Matt Jenko

28 September 2022

14 September 2022

UK musician and producer Bon-Psy in the musicto spotlight

Bon-Psy is Gianluca Cardinale, a London-based musician and producer, currently working with Asta Hiroki’s Folded Music imprint. His recent artist submission to our community caught the attention of musicto curator Matt Jenko.

This week in the spotlight, we’re featuring his track “Carte Blanche,” from the 2022 EP Order. We’re not the first to feature this talented musician and producer. His music has already been recognized by BBC1, BBC6 and others. In fact, this track has featured on Spotify's popular editorial playlist Orbit.

Of course, no amount of exposure is ever too much, and curator Matt Jenko—along with the musicto community—couldn’t be happier to feature this talented London-based artist.

In the Spotlight at musicto

For this week’s In the Spotlight feature, musicto curator Matt Jenko’s pick is Bon-Psy’s ''Carte Blanche'', discovered in the electronic artist submissions section of our musicto community social network. A musician himself, Matt shares his thoughts about his sonic experience with Bon-Psy’s Carte Blanche:

Occasionally you end up feeling like you’re not making decisions for yourself. You’re making decisions for the little gremlin in your brain that’s looking for something way different from what you are. Getting permission from that little prick is a lot harder than anything you ever asked your parents for in the past, and I'm including the gnarliest of house parties in that.

You can argue as much as you want, show up with a cost-benefit analysis and a laundry list of upsides, but if it's not what the gremlin wants then I'm afraid it's not happening.

Like all of us though, every so often the gremlin’s asleep on the job, and we can sneak past a few great ideas without them noticing. And when they finally wake up, they’re not even arsed! They exist solely as a gatekeeper, and care very little about anything that makes it through the gate. In fact, it's kind of its whole gig to protect whatever is through the gate, regardless of how it got there — that's how we end up collecting all sorts of dumbshit thoughts and feelings about ourselves (but that’s a wholly different conversation).

Sometimes, we grant ourselves carte blanche to go off and do some real wholesome shit, the kinda stuff that makes us feel Warm Fuzzies (that’s another Bon-Psy track as well, btw — I’m good at this sorta stuff ey). Usually, it just takes a bit of creative thinking to realise what’s going to distract our gremlin long enough to sneak in some well-being.

“Carte Blanche” in the words of Bon-Psy

When Bon-Psy submitted his instrumental track “Carte Blanche” to the musicto community, he included a few words about this instrumental track his 2022 EP Order:

I showed this track to a few people whilst working on it, and one of the responses I received stood out. The individual imagined driving on an empty road at sunset, a beach or coast to their left and forestry to their right with the sunset coating the landscape in a warm orange hue. I called the track ‘Carte Blanche’, reflecting a sense of freedom I felt from this fitting description.

If you’re after wonky rhythms and grooves, and a melodic and experimental sonic experience look no further!

Support UK musician and producer Bon-Psy on Twitter, FB, IG or through his website.

12 September 2022

Will she ever find them? Perhaps we will never know

30 August 2022

9 August 2022

“Hoof Command, this is Escape Reality Mission Control, do you copy?”

“Ready for takeoff, over.”

A stallion with a yearning for the stars, departing on a ship destined for deep space. Guided only by the mysterious Escape Reality Corporation, The Hoof has no Atlas, only a disembodied voice over LDRA for company.

Talia, the voice calls itself. “I’ll be accompanying you on this journey, as well as providing the soundtrack.” There’s a slight accent to the voice, subtle hints of Camargue — a region home to one of the oldest breeds of horse in world. Reassurance for The Hoof. “We’re currently on board theTARANTIA,” says Talia. “A Resistence class cruiser purpose-built for the kind of deep flight we’re about to embark on.”

“FEELS KINDA ROPEY” says The Hoof as the vessel powers up for takeoff.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. There’s a 72% survival rate.”

!WARNING!

**OBJECT DETECTED IN: PROMENADE OBLIQUE_**

“We seem to have an anomaly. Anomaly — identify yourself.”

A new voice over the intercom: “Don’t mind me Talia. There were some checks I needed to make, I wasn’t satisfied with the usual 54% survival rate.”

“Dr Sally, you need to remove yourself immediately, unless of course you’d like to be incinerated?”

