Music / Press

DJ Cable Interviews Teddy AKA Silencer

DJ Cable recently caught up with one of Grime’s leading producers, Rinse FM’s Teddy AKA Silencer to talk radio, production, gaming and much more…

Teddy & G.Tank Present - Ghanaian Fire

We’re just under halfway through 2010, and the Grime scene is in great shape. With the last 6-12 months seeing a resurgence in instrumental releases, we thought we’d shine the spotlight on one of he scene’s leading producers – Teddy aka Silencer.

Self dubbed as “Grime’s important producer”, he’s worked a slew of top MCs, has a back catalogue full of bangers, has a show on Rinse FM, and is now making moves with up-and-coming producer G.Tank. We quickly chat to him about his forthcoming release, “Ghanian Fire”

Tell us a bit about your background. How did you get into DJ-ing and production? Who/what influenced you?

Well I personally think it started from school youth clubs. Everyone used to do music and I really wanted to be a part of it because I enjoyed what was being played (Old School Garage). I started writing lyrics before everything, then I decided to start mixing records because that was where my heart was, and now I’m producing music.

Any particular DJs or tunes?

I used to listen to Virgo, Swizz Beatz and Rapid; I used to look up to them a lot. The DJs I used to love listening to were DJ EZ, DJ Begg and Flippy Smalls

You can read the full interview on Hot One Ten here.

 

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categories: Press

Small Talk with Ghostpoet

We met up with Rapper and Brownswood recordings newest addition Ghostpoet for some small talk. He’s talented, refreshing and destined for big things. Here’s what he had to say.

Facebook or Twitter?

Both, help me to interact with appreciators of my music and interesting types from all over the shop, so I would say both.

Chris Rock or Dave Chapelle?

That’s bleeding hard! It’s Dave Chapelle on this one, I’ll never forget that Grand Theft Auto sketch he did a while back, t’was a real hoot.

Mayweather or Pacquaio?

I use to be a big boxing fan back in the day, not really up on it these days so no expert. I would say Mayweather for his showmanship, always sparks up a chuckle.

Home cooked food or Takeaway?

When I use to have money I was fond of a takeaway or two. But, now it’s home cooking all the way, LOL.

David Cameron or Nick Clegg?

Out, of all the party’s I like yellow so I’d say Nick Clegg.

To be rich or to be respected?

Respected and comfortable, “rich” is a whole other headache.

Being on stage or the studio?

Woah, what a question…I love the stage for the instant connection with people but I also love the studio. It’s the melting pot. It’s vital so I can keep hitting the stage. Hmmm…The answer is the studio.

Nike or Adidas?

Adidas has always been my first love.

BNTL or ATCN?

I LOVE both, I just with I had more time these days to read them.

Ghostpoet will be releasing a free download EP at the beginning of June. He will also be having a party to mark this launch, it will take place at the Lock tavern and will be held on June 2nd.

To keep up to date with Ghostpoet follow him on Twitter or add him on Myspace.



 

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categories: Music, Press

Jay Sean: In His Own Words

I recently interviewed Jay Sean for Flavour Magazine – he spoke to me about the highlights of his whirlwind past eighteen months, including signing to Cash Money, Down reaching Number One in the US Billboard Charts, and meeting Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Check it out in full resolution PDF glory here or in the magazine, which is out now, or if you can’t wait, just squint kinda hard and try and read it below!

Jay Sean (Page One)page0002

 

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categories: Music, Press

DJ Cable Talks to HotOneTen For MyBoxfresh…

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From his award winning background as a DMC team champion to being one of the UK’s hottest club rockers, we thought we’d take the opportunity to shine a spotlight on  the multi talented DJ, producer and blogger, DJ Cable, exclusively for Myboxfresh.

Tell us a bit about your background, how did get into DJing?

I was really into D&B when I was at school, and after hearing various mixtapes from DJ Hype, Scratch Perverts, and DJ Rectangle, I was fascinated by all that scratching malarkey and wanted to learn how to do it. After practicing at home I then progressed to playing at local Hip Hop nights in Essex, but it was only when I went to university in Bristol and from doing the DMCs that I started to get on the club circuit.

