GUEST LIST: John & Maria Vanderslice
"Give my babies my rhyme books but tell 'em 'Do you'"
Sometimes I hand this thing off to friends and this is one of those! But first, a plug!
I haven’t been performing a bunch this year but that all changes next Thursday, where I’ll be opening for John Vanderslice’s incredibly-named new band, Google Earth, alongside some very very good comedians at Permanent Records Roadhouse. Get tickets here.
This show should sell shirts that say, “I WAS THERE” because history will be made. Okay, onto the guest list…
John Vanderslice is a prolific musician and well-renowned record producer, who has worked and collaborated with everyone. Think of “top-tier indie musician” and yes, you’re right! I can go on about his Tiny Telephone studio to his numerous great records, but I must stress from personal experience that John is a real one. Very inspirational!
The newly renamed Maria Vanderslice, is a talented artist and photographer. Together, these two newlyweds are a damn power couple. Maria has even joined John on a recent house venue tour to provide additional vocals. They are both sweet, funny, and share a (I don’t throw the ‘e’ word around) punk ethos that I greatly admire.
They also throw killer parties that helped ease my transition into LA early on, and often feature a really great playlist. I asked them to let me know what they’re spinning, and they picked a few that I just talked about, probably because I’ve been listening to Maria’s last party playlist…
John Vanderslice’s Picks:
Wiz Khalifa & Ty Dolla $ign “Something New”
Ty is prob our newest fav in the Vanderslice house. I guarantee Maria has at least one TY song. Honestly, he makes Vultures an interesting listen.
Paris, Texas & Kenny Mason “Dnd”
This song is SO GOOD. Pairs well with buzzed driving, coke nights, and any other net negative activities.
Little Simz “Two Worlds Apart”
One of the most exciting rappers out of the uk. She's fun, weird, and always exciting.
Earl Sweatshirt (feat. Armand Hammer) “Tabula Rasa”
Billy Woods is prob my fav rapper, his veres is astounding:
Bury me in a borrowed suit
Give my babies my rhyme books but tell 'em "Do you"
Give my enemies the good news, time flew
THE GOLD STANDARD:
Arca - @@@@@
A 62-minute single song masterpiece, at turns impenetrable, frustrating, and revolutionary. It changed my life and music.
Maria Vanderslice’s Picks:
Kenny Mason “Jumpin In”
This is just a straight up BOP. The sample is incredibly well integrated into the song. Kenny's lyrics and tone are on point.
BlueBucksClan, Hit-Boy, Ty Dolla $ign & Kalan.FrFr “Don’t Count Me Out"
Once again, Ty Dolla $ign adds his magic touch to a song. The bass is so dirty and distorted. It's a banger from beginning to end and so sad that it's only 2 mins and 19 seconds long.
See You Next Year, ICECOLDBISHOP “Jump”
Lyrics haven't been released on RapGenius yet but I am counting down the days until it does.
Kendrick Lamar “meet the grahams”
The Vanderslice household is DEEP in the Kendrick v. Drake beef. We have picked a side. We stand with Kendrick. I don't think I've ever heard a diss track so brutal.
"Psychopath intuition, the man that like to play victim
You raised a horrible fuckin' person, the nerve of you, Dennis
Sandra, sit down, what I'm about to say is heavy, now listen
Mm-mm, your son's a sick man with sick thoughts, I think niggas like him should die"
THE GOLD STANDARD:
Joni Mitchell “Don't Interrupt the Sorrow”
The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975) is not Joni's most well-known record, but it should be. I listen to this record almost every day, and this song stands out to me as one of the best she's ever written. It's so swingy and weird, starting with the chorus about "Anima rising", I believe referring to Anima, the female psyche in Jungian psychology. There's a line where she says "death and birth and death and birth and death and birth, bring that bottle kindly and I'll pad your purse, I've got a head full of quandary and a mighty, mighty, mighty thirst". I think about how difficult it is to scan these words to music all the time. It's a pure show of her genius.
Thanks to John & Maria for their time and check out the show at Permanent Records Roadhouse!