This might be one of the more interesting Grammys yet. With the embrace of EDM and the dominance of such artists as Adele and Bon Iver, there seems to be a shakeup in the works for the music industry’s largest night. Honestly 2012 will go much like 2011 with traditional artists being favorited over more pop acts. Obviously Adele is going to be the big winner here, while acts like Bruno Mars and Bon Iver have a great shot. Skrillex is most likely going to go home empty handed while Lady Gaga will continue to be shut out.

Honestly, I’m more interested in next years Grammys as I feel like there is a huge shakeup in the music industry coming. The dominance of large pop acts seems to be fading in favor of those who would be considered “indie” only a few years ago. Very interesting indeed.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
21- Adele
Wasting Light- Foo Fighters
Born This Way- Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars
Loud – Rihanna

If Adele doesn’t win this, there will be riots in the streets. Not only is she the biggest pop star of 2012, but her music is right up the alley of what the Recording Academy likes. The only upset I see here is Bruno Mars coming close with Doo-Wops. WINNER: Adele.

BEST NEW ARTIST:
The Band Perry
Bon Iver
J.Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Wait, Nicki Minaj is a “new artist?” Enough of that. This is a two way race between Skrillex and Bon Iver in my opinion. Honestly, they have been pushing Skrillex hard over the past few months, but again, Bon Iver appeals more to the Grammy voter’s sensibilites. Look for The Band Perry as an upset. WINNER: Bon Iver or The Band Perry.

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“All of the Lights”
“The Cave”
“Grenade”
“Holocene”
“Rolling in the Deep”

Don’t expect Kanye’s “All of the Lights” to win here. I forsee a two way tie between “Grenade” and “Rolling In The Deep.” WINNER: Bruno Mars.

RECORD OF THE YEAR:
Rolling in the Deep – Adele
Holocene – Bon Iver
Grenade – Bruno Mars
The Cave – Mumford & Sons
Firework – Katy Perry

Just like Song and Record of the Year are repetitive categories, I see this again being a two way tie between Adele and Bruno Mars, with Adele winning. WINNER: Adele

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM:
21 -Adele
The Lady Killer – Cee Lo Green
Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars
Loud- Rihanna

Again, Adele will most likely take this one with Lady Gaga a close second. Gaga again will get shut out this time around, leading to negative tweets and boycotts from her “Monsters.” But Adele made a better album, nuff said. WINNER: Adele

BEST ROCK ALBUM:
Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul – Jeff Beck
Wasting Light – Foo Fighters
Come Around Sundown – Kings of Leon
I’m With You – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
The Whole Love – Wilco

Such a random category this year, which obviously signals rock’s decline in the mainstream. Unfortunately, Jeff Beck is the favorite here, but I really hope that Foo Fighters or Wilco can make an upset. WINNER: Jeff Beck.

BEST RAP ALBUM
Watch The Throne – Jay-Z and Kanye West
Tha Carter IV – Lil Wayne
Lasers – Lupe Fiasco
Pink Friday – Nicki Minaj
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West

My only question…if Kanye West wins over himself will he storm the stage? If Throne wins over MBDTF will he declare the latter the “best album of all time?” Personally, I wish that Fantasy will take this after getting snubbed in the Best Album category, but I have a feeling that Lupe Fiasco will come out the victor in this one. Kanye and Wayne prove too controversial and Nicki is slightly to pop to take this category. WINNER: Lupe Fiasco.

BEST R&B ALBUM
F.A.M.E. – Chris Brown
Second Chance – El DeBarge
Love Letter – R. Kelly
Pieces of Me – Ledisi
Kelly – Kelly Price

This might actually be the most interesting category of them all. Since the Grammys have gutted all of the R&B categories you now have a mishmash of pop, traditional, and alternative categories in one mixed bag (no release really stands out here). The result? I see this as being a tie between Chris Brown and El DeBarge. Brown has the name recognition (but baggage) and DeBarge is a Grammy voter favorite. WINNER: Too Close To Call.

