Max Tundra covers Hot Chip's "Playboy" plus throws in free mixtape!

I was mentioning well written press releases and THIS has got to be one of the best ever. As unique as the artist I'd say. Max Tundra's "Mastered By The Guy At The Exchange" became a fav of mine after running into the amazing Franz Ferdinand remix he did (which Pitchfork also gave a favorable review). It's gonna be hard for me to top the press release so enjoy the free tunes and don't sleep on "Parallax Error Beheads You"!

"Max and I met in Barcelona in 2005 at Primavera Sound. His slot was at 4am. He put on a mask, wrapped himself up in tape, and played forty minutes of music made mostly using Amiga sample tracker software from the late 1980s. There was virtuosic melodica playing, Pointer Sisters-style singing, and an eight-minute version of “So Long, Farewell” from The Sound Of Music. I was wasted and ended up passing out on a beach in my underwear. When the sun rose, I woke up with dried meringue and sand glued to my hair, and in a daze, I realized that I had just witnessed nothing less than the best music performance of my life."
--Owen Pallett, Final Fantasy

Owen's talking about Max Tundra, ever heard of him? Perhaps it was that scintillating Pitchfork review that ran yesterday, bestowing a rating of 8.5 on Parallax Error Beheads You (which, by the way, is out today in North America, in case you were caught unawares)

Maybe, it was the video of Max (Ben Jacobs to his mum and dad), talking about why it took six years to make the follow-up to Mastered By The Guy At The Exchange while whipping up the family recipe of chicken and matzoh dumpling soup that made your stomach grumble:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckacMFFCI_Q
(EDIT: The chicken soup looks good btw)


So kids you gotta check this one. It's getting a big thumbs up from me on the radio front :)

Max Tundra- "Playboy (Hot Chip Cover)"

And you have to download this or you... you... a goofy! HA! THERE! No, seriously though, it's really dope... look at the tracklisting!

Max Tundra Promo Mix

Tracklist:

Max Tundra: Orphaned
The Funky Worm: Hustle!
Jensen Sportag: Cocktease
Set The Tone: All Tied Up
Ark: Le Magicien D'Os (Mr Oizo Mix)
Linda Scott: I've Told Every Little Star
Soundhack: Rodeo
Roberto De Simone: Secondo Coro Delle Lavandale
Jerry Goodman & Jan Hammer: Like Children
Skeletons & The Girl Faced Boys: Git
Von Südenfed: Fledermaus Can't Get It (Max Tundra Mix)
Mr Oizo: Patrick122
Louchie Lou & Michie One: Shout (Acapella)
Frank Zappa: Night School
The Art of Noise: Snapshot
Funk D'Void: Jack Me Off
Basti: Man At CIA
Trans Am: Cold War (A Grape Dope Mix)
Royal Trux: Money For Nothing
Thomas Bangalter: Ventura/Into The Tunnel
Ivor Cutler: The Railway Sleepers
Mint Royale: The Effect On Me (Max Tundra Mix)
George Duke: Stand
Ronnie Hazlehurst: Sorry! Theme
Busta Rhymes: Gimme Some More
The Flying Lizards: Gyrostatics
Eskaton: If
Max Tundra: Which Song
Scritti Politti: Small Talk
The Jammers: Be Mine Tonight
Gentle Giant: Interview
Mr Oizo: Skatesteak
DJ Brokenwindow: Hair, Nails, Percolator
Dominique Leone: Nous Tombons Dans Elle
The System: Now I Am Electric
10cc: Clockwork Creep
Trans-X: Digital World
Harry Merry: Bye Bye, Here's Some Stuff
Kimitaka Matsumae: Dekanime Theme
Slick: Space Bass
IQ: Beef In Box
Max Tundra: Glycaemic Index Blues
Neil & Iraiza: Wasted Time
Devo: Theme From Dr Detroit
Patrick D Martin: I Like Lectric Motors
Manfred Mann: Can't Eat Meat
Ride: Leave Them All Behind
Brandy: What About Us
Illreme: Kyou Wo Tou
Prince: Let's Go Crazy (12" Mix)
Steely Dan: Bodhisattva

There are more ideas crammed into the 41 minutes of Max Tundra’s third album than most bands manage in their whole careers. Parallax Error Beheads You, the third Max Tundra LP and his first since 2002’s Mastered By Guy At The Exchange, is a masterpiece of micro-melodies and sound-bytes; a triumph of splicing, dicing and editing. It’s an intricate mosaic of sounds and styles, some of which you might recognise from the last 30 years of pop, rock, prog, disco, funk, techno, rap, metal and soul, but many of which are completely new: either from a startling recombination of existing genres, or from Max inventing an original one himself. The attention to detail, and the sheer speed at which ideas whizz past you in the mix, will leave you stunned.
“Each song contains many facets and genres, and the starts of songs are often stylistically extremely different to how they each end up, touring via a few styles along the way,” says the man himself, going some way towards explaining why there are multiple, simultaneous or sequential, melodies during each of the 10 tracks on Parallax, and why one song can sometimes sound like seven different bands from totally different worlds playing at once—”Glycaemic Index Blues”, to name but one of the songs on the album, is like Yes playing glitch techno with Pharrell Williams fighting Todd Rundgren at the controls while Green Gartside offers his creamiest falsetto. Just call it cosmic glitch-pop R&B.

