Ghosts on Tape is a one-man dance jam powerhouse from San Francisco whose unique tropical-booty-crunk sound defies categorization. In his own words, Ghosts on Tape is “live PA with no laptops on some janky ass ghetto equipment that no one would be caught dead using in the 21st century.” This means that he does his whole performance live on two blinking mixer looking things (no turntables involved) that look straight out of the early ’90s.

Ghosts on Tape

He did an xlr8r mix in November 2009 and some hot remixes that are gaining some serious attention (for Lemonade and Rainbow Arabia), but I can’t really understand why this dude is not blowing up. He’s put out a bunch of releases on Wireblock. Plus he’s a super nice guy and even agreed to do a live set at my birthday party for a hundred bucks. Labels/booking agent/promoters take note! And just when I thought he couldn’t possibly have any more street cred, he takes a sample from this widely acclaimed/cult youTube video.

Supposedly he is roommates with one of the guys behind Lazer Sword, a two piece half in San Francisco and half in New York whose sound is more hip-hop infused with more of a glitchy/electro/bass thing going on — but the influence both ways can definitely be heard. (Lazerword also did a mix for xlr8r.)

Lazer Sword

I saw Lazer Sword last year them with the similar and equally awesome Megasoid, from Canada — and their live show was pretty banging, even though it drew a crowd that was 90% sweaty dudes. Lazer Sword also done some pretty cool remixes, like the Larytta remix released on the innovative Friends of Friends label/project.

Their concept is to do a series of split digital-only releases where one artist chosen by the label in turn chooses a friend to join them on the split (thus “Friends of Friends”). Instead of CDs, you buy a limited edition t-shirt that comes with a download code. I want to see them repping Ghosts on Tape next!

Megasoid

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