U:Move

    In this interview, the Colorado-based beat-maker and DJ, Paper Diamond  (aka Alex B), tells about growing up in Kansas City and the road that took him to leading the respected Elm & Oak label, why he‘s about to release projects from our own homegrown producer extraordinaire, Leonard Dstroy and much more.  He also chimed in about his favorite places to eat in Boulder.  Be sure to catch Paper Diamond live this weekend under the Critical Mass tent at the Kanrocksas Music Festival in Kansas City, KS. 

    u:move:  Previously, you were known as Alex B.  How and why did you decide to create an alter-ego for yourself?

    Paper Diamond:  Simply put, Alex B is my real name (abbreviated obviously) and the project was never my main focus. I was making beats while playing in the band Pnuma and instead of never releasing them, I just put them out for fun as Alex B. Pnuma was always my outlet for dance music and after five years playing together, we were starting to play less shows. I needed a new outlet for that side of my music to come out and that’s why I started Paper Diamond.

    u:move:  How does your music vary between the two different names?  Are you still making music under the Alex B moniker as well?

    Paper Diamond:  The music I make under Alex B has previously been mid to downtempo, jazz influced, off kilter beats. I still make music like this but it’s mainly just a hobby and is generally relaxing for me. So far the music I’ve released as Paper Diamond has been more melodic, bassey, dance music. Not every song is geared for that as you can see on the track “Snowfall” from my first EP “Levitate”. It keeps the hip hop/jazz/dreamstate/vibe while moving the EP forward into the heavier songs. Its interesting because i feel like Paper Diamond can be whatever I want it to be and it’s currently a fusion of my old styles, with an updated mentality.

    u:move:  You’re originally from Overland Park, KS, correct?  Tell us about growing up in Kansas City.  Was moving out of KC an artistic decision?

    Paper Diamond:  I did in fact grow up in Overland Park but my parents are divorced so I spent about half my time in Westport/plaza area. It was nice growing up in the area and having schools with supportive arts and music programs. It was because of my music teachers in high school that I decided to go to college for music.  Moving out of Kansas City was crucial for the growth in my career as there are many larger music hubs, but the music scene in KC is definitely growing.

    u:move:  Tell us about your artistic relationship with Kansas City’s Leonard DStroy.  You’re releasing a couple of his projects on your Elm & Oak label as well, correct?

    Paper Diamond:  I originally heard his music from a beats oriented website that I frequented. After listening to it a bunch one of my friends from high school started telling me more about Lenny and that we knew some of the same people. After linking up with him a few times and hearing all the new material he has, I thought he would be a proper fit for the E&O family. We basically run our label like a family. Its a huge group of supportive friends with music that we all represent personally.

    u:move:  What other artists are affiliated with Elm & Oak?

    Paper Diamond:  There will be many new artists announced to E&O very soon but there are a few which are about to be announced now that I can discuss.
Previously on the label we have been releasing the Alex B records, everything from Two Fresh (http://www.twofreshbeats.com) and we have co-released all the Paper Diamond material with Pretty Lights Music.  The next band to be announced is a band called Cherub based out of Nashville, TN. They are an “indie electro” type group but really i would classify them as my favorite parts of MGMT mixed with Prince in the body of two white dudes.  We also have resident DJ RAW RUSS and will soon be announcing several other acts!

    u:move:  What upcoming music projects and shows do you have planned for the rest of the year?

    Paper Diamond:  As far as Paper Diamond is concerned, you can expect several new remixes, 2 new EPs, and a slew of videos and tour dates to come. As of right now i’m just flying to festivals on the weekends. Its been nice because I’m able to make music and plan all week! I’m most excited for Kanrocksas festival this weekend and Outside Lands festival the following. You can expect a full tour announcement sometime this week or the next!

    u:move:  Lastly, give us your top 5 chart, whatever you’re feeling at the moment.

    Paper Diamond:  Its 3 pm and I haven’t eaten anything yet so i need to finish this interview and go get some food. Therefore, I’m gonna post my top 5 finger foods i MIGHT go eat after I finish typing this…

    1. Grilled Pork Bun from Happy Noodle House (http://www.happynoodlehouse.com/)
    2. Barcat Oysters from JAX (http://www.jaxfishhouseboulder.com/)
    3. Pork Taco from Centro Latin Kitchen (http://www.centrolatinkitchen.com/)
    4. Fried Okra from Shug’s (http://www.yelp.com/biz/shugs-low-country-cuisine-boulder)
    5. Bacon wrapped dates from The Med (http://www.themedboulder.com/)

    Atlanta/New York-based producer, remixer and DJ, Treasure Fingers, just sent us the replies for our e-mail interview in anticipation for his performance under the Critical Mass tent at the Kanrocksas Music Festival, now just three days away.  Don’t forget to check this dude out for some housey goodness.  He’ll be playing from 7:15-8:00 p.m. on Friday night.  And please, someone bring him some orangeade Snapple so I can finally find out how he got his stage name…

    u:move:  This marks the second time that u:move has conducted an interview with you.  Are you going to tell us how you got a stage name like Treasure Fingers?  Or is third time a charm?