Wow. Seriously. What a press release. Go and see him and make him food kids. It's the right thing to do!

Drop Music 10 year anniversary!

I'm super busy at the moment so thankfully I've gotten a couple good press releases from people that I feel comfortable posting in their entirety. Enjoy the tracks and please check out the artist if you like what you hear! I'll be back to a normal writing schedule soon...

Drop Music celebrated its 10th year anniversary this October, no mean feat for an underground house UK-based label operating in true DIY style. With a catalogue of 59 releases to its credit and still going strong, it is renowned within the underground dance community for the quality and consistency of its work and it is one of the UK’s leading imprints.

To celebrate 10 years of Drop Music the label is releasing the triple album ‘From Dust Till Dawn – 10 Years of Drop Music’ in December. Along with re-mastered favourites from Drop Music’s back catalogue the album also comes with a disc of brand new exclusive productions and remixes from various artists including Crazy P, Miguel Migs, Johnny Fiasco, Joshua Heath and Inland Knights. A third disc will feature an exclusive Inland Knights DJ Mix.

Inland Knights are a name synonymous with Drop Music – consisted of Laurence Richie and Andy Riley, Laurence launched the label in 1998 as an outlet for their creative output, they adopted various other guises to showcase their diverse sound including Grand Theft Audio, Toka Project, Larry Fives, Party Criminals, In House Alterations, Big Audio Spidermite and more. Consequently to that the pair released their first full-length album ‘Critical Spaces’ in 2001 to wide critical acclaim.

So here's the goodies!

Inland Knights ‘Drop Tha Muzic' (Johnny Fiasco remix)

Inland Knights 'I Feel This Way’

So enjoy the house-y goodness and check out more for Inland Knights. Be back in a jiffy!

Cut Copy- "Far Away (ddpesh Remix)"

I said I was going to post this a week ago but... man I've been busy... instead of some long drawn out explanation I'm just posting it. No, neither ddpesh or Cut Copy are British. But ddpesh are friends and the remix is bangin'... and Cut Copy come from Britian's favourite prison island called Australia! Just kidding just kidding! that never gets old though...

Cut Copy- "Far Away (ddpesh Remix"

If you somehow missed ddpesh's remix of MGMT vs Justice vs Notorious BIG you missed the biggest party weapon for Serato ever. WAKE UP SON! Gotta give credit where credit is due...

While we're talking about Cut Copy... we just found out they are doing one last leg of their tour for this album. Anyone gonna get me a ticket for my birthday? Their Chicago show is on my Birthday!

Dates
03/06 AUSTIN, TX - Stubb's BBQ
03/07 DALLAS, TX - Granada Theater
03/09 POMONA, CA - The Glass House
03/10 LOS ANGELES, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
03/11 LOS ANGELES, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
03/12 SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Fillmore
03/13 LAS VEGAS, NV - House of Blues
03/15 DENVER, CO - Bluebird Theater
03/17 ST. LOUIS, MO - The Gargoyle
03/18 CHICAGO, IL - Vic Theater
03/20 TORONTO, ON - Circa
03/21 NEW YORK, NY - Terminal 5
03/22 BOSTON, MA - House Of Blues
03/23 WASHINGTON, DC - The 9:30 club
03/24 CARBORRO, NC - Cat's Cradle
03/26 ATLANTA, GA - Masquerade
03/27 ORLANDO, FL - Club Firestone

So yeah if you wanna buy a homie a ticket I would be appreciative. However, if you're a girl my wife might deck you, unless you have a boyfriend or husband glued to your arm. Not saying my wife is a super jealous woman... no, I'm saying bitches is scandalous!

Hahaha no I'm kidding, no one would want to be near me except my wife. I'm too much of a pain in the ass gathering from what I've found upon re-reading soul shredding notes from my ex-girlfriend. My favourite line from this note was "My family hates you. My friends hate you. And some of your friends probably think you're an idiot too"

She is totally wrong. My friends don't think I'm an idiot. The think I'm a tw^t!

Stanton Warriors interview part two! Plus mix!

Well let's try something a little different here...

I was able to get the first part of this interview up but then every attempt thereafter yielded less than favourable results. If you have a listen to this interview you're going to be able to tell it's hard as hell to hear... therefore it's been a serious task to try to transcribe this. It was a fun interview (although you can tell I'm quite starstruck) but I think it's probably better if you have a listen as opposed to me writing down the wrong things. It appears that only half of the interview went up so I'll have at it again when I get home... but I didn't want to make you guys wait longer to hear the rest of the interview :)

For those of you who could care less about the circumstances behind the mix but would like to hear their music instead, Fabric has provided a mini-mix to stream!





I'll be posting up the Sinden interview tonight which doesn't sound like a speakerphone in a wind tunnel lol. I don't like showing you guys everything behind the curtain but that doesn't mean you should have to wait forever to hear an interview. Be back soon!

A very Fabric Friday... Yuksek, FreQ Nasty, and Metro Area mixes!

