YUPPYCULT X BILLY WONKA - CANDY (FEAT. CHANDLER LEIGHTON)

This cover of Mandy Moore’s classic breakout hit “Candy” from new producers Yuppycult and Billy Wonka featuring Chandler Leighton is a brilliant contemporary reimagining of the 1999 hit. There isn't much online about these two producer projects, especially Billy Wonka. Yuppycult has two original singles on Spotify, as well as a remix of Prince Fox's massive single with Bella Thorne, "Just Call."

I don’t have much to say about this new track other than that it is 100% pure (adulterated) flames. I love everything about it: Chandler's velvety sensual vocals, the post-industrial sounding electronic elements, the deep impactful bass and top-notch sound design, all of it. While I jam the fuck out to this, I'll be sincerely hoping for more from these talented artists in the near future.

SHAUN FRANK - ADDICTED (FT. VIOLET DAYS)

Thank god it's Friday! Another week put to rest, and another Friday afternoon blowing up with fresh new jams! Oh release day, how I love thee! Top of my list today is this new track from our boy Shaun Frank! How have we never done a show with this dreamy legend? I'm working on changing that real quick - you might be seeing his name on a BB show poster real soon! Haha! I digress ... holy mac! "Addicted (Ft. Violet Days)" is bananas good! Shaun has a fantastic way of combining those luscious bouncy pop beats with sexy dance floor feels, and the vocals from Violet Days are on point! I know this one will light up the club and cause everyone to make out with each other! Wait and see ....  I'm 100% addicted to to Shaun Frank! Grab that download HERE!   

FEATURE: LAYNE

Recently I got to talk with the rising artist LAYNE before her set in Denver, who is a producer/singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist...aka a bad ass. Not only is she extremely talented but also a sweetheart who was easy to talk to and fun to be around. In her performance she engaged the audience with her dynamic stage presence and her ability to shred on the guitar and the mic, to ensure it was a night no one would forget. With her sound that to me is somewhere between Hayley Williams and Echosmith, what's not to like? After hearing her new EP, and especially the track "I Want More", I was instantly hooked, and now listening to LAYNE's music has become a daily routine.

Check out our interview below where we talk about how she got into music, her creative process, being a woman in the industry and more. 

First off share with us how you got into music. How did growing up in the black hills of South Dakota influence your music? 

I played instruments my whole life, partially because my dad and brother were also into music. There were always instruments around the house so I would just pick one up and start learning it. I started writing songs in the 3rd grade then in the 5th grade I wanted to do more. So I got into band and orchestra, and was in a punk band from 6-8th grade. Singing kind of came last. There was never a moment when I was all of a sudden like I want to be a musician, I just always was into music and so i pursued it. 

As far as South Dakota, It influenced my music a lot. It is so much a part of the things I like and what I write and is very much a part of my aesthetic. My drummer and I actually bonded over our like for forests, because he’s from Portland. I grew up outside a lot, snow boarding with my friends, and spending time out in the middle of no where with my music on and I miss that a lot. 

Whats the story behind the braid?

I started doing it a while ago and over time more and more people started recognizing me for it. So it’s just become a thing. Some days I hate my hair and I want to change it, but its a good thing to have something recognizable for the brand. I didn’t mean for it to happen and I don’t like change a lot so I would just keep braiding my hair and now I can't change it haha. 

What made you want to move out to LA and how has that been so far?

I actually graduated high school early in South Dakota so I could go straight to LA, because it was something I always wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be in music and so I graduated and bounced. I like LA for the scene but I don’t necessarily like living in LA. I mean I have great friends, a sick team, and lots of people there, but I want to live in a forest. If I was going to move anywhere though it would probably be Seattle or maybe Toronto or New York because I like big cities, but I do love nature and the outdoors. 

So you recently toured with K. Flay. How was that and what did you come away with from that tour? Was that your first major road tour? 

I was a fan of hers forever, I fucking love her. When I got the tour I was like “Alright Layne you gotta be on your A game”. But once we got to hang out I realized that she’s one of the coolest people ever. She kind of treats me like an older sister. It was overall a really fun experience, went really smooth and the crew was super awesome. It wasn’t my first road tour, I had done 1 or 2 before but they were smaller, and DIY style.  

