Artist Profile - The Holdup

     If you can't tell by the song links or tweets (@RegCon2016), we're pretty obsessed with The Holdup, and you should be too. Lead singer Mike Garmany's voice will pierce your soul or your money back, guaranteed. They combine reggae baselines with indie lyrical themes and pop-style beats. A quick definition of terms: When I see indie, I mean it in the cool way, not the white guys from Vermont playing banjos singing about how random they are/everything is. And when I say pop, I don't mean mainstream, because I would never diss The Holdup like that. They're the opposite of conformity, creating a genre all their own and paving the way for 21st century reggae.
 


So as you can clearly see from the picture, these guys look like full-fledged hardos channeling an early 2000's Eminem vibe. But don't be fooled: beneath their earrings, big-font t-shirts, and Sunglass Hut shades, these guys are talent manifest. In 2008, Garmany linked up with drummer Danny Flores and bassist Kyle Christensen, later joined by DJ and band manager Clev Stiles (clearly a made up name but well done Clev, very chill). They soon signed with Dub Rock Records and dropped their first album "Still Gold" which I assure you is still gold a million listens later. Personally, I recommend "Alone With You" "The Girls" and of course "Move On" is a favorite. But see for yourself:

And the great news is these guys haven't looked back since. With every song they get closer and closer to sniping you right in the feels via your headphones. "The Fighting Song" which came out just a few months ago is still being played on repeat on my Ipod. Check it out:

The lyrics to their songs are always honest and self-aware, enjoyable because of the shared experience of their audience. Like I said, don't get too hung up on those flat-brim hats and team-no-smile mentality. Flat out, their making good music, and if your not listening now, your never going to be ready for what they come out with next. So study up, here's a few more of my favorites:

The Reggae Hangover Playlist

So you went out last night. You had a good time, but today the sun is especially bright for some reason, and has there always been that annoying ringing sound in your room? Your back stings for some reason. You check it in the mirror. You have a tattoo that says "Property of Jessica xo" across your shoulder blade. You don't know a Jessica. Your friends call and ask if you want to get some breakfast. You say you have a doctor's appointment, but really you throw up in the shower.

If your morning or your life is going anything like this, there's only one thing to do. Take a breath, relax, and turn on the Reggae Hangover Playlist. Forget the tattoo, forget Jessica, and forget the Burnett's vodka that you drank like water last night. All you need is gently strummed rhythm guitars, bouncing bass hits, the occasional saxophone interlude, and a few steel drum hits. Water is usually good too.

The Garden - Tribal Seeds

Closer I Get - Rebelution ft. John Popper

Not Done Yet - SOJA

True to Myself - Ziggy Marley

Collie Man - Slightly Stoopid

A Soulshot for Your Winter Blues

Winter getting you down? Sure, New England is cold with a wind that seems to go right through even the most expensive Patagonia fleeces. But think ahead. To that magical time. The sun shines and warms the Northeast for a few beautiful months. New Englanders eagerly and gradually peel off the tough, gritty exterior that they wear almost all year round. As if this were not enough, don't forget about the annual Newport Reggae Festival. I'm letting you know now so that you can get your tickets well in advance, because this thing gets bigger and better every year.

Want more information? Follow the link Rasta:
Newport Reggae Festival

And, to push you that extra inch off the edge of your chair, here's a clip from the first ever annual Rhode Island Reggae festival, featuring Reggae legend Alton Ellis playing with Soulshot:

Want more Soulshot? You're in luck, because these Vibesmiths still play in the area! Check them out on Facebook to see where they're playing next:
Soulshot Info/Facebook page

Friday Night Reggae Mix

Creating the ideal 'going out' playlist is a subtle-appreciated art form. You may be surprised to learn that you could craft a perfect playlist just from the genre of Reggae music. A lot of people may think that the only time to listen to Reggae is while reclining in a hammock on the beach or playing hacky-sack on the quad after class. In reality, Reggae is a much more diverse genre than you might expect.
So let's get Friday night started with some good vibes.

First, there's the pregame. The pregame set list should be upbeat enough to get people excited to go out while they casually start sipping, while simultaneously not being overpowering, draining you for the long night ahead. So find the balance between upbeat and chill. There's no need to pump EDM while ripping shots of Svedka like its freshman year again...yet. Remember, this is the pregame, and nobody likes that hardo that puts on Thunderstruck at 8pm.



The Pregame:

Lazy Lake - Audiodub
Black Roses - Barrington Levy
Roots, Rock, Reggae - Bob Marley & The Wailers
She Gimme Love - Collie Buddz
Dance All Night - The Dirty Heads (ft. Matisyahu)
The Girls - The Holdup (ft. Weege)
 
When in doubt, The Holdup, Collie Buddz and Sublime rarely disappoint.