Ohhhhh yeah more Fabric goodies. Seriously doesn't shit this make your day much better? Like it was a rainy depressing mess this morning and POOF it's all better because I've got so much good free music to listen to! First thing to address is next Friday's Fabriclive with Yuksek and the free mix to commemorate the event. Which is cool because recently I've been thinking that I needed some more Yuksek in my life :)

Here's a tiny press blurb...
In celebration of his appearance at FABRICLIVE on Friday the 21st of November, Yuksek has done FABRICLIVE an exclusive mix. He’ll be joined on the night by none other than Annie Mac, Brodinski, Surkin, DJ Mehdi and Boy 8 Bit.

Yusek Fabriclive Mix

Also in the spirit of sharing Fabric gave a couple more mixes from two of the most recent Fabriclive 42's FreQ Nasty and Fabric 43's Metro Area. These mixes are both dope, I've gotta say, but you still have to check out both of the actual mixes. FreQ's is full on balls-to-the-wall energy from the beginning and the Metro Area is fun and engaging enough it got my Halloween party to not notice that I wasn't DJing lol! Although shame on FreQ Nasty for stealing my favourite opening song for a mix! When I see you FreQ, I'ma give you a piece of my mind lol...

Freq Nasty mix...



1. Jamie Woon - Wayfaring Stranger – Live Recordings – Burial Mix
2. Zed Bias feat Jay Electronica - The Cauldron – White
3. FreQ Nasty vs David Starfire – Bulge - White
4. Acapella Dl feat South Rakas crew - Mad Again – Mad Decent
5. Evil 9 - They Live (Trevor Loveys HipHop mix) – Marine Parade
6. Epydemix - Thunderpussy - White
7. Acapella - FreQ Nasty vs David Starfire feat Tiffany
8. Beat Monkeys - How You Like Me Now - Rico Tubbs Mix - 777
9. Slipz n Dapz – Hey - White
10. FreQ Nasty & Propa Tings – Peacemaker - White
11. TRG - Oi Killa – Tempa
12. Acapella Saul Williams - Not In Our Name - White
13. Santogold vs Switch and FreQ Nasty – Creator – Atlantic

Metro Area mix...



1) Samson & Delilah – I Can Feel Your Love Slipping Away (Instrumental)
2) Prince – Controversy
3) Elektrik Funk – On A Journey (I Sing the Funk Elektrik) (Instrumental)
4) Gaucho – Dance Forever (D.J. Version)
5) Reese & Santonio – Structure
6) Telex – Moskow Diskow (Disco Mix)
7) Voyage – Souvenirs (Hot Tracks Remix)
8) Mother F – Welcome Aboard

I can say I'm actually proud to be an American again since Obama won... but I still fucking can't stand the fact that I can't go to Fabric week after week! Here's to making it big and playing there somday yeah? Cheers... I'll be back soon. Enjoy the tunes...

Heads We Dance new single 'The Human Touch' available here!

It's always good to hear from people who are part of the Arcadia Family... so when I got this email about a new Heads We Dance single I was pysched! Then I was even more excited to find that I'm getting to offer you guys the new single for free! I hope that if you enjoy it you go out and purchase a physical copy. HWD are leading the pack of artists who understand it's better to work with their fans instead of against them... so they are gifting (and trusting) you with their new single presumably with the hopes that you guys will show your gratitude supporting them! It's very a 'punk rock' way to do things and I fucking love it!

Here's the goodies... make sure to read below to find out more about the release!

Heads We Dance- 'The Human Touch'

Heads We Dance- 'You Are Never Alone With Model 21'

Here's the press on this puppy...

Label: Gold City Records UK

Release Date: 24/11/2008

Format: Ltd 12" and Digital (order includes exclusive free HWD sci-fi mixtape and single remix bundle)

About: In celebration of their weekly DJ residency at hot new Leeds electro club night Nailgun, HEADS WE DANCE release a crunchin' five minute space-disco synth work-out entitled 'The Human Touch' on Monday 24th November! The single has already caught high-profile attention from I-DJ Magazine (5 out of 5); and Subba-Cultcha who described it as "the sort of grinding electro throb that gets me hard at a hundred paces!"

Backed by the remastered live favourite, and recent Popjustice Song of the Day, 'You Are Never Alone With Model 21' and mixed by Grammy-winning mix engineer Simon Gogerly (U2, New Order, Gwen Stefani), 'The Human Touch' highlights HEADS WE DANCE's exciting crossover between melodic, dance-influenced pop and futuristic dancefloor-fillers.

'The Human Touch' will be available on extremely limited 12" vinyl and as a digital download through www.myspace.com/headswedance, with stunning sleeve art by Empire (Miami Horror, Charlie Fanclub) and exclusive remixes by Sidechains, Charlie Fanclub (Work It Baby), Louis La Roche and NeOn.

SPACE-DISCO NEW SINGLE
'THE HUMAN TOUCH' / 'YOU ARE NEVER ALONE WITH MODEL 21'
OUT 24TH NOVEMBER!!!

