Hand’Solo artists Ultra Magnus, Mickey O’Brien and The Mighty Rhino return together to Duffy’s Tavern to bring you New Songs For That Ass! C’mon out and party with us!
… & Yet, & Yet & Yet
Featuring performances from:
Ultra Magnus
The Mighty Rhino
Mickey O’Brien
Duffy’s Tavern (1238 Bloor St West, Toronto)
Date: Friday, January 17, 2020
Time: 10pm – 1am
Cost: $10
Check Facebook for more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/440424820167105/
“A Touch album gotta be completely finished like antibiotics,” proclaims Touch on the new single, his third, off his sharks-themed concept album Jawz. “A Touch Joint” guides the listener through the varied streams flowing from the beginning through to the end of a typical Touch project. Touch’s delayed delivery of his freestyle flow is a fantastic fit for The Dirty Sample’s combination of slick drums, total saturation of tambourine, and a piano that flips between haunting thriller and saloon music. Juno-nominated producer Fresh Kils provides a surprisingly darker feel, opting instead for plodding drums and weird organ on his remix, while the official video, filmed and edited by Manley Pubik, provides a raw glimpse into Touch’s recording process, his studio, and his discography. The latter is useful information to have as Touch concludes this joint with great advice: “Go cop a CD!”
Written and performed by Touch
Produced by The Dirty Sample
Remix by Fresh Kils
Mastered by Dorc for Banging Masters
Artwork by Ghettosocks
Video directed and edited by Manley Pubik
Much love to Houdini Mansions for this great interview conducted by Gray Lee. It was posted about a week ago so I’m slow to get it up, but it’s the best current interview with The Mighty Rhino that I’ve seen. Give it a read by clicking the image or the link down below…
Read the review here: http://houdinimansions.com/features/2019/12/14/interview-we-talk-with-the-mighty-rhino
Indie Music Discovery has come through with an interview with Ultra Magnus upon the release of his new single, “Duck”.
Click the image or the link below to read the interview:
Read the interview here: https://www.indiemusicdiscovery.com/interview-ultra-magnus/
More support from the Sudbury press for Mickey O’Brien’s “Strangers”, his latest single about addiction and mental illness.
Please click over to read the article… Especially if you also want to hear more about his upcoming concept album dropping on Valentine’s Day.
Read the article here: https://www.sudbury.com/lifestyle/really-dark-times-sudbury-hip-hop-artists-powerful-new-single-explores-ravages-of-addiction-1976478
“All he ever wanted was the beat not basic”. It’s more than a line from the hook of the new single from Ultra Magnus off his currently released album, Muziki Mzuri (Hand’Solo Records). It also conveys the feelings of Ultra Magnus when he connected with Juno Award-winning producer and MPC button masher Fresh Kils for their first ever collaboration, “Duck,” a banging beat backing the braggadocio raps and rapid-fire delivery. And then every beat was better than the last. Ultra Magnus and Fresh Kils cooked up something special with “Duck”, and it’s just the beginning, trust! The single also features an equally crazy remix from DJ Matto (+/-).
Following closely on The Sudbury Star article, Hip Hop Authority has published a great post about the video for Mickey O’Brien’s “Strangers”.
Or read the article here: https://hiphopauth.com/mickey-obrien-releases-gripping-visuals-for-strangers
So awesome to see an excellent article on Mickey O’Brien about his new video for “Strangers” from my hometown paper, The Sudbury Star!
The video packs a powerful message about substance abuse and suicide.
“Strangers” was shot and directed by Daniel Jardine for Boom Shoal, and features a cameo from the dude Ultra Magnus. The song is produced by Fresh Kils with cuts by DJ Uncle Fester.
Read the article here: https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/rapper-gets-honest-in-new-video-about-addiction-and-mental-health
“Strangers” is the new single from Mickey O’Brien’s debut full length, My Drift, released early in 2019 on Hand’Solo Records. Produced by Juno Award-winning MPC master Fresh Kils, who calls it “a filthy masterpiece”, the album is a blazing collection of working class, hip-hop poetry, and “Strangers” might be the most on-point expression of this. “I wrote this song at my absolute rock bottom,” says Mickey O’Brien. “It’s a real life account of my struggles with addiction and depression. Honestly and truthfully writing about my problems has given me the power and strength to overcome them one day at a time.” “Strangers” show us that the modern struggle is very real, and is increasingly an inner one. O’Brien rips through bar after bar of introspective, raw, reality raps. He puts it all on the line, addressing his own inner demons, and creating light from the darkness. The video dramatically reflects the struggle with striking images of darkness, hard times, and perseverance. The video/single shot and directed by Daniel Jardine (Boom Shoal) is an artistic embodiment of the cry to take a closer look at the substance abuse, mental health and high depression rates in our modern age. Ultimately, it calls on us all to take the blinders off and stop ignoring the issues. And if you’re struggling, please talk to someone.
You are not alone; there is help:
https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien
Produced and mixed by Fresh Kils
Cuts by Uncle Fester
Remix by DJ Matto
Mastered by Dorc (Banging Masters)
Artwork by Selene Toffoli
Video shot and directed by Daniel Jardine (Boom Shoal)
Edited by Mary Komech
Conceived as an original contribution to the second annual 24 hour celebration of hip hop at CHRW in London, ON, the posse cut “We Came to Rock” first aired alongside other songs debuted during the Hand’Solo Hip Hop Hour segment. With a heavy emphasis on drums and synth, the hype, head-nodding production—plus the wild cuts on the chorus—are courtesy of DJ Matto, pka DJ Usdneedls of Vancouver rap duo Hidden Fortress and current producer and DJ half of +/- based out of Fukuoka, Japan. Pulled from the Hand’Solo Records roster, each of the nine MCs provide their own take on hip hop, from the braggadocio biography of Mickey O’Brien through Jesse Dangerously’s positive confessional and Big Bear’s struggle to keep the content clean to concluding with the party raps of Iron Wind. Plus Tachichi, Touch, More Or Les, Pnutty Goldust and District Prime, each provides their own perspective, too. With so much Canadian rap talent on one song, it’s a given we came to rock!
Lyrics written and performed by Mickey O’Brien, Tachichi, More Or Les, Touch, Jesse Dangerously, Filthy Animals (Pnutty Goldust & Big Bear), and Primal Winds (District Prime & Iron Wind)
Produced by DJ Matto
Cuts by DJ Matto
Artwork by Selene Toffoli