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONICA ALBUM

Cut/Copy – Zonoscope
Deadmau5 – 4×4=12
David Guetta – Nothing But The Beat
Robyn – Body Talk, Pt. 3
Skrillex – Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites

You have to appreciate the industry’s new found appreciation of EDM (or at least the money it makes). For a group claiming to be out of touch, this is a rather progressive and inclusive list of artists that have made a dent of the US Electronic music scene. (I know DJs will disagree with that statement). Honestly, I don’t think Skrillex is a runaway winner here. David Guetta is definitely more popular and familiar with Grammy voters, and Swedish House Mafia has made a stake in the US Market. WINNER: David Guetta.

Thanks to the fine people at Zinio, we’re giving away a digital copy of the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards Program Book! For the first time the program guide (at first only available to Grammy attendees and members of the Academy). The digital copy is over 200 pages long and can be viewed on your computer, iPad, Android and other devices.

In addition, we’re giving away 1 copy of your favorite music magazine. You can choose from such mags as Vibe, Spin, Rolling Stone and more!

Enter below:

Last year I got the opportunity to cover the MTVu Woodie Awards. Not going to lie, it was really amazing. As someone who deals with emerging music, I’m always happy to see an international platform Having the opportunity to chop it up with Skrillex (before he was Skrillex). And with the shift now to EDM, it seems the awards are taking an even larger scope, with a full day of programming before the show taping.

The nominees, include Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, The Black Keys, Lana Del Rey, A$AP Rocky, Wallpaper, Kendrick Lamar,  Tune-Yards, and more. Basically every artist that has gotten love on the blogs for the past year. The ceremony goes down March 15th in Austin.

Woodie of the Year (Artist of the Year)

The Black Keys (Nonesuch Records / Warner Bros Records)
Foster the People (Columbia Records)
Frank Ocean (Island Def Jam)
Mac Miller (Rostrum Records)
Skrillex (Atlantic Records / Big Beat Records)
J Cole (Columbia Records)

The Breaking Woodie (Best Emerging Artist)

Porter Robinson (OWSLA)
Electric Guest (Downtown Records)
Lana Del Rey (Interscope Records)
Childish Gambino (Glassnote Records)
fun. (Fueled by Ramen / Atlantic Records)
Walk the Moon (RCA Records)
Cults (Columbia Records)
Tune-Yards (4AD)
A$AP Rocky (RCA Records)
Iggy Azalea (Interscope Records)
Azealia Banks (Universal Music)
The Weeknd (Self Released)
Fake Problems (SideOneDummy Records)
Cloud Nothings (Carpark Records)
Charli XCX (Atlantic Records UK)
Wallpaper (Epic Records)
Sleeper Agent (Mom + Pop Music)
Machine Gun Kelly (Interscope Records)
Kendrick Lamar (Interscope Records)
Meek Mill (Maybach Music Group / Warner Bros Records)
Future (Epic Records)
T. Mills (Columbia Records)

 Best Video Woodie (Best Video of the Year) 

Duck Sauce “Big Bad Wolf” (Big Beat / Fool’s Gold)
Major Lazer “Original Don” (Interscope Records)
Battles “My Machine” (Warp)
M83 “Midnight City” (Mute)
Best Coast “Our Deal” (Mexican Summer)
Gotye “Somebody That I Used to Know” (Universal Records)

 Performing Woodie (Best Live Act) 

Mac Miller (Rostrum Records)
The Throne (Island Def Jam)
Alabama Shakes (ATO Records)
The Black Keys (Warner Bros Records / Nonesuch Records)
Swedish House Mafia (Astralwerks Records)
Skrillex (Big Beat Records / Atlantic Records)

 EDM Effect Woodie (For Bringing EDM to a new fan-base)

