooms on any given night. Every song is a vibe, and this time the vibe was right. Two hours later, "New Kind of Vibe" was born with Sebino on co-production. 

So often we forget to consciously let go of the past, appreciate the current moment, and make space for what's to come. That's what "New Kind of Vibe" is all about. Hope you enjoy.

-- Lace 

[FEATURE] THE FLAVR BLUE - BITTERSWEET

WRITTEN BY PARKER FROM THE FLAVR BLUE

Human beings are survivalists. I think almost every action we take ties itself back to one of these basic functions of your desire to live and experience happiness in its many forms. A good love approaches you quickly and leaves a strong mark on your life long after it's "gone" or in my experience subsided to a manageable emotional level, a strong chapter of a book you once wrote. I think at the heart of things we're talking about connecting with another person and realizing you genuinely care about their wellbeing and happiness, and want to see them winning beside you. You start seeing double, asking for plus ones for the shows you go to, picking up your other half from work, actually using both sides of your bed (I like to be in the center of the room and not in the corner).

To quote one of my favorite Kanye West songs: "Bittersweet, you know you gon' be the death of me." At some point things might no longer make sense for both of you, and large changes happen really slowly in a deep relationship. You have days where you think you've found a lot of clarity, but you know in a few hours you will slip back into your "feels" and not be able to figure out how you arrived at that moment. This to me is the "Bittersweet" part of love. This song is the conversation you have with a lover once you've put all the cards on the table and they don't add up. Once you've realized you are repeating yourself and trying to repair a relationship that is no longer serving everyone equally, and you've managed to step out of your own survival instincts for long enough to see that. To endure your strongest pains, you must understand them. My mother always says, "Don't fight it, it just wants to be acknowledged. Let it have its moment, and then it will leave you be."

Please enjoy, "Bittersweet."

- Parker

[FEATURE] THE FLAVR BLUE - NO OTHER LOVER

WRITTEN BY HOLLIS FROM THE FLAVR BLUE

It can be tempting to be elusive as a singer and songwriter, channeling mystery, in hopes of captivating the intrigue of your listener. A step beyond, a degree removed, just out of reach. But as the saying goes, the best writing comes from when you “write what you know.” For the last five years, I've had a love in my life that has believed in me, grounded me, made me laugh, made me think, made me dance, and has proven himself in moments of crisis and action. He was present for the birth of The Flavr Blue, and his support of each of us in the band has been indispensable through our journey. And so, even though it made me blush all the way through writing it, "No Other Lover" is an unabashed ode to my boyfriend (and TFB's BFF) Jeff. The veil is lifted. The real me is revealed. All of the quirks in my voice, my earnest love note to bae. I'll admit, it still makes me blush sometimes.

I love this song beyond its truth in my life because it spotlights our band’s collective love of classic R&B and soul; it hums with vinyl textures with a clean finish, like a whisky served neat. We had Elan Wright and Brian Chinn bless the track with a guitar and bass performance that made the song sparkle, and performing this live with Parker on guitar and Lace on bass now is truly a delight.

Love Notes is all about the love and this song is the realest for me. And, we managed to sneak a Seahawks shout-out in there... ;) 

Hope you enjoy "No Other Lover." 

<3 Hollis