For those who drink pop and not soda here is our latest preview of one of our Midwesterngoodness.com tees with a little tag team action from designer Jesse Hora and DC Kareem, because we all love pop.

Dabrye - Ann Arbor
Over the years, Tadd Mullinix aka Dabrye has made quite the many names for himself and gained a lot of respect throughout the world for the work he’s done under all of his aliases. Recently on both the covers of Urb & XLR8R magazines, he’s out with a new album and brought along some other Midwestern talent with him. We got the opportunity to ask Dabrye about where’s his going with his new album Two/Three and where we’re headed as a region.

words: mg! / photo: willcalcutt

Click here for the interview

Dusty Groove America - Chicago
If you ask any midwest record collector, dj, or music enthusiast, they’d agree that Dusty Groove America is one of the premiere record shops focusing on soul, funk, jazz, hip hop, brazillian, latin, reggae as well as other genres in the nation. You can literally go in this place and grab records blind-folded and be happy with your selection. Recently, we got a hold of Rick Wojcik at Dusty Groove America to fill us in on some things.

words: kennykim / photo: dustygroove

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Glue - “A Lot To Say” (Mr. Dibbs Remix) - Word is they killed it at Scribble Jam this year. Their debut album, Seconds Away, sold 10,000 units independently. Next up, Catch As Catch Can coming next month. Listen. Critique. Decide for yourself.

direct download: link

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Rescue - “I Am The Queen of Comparisons” - Highly recommended by Bethanne of CTALS. (Sup!) We’re in definite agreement that this Michigan band has a great future ahead of it. Friend them.

direct download: link

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North Valley Subconscious Orchestra - “Shimokitazawa Face” - Recently awarded 4 stars from Urb Magazine for their release, The Right Kind of Nothing, you can download this ecletic album from Brad Laner and Christopher Willits at eMusic.

direct download: link

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SPECIAL! Jay Dilla ft. Common - “E=MC” - This song is already considered the best song from one of the last projects completed by this legendary Detroit producer. Check it out! The album is The Shining. Donate to the JDilla Foundation Fight Against Lupus.

Why we didn’t post anything on Aziz Ansari’s “Clell Tickle: Indie Marketing Guru” short from Pitchfork Music Festival is completely astounding to us. Especially seeing that it’s still getting play in the office but here it is (250,000+ YouTube views) in all of it’s hilarity and wonderous glory. It features that awesome band you may have heard about before, Tapes ‘N Tapes.

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In the Midwest, we don’t drink soda. we drink pop! More on the The Great Pop Vs. Soda Controversy.

Designer Chuck Anderson (NoPattern) and his conversation with Geoff Anderson

Detroit Cribs and Rides featuring the cars and homes of lovable Motown heroes like MC5, Cuckold, J Dilla, and Craig Nawara.

Toledo’s Public Art Obsession? = Graffiti

Chicago Air & Water Show. Video from Todd of Chicagoist.

Pictures and an article on Scribble Jam.

Oh my goodness! Wallcoverings from Naked & Angry.

Lupe Fiasco’s awesome “Daydreamin” video featuring Jill Scott (YouTube)

Middle aged couple, $1 million, and a St. Louis music dream

The greatest thing about summer is the craazzy state fairs with all the torture chamber rides and carnies. Check out this quicktime video from the Indiana State Fair courtesy of the nuts at Nuvo.

Where else can you find a cornfest but Wisconsin. It’s over now but maybe next year.

This t-shirt is a little something that super guru UPSO put together for us. Thanks, homie! There’s more to come from other artists like Jesse Hora & Blame. Stay tuned! The Midwest Is Now!

Matt Shiv (WOXY) - Cincinnati
In today’s world of business and media entertainment, it seems like most companies and organizations do not exist without corporate affiliation of some sort. WOXY radio station is an independent internet-based service out of Cincinnati, Ohio doing just fine without all the corporate string pulling. WOXY highlights some of the best rock music around so we tracked down music director, Matt Shiv, to see how their team operates.

words:kennykim / photo: mattshiv

Click here for the interview

Kid Sister - “Let Me Bang” (Deuce Remix) - Straight from the hands of J2K (Flosstradamus) we have the killa remix. We told you these Chi-town kids were nothing to play with so remember the name.

photo: huydoan

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Shayla G - “You Don’t Want It” - Where do we start? She’s the first lady of 1st & 15th (FNF) plus a supermom and excellent killer of mics. We weren’t sure which song of hers to feature whether it be a more laidback track like “Underdog” or gully style joints like this one here.

direct download: link

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Eliot Lipp - “Glasspipe” (Daedalus Remix) - We’re big fans of Eliot and his Chicago label, Hefty Records. In case you’re not hip, Lipp released his highly reviewed album Tacoma Mockingbird earlier this year and his Days EP a short awhile ago.

direct download: link

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Tapes ‘N Tapes - “Cowbells” - Promotionally, they owe so much to the “blogsophere” but seeing that they make such good music no ones charging. They’re currently on tour with the Futureheads, catch them at a venue near you.

direct download: link

Sam Valenti IV (Ghostly) - Ann Arbor
From its headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI, Ghostly International has quickly established itself as one of the best electronic music labels on the planet. Its artists have graced the covers of numerous magazines (URB, XLR8R, RE:UP) and tour frequently throughout the world. Here’s an interview we did with Sam Valenti IV, head of Ghostly, about whats makes the label unique, his words of advice for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, and of course his opinion on the Midwest.

words: mg! / photo: jessicamiller

Click here for the interview

Fat Al aka Al Fatz - “Came Down” - Cleveland
With virtually zero radio play, Fat Al aka Al Fatz’s “Came Down” has moved out of Cleveland and taken over the state of Ohio with hip-hop loving youngsters (13-16). Why is this so special? Well, it’s rare that a song moves so quickly outside of it’s own market with little promotion and little play. Plus, it’s a pretty incredible feat once you get an idea of just how popular the song is and the moves that Al has been able to make. Since dropping the song awhile ago, Fat Al has moved on to securing a record deal for himself with Atlantic and also a spot on EA Sports’ upcoming Madden 2007 soundtrack.

Continuing reading to stream/download “Came Down” and for more of our commentary.

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