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Eminem x Sway
Eminem's late-2017 album Revival caught fire from critics, and not much of it was good. But that's always been fuel for Eminem's fire, and the surprise release of his latest album Kamikaze shows how he takes criticism and channels it into his art. The rapper sat down with Sway for a not one, not two, but three-part interview that covers everything from his previous hits and misses to his current spat with fellow rapper Machine Gun Kelly.
Gorillaz / Tranz
The Gorillaz have released the sixth single off their most recent album The Now Now, and it's a milestone of sorts for the virtual band — their first "live" music video. Russel, 2-D, Noodle, and Ace take the stage for a wild visual trip that has everything from 3D and hand animation to claymation. Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett was the creative mastermind behind the video, along with Blinkink and Paris-based production house Eddy.
Building A Flamenco Guitar
María Conde, along with her father and brother, is keeping the guitar company her grandfather started alive. In 1915, Felipe Conde began constructing guitars in a basement workshop in Madrid, Spain. Over 100 years later, guitars are still being made in the same workshop and with materials selected by the elder Felipe himself. María goes through the exacting process to build one of Conde's excellent flamenco guitars, from selecting wood to the final finishing touches.
Kanye West & Lil Pump / I Love It
Kanye West landed the job of creative director at the first ever Pornhub Awards in Los Angeles. At the show, he dropped a new video with Lil Pump, some crazy suits, and Spike Jonze as executive producer. No matter what's going on with Yeezy, he always manages to come through with another surprise.
How Michael Jackson Made a Song
Legendary doesn't even begin to describe Michael Jackson as an artist. Together with producer Quincy Jones, the duo made three of the greatest albums ever recorded featuring some of the best songs ever written and earning Jackson his title as the King of Pop. Nerdwriter looks at how Jackson composed his songs, giving them a unique sound and energy that hasn't been replicated since.
Thom Yorke / Suspirium
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke scored director Luca Guadagnino's reboot of the horror film Suspiria, and the initial release sounds like a perfect fit. This is the first time Yorke has ever scored a film and the musician picked an ambitious project for his debut. The full soundtrack arrives October 26, 2018.
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Founderscard
Touted as the Elite Black Card for Entrepreneurs, FoundersCard offers its Members elite status, preferred pricing, and VIP treatment from leading airlines, hotels, lifestyle brands, and business services. In addition to premier benefits, FoundersCard Members receive complimentary access to exclusive networking events held around the world. The FoundersCard community is made up of more than 25,000 entrepreneurs and innovators.
Presented by FoundersCard.
Heimplanet x Uncrate The Cave Tent
Geodesic domes are incredibly strong for their weight, making them an ideal shape for a tent. Our stealth version of Heimplanet's original tent retains all the features that made it an icon. Thanks to double-layer airbeams, all setup consists of is rolling out the tent, closing the valves, and using the included pump to inflate the entire structure. The diamond-like grid provides support for the polyester ripstop flysheet and ripstop nylon inner tent, while a vestibule keeps the entrance dry and a detachable gear loft offers added storage. A multi-chamber safety system allows compromised pieces of the airframe to be isolated and repaired or replaced, and the geodesic design offers an additional benefit: the ability to hold strong in high winds.
As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.
Ground Area: 54 sq. ft. / Sleeps: 2-3 / Height (Overall): 50" / Height (Interior): 40" / Pack Size: 16" x 13" x 9" / Weight: 10.6 lbs.
Included: Pegs, Repair Kit, Guy Lines, Pack Sack, Gear Loft, Pump w/Adapter
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Muse / The Dark Side
Muse warps to the Dark Side in their latest music video. Off the upcoming album Simulation Theory, the retro visuals for the lead single give off major 80s vibes with its Tron-like neons and period correct Lamborghini. The styling mimics the album's cover art, designed by Stranger Things visual artist Kyle Lambert.
