Hailing from Oakland and now residing in Harlem, fiery rap scene female Gita recently released a new single called “Mardi Gras”, mixed at Different Fur Studios by Patrick Brown. Gita raps over beats produced by South London’s grime scene producer Darq E Freaker in this track that is nothing short of dark. The bad girl reps pink hair and a throwback ‘90s-inspired style in ominous accompanying video shot in an abandoned house in London. Above all, it’s Gita’s girl power and some very fierce female intensity in her lyrics that keep the track on replay – “Never see me running, always see me coming” might just become your new mantra.

Commentary by Katie Kopacz.

San Francisco’s own singer-songwriter 8th Grader combines R&B with synthed-out electronic sensibility on his new 8th Grader EP. The EP dropped on May 14th and was mixed by Nic Pope over at Different Fur Studios.

“Diamonds, Silver and Gold” is a track that says it all for this new album, giving a sweet taste of 8th Grader’s sultry vocals and adding a very futuristic electronic spin on classic R&B. 8th Grader was knighted Band of the Week by So-Cal radio station KX 93.5 after “Diamonds, Silver and Gold” was featured on their weekly electronic show “We Found New Music”. The track has also been featured on the Beautiful Buzz blog, and the full EP is now available for purchase via the itunes store.

Commentary by Katie Kopacz.

Chicago drill’s leading lady Sasha Go Hard recently stopped by Different Fur to do some late night, last minute work with Sean Paulson. The resulting track is “Bad Bitch on Deck”, a track as hard-hitting as it’s title. If you liked her Round 3 mixtape, which got love from major tastemakers like Pitchfork, this one is sure to please your ears. Sasha lays down her lyrics over a club banger style synth and heavy drums, creating this totally infectious new track.

Commentary by Katie Kopacz.

Join us for a Sunday funday show in the realm on underground hip-hop on May 26th at Brick and Mortar Music Hall. Headlining are Chicago’s low-profile duo Qwel & Maker, just in time for us to get to know their latest album Beautiful Raw, which dropped on May 7th. These two artists who have created noteworthy solo music in their own right, and when combined become an unstoppable force to reckon with. Qwel brings socially conscious rhymes while Maker provides a rare production style.

Also playing are San Francisco hip-hop group Rec League, and avant garde performing artist The Genie, praised for his innovative ability to live-loop and live-remix guitar. Oakland local native DJ Mr. Bean provides an opening set worth arriving early for. Get your tickets here!

Commentary by Katie Kopacz.

Four months after the release of his debut EP Explore, Southern California rocker GRMLN aka Yoodoo Park is ready to release his first full length. Empire, due to drop on June 4th via Carpark Records, was engineered in less than a week at Different Fur Studios by Patrick Brown and Sean Paulson. “Teenage Rhythm” is the first track to be released from Empire and it’s not only catchy as hell, it’s also a bit more sophisticated than Park’s EP, while still maintaining his definitive lo-fi sound. The track has already been featured by taste makers like Consequence of Sound and Filter Magazine. Park fills Empire with sunny surf rock tinged with ‘90s pop-rock, making the album the perfect soundtrack for summer.

Commentary by Katie Kopacz.

Napa-based trio The Buttercream Gang continue to infuse Afro-Caribbean beats into upbeat pop music with their latest release, “Make it Count”. Ferried by jangly surf rock guitar riffs, the beachy track is part of The Buttercream Gang’s forthcoming EP Oh Sister, which was mixed at Different Fur Studios by producer/owner Patrick Brown and his assistant Sean Paulson. The Oh Sister EP, perfectly titled to follow up the band’s last record Oh Brother, will be released via the band’s independent label Pitted Records this month. Catch The Buttercream Gang live at The New Parish on April 4th. Tickets are available through Ticketfly.

Commentary by Katie Kopacz.

New video from A Million Billion Dying Suns was released today. Journey to the center of your life Pt. II is the first video from the latest solo project of Nate Mercereau. Full album release TBD, but we have a feeling Nate will be dropping these video teasers till then, so stay tuned.

Mixed and Mastered by Patrick Brown and Sean Paulson.

The Tambo Rays release their first single and music video for 2013. “Night Feel” premiers today in The Bay Bridged. Trip out and watch a bunch of babes in the woods or just download the song here. “Night Feel” was recorded/mixed by Patrick Brown and Sean Paulson. Enjoy!

The Tambo Rays next show is Friday, Feb. 22nd @ Hemlock. For more info, go here.