INCLUDES REMIXES BY SIDECHAINS, CHARLIE FANCLUB, LOUIS LA ROCHE, NEON & MORE TBA

Check them out at their website here or at their Myspace!

Ok, I've got some more work to do at the office and the rest of that Stanton Warriors Interview is on it's way... stay tuned!

Stanton Warriors Interview, Sessions 3 out in U.S.NOW! Plus Interview Part 1!

This week Stanton Warriors: Sessions Volume 3 came out in the U.S!

Just in case you forgot... Stanton Warriors blew onto the scene with their Stanton Sessions Volume One and totally flipped the script on dance music as we knew it. The compilation became one of the best known of all time because of it's cross genre splicing going from 2-step garage, to breakbeats, to house, and everything in between. It was made in their bedroom but the attention they got was so immense the mixtape was released to massive critical acclaim and made them underground heroes almost overnight. Unlike some of their contemporaries they have survived the collapse of genres they were seen as being part of and have continued to innovate, releasing an artist album along side Stanton Sessions Volume 2 and kicking out singles with the likes of Twista and Sway.

The new comp, Sessions Volume 3, released on their Punks Label is nothing short of perfect, further cementing them as dance luminaries alongside names like Basement Jaxx and the Chemical Brother (both which they have done remixes for). From the fresh sounds of Yo Magesty's "Club Action" to the classic energy of "Saturate" by Chemical Brothers Sessions Volume 3 delivers in a way that few dance compilations do in this day and age. It has rarely left my CD player in my car since I got it, and it seems as soon as it's taken out I find myself putting it right back in.

Now that are lucky enough to see this comp hitting our shores, after a scorching sold out set of U.S. tour dates, you've gotta check this one out! if you aren't acquainted with the sounds of this dynamic duo this new comp is a good place to start and will no doubt leave you hungry for more.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of speaking with Dom from Stanton Warriors... I've decided to give the interview to the fans of Arcadia in little bursts as a feature over the next few days along with little slices of Stanton media to get you excited about this monumental compilation... let's go for it!

Dom: Where are you?

I'm in a fancy little place called Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Dom: Is that where the Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx hang out?

Ummm, *laughing*, I'd say they're probably a couple hours away hiding somewhere.

Dom: I like those dudes, they're pretty cool I think!

ISoA: First off I have to say the new Station Sessions is fantastic. There were songs I recognized that got me excited but there were some things I wasn't as familiar with as well that kept my attention. When you have a sought after mix like this do you painstakingly prepare a track listing or do you just say "yup, sounds looks good" and record it?

Dom: Painstaking with a capitol "P". I think most dance music compilations are made in 74 minutes. I think most people just mix it up like anoy old DJ set. Every track on there has been either remixed, re-edited, or touched up some way by us so it was almost like doing an 'artist album' the amount of time we put into it; it takes a lot of energy and a lot of time. You wanna make the tracks mix themselves but you also want to make them work with each other and structure the mix. Across a period of time, DJ wise, we could try it out test out it live and it did take a lot of time.

ISoA: Were there any previous versions of the mix, things you decided to take out or to add?

Dom: We did quite a few runs on it. We took some tracks out, put some tracks in. But to be fair is a representation of our DJ sets up to this point this year; we've played a lot of big festivals and parties all over the world and it's a representation of all that really. Any people who have been out to our gigs over this year they would have heard a lot of these tracks they liked what they heard at these gigs... UNFINSIHED

ISoA: Anyway you cut it it's fantastic as usual so thank you for that! You guys have become one of the biggest names in dance while a lot of names that emerged at the same time have mostly made fools of themselves and fallen by the wayside. What would you say is the key to your longevity?

Dom: Ummm, we work fucking hard. We never rest on our laurels. We always try to push on and improve. Also production wise we try to originate and not duplicate. There's so much shit and so many people who copy other people and just repeat the same old sounds. I think that happens with a lot with house people. You've always gotta keep pushing the envelope, and to do that that takes quite a lot of work. And with the DJ sets we take sounds from all over the shop, it's important to be very fresh and new... not jsut sit back 'Ok I'm a big DJ now so I'll just play whatever'! It's also very... we try not to just put things together, otherwise people won't be interested and won't come to your gigs. We kind of out there to start with, we don't fit into things. we're not techno djs, we're not drum and bass djs, we're not really breakbeat djs. We're out there doing out own thing. It's quite hard to keep it in any scene when you're out there doing your own thing.

ISoA: People often use the term 'breaks' when they talk about your music, and while that may be part of what you do, I think that's an extremely reductionist view point. What's your standpoint on the issue? Does it bother you?

Dom: Yeah actually, it does...

And that kids is the end of part one! Part two will be up quickly as I don't want to leave you hanging! Here's something to tide you over!



While I'm at it I might add their last Fabriclive 30 mix was off the HOOK... you for sure wanna check that.

I'll see what other goodies I can get you... keep checking back :)

Robot Koch vs Charles Mingus= Genius

Funny this Charles Mingus business.

I was listening to "Mercury" by Bloc Party this morning and then thinking about Kid A by Radiohead (because of all the wild horns in "Mercury")... and remembering Radiohead mentioning that Charles Mingus had influenced them while making the "The National Anthem" (the one with the wild jazzy ending, which in turn made me think about what connections can be made between said Radiohead album and the Bloc Party album, as different as they may be)...

