This could be the strangest Thanksgiving of our lifetimes, but if you've got a warm meal and a friend to eat it with, if only over Zoom, there's still plenty to be grateful for.
This weekend, a gaggle of stars of the electronic music community will deliver something else for which to give thanks via the Digital Mirage Friendsgiving livestream event. Happening Nov. 27-28 across myriad platforms, the lineup features Louis the Child, Tiësto, Nina Las Vegas, The Glitch Mob, DJ Sliink, a live set from Wave Racer, Saymyname, a "trap history" set from Yehme2, Tchami b2b Dr. Fresch, Zhu b2b Nghtmre and loads more artists.
For Digital Mirage, Louis the Child will play a special future bass set that will replace the annual Thanksgiving charity show they do typically do in their hometown of Chicago. (That said, Digital Mirage Friendsgiving is raising money for the National Independent Venue Association's Save Our Stages Emergency Relief Fund.)
Ahead of the livestream, Louis The Child's Robby Hauldren and Freddy Kennett share ten tracks they're most grateful for this holiday.
Disclosure, "Latch"
Robby: When I think of the word "Friendsgiving," this is oddly the first song that comes to mind. Very early in our career we played a show in Chicago the night before Thanksgiving and got invited to a friendsgiving before the show that the other artists on the lineup were hosting. (I had never heard of a "friendsgiving" before that day).
One of those artists was Win and Woo, who quickly became some of our closest friends after meeting that night. This song was just starting to gain popularity at the time, and when Win and Woo dropped it in their set, it was the first time I had heard it on a big speaker system -- and I remember that being the moment I really connected with the song and fell in love with it.
Booker T. & The MGs, "Green Onions"
Freddy: This is a classic! Maybe one day I’ll find a blues tune that beats this one, but until then this is my fav blues record! Ps. Listen to "Higher Ground" by Red Hot Chili Peppers right after you listen to "Green Onions." They’re so similar!
Chet Faker, "1998"
Robby: I used to listen to this album a ton in high school and always associate it -- and this song in particular -- with fall and winter, because that's the time of year I became most obsessed with it. I listened to it a lot while driving to and from school. Chet Faker just released his first song in five years the other week, so I've been reconnecting with this album recently.
Hudson Mohawke," Spruce Illest Bumper"
This is my favorite new find! Love the groove and classic rap vibe. Very thankful for HudMo for this one!
Jawny, "Trigger of Love"
Robby: I've been absolutely obsessed with Jawny lately. His lyrics are some of my favorite out there right now and he has a way of saying some really abnormal things but making them feel really normal and natural. Case in point is the chorus of this song.
Machinedrum feat. Freddie Gibbs, "Kane Train"
Freddy: This is such a vibe. I love the beat, and Freddie Gibbs crushed it too.
Clipse, "Grindin"
Robby: I've been listening to a lot of Neptunes-produced music lately. There's a beautiful simplicity to their beats, and this song is a prime example. It's just drums and one little melody line for the hook, giving Clipse all the room to spit their s--t.
Furacão 2000, "Tire a Camisa"
This is one of my fave funk carioca tunes! Lots of great new music coming from Brazil.
Cashmere Cat, "With Me"
Robby: This EP had such a big impact on us early on in our career, and I think most electronic artists on SoundCloud at the time would say the same. A few weeks back my roommates and I were celebrating one of their birthdays and ended up blasting a bunch of old Cashmere Cat. This song came on and we were all shouting the melody and air drumming at the drop, it was a beautiful moment.
Mick Jenkins, "Understood"
Freddy: This is such a vibeee! Great guitar melodies, and great rapping/singing. Fall vibes, for sure.
