Wax Future

The first of our recent Reverbnation competition winners is Philadelphia based hip-hop, electro funk collective R@S(rats) Music. Consisting of three members Connor Hansell (synths & production), Keith Wadsworth (lead guitar & synthesizer) and Gralin Hughes (live digital art).

Their track ‘Straight Ballin’ , caught the Free Breaks teams ears from the get go, with the initial funked up riff an instant head nodder. As the track progresses Connors exquisite synth work and production bring the track into firm dancefloor material with hefty beats and crazy, off the wall FX . Just past the one minute mark we get served an insanely funky, electro riff that just makes you want to move those feet. After the first break Keith jumps in with some sick guitar solo action that takes the track up another notch into loose your s**t territory. This is one of those tracks where every element just works so well and these guys blend everything into a stand out party track.

As if this wasn’t enough we wanted to make this a really special package and after hearing the track for the first time we knew the mighty Funkanomics would make perfect remixers to round of the release. They very kindly agreed and managed to fit it into their busy schedule and the results are expectedly massive. Taking the original sample they layer a deceiving disco-funk / 4×4 intro into the sounds before dropping into a chunky, glitched out bass wobble with slick percussion and hard hitting beats. The Funkanomics crew really are at the top of their game at the moment and this remix is yet another example of their production prowess. Currently working hard on their next Adapted Records release, you can check out all their previous tracks over at Juno & Beatport. Be sure to follow them over at Soundcloud for all their latest music. - Free Breaks Blog (UK)

It’s funky. It’s impassioned. It’s unique. It defies genres. It’s The Human Element.

Earlier in the summer I had the pleasure of reviewing the single Heads Without Hearts from R@S‘ upcoming EP The Human Element. The EP has finally been released and, as expected, it does not disappoint. Following the same formula of Heads Without Hearts with its soulful electro and hip hoppy vibes, The Human Element takes its listeners on a journey through time, back to when passion was still felt in every note of every song.

The first track, Laid on Wax, brings in elements of hip hop fused with electro synths to create a funky tune that is easy to groove to. The vocals, typical of R@S‘ signature style, are minimal yet intricately woven throughout the track. This is an easy song to close your eyes and just get lost in the beats. If you love Pretty Lights, you’ll be sure to appreciate Laid on Wax.

Next is Free State, which is a little more melancholy. This ambient track, in its beautiful rawness, evokes a dismal feeling showcasing the power of music. Its sound is slightly reminiscent of the tracks that Porter Robinson has been debuting in his Worlds album.

Straight Ballin’ has a really unique sound for the electronic realm. The percussion is strong and almost seems to have a rock-influence, yet it introduces minute rapping throughout. It’s a harder sound than the previous two tracks, but still stylistically similar in terms of composition, minimal vocals, and easy grooves.

Heads Without Hearts is probably my favorite track from the EP, maybe because it was the first song I heard from the trio and it pleasantly took me by surprise, or maybe because it is truly a song that puts the soul and passion back into music. Either way, it’s definitely a track that appeals to the ears of many. - Your EDM

Here’s a well-kept Philadelphia secret that I’d quite honestly like to see be perhaps a little bit less well-kept. R@S (pronounced Rats) is a producer and guitarist bringing the funky love to and from this beautifully funky city. With a style resonating inspiration from glitch-hop, electro soul, funk, jazz, and bass music generally, R@S keeps it fresh constantly. Their latest release, The Human Element EP, just hit the interweb and its once again loaded with groovy vibes. The beats are bouncy and ceaseless in their builds, carrying each track up and down progressions throughout their duration. The addition of some extra guitar layers only enhances this audio experience, lending a certain organic element to the noise that gives it its truly refined nature.

This new album is another great staple in the fight for local music appreciation and recognition. R@S proves once again that you don’t need to be a big name to pour out a quality sound that could easily go toe-to-toe with those very same names. - Funkadelphia

Although they may not be on your radar yet, the new trio coming out of Philadelphia R@S is sure to be there soon. Their latest single Heads Without Hearts sounds like something deeply inspired by the sounds of Pretty Lights, with its soulful feel and electronic elements. Through its melancholy tone and inspirational, minimal use of vocals, Heads Without Hearts takes listeners on a journey right to the heart of all that electronic music can be. If you listen closely, you can even hear the motivational speech from The Great Dictator dubbed over the track:

“To those who can hear me, I say, do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. Soldiers! Don’t give yourselves to brutes, men who despise you, enslave you; who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to think and what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men – machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines, you are not cattle, you are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate; the unloved and the unnatural. Soldiers!”- The Great Dictator
This beautifully arranged composition is full of soul and heart, along with a deeper meaning behind the sounds, just as the artists had intended.

“Our third single: Heads Without Hearts is a dedication to the rat race, the hustle to get uploaded, to become digital, to be more accessible, more connected, sacrificing heart and soul in the process. Since we started this project its been our mission to bring the humanity back to this music.” -R@S
It’s also up for free download, so grab a copy here and enjoy.


