This is exactly what we’ve been needing to kick off this Summer off right: a dj set by Wallpaper’s frontman, Ricky Reed! Straight out of North Oakland California, he’s doing it real big, with funky beats and synthed out vocals that no one can resist getting down to. Their sound is likened to the musical stylings of Hey Champ!, Chromeo, and even hints of Justice, but don’t let that fool you. Wallpaper’s sounds are fresher than produce. With hits like “T-REX” and “I Got Soul, I’m So Wasted”, I’m sure we’ll be hearing many, many great things from them this Summer and beyond!
Wallpaper has been pushing out beats since 2005, when existentialist, Eric Frederic, was only utilizing the band as a way to satarize mainstream pop and consumer culture, but luckily for us, he ended up embracing the project and now has 3 Eps, remixes for Passion Pit and Das Racist, a full length album Doodoo Face and some epic live performances under his belt, Wallpaper’s really starting to make a name for itself.
Some of their diverse influences include: Afrobeat, P-Funk, and the panoply of Bay Area rap. These influences become most noticeable in the heavy bass breakdowns of “Celebrity”, and in the minimalist pop of “Fine GF.” and are always featured in his DJ sets.
Wallpaper’s musical styling leaves much up to perception of the listener (dancer). It’s really up to you to decide what to make of it, but with their high voltage guitar rifts, blissed out melodic auto-tuned vocals, and heavy booty shakin’ basslines it’s safe to say we’ll all be dancing and singing the night away.
Speaking for myself, I’m absolutely sold on Wallpaper, and can’t wait to see what this electro-funk master has in store for us behind the turntables. Needless to say, I am so, so excited for the long awaited revival of Blow Up! With all the beautiful faces and fresh beats, this Summer is gonna kick so much ass! Let’s Dance!
Yay Yay,
Dylan
