The Streets and Orchestra flow together with the essentiality of air through our lungs. This beautiful production titled The Streets – A Story By Calzo Houdini, with Lyrics/Vocals by Mike Skinner/The Streets (Everyone has something to hide) a stimulating poem with video presented by Mike Skinner back in October last year via The Beats YouTube channel. The Music/Score is by Callum James Greens (Calzo Houdini) and Orchestra by The World Time Orchestra, Recorded in Edinburgh, February 2011.
With The Streets playing his way to the end of his own exceptional era, LikeTheSound favourite Calzo Houdini brings to us the free download of The Streets – A Story By Calzo Houdini. It is dedicated to all The Streets Heads out there who are taking part in the final tour!
THE RETURN OF KiD BRiTiSH. It's been more than a while since we heard from KiD BRiTiSH, so what have they been up to? The boys have been busy recording their new album over the past year and now it is finnished.
James says "Because you lot have been so patient we decided to record an EP separate to the album to give to you fine lot for FREE. Our way of saying “it’s been too long so nice one for sticking with us!".
All the tracks are on the EP titled Northern Stories are inspired by Manchester and contains 4 Demo’s songs called Bookies, Northern Quarter, Tib Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
You can download the “Nothern Stories” EP (4 tracks+artwork) from website Friday 18th Feb.
After officially closing The Streets earlier this month, whilst preparing for his final tour of the new and final album as The Streets - titled Computers and Blues - kicking off in Edinburgh this Friday 18th at HMV Picture House. Mike Skinner is dividing his creative skills into the film world, he has been confirmed alongside eight other guest to curate the 65th Edinburgh Film Festival.
The new-look Edinburgh International Film Festival announced the first eight curators who will help shape this year’s glittering event which showcases global, international and UK premieres and plays host to the world's greatest filmmakers.
The exciting list of curators who have been invited are Mike Skinner (The Streets - Creator, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Engineer and currently writing his debut film based in a hospital in which he will also be starring in) Isabella Rossellini ( Actress -Blue Velvet & Death Becomes Her ) Gus van Sant (My Own Private Idaho) Alan Warner (Debut novel Morvern Callar, winner of the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year Award and The Man Who Walks) Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thai director, screenwriter and producer) Clint Mansell (formerly of Pop Will Eat Itself , went on to successful career composing film music) Greil Marcus (award winning music journalist, cultural critic and author) and Jim Jarmusch (film maker behind Ghost Dog, Coffee and Cigarettes).
The Streets tour is ahead of us, and this is the end of The Streets as far as any future correspondence and releases go, but The Streets music and the legend who is Mike Skinner will live on forever in our hearts, our ears and our eyes.
The Streets, Bon Voyage and WE LOVE YOU!
LikeTheSound - Supporting all good music - greatness prevails -
Premiering on YouTube this evening is a short film capturing the Strickland Banks story. Featuring never before seen footage, it pieces together the videos so far.
A shorter version of this will be broadcast as an ad on Channel 4 this Sunday night at 22:15.
Loudmouth Melvin is the self-sufficient Rapper and Producer from Walthamstow in North East London. He knows exactly what he wants and insists his music career is kept true to his own style and ideas.
Loudmouth Melvin recently collaborated with Mike Skinner appearing on The Streets latest mixtape Cyberspace and Reds which also features the likes of Kano, Wiley and Wretch 32.
After a nudge from my friend Jamie Hodson, we decided it was time to hook up with Loudmouth Melvin and Get to know him better. But first, download the EP's
LikeTheSound Exclusive Interview : Getting to know Loudmouth Melvin - by Addolorata D'ambrosio
Addolorata : Lets start from the beginning, What came first for you, rapping or producing? Where did it start, at what age? and what happened?
Melvin : It started with rap years ago when I was a kid but i didn't take it seriously till I started to produce. The production side got me back into it and interested in writing songs rather than just verses which is what i did before. I always wanted to produce and studied briefly but I really got started about 6-7 years ago via K-Nite 13 who was using a program called Acid. He showed me the basics of the program and I just went away and learnt to craft beats.
Addolorata : Who was your biggest influences back then?
Melvin : My biggest influence production wise is probably DJ Premier or The Rza I grew up with their music and they are two of my all time favourites and I feel they've made music that's shaped how I listen to things
Addolorata : How was school for you? Did you leave with degrees?
Melvin : School was ok I didn't do great in my GCSE's but I made it up in college and then went to Uni. I'm pleased with what I achieved in education.
Addolorata : What jobs have you done prior to what you are doing now?
Melvin : I've worked in several retail jobs and worked in media/tv a bit too.
Addolorata : Have your family been supportive of what you want to achieve in music?
Melvin : Well my Dad's a musician and my Mum's an artist so they've definitely been supportive of me. Most people won't have two parents who understand the sacrifice involved in making music/art.
Addolorata : You departed from AfterShock in order to gain independence and control as an artist, how has this benefited you so far?
Melvin : Well I am self sufficient musically. I can produce and record myself so I don't have to hire studio. I choose all my decisions musically on my own which is cool and being under a label isn't always the best option in that respect although it' good to have a team working towards pushing your product.
Addolorata : I respect that about you because it's a brave thing to do, would you recommend other up-coming artists to do the same?
Melvin : Well it wasn't like I parted with a major label with huge budgets. I felt like for the most part I could do what they were doing for me on my own so I made my choice. I'd say to any artist it's best do build a foundation for yourself on your own terms because that way your fan base gets familiar with who you are as you intend them to perceive you. Major labels also respect those who have accomplished more on their own as they see them as less of a risk.