You’re a two time UK DMC team champion, how does your DMC battling background and approach to DJing influence your sets?

I come from a Hip Hop background, so if you see me play out, or listen to any of my mixes, you’ll most certainly hear a lot of scratching/juggling. To be honest, I play everything in the style that a Hip Hop DJ would, in terms of fast mixing, blends, etc…

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You’ve been getting a lot of love from the scene lately – smashing up raves such as DJ Yasmin’s Bad Intentions, Goonies, Bigger Than Barry, Motive’s Birthday Bash and you’re now about to set off to play in the Far East. What are your favourite parties to play at?

All of the above gigs have been personal highlights so far. The Bigger Than Barry & Goonies crowds are ridiculously hype! They certainly love the Thugstep, Grime and Dirty South. Another personal favourite is Rusty Bucket Bay – they always put on a dope event, and they know how to look after DJs. I love Bad Intentions for the fact it’s simply about playing good music – everything from 90’s Hip Hop, to New Jack Swing, Dancehall, Slow Jams, 2-Step and more… The crowd are cool as well; no attitudes, no egos… Yasmin’s set to do big things this year too. Keep an eye out for her.

You’ve recently had guestslots on Mistajam’s show on 1Xtra and also Rinse FM – how do you find playing on radio as opposed to playing out?

I love doing radio. I’m looking to get back on air as soon as possible given the right opportunity. Thing is, when playing out, you’re fairly restricted to the type of crowd that’s in front of you…With radio, I find you can be a lot more eclectic, and play those tunes that you wouldn’t necessarily get the chance to play out live. That’s why I do the Podcasts; I get to showcase everything from Grime and Dubstep, to the more melodic, deeper cuts, to Southern Hip Hop, and random bits of Electronica.

You’ve been championing the Thugstep sound for a little while now too – tell us more about it, it’s origins and what drew you to it?

In a nutshell, it’s simply Dubstep with Southern Hip Hop (or Grime) acapellas over the top. The term was coined by a US DJ by the name of DJ Nappy. He put out a Thugstep mixtape back in 2007, which received a lot of online attention. I stumbled upon it, loved the sound and got inspired to put my own blends together. I think it gained a lot more attention when I put out “Mr. Muscle’s Hype” last summer. From there, people started playing my blends; there was also the mixtape I did with Rock The Dub & Ego Thieves which got a lot of love online.

Personally, I feel that Dirty South, Dubstep & Grime go hand in hand…they all have a similar energy, and are fairly similar in tempo. It’s fun to put Lil Wayne next to a Tempz tune, to a Sukh Knight tune, for example…

Grime’s been getting a lot of love lately – with Kano the face of Boxfresh and it’s strong support of the UK Grime scene, who do you feel’s really doing it right now and at the forefront of the scene?

At the moment, I’m rating P Money, Devlin, and this one dude from Essex – Dream McLean, he’s doing a lot right now, lyrically he’s on point. True Tiger are making some really good music right now too, I actually did the cuts at the end of the new P Money x Sukh Knight joint, “Slang Like This”.

From a more commercial perspective, Plan B and Tinie Tempah are killing it. It’s great to see a harder club record such as “Pass Out” get to #1. I can see UK the urban music scene doing well in the charts this year.

As an avid streetwear follower what’s your favourite piece from the current Boxfresh range?

There are a number pieces that I’m currently feeling. The “LAC” & “Lubra” tees for example, as well as the jacket. Some of the polos are nice too. In fact, clothing companies should make more polo shirts; they’re underrated… Everyone seems caught up with just making checked shirts, tees and crew necks.

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As a DJ/Producer people often refer to the importance of having a strong ‘online game’ in the current climate, aside from writing for Hot One Ten, you also produce your own podcasts – how important is blogging/social media to you and what’s the key to staying on top digitally?

Very important. These days, you can’t just be a good DJ. You need to have a brand – something people can buy into. It’s kind of expected for a DJ/producer to have a web site, Myspace, Facebook page, blog, Twitter, Podcast, etc… People come and go really quickly in this scene, you need to work hard in order to stay relevant. Having original content and also a strong online presence is vital when it comes to building a fanbase.

