Third Man Hardware & Reverb Present La Grotte Guitar Pedal

Jack White’s Third Man Hardware and Reverb have created the Anasounds La Grotte reverb pedal. White is known for his guitar playing, most famously his “Seven Nation Army” riff that utilized a pitch effect. He used that same invention when he imagined the La Grotte. He says,

“It’s been a lifetime of searching for a small real spring reverb effect unit that could be used as a stomp box on stage or in the studio.  The hang up is that you normally have to use really long springs to get a good sound, making the unit too large. With the La Grotte pedal, it was the addition of the third spring that really brought this sound alive and gave us the ability to have that long decay from a real spring in a small box. In addition, the built-in drive/boost feature you get from the “dry” knob is very impressive in how it elevates the signal you are sending to the springs.”

Pre-order limited edition yellow exclusively on Reverb, and the standard black now on ThirdManRecords.com. UK based customers can pre-order both black and special edition yellow on ThirdManRecords.co.uk. Jack White posted a video of him using the pedal to Instagram. 

Pre-Order La Grotte (Standard) On Reverb

Pre-Order La Grotte (Limited) On Reverb

Pre-Order La Grotte (Standard) Via Third Man

 

La Grotte Pedal Limited

The details of the pedal were included in a press release, such as it being analog and having a two band EQ. Pedal stats:

  • La Grotte includes new tonal sounds pulled from the Anasounds element pedal and le bon pedal in one single box. 
  • 100% analog and mechanic
  • Dry/Wet setting
  • 2 band EQ
  • includes an embedded preamp based on Tampco’s Tone Oven. 
  • High quality spring tanks from Accutronics/Belton in Korea
  • A gain control is available inside to crunch even more or even less.
  • A -10dB pad is available inside to plug any line input easily
  • You can activate or deactivate it internally
  • The EQ has a low cut of 700Hz and a high cut of 1.6kHz
  • Tons of headroom available.
  • The bypass has 2 modes : True bypass or buffered bypass
  • You can select them with a toggle switch in side.
  • On buffered bypass, when you bypass the pedal, we leave the tails die with elegance.
  • On true bypass, when you bypass it, you shut down everything abruptly.
  • Input impedance is very high and output impedance is very low which makes the system not sensitive to any other pedals. Then you can plug it anywhere in the signal chain, which is uncommon for such a vintage effect.

The La Grotte pedal can be pre-ordered now, and it ships out on September 30th. 



Media Questions Of The Week

What kind of future legal and artistic issues can arise from Ghostwriter’s AI-generated song “Heart On My Sleeve” receiving two Grammy nominations? 



Have You Tried These Hip Hop Music Apps Yet?

Music apps are a popular choice for people in today’s app-obsessed climate. These types of apps champion well-known artists such as Lil’ Kim while also promoting smaller, lesser-known acts aiming to make a name for themselves. Essentially, users have access to thousands of tracks in the palm of their hands.

Not every music app is worth downloading, though, especially for fans of certain genres. Whether you’re into modern rap like Drake or old-school favourites like De La Soul, the app options are extensive. In the same way gamers can use a smartphone device to catch Pokemon one minute and then spin the reels of Reel Rush the next, music fans can jump between apps and genres with ease too. In terms of hip hop, though, the offering in this space is impressive, especially if you’re keen to unearth some new music.

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the best hip-hop apps around at the moment. All of the apps featured will be available on both iOS and android unless stated otherwise.

Hillydilly

Originally started as a blog to champion new music and emerging artists, Hillydilly now has an app to help users discover new music. You can search by genre and then browse newly added tracks as you go. You can check out the trending music, save your favourites, create your very own playlist, follow other users, and a whole lot more.

Hip Hop Radio

If you’re keen to listen to the freshest hip hop music coming out right now then Hip Hop Radio is a solid option. The app does a great job at housing all of the very best hip hop stations in one place. Then, from there, users can jump between them using the app’s slick interface. The app does a great job at keeping listeners informed on who it is that they’re listening to, with the name of an artist, album, and the picture all featured whenever you’re in the groove.

                                                                      Spinrilla – Mixtapes & Music

 

 

Offering news and views from the world of hip hop plus a whole lot more, Spinrilla – Mixtapes & Music is a great app to download on android. As well as keeping up to date on the latest goings-on in the hip hop scene, you can sample a range of documentaries, music videos and interviews. The app comes with a handy offline mode, too, allowing users to create playlists and listen to thousands of tracks while on the go. The app also does an excellent job at highlighting new artists.

Rap Radio+

 A simple and easy to use app, Rap Radio+ is essentially a collection of the best radio stations. With a comprehensive selection of hip hop stations to access from a range of different areas all over the country, its offering is mightily impressive. The only downside to the app is that it doesn’t tell you the name of the track or the artist if you find yourself nodding along to a particular beat. It’s still worth sampling, though.

