A film about Northwest hip-hop from

Damaged By System

Falon Sierra took out a a half-page ad in The Stranger to announce the release of Damaged By System. The latest five-track EP from the “R&B Tomboy Princess” is about “the hurt that we create for ourselves, & how we are our own worst…” Queerspace Magazine praises its “dreamy lyrics, smooth vocals, and intriguing melodies that keep the music varied but never disjointed.” Her strong singing voice is set against reggae and indie-rock influences, provided by producers Lucy Christo, Noo Makes Music, and Akira Gautama.

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A film about Northwest hip-hop from

Alchemy Union 4: Gaia

Alchemy Union produce these absolutely killer mix compilation CDs, like AU 4: Gaia, pictured here. They are intimidatingly good. This one explores themes related to climate change. Track two, Alden Lightning‘s enviro-anthem title track, produced by Vaughn, has bass drums pounding down like hydro-fluorocarbons. She sings, “I don’t know why you think this will end well for you.” Some tracks are gorgeously, technically precise, Gershwin… or Classical-even. A few tracks in, your speakers are transformed into tin cans, while Araless raps, “We Can’t See” with verses about all the discarded plastic bottles in the ocean. And moments later, during Carter Wilson‘s “Present Tense,” you’re involuntarily snapping your fingers, and singing along that we’re all “trying to do the right thing.” Mixes like this remind me of the wealth of talent in this city. And damn, this is definitely the place where you’ll find it.

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