XV & Wiz Kahlifa - Gobstopper (Figure remix)

This track is like the main event fight where Hip Hop meets Dubstep and Figure is the referee. Seriously if you like these two genres check this out now, you wont be disappointed!

XV & Wiz Kahlifa - Gobstopper (Figure remix)

Beat The Weekend Part 19

Figure teamed up with Tommy Lee on this one. Having a live drummer really takes it to the next level.
Tommy Lee & Figure – Pounds of Blood

Another dubstep remix on - yet another - classic. Slow build but wait for it, its massive.
Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc (The Mastertrons Remix)

Again yet another mash up of Ludacris track How Low but seriously this one is banging mashed against Feed Me's track cloud burn.
Feed Me/Ludacris - Cloud Low (Smash + Destroy Mashup)

New Skrillex same style same sound im sure you will love it.
Skrillex - Bangarang

If your unfamiliar with this kid where the fuck have you been? Crizzly just dropped his new track, he really is the king of crunkstep Enjoy!
Aj Hernz Snap Back Swag (Crizzly Remix)

Will Bailey and Figure - Bass Powa

Smidgem regular and master of the bassline Figure teamed up with electro heavyweight Will Bailey to bring some of the freshest 'dubstep' (that's not a typo) I've heard in ages. The change up that comes halfway through is simply amazing and so addictive. Found this on repeat a few times today! The best thing bout this one is Figure is giving it out for free download on his soundcloud. So get on it asap!!

Will Bailey and Figure - Bass Powa (ORIGINAL MIX) FREE DOWNLOAD by Figure

Also if you missed Smidgem's exclusive interview with Figure then check it out here

Nero, La Sape, Skrillex, Diplo Does Sleigh Bells and More!

I seriously think that 2011 is going to be a huge year for electronic music, it seriously feels like I can't click twice without downloading a song that I absolutely love. So today I have a few songs that I've been feelin' lately...some new and some not so much, none the less gold quality is ensured.

Nero, wow what can I say. I first heard these tracks on their essential mix which I seriously think is up there with the best of all time...yep that's right I'm calling it, right now...BAM! There's something about the tracks this duo makes, they just seem to be so real, full and rich, just really well done I guess. In any case these are my two favourite Nero tunes at the moment and once you download them they are sure to be yours too.

Nero - Me & You

Plan B - The Recluse (Nero Remix)

I got this one in the inbox today and she's a doozy. Phoenix, Arizona based production duo La Sape re-worked Light Year's smash hit 5 Girls and let me tell you this thing rocks. A thumping kick and a bassline that will make you crap yourself, what more can you ask for?

Light Year - 5 Girls (La Sape Remix)

I was lucky enough to see Sleigh Bells on their recent Australian tour. They seem to be the 'it' sound right now and I must say I'm certainly liking 'it'. Legend of all thing dance Diplo remixes one of their better songs Tell Em and is fucking fantastic. On a weird note I can hear the sample from the Dooze Jackers & Wes De Graaf song Euh! in the background of the build up not sure if it's the same sample or an actual sample of their song...regardless great song.

Sleigh Bells - Tell Em (Diplo Remix)

Honestly Skrillex just can't do wrong. Everything this guy puts out I fuckin' love and this one is no exception. This one uses a vocal sample throughout that I assume is from one of his earlier works back when he was a fairly prolific singer. Really dig the high end main line in this song super fun stuff for sure.

Skrillex - Slats Slats Slats

So Kanye dropped his new album, I'm not going to lie I'm a Kanye fan and most definitely a fan of his new album. Now that's all well and good....then Smidgem favourite and bassline master Figure went and did this. I honestly have had this on repeat for the last 2 hours... it's just so feel good yet so bass-y...ahhh...this is an absolute MUST HAVE just plain huge.

Kanye West - Dark Fantasy (Figure 'Crushed It'  Bootleg)

I took the liberty of naming this one... 

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Figure

Hey folks im currently doing the rounds in Se Asia, soakin up some rays on Koh Samet island, just south of Bangkok.