Then I check my email and dear Robot Koch has sent me this Charles Mingus remix! Talk about wild coincidence!

Then while I was listening to this song I was thinking, "You know even a couple years ago you wouldn't get some super fucking awesome track from a big name producer like this for free. In the past this would have been held back from the public or never put out there at all... but this new version of the internet lends to sharing ideas, especially new music"... this remix is exceptionally cool, and I don't say that because Robert is part of the Arcadian Family, it's cool because it's really really fucking well done and it's a great idea...

All in all it's been a thought provoking morning... now sit back and smoke on this :)
Robot Koch vs Charles Mingus- "Moanin'"

Robot Koch vs Charles Mingus- "Moanin'" YSI

Ahhhhh yes... the Koch is always refreshing. Speaking of dude... when are we gonna see some new Jahcoozi? I'll bother him about that and see what I can tell you guys. Until then enjoy this and I'll be back REALLY soon!

Monday goodies! Kotchy & BD1982, Buffetlibre DJs, and a Skream & Benga Riot Van?

We'll get to this Skream and Benga thing in a minute!

I rarely do "off format" posts... this is a British blog and that's that. NOW, every once and a while I'll make the exception... Kotchy has been stirring up a lot of attention in recent months and this remix of "One For the Money" by BD1982 is baller... gotta love those dub sounds...

Here's some press...
With "One For the Money" there's a more intelligent, deconstructive feel. Dub-conscious dance music for fan's of Flying Lotus, Rustie and Beck, it's beautiful and anthemic. Heartfelt vocals, Kotchy's prodigious talent with his drum kit and eloquent cuts & samples all intertwine with a melancholic, nostalgic feel.

Kotchy- "One For The Money (BD1982 Remix)"

Thanks to the good peeps at Civil Music you can get a handful of free tracks from them including more Kotchy at http://civilmusic.com/dept/~freedownloads/! As well as more Kotchy at his website here.

On another note Buffetlibre DJs have a new tape coming out! Since it has quite a few British artists on it I thought their free downloads would be worth posting...

Ladies and gentlemen, don't forget to put your clocks back. 1st January is the release date of Rewind Part 2, the 70's, 80's & 90's cover project by Buffetlibre Dj's...

In Rewind Part 1, released past 1st July, Buffetlibre Dj's were joined by 60 bands and producers, as Dragonette, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Electric Soft Parade, The Cloud Room, Frankmusik, Anoraak, RAC, Xinobi, and Moulinex. This time, more than 100 artists are recording new 70's, 80's & 90's covers to be part of Rewind Part 2.

Artists participating in Rewind Part 2: Au Revoir Simone, Bonde Do Role, Amiina, 1990s, Headlights, Little Boots, Whitey, Starfucker, Sidechains, Delorean, Boy 8-Bit, The Shoes, Electric Youth, 80Kidz, The Requesters, The Young Punx, Malente, AC Slater, Sohodolls, Sportsday Megaphone, The Ruby Suns, Miami Horror, Revolte, Robbers On High Street, Mendetz, Facteur, Justin Faust, Russ Chimes, Aleks And The Drummer, CFCF, The Glass, Codebreaker, Mojib, DVAS, Project Jenny Project Jan, Love Motel, Pin Me Down, Minitel Rose, Heads We Dance, Little Pictures, Redial, We Have Band, Division Kent, Man Like Me, Cobra Dukes, Division Day, Grafton Primary, Tender Forever, Ultraviolet, Freezepop, Giko, Electric Valentine, Super Mal, LAZRtag, Parker Lewis, Kah, 1984, Plugs, We Were The States, Absent F, Damn Arms, Sound Of Arrows, The Old Believers, Beau Jennings, Josh & Anand, Saar & Sky, Bikini, Americans In France, Millioners, Elias & The Wizzkids, Deltawave, Phantom's Revenge, Matt Keating, FLOU; CatComplex, Setting Sun, Diamond Cut, Youth Attack, Nightwaves, The Amplid, Hidrogenesse, Charlie ASH, The Model, Fight Bite, Canadians & Cherielynn Westrich, The Mocks, Computer Club, Schnitzer, Calling In Sick, Bling Crosby, Dolby Anol, La Chansons, Chin Chin, Gun'n Rose, The E.L.F., Evarial, Black Holes, Baron Von Luxxury, Club 84, Rory Philips, The Picture, The Very Best, TMX, Maethelvin, Jools MF, p e a c e FIRE

This second part of the Rewind project will be released on 1st January and will be available for free download in mp3 format.

Here's 3 new premieres of Rewind Part 2!