Yo-Yo Ma Tiny Desk Concert
As far as cellists go, Yo-Yo Ma is quite possibly the GOAT. He started performing for presidents at the age of seven, has been featured on soundtracks like Once Upon a Time in America, The Untouchables, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, has earned 18 Grammys, and was named the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities by Obama. Now, Ma is gracing the NPR Tiny desk to perform a series of suites for unaccompanied cello by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Aretha Franklin: 1942-2018
The Queen of Soul wasn't just a soul singer; she embodied soul itself. Franklin had 112 singles hit the charts, won 18 Grammys, and brought her gospel background to the forefront of music. Vox looks at Franklin's roots in the church and how that laid the groundwork for her amazing career as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Jack White / Corporation
Jack White has turned his latest video into a Netflix-worthy crime drama. Directed by Jodeb, the singer finds himself as the victim of a brutal murder as a detective interviews a bizarre cast of suspects. The single comes off White's third album Boarding House Reach which is available now.
Dave Grohl / Play
Seven instruments, one song, one man — all Dave Grohl. In "Play", Dave gets back to his roots in a way. The Foo Fighters eponymous first record was done just like this, just Dave in the studio. The first part of "Play" is Dave talking about the love of music and the technical challenges of making the 23-minute piece, with the second part being the performance itself. You can't find anyone today with the love and heart for music like Dave Grohl.
Carol Kaye: Rock's Most Prolific Session Musician
She had 50 years in the music business, played on over 10,000 recordings and some of the most influential records of all time — and you've probably never heard her name. Carol Kaye played guitar and bass, but it was the bass that was her love and brought her the most success. Polyphonic digs deep into Carol Kaye's career to being you the hits you never even knew she played on.
The Cymbal Master
The Avedis Zildjian Company started making cymbals in 1623 in Constantinople, part of the former Ottoman Empire. Now based in Massachusetts, Zildjian is the largest maker of cymbals in the world. Paul Francis is Zildjian's Cymbal Master, making sure that every crash comes out perfect before it gets into the hands of drummers around the world.
Toto / Hash Pipe
Weezer's epic cover of Toto's "Africa" at the request of a fan ended up inspiring some fellow musicians — Toto themselves. On July 30, 2018, Toto returned the favor by covering Weezer's "Hash Pipe" at a show in Vancouver. It's the meme that inspired a cover that inspired another cover — a true testament to the Information Age.
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SimpliSafe Home Security
SimpliSafe teamed up with global design firm IDEO to create a home security experience more beautiful, powerful and intuitive than ever before. Rebuilt from the ground up with new safeguards to create a latticework of protection the new Simplisafe is half the size with double the range. It's also fifty percent louder, five times faster, and the system's wireless Keypad is soft, smooth and wakes with a touch. It's incredibly easy to set up in just a few minutes with no drilling, wiring or tools required and is offered at the same revolutionary price that made SimpliSafe the fastest growing home security company in the nation.
Presented by SimpliSafe.
As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.
Usual Rosé
While it gets the most attention during warm weather months, Rosé is a year-round beverage. Usual Rosé is made up of 100% Santa Barbara grapes — where the climate's warm days and cool nights combine for ideal growing conditions — and harvested with minimal intervention and zero additives. The result is a dry, Provence-style rosé with a taste that brings to mind strawberries, rose petals, rhubarb, and warm days by the water. Available in single serving "large pour" bottles at 6.3 oz each.
Presented by Standard Wines.
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Why Jimi Hendrix is an All-Time Great Guitar Player
A legend, an icon, and the man that took rock to an almost mythical place in pop culture, there are few who have reached Jimi Hendrix's place in the music pantheon. He took blues, jazz, and funk and combined them in an elemental way that put the guitar at the top of the instrument ranks and changed what was possible with the combination of music and electricity. Polyphonic takes an in-depth look at Hendrix and what made him one of the most original musicians ever to take a stage.