Read more at http://www.youredm.com/2014/05/16/bringing-soul-back-music-rs-heads-without-hearts-free-download/#VsX1w2BZEV5XQ0Ak.99 - YourEdm

R@S stood out. R@S was accompanied by guitarist Keith Wadsworth and Producer Connor Hansell with Television Sky cutting and mixing the visuals projected on a screen below and behind the DJ table. Playing tracks from their EP The Human Element, the sound was similar to chill step with a more hip hop vibe. R@S was more mellow and euphoric than their counterparts of the night that played an EDM set more typical of your average rave or nightclub. - That Music Mag

Tomorrow night one of Philly’s quickest rising trios celebrates their album release at The Grape Room in Manayunk! R@S (pronounced “Rats”) is a hip hop soulful electronic collective. They take a very progressive look at electronic music and the culmination of sounds, combining live mixing, live guitars, and live visual art into each of their performances.

The production side of R@S is headed by Connor Hansell, who has a background in audio engineering and songwriting. The production is also assisted by Keith Wadsworth, who also happens to be the master shredder. Put six strings in this man’s hands and he will turn it into pure gold for your ears.

But what makes this group stand out even more than their sound is their live-produced art during their shows. Gralin Hughes, also known as Television Sky, is the 3rd and final member of R@S. Gralin has been a professional photographer for years and has a background in a variety of visual arts, he even teaches audio and video software! Gralin brings an artistic visual twist to every R@S live shows that make each performance unique and unparalleled.

The unveiling of R@S newest album, The Human Element, happens tomorrow night, and it’s sure to be one hell of a party. These music manipulators and sound schemers have created an album that culminates electronic mastery and funky fresh beats. They’ve slaved hard in the laboratory (lab r@s that they are) in hopes of bringing a little humanity back into electronic music.

Keith Wadsworth was quoted saying, “We wanted to breath life into mechanical music, wanted groove, inflection, mistakes even. Our third single: Heads Without Hearts is a dedication to the rat race, the hustle to get uploaded, to become digital, to be more accessible, more connected, sacrificing heart and soul in the process. Since we started this project its been our mission to bring the humanity back to this music. This is a short story about that process.” - Philly2Night

“R@S brings a new sound to dance music with punk and metal lead guitar work layered over groove based beats.
Coupled with a multimedia visual spectrum of eye candy for a packed house to groove to!”- Scooter Best, Owner
at The Grape Room in Manayunk, PA - The Grape Room

Philly sure knows how to keep it fresh! Some of the hottest artists have come from our beautiful city, proving that the "city of brotherly love" is also the city of serious musical talent. This week I interviewed the members of the band R@S (pronounced "Rats"). These guys definitely have perfected their art. Comprised of three members, R@S is a hip-hop electro funk collective, that stretches the boundaries of the typical live show and engages the audience through their performance.
The band is comprised of the creative genius of Connor Hansell (synths & production), Keith Wadsworth (guitar shredder), and Gralin Hughes (live digital art). The owner of the Grape Room, a place this band knows very well, was quoted saying, "R@S brings a new sound to dance music with punk and metal lead guitar work layered over groove based beats. Awesome music coupled with a multi media visual spectrum of eye candy definitely keeps the packed dance floor grooving!"

Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. So you guys are a band of three members. How did you all meet? What's your background and how did it bring you together?

Keith: We met working together, Connor and myself had been playing gigs together in our respective bands, I believe one of those nights Gralin took some photos of Connor's set. Looking back it's cool to know we were all in the same venue before all this got started

Connor: My background is in audio engineering and songwriting. I studied at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida and earned a degree in Recording Arts. I'm a software trainer for audio and photography software. I grew up a songwriter and guitar player and have been playing and performing since I was young. I stumbled across hip hop when I was about 16 and it began to help me develop my production and writing styles. In every style of music I have written and recorded, from folk, to blues, to reggae, to electronic, you will always here a little sprinkle of hip hop flavor.

Gralin: My background is in a variety of visual arts—I studied industrial design in school, am an instructor for audio and video software and work as a freelance photographer. I’ve also had exhibits of paintings and posters I designed. I am a big fan of electronic music and am a self-taught musician as well.

2. How do your artistic styles differ?

Keith: I come from a progressive metal background, which I think is a great element in dance music, contrasts wonderfully to Connors folk/hip hop tastes.

Connor: Keith and I really do come from different ends of the spectrum of music. Keith from a metal background and me from a singer songwriter/ hiphop/ production background. Sometimes you just throw a bunch of ingredients in a pot and you cook up something wholesome… one might call it electro-soulfood.

Gralin: Keith and Connor really are the ones whose artistic styles contrast each other as the musicians in the group. My role is to take the inspiration from the sounds they create to mix together images in live time that are projected behind them during the performances.

3. How have your styles changed since you began playing music?

Keith: I grew up listening to Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, and Steve Vai. I had posters of these dudes on my bedroom walls when I was a kid. I lived and died by shred. Getting older I'm learning how important it is to flirt with silence and groove, playing this brand of funk with Connor and Gralin has been so refreshing to my roots yet still providing me an avenue of growth in my playing.