The only downside to the internet is that we’re now in an age where everyone wants to be a DJ/blogger/musician/online celebrity. Kids think they can become a DJ thanks to Limewire and an iPod. The net’s made it easier for people in the scene to communicate with other, but it’s also made it easy for every wannabe DJ out there.

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I know you like to keep busy – what can we expect from you in the coming six months?

More mixtapes, blends and gigs. I’m also off to China later this month for a mini tour which is pretty exciting*..hopefully there will be some more international gigs later this year. I’ve been producing a lot recently, working alongside Essex-based Dubstep outfit “Fused Forces” – they’re making some really good material at the moment. There are also a few other ideas that I’d like to put into action, but I’ll keep those quiet for the time being…

*due to the recent volcano eruption, I never made it to China… God damn that volcano.

Fused Forces & DJ Cable “Jack Russell” now out on Pesky Plates Digital from Beatport, iTunes and Juno Download.

For more info check out www.djcable.com and keep up to date with DJ Cable’s latest releases and rants on HotOneTen.

DJ Cable photographs: Josh MG

 

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categories: Press

What Went On Round Our House…

Poster for House Party #2Easter kitchen shot

There’s not a whole lot of examples where the sequel is better than the original but the House Party 2 – not the 1991 ‘hilarious’ film featuring Kid ‘n’ Play but our own take on domestic revelry featuring cheese and pineapple on sticks – seems to have garnered some pretty impressive reviews.
 
“More of the same from the people who put on the best New Year party we’ve seen in years” The Guardian Guide.
 
“the one place that can bring back the memories of some of your most treasured teenage nights but with none of the curfew issues” The Manchester Evening News
 
Sticking with the film analogy that’s wearing as thin as a Hollywood leading lady, the cast list was pretty impressive too. Our papps grabbed shots of members of Elbow, The View, The Courteeners and Kid British variously dancing, cavorting and propping up the bar and we’d got all our favourite DJs under the one roof for one night only.

Easter eddy and envyEaster boxfresh kid

The doors opened at 8pm when our 12 hours of preparations were completed (all hail the magical powers of The Ruby Lounge’s Sarah) – the teenager’s bedroom sported some groovy new space themed wallpaper alongside the videos, cars and  health and safety friendly dartboard. Heck, this time we even has a real life ‘Mum’ perched in bed with rollers, dressing gown and multiple copies of TV Quick. There was a steady succession of overly refreshed party goers taking a power nap on the bed, only to rise Lazarus-like to get stuck back into proceedings by jumping on the beds.
 
Ornaments got broken and things got nicked – all £3,000 worth of the Boxfresh T shirts, and bags as well as the England shirts, hoodies and training tops from Umbro. Eagle eyed Will Cooper decoded the cryptic message on the postcard from Jamaica on the side of the fridge and figured it was the VIP Kendal Tickets and the lucky person who bought to 100th Jack Daniel’s got the tickets for the JD Set gig featuring Tim Burgess, John Cooper Clarke and The Whip.
 
The garden was a spring like blast of tulips and daffodils with Ciaran’s hand painted hanging baskets and the tree that just about survived the last shindig. Musical highlights were supplied from the likes of Good Vibrations who partied like it was 1969 and Mind on Fire dropping the brass band version of Snoop Dogg’s finest hour. The Wasted Little DJs not only brought their favourite records but also a bag of gorgeous vintage dresses – one of which was seen on a boy in Burger King at 4AM – Nice!

Will Cooper winning himself two tickets to Kendal Calling festival!

Will Cooper winning himself two tickets to Kendal Calling festival!

Loose Fit smashed it with their DJ/Live hybrid thang showcasing their new tracks that have been remixed by Greg Wilson and Envy and Eddy Temple-Morris delivered on their promise of something unique for an MC DJ mash up of her new album and his Dance Rocks remixes. The London contingent in the shape Allez Allez and Chop Shop arrived en masse in their very own minibus and brought a little bit of what makes them so popular at Fabric and Cargo – their first gig where the catering is ham sandwiches and space raiders and served in our best 70s crockery.
 