Your new EP “Wednesday” came out at the end of last month and has been doing really well,  How was creating and recording this EP?

The EP all together was easier than normal. We made like 15-20 demos and ideas, then widdled it down to the best songs, which originally was 6, but then we decided on 4. The guy I make all my records with, Devin, is also my best friend, so we sat in the room and just made the whole record together.  It was easy and fun. I feel like we finally set what we should sound like and where we should be going and that has taken a really long time to figure that out. So it was different that I was really excited to put this out, because in the past I have been more anxious about it. 

The Fog seems to be the most popular track on the EP, sitting right over 1 million plays on Spotify. What is the meaning behind the track? 

‘Omg’ was actually supposed to be the lead single we we’re pushing, but I kind of always knew the fog would stick out. Its about being in LA. Especially growing up in North Dakota and then moving to LA, you see the people that are purely just latter climbers. The people who will do whatever they need to do to be famous, and none of it is wholesome. There is no realness to them at all. They just climb the latter, they know how to do social media, they know the people to hang out with, you know what I mean? Its bullshit. Its also about the times where A&R’s or different people in the industry have told me shitty things like I need to wear tighter clothes or be sexier…what’s that supposed to do with anything? So overall its just about the shallowness that is going on in music. There is so much realness in music too...but there will always be that sliver of people. 

When you sit down to write a song, what does your creative process look like? Where do you like to keep your writing? 

I start with production, since I grew up playing a lot of instruments. I will throw on a drum loop in Pro Tools and then usually work on chords, unless i’m writing a sad song. Then I will just sit down with my guitar and play. Everything on my tracks minus the drums sometimes, I play. I will produce out an entire idea and then I will take it to Devin and then we will go through what I’ve done and clean it up. I am very into production, everything that happens goes through me. I would never walk away from a song and say do whatever you want. I am very hands-on with all of my music. 

As far as lyrics go sometimes I write them in 30 minutes where i’m crying and writing. Those are usually the best ones too, the ones where I need to write. I don’t even realize what i’m saying but i'll listen to it and be like wow thats dope, I didn’t even realize I said that. But there are times when I produce the beat first and then I need the top line and thats usually harder to write. And I actually don’t write anything down. I will remember it or I will use voice notes.  

Do you feel like being a female in a heavily male dominated music industry makes anything easier/harder for you? 

It sometimes makes things easier surprisingly, but it can make things harder too because people don’t always respect you. Since I grew up playing instruments and in music i’ve been through a lot. For example when I am going to play a show and the sound guys see I play guitar they will think I am just a rhythm guitarist and so I will have to tell them, I will be playing the leads so they need to turn me up. Because they don’t usually expect the girl to be the lead. Also, when I talk in certain production lingo, you’ll have guys be like ohh she thinks she knows what she’s talking about and i'll just be like yeah I do. I have to battle that, but its fun sometimes. I get to be like just because you're a dude doesn’t make you smart.

Through your musical journey what has been the most exciting part? And what are your biggest career goals? 

The team of people I have around me is the best part. Its so rad because a lot of the people at the level I’m at don’t have that kind of support. I have people that have spent all of their own money and given me all their time to do this. I have a fucking team, that is basically family and a lot of people envy that. As far as goals I want to be able to leave something that’s different. That bands some day will say I want to sound like Layne. Thats how you know you did something different. I just want to keep doing what i’m doing and grow more and increase my production and just keep going bigger. For my ideal live performance, it would still be a 4 piece band but I would change how the room is set up. I want you to walk into an environment, where there are lights all over the room, in the very back and sides, not just on stage. 

Lastly since we’re a music blog we have to ask, what are your top 5 favorite records/artists right now?

Charli XCX , Now, Now, Saint Vincent, Daughter, Hazel English

LUX.IMPALA - TROMBONE

Well well .... looks like we're getting our first listen to new music from Lux.impala in over a year. We've always loved the big bass feels this amazing bass producer hands us ... and while Lux.impala's identity remains a mystery - we're 100% coming along for the ride. This sexy new track "Trombone" is siiiick .... all the feels! You can swoop a free download HERE! 