First, Justin Faust remixing "Hey You" (original by Rock Steady Crew): Rock Steady Crew - "Hey You (Justin Faust remix)"

This is spanish producer CatComplex remixing "Juliet" (original by Robin Gibb): Robin Gibb - Juliet (CatComplex remix)"

And finally, Canadians & Cherielynn Westrich (ex The Rentals) covering "Neverending Story" (original by Giorgio Moroder): Canadians feat Cherielynn Westrich - "Neverending Story"

Dig on those guys... NOW... here's the most interesting part to me. Apparently EMI has a 'social responsibility' program... and in good old Pimp My Ride fashion they had BENGA AND SKREAM GET INVOLVED WITH PIMPING A RIOT VAN?!?!?. Hey I can get down with that! The show still has yet to air... it's 30th November... the info is below :)

Let's start with some downloads though... this demo is from the best Artic Monkey's fansite...

Arctic Monkeys- "Riot Van (Demo)" (off BAM007) YSI

And while we're at it how about a Skream track too!

Skream- "Skunk Step" YSI

And here's a good Benga & Skream track you may have missed!


Ok onto the story...

"MTV UK, EMI and Metropolitan Police service hand over pimped riot van to youth charity XLP

London, October 27th 2008: MTV UK, EMI and the Metropolitan Police have today revealed the revamped police riot van that has been pimped for London based youth charity XLP. The unique partnership aims to engage with young people to foster a greater understanding and counter the increasing concern about youth violence in London. The renovation will feature in a half hour special presented by Pimp My Ride UK presenter Tim Westwood, broadcast on 30th November at 7pm, MTV One.

“Using the popularity of the Pimp My Ride brand creates a high profile way in which we can go into local communities and help to make a positive change” says Philip O’Ferrall, Vice President Digital Media, MTV UK. “The initiative will have an impact in helping to reduce violence, and the van provides the opportunity for young people to talk, learn new skills and gain experience that they can apply to everyday life.”

The vehicle, ‘pimped’ by the production team behind the hugely popular MTV show Pimp My Ride UK, has been jam packed with music-based state-of-the-art equipment including a fully functioning recording studio, a mixing desk, pro-speakers and subs, three wireless laptops and a digital video camera. It also includes a sound proof booth for vocal recordings, which holds pro-mics, headphones and an electric guitar. The van will also be used as a stage where young people can gain performance experience.

The front of the van has been refitted in carbon fibre, black PVC with white leather seats, and there is a new MP3 stereo head unit with flipout 7" DVD screen. The side door now opens vertically, and a 40" plasma screen and Xbox with wireless controllers faces out of the side of the van. Also lying flat on the roof is a full sized remote controlled basketball backboard and hoop which rises and extends from the rear of the van.

The van, managed by XLP will be used by young people across select London boroughs including Southwark, Lewisham, Bexley, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Islington. XLP will be working with these adolescents to involve them in a number of projects including recording and publishing musical and drama projects; providing a performance platform where they can be mentored and giving basic training in music production. XLP will regularly work with music and performance arts departments in schools in urban priority areas to assist in preparing GCSE material as well as extra curricular training in music and drama. Additional funding to ensure the van is kept roadworthy and to cover its running expenses has been secured from the Safer London Foundation.

“The newly ‘pimped’ van will add a fresh dynamic to our work with London’s youth. We are looking forward to extending our work in the community arts in this innovative way, helping even more young people explore their creative potential” says Patrick Regan, CEO, XLP.

Additionally, XLP will be hosting regular podcast shows, documenting youth issues and giving them a platform to air their opinions, play their music or perform live. The charity will also film a series of at least six dramatic performances from young people which will be used as learning resources in schools, as well as using the van to resource other youth work initiatives.

Superintendent John Sutherland, Metropolitan Police Service at Islington, says: "The Met Police are committed to doing whatever it takes to make London a safer place for young people. We recognise that we can’t do that alone - and this exciting partnership with MTV, EMI, XLP and the Safer London Foundation is a creative and innovative approach to concerns we all share. We know the availability of youth facilities varies from place to place and that young people are sometimes reluctant to travel far to access those facilities - so a mobile youth club makes perfect sense. The fact this particular project has been developed by MTV's Pimp My Ride team is a major boost to its profile amongst those we are trying so hard to reach."

EMI has helped fund the transformation of the van and will continue to be involved in the project going forward. Through the skills and experience of its artists and employees EMI will help the young people using the van to get the most out of its music facilities and capabilities.

“The key areas of focus for EMI’s social and community-based activities are youth, music and addiction. By providing young people with new opportunities based around music, this Pimp My Ride project is a great initiative that we’re pleased to add our support to alongside MTV and the Metropolitan Police. We hope XLP and all its members will gain tremendously from the newly pimped vehicle and all it has to offer” says Janie Orr, chief executive of the EMI Music Sound Foundation.

The show will air on the 30th November, 7pm on MTV One"

How come we can't have shit that cool in the U.S? I don't get it!

Well I hope this post goes well. Most of the DMCA stuff has been sorted out and hopefully I won't be seeing any more of that action (once again big thanks to my buddy David Lennon). ONCE AGAIN, if you don't want your songs posted here or want them taken down PLEASE CONTACT ME....

