Cleaning Up The "Vermont Artists" Sidebar

Now that we've got an office, a budget and a small army of interns, we're doing some cleanup. First on that list is the "Vermont Artists" index that's on the sidebar of every single page and post here. I've cleared out the easy stuff -- like all ten of my own side acts that were cluttering things up, for instance? I've also taken down a few listings because the artists were retired, elsewhere in the world, or worse yet, deceased.

No need to leave a comment here. Nobody does and nobody should. Instead, let me direct you to our Facebook page, where the conversation is ongoing. You can also email me directly - I was dumb enough to list my personal inbox in plaintext on the internet, it's over there on the sidebar.

Let me know if you want to be listed and you're not. Let me know if you're listed and you want the link aimed at somewhere else. Thank you.

Update: Yes, the office, budget and interns were a joke. We'll be running a .com before that happens.

Yo! BTV RAPS VOl. 6 At Sidebar 1/12

Tomorrow night January 12th is the Yo! BTV RAPS Vol. 6 with a great lineup of local Hip Hop featuring Fresh Patterns (a new group featuring Mister Burns and Cworner Stwore), Self Portrait, PreciseMC, Matt Hagen MC, SkySpliiterInk and Al Dose. DJ Kanga will be holding down the music all night at this monthly event. Yo! BTV RAPS has previously been held at Nectar's and is now moving to the new Sidebar venue next to Mr. Mike's in downtown Burlington. This is a 21+ event that is FREE! Music starts at 10PM.

Sound Affects: 10/27 @ ArtsRiot

The 6th installment of the monthly Sound Affects event at ArtsRiot goes down this Thursday October 27th in Burlington, VT. This months lineup features a great night of regional artists including Movement Of The Minds, a Hip Hop collective out of Portland, Maine as well as Judge Da Beast in support of his album "Arraignment". There will also be a producer showcase and beat auction from So.802's Brad Vazy as well as a cypher to end the night with DJ Kanga holding it down. Doors 8PM / All Ages / $5 advance & $10 Day of show. You can check out more about the event ---> HERE As always you can pick up a Sound Affects t-shirt courtesy of UnKnown Arts, live art by Anthill Collective and photography re-cap from DVP Cinematography.

Summer Slam Rap Battle at Higher Ground Sat. 7/23

802 Battle League presents the Summer Slam Rap Battle at Higher Ground in S. Burlington, VT on Saturday July 23rd featuring 10 match ups featuring rappers from all over New England as well as locals S.I.N Sizzle, Learic, Memo and more! This is an all ages show with tickets $12 adv. / $17 day of. With the first battle starting at 7:15PM for more visit the event page --> HERE

TONIGHT: Zion I / Grouch & Eligh live at Club Metronome with Mister Burns / Learic / Truth / SkySplitterInk & Jarv

Tonight at Club Metronome in Burlington, Vermont is an incredible night of Hip Hop featuring West Coast legends Zion I / Grouch & Eligh with support from locals Mister Burns with Learic, Truth and SkySplitterInk and Maiden Voyage's JARV. Z&G&E are currently on tour with Slightly Stupid and are making a special stop in Burlington, VT tonight only! There will also be live painting from Anthill who will be painting a classic A-DOG photo by Matthew Thorsen and local B-Boys Rhythm Riders will be representing as well. Doors at 9PM / Tickets available at the door. Tickets --> HERE

New Music: Causin' Effect - "Maple Syrup" (Feat. Junum)

New music from Springfield Vermont's Causin' Effect with visuals for their single "Maple Syrup" (Feat. Junum). Watch as Jibba The Gent and Vazy serve up some breakfast at the classic Springfield Royal Diner and drench your meal in REAL Vermont maple syrup.

Jay Stay Loved: A Tribute To J Dilla at Nectar's 6/12

Saturday night at Nectar's in Burlington, VT is a special night during the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival with the Jay Stay Loved: A Tribute To J Dilla featuring The Dan Ryan Express, an all star band that will be recreating classic J Dilla production. The second set will feature J Dilla's younger brother Illa J providing some the vocals on his brothers classic production. Illa J has made a name for himself on the solo grind in the past few years after also being a member of the legendary Detroit group Slum Village. This is a night not to be missed! Pre-sale tickets are only $12 for this 21+ show. For more info and tickets visit www.liveatnectars.com

Remembering DJ BP

As many of you know the music community took a big hit with the sudden loss of Ryan Morin aka DJ BP. Ryan was a past member of The Lynguistic Civilians a long time collaborator with The Aztext and member of the group UnKommon while also serving a DJ for a multitude of occasions around the state. DJ BP had an immense love for music. Not only making it but being a true fan indulging in the inner workings of a song taking appreciation for the most subtle things that most don't pick up on. He had an incredible spirit and positive energy that many were able to encounter through years of performing live around Vermont and beyond. His group UnKommon with his longtime friend and collaborator Kin, recently released their new project titled Back In The Building. Take some time to listen to this album and pay tribute to DJ BP. The Vermont Hip Hop community will sorely miss his presence.