Any fears that Easter over indulgence would affect anyone’s stamina were put to one side as Juicy and Murkage took over from 2am till chucking out time with some of the best party sounds you could wish for. As quickly as we could sneak more beer into the fridge it was snaffled by the sell out crowd and hot cross buns couldn’t be re-stocked fast enough.

Easter boxfresh stageEaster Kieren and Char
People filed out with everything from washing baskets to all our family snaps and we had two hours of sweeping up the broken ornaments and crushed monster munch till we emerged blinking into the daylight for our walk of shame in all our party frocks and newly acquired garments. Keep your eyes peeled for next time the folks are away…

easter dancingeaster dancingEaster colour busyEaster boxfresh sam dan

 

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categories: Events, Music, News, Press

The Growing Pains of Teen Music pioneers…

Here at Same Teens we don’t limit ourselves to the confines of Manchester, we like to get involved with Teens all around the place. If you’re doing something interesting, you’re doing it with passion, and you’re doing it with teen spirit then it’s all gravy to us. 

We heard some mutual friends down in Exeter were sorting out a night of new music and that another were starting band, as it turned out said band (now going under the name of Pablo Picasso) were being put on the line up for ‘Freshly Baked New Music’ at Exeter’s premier art-y venue The Phoenix we couldn’t help but automatically think of getting diary accounts, Adrian Mole style, of two sets of teens trying to do something new, bold, and most likely all time-consuming and money-losing. Ah well. As is the true face of the music industry, it all starts here…

Blaise is promoting the new music event, and Henry talks about the trauma of actually trying to write a song. Delve in… (all artwork by teens too)

 

Pablo Picasso artwork by Henry Johns

Pablo Picasso artwork by Henry Johns


THE BAND
Aspirations? How many aspirations can a teen in a band have among the dirty sea of today’s industry?

Upon entering the household of the drummer (of whom’s parents believe me to be a smack dealing animal of some sort (maybe dog)), and taking my place on an amp, the silence commenced; the dreaded, inevitable silence always prior to any musical genius. After the practise had truly began, pistons started moving. A drone could see the confidence seeping back into our veins.

The ridiculousness drove us through the evening along with a bare few fairy cakes, each of us vouching that being hammered, indisputably, would prevent us from being able to put things together properly. Guitars seemed intact for the time-being and the ability to improvise was undoubtably a must. As we came to the decision that we’d entwine the whole set together with the manic chorus of “The trees”, I could certainly imagine the crowd losing their minds along with the burdens of embarrassment always strung along with dancing sober…or maybe they’ll all be drunk anyway. As the session continued I couldn’t help but find myself losing momentum due to the Jay Reatard-esque screams and jives; the death of the 29 year old and his enviable music hadn’t left me untouched, I suppose.

As the session was nearing an end, Sam’s announcement of “I’ve got an idea” was music to my ears, much like sounds subsequent to it. The song laid itself in front of me: the idea so bizarre, the chance of a frowning mop droning around in the crowd suddenly plummeted. A sunbeam suddenly fell on the equally anti-aquiescent Kaossilator from Korg and huge wheels began to turn. Unfortunately every steam train has to reach the end of its tracks and the looming morning forced us to come to a halt and part ways.

So, there I found myself, nearing my destination and nearing the gig; Beginning the band. We are definitely not like other bands, which is exactly what I longed for. The bottom line: need more practise. Back next month.
Henry JohnsTHE EVENT
When I first thought of the idea of putting together a gig at a local venue last November, it was fuelled merely by a slight annoyance at the limited number of opportunities for local, young bands to play live, but there was no real drive, no real ambition, no real hope that it would ever take place. However since that moment it has snowballed into an event that will (all fingers-crossed) go ahead within the next two months. 

Now that it is an actuality, the stress has started to set in for several reasons:

 

 

·         Will the bands fall to pieces and have a collective panic attack on stage?

·         Will the (ever growing) costs overtake the potential revenue?

·         Will I even sell any tickets?

