Kat Says: “Watch My Fucking Vlog, Gawd.”
My Portola Fest 2022 vlog is live on YouTube, and I’ve got some new flavor for your ear.
Are you enjoying Kat Scrawls? Do you think your friends would enjoy it? Please consider sharing this newsletter with a friend who likes good tunes and silly essays, and please always feel free to respond to this email and share your thoughts with me—or “like” it or leave a comment, or tweet it or something. Just spread the love and holler back, I’m always here for you ;)
Hey friends!
As you all know, I went to the inaugural Portola Festival in San Francisco about a month ago, and boy did I have a wild time! You can read all about my excursion to the two-day rave-heavy event and how my experiences on the dance floor mirrored the freedom and exuberance of the city’s famed Folsom Street Fair in that week’s newsletter, Kat Says: “I Was Flogged! A Very-Special Rave Report From Portola 2022.”
OR AND ALSO, you can watch my official Portola Festival 2022 vlog recap, which is indeed my first official festival recap ever.
I did indeed smash it, if I say so myself, and I’m about to do it all over again this weekend at III Points in Miami! Be on the lookout for that.
Since I am about to hit another music festival and push my body to its absolute limit, I am keeping this week’s newsletter short and heading right into some new tunes for you to enjoy.
I will be back next week with a regularly-scheduled essay, and I just want to reiterate again how thankful I am for all of your support. Every time you open this newsletter, give it a like or let me know what you think of my words, it encourages me to keep getting out there and doing this damn thing.
A very special thank you to my paying subscribers. The only payment I receive for Kat Calls, Kat Scrawls, my vlogs or anything I produce independently comes from you, and it literally enables me to put the time and energy into this project which *literally* makes my life worth living.
If you’re not already a paid subscriber, consider it! No WoRrIeS iF nOt, but a lil paid sub goes a lot more than a long way, I promise.
Coming Up Next
Kat Calls: Holly
Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT
Twitch.tv/katbein
I’m so excited to introduce you to my next guest, Holly! The Portugues beat maker is a true producer’s producer. I was first introduced to his work as a solo artist who turned heads with his advanced breakbeats and mind-blowing sonic textures, but my ears perked up again when Baauer credited him with being the best damn collaborator he could ever dream of, working with him as an inspiration and confidante when creating his incredible LP Planet’s Mad.
“I’ve really learned to appreciate his use of texture and bizarre choices,” Baauer told me in our 20 Questions interview for Billboard Dance. “I started off just by sending one song. I was like, “Hey, man, here’s something. You think you could add something?” In, like, five minutes, he sent something back just absolutely psycho. I was like, “Oh my God. Wait, try this one now,” and same thing. I’ve never really worked with someone in that way before either, and I’m so glad I did, because it added a whole new element to all of these tracks that never would have been there.”
Last month, Holly released a new EP titled Minha Vida Love, which showcases a softer side of his prowess while still twerking “absolutely psycho” twists and turns. Just listen to this tune “Close 2 Protect.” It’ll get ya drunk.
Alsooooo
Everybody big ups my boy Jose Duran, Managing Editor of Miami New Times and mentor of my life. He nabbed an interview with electro sex-nymph Shygirl for the cover of this week’s III Points edition, and it is an enthralling read. It’ll get you amped on her debut album, which just released on Because Music, one of the best labels in the whole darn world. Give this a read, and give her LP a listen.
If you’ve got an eye for design and like to look at pretty things, this editorial staff collab from Billboard takes an inside look at the most luxurious, state-of-the-art and expensive recording studios around the world. It’s impressive to behold, and you’re likely to learn something!
Absolutely Necessary
(This is the part where I share songs that are so good, they’re absolutely necessary to listen to. That’s it. That’s the bar.)
I made two Spotify playlists for this section that you can follow: one weekly playlist updated with just the new stuff every week, and one cumulative playlist that will host every song I pick ever (until Spotify tells me it's full). Check them out! I made them for you—and me, but mostly you.
SG Lewis & Trove Lo - “Call On Me”
Featuring both on Lewis’ forthcoming LP AudioLust & HigherLove as well as Lo’s recently released Dirt Femme, this dark disco banger will turn your body into a sweaty dance machine and tap into your devilish side.
Pat Lok - “Lasting Love”
This mother fucker may be Canadian, but he just released a French Touch EP that can bump with the best of them. Jolie is four tracks of heavenly funk loops and disco mayhem that you have to listen to today, tomorrow and all weekend.
Lastlings - “Get What You Want”
This new tune from brother and sister duo Lastlings starts sensual and slow burns into a bumpin’ bit of pop house. It’s my introduction to the band, but they released a full-length debut titled First Contact in 2020, and I’m definitely going to go retroactively give it a listen.
Protection - “Still Love You”
This new duo comprised of Chvrches’ member Iain Cook and for The Kills member Scott Paterson is coming with the heavy synth goodness. Taking inspiration from aughties electro, '80s synthpop, acid house and all things good, “Still Love You” is a slinky synth-pop stalker that gets my blood pumpin’. Looking forward to more from this brand-new band.
Atrip - “Patchouli”
A lil psychedelic, a lil funky, a whole lot of groove, this dope dose of breakbeat and melody was an instant like on Spotify for me.
Fred Again.. - “Delilah (Pull me out of this)
Fred, again? Yes, the most hyped producer in all the land just dropped another single, and he also dropped the release date for Actual Life 3. It’s coming next weekend, Oct. 28!
HWLS - “Cross Me”
HWLS always brings the bangers. This one is smooth like velvet with a grungy garage edge that is just spicy enough to get the room sweatin’.
Sycco - “Ripple” Feat. Flume, Chrome Sparks
What a dream team! The Future Classics heroes come through on a very garage-y beat for their fellow Australian—and who doesn’t love a well-placed, haunting scream?
Okay ya’ll! Them’s the songs this week. I can’t wait to come back in full force, and to show you my new hair. Jordan has been dyeing it while I write this. I haven’t even seen it myself! What fun!
LET’S GO, III POINTS!
Thanks for tuning into my newsletter. Listen to the playlists on Spotify. One is updated weekly with all the songs from each edition. The other is cumulative with all the updates ever!