Music Outside of the Margins: Curtis Santiago

For me, the last perfect marriage of rap/hip-hop with rock was produced by Run DMC. But know there is a new transition of singers trying to do the same as this legendary group (off the top of my head I think of Theophilus). Just think of DMC's revolutionary song "Walk this Way." Now, combine the colorful fashion of Aerosmith and the freshness of Run DMC, and you have a little hint of Curtis Santiago.

Santiago is a colorful guy. You can catch him in leopard short shorts, colorful suspenders and red pants. But he is definitely rocking the stage with them.

Santiago hasn't blown away American mainstream with his heartfelt vocals, beautiful falsetto and indie rock style, but he is infiltrating twitter, youtube and Canada. He says, "Well, we have been playing in New York more and more these days. Our plan is to continue to release records with U.S. artists and build our online persona. And just to keep hitting the NYC till I can be there working full-time."[One artist he's worked with is Mickey Factz]

His latest mixtape dropped in April 2009. It was produced by SkullKrushers and presented by the ultimate masher DJ Mick Boogie. Have Mercy! will make you say "Have Mercy" like Full House's Uncle Jesse. Santiago covered popular rock, alternative and hip-hop songs, but successfully made them his own.

Out of the 14 songs on his mixtape, there are three originals, including "Annabel" which his manager JO Segarra has been promoting on Twitter. But the collection of songs is hard to imagine "why did he choose these?" Don't you worry about that answer. He says, "The selection process was kind of easy. We are always obsessed with some band or song at any point of time. So between Mike and I, we just chose what we're geeking out on at that time."

Mike is his bandmate and producer Mikey Mike. These two produced covers of T.I.'s "Whatever You Like," King of Leon's "Sex on Fire," and Santogold's "L.E.S. Artistes." The songs will leave you with a great impression of his music, but what stuck out to me was his playfulness and the inclusion of Uncle Jesse and Michelle's voices from Full House. "The idea to use a pop art style image of Uncle Jesse and having his catch phrase be the title of the mixtape," says Santiago. "I felt it was only fitting that there be samples of the legendary phrase and during our search we found clips of Michelle saying it. I mean to get the Olson twins' voices as kids on the tape, Warhol was smiling I’m sure."

My favorites are definitely "Whatever You Like," "Human," and "Sex on Fire." Check him out and see what you think. You can find him on twitter at twitter.com/curtissantiago. And you can download his mixtape for free at http://www.curtissantiago.com/


Here's a sneak peek:

Song of the Day: "Sweet Disposition"

I first heard this song in (500) Days of Summer. I thought it was great. Now this song is in a car commercial and TV show commercials.
I love how the voices kind of sound unisex, but it's definitely a dude. The song kind of reminds me of something you'd hear from the '80s or early '90s, but it's great. The constant guitar strumming is nice and all the rythmns don't bother me. It has a great build. This song is by Temper Trap and they're from Australia...another non-American band that rocks my socks off. Check them and the song out.

sweet disposition
never too soon
oh reckless abandon
like no one's
watching you

Song of the Day: "You've Got the Love"

I love Florence+The Machine. I really think a wide variety of people will like them to. Her voice is comes from her throat, but I love it. It sounds different. What I really like about this group is that they are playful and use a lot of instruments. They use freakin' harps! That's awesome to me. Anyone else?
I've had a love affair of this song's remix by XX, but I love the original just as much. Check it out:

@JadeisMusic...She Does Embody Music

I was dying to interview Jade and I finally got up the guts to ask her, and she said yes! The only bad thing is that it was over email--I hate not living in NYC! But, I still think it's a good read. If you haven't heard of her, or read about her, then here's a recap of what you've missed.
Jade is a very vivacious and talented American female singer. She was born and raised in Brooklyn. She's had music in her life for a very long time; not to say she's old though. She went to a performing arts school and then was signed to Pharrell's label. She dropped her EP"It's My Heart, Cookie," last year and I love it. It's something you can chill too and belt your heart out to. She has a soft innocent voice, but it's also boisterous at times--in a good way. If you ever get a chance to see her live, go! She captivates the whole audience and is capable of changing anyone's mood with her music.
She's starting to get more of a following and more busy, so watch out people! Here's what I wanted to know and what she had to say.[Well minus some questions...she's getting busy, so we had to chop some questions out.]