Get Familiar: Sound Affects

VTHH: What is Sound Affects?

Sound Affects: We are a Hip-Hop community event that focuses on teamwork, support & bridging the gap between Vermont & the rest of the Northeast. We are here to unite the Hip-Hop scene & provide the Green Mountain State with a long-standing community event. We are here for everyone. 

Specifically, we are a monthly residency that will showcase the wealth of local talent we have to offer, as well as bring national & regional acts into Vermont. We will be showcasing a local producer each month as well as highlighting local releases, regional tours, national headliners & live-production cyphers.

VTHH: How do you plan to contribute to the current scene?

Sound Affects: Our focus is on delivering high-quality shows & giving hardworking artists the opportunity to play on one of the premiere stages in the state, while also offering a space for people to meet each other and network. There is a natural competition in Hip Hop culture - by utilizing that energy and unifying around a centralized monthly event, we will build a consistent platform to showcase the wealth of talent our state has to offer & simultaneously eliminate the competition between ourselves.

Our state is too small to have artists vying over the same audience. Sound Affects can be everyone’s home field, where we can all meet once a month to support the artists who have new projects to showcase. This unified approach will lead to more connection throughout the scene & ultimately, artists feeding off of each other for inspiration. We want to bring everyone together for the greater benefit of us all.

VTHH: Why is there a regional focus?

Sound Affects: There is a LOT going on throughout the rest of the Northeast Hip-Hop scene right now & most of the other states are already connected & working together in a mutually beneficial way. Between similar events like Mind Spray (MA), Rap Night Portland (ME), Rap Night Manchester (NH) & others, there is a tour circuit developing in the Northeast for upcoming artists. By offering regional & national acts a stop in Vermont on their tours, we will insert Vermont into the larger Northeast Hip-Hop scene & raise our state’s value. 

At the same time, by providing opportunities to send Vermont’s best out into the region, Sound Affects will combat the isolation Vermont faces in exposing it’s developing artists beyond it’s boarders. There is no scene within the Northeast that is large enough to survive on its own - look at the way the sports teams are set up. If the states in the Northeast work together, we can all achieve more success. 

VTHH: When & where is your first event?

Sound Affects: Our inception event will be at Waking Windows music festival in Downtown Winooski. This is the festival’s 6th year & they have decided that they want Hip-Hop to be represented, so they asked us to curate a 2-Hour Hip-Hop Showcase. This showcase will be on Saturday, May 7th from 7-9pm at Oak 45. Advance weekend passes are available now & will grant you access to all Waking Windows events for all 3-days. 1-Day passes will also be available at the gates & will grant you access to all events for that day.

VTHH: How can people get involved with Sound Affects?

Sound Affects: A great starting point is to sign up for our email list (below) & connect with us on social media so you can be the first to know about our events. If you want to become involved in a hands-on way, you can join our Street Team & help spread the word about our movement & have opportunities to earn exclusive perks! Interested parties should email SoundAffectsVT@gmail.com with ‘Street Team’ in the subject. 

As far as artists go, as an inclusive event we want to work with as many artists as possible. Artists who want to get involved need to do just that - get involved. We want to focus on showcasing the wealth of highly talented artists our state has to offer at our events.

Artists interested in getting involved:

1. Email SoundAffectsVT@gmail.com & include; links to your music, your artist bio, a brief description of your live performance, your social media links, & what project(s) you're currently working on.
2. 'Like' our Facebook page.
3. Follow @SoundAffectsVT on Twitter.
4. Follow @SoundAffectsVT on Instagram

Sound Affects is a community event & ultimately, it will become what our community makes it. Let’s make it something truly special. Sign up below to join our community & be the first to know about our events!