Speaking of contacting me, I am looking for an individual in the London area to work with me on this blog! There are events/interviews that I can't make and I'd like to have an associate to work with. If you have any prior experience, well I don't need a CV or a resume per se, I'd love to see some samples of your writing to see if your style will gel with mine. Please include your interests and 10 songs you're currently listening to. The address is ifallforeveryone [AT] gmail [DOT] com. Look forward to hearing from you :)

Machines Don't Care- "Beat Bang (Trevor Loveys Remix)"

Oh good old Machines Don't Care... it would have been nice if I would have finished the damn Hervé or Toddla T interviews to post with this song but, alas, I have not :( I'll get it done soon enough, cool your jets. I've been busy! Work is really hard right now and it's hard to research (to write questions) and call at the same time. Being in marketing has its ups and downs (yeah that's my real job) and sometimes that means you can write and call... sometimes you've got to scramble to get the work done! I try my best to get this stuff written for you guys but I have to work, and I have to spend time with my wife... I'm sure you understand :)

Anyway, the Machines Don't Care boys are Arcadian Family (Herve is friends with a couple of my friends, as is Sinden *whose new 'Get Familiar' mix is amazing*, Toddla is down with Arcadia, and we've posted tons of their stuff). I'm very pleased to be giving you a glimpse of their new single!

Here's some press...
"Beat Bang (Trevor Loveys Dub Remix) - Machines Don’t Care
Released: 1st December 2008
Useful links:
myspace.com/machinesdontcaremusic
machinesdontcare.com

Machines Don’t Care is Hervé’s collaboration project and is an outlet for him to release unashamedly fresh club music. The first Machines long playing set was released earlier this year and has already had to be re-pressed three times, it is flying out in Japan and is about to get a full release in the US via Dim Mak.

‘Beat Bang’ proved a club favourite so is the obvious choice for first single. There’s also remixes on the package by another Hervé alter-ego Action Man, and new Machine Mujava, which Hervé has also done an edit on

The second Machines Don’t Care album will be recorded in one month next year and released a month later, with Hervé compiling a fresh and exciting list of collaborators alongside the familiar names.

320kpbs full length version of Trevor Loveys’ mix is available from the Machines website by signing up to the mailing list"

And here's the track!
Machines Don't Care- "Beat Bang (Trevor Loveys Remix)" zShare

Machines Don't Care- "Beat Bang (Trevor Loveys Remix)" YSI

You can get a higher quality copy of this joint if you join the mailing list... c'mon... you know you want that 320 kbps one DJ boy/girl! It's some good shizz... you know you want it in all it's floor shaking glory!

On another note, my friend Megan wrote a brilliant article for The Onion which you should read here. You should also peep her in the video for Onion News Network's video about Obama obsessives. She's at exactly 2:12 trying to put a ripped in half Obama sign back together like a zombie lol...

The world is right again, and Coldplay has new music for you!

Last night magical glittery stars might as well have fallen from the sky when Obama got California... when those electoral votes jumped to 283, or whatever it was, I expected to see rainbows and sunshine (and other things usually only associated with organic brain death or serious hallucinogens). It was truly a major moment. The wife and I were so excited we ran home and threw two person party!

Anyway... speaking of politically motivated well intentioned persons Coldplay are set to release a new EP. Which sounds like fun. Truthfully? I only JUST this last weekend listened to the album with any real concentration or interest (sparked perhaps by the Jay Z mixtape?)... and I did enjoy it which I will freely admit.

Why so previously hesitant to say I like Coldplay?

Although I bought "X&Y" and even enjoyed tracks on it, I sort of stuffed it in the back of my CD booklets and told people I no longer really liked Coldplay. Which was sort of true. Before that I would have rushed to see them in concert (which I had before)... but there came a time after "Fix You" when I saw a Coldplay t-shirt for sale at Target and thought "So, whimpy or not, Coldplay are like this super super huge band that people's moms listen to. And not in the way that people's moms listen to the Shins or Death Cab either. Like in a, 'I like dancing in my kitchen and listening to the Killers before the kids come home', sort of way"... Yeah. That's puhretty bad (maybe I'll change my opinion on the Killers when they release another album but anyway)... I can't identify with that at all. It's not about indie hipster bullshit cred... it's about either this is music I can enjoy, or identify with, or I can't.

I now am changing my opinion of Coldplay again. Winds of change like yesterday's victory make hopeful inspiring music less stupid. I've been listening to Joy Division and Portishead for like the last two terms straight lol... there's room for Coldplay I think in my life now :) The 'unreleased' version of "Dry Your Eyes" by The Streets, "Homecoming" by Kanye West, and "Beach Chair" also added to my desire so stop thinking of Coldplay as a soccer mom band... on top of the new album being good. And they're self aware which also helps... and they have brought politics to America's youth which didn't even care who won the presidency four (or eight) years ago. So keep it up Coldplay. You're welcome at my house anytime.

Anyway, enough blather... here's the track listing...


Tracklisting:
1. Life In Technicolor II
2. Postcards From Far Away
3. Glass of Water
4. Rainy Day
5. Prospekts March / Poppyfields
6. Lost +
7. Lovers In Japan (Osaka Sun Mix)
8. Now My Feet Won't Touch The Ground

Here's the Facebook App to preview the EP!
Glass of Water

Since I can't post anything new? How about Viva La Hova Mixtape

Ok, well I'm super busy at work and ballet and all this other stuff so I'll do what I can as far as posting. I'm pissing people off not getting stuff done so let's hope I find some time to write! Peace.