Avicii for “Good Feeling” (Flo Rida) – (Interscope Records / Atlantic
Records)
Benny Benassi for “Beautiful People” (Chris Brown feat Benny Benassi) –
(Ultra Records/ RCA Records)
Calvin Harris for “We Found Love” (Rihanna feat Calvin Harris) – (Ultra
Records / Island Def Jam)
Flux Pavilion for “Who Gon Stop Me” (The Throne) – (Circus / Island Def Jam)
Martin Solveig for “Ready 2 Go” (Martin Solveig featuring Kele) – (Big Beat
Records / Atlantic Records)
Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke for “Turbulence” (Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke
featuring Lil Jon) – (Ultra Records)

College Radio Woodie – (Best Campus Radio Station) 

If Washington, DC is going to be a next wave indie powerhouse, it is absolutely necessary that Sockets Records be a dominant label. If an attendee at Saturday night’s Sockets Records showcase, there was significant sonic evidence to prove that the label’s acts  may quickly be making this the case. A nearly filled to capacity Black Cat approved of the performances of local bands Protect-U, Imperial China, Buildings and Cigarette. But a mere inkling of the talent released from DC resident Sean Peoples’ imprint, it was sound and fury that signified a desire for a whole lot more.

Headliners were live electronic duo Protect-U. 2011 single “Double Rainbow” is a sneaky surprise, funky, atmospheric techno that doesn’t break a sweat, but explores the recesses of the mind. The duo doesn’t record on the label, but both members,  Aaron Leitko and Mike Petillo have released individual projects with Sockets, so the connection makes sense. The heaviest hitters of the night? Quite literally the local trio Buildings, whose sound is best described by rock scribes as math rock. Unaware of what that means? Imagine an all-instrumental groove that alternates between exploratory and persistent melodies and is sometimes led by the pocket drumming of David Rjich. The latter is quite impressive, analogous to a man drilling you into blissful awe with a jackhammer.

Imperial China? The local darlings with the most anticipated set of the night, their latest album How We Connect a brighter and heavier take on the garage rock style defining so much of the post-punk movement. Latest single “Limbs” in the live element really stands out, each breakdown more impressive than before. Openers Cigarette? A whisper to a whisper, a nine-piece orchestral rock outfit that, as bunches of flowers adorned microphone stands, peaceably meandered through a delightfully ambient opening set.

For more information on Sockets Records, visit SocketsRecords.com.

I believe that new is boring and that history is inspirational. These opinions are not necessarily the views of the Couch Sessions. “Marcus Dowling appreciates…” celebrates the memories that define the future. Enjoy.

Hip hop loves a golden god. However, as time has worn on in this history of the genre, the ability of heavily bejewled emcees to entertain through stories has paled in comparison to their out-sized presentations. While rappers like Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame and Soulja Boy have achieved significant mainstream acclaim, their lyrical dexterity has often been doubted. However, in blending a (literally) golden presentation with extreme displays of lyrical style, Slick Rick, as he was then, and as he always will be, the bling bling ruler of ribald rap entertainment, and deserving of our appreciation.

Click here to view the embedded video.

London bred and New York raised, Ricky Walters seemingly was always destined to be Slick Rick, aka Rick the Ruler. A childhood accident involving a shard of glass being lodged in his eyeball added more unique appeal, as a crafty storyteller draped in jewels, satin, fur and a diamond-encrusted eye patch he was made for hip hop’s first mainstream push. Also ready for the push was his style. Neighborhood tales of excess were commonplace in the game. Top rappers like Kurtis Blow paved the way for Def Jam artists like LL Cool J, The Fat Boys, the Beastie Boys and Run DMC to gain crossover appeal by being performers with whom pop crowds could easily relate. Slick Rick? Somewhere in his heavily accented British tone and X-rated stories like pre-Def Jam collaboration with Doug E. Fresh on “La-Di-Da-Di,” he added an ersatz aspirational standard to common existences that separated him from all contenders.

Click here to view the embedded video.