On your myspace page it says you love movies and that they influence you. What movies influenced you for your favorite songs on "It's my heart, cookie"?
    "He Needs Me" reminded me of this John Cusack movie where his girlfriend's father dies. They're in his car and she says she wants to have sex cause she wants to feel anything else other than what shes feeling at the moment. Just the sad lingering. 
What is your favorite song on your EP and why?
    "Sometimes You Cant Say it Enough." It's pretty 
What music artists have influenced you the most?
Ahh I really love chino from deftones, his sound seriously take my mood to the most serene place ive ever been, i know thats creepy, lol. 
I love how you said you wanted to focus on the message and not necessarily the production and genres of your EP? What was the message you were trying to give everyone? 
I guess subconsciously there wasn't a message specifically, but I did have a potent sense of self awareness that I'm glad I gave off. "It's my heart cookie" was my first EP and, like falling in love for the first time, everything really mattered, as far as what I said and how I said it.  
If there was anyone, dead or alive, who would you like to collab with on a song? And then realistically who do you want to collab with?
Anyone humble enough to sit chill eat and then work. That and Jesus.
In the video of you Fat Boy Radio Interview you were singing a song I've never heard. When will we hear some this amazing new stuff? 
    Well, I'm really excited about the IMHC remix EP coming out so soon, b sides first so definitely listen to that. Also, I have some dj leaks from some really great djs, that even I am fans of, coming out that I'm so very excited about. New singles, God willing a new album, whatever comes; I have songs for years.
 You were signed to Pharrell's label "Star Trak." In your bio it says you "expected more from myself." What do you mean? Writing more? Producing more? Do you still keep in contact with Pharrell or anyone from the label?
    Honestly, it was just one of those times in my life that has passed. I was underdeveloped and too young to even know what I was capable of doing. Label situations where you are not the main focus is a waiting game. I just knew I didn't want to be a face, and sitting around doing nothing has always been really hard for me. I need to be hustling. I need to be working on my accord and I need to be paid for that. There are plenty of artists who can play the waiting game, not meee. And no, sadly I'm too prideful, much to my advantage and disadvantage. I have no problem starting from scratch. 
 What do you do as a pre-performance ritual if any? 
    I pray with my team. I'm afraid of doing anything that isn't blessed cause if it isn't blessed, I don't want to be doing it. I also stretch and frantically ask my team if they're ok like a million times until I find myself irritable to others.
 If you weren't doing music what would you see yourself doing?
   Selling coconuts or hot dogs on the beach, teaching in a preschool on a beach..I seriously dont know, it makes me sad to think of doing anything else that doesn't involve music.
What are the 5 songs that you are listening to most right now?
    I am listening to Coldplay, "Sparks" like every night. I also wake up to "Don't Panic" by Coldplay, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Soft Shock", Collin Hay, "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" and "Caring Is Creepy" by the Shins. Ok, most of those songs are from the Garden State soundtrack which I listen to religiously, it's one of the things I really love in my life<3
 Jade <3

www.jadeismusic.com
www.twitter.com/jadeismusic
www.vimeo.com/jadeismusic
www.youtube.com/jadeismusicvideo

Go Check her out! Thanks Jade!

Christmas Jade and Ibe Style

As a gift Jade tweeted the remix of Blessed Memory Ibe made. I think it's awesome and the video goes hand-in-hand. Now I want to watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
Check out Ibe's website here for other videos and stuff he's produced.

A Vacuum that Sings Pleasantries

This isn't directly about music, but I think this invention is amazing. If I had to buy a vacuum I would definitely get this. You no longer need to clean with the uncomfortable sucking sound of a vacuum, now you can rock out to your music!!!!
Look at this


via-life files

Diamond Rings with Chipmunk

I've been sitting on this song since Nov. 4 because I didn't know what to write along with it, but today it hit me when it came on my iPod.
When I listen to songs I tend to envision their videos or how I would make one to go along with it. When I hear this song, I automatically think of Moulin Rouge courtesans and their pimp, if that's what you call them. So just try to envision this while you listen to the song about Chipmunk being a new and successful artist.
The scene is in an underground speakeasy with smoke and a huge stage with a grand piano. There's a whole bunch of flappers and then Chipmunk is the pimped out and has a huge diamond pinky ring. So he's more in focus then the rest of the crowd who are throwing money, dancing around, and drinking until they fall over. Then when the chorus comes on a spotlight hits the stage and THE one prized courtesan comes out with a huge diamond pendent hanging from her corset. She sings and performs and such.
So they may not be an original idea, but that's how I envision part of it going down.
I like this song because it takes me to a different decade, his London accent is pleasing to the ears, the horns are great and the female vocals are fun too
Take a listen and tell me what you think.

Profit from Misfortunes

You know how they say artists make more money after they die? Well, I think this concept should also apply when an artist has something tragic happen to them. For instance, the Jackson family has made millions after Michael died, Justin Timberlake's album Justified was a success and I feel like it was because everyone was anxious to see what he wrote about his and Britney Spears' break up, pretty sure The Beatles sales go up every time a member dies (RIP Lennon and Harrison),and Adele's album is amazing due to her break up with a love. But the main reason why I'm writing this is because of Chris Brown's new album, Graffiti.
There has been mixed feelings about him and the album, but I'm going to straight out say I'm a supporter. Yes, I would scream it out in public if someone asked me to. At first,I did have some inner struggles about liking the album because of the whole Rihanna thing, but honestly that situation is responsible for this great album. A lot of the songs are , well at least I assume they are about Rihanna.