MELODIC NIGHT AT LOVECITYLOVE

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Last Tuesday’s RockSteady and Human Condition collaboration yielded quite a turnout with local DJ’s on display. Sov., DJ MiRo, RAF and Kyo-Ken all brought out sets laced with groove. Despite the differences in genre, beat pattern, and components, the sets (although maybe unintentional) worked together like a well-oiled machine, supplying a buoyant night of dancing and head bobbing.

The show at LoveCityLove delivered a European nightclub scene (if I ever knew one), just as promised. Sov. opened the night with fast-paced footwork with R&B in the mix. He alternated between the new and the more nostalgic quintessential R&B. Sov.’s timing and pacing were the backbone of his set—the drops and hip hop samples were inserted precisely at the right time keeping the crowd on their toes. By flawlessly alternating tempos, Sov.’s tracks allowed ample time to breath in between spurts of dancing. Some ubiquitous tracks were manipulated just enough by Sov. to keep it within his rhythm, while still being recognizable to reach the mass audience in attendance. The high-energy crowd reflected his performance, which had him bouncing up and down to the beat.

 Exhibited at LoveCityLove

(it’s art if you make it art)

DJ MiRo changed it up a bit, bringing his timeless, feel-good soul. His set took us back, with a nostalgic feel and tempo that reminded me of the music my parents danced to. The easy-going vibe was laced with new rap, which has grown into a genre of its own. DJ MiRo did a good job of covering two popular genres from different sides of the Seattle taste. Mainstream rap has become the 21st century rock and roll, and the cold Seattle nights usher in a mood for affectionate throwbacks. In an environment of novelty and sentiment for the arts, DJ MiRo delivered a comfortable sound everyone could dance to, while mixing in some new, mainstream rap.

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DJ RAF

Next up was DJ RAF, who started off strong with footwork sprinkled with some African rhythms. Interlaced, neither overpowering the other, the genres worked together to provide a sharp and bouncy dance set. At times fast paced, the tracks folded neatly into each other without rushing.

Kyo-Ken’s set was last, but he didn’t have much time to showcase his full arsenal. He produced a bright, upbeat dance set. The music he performed layered a commanding melody of synths to give a futuristic, ambient feel, while the drums and piano harmonies gave a dash of a modern soul. Kyo-Ken is part of the Northern Natives collective. Check out their mixtape, Donuts & Coffee Breaks below.

The show brought many young, restless Seattleites to the same place—an indoor event with live music captained by college students? I mean, why not? I talked to Wole Akinlosotu, who is a content developer for Human Condition Magazine and I asked him about the magazine and about a few of their goals. Akinlosotu told me it was an organized platform for creative, young individuals to be published, while networking within the community. The magazine is more ambiguously a collective, a place art can be displayed and bridged to the people behind it through parties, magazines, and galleries. In the introduction of the inaugural issue of Human Condition Magazine, founder Raphaël Gaultier dedicates it to, “the passion pursuers, the dream chasers, and artists who are struggling to catch a break.”

Feel free to check out the Human Condition Magazine website and a pick up a copy of Issue 1 here. For future RockSteady Events, follow them on Instagram.


JORDAN CHAN | Amateur Music Enthusiast | KXSU Arts Reporter

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