Now you're nice and pregamed. You feel good. You look good. You're confident. That girl from your Econ class just Snapchatted you. One or two more shots and this might be the best Friday night of the year. So what kind of playlist goes with this feeling? The Friday night Reggae mix of course. These tracks will keep you hyped up through the next couple drinks and then some. Sure, the bass line will still be thumping at the heart of these Reggae party tunes, but adjust the treble a bit, because you're gonna want to keep that energy up.



Friday Night Reggae Mix:

Ganjaman - Alfons
Jammin' (Kungs Remix) - Bob Marley
Come Around - Collie Buddz
When Mi Party - Popcaan
Ablaze - Alfons

At this point in the night you've either passed out or you're blacked out still raging. Either way, you're gonna need the Reggae hangover playlist tomorrow so stay tuned!

Why We Love Reggae Music

      These music videos perfectly encapsulate why we love reggae music. Don't get me wrong, I love rap, trap and R&B, definitely can't live without Drake. But, unlike most themes in rap songs, reggae generally has a pretty positive message. It seems like usually they just want all of us to get along, which I can totally get on board with. Unlike EDM, deep house or techno, Reggae doesn't make you feel the need to jump of bridges with GoPros or strap on a bandanna and jump around to Firestone by Kygo like it's spring break in Laguna Beach with your sorority. Rather, Reggae is usually soothing, with a thumping, steady bass, dulcet saxophone and steadily plucked acoustic guitar. Reggae is simply enjoyable, and so are these music videos. All country music is bad, by the way.

The Fighting Song - The Holdup (New Music Video)
You and Me - SOJA ft .Chris Boomer (official music video)
Wrong Way - Sublime
No Cocaine - Slightly Stoopid ft. Inner Circle & Capleton (Music Video)
Heartland - Stick Figure (Music Video)

Artist Profile: Rebelution

     Basically, Rebelution is the four chillest white guys you've ever met. Just look at the facts: They all graduated from UC Santa Barbara, playing local shows and eventually releasing an original EP. Eric Rachmany, the vocalist and lead guitarist was a religious studies major. Wesley Finley, the drummer, majored in anthropology. The bass man Marley Williams majored in film studies. And last but not least, Rory Carey on the keyboards was a business major. Ok so the business major isn't as chill, but he must have been friends with the other guys for a reason right? I mean, just check out this group pic:

 

Still not convinced that these guys are chill? This next pic should clear things up for you pretty quick:

Yeah, that's right, they're just straight up chilling in front of a bunch of mountains. And Williams does appear to be wearing the same exact outfit as in the first picture. That's how you know.

They also have a couple other guys that tour with them (Khris Royal and Zach Meyerowitz), who we can safely assume are equally chill. But let's focus on the music. These guys are dedicated to making more than just music; they create beautiful sound. Don't believe me? Just listen through the first chorus of Ordinary Girl. Rachmany's voice sounds like if a saxophone and an acoustic guitar had a baby. Listen to their music, and you will understand the term vibes. Here's a few of my other favorite Rebelution tunes:

Feeling Alright

Good Vibes (ft. Lutan Fyah)

Route Around

Honeypot

Bright Side of Life

I could keep going, The truth is, these guys can do no wrong when they step on the stage or into the recording booth. You could close your eyes and click on any song that shows up under Rebelution on Spotify and you won't be disappointed. Even if you went deaf you could enjoy this music by feeling the bumping, rhythmic bass pumped out by your stereo like that kid in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (side note, good movie, very little to do with reggae. like nothing to do with reggae). 

Can't get enough? Want to see Rebelution in concert? My sources say they're awesome live. Ok, my source is my girlfriend but I trust her and so should you. Getting too personal? Probably. Anyway, here's a link to their website. It's just as chill as you would imagine it:

rebelutionmusic.com

5 Reggae Songs for Non-Reggae Fans

      A lot of people think that Reggae begins and ends with Bob Marley and the Whalers, maybe with a pinch of Peter Tosh. Well, that's actually a pretty good start. But what you don't know is that a lot of really talented Reggae artists are making music that you don't need to have dreadlocks to enjoy. So if you feel too white to enjoy the thumping bass and steel drum of Reggae music, its ok, your not alone. A lot of recent reggae music is crossing over into different genres, essentially finishing what Sublime started. If you do enjoy reggae music, go ahead and light up that second joint, because you're sure to enjoy the riddim and vibes of these five tracks.

1. Tell Me - SOJA

2. Back Then - The Holdup

3. In Your Eyes - Tribal Seeds

4. Choice is Yours - Stick Figure (ft. Slightly Stoopid)

5. World A Reggae - Ini Kamoze