Liquid Amber
Digital Dubplates is a new branch of the Liquid Amber family tree focusing on digital-only, single-song releases from up-and-coming artists, and Dutch duo Know V.A.’s “Vomar” is the second installment in the monthly series, following its launch last month with “Soda Pop,” from Wisconsinite Noer The Boy.
Know V.A.’s single, which was inspired by 90s rap out of Memphis, Tennessee, marks Liquid Amber’s first international signing. The connection is the product of a chance meeting between the duo and label boss DJ Shadow when they opened for him in Amsterdam 2 years ago.
“We wanted to make a Memphis-style beat, that has that characteristic slow pace, around 100-115 bpm, and a very dark and DIY ghetto attitude, but with our own electronic touch to it,” say Know V.A. “The result was a very straightforward club inspired track, a stripped version of something we would normally do.”
Despite being from halfway around the world, Know V.A. fit right in among the mostly California-based Liquid Amber crew, and give this track an artistic flair, mixing hard-hitting hip hop vibes with the amorphous textures of the beat scene.
Named one of the 5 biggest upcoming talents in the Netherlands last year by DJBroadcast, Know V.A. have been supported by artists like the Gaslamp Killer, Plastician, Om Unit, and Fracture. They run a bimonthly party called HOAX in Amsterdam, and have brought in and performed with Salva, Amon Tobin, Nosaj Thing, Zomby, Hudson Mohawke, and Shlomo, to name a few.
