A while back, I shot and edited this music video for Taiyamo Denku. It was my first time shooting a music video on a Sony EX-1, and I really like how clear it came out. It was also the first time I had the opportunity to shoot a music video in a studio, with sets and lighting and a lot of good production value. I really had fun shooting it, and I hope that you enjoy it. Check it out:
For more Denku, check out his album, “Quadrofiendia” on Itunes.
It’s finally here. I’ve been waiting the better part of a year to release this, but I finally have everything together. This is my first production mixtape. It’s a collection of songs that I’ve produced, spanning the last few years. Enjoy.
1. Intro
2. The Cranberry Show – Liquid Slinkys
3. DayNAge Feat. Athletic B – Danny Devito
4. Prophetic – So Cold
5. Super Fresh Bros. – We Killin’ Shit
6. LadyTwist – If… Then
7. Taiyamo Denku – Attack Teachings
8. Mad Static – Bass In Ya Eye
9. Speed – Who Is So Klean?
10. Rockzsolid Feat. Mad Static – Hip Hop Or Rap?
11. Madtown’s 2win Feat. Tweak & Mr. Eastside – When The Streets Take Over
Please click either of the covers or click here to download this mixtape.
If you’re a long time reader of this site, which I hope you are, you’ll know that “What The Hell Is Going On With Allen Halas” was the original title. That phrase applies more than ever right now. I created this site to keep all of the things I was into in order, more for me than anybody else, but now even that fell by the wayside. Let me tell you where I’ve been the last month or so.
For starters, May is already a hard month for any college student. I had several finals and final projects due within a short amount of time. Two of those final projects, a short film called “Greg The Keg” and a video for Journey House that I worked on with Daniel Schergen and Lisa Mihelich (AKA Dream Team), will make their way to the internet shortly. Another project from that class, a music video with Taiyamo Denku, is also on the way. You have no idea what to expect on that. I also had some final exams, which were no fun, too.
On top of exams, I’ve also been involved with helping at Phantom Fireworks of Racine’s Second Annual Community Cookout To Fight Cancer. This year, the event is on June 9th, and features a concert from Chasin’ Mason. There will also be good food, family activities, and a fireworks show, all to benefit the American Cancer Society. Get all of the info about the event at PhantomPhamily.com. Sometimes I don’t do things for just myself, you know.
On top of exams and the cookout, I was hired to shoot a wedding video. I was hired through a reference from Molly Michel of Mthree Studio Photography, so a big thanks is in order for her. Check out her awesome engagement photos of John and Elizabeth, the couple whose wedding I shot.
On top of exams, the cookout and a wedding, I was hired very last minute to shoot a time lapse for Walsh Construction. This was a really cool project, because they were repaving a runway at Mitchell International Airport. That meant I had to get FAA clearance, got to go out on a live runway with planes taking off very close to us, and less importantly, I had to wear a ridiculous reflective suit. It was an incredible experience, and if my video ever makes it to the web somehow, I’ll be very quick to get the link up for you to enjoy.
On top of exams, the cookout a wedding, and a construction video, I’ve been developing some things for my joint venture with Steve Frymark, Breaking and Entering. We’re in the midst of redesigning our company, and I can’t let too much out of the bag, but we will be unveiling new stuff this summer. In the meantime, stay up with our music and shenanigans by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.
On top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, and Breaking and Entering, I’ve been putting together my first production mixtape. Again, there are still things to be worked out, so I can’t give away too much, but it will feature songs that I have previously produced. It will be a free download on this site.
On top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, Breaking and Entering, and a mixtape, I have plans for another company in the works. This one will actually have a staff that will comprise of more than two people. You’ll hear news about that in the near future by following me on Twitter (@AllenHalas).
On top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, Breaking and Entering, a mixtape, and another company, I also did this dubstep remix of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”. It’s a free download. Enjoy it, world.
Oh, on top of exams, the cookout, a wedding, a construction video, Breaking and Entering, a mixtape, another company, and a Carly Rae Jepsen Remix, I now work three jobs. I’ll be getting back to the blogging soon. It’s been a fun ride so far. I still find it amazing that people are coming to me for work instead of the other way around. That’s a pretty cool feeling. It’s been busy, but if you ask me “What’s up?”, I’ll still answer with “Nothing much.”
Denku gave us another leak from his upcoming “Quadrofiendia” album, due out in June. I’m eager for it, and not just because it means I get to release the “Unhandled Crossings” music video that I shot. It’s also because I get to hear more songs like this. If you don’t at least know the names Craig G or Sadat X, you need to look them up. Legends team up with Denku for this track. Listen:
I went to a show at the Miramar Theatre this Wednesday. I’m not gonna lie, it was mainly to hand out some business cards and talk to Bill, the owner, about this TV show that we’re working on. I ended up having a pretty cool conversation with Taiyamo Denku while I was there. We talked a lot about professionalism, the state of Milwaukee’s hip hop scene, and where we both think things are headed. Regardless of what was said, I still feel that Denku is one of the most slept on artists in the city. If you’ve seen other posts about him, you’ve seen his crazy freestyle ability. I told him that he should just freestyle an entire album. He told me he already did that. Actually, I found out that he has about 13 albums of unreleased material, but the recordings aren’t mastered so he hasn’t put it out. That’s unbelievable to me to hear about anyone other than Denku. I’m fairly convinced that he could make a mixtape every day, name it that day’s date, and the cover could just be him holding up that day’s newspaper. He’s that good. Stop sleeping on Denku. Oh, here’s an awesome track that he did:
We’ve all seen Denku freestyle. If you haven’t, just look down a few posts. You’ll be impressed. I, for one, have been excited to see what he would put together as a recorded project, and he didn’t disappoint. I personally think Denku could’ve just freestyled like 12 times in one day and put it out as a mixtape if he wanted to. This works, though. The tape features alternate versions and bonus tracks from Denku’s album, “Articles Of Mind”, which was put out on Uncommon Records in 2010. Give this a listen. This is definitely worth the download.
Denku is back at it, once again inside the Miramar… sort of. He performed at Stage Right (adjacent to the Miramar) as part of the Border Clash series, and well, this happened. Watch and try to keep up:
Last night was Grassroots’ 100th show at the Miramar Theatre. While I was in the building to see RockzSolid and Annie Mae’s set, I also was pretty eager to see Taiyamo Denku perform. He was scheduled to go on at 10, but didn’t get to actually go on until around 1 AM. I have to say that this was one of the most unorganized shows I’ve ever been to, and believe me I’ve been to my fair share of unorganized events (There was homemade pasta, though.) Denku was patient, as we endured a bill consisting of bellydancers, erotic poem/dance combinations, and a rap song about clean underwear, amongst several other grimace-worthy sets. And one lone guy awkwardly dancing without shoes through the Miramar. Denku killed it though. He blazed through 20 minutes of lyricism that was mostly, if not completely, freestyled. This was the end of his set: an acapella freestyle with some well deserved jabs. I’m glad I shot this performance, because more people than the 12 that stayed around until 1 AM need to see this.
This is the first of Mad Static’s #FUCKWHOIOFFEND series of tracks, being released on Twitter amongst other outlets. Look out for more tracks from him, including one that may or may not be produced by yours truly…
