The new & next testament of Text Me Records
A fraction of the Text Me Records family faction; photographed by Amy Lombard.
Without a doubt, San Francisco’s nascent Text Me Records boutique imprint / collective is one of the best in the Bay, if not in the entire world. Born out of the historic Different Fur Studios located in SF’s sunny Mission district, the crew are fresh off from their summer camp creative intensive that has found them developing a prolific host of tunes, mixtapes, hot tracks and a movement set for world domination. Exhibiting an unmatched hustle and putting in the work to make their stable a universal force to be reckoned with — we present an overview of the studio/label’s latest happenings followed by exclusive insights from the crew.
Their hot new banger "Drip" keeps it spicy, seductive and sensational courtesy of Tia Nomore, Stoni, Amen with some Studio_Dad production. Like the Bay Area’s answer/response and continuation of the sex positivity heard and felt with "Wap"; the sauced up dance floor derriere shaker deals in explicit exhibitions of empowerment and female pleasure that celebrates human congress in all of its carnal delights and joyful ecstasy. “Drip” edifies the importance of spine tingling euphoria that emphasizes the tenets of unbound pleasure for her above the procedural didactic of performative blandness. On Loco Tranquilo's new single "New Sensation", the artist hones in on the time tested and true Golden State style of California sunshine pop that brings the energy of the 1970s to the 2020s. Tranquilo masters the art of creating what could have been a cult 45 dusty groove disc excavated from a Lower Haight head's record crate that was later sampled beyond all oblivion before enjoying a latter day contemporary resurgence. It is an example of the present emulating the past to influence future audiences and artists for generations and decades to follow.
Then serving up nothing but some wavy vibes and major moods is Mikos Da Gawd's massive Get It In, Vol. 1 mixtape. From the hedonistic step of the opening title track, the snazzy jazz of "Couch Beat", the chill Grand Prix pop of "Tokyo Drift" and the posh percolating motions of "Put Your Back Into It" and more; Mikos has made a tape to elevate you upward into the stratosphere for all seasons. "Rules" rocks steadily and gently, "Phenomenon" makes ordinary life feel phenomenal, as "Gemini Szn" anticipates gracefully the solstice shifts of spring to summer, basking in the synergistic sun of "With Me", before closing with the spa day moods of "Do Ya" that levitates up and out into the sunset. Then on that next level future hype is Ricky Lake, The Mobs Jedi along with Studio_Dad on the fresh new slapper "NEUTRALMILKHOTEL". The mix sparkles like a designer leather bag full of sapphires, diamonds and an array of curious contraband with treated guitar stems and harmonic autotune that cascades like an electric elevation of pure, unbridled excitement. "NEUTRALMILKHOTEL" has the upward energy to make even the mundanity of a menial weekday routine feel like a full on weekend with an itinerary and agenda that is as clean as a blank canvas slate.
Join us now as we present an exquisite parade of some of today’s top talents of movers and shakers that are making it happen in the Bay — and beyond:
From the desk of Studio_Dad, aka Patrick Brown:
Champagne studio papi — Patrick Brown; photographed by Amy Lombard.
This year Text Me has been focusing primarily on projects that come from our songwriters rather than outside the immediate circle. I’ve also taken the opportunity to jump back more into producing a lot of songs myself.
Ricky Lake and Stoni have been in the studio pretty much non-stop writing song after song and we have a big backlog of great music coming out of that, including Drip (Stoni, Tia Nomore, Amen) and NEUTRALMILKHOTEL (Ricky Lake, themobsjedi).
We have a few EPs and mixtapes coming with a bunch of guests and some absolute SLAPS on them and recently did a 6 day 30 person songwriting camp here at Different Fur Studios, with a focus on synch. Planning on doing some more of those soon, also taking music submissions via text @ 1(415)548-4648
Web3 has been an increasingly bigger focus for us over the last year. A couple of us are members of FWB (a DAO) who just launched a fellowship program to bring on more artists and creatives. Ricky Lake is officially the first Text Me artist to mint a new song as an NFT. Produced by me and Taifa Nia (of Same Girls), the song “Gm” is currently up for auction on Catalog.Works
Synch placements have been our bread and butter really. Everything from Google commercials with Steph Curry, to the new Ubisoft game “Rider Republic”, “Queen Of The South” and more, have had our music in them. It’s always exciting as hell to hear your music in a show or movie and we’re trying to bring more of that energy!