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Lynguistic Civilians New Album: Gratified Existence

The Lynguistic Civilians have just dropped their new full length album Gratified Existence that boasts 15 tracks of Vermont made Funky Hip Hop that features the likes of Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Stricklin, Maiden Voyage, Gang Of Thieves, Haley Fenn and The Mighty Konflik. This album features all live instrumentation from session musicians here in Burlington. The album was recorded at Park Hill Studio being mixed by the fellas at Future Fields while being mastered at Turtle Tone Studio in New York City. This album also serves as a higher cause with 20% of every purchase going to the Vermont Foodbank to help feed the less fortunate in our state. The album is available on all major outlets and you can get your own hard copy when they return to the stage Friday April 1st at Nectar's. Get your copy online now on iTunes.

VIDEO: "Bounce" - Jarv

Another fresh performance video from young phenom Jarv of Windsor crew Maiden Voyage, running through some signature tongue-twisters. Remember, Jarv is about to embark on tour with RA the Rugged Man on March 13th. Props to local boys done good.

Update: Jarv will be dropping a mixtape to kick off his upcoming tour -- expect more on that shortly.

Maiden Voyage will be appearing at Greggfest in May, an annual benefit festival in honor of the memory of Lyndon State student & musician Jake Gregg.

TONIGHT: Boomslang & Free The Optimus in Montpelier

Tonight in Montpelier at the World Famous Charlie O's, Vermont's own Boomslang and North Carolina collective Free The Optimus will be live for a night of great music. Free The Optimus is from Nashville, NC where they have made a name for themselves with multiple releases and supporting the likes of some of Hip Hop's greats. This is a FREE SHOW with music starting at 9PM.

VIDEO - "Can We Grow" - Colby Stiltz

New video from Colby Stiltz for his track "Can We Grow" off his album Down To Earth which dropped last year. Track is produced by Then What Muzik and filmed and edited by DVP Cinematography Services. Even based in Florida Colby Stiltz stays representing Vermont with this fresh new visual.

Milo & Michael Christmas @ Signal Kitchen 3.3

Great show going down March 3rd at Signal Kitchen with Milwaukee's Milo and Boston's Michael Christmas. Also on the bill are Mase Well and Vermont's own Loupo. All ages show with pre-sale tickets at $12. Very dope lineup of emcee's and beat makers your not gonna want to miss! More info at Signalkitchen.com

"Sanctuary" - Es-K & Loupo

A fresh dose of instrumental expertise from two of Vermont's very finest beatsmiths, Es-K and Loupo. This latest project is a collaboration with Ann Arbor, MI label/collective Blvnt Records. 10 tracks of lush headphone food available as a "pay what you want" download.

We can expect major -- huge -- individual projects from these two in 2016. In the meantime, you can tune in on Soundcloud: Es-K x Loupo or catch up on their recent album work. Es-K delivered a strong, soulful release for LA label Cold Busted last summer called "Mantras in Motion." Loupo's latest, "Enigma," is ambitious and cohesive, establishing him as a solo artist in his own right.

TONIGHT: Hip Hop In The Capital At Positive Pie

Tonight at Positive Pie in Montpelier, Vermont is an incredible lineup of local and regional talent. Coming up from Southern, NH is Granite State. They have been solid on the New England scene for a long time and are excited to see them back in VT. Locals include Learic (of The Aztext), Mister Burns (of The Lynguistic Civilians), Boomslang and Sky Splitter Ink! Music starts at 10:30PM and is only $5 / 21+

Tonight: Sophistafunk At Rusty Nail in Stowe

Tonight at The Rusty Nail in Stowe you can catch Syracuse, NY Funky Hip Hop crew Sophistafunk! This group is the epitome of Funk and bring a huge sound with just three members. Emcee, Jack Brown has an incredible way of telling stories through rhyme with Adam Gold on Keys and E-Man on drums to lay down the grooves. If you have not seen this crew live then tonight is the night! 9PM / 21+ / $10

Jarv (of Maiden Voyage) To Tour with R.A The Rugged Man

For nine shows across the East Coast Windsor, Vermont's Jarv will be direct support for the legendary R.A. The Rugged Man. Starting March 13th in Long Island, NY the Maiden Voyage MC will be hitting some big stages along with the incredibly talented A-F-R-O. Both Jarv and A-F-R-O were stand outs in R.A.'s Definition Of A Rap Flow contest last year and have since been making a name for themselves. Wish there was a VT date on the run but I believe R.A. has been thrown out of a club or two around here.. Big up to Jarv and we wish him well on the road.