Opening for Emancipator, with an array of inimitable sounds, was Inspired Flights, Natasha Kmeto and Blockhead. Inspired Flights, the boys from San Diego OpenOptics (Eric Poline) and Chavez (Gabe Lehner), brought their own mix of turntables, live instruments and cultivating vocals. Their music divided from electronic to dub to indie rock, an energizing sound that kept a surge of undeniable energy throughout the audience. Natasha Kmeto captured the audiences’ bodies (and hearts) with her hypnotizing voice and her mix of R&B, hip-hop and cool jazz. Anthony Simon, aka Blockhead whose head does not resemble a block even though he makes that claim, dropped seductive beats mixed with an array of vocals ranging from the sexy songstress to the bad boys of rap. All of these artists made the audience sway with love for the music.
As a person who truly loves electronic music and dubstep there is one thing that I sometimes miss when going to live shows; the use of actual instruments in an artist’s set. It is something few artists use, but for the ones who decide to bring that genuine use of sound to their numbers, they always show their bona fide love for the music they are making. Emancipator, aka Douglas Appling, is one of these artists. He was joined on stage by the very talented violinist Ilya Goldberg, who offers unique plucking sounds and strung out picturesque melodies that fit together flawlessly with Emancipator’s Electronic beats. Emancipator’s love of music recently led to the start of his own record label, Loci Records, which combines the likes of instrumental hip-hop, electronic and melodic downtempo. From the violin to the banjo, from the sounds of horns to the angelic voices of choirs, Emancipator illustrates his undeniable skill of mixing sole sounds that touch the souls and pleasure the ears of all who listen.