Tia Nomore, Stoni & Studio_Dad - “Drip” feat. Amen
Stoni:
Stoni welcomes you to the world of Text Me Records / Different Fur Studios; press photo via Instagram.
This last year has been pivotal to my life and career as an artist. I’ve always created music but I’ve never had a team behind me and I was really hesitate about releasing music. I was too concerned with perfection and trying to attain it but this year taught me to let go. Letting go has been the best thing I’ve done for myself. I’ve let go of the expectations OTHERS placed on me and I've became comfortable with myself and my craft enough to accept myself where I am. I used to feel like I needed to do everything on my own or else it wouldn’t be right but working with Text Me and the other artists on Text Me has been a game changer and has taught me about what having a solid team behind me can do. It taught me the importance of collaboration and that not everyone in this industry is a piece of shit. I’ve found comfort and family in music this last year and that’s something I hadn’t had before and I think you’ll hear it in my music. I’m a whole new me.
Tia Nomore, Stoni & Amen’s “Drip” is now streaming and dripping live everywhere.
Loco Tranquilo - "New Sensation"
San Francisco by way of Buenos Aires artist Julián Gervasi, aka Loco Tranquilo, provided the following thoughts on the new single:
"New Sensation" is a song that sparks the rekindling of love. My passion in the song shines especially through my chorus, as I sing for a new sensation whilst tugging at the idea of a love experience happening, perhaps, just one more time. Ultimately my purpose throughout the song is positive because it rejoices in finding a new flame in an old fire. My goals for 2022 as an artist are to spend more time in the studio recording, release my first full length album and go on tour around California with my band.
Loco Tranquilo’s “New Sensation” is available now, everywhere.
Mikos Da Gawd - Get It In, Vol. 1
Mikos Da Gawd coming at you; captured by @IsraelShoots.
Mikos Da Gawd ponders the big question of…
What does it mean to get it in?
To get it in is to be inspired and this instrumental series was made to inspire you to be your best in multiple ways. As musicians we find ourselves overworking, going out late, consuming unhealthy things. I want the Get It In movement and beat tape to inspire creativity but also encourage my fellow artists and creatives to live a healthier lifestyle. It’s not corny, you don’t lose cool points for it. In the end, you’re much better off, and your creative work benefits greatly from taking your health and happiness seriously.
Getting it all in on the regular with Mikos Da Gawd; photographed by @IsraelShoots.
Mikows Da Gawd's Get It In, Vol. 1 is available now everywhere.
Ricky Lake, themobsjedi & Studio_Dad - "NEUTRALMILKHOTEL"
Ricky Lake offered us some reflections on creative process and their big upcoming show at Bottom of the Hill:
It’s always so dope when you listen to a musician, admire them, finally meet them, somehow get to make music with them and then get to open up for them at their show. Shout out Fat Tony. I started making music 10 years ago trying to impress myself and my friends and now here I am full circle getting to not just make music with my friends, but progress through our own respective musical careers still together. I really couldn’t ask for better opportunities than those I’ve had as of recently. The future actually looks bright.
“NETURALMILKHOTEL” is now streaming everywhere.
Catch Ricky Lake, Stoni, Climaxxx and Jedi performing with Fat Tony and Cadence Weapon October 21 in San Francisco at Bottom of the Hill. Tickets available here.
An epilogue / postlude courtesy of Text Me Records label manager - Tiffany Wilson:
GM style — Tiffany Wilson; photographed by Amy Lombard.
There is kind of a natural discussion of growth and innovation and putting your best foot forward as both artists and a label after a hard year. It's a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry as you know, and we've found ourselves dipping our toes into these new and different avenues (like the Ricky Lake NFT) as we strive to evolve with it!
Keep up with all the Text Me Records happenings here.