I’ve had to think about public liability insurance, booking fees, technician hire, stewarding, venue hire, dates etcetera etcetera…at time it would appear easier just to stop, and get on with revising for gcses like everyone else is. But I guess its that challenge that keeps me going- I told myself I’d make it happen before the end of Easter, and since I settled the date of 16th April a few weeks back, I’m over halfway there- the end is in sight.  Just gotta hope I can hold it together until then.
Blaise Radley

  

Event poster design by Romek Harley Boyer

Event poster design by Romek Harley Boyer

 

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categories: Collaborations, Masterclasses, Music, Press, Uncategorized

Love and Disaster

Love and Disaster group shot landscape

Picture: Sebastian Matthes 

Around our NYE house party; inbetween the awesome free clothes, beer, pizza’s and pineapple & cheese cocktail sticks you might’ve also found something very exciting. It’s about 10 inches in diameter, black, plastic and came in a beautiful gatefold parcel. It was the ‘Love and Disaster 1′ vinyl, of course. Packing the uprising Manchester zeitgeist onto the music lovers’ favourite format. Including tracks from  Airship, Dutch Uncles, Jo Rose and an Everything Everything remix of Delphic – this is the first essentail compilation of the year.  

We at Same Teens hooked up with the artists featured to get in on this homeground talent and asked them some questions. Catch ‘em while you can.

Delphic

Delphic

What would you say was the love of your life?
If music wasn’t the love of your life, then there is no way you could do it at a professional level as it is completely all-consuming.

What’s the biggest disaster you’ve been involved in?
As Delphic, we haven’t experienced a disaster as of yet, but we don’t like getting on small planes…

What was the highlight of 09 for the band and what’re your hopes for 2010?
In terms of 2010, our history has, in a way, already been written. The album comes out at the start of January and then we go off on tour for about 8 months. We want to do this album justice as we put a lot of work into it, but we will also be looking forward to the next Delphic record.

If the track on the EP was a film what would the tagline for it be?
‘Being the adventures of a young man whose principal interests are rape, ultra-violence and Beethoven.’

What 3 ingredients do you think Manchester gives to musicians here?
A passionate local scene, something to live up to, and people are always looking for the next good thing coming out of a city that has produced so much.


Dutch Uncles


What would you say was the love of your life?
Depressing questions would be our first love, but as a band we share a mutual appreciation for the compositions of steve reich. The biggest disaster we have been involved in would be our upbringings, naturally.

What was the highlight of 09 for the band and what’s the hopes for 2010?
Our Highlight of 2009 was opening for Maximo Park at the Manchester Apollo in October. It was the first time we’d all been nervous in a long time, and felt like our first gig again.

If the track on the EP was a film what would the tagline for it be?
Five bands. One cup. 

What 3 ingredients do you think Manchester gives to musicians here?
A dash of feudalistic heritage with a spoonful of decent venues and a light sprinkling of impossible standards.

Everything Everything

What would you say was the love of your life?
The biggest loves of our lives are our friendships (with each other and with others). And music, inevitably.

What’s the biggest disaster you’ve been involved in?
The Biggest disaster we’ve been involved with is NOW; being alive at a Fairly Bad Time For Humanity

What was the highlight of 09 for the band and what’re your hopes for 2010?
Reading Festival was great. We did a stripped-down set at Union Chapel in London for Mencap with a string quintet that was genuinely special. We wrote the arrangements and string parts ourselves which felt like an achievement. 2010: A great record is paramount, plus lots of fun touring in exotic places.

If the track on the EP was a film what would the tagline for it be?
I would like to quote my favourite ever tagline from universally-panned and instantly-forgotten Marky Mark Wahlberg vehicle ‘The Event’: “An Event appears to be happening.” Glorious in its total meaninglessness.

What 3 ingredients do you think Manchester gives to musicians here?
A sense of community that can make you feel quite safe and valued. A thriving and cooperative infrastructure. A gradually emerging scene that acknowledges the city’s many past glories but doesn’t rest on those laurels. I think that the scene has been neatly encapsulated by Love & Disaster on this 10″.

Jo Rose
My cat.

