Hand'Solo Records

September 14th, 2024

Post Cards Listening Party

Join Hand’Solo Records and Mickey O’Brien for a listening party for Post Cards, an EP of songs inspired by and written during his recent tours in Japan, Australia, Ireland, Paris, and across Canada. Post Cards drops on September 20 on coke bottle clear vinyl with the instrumentals on the b-side, and on CD packaged with a collection of 6 postcards inspired by songs on the album. During the listening party we will be providing discount codes for these items. We hope to see you there this Sunday!

RSVP here!

September 13th, 2024

The Dirty Sample’s “The Darkness” on Found Sounds playlist

“The Darkness”, the first single from The Dirty Sample’s upcoming Halloween beat tape, Beats To Murder Rappers 2, was selected for inclusion on Found Sounds Submithub playlist. Listen here.

Playlist:

Jinz Thepp – bibliography
John C Buttigieg – Dreamscape
Loops & Loops – prismatic soap bubbles
EVILTIME – WALK ALONE
SideKey – Vitamin D
Frank Jeffries – Over the Hills
Disco Boule – Covoit exceptionnel
The Dirty Sample – The Darkness
Lina Saroza – Moving Up
Scrimshire – Hazel
LateNightBeatFeast – Friday
Elise Esther – Sono Profundo
Swish Major – Aquarius
Ceramic – Lighting Another’s Lamp Still Brightens Your Own Path
Cay Taylan – Jazzbirds and the minitaur & Zuleyha Geels
Einsam – Fill Your Boots (More Life)
T. Soomian – No Phone
Nepal Death – Ashen Pilgrim
Failed Rockstar – My Heart Poured out of My Eyes
Fiona Fox – Who’s Boss?
WALL – Synthball
Sohomski – Venus
Droid Bishop – Renegade
Nic Evans – The Wilderness
Solar Bloom – The Great Beyond
Sofie Demi – Be your friend
Stoph Bjornson – Haven
Kentö – Everything
Ich Lüge – Death x Infinity

September 13th, 2024

Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina” makes Weekly Top 10 Videos at WIB

Word Is Bond has selected Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina” to be on their Weeky Top 10 Videos for this week…

September 12th, 2024

Roadie Music’s coverage of Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina”

“A faixa capta a essência de um amor passageiro, refletindo a habilidade de O’Brien em transformar experiências pessoais em música impactante.” – Roadie Music

Some new coverage of Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina” from Roadie Music…

September 11th, 2024

Extravafrench’s coverage of Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina”

“Mickey O’Brien prouve une fois de plus son talent pour raconter des histoires qui résonnent profondément, sur une bande-son groovy et vibrante.” – Extravafrench

New coverage of Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina” by Extravafrench…

“Gina” was also added to their Extravarap playlist on Spotify:

September 10th, 2024

Folded Waffle reviews Mickey O’Brien’s “Gina”

“Mickey O’Brien’s latest single, “Gina,” is a captivating narrative wrapped in the nostalgic embrace of hip-hop’s birthplace.” – Folded Waffle

A brief review and write-up on “Gina” from Folded Waffle.

September 10th, 2024

Magick Show returns with a “Massacre”

The first single from Magick Show’s upcoming Samhain EP…

“Massacre” is the first single from Magick Show’s long-awaited second EP, Samhain, scheduled for release just in time for Halloween. This single not only signals the return of the Nickel City horrorcore super group, but also introduces to the fold new member Johnny Bizness, who produces this uptempo, sample-heavy funk beat on which the trio of MCs—Mickey O’Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny B—trade bars in a bloody orgy of horror-inflected punchlines and murderous metaphors. A minimal vocal hook is given heft by machete sharp cuts from DJ Uncle Fester. The result is a bouncy boom bap track bound to get the heads nodding and the monsters mashing on the dance floor.

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny Bizness
Produced by Johnny Bizness
Cuts by Uncle Fester
Mastered by Dorc

September 3rd, 2024

Mickey O’Brien falls in love on “Gina”

The second single from Mickey O’Brien’s Post Cards EP is “Gina”, a love-at-first-sight story set in the birth place of hip hop. On a trip to the city, Mickey and Gina encounter each other, feel the mutual electricity, and decide to explore the feeling despite the limited time they have together. The soundtrack for this tale of romance is a groovy boom bap beat by Fresh Kils beefed up with live keys by Zachary Clement throughout, a guitar solo by Petr Balaz for the outro, and a soulful blues hook courtesy of Sarah Craig and Annie Q. “Gina” is an excellent rap song for anyone who has ever been in love, no matter how fleeting.

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien
Produced by Fresh Kils
Keys by Zachary Clement
Guitar by Petr Balaz
Remix by Uncle Fester

The accompanying video was filmed on location in New York City by Dan Jardine for Boom Shoal Enterprises. It’s an accurate visual depiction of Mickey’s story while also perfectly portraying the giddiness experienced in those early days of love.

September 2nd, 2024

Epic organizing and playing at Edmonton Beat Battle

Epic and the crew over at Saskatoon Folk Rap Records are organizing a beat battle in Edmonton, AB during which they will also be rapping. Some heavy hitters are in the beat battle, and it looks like an excellent lineup for the rap performances. Should be a good one!

September 2nd, 2024

Fortunato interview with Indie Music Discovery

The interview Fortunato did with Indie Music Discovery a short while back has now been published by them to their site. It’s short and sweet, and somewhat informative. Check it out!