Connor: My musical styles have changed so much throughout the years. I started out as a singer songwriter and eventually got into production and recording. If you would have told me 5 years ago that I would be working on an electro soul project I would thought you were crazy, but it's hip hop! It will find its way into every genre out there and I guess.. where it goes, I go.

Gralin: Initially I was using more 3D and animation footage for the VJing, but now I’ve been shooting more footage of my own to use—it’s like making experimental films in live time. As Connor and Keith develop the audio elements the visuals progress along with them too.

4. What's your feel for the music scene going on right now in Philly?

Keith: We're so blessed to be in Philly, it has a vibrant live music scene. Even the most corporate of booking agents have a solid ear to the ground for up and coming locals. There are tons of clubs here with nice dance floors. We're so excited for this date we have in April at XO Lounge. It's a great new space and just goes to show that Philly isn't stopping, there are tons of like-minded people making great things happen in the 215.

Connor:Ever since I heard The Roots “Illadelph Half-Life” I wanted to be a part of the Philly music scene. Philly has such a rich musical culture and past and I'm exited to be a part of it. I think it's changing a lot, but people are out enjoying music in Philly more than ever.

Gralin: I’m starting to see more electronic bands emerging and that’s exciting. There was a period in the late 1990s and early 2000s where you saw a lot of bands making electronic music, but then it faded away. There’s also a good variety of venues to play in Philadelphia which supports a vibrant music scene overall.

5. What's your favorite venue in Philly to play? Why?

Keith: Currently it's gotta be the Grape Room in Philadelphia, as a performer there is nothing better than a small club with great sound and vibe. Like I said were looking forward to this April date for sure and can't wait to harbor great relationships with new venues, but nothing beats home-field advantage. The Grape Room is home for me. And I can't wait to sell the place out this summer!

Connor:Gotta show love to The Grape Room. Its a venue owned and operated by musicians for musicians and I have always felt like home there.

Gralin: Yeah, I definitely agree, the folks at the Grape Room have been really supportive of our performances.

6. What's your favorite venue to attend as an audience? Why?

Keith:I love going to shows at The Mann, outside in the Summer/Fall, perfect feeling, open air concerts are awe-inspiring to me. The way music feels In free open space is beautiful.

Connor:Gotta agree with Keith, The Mann. It's outside and it sounds awesome.

Gralin: It’s a tie for me between Johnny Brendas and Union Transfer. I like Johnny Brenda's because it’s an intimate setting and you really get to experience the performance up close. Union Transfer, though much bigger, is a unique building and a fun space to see a show in too. They also have a great sound system.

7. Where's your dream venue/festival to play? Why?

Keith:There is a farm in Manchester Tennessee, it hosts a festival called Bonnaroo. If I was told that I was blessed to play a late night set at "That Tent" I'd probably pass out from excitement. I learned a lot about what music means to me at Bonnaroo and have been a diehard fan every since my first year. Bonnaroo taught me how to dance.

Connor: I've gotta go with Keith and Bonaroo on this one.

Gralin:My dream would be to play the Moog Festival in Asheville, North Carolina. The Moog Festival is dedicated to exploring the overlaps and possibilities for music and technology—it’s a merging of all my interests.

8. Gralin, tell me a little bit about the 3rd element that you bring to R@S.

My role in the group is as the VJ. I’m selecting and mixing together visual elements in live time that is then projected on a screen behind the musicians as part of the performance. The visuals are a mix of animation and footage I’ve shot. Adding a visual element engages the audience on a different level—what we do isn’t just a performance, but providing a multi-sensory experience for the audience.

9. What's your artistic vision for R@S?

Keith: Gralin and I constantly talk about the collision of visual art and sound, I'm so excited to be working with him. The vision of the future looks for us to bring more collaboration to all the facets of our production. We want our shows to have a please touch museum feel to them, we want to incorporate the listeners in every possible way, giving them the opportunity to create and collaborate alongside us.

Connor: R@S has always been about a collaboration of art and music. R@S is all about forging something new yet preserving something old. Its an experience

Gralin: I’d love to expand the visual elements and do projection mapping and build sets for the performances. Projection mapping is a way to take visual images and project them onto three dimensional objects. For example, you can build sculptures that are different shapes and then use the software to project separate images onto the unique shape of each particular object. Even though I’m responsible for the visuals, it’s still a collaborative process. Keith is always full of creative ideas of how we can push the visuals further. I’ll get random texts asking “Hey Gralin is there anyway we can make……” So now I have a moleskin book full of things we may try out. - Philly2Night

The Manayunk/Philly based EDM/Hip Hip trio R@S (RATS) new release “Free State” is a fresh taste for your ear buds. The R@S trio mixes guitar and synths with a tasteful splash of funky hip-hop sampling. Find them around town @ local clubs blending music and visuals on the fly. - EDM Philadelphia