But in between my travels, Ive managed to get a hold of and conduct an interview with Kentucky native and all round bass fiend Figure, those that arent to fond of his work will be after today. Exclusives all round for Smidgem readers .Giving us insight to his production methods,his views on the american dance music scene and also his whole Torture Ep for free.Read on...

Q.Figure, welcome to the Smidgem blog, for those who aren't familiar with you or your music, an introduction would be appreciated.

Im Josh Gard , aka Figure from Louisville , Kentucky and I make heavy bass music.

Q.You were scooped up by the electronic music veteran Tommie Sunshine,who is widely known throughout the industry, has life changed for you much since then?

O sure , ever since we started working together as 2 groups (Sylaxia and Ec$tacy) and for general collabs ... I have gotten tons more gigs and I travel a lot more. I get paid way more now too!!!

Q.You have been played in countless amounts of clubs across America and worldwide , surely you have some strange encounters or awkward moments ,any youd like to share?

Man ... there are tons Im not even going to mention! But , There was a guy with my name written all over evey exposed part of flesh he had (he was in shorts) and he left a big spot on his chest for me to write my name! It's always awesome when the people that are opening for you tell you how much they like your music , or that they had to cut 4 of your tracks they always play out of their set because I was playing. Stuff like that is always cool. LA always is a place to play to get some stories!

Q.Has visiting down under to play and share your music come into thought??

Man I would love to come over there. I have a couple friends over there , Blaze Tripp and Dan Aux to be more specific. Check out their music if you haven't yet , their both fucking amazing.

Q.In 3 words, how would you describe your music?

Bass , Thrash , BASS!

Q.I was firstly impressed by your production skills, and then I was later to learn that you are quite an accomplished DJ, does this come in handy in an industry where
skills behind the decks can come under some heavy scrutiny? And how long have you been doing so?

Well, I started as a turntablist when I was 16 , I traveled a bit and did some cool things around the U.S. When I was 19 I started merging into making more electronic music and soon all the turntable stuff just slowed down so I could work on production. I even got to tour with some of the Beat Junkies and some of Rhyme Sayers roster , it was fun for the time being. I still keep up on all that stuff , but practicing and coming up with routines is a life within it self , and Im already way too busy doing this. Maybe someday I'll get a set together with some routines in it , that would be sick!

Q.From an Australian's perspective, it seems that in America dance music has only hit popularity fairly recently, would this be true from your perspective?

O yea man , Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow was one of the first 'Dance' bpm songs here in a long time that got things really rolling (not that i enjoy that horrid song). I know it sounds weird to say that , but music is still super poppy that is on the radio , its just more 'house' based now. When I do some club gigs around here in my spare time , its weird for a normal everyday person to ask me for so and so's REMIX of Lady Gaga or something. LOL. With Deadmau5 playing the Vma's and A-Trak playing the Nick teen Choice awards , I'm sure that is going to help a bit with all this music breaking through here.

Q.Ok, when your sitting down to make a track or remix, whats your procedure? Do you already have in idea in your head, or do you just start from scratch and wing it?

Well , the way I have ableton set up is there is a drum loop for about 1 min always there when i start a new session that I have made (I end up using different drums , but this is so i can get my ideas rolling). So , I guess I have to say I start with drums. For a remix , I normally go through the stems and pick out what I'm going to use , find the key everything is in , then I load up 'Massive' and start making one of my basslines in the key and layout of the song I'm remixing. And from there , its just a mix and match game , cutting things in , chopping parts , automating things and all that fun stuff. When I work on originals I normally start with the build up .. and that'll lead me into the main part , the drop , and from there it always seems like there isnt a ton left to do. That route always seems to be less stressful. It normally takes me 3 hours or so to finish all these songs , I think its just because I know exactly what drums I like and that Ive been using Ableton for SO long that there isn't any confusion on how to do what I want to do.

Q.On the topic of production, what equipment do you have at your finger tips?

I use Ableton 8 , Massive for all my basslines , and I master all my own stuff with multiple vst's from the Waves bundles. Midi gear wise , I use all Akia stuff , to be more exact . I have a Mpd25 , Apc20 , Lpk25 , and Lpd8. Im on a pc that I kind of built myself with Krk Monitors and the krk sub woofer. I dj with Serato , but im currently switch over to cdjs and also to albeton for some gigs so I can do live stuff. But the main thing is my piano that you can hear in all my newer stuff , gotta get my Addams family on!

