The training environment of Jiu Jitsu is unique in the sense that a school’s playlist can say a lot about the atmosphere contained within an academy. All clubs will have a distinct vibe that is created by a fusion of the design aesthetic of the school, the personality/technical style/lineage of the instructor(s), the energy of the community, and lastly, the sonic spectrum pumping through the speakers during mat time. All of the aforementioned factors will contribute to the overall feel of a school and will also become an integral part of the decision to join a grappling team for the long haul. At Authentic Jiu Jitsu, we endeavour to thoughtfully curate soundtracks that will nicely accompany training and this blog series is dedicated to keeping the tunes fresh and the good times rolling.
Dirty Heads
The state of California in a song; definitely a favourite at AJJ for open mats, drilling sessions, and non-stop grappling rounds.
The band was founded in 2006 by two high school friends from Huntington Beach, California. The Dirty Heads (a nickname given to them by their older family members) encapsulate the California vibe by mixing the musical flow of reggae and ska with the contemporary edge of hip hop and alternative stylings. What really sets the Dirty Heads apart from other bands is their artistic focus on positivity, surf culture, genre experimentation, and a warmer sound borrowed from their musical influences Sublime and The Black Keys.
Tunes to Check Out:
“Vacation” | “Rage” | “That’s All I Need” | “Burn Slow”
Rise Against
Upbeat enough to motivate purple belts to do warm-ups and be happy about it.
Rise Against, the quintessential punk-pop band was formed in Chicago during the 90s. Rise Against are masters at threading politically charged ideas into punk rock anthems that are loud, raw, and catchy. Their newest album “Nowhere Generation” is a scorcher and can be played from beginning to end during long grappling rounds. If you happen to be looking for something a little more lo-fi; check out “The Ghost Note Symphonies Vol. 1” which may not be the best to play during an actual class but it is an excellent acoustic album to vibe to while watching competition footage, studying technique or planning Jiu Jitsu lessons.
Tunes to Check Out:
“Talking To Ourselves” | “Audience of One” | “House on Fire” | “Far From Perfect”
Tundra Beats
Laid back enough to chill the most rambunctious white belt sessions without putting senior belts to sleep in the process.
Tundra Beats was a suggestion from an Authentic Jiu Jitsu member many months ago and I am glad I ended up checking out the artist. Tundra Beats (Alex Seewald of Germany) is a musical producer who creates lo-fi beats at a BPM that is not counter-productive to the physical movement, intense exercise and kinetic flow that is a cornerstone of Brazilian Jiu Jitu training. I am always happy to press play on a Tundra Beats playlist at the school when a more relaxed vibe is needed.
Tunes to Check Out:
“Perfect Day” | “Someday” | “Love” | “Take the Next Plane and Fly Away”
Them Crooked Vultures
This one is for the rad papas and mommas training their asses off.
Let’s talk about this line-up: Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) on vocals/drums, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) on vocals/guitar, and lastly, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin… yea… LED ZEPPELIN) on the keys/bass. This unlikely supergroup trio released one album (their self-titled debut) and won a Grammy for best hard rock performance in 2011 for their performance on the single “New Fang”. Them Crooked Vultures is definitely one of the best band names to exist in modern musical history and their musical flair is all killer and no filler.
Tunes to Check Out:
“New Fang” | “Dead End Friends” | “Mind Eraser, No Chaser” | “Reptile”
Extra Credit: Check out the YouTube video “Fresh Pots featuring Dave Grohl”… hilarious scenes caught during the recording of their first record.
Royal Blood
Rock pumpin’ and techno thumpin’, a competition class crusher.
Royal Blood is a rock band formed in England around 2011. I was introduced to Royal Blood after seeing them open for the Foo Fighters in Calgary. It blew my mind that a two piece (a bass player and a drummer) could have such a ballistically heavy sound but maintain a catchy groove that fans of any genre can thoroughly enjoy. The variety of complex and expressive riffs Mike Kerr (singer, bassist) can create with a bass guitar is both shocking and impressive; something that needs to be seen to be believed. Royal Blood is a truly unique duo that have sonically evolved throughout their musical career that now spans three albums.
Tunes to Check Out:
“Limbo” | “Figure It Out” | “Ten Tonne Skeleton” | “Hook, Line & Sinker”
If you ever happen to be stumped on what music to select for a rolling session; check out any of the aforementioned artists and the accompanying track recommendations and enjoy the training session! Please share, comment, and/or DM on AJJ social media channels; looking forward to hearing some other favourite playlists from around the world!
Stay cool and classy Jiu Jitsu people.
Benjamin Kool is a content creator and the head instructor/owner of Authentic Jiu Jitsu in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Before founding Authentic Jiu Jitsu Calgary, Ben worked in Alberta as a school teacher and is an alumni of the University of Calgary (B.A. European History, B.Ed. Master of Teaching Program).
Website: www.authenticjiujitsu.com
Twitter: @authenticbjj
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YouTube Channel: Authentic Jiu Jitsu