“It’s fine Talia. Once these checks have been completed, the TARANTIA will be up to an acceptable 67% survival.”

“And yours will be a round 0%. Assessment: Run, Sally. Run!”

“I’D RATHER NOT SACRIFICE THE DOC—” begins The Hoof, but then everything goes blinding white.

**

Drifting, out in the void of space. The Hoof awakens for a sleep that feels like it last an eternity. There’s a real pain in his neck, and there’s a lot of neck to be in pain. Then he remembers the takeoff.

“Talia?” he asks. “Did, well, y’know…”

“You’re awake! It’s been quite some time, I didn’t know if you’d ever come round. I could have given you a shake, but I don’t know how you’d have responded and best not to provoke a horse. This isn’t my first rodeo.”

“What happened to the doc?”

“Look out of the window! Isn’t it marvellous—”

“—yes, it’s nice, but what happened to Sally?—”

“—it’s called the Mouth of God. A Solar System collapsing in on itself; you can see the swirling mass of celestial debris coalescing on the slipstream. Let’s go in closer.”

As the TARANTIA draws nearer, The Hoof sees with a sickening realisation that this Solar System is the one he’d left. The familiar sights of his home system stretched out before as ink descends in water. However long he’d been gone, had been enough time for an apocalypse.“

Can you see the suspended tendrils of planet Earth? We’re on the Edgewater of the Pacific, though it’s more like a river these days. How marvellous to see cities and mountains folded over one another, a wonderful vision of the circularity of existence, a powerful… hey! What are you doing?”

“I’m taking Control. I’ve seen enough to know deep space isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Where do you think you’re going to go?”

“Home.”

As if by some divine providence, our stalwart stallion engages the vessel’s manual override, hoofing it for the centre of the swirling mass before him. Whether by prophetic insight or pure idiocy, our hero heads for the very centre, a blinding mass that looks like it will crush the ship like so many marching ants, when the tiniest of openings reveals itself — a wormhole. Salvation(?)

**

The Tunnel goes on for eternity. Talia has been quiet for nearly as long, but upon emerging on the other side, she emits a gasp.

“The loop, it exists! We’re back at origin, almost as if it were inevitable. Reality is truly an Ouroboros, each existence merely an Oda, a room within the sprawling House of the Gods.”

“Something is different,” The Hoof absorbs. “This isn’t the reality we left. We don’t have all those Small Little Green Cubes where I’m from.”

Talia ponders for a moment. “Assays indicate they are geometrical aberrations incurred as a byproduct of the temporal recursion.”

“Ne Güzel,” mutters The Hoof, momentarily Turkish for some reason.

“Linguistic distortions are also to be expected.”

!WARNING!

**FUEL RESERVES: CRITICAL_**

“I’m afraid we won’t make it back to your homeworld… well, the variation of your homeworld in this existential circle, at least.”

“So something is different then,” says The Hoof, getting a little tired of Talia’s horsehit.

Talia merely gives a response that sounds like whatever a disembodied shrug would sound like. “Materially, they’re not much different, minus the cubes. We came from Circle 12, we’re now in Circle… 14 I believe. Fortunate that we bypassed 13, if my archives are to be believed.”

!WARNING!

**FUEL RESERVES: CRITICAL_**
**DEMISE: IMMINENT_**

“Should we do something about that?”

Talia laughs. “You must forgive the warning system; it’s something of an alarmist. We will be fine. Just steer toward that nebulous Solent to the west there; yes, that’s the one. Aim true now, good stallion — The World Is Watching.”

Guided by something from beyond, The Hoof pilots the vessel along the twisting celestial river, until eventually he sees it.

The Red Planet.

Mars.

As the TARANTIA comes into land on the planet’s desolate surface, Talia says what The Hoof is thinking. “It looks like it’s just me and you for the forseeable future.”

“How nice,” The Hoof mutters for a second time that lifetime.

Talia laughs.

“I suppose I ought to make us some Breakfast then.”

**

Many years later —

“Hoof Command, this is Escape Reality Mission Control, do you copy?”

“Ready for takeoff, over.”

18 July 2022

The end of the world is a circus. Soho is cinders. London Bridge has fallen down. What’s a person to do? Figure out how to power up that old double cassette player in the basement, make a kickass playlist and rebuild the world — if you can survive the zombies and cannibals, of course.