1988′s The Great Adventures of Slick Rick is a legendary album. Producer Hank Shocklee added eminently dance ready sounds to Ricky’s absurd everyman tales and created an instantaneous superstar. Grooving banger “Children’s Story” was the highlight, the tale of a misguided child stick-up artist so lyrically vivid with a sing song cadence that the words immediately attach to the lister’s psyche. Filled with such heavyweight moments as “Teenage Love, hopeful ode to youth worldwide “Hey Young World,” plus the deplorably filthy yet entirely catchy “Indian Girl,” Great Adventures… is an all out pleasure assault on the brain’s frontal lobe.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If not an obsequious fan of hip hop, Slick Rick is a one-album wonder. A 1990 shooting placed the emcee behind bars until 1996, a period in which Rick’s style became a surefire route to hip hop credibility. Whether Snoop Dogg covering “La Di Da Di” on 1993 debut album Doggystyle, Def Jam signee Montell Jordan riding a “Children’s Story” sample to the top on 1995′s “This Is How We Do It,” or a plethora of other examples, his pop excellence was undeniable. 1998′s “Da Art of Storytellin’” from Outkast’s Aquemini release? Likely Rick’s best moment. Restoring his legend with trademark ease, when placed alongside top griots of a new era, MC Ricky D proves a timeless member of hip hop’s enduring legacy.

It’s important for today’s rappers to remember that wearing gold chains and sitting at the top of the game is a demanding task. Slick Rick wore the gaudiest of medals but responded with the most ostentatious of flows. Letting the jewels of success weigh down one’s style? A lazy reminder of the many inherent flaws of hip hop’s latest era of pop domination. Regarding this future, only one ponderous open-ended statement applies. “Hey young world…the world is yours…”

Lia Ices is an artist that I completely fell in love with last year. I remember seeing her at Joe’s Pub and being enthralled in her voice. Thankfully, she’s coming back in 2012, however her label, Jagjaguwar decided to drop a video for a track from her last album, Grown Unknown. “Little Marriage” is a gem that you must hear live. Check it. (via TMC)

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Music made with love. Honoring the spirit of the great musician, J Dilla. Listen with your heart. Enjoy all you hear!”

If you are a fan of the Couch Sessions then you know that Florida’s Brandon* is one of my favorite producers. The dude is responsible for some of the best beats you will hear this side of the Atlantic. His Anime Buffet EP drops in March, but he decided to give us a preview of what’s in store with this special sneak peak. Check it.

Tracklisting

1. Anime Buffet
2. Eye of Tomorrow
3. Gummi Bear Scare
4. Made In China
5. Julia In June
6. Peculiar Places
7. Tokyo Streets: 7:22 p.m.

Since the culture of music has changed, would Apparatjik be considered a supergroup? It does contain Guy Berryman from Coldplay, guitarist/keyboardist Magne Furuholmen from A-ha, singer/guitarist Jonas Bjerre of Mew.

Anyway, the group has been around since 2008, but it’s their collabo with Pharrell that has caught my ear. Unlike some Skateboard P collabos, this one actually compliments his vocal stylings to a tee. Check it.

Download: Jonti – Shine and Moon

We’ve been following rising Stone’s Throw artist Jonti for a while now. The South African/Australian signee has been making some rather amazing atmospheric music of late, and this free album is just a collection of some tracks he made before his debut Twirligig. I’m loving what I’m hearing here, but my favorite is the rework of Nightshift in Blue. Check it. (via Dipped)

01. Saturday Night Songs
02. Red On Green
03. Confused Birds
04. Nagoya Train Station 3AM
05. Nightshift in Blue (Alternate Version)
06. Koi Moon’s Daughter Pt II
07. By This Shore
08. Flesh Of Morning
09. Lost Machines
10. Young Wildebeest
11. Nagoya Interlude
12. Moon Goddess
13. Sugar High
14. Lovers Stone (Alternate Passaros)
15. Vendas Newly Won Dream (Bonus Track)

It seems like the trend of using those bright 80′s synth sounds in electronic music is in full swing and Photek picks some “totally rad” (sorry, had to) synth-heavy tracks to go on this compilation but mixes them in with some great dance tracks as well; the trance-like “Say Something” being one of them.

