Don Diablo (www.myspace.com/dondiablo) has been asked to put his magic touch on Dragonette’s forthcoming single ‘Fixin to Thrill’, which celebrates their return to the scene. It has been two years since electropop band Dragonette (www.myspace.com/dragonette) first burst on to the scene with their debut album ‘Galore’, which Popjustice called “the best album of 2007” and the Guardian called “ace shagtronic pop.” Don Diablo adds a lot of funk to the original and delivers a remix that will rock your world. The single will be out at the end of may, and Dragonette’s 2nd album, also titled ‘Fixin To Thrill’, will be out at the end of the summer.
Also, here's a little present from our friends Heads We Dance: Our new single, 'When The Sirens Sound' (Popjustice Song of the Day), is out this Monday 18th May! There are two versions of