I started a substack

I want to turn off my brain and watch YouTube videos, and I can't write anything while wishing I could turn my brain off.

3,738 of 11,807

The 3rd name mentioned in Skrillex “AZASU” was Team EZY, an electronic music producer from the US.

Team EZY emerged in the mid '10s during the rise of Skrillex’s OWSLA collective. Unlike some of his peers, there’s relatively little public detail about his early life, but his breakout came around 2015–16 as he began releasing music within that tight-knit OWSLA ecosystem. From the start, his work leaned heavily on collaboration, positioning him as part of a creative network rather than a solo, narrative-driven artist.

He is best known for melodic, emotionally driven electronic tracks that sit at the intersection of future bass, indie pop, and OWSLA’s genre-blending aesthetic. Rather than building toward full-length albums, his catalog is defined by a run of singles and EP-style releases during 2016–18, making him more of a scene contributor than a headline act. His music reflects that era of EDM where songwriting and mood began to take priority over pure drop-driven structure.

Team EZY’s output has been more sporadic in recent years. His trajectory points less toward traditional album cycles and more toward selective, collaborator-driven releases when the right opportunity emerges. If he reappears in a larger way, it will likely be through features, label-affiliated drops, or a return to the kind of tightly curated electronic-pop space that defined his early work.

If you only listen to…

…one song: “Pretty Bye Bye” (2016)

…one compilation: OWSLA Worldwide Broadcast (2016)

...one more compilation: Super 7 Mix Series: Vol. 8 (2016)

2,965 of 11,807

I have this three-quarters-baked theory that deep down, every boy playing a sport thinks they can go pro.

But by 7th/8th grade, age 13/14, they finally realize there are local boys that they will just never be better than, a top team they will never be good enough to make, and the dream of going pro dies.

#1 priority is health

Run 3 days per week, lift 2 days per week, 10k steps every day

Eat generally lower carb breakfast/lunch/snacks; reasonable dinner with family (i.e. focus on not overeating), no snacking after dinner, brush my teeth right after dinner; no alcohol or dessert for 30 days

Weigh myself every day except Sundays

Don't forget about the important people in my life

Wife - "stay sane" month, check in often

Older son - get him a suit

Daughter - practice driving

Younger son - prepare for soccer tryouts

Other things

Work - do your job

Home - 1st floor aesthetics (next month outside is focus)

Listened to 10 new albums this month, so I’m up to 30 for the year so far.

THE WARNING by Telenova is decent alt-pop from Australia. I feel like I've listened 5 to 10 new albums per year by Australian artists over the last decade, and I typically like them. Not sure if that means Australia punches above its weight or if it's selection effects, probably the latter. But this album is good. But if I'm being honest, I sort of forgot about this album until I sat down to type this, and it was only 4 weeks ago that I heard this. I don't know why, it's good, smooth instrumentation, listenable melodies, singer has a lovely voice. I'd like to see them live, I bet I'd like them even more.

a short history of decay by Nothing I forgot about too, but I'm listening to the opening track again now, it's nice. It's smooth and listenable too. Then I listen to track two, "Cannibal World," and it's great! Sounds like the early '90s. Why did I forgot about this? I've been too busy lately to go back to some of the new music I hear once. Sort of makes me sad. I'm sure listening to a shoegaze revival band will help that.

Dreamer+ by Sassy 009 eh, I don't know. I think I'm too old for this, it's alt-pop but maybe not for me. Well, that's not quite right. I just think a little bit of conspicuously-autotuned vocals go a long way. Like, with 100 gecs, it feels right. But I'd just rather hear the singing on this.

Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally by Harry Styles no, this is not for me. I only liked one ballad off his first album, another off his second, nothing off this third. I can get down with a pop album, but for whatever reason, not Harry Styles. And I think this is probably for the best.