Q.Your music, could best be described as very in your face and full of energy. What musical bands/groups/artists have influenced you making the sound your making today?

This is always that weird question , because you don't want to name the obvious people to look like that guy. But , in all honestly most of my friends music is what drives me. Blaze Tripp , Hostage , Heapy , Calvertron , Udachi , Kissy sell Out and just alot of people that have the right idea , in my mind. I enjoy a lot of Kanji Kentics music. But out side of my type of music , Im always trying to listen to new drum and bass and dubstep , I try to pull some of the 'intenseness' into my stuff. If some of these dubstep guys starting making stuff at 133 bpm or something and had 4/4 drums , this whole bassline thing would blow up again.

Q.Figure,And i also understand you have an exclusive present for Smidgem readers, what would this be?

Yup! I have a couple new things for you to share with em. First off is this song 'The Phantom' I JUST finished , its kinda of ode to the overture from the Phantom of the Opera .I also letting ya post the entire first 'Torture' ep and Im annoucing the remixers for the official remix ep that's about to drop! The remixers are R!M!E , ETC!ETC! & Mr. Vega , Heapy , Kraymer , Lemi Vice , NoNewYork , Shear Gen1us , Space Laces , Subliminal , and Turbo P! HUGE REMIX PACK!!! I also have my follow up ep for Torture on Idiot House Records in the works , the originals are done , I just waiting on the remixes .Thats for another post though!

Figure- The Phantom

Q.Thank you for taking time from your day, its much appreciated.Get yourself down to Australia if you get the chance as im sure you will be welcomed anytime to destroy a dance floor or two.Peace

Holler!!

Make sure you keep following Figures Twitter and Soundcloud as its constantly being updated with new material for your listening pleasure.OH and dont forget to check his teams blog,
Penned Madness.

With permission from the man himself, here is all the promised sounds.

Figure- Torture EP Exclusive!

Tracklist:

Torture (Original Mix)
Torture (Hostage Remix)
Torture (Udachi Remix)
Torture (Noise Floor Crew Remix)
Bitches (Original Mix)

And the latest chapter in his mix series.Tracklisting at the links destination!
Figure Aces Of Bass Mix Vol 3. (MediaFire link)

WTF

First up,comes probably my favourite artist amongst todays scene of twisted basslines. Figure, scooped up last year by Tommie Sunshine, has been on fire as of late,dropping some impressive bootlegs,remixes and most importantly, originals. I find each of his works distinctly different, which can be hard to achieve when dealing in the world of sludge filled basslines.Figure...big things coming.

Public Enemy- Night Of The Living Bass Heads (Figure Remix)

Claude Vonstroke, the name need no introduction in the dance music world.I heard a mash up that A-trak did of this with a while back and to be honest, it made me cringe.And I concluded that Vocal Chords should never be touched.Until I heard this superb remix that Australian lads, Coupons had done. While still keeping the haunting atmosphere of the original, they turned this into a feel good euphoric wall of sound with an amazing breakdown.Love it.

Claude Vonstroke- Vocal Chords (Coupons remix)

Its D.I.M. , you know this is going to be good.

Demon - I Think (D.I.M Remix)

When it comes to dreamy blissful sounds, Teen Daze are on top of the game,They dropped an amazing LP a few weeks back and judging by various reviews,things are only looking up for these guys.Close your eyes and let this take you away.

Local Natives- Wide Eyes (Teen Daze Remix)

Lastly, something epic. Now, I am forewarning females, (no disrespect to our female counterparts) if you hear this song coming in over the speakers, I would vacate the dancefloor immediately, because there is a good chance the males in the crowd will start throwing chairs and acting like primitive cavemen when this number hits its peak. Sounds like this remix was inspired by Mr Oizo's works. I get the feeling these guy are going to get big.

B.R.U.C.E. -The Wallet (TWR72 Remix)