The Musies’ 2016 Camp Bisco Playlist

From Thursday, July 14th through Saturday, the 16th The Musies will be back on Montage Mountain to immerse ourselves in the incredible blend of electronic artists and jam bands that The Disco Biscuits have curated for this year’s festivities. You better believe we’re excited to return to this year’s edition of Camp Bisco.

We want to help get you all a little extra pumped for music thats about to be dropped during this weekend of inevitable madness, so we’ve complied a 50 track playlist for your listening pleasure. It doesn’t mater if you’re on your way to set up camp or on your way to work in the days leading up to the festival (one week now). Throw this on and enjoy!

Happy Bisco!

If you haven’t got your tickets yet, you can grab some last minute here. Friday & Saturday festival passes are available for those of you hesitant to camp on the mountain. (Yes, there are rattlesnakes. But we’re totally willing to take that risk).

Photos snapped by SilkyShots.

[Review] Bassnectar Delivers Once Again on 12th Album ‘Unlimited’

If you’ve seen Lorin Ashton, known more commonly by Bassnectar play live, you’ve felt the soul cleansing experience his sets give listeners. Fans float back down to their own realities feeling a little lighter for weeks after music has ended. It’s the defining feature that makes Bassnectar fans some of the most dedicated in the electronic music scene. So when new music is released, rest assured there’s going to be a massive reaction from fans.

What some complaining fans might not realize is that Ashton has put out full length albums almost every year since 2001. On top of constant touring and a shocking number of thirty-three singles and EPs. Not to mention sixteen remixes. Can’t forget about his five music videos, either. Basically, this guy gets shit done.

Ashton is just as dedicated to bringing us new music as we are to listening. But with such little time to find inspiration, produce and perfect…every album isn’t going to be flawless.

Bassnectar fans hold high expectations and an all consuming eagerness to be at every show getting down for hours on end, feeling heavy bass ‘play with our nervous systems’. But Unlimited is not an album that is going to give us the face melting bass some fans are forever searching for.

Unlimited has got it’s heavier moments, sure. But this album is more focused on exploring the journey, transformation and connection a nectar set brings. It’s a celebration of what Bassnectar’s music has been giving fans for years. Quite literally. Because a lot of the tracks pull inspiration from music already heard in Ashton’s arsenal.

For example, when listening to the intro to the album, “Reaching Out”, I recalled its similarity to the ‘blipy intro’ that was played for us at Camp Bisco ’15.

“Mind Tricks”, featuring the up and coming bass music extraordinaire G Jones is reminiscent of “Bass Head”, with a new twist and lyrics that remind us our minds are more powerful than we realize. Lorin also decided to give us ‘Zodgilla”, a fan favorite that was actually set to be released on Into The Sun. Which is why you probably recall hearing it played from a show on last summer’s festival track. “Unlimited Combinations” also features sounds off older tracks “Replenish”, “Ping Pong” and “Flashback”.

Will this be the most loved album Bassnectar has ever put out? No. Probably not. But, like all Bassnectar albums its focus is on something positive. Human connection and transformation. I’m going to predict that regardless of some complaints, fans will continue to come from miles around to experience the physical and emotional journey of a Bassnectar set.

Sexiest song: Bassnectar & The Glitch Mob – Paracosm

My personal favorite on the album. This song has everything a nectar fan could want out of a slow jam. A sultry intro that morphs into progressive, interesting synths and tantalizing melodies. It reminds me a lot of “One Thing” off Into The Sun. The new cuddle puddle anthem.

Biggest Question Mark: In the Beginning [2016 Version]

This song sounds like aliens hatching on some planet three or four solar systems away. The sounds are haunting. The deep, almost growling voices give listeners instant goosebumps. Definitely a little creepy. Definitely excited to see how this will be mixed into his sets to create something truly out of this world.

Favorite uptempo song: TKO ft. Rye Rye & Zion I

This song gets the favorite pick out of the heavier, uptempo songs because its message of embracing your inner weirdo and never letting hatred phase you. Not to mention the drop is absolute madness. It will make you feel like you’re strapped into a spaceship, zooming at record breaking speed on a highway somewhere in the cosmos. Expect excessive head banging from rail riders when this track drops.

Track most unlike previous releases: Crywolf – Rising, Rising [Bassnectar Remix]

This is really a side of Bassnectar we’ve never seen. He’s got his slower songs with instrumentals and vocals. However this song feels purely melancholy. Around 2:20, you might expect one of those long awaited, massive Bassnectar drops to swoop in and pick things back up. But no. He holds true to the original track. The result is something a little different, but dreamy and beautiful nonetheless.

The Need To Know: Alternative Folk Musician Marika Hackman

Lets pause for a minute to appreciate an artist who doesn’t get nearly enough of the recognition she deserves, Marika Hackman.

Hackman is a Dirty Hit label singer/songwriter from Hampshire, England, who creates ominous, alternative folk music. She’s completely uninhibited and unafraid to be raw, deep, and twisted. Hackman’s fourth and latest release, “We Slept At Last”, will lead you on a journey through your own personal darkness. It’ll also serve as a reminder that exploring and accepting your dual-nature, the good and the bad, is a necessary part of being human.

Hackman achieves her sound by combining almost deliberately expressionless vocals with haunting lyrics. Her words are packed with anatomical imagery and accompanied by stripped, skeletal production. Together, the result is beautiful, minimalistic and uniquely hers. Nothing is over-done or over-processed. British producer Charlie Andrew, who is also known for creating alongside artists Alt-J, makes sure of that.

“Ophelia” is directly inspired from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and parallels the tragic story of his deranged wife. The lyrics to “Ophelia” are deceiving at first. What sounds like a poetic, witty ballad purely in dedication to nature is actually speaking of consequences, seeking isolation as a form of self-protection and suffering to the point of madness. The low tones of Hackman’s vocals and the slow, steady beat of the drums make the track incredibly dreary, but somehow comforting still.

“Skin” is yet another example of Hackman’s unmatched talent as a lyricist. This song features a duet between herself and the alternative English artist, Sivu. This track in particular is very special, because it was recorded in Hackman’s bedroom; it features organic noises from the most intimate place the artist knows. “Skin” calls listeners to picture an infatuation so deep that it pushes you to not only crave your lover’s skin, but also wish to possess it. In “Skin” the idea of love transcends reason, clouds judgment, and ultimately becomes sinister. And the song still somehow manages sounding soothing and lovely, almost like a lullaby.

Hackman totally embodies the mindfulness and substance a lot of modern day media lacks. I highly recommended for rainy days, or any day some soul-searching is needed.