Groundislava

For Jasper Patterson AKA Groundislava, creativity combined with the video game, sci-fi sounds and general aesthetics of the 1980's have been instilled since day one. A young 20 year-old hailing from Venice, California, Jasper's father both animated and directed the classic "Take On Me" video by A-Ha and while Groundislava isn't exactly the next logical step from the Norwegian new wave group, Jasper takes that same creative freedom and emotion and injects it into a sound grounded in beats, video games, technology and self-proclaimed "nerdy shit." As part of the Wedidit Collective (helmed by his old schoolmate Henry Laufer, better known as Shlohmo), Groundislava is the next representative stepping into the light and exposing a group of youngsters each with their own nonchalantly expert takes on forms of beat and electronic music.

While deeply infatuated with the styles of house music and minimal techno (check "The Dig" or "Stealth River Mission"), on his debut self-titled LP, Groundislava takes old templates of 8 bit and chip-tune styles and turns them into worlds full of oozing, swirling melodies backed by driving drum beats, heavy bass drops and soaring vocal melodies in spots from vocalist Weary. Alongside the crop of up and coming worldwide electronic producers such as Shlohmo, Young Montana? and another former classmate Baths, Patterson is primed and ready to unleash his unique brand of woozy 8-bit composition. Whereas much music that utilizes the 8 bit sound tends to feel fully mechanized and soulless, GIL injects heartfelt harmonies and melodies that demand attention - "Final Impasse" and "One For Her" will surely make you stop in your tracks and listen up. Elsewhere, Wedidit cohorts Jon Wayne and Shlohmo stop by for the track "Shlava," with Wayne delivering super on point and off the cuff raps on top of Jasper's laid-back video game beat vibes. Another early favorite is the sinister and downtempo "Animal," featuring Weary's dark and twisted croons.

Emerging from the endless summers of Venice, CA to teaming up with Shlohmo, Jonwayne, D33J, RL Grime and more to form the Wedidit crew, Jasper Patterson aka Groundislava has transformed from bashful video gamer to full-fledged composer. The son of Michael Patterson (who directed A-Ha’s standout music video “Take On Me” and Paula Abdul’s “Opposites Attract”), Groundislava has roots that draw from 80s nostalgia, TV and pop culture that grow and transform into the 21st Century aesthetic of electronic music.

Recently tapped for official remixes of Slugabed and Shlohmo as well as Kutmah’s Brownswood compilation, Groundislava returns with the ‘Feel Me’ LP, the follow-up full-length to his self-titled 2011 debut. A mature step for the artist, ‘Feel Me’ showcases Groundislava’s unique sensibilities for developing sweeping soundscapes, luscious backdrops and somber tracks in a distinct sound all his own.

The subdued groove and melancholic melodies of tracks like “Suicide Mission” featuring ghostly vocals from Baths and “Bottle Service” featuring Shlohmo balance the big room dynamics and technicolor soundscape of tracks like “Olympia 2011″ and the bass heavy boom of “Cool Party”. On others, like “TV Dream” featuring the enigmatic Clive Tanaka, Groundislava composes an ebullient ode to a friendship’s inception, soaking it in summery vibes and phantom playfulness.

Track list:

1.) Cider

2.) Suicide Mission ft. Baths

3.) Olympia 2011

4.) TV Dream ft. Clive Tanaka

5.) After Hours

6.) Jasper's Song I

7.) Cool Party

8.) Flooded ft. Houses

9.) Jasper's Song II

10.) Living Under a Rock

11.) Bottle Service ft. Shlohmo

12.) Love Ribbon ft. Jake Weary

LP CD Digital