Addolorata : Tell us about Problem Family?
Melvin : Problem Family is myself and Mentalist as a group. We started in music together and he's one of my best friends. You can expect a Problem Family album at some stage this year so check that out and make sure you check out his solo project 'Make You Proud' 'Make You Proud'
Addolorata : You recently collaborated with Mike Skinner on The Streets 'Cyberspace and Reds' mixtape, tell me more about your roll in the making of 'Backseat Barz'.
Melvin : Well Mike sent me that beat a while back and I wrote something to it and sent it back but he wanted to go another direction with it. It was a bit tricky cos we didn't meet and share a studio making that so for me to work like that isn't easy. I initially forgot about it and then his manager got in touch to ask if I'd jump on a track for his mix cd. I didn't realise it was the same track so when he sent it I was surprised a bit. This time Mike had laid down his verse so I had an idea of what direction to take it in from there so wrote it pretty quickly and sent it back and it came out better then the original track I wrote to it.
Addolorata : Which other notable names have you collaborated with?
Melvin : I've worked with Professor Green, Shola Ama, Mz Bratt, Black The Ripper, Terror Danjah, True Tiger, Mystro, Fumin, Bruza and various others
Addolorata : What is your most essential piece of equipment?
Melvin : Probably my studio because everything I do is done on that whether it's making a beat or recording vocals.
Addolorata : What is the best thing that has happened to you so far this year?
Melvin : probably something to do with my team QPR being top of the Championship. I've suffered for years supporting them and things are going well at the moment so I'm loving that.
Addolorata : I had noticed your support. Congratulations on QPR's victory. Who would you most like to work with in the future?
Melvin : The list is very long. In the near future I'd like to work with Dot Rotten, Ghetts, Klashnekoff, Maverick Sabre, Devlin, Labrinth there's so many people I'd like to work with
Addolorata : Do you enjoy performing live?
Melvin : Yes I do but I need to perform regularly otherwise the rust sets in. Performing is like sport. You need to rain and be prepared otherwise you won't be match fit on the day. Other then that London crowds can be pretty stoosh so performing outside London can be better.
Addolorata : What is the one question you wish I had asked you that I have not asked?
Melvin : What is Quaranteam
Addolorata : What is Quaranteam?
Melvin : Quaranteam is a collective of artists including myself, Mentalist, Pyro Barz, Skillit & K-Nite13. We're not a group we're more like a community where everyone has their independence to do as they please. Last year everyone one of us put out a free downloadable project so I suggest you check those all out and watch out for anything any of us do because it's all good quality Hip Hop
Addolorata : Haha, well you learn something new everyday! What is next on the agenda for you?
Melvin : My joint project with Pyro Barz and then the Problem Family album. After those I'll put out my solo album which I'm just starting now.
Addolorata : I really enjoyed that, thank you kindly for your time Melvin.
Already receiving rave reviews - The Streets fifth and ... yes it is really true - final album Computers and Blues is released today.
This album is a stunning collection of of the most amazing lyrical genius, beautifully produced, pleasure to our ears. It's exciting and I guarantee you won't stop dancing either.
I take a real pride in listening to Mike Skinner's music because I know he has crafted it and worked at it until it's exactly how he wants it to be. I like that, it's a quality I know he will keep with what ever he goes on to do after The Streets because that is the way he was made.
With The Streets final album Computers and Blues out today! The interactive video you are about to watch is the most innovative introduction to an album I have ever seen and it is so typical of Mike Skinner to create something this detailed, clever and intricate for his fans.
The Interactive film will introduce you to The Streets new album of the same name - Computers and Blues. The songs are of an exceptional standard, Mike Skinner is an extremely creative and talented individual, he worked hard on this album and it has paid off. To say the least I feel so proud of what he has achieved.
The first video offers you three options, each of which then goes on to unfold further stories from which you decide Mike and his friends fate. I have to admit, on first viewing, my devious side took the upper hand and I did unkind things - which of course I would never do in real life.
The sound quality in these recordings are excellent, the clarity of every movement can be heard crystal clear, the rattle of the Doritos bags, the sound of Skinner's bare feet padding on the wooden floor, the knife and fork clattering into the plate - the sound is beautifully loud - I love loud and clear - I'm sure there is a technical term for what I'm referring to but unfortunately I don't know it, if you do - please post in the comments box below.
My sister and I were big fans of those late BBC2 and Channel 4 short films they used to run that we'd stay up late to watch, they also used those wonderful overly loud sounds for every day noises we take for granted such as water pouring from a tap or the seals losing suction as you pull open the fridge door. Outstanding work from Mike Skinner (Starring) Beat Stevie (Director) and Ted Mayhem (Producer)
With each different scenario in the Computers and Blues interactive film, comes a fact of life, for instance when I took the option to take Mike in the football match without Ted because Mike had forgot Ted's ticket, my actions caused Ted to get beaten up in the street on his way home, where if I had opted for Mike to buy him a ticket, they both could have enjoyed the game = happy ending.
The Computers and Blues interactive film is genius, it really is. I'm fascinated by the effort that must have gone into the making of it.
Play it and get obsessed.
***Computers and Blues interactive film***
LikeTheSound - Supporting all good music - greatness prevails -
Today is the day Mike Skinner is anticipated to releasean interactive short film titled Computers and Blues. The much awaited album from which the film title is taken is due out 7th February.
If you would like to appear on Like The Sound, send your video's, photo's and press releases to Addolorata1977@yahoo.co.uk Greatness will prevail in all cases.