Arctic Monkeys / Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Arctic Monkeys released the title track from their latest album accompanied by these Stanley Kubrick-inspired visuals. Directed by Ben Chappell and Aaron Brown, the retro-styled video follows a bearded and an unbearded lead singer Alex Turner as he wonders around an empty Reno resort. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is available now.
Twenty One Pilots / Jumpsuit
Twenty One Pilots end their year-long hiatus by dropping two new songs. The first track, "Nico and the Niners", brings a chilled out reggae vibe while "Jumpsuit" showcases the duo's alternative roots. Both songs are featured on the band's upcoming fifth LP, Trench, due out October 5, 2018.
How Seven Nation Army Became A Stadium Chant
The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" has become a stadium rock classic with the likes of Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll Part 2" and Queen's "We Will Rock You". But the song didn't get there by way of American basketball arenas or football stadiums — it started on the football pitch in Europe. In Belgium, fans of the Brugge KV were about to play Italy's AC Milan when the song came on in a bar. It started later at the game, and the rest is history.
Dave Matthews Tiny Desk Concert
Dave Matthews showed up solo to get behind the NPR desk. Armed with only an acoustic guitar and his signature voice, the DMB singer kicked things off with some material from the band's new album, followed up with a few classics. Come Tomorrow is available now.
Gorillaz featuring Snoop Dogg / Hollywood
When you're going to make a song about Hollywood, it doesn't get more West Coast than the D.O. Double G. That's why Gorillaz linked up with Snoop Dogg along with Jamie Principle for a funked up tribute to the LA lifestyle. The single follows four previously released songs from the upcoming album The Now Now, due out June 29, 2018.
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Khalid Tiny Desk Concert
At just 20 years old, singer-songwriter Khalid has had a fast rise to the top of the music charts. With five Grammy nominations and a quadruple-platinum single, Khalid's career is off to a successful start. In his first Tiny Desk concert, Khalid and guitarist Jef Villaluna play a few of his best tracks, including the breakout single "Location".
Understanding Hotel California
"Hotel California" by the Eagles is one of the most famously impenetrable songs in the history of rock and roll. Lyrically and musically, the entire composition seems deliberately crafted to get the listener lost and confused. 12tone breaks down "Hotel California" with a bit of music theory in a valiant attempt to figure out what's going on behind the song.
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The Composers Behind Stranger Things
Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein are the creators of the retro synth sounds behind the Netflix hit Stranger Things. The duo was part of the electronic band Survive when the Duffer Brothers approached them to score the series. In this short interview, the composers break down the show's music and how they created the now-iconic theme song.
Interpol / The Rover
Interpol is back with their first album in four years. Lead by the single "The Rover", the record will mark the sixth project for the New York natives. Marauder is set to be released August 24, 2018.
Gorillaz / Humility
The Gorillaz do not know how to slow down. Following last year's Humanz, the virtual band's next album The Now Now is slated for release on June 29, 2018. The first of two tracks of the new record, "Humility" features jazz and soul artist George Benson with a special guest appearance by Jack Black. Watch the second track, "Lake Zurich (Visualizer)" here.
Weezer / Africa
On the internet, sometimes dreams really do come true. A 14-year-old girl by the name of Mary made a Twitter account with the sole purpose of convincing Weezer to cover the resurgent soft-rock song "Africa" by Toto. It took a few months, but Mary has gotten her wish. Weezer just released this perfect cover and reinforced just how strange a place our online lives have become.
Celine Dion featuring Deadpool / Ashes
Sonny and Cher. Hall & Oats. Daft Punk. Music is full of great duos. Now, we can add one more to the list. For the Deadpool 2 soundtrack, Celine Dion and the Merc with a Mouth join forces for a passionate performance of the song "Ashes."
Making One Instrument Sound Like A Band
At only 20 years old, Alexandr Misko is one of the best fingerstyle guitarists playing right now. His unique style blends traditional fingerstyle with two-handed finger tapping and a percussive touch. At this TEDx talk, Alexandr breaks down his philosophy and demonstrates his incredible technique.