LANE 8 - NO CAPTAIN FT. POLICA

Watching this prolific deep house producer grow over the past few years from opening DJ sets on BB shows to selling out big rooms in every city, Lane 8 is about to crush 2018. Little By Little album and tour are going to be at the top of everyone's "Must Have" list! The album drops January 19, and his US/UK/AUS tour starts January 25. "No Captain ft. Polica" is the first single and it's oh so dreamy! The vibes here are legit - and I am so excited for all this new new! You guys can pre-order the album and check full tour dates HERE!

STELOUSE - BONES FT. TILIAN (FLAPO REMIX)

Those of you who follow us here at Beautiful Buzzz, know that we love us some STéLOUSE. So when this groovy Flapo remix rolled through for 'Bones' (ft. Tilian) we couldn't resist. The Colombian-born, Miami-based musician, Flapo, has been hitting 2017 hard from his remixes for Opia, SAINT WKND, and SIA which recieved over half a million plays, to Pham's banging remix of his track 'Dear Neighbor', which recieved over 10,000,000 streams. With so many successful releases he has been gaining more and more attention for his unique sound which combines bright synths and bouncy melodies that consistently make for beautiful and uplifting tracks. His remix of 'Bones' is no exception. From the beginning he draws you in with minimal percussion and synths that introduce you to Tilian's effortless voice which perfectly guides you throughout the track. Then the drop hits and delivers on all the vibes we have come to expect from the brilliant producer. Check out the song above to experience the magic for yourself and enjoy! 

BRASSTRACKS - FOR THOSE WHO KNOW PT. I

Seriously tho - Brasstracks are untouchable.  It's not very often that we cover EP's - we like to focus on one track at a time .... but this new EP from our dynamic duo loves is just so fucking good .... I just can't not NOT talk abut the whole damn thing! For Those Who Know Pt. I is sonic heaven. Mixing Funk, Jazz, Hip-hop, Dance, Electronic, R&B, Future, Pop, and all the other rad feels you can think of - this EP is pure fire! We keep blasting it in the office/club here at Mezzanine, and I'm working hard on getting them on their first Beautiful Buzzz show! The two tracks I chose to feature are "Improve #1 (Intro) ft. The Underachievers & Robert Glasper" and "Opposite Ways ft. Fatherdude & S'natra" because .... everyone needs a little of Fatherdude's sexy soulful voice in their lives, we love him!  If you like what your hearing, you need to check out the entire EP HERE! Swooning! Brasstracks will you marry me? 

Disclosure: Brasstracks is promoted by Beautiful Buzzz writer Lindsey Oh + Alli Lindsey

CAUTIOUS CLAY - JOSHUA TREE

It’s truly difficult to understate the talent of Cautious Clay, the Brooklyn based singer, songwriter and producer responsible for a recent spate of emotionally gripping tracks. Last month’s “Cold War” has turned a lot of heads for good reason, and his most recent release “Joshua Tree” will be no different. Cautious Clay brings an energy to his delivery that captures the listener and leaves you with a sense of pure emotional engagement on the part of the artist. “Joshua Tree” provides a poignant medium that exposes the balancing act we struggle with everyday between personal ambition and commitment to the ones we love.

Cautious Clay possesses a truly outstanding and diverse set of musical skills and will be a force to be reckoned with. The groundswell around him will definitely grow rapidly over the coming months. Check out the rest of his work here, you won’t be disappointed!

HAAN808 - YOUR TIME (FT. THE CITRUS CLOUDS)

Haan808, who you may know better as his old name "HaanSolo", is at it again and this time with an ethereal beauty 'Your Time' (ft. The Citrus Clouds). For those of you unfamiliar with the 2o year old New Zealand based producer, he first got into music at the young age of 6 when he was gifted a guitar. From there he built on his musical knowledge and became interested in the art of sampling and electronic music. With impressive remixes from the likes of Mr. Carmack and Abjo to getting released on Good Enuff, Mad Decent's sub-label, Haan808 proves that his production is not something to be overlooked. As if all of this wasn't enough he now graces our ears with 'Your Time', which dances out of the speakers with punchy drums and atmospheric synths.  This track is a treat that sweeps you up into its crisp minimal production and gives you space to think. If you can't get enough, be sure to keep an eye out for his upcoming EP which will have contributions from the likes of Ta-Ku.