Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased tracks, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. During this special podcast week, we are featuring songs by bands performing during the 2011 Decibel Festival. Today’s selection is “Baby Mama” from the 2011 self-released EP by Star Slinger, Bedroom Joints.
It is amazing what these producer/DJ types can do with a Macbook Pro and solid bedroom hours set aside – alone- to produce. In the case of Darren Williams, producer/DJ out of Manchester, UK, his funk, reggae, R&B, soul, weighted dance music is a testament to the power what happens when pure genius gets a music technology degree.
Since 2007, Williams the man has put out a couple albums under such name, and by 2010 and the release of Volume 1, he was known as Star Slinger. Thanks to his trolling record stores for gems of soul, funk and R&B and mostly taking small, nearly unrecognizable snippets of a tune, his mixes have garnered the attention of seriously reputable acts: a request from Broken Social Scene’s Justin Peroff to revisit “I Do” via Twitter, to props from Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino to remix his own single, “Freaks and Geeks France Soccer Jersey,” to getting mad props from Mavis Staples for sampling her very own song. To add to his accolades, NME named Star Slinger one of the top 50 bands of 2011 (so far).
The music from Star Slinger is fueled by funk, R&B, and soul with a bit of shoegaze to boot. The vocals often seem like nothing more than an instrument, as on today’s featured song, “Baby Mama,” which is a clean, funky, dance tune to settle down to or start your day with.
As of a few days ago, Williams has just signed to Mountain Dew’s label, Green Label Sound, for a release of his single, “Dumbin’,” and at the same time Star Slinger is on the verge of his first North American Tour. One of the first stops will be part of Seattle’s Decibel Festival, appearing at The Crocodile on Friday, September 30, and he will also be LIVE ON KEXP tomorrow at 1:00PM as well. Full tour information can be found on Star Slinger’s website. Also, check out the mesmerizing video for “Mornin,” directed by Alan Jensen, and try not to love it!
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