Two DJs took Syracuse University students on an electronic dance music journey, spanning classical music to modern hip-hop as samples for their sets.

On Wednesday, two progressive hip-hop producers and electronic artists played at the Schine Underground as part of the University Union’s Bandersnatch Concert Series. Cashmere Cat opened for Hudson Mohawke, and the two unleashed a 2 hour and 15 minute show of nonstop energy. Both artists hail from Europe — Cashmere Cat from Norway and Hudson Mohawke from Scotland. It was immediately recognized that the two were heavily influenced from Euro-electro. 

Cashmere Cat, best known for his work with Wiz Khalifa and Maroon 5, and is featured on a slew of remixes ranging from 2 Chainz to Lana Del Rey, delivered a bold set to approximately 150 people in the 350-person capacity venue. His pop electro set gave way to an acid trap mix covering classical music as well as a few major hits. Just as it seemed he had lost his audience in a droning soundscape, Cashmere Cat delivered the highlight of his set, a remix of Kendrick Lamar’s “Swimming Pools (Drank).” 

“Cashmere Cat’s set was smooth, almost like butter,” said Raleigh Bulmer, a sophomore television, radio and film major. “Everything flowed really well. He even threw in some bangers.”

After recharging the steadily growing crowd, he dove into the denser parts of his set, building full tracks piece by piece. Using a laptop, two turntables and a mixer, Cashmere Cat recreated his hits and remixes almost totally from scratch, with headliner Hudson Mohawke, better known as HudMo, sauntering onto stage.

Wearing a Christmas sweater and holding some of his equipment, HudMo began his set up for the show. Cashmere Cat continued to play, and after some tag-team DJing, HudMo took full control.

Hudson Mohawke has been making waves in electronic music since his stunning five EPs in 2007, but he recently has busted into hip-hop production after signing to GOOD Music. Some of his work is featured on Kanye West’s “Cruel Summer,” including hit beats such as “Mercy,” and more recently on Drake’s album “Nothing Was The Same.” He has also been critically acclaimed for his work with Canadian producer Lunice and their duo, TNGHT.

Known for his genre mashing, HudMo dove into a set full of ups, downs and the occasional throwback. His track list encompassed some originals, a heavy dose of tracks off of “Old,” the new Danny Brown album, and his signature turntable work.

But some of HudMo’s set was lost to the audience members. Even his erratic dancing and the gentle mosh pit could not rouse the crowd. After playing a few verses of rappers 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, Mohawke had the crowd back on his side.

“The show was good,” said Tyler Mitchell, a junior political science major. “I’d say it was more experimental than anything.”

HudMo jammed for a while, building and deconstructing beats, but once again he seemed to lose a crowd that was only interested in “turning up,” which many students chanted at the stage.

At about 10:20 p.m., the crowd began to thin, leaving only diehard fans and a select few who wanted to see the end of the show. HudMo rewarded those who stuck around with some mixes of his work on Kanye West’s “Yeezus,” playing “Blood on the Leaves” along with rap classics such as The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa” and OutKast’s “Ms. Jackson.”

Since it was a university-sponsored event, the closer it got to 10:45 p.m., the quieter the music got, making his finale seem to lack a punch. Still, present diehard fans were not to be disappointed. As everyone filed out of the Schine Underground at the end of the show, Juan Romero Cabrera, sophomore mathematics and economics major, yelled: “It was a trip!”

Published on December 5, 2013 at 3:20 am

Contact Robert: ragaudio@syr.edu