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/05689ErDUdM

Indie Shuffle

Don’t let the name fool you: Indie Shuffle isn’t an app solely dedicated to indie music and the overall scene. In fact, the app offers hip hop fans with plenty of choice. You can go from listening to the likes of R&B to Detroit Swindle to grime in what is a good app to tuck into. With its team of writers and curators constantly updating the app, Indie Shuffle will always have a new artist or release for you to enjoy in the morning on your way to work.



The Kingdom Has Come with KingdomPay, a Revolutionary Black-Owned Social Mobile Banking App from Actor / FinTech Entrepreneur Brandon T. Jackson and Tech Pioneer Mark Bush

Brandon T. Jackson Mark Bush Credit: Que Coleman

Los Angeles – The Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the recent civil unrest, has created a tumultuous climate for unheralded change.  Inspired with a vision for empowering communities of color while bridging the racial wealth gap, comedian/actor/producer and now FinTech entrepreneur Brandon T. Jackson and Technology Pioneer Mark Bush knew it was time to catalyze these chaotic energies in preparation for a brighter future.KingdomPay, the first Black-owned and operated social mobile banking app, that serves as a digital wallet, streaming, and texting platform is their offering for the new, emerging landscape. 

KingdomPay is a revolutionary, next-generation payment and lifestyle platform designed to galvanize the financially excluded while directly stimulating economic growth and spending in marginalized communities.  The KingdomPay app launches this summer and boasts affordable, tech-driven personal financial and banking products, for everyone from the disadvantaged “unbanked and underbanked” to the savvy cost-efficient consumer.

While the popular mobile payment service, CashApp currently holds the lead market share in the FinTech app category for usage among African Americans, KingdomPay will boast a wider range of service deliverables, including integrated digital payments, the KingdomPay Mastercard, real-time bank transfers, desktop applications, and online banking with printed transactions sheets.  Most unique to KingdomPay is the “Cause 2 Fund” program where money can be funneled back into the community with a round-up cents option.

Mark Bush is a veteran in the field of tech innovation.  His company, SongPro, pioneered the first African American owned portable digital multimedia device manufactured in history. The SongPro device entered the market in the early 2000s as a peripheral for Game Boy systems that enabled MP3 to play on the system. For Bush, however, KingdomPay is more than just another new app creation. KingdomPay is a mission.

Mark Bush has tragically experienced firsthand how economic disparity fuels injustice. A native of Chicago, raised in the Robert Taylor Homes inner-city housing project, the Black Lives Matter Movement strikes a strong and sensitive personal chord with him, dating back to when he was three years old.  As detailed in “Occupied Territory: Policing Black Chicago from Red Summer to Black Power” by Simon Balto, Bush’s older brother, Ralph, 23, after being arrested for loitering and stealing a bottle of whiskey, was tortured and brutally beaten to death by five police officers inside the local 11th St. precinct station.  For Bush, his brother Ralph Bush was George Floyd! 

“KingdomPay is a tangible fiscal opportunity to effect and instill social change in the Black community,” cites Bush.  “Right now, 97% of what the Black community spends goes outside of the Black community.   With KingdomPay, we are positioning ourselves on the financial front lines for economic recovery.  I’m most proud of our ‘Cause 2 Fund’ program where the change from the user’s spending can be redirected to community organizations and charities. By allocating financial resources to organizations of our choice, we get to directly impact our communities and create solid avenues for reform and restitution.”

Audiences know and love Brandon T. Jackson for starring roles that include films “Tropic Thunder,” “Lottery Ticket,” and “Percy Jackson & the Olympians,” and as a cast member on the VH-1 show “Wild ‘N Out” with Nick Cannon.  Jackson is also the son of the renowned Bishop Wayne T. and Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson, founders of The Impact Network.  The Impact Network is the largest and only African American founded independent, international, inspirational TV network broadcasting to over 88 million homes. Jackson’s quest for KingdomPay is rooted in a deep commitment and devotion to uplifting the Black community, not only monetarily but spiritually.

Jackson explains, “This is really a profound time for Black people. The world is finally acknowledging on a grand scale, our value.  But perhaps more importantly, we as Black people are valuing ourselves.  KingdomPay is a game-changer in the digital wallet space. As Black businesses link into the KingdomPay platform, we are providing an unprecedented opportunity for Black consumers to support Black-owned businesses.  Our mantra is ‘KingdomPay because Kingdom Pays!’ I made a promise to God at the onset of my career, that if He granted me fame, I would build His Kingdom. I am happy to be fulfilling my destiny. Beyond just financial equity my mission is one of fostering spiritual equity as well.”

Internationally renowned social media influencer and community activist, Rizza Islam is KingdomPay’s most vocal brand ambassador.  His passion for KingdomPay has already paved inroads with generating excitement for the app.  “This is what our people needed. Our ancestor’s dream of having true freedom is finally being realized and I never thought it would be in my lifetime. I am honored to be a part of history but more so, our future.”

For more information and to stay updated on the release of KingdomPay, log on to the website at www.KingdomPay.com. Join the movement and follow KingdomPay on Instagram at @kingdompayofficial and on Facebook at @kingdompayofficial. [youtube id=”cZzyZVuGj9k”]