Third Party

Blue Sky Black Death (abbreviated BSBD) is a production duo made up of Ian Taggart and Kingston Maguire. The two are best known for their brand of orchestral Hip-Hop instrumentals and shoegaze influenced production which has been the backdrop for many vocalists - including members of Hieroglyphics, Jedi Mind Tricks, Non Phixion and Wu Tang among many others. After a successful debut on Mush Records, BSBD produced collaborations with rappers such as Holocaust and Hell Razah. The instrumental album "Late Night Cinema" showcased their full spectrum of styles, while "Slow Burning Lights" highlighted more indie synth-pop based sounds. Now in 2010, the duo has produced what is easily their most catchy and pop-oriented effort to date, Third Party, a collaboration with indie-pop songwriter Alexander Chen (of Boy In Static and The Consulate General) for CT based label, Fake Four, Inc. Third Party melds synth-pop, indie rock and BSBD's own take on shoegaze with Chen's cold, yet, oddly moving vocals. The possibility of collaboration was originally discussed when the three parties shared a gig in San Francisco in 2009. When Alex Chen moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Gothenburg, Sweden in 2010, BSBD stayed in contact. Chord Sketches and drum loops made their way between Sweden and California and eventually Alex Chen, the "third party", had written an entire album inspired by everything from science fiction to politics to thoughts on human immortality. Musically Kingston and Ian draw inspiration from 80's pop melodies and modern indie rock experimentation while maintaining an underlying percussive influence of hip-hop, while Chen's densely layered harmonies seemlessly weave in and out of the duo's intricately layered compositions. The album finds that perfect "sweet spot" - with enough sonic details to envelope you in headphones - but with hooks and beats constructed to shake the house.

When they step out on their own, they record under the name Blue Sky Black Death, and their third album finds them collaborating with singer and songwriter Alexander Chen (Boy in Static, the Consulate General).