Irreversible by Brigitte Calls Me Baby I loved. But it's just '80s alternative derivative so of course I would love it. I wonder what critics say. I am not going to look, at least not anytime soon. They'll probably just call it derivative as a pejorative. I call it derivative with the utmost love. I love (and I really mean love) that bands are still making music like this. And this lead singer's voice is crooning perfection. I never knew what crooner meant, but I think I finally do. (I did find it funny, seeing him do a YouTube short on albums that influenced his band. He mentioned the first two Strokes albums and New Order Substance. I was like, lol, ya think?)

COSMIC OPERA ACT I by Labrinth was cool. A little bit specific, a little theatrical for my taste. But cool.

Needle Guy by Dylan Brady I am so ready for new 100 gecs music that I got excited that Dylan Brady released something. But this was just a 4-track EP. It was OK.

U by underscore again music I'm too old for, more conspicuously-autotuned vocals. But the songs we catchy. So I'm happy to have listened to it.

Trying Times by James Blake was good. I only listened to it once, but it's in my electro-alternative wheelhouse, made by a 37 y/o British guy, I'm course I'm going to like it. Need to listen to it a few more times to decide how it sinks in over time. Definitely enjoyable though.

Ricochet by Snail Mail ah, yes, finally another album by Lindsey Jordan. I loved Lush in 2018, and that's an understatement, one of my favorite albums of the last 10 years. I loved the 1st two tracks off her follow up album in 2021, but the rest of the album was unmemorable. A few listens in to this new album, I really like it. It's mellow guitar sad girl alternative. This is for me. This music is for all middle-aged dads, even they don't know it.

2,914 of 11,807

2,409 of 11,807

The 1st name mentioned in Skrillex "AZASU" was Virtual Riot, a melodic dubstep and bass producer from Germany.

Valentin Brunn, aka Virtual Riot, grew up in Germany and started producing music at a young age, initially influenced by video game soundtracks and classical piano training. He developed an early reputation online in the early '10s through YouTube tutorials and production breakdowns. By his late teens in the mid '10s, he had already built a following in the EDM community, balancing both artistry and education in a way that made him a recognizable name before mainstream breakthrough.

He is best known for his hyper-detailed sound design, blending melodic sensibility with aggressive dubstep and future bass elements. His songs go from euphoric anthems to intricate to glitch-heavy bass tracks, popular in the festival scene. His influence extends beyond releases, as many rising producers have learned directly from his tutorials and sample packs.

Virtual Riot continues to evolve toward more polished, song-driven electronic music while maintaining his technical edge. He has been steadily releasing new material and collaborating across the bass and pop-leaning EDM spectrum, suggesting a continued push toward broader audiences without losing credibility among producers.

If you only listen to…

…one song: “Pray For Riddim” (2018)

…one album: Simulation (2022)

…one compilation: EDC Las Vegas (2024)

2,221 of 11,807

I thought it was going to be good. And it was better than I expected. It was one of the best things I've ever seen.

Our seats were amazing, row Q, dead center, the theater wasn't that big. I was surprised how close we were.

It was a 2p Wednesday matinee, I had eaten a light lunch at noon, so I wasn't uncomfortable in my clothes by being unnecessarily full like I would've been after dinner, maybe that's a life lesson.

The music sounded so good. Knowing it well, the transitions between songs gave me the chills, anticipating what was coming next, especially transitions to the big moments like "Chant" and "Why We Build The Wall."

So many positive things to point out about Man City's 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final a couple days ago...

Manchester product, Nico O'Reilly, scoring both goals, the day after his 21st birthday

James Trafford, being relegated to backup keeper only starting cup games, getting the nod from Pep to start the final, and playing excellent

Bernardo Silva, lifting the trophy as City captain

2,039 of 11,807

Had a fine time in NYC, ate all sorts of good food, time to reset

Workouts and 5a-5p diet are easy, after 5p eating is the trickshot

For the next 3 days, I am going to brush my teeth immediately after I finish eating dinner