GTA present their new single "Breakthrough"

I never get tired of GTA... "Breakthrough" is positive hip hop that just makes you want you keep starting the song over when it ends. I really really like this song... and while the production is fresh (nice new spin on this sample) it's the verses that keep it from just being a fresh sounding instrumental! Trying to tell you how good this song is almost impossible because it's the type of song that will inspire feelings that are hard to describe to others. It's just damn good!

Here's a little press...
GTA (Junior Doctor Chima Anya and Ineffable) are back with their new single taken from their imminent full length LP "The Way" out on Phoenix down.

"Breakthrough" - the third single from the highly anticipated debut album has already stood the test of time, having already established classic status as a local anthem in and around Oxford circa 2005. The 08' version has some new delightfully endearing shuffling drums while retaining the triumphant horns and catchy chorus that made the original shine.

Sampling The O’Jay’s “Darlin, Darlin, Baby” GTA’s rendition is strong enough to stand side by side with the samples last notable outing on Big Pun’s "I'm not a playa" – and that’s really saying something.

GTA- "Breakthrough" zShare

I'm not sure if I was supposed to post the track or not so I may not keep it up long. You need to cop this album obviously!

Here's the video...


Speaking of positivity hopefully Obama wins tonight and we can all stop being so gloomy! Peace!

Fatboy Slim project, The BPA, presents 2nd single "Seattle"!

So... not only have "the tapes been found" but we also have a fantastic second single from the rapidly approaching album from Norman Cook/Fatboy Slim's new project The BPA! The last single "Toe Jam" I was able to give to you guys and, man, talk about flooding the market! There have been like two mixtapes out of like 30 that I've seen that DON'T have some form of that track on 'em. Looks like it was well received to say the least :)

Hopefully you all will enjoy this track as much as the last one... Emmy The Great handles vocals on this one... and frankly after one verse I wanted to hear more from her (yeah, apparently I haven't been keeping up on hipster duties because I'm not too familiar with her work... but it's rad). The video is really cool (even though it doesn't have nude people doing impossible positions like the last video lol...



Here's "the tapes" that have been FOUND! The mysterious history of the BPA...


And here's the goods... the first link is to BOTH tracks and they are extremely high quality (presumably for you DJ folk out there)... for the rest of the readers I converted the tracks to MP3 so they don't take up so much hard drive space lol...

The BPA- "Seattle (Remixes)" YSI

The BPA- "Seattle (Crazy P Remix)" Mediafire

The BPA- "Seattle (Jaimie Fanatic Big Mix)" Mediafire

The Crazy P remix is stuttery disco with the vocal woven into a textures supporting the instrumental. I'm wondering if this is Crazy Penis? Did he change his name or is this someone else? Probably can't get onto iTunes with a name like Crazy Penis... but this would go well in a mix next to some Metro Area or some Chicken Lips for sure!

The Jaimie Fanatic Big Mix is just that... BIG! It's got some dark electro-y bass, and major anthem synths, but also shiny sun soaked vocals peeking through. This will draw attention from just about any crowd and would fit next to some Chemical Brothers or something... this mix couldn't just slip in next to anything... but if you're looking to move your mix from subtle to badass quickly this would be a good one to make that happen.

Southern Fried will be handling the album in the U.K.... I don't know who is putting it out, BUT it will be coming out January 2009 in the U.S... as a reminder, if you didn't catch the last post, the album will feature David Byrne, Dizzee Rascal, Emmy The Great, Iggy Pop, Pete York, Jack Penate, Jamie T, Martha Wainwright, Conan, Olly Hite, Lateef, Ashley Beedle, Simon Thornton, Thomas Gandey, and Justin Robertson. I seriously can't wait for this...

Ok. I think I'm getting my stride back after that DCMA debacle. I still have to fax something over to Google but... you'll notice I put up a fair use notice. This site is supposed promote artists, be a journalistic outlet, and a music criticism site... so my posting tracks is not for ANYONE to steal music. It's to make people want to BUY music and support artists. By those definitions I'm pretty sure posting tracks falls under fair use. Perhaps I'll have to start embedding stuff instead of posting it unless I have prior consent. We'll see.

It's a brave new world out there but I'm a little frightened about where it's going. In the meantime at least we have artists like The BPA willing to give us tracks so mad props to them, Zoe, and Southern Fried! Be back soon.

Sorry...

That C&D thing because of the Howie B track, last week, made me want to stop writing. For real. And for good.

I know that sounds dumb but when you work so hard to plug other people's music and you don't make SHIT doing it, it's kind of a big slap in the face with like the recording industry's knob. Really hard. Like getting mushroom stamped and getting your jaw broken at the same time.

So, I'll get the posts up that I've been meaning to get up. I just had to write an apology to Herve because his questions were supposed to be done three weeks ago.

Blah. Anyway. Thank you guys for you support. It's you I do this for. Hope you had a good Halloween. You'll get the Stanton Interview this week. I was gonna do it today, but with every time I think about blogging I get bummed out now.

Be back soon.