#calamalka

[vonpitsu]

Can't wait to hear Calamalka live at Bass Coast! :)

[aftr-drk]

Calamalka • Interview

Heading his sixth time at New Forms Festival is the talented Calamalka. With his experimental tendencies, heavily influenced by hip hop, bass and dub aesthetics, Calamalka talks to us about how his journey has been, and what's in store for the future.

How did Calamalka come about? Your name seems like you have an Italian background. Do you find this influences your music at all?I am of Italian descent although the name "Calamalka" is not. It comes from the Kalamalka Lake just outside Vernon B.C. in the southern Okanagan. One of my favorite places as a kid. Originally it is said the name means "lake of many colors".  What are your influences when making music? I'm all over the place. I find inspiration in so many different ways. It all started with dub reggae though... that's what really showed me how an instrumental track could be manipulated and taken to a different level. What catalyzed you into becoming a producer? At a certain point I was playing drums and bass in a bunch of different bands and although it was fun (and I still do it) I got tired of having to depend on other people to be able to make music, so I decided to get a sampler and see what I could do on my own. As you've said in previous interviews, you are a lover of hip hop aesthetics, and it's definitely prominent within All The Way Up, and most recently your latest releases on soundcloud. What are your opinions on this whole beats/instrumental genre craze that's being popularized on the internet? I couldn't be happier about it. I think more women should get into production though.. that seems like the thing soundcloud is missing right now.  You released your last EP around this time last year. Are you hoping to release another one? What can we expect from you in the future? And will you still be exploring bass driven and dark experimental sounds? I will be releasing something soon and I can say it will be similar but I feel like my music has taken a more soulful turn lately. I have been working at a bunch of different tempos lately that I think better suit the dance floor. I'm also going to be working with Open Mike Eagle from Project Blowed on a couple of his releases, he's an MC on the rise from L.A. There will be EP's from me in the next few months with Hybridity, Modern Math and Really Good Recordings. I know you're very involved in all that goes into your live shows. Do you have any help? Or do you do it completely on your own? I wish ha ha... no unfortunately it's just me slaving over audio stems, EQ's, volume levels and midi controllers. The thing I want people to realize about my live sets is (unless the flyer states I'm doing a DJ set) I am definitely playing a live P.A. set of all original material. I don't play other peoples songs in my live set, never have!  It took me about a year to lock down my most recent set. Most of the songs I'm playing out right now have never been released or heard anywhere but in my live performances. What's your favourite part, music production or sound/set design? I love it when I'm working on a beat and it some how just clicks.. could take five minutes, could take a day. It's the mixing/arranging/sound design that can be a bit more work. You are quite the senior at NFF. Who are you most excited to see at New Forms this year? And what has been your most favourite moments of New Forms from previous years? There are so many memorable New Forms moments that I could go on about. I basically watched dubstep come and go over the course of the New Forms Festivals. Kode 9 was a big one, Benga, The Bug and Warrior Queen, Actress... etc etc.. Come check it out if you haven't been, New Forms is always good.

Be sure to check him out at New Forms Festival this Saturday.

AFTR DRK.

[traxploitation]

Erykah Badu - Window Seat (Calamalka Live Re-Crunk)

Just became aware of Vancouver B.C.'s Calamalka from the wonderful & ever giving Soundcloud. Here is a flip of some Erykah Badu that's just right for the club, or wherever you happen to be right now really! Get it quick, cause the downloads WILL run out, and you WILL be sad.

Eryhkah Badu "Window Seat (Calamalka Live Re-Crunk)" by C▲L▲M▲LK▲

[wcurmusicreviews]

Calamalka - All the Way Up

I will be one to say I didn’t really understand instrumental hip hop at first. I just couldn’t imagine hip hop music without words. That was until I discovered the phenomenon of fully pressed up instrumentals released by the Stones Throw label. This consisted of fully fleshed out tracks vibrant with different sounds courtesy of J Dilla, Madlib, Oh No and Dam Funk. These artists all showed me the musicality and level of creativity that it took to make picture perfect instrumental tracks that flowed together as a complete concept album and the results were nothing short of fascinating. That’s why at first instinct seeing that Calamalka was similar to Madlib, I knew that I would be easily interested. While although it doesn’t rack up amongst the eclectic collection of Stones Throw releases, it does have some great highlights. Calamalka’s sound consists of some minor synth grooves mixed with a simple drum machine to make some futuristic and spacey beats. They have a hint of an electronica feel, but they never stray too far from the hip hop roots. The problem with the disc is that some of these beats become dull by the two minute mark, since not a lot of elements have been mixed in to keep things refreshing. However when this is executed correctly, it can lead to some great break beats that will keep you bobbing your head. Tracks like “Babe” “Myth” and “Shout Outs” are all short enough to remain refreshing and stay consistent enough to keep you feeling the groove. With a little bit more time in the lab and some more elements of the instrumentals to be added in the mix, this could have been a great instrumental album. For those who are instrumental hip hop enthusiasts, look no further than J. Dilla’s Donuts album along with Madlib’s experimental Beat Konducta series.

-Matt Wylie

[culturite]

Calamalka - "Ain't No Need"

This guy is just killin' it...