Dope Beats: Mayer Hawthorne's Lonely Hearts Tour Underway, Possibly Leading to Massive Surge of Baby Making throughout North America
See what Mayer Hawthorne is grubbing on? That plate is an American classic, just like the rhythm and blues that originated from Southern deltas and perfected by Detroit’s Motown Sound. Mayer’s new album, A Strange Arrangement, is nothing but a big ass helping of chili dogs and a vanilla Coke.
His 2009 debut is soul without the “neo” prefix. One could swear they were listening to an obscure gem from Motown or Stax if they weren’t in the know. Get familiar this fall as Mayer Hawthorne and the County hit the road to bring precious slow jams to a town near you. TDR will be in attendance tonight at San Francisco’s Rickshaw Stop, and will bring you word of Mayer’s buttery sound tomorrow.
Until then, peep this cover of ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky,” from KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic.
TDR Video of the Day: Mayer Hawthorne - "Maybe So, Maybe No"
We at TDR just came back from spending our summer in the lovely confines of Southern California, but we just can’t let go of the memories. This new video from Stones Throw’s emerging crooner Mayer Hawthorne certainly does not help. Mayer’s music is heavily influenced by the Motown sound, but this video is L.A. all the way. Get your groove on while checking out landmarks such as Venice Beach, Fat Beats, and the dopest backyard boogie in the southland — the Do Over. [Mayer Hawthorne], [Stones Throw]
Dope Beats: Stones Throw Sundays at Amoeba L.A. this Month
It’s easy to say L.A. is where it’s at this summer. The Dodgers are currently the best team in baseball, everyone’s still indulging in the Lakers’ 15th title run, and the blissful scent of carne asada wafts throughout many a backyard.
As if it couldn’t get any better, the consistent beat purveyors at Stones Throw are taking up Sunday residency at Amoeba Records this August. Come check out free DJ sets from soul revivalist Mayer Hawthorne, Beat Junkies’ funky president J. Rocc, and head dude in charge Peanut Butter Wolf. The month ends with a special guest who I’m pretty sure will be Madlib, because what’s the best label in hip-hop (that’s right, I said it) without the Beat Konducta?
