Not your average Thursday at The Liquor Store, Synaptik Tour hit the bass so heavy you could even get down from your seat. It didn’t matter what type of bass you’re into, the tour had everything covered.
Exin warmed up the decks proper. He is definitely someone to be on the lookout for, and is constantly releasing new tracks on Soundcloud every month. Originating from Boston, Exin is now making Portland his new stepping ground, and it’s evident he’s got musical talent and influences from both coasts.
Exin developed his momentum with a fierce energy, sampling trippy echoes with a style of glitch meets figure. Once he started dubbing System of a Down’s Toxicity, it was pretty hard to not vibe out to his set. His style is unlike any other, impressive with a whole new perspective of dub turned intergalactic. Although he has no other shows booked as of now, keep him on your radar for things to come; great showmanship and true talent with this one.
Following Exin came Asteroids and Earthquakes, also originating from the East Coast, now based out of LA. He stepped up the musical course for the evening with a quicker pace and an experimental style. It’s not everyday you get to hear some freaky glitchy psy-dub to get weird with; it should be treated like a gift. If styles were to be meshed, Asteroids and Earthquakes would be a mix up of Thriftworks meets Bassnectar.
Smigonaut followed, offering all the different variations of dub from pretty to dark. Seattle born-and-raised, now based out of Boston, his dub has evident influences from Cashmere Cat all the way to Daft Punk. Smigonaut transitions from fast to slow, and from light and airy to dark and heavy. He’s truly passionate about his art, and all the minor details that follow — even sampling the sounds of bubbles popping.
5AM, based out of Delaware, traveled to these parts to please eardrums with his sensual bass tracks. Not as heavy as the previous artists, he hosted chill beats to relax and have a conversation over, while nodding your head to the tracks. Different from the rest with jazz and funk influences, you’d almost think you were checking out a live jam band with a DJ. We’re glad he traveled all this way — it’s not like anything we’ve heard before.
Last but not least Art of Fact rounded out the show with an experimental deep sexy bass showcase. One of Portland’s own, he blended psy-dub and glitch hop into a brand of its own. We hope to hear more things from this artist soon!
Some may judge a show based on timeslots, but 2CBEATZ & Synaptic Events offered some raw eclectic amount of talent from start to finish at the June 23 show, with none to be overlooked. For the rest of us with work Friday morning, it was a sweet release before the weekend came along. And if you’ve ever thought nightlife and work balance is nearly impossible, think again, and check out Navigating The Corporate World As A Raver.
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