The sexy Hot Toddy track (featuring Ron Basejam) “I Need Love” is a great example of that 80′s type of feel.  The track has a driving deep bass beat but adds oodles of synth waves and runs which I thought was reminiscent of something from Daft Punk’s efforts on the “Tron Legacy” soundtrack.  That great sound continues into most of the next track which is a mix of DLX‘s “Modern Man.”  DJG’s “Bare” has a similar style to it as well and is appropriately titled due to its minimalistic opening, but then builds into a stunningly beautiful track using lots of those synth runs and that deep bass accompaniment which is a central theme throughout the compilation.

I loved the other track on the compilation from DJG, ”Here Come the Dark Lights” which had more of those beautiful synth waves but was a more of a trippy, uptempo track and had a great and almost underlying deep bass melody.

There is a certain bit of dark intensity to this compilation, which I believe matches Photek’s bass heavy dubstep-leaning music perfectly, evidenced by his own glitchy and bass heavy “Azymuth.”  Overall there are a number of different styles of music represented on this DJ-Kicks compilation and he makes it work tremendously and puts it together in a very accessible package.

-Chris

Tracklisting (by Artist & Title)-

1. Photek- Azymuth
2. Kromestar- In 2 Minds
3. Hot Toddy feat. Ron Basejam- I Need Love (Morgan Geist’s Love Dub)
4. DLX- Modern Man
5. DJG- Here Come The Dark Lights
6. Dustmite & Kuru- Bare
7. Photek & Pinch- M25FM
8. Photek- No Agenda
9. Baby Ford + Eon- Dead Eye (Original Version)
10. Marco- Effe Sexgas (Arnaud Le Texier Remix)
11. DJG- Say Something
12. Guy J & Miriam Vaga- No Under But You
13. Daze Maxim- Tomorrow Universe
14. Sepalcure- Taking You Back
15. Photek- Levitation
16. Photek & Kuru- Fountainhead (DJ-Kicks)
17. Synkro- Look At Yourself
18. Photek- 101 (Boddika’s Drum Machine Remix)
19. Parxe & Grincheux- The Art Of Nothing pt. 1

I remember hanging out with Sonnymoon two years ago. Then, they were ambitious college students who had suddenly stumbled into Internet fame with their rendition of Drake’s Houstonlantavegas. Fast-forward to the present, and it looks like the group is ready to take on the world. With a tour set for the spring and a new album in May via Plug Research. Their track “Just Before Dawn,” was just released today and it’s a banger. But I’m enjoying the re-work by Miguel Atwood Ferguson even more. Check it.

Selector of all fine things in music, Giles Peterson has gone from world-renowned DJ on BBC’s Radio One to owner of a world-renowned record label Brownswood Recordings.  He has carefully made the transition from spinning hand-selected tunes of vastly different genres to personally releasing records from an eclectic group of musicians from around the world – including Will Ozanne, better known as Gang Colours.

This UK producer is set to release his debut album “Keychains” this February, and leads off the project with the first single “Fancy Restaurant”.  Stateside the single might best fit in with a “post-808 heartbreak” generation of R&B artists such as Frank Ocean or The Weekend, but overseas you might consider it Garage gone R&B.  Either way the soulful down-tempo beat is inviting, and after my first listen “Keychains” immediately went on repeat.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thin on lyrics, Gang Colours chooses to let his production work speak for most of “Fancy Restaurant”, using a perfect blend of piano and synth bass to carry the melody.  The visuals work perfect for the track despite its contrasting look with most videos of today.  With everyone clamoring over affordable super HD Cannon cameras, Gang Colours ditches the latest in video technology and goes with an old school super 8 film feel.  Collections of clips of Europe’s countryside complete with castles atop mountains make the perfect backdrop for this soundtrack.  I’m already planning to add this to an iPod playlist for my next road trip that takes me a bit off the beaten path as you should too.

Check the video for Gang Colour’s “Fancy Restaurant” and keep an eye out for his debut album “Keychains” dropping February 27^th.