What would you say was the love of your life?

What’s the biggest disaster you’ve been involved in?
My cat running away.

What was the highlight of 09 for the band and what’s the hopes for 2010?
The highlight of 2009 was my cat, but he ran away. I hope he will come back in 2010.

If the track on the EP was a film what would the tagline for it be?
“IT was a west-coast american state, overused as a symbol for the prospect of absolution and peace. HE was an excessively introverted romantic who wrote a song employing this symbol. THEIRS was a relationship that would…. somethingorother”. 
I can’t finish that.

What 3 ingredients do you think Manchester gives to musicians here?
Sand, sun and surf.

Airship

What would you say was the love of your life?
I would say the love of my life is the art of great LP Record.

What’s the biggest disaster you’ve been involved in?
The biggest disaster I’ve been involved in is the decline of the Record and pop music as a whole.

What was the highlight of 09 for the band and what’re your hopes for 2010?
I would say my biggest highlight of 2009 was playing Leeds festival and expecting about 10 people and walking out to see thousands that totally blew me away.  My hopes for 2010 are to make the best and exciting album we can possibly make at this time and take it out to explore the world.

If the track on the EP was a film what would the tagline for it be?
“The Younger The Better”

What 3 ingredients do you think Manchester gives to musicians here?
Rain, Trains and Automobiles

 

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categories: Collaborations, Mix Tapes, Music, News, Press

Flavour magazine – Review of Volume in Silence LP

Received this earlier today and I wanted to share it with you all…

Please click here

Thanks.

 

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categories: Music, Press, Uncategorized

Emerging talent: The Darlingtons

The Darlingtons

Being based in Manchester, the beating heart of the music industry in contrast to London’s industrial cogs of it, we normally don’t have to go that far to find great new music. That is until The Darlingtons headed up from middle Somerset (via one of our contributors), with their recent EP ‘Glitch’. Being described as somewhere in between Echo and the Bunnymen and U2 (before all that God persona and ‘feed the world stuff’ kicked in), with a hint of recent euphoric bands such as The Temper Trap. So everything that made indie worth noting back in the day before it was a cursed word. They’ll remind your dad of the best bits of the 80s, and with youthful energy on their side will give us young ‘uns a new up coming band to relate to. Best of the both worlds then, welcome these new darlings onto the scene then. No pun intended.   

Below is a link to the video to the title track of their EP, which was filmed in three days, and, as the video states, barely any budget.

 The Darlingtons: Glitch

Same Teens

 

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categories: Music, Press, Video

Small talk with Mikill Pane

Mikill Pane @ TOTR

Mikill Pane @ TOTR

Mikill Pane is a rapper from London, TOTR favourite and all round funny guy. We recently caught up with him for some ‘Small Talk’.

Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi (I like confusing cocaine dealers).

Limewire or iTunes?

Limewire when I feel wicked and iTunes when I remember that karma is a motherf***er like Oedipus.

Cinema or DVD?

Cinema with my little Chinese mate and his video camera = DVD.

KFC or PFC?

KFC. Tastes better than the real thing. Authentic chickens are slacking.

Dizzee Rascal or Wiley?

Dizzee…but I think them two should kiss and make up. There’d be no Dizzee or Tinchy without Wiley. Obviously their parents paid a major part but Wiley seemed to take them under his wing.

Magazines or Blogs?

You can get porn blogs?!

iPhone or Blackberry?

Neither. Nokia E71, thanks. I don’t want an exploding phone nor a phone known for its defective balls.

Westwood or Semtex?

Hmmm…Westwood for the irritation yet entertainment factor.

Skinny Jeans or Baggy Jeans?

Skinny jeans, man. Apologies to all to the Hip-Hop fans that think I’m disobeying a golden rule. Baggy clothes are obviously one of the elements…

You can catch Mikill Pane at our next TOTR event the ‘Xmas Special’ on Dec 4th. Mikill Pane will also be featuring on our compilation album which is dropping on the same day so look out for that.

To keep up to date with Mikill Pane check out his myspace or follow him on twitter.

 

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categories: Music, Press, Uncategorized