Throughout NZ Music Month we’ll be hearing stories from young musicians about the local songs they love the most. Today, Times x Two talk about songs from David Dallas, Villette and Troy Samuela, Broods, Matthew Young and Steriogram.
Times x Two. Photo: AndreKong Photography
Auckland rap duo Times x Two, Zee (Zaidoon Nasir) and Cader (Arshad Cader), are currently working on a new EP to be released later this year and have just released their remix of The Leers' 'I Can't Cope' to tide fans over. To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, the boys also made some time to run through their top five local songs for us.
Here they are...
David Dallas – ‘Life Is...’
Zee: This song is just so nostalgic to me. I used to listen to this track back in high school when I was trying to figure out how me and Cader should approach the music industry. I was really inspired by this era of David Dallas' career because it proved that kids like us that make hip hop can get recognition in the States, and made the idea of gaining international success more believable. The production is so tight, it sounds like something from a Tony Hawk game or something. Super chill, super jazzy, just like most of the stuff I was listening to back in 2011. Also - such dope word play by David Dallas in the first few bars of the verse.
Villette and Troy Samuela – ‘Ruby’
Cader: This track is just two producers going HAM for two minutes. I love this track because of its different elements - it's able to keep you entertained throughout the whole duration without getting boring. It's also super aggressive, which I love!
Broods- ‘Bridges (High Hoops Edition)’
Zee: I already loved the original Broods track before I heard this, but once I got put on to this super funky remix I think it definitely took the #1 spot. It's not very often that I hear a track and not want to change anything in it, but in this case I really can't think of anything I would have done differently. It's almost as if High Hoops catered to my tastes personally, with a groovy bass line and drums which make this track one of my favourite poolside bangers.
Matthew Young – ‘Loveblind’
Cader: I really enjoy the songwriting on this track. Every part of the song has such catchy melodies, it's almost as if the whole song is a hook. Also the funky guitar is really dope, it adds perfectly.
Steriogram – ‘Walkie Talkie Man’
Zee and Cader: This song came out when we were still in primary school, but we used to sing it all the time on our walks home. The vocal performance is so good, and we love the overall "character" of the track, it's really wild and crazy. The concept of the music video is also super awesome, don't think we'll ever forget that. Dope track by one of New Zealand's dopest punk bands ever!