24 June 2022

From Andie:

This Thing We Got by The Kite String Triangle – This absolutely sets the whole mood of colourcraze. It’s that dance-y electro dose that feels like flashing lights (and those cool flashing lasers too). The build up to the chorus and the chorus itself is what gets you hooked. I don’t know how else to describe it, but you just gotta put it on the highest volume and feel it.

mas queso by Floyd Wonder – When I saw that Matt added this to the playlist, I automatically knew I’d play this on repeat– just judging by the title itself. It’s like you can already expect a track called “mas queso” to be so damn good, like seriously. Those deep beats and the echo in that repetitive lyric will just hypnotize you, and get you moving of course.

You and Me by The Magician – SUCH A FEEL GOOD TRACK. Imagine dancing to this in the beach or blasting it during a car ride. It’ll make you so happy for some reason, I guarantee that.

Waterfall by Petit Biscuit & Panama – This is just so beautifully breathtaking that it makes you wanna close your eyes. But It’s all in those those subtle, but loud and bright beats in the chorus that’ll keep you up. I’d say its a really cool transition from the really dance-y tracks on this playlist.

Courtside – Vacations Remix by Tim Atlas & Vacations – I loooove Tim Atlas and Vacations, so when they released this remix, it was like something straight out of a dream. The lyrics are a story and its airy background makes it all the more serene, which is ironic since it’s part of this dancey and mostly upbeat playlist, but something about it made me have to add it.

From Matt:

The Last Goodbye (feat. Bettye LaVette) by ODESZA – Since you asked, it took me quite a bit of a while to warm to the new ODESZA stuff. But now I think these are some of my favourites they’ve released to date. I mean this track has a slap bass solo, I’d have to be a gold plated maniac to dismiss such wonder.

Have It All (feat. Age.Sex.Location) by Cosmo’s Midnight – Listen 2 this track without feeling really happy. You can’t, don’t lie. I truly do love a track like this, one that’s like ‘oi mate, everything’s alright, how could it not be when the grooves are this slick ey?’ I simply can’t argue with such sound logic.

Is It True by Tame Impala – I always seem to find a way to shoehorn this track onto a list I’m making regardless of what the list is actually about. I just really like it I guess, plus it’s really versatile. Makes me think about driving on a warm evening with the window down. Although in this economy I try and avoid driving anywhere, gas prices being what they are… sorry did I bring the mood down?

Get Ya Under My Skin by Madcat – If I had to pick a track that embodied what feel me and Andie were going for with this list I’d probably pick this one. It’s got the swingy dance rhythm with the PARTY VIBE that Colourcraze is all about. It’s bright and it’s crazy. Colourcraze.

Something To Say by HOLOW – I guess this track brings a bit of a darker vibe to the list but it’s just so FECKIN good when it first comes in I can’t resist talking about it. Sandwiched in between two of the brighter tracks on the list I think it makes for a nice contrast and everyone loves contrast I asked them.

22 June 2022

16 June 2022

It’s a brand new school year and through a catastrophic timetabling error, professors McCalpin and Jenko are now here to teach the same class. The only problem is, they’re from two very different disciplines…one of vintage Funk, and the other of modern Metal.

Now, they have the interesting task of not only educating the class, but each other in the nuances of their chosen subject specialities.

What’s on the curriculum?

Prof. McCalpin: For my first lesson in vintage Funk, I’ve chosen Fair Child by Willie West. Mainly because it’s undeniably funky no matter who you are, but it’s also not your average run of-the-mill Funk. It is heavily bass and drum driven but has acoustic guitar lines which is unique for this style. This type of greasy, soulful struttin comes straight from the swamps of New Orleans. Willie’s vocal is pure truth, and can cut to the core of you if you let it.
Prof. Jenko: For my first lesson, I’ve chosen Dunsel by Protest The Hero because not only are the guitars absolutely FURIOUS, the track evolves (or progresses, if you will) through all kinds of thoughts and feelings before smashing into one of the most rib-kickingly magnificent breaks you’re likely to hear. Elementary listening.