    Treasure Fingers: Third time could be a charm if I’m bribed a Snapple, orangeade flavor.

    u:move:  Did you catch a lot of flack from people in the drum and bass community when you began doing house music? 

    Treasure Fingers:  No, I actually got quite a bit of love. A lot of people sent messages saying that they love good house music and they support the TF project.

    u:move:  Are you still an active member of Evol Intent?  If so, what can we expect from you guys in the future?

    Treasure Fingers:  Yes, We just put out a new 4 track drum & bass release titled “Cruise Control” EP. We’ve also got another dubstep single coming out in about a month or two. We’re still doing shows and all that also. It’s just a balancing act for all of us with our other projects.

    u:move:  Did you begin DJing before making tracks?  If so, how did you make the time to experiment with your own beats in the studio while playing other people’s beats out in a club setting?  Did you have to take a break from DJing?

    Treasure Fingers:  It was about the exact same time. I’ve always considered myself more of a producer than a DJ though. I never got into “DJ culture” too much, like tricks, turntablism, club residencies, etc. I always just saw DJing as an outlet to play my music for people.

    u:move:  What kind of qualities do you look for in a given song that make the possibility of remixing it come to fruition?

    Treasure Fingers:  It really just needs something, anything to catch my attention. I get some remix requests that just don’t stand out much & I wouldn’t even know where to begin remixing it, but if there’s one element that I’d be able to take and manipulate to build a remix around then I’ll usually take it on.

  u:move:  What upcoming projects or shows do you have slated for the rest of the year?

    Treasure Fingers:  I have a single slated for Fool’s Gold Records, that should be out in the fall although we haven’t set an exact release date yet. I’m also working on an EP and a mix compilation for Defected. I’ll also start some heavy touring again this fall.

    u:move:  Lastly, give us your top 5 chart, whatever you’re feeling at the moment. 

    Treasure Fingers: 
    Danny Daze - “Your Everything”
    Bingo Players - “Cry (Just A Little)” (Olav Basoski Remix)
    Fire Flowerz - “Bout You”
    Peter & The Magician - “Twist”
    Rogerseventytwo - “Future Funk”

    The one-man party-rocking conglomerate, Girl Talk (originally from Pittsburgh), is most known for his brain-warping mash-ups and remixes that have left cuticles digging into thousands of skulls around the world causing many to wonder, “Where’s that beat from again?”  Topping pre-2000s rock beats with 90s and popular rap and r&b vocal snippets isn’t anything new really (shout out to DJ P), but it’s always fun.  As if to throw a choice finger in the face of the recording industry’s policies, Girl Talk denies that his music is a “lawsuit waiting to happen”, as described by the New York Times by insisting that his renditions of other artists’ music and sampling procedures fall under fair use.  But let’s not bore ourselves with legal jargon.  Girl Talk is one act definitely worth catching at the mainstage at the Kanrocksas Music Festival this Saturday.  We’re pretty sure that once is set is done, both boys and girls will be talking about it long after the festival is over.

    Within recent years, many bands have been reaching for a kind of all-encompassing, live instrumental take on current and past dance music sounds, sometimes without any vocals.  This style is also known in some circles as “jamtronica,“ often indicated by a chosen collective progression rather than specific solos.  And not many are doing it better than the California/Georgia-based quintet, STS9.  Think ascending psychedelia united with jazz, funk and hip hop style beats making for quite an uplifting sound moreover.  Sound Tribe Sector 9 is unlike any other band that will be performing at Kanrocksas this year.  It has proved to be rather difficult in getting our hands on free downloads from STS9 by simply googling (their soundcloud page is rather outdated as well).  But we suggest your best bet would be to join what will probably be one of the bigger crowds of the whole Kanrocksas Music Festival under the Critical Mass tent for STS9’s nearly two-hour set beginning at 11:15 p.m on August 6th.  Bet that.  You can preview and purchase their new EP HERE. 

    With the first day of the Kanrocksas Music Festival just about one week away, we’re starting to bring the u:move blog spotlights to the bigger names that will be performing under the Critical Mass tent.  These are the artists that you should really be geeking over by now if you’re not already.  Kid Cudi’s first performance in Kansas City at Voodoo Lounge back in July of 2009 was spectacular, particularly when he performed the Crookers remix of “Day ‘n Nite” at the end.  That one really caught me off guard.  It’s a great remix, though.  The original version of “Day ‘n Nite” peaked in the top five of the Billboard Top 100 charts in that same year.  Soon after, Cudi went on to work with the likes of Kanye West, Common, David Guetta and plenty other stars.  If you’ve never seen him perform, we recommend Kid Cudi as one of your music destinations at Kanrocksas on August 5th.