Talking dirty with Thavius Beck

One Cell's favourite beatmaker Thavius Beck has been talking exclusively to us about his forthcoming EP, 'Urban/Subsonic'.

This gritty sonic slice is released digitally on 19 May and on 23 June for vinyl fans. So what will it sound like? Thavius says we should picture 'dirty concrete walls, trash and shady characters in an even shadier alley'. 

Confused? The idea is, he says, that 'these songs would be part of the soundtrack to a night out at the dirtiest, most underground club that happens to be the most popping shit around'. 

'It's like discovering diamonds in a landfill that has 60 inch subwoofers and strobe lights, and these songs would accompany the search through the rubble...if that makes sense.'

I think we can dig that, and watch this space for 19 May to grab the EP. The gem finder's got more sparkling treats on the way this Fall, by the way - his third solo album is due in November. Thavius produced the whole thing and rhymes on every track as well.

He tells us 'it's the first time I've released a record like that in over a decade, and based on the feedback I've gotten so far (and my own personal opinion) it's easily my best album to date'. No ego issues at all, then. 

Before that, he's gonna be around Los Angeles this summer giving workshops on how to make music with Ableton Live, the best new thing in music software. He's also been producing some rap records, both for Bigg Jus and NoCanDo. And as if that wasn't enough to keep him busy, Thavius has been remixing too: he's done one for Buck 65's upcoming group project and another for Nosaj Thing's new album.

Meanwhile another Brazilian beatman, Rossano Snel, has been kicking up a storm of praise for his debut EP 'Gallery' on the blogosphere. Indie Passion recently gushed: 'He deftly melds jazz, reggae, Soul, and Brazilian sonorities with electronic elements and organic instrumentation to craft sonic tapestries that sound fresh and progressive, but maintain a familiarly classic, cultural sensibility, all while keeping up a danceable groove.' 

We couldn't have said it better ourselves. The young groovemaker has also been treating us to some new tracks over on Myspace, including a rather fine piano solo named 'Tumpah' that you won't want to miss. And if that still isn't enough, head over to Brazilian site Misturinha and download an hour-long podcast Rossano did. We think it's rather funky.

Speaking of funky things, genre-hopping fivesome Burro Morto have been getting their festival groove on all over Brazil. This includes Recbeat, part of the massive Recife carnival, and Universo Paralello, one of the biggest electronic and world music festivals down there, with more than a week of sun, sand and non-stop partying. Who doesn't need a week like that right now! At the same time the boys have been working on the follow up to 'Varadouro', their amazing debut. Grab that here if you haven't already.

Also gigging around Brazil in the guise of 'Duo Moviola' is one third of Kiko Dinucci's samba collective Bando AfroMacarronico, namely Kiko himself and Douglas Germano. Check out some plucky tunes from that project on their Myspace. 

Lastly, One Cell's answer to The Arcade Fire, Go West Young Man, have been kicking up a storm lately on their tour of the West coast. Catch them next at Santa Monica's Dakota Lounge and the Silverlake Lounge in LA. 

Until next time, One Cell fans, keep it real….

Bill Lehane.