Prof. McCalpin: We climb aboard the mothership for our second vintage Funk lesson. Handcuffs by Parliament is a showcase of all things downright funked. This is George Clinton at his best and without a doubt his finest vocal performance. It’s important to note that P-Funk’s space and UFO vibe for this 1975 album was not just a branding gimmick. This band truly thought that they had been visited by Funk seeking aliens from another planet so they were doing their damndest to prove that their Funk was the stankiest. This song and masterpiece of an album are valid proof of utmost Funk to any being.
Prof. Jenko: Lesson two Hunting Season by FEVER 333, an absolute masterclass in channeling anger through the medium of music. Jason is audibly livid (and why wouldn’t he be, given the subject matter), the music serves as the aggressive backdrop needed to really make his point land. It’s rapid, it’s brutal, it’s got a huge deal to say. “Get that boot of your neck my brother.”

Prof. McCalpin: The third and final lesson for this course is A Message From The Meters by The Meters (my favorite vintage Funk group.) This track blends elements from the two previous songs: Louisiana flavor, and a group shout vocal. Meters songs always consist of four different parts perfectly locked together to form a perfect groove. This is really what Funk is all about at its core. Everyone has their own repetitive part that supports the entire piece. Like a well oiled machine these parts combine but they do not sound mechanical or perfect. They are listening to each other just as much as themselves. You are hearing literally four of the best to ever Funk: Zigaboo Modeliste on drums, Leo Nocentelli on searing wha-wha guitar, George Porter Jr. slamming dirty basslines, and the great Art Neville on organ.
Prof. Jenko: Let’s end lesson three with Broken Vision Rhythm by Loathe. The crushing intro may remind some of you of our studies on Mastodon, but it quickly lurches into something far more frenetic, a true auditory conniption. There’s a pent-up energy that finally breaks at 1:06, and afterward the floodgates are well and truly open. Be carried upon the wave.

What did we learn?

Prof. McCalpin: Monomyth by Animals As Leaders proves that playing Metal music can be creative, and beautiful art. As a guitarist I have been aware of this band and Tosin Abasi as a guitar master for years. It was truly exciting to finally listen to him and this band. It’s crazy to follow along with each note and to imagine what rehearsals must be like for a band of this caliber.
Prof. Jenko: Remind Me by Patrice Rushen is truly a treat to listen to. This is the kind of thing I could have on loop in the background, creating an ambience as they say. I hear a lot of what I love about Bonobo in this sound, no doubt Patrice has been an inspiration for him in some way!

Prof. McCalpin: Dunsel by Protest The Hero is a two guitar, double bass drum attack to my face with some great vocals and lyrics. I’ll never forget when one of my beginner guitar students brought a Protest The Hero album to his first lesson and told me that it was what he wanted to learn. I did my best and after a year he was actually playing a few of their riffs. I couldn’t deny him because as this song says: “Shitty music just ain’t worth makin.” Something we can all agree on no matter what the genre is.
Prof. Jenko: Kissing My Love by Cold Blood is giving me some real nostalgia for the soundtrack to Final Fantasy 8. Truly a formative soundtrack on my young brain, it’s easy to see why a track like this would appeal to my sensibilities. An A+ for sure.

Prof. McCalpin: Where The Birds Are by Good Tiger is a sweet, unexpected blend of heavy and melodic. I chose to write about this one because I love the band name and the song title. I was reminded of my deep love for the Mars Volta with this track. The bass tone really stuck out to me as being unapologetically hard. I like that. Also, the vocal harmonies are wild and complex.
Prof. Jenko: I Feel Like Dynamite by King Dynamite is something I’d want playing at a party with a bunch of cool cats invited. I love the little brass flourishes and the way the chords move to this darker edge in the pre chorus, it gives the song a layer of complexity that begs repeat listening.

—

A playlist is an ideal guide for any sort of introduction to a specific artist or style of music. In the case of this playlist, an added element is needed: a teacher. A trusted source for a genre otherwise too overwhelming and vast to tackle as a newcomer.

16 June 2022

So I'm gonna do a little riff, kinda like a stream of consciousness, some stuff I'm thinking about in the here and the now, my deepest concerns, the content of the rich tapestry of my mind. I imagine it will be profound, potentially paradigm shifting in all honesty.

Gorillas are fucking good aren't they.

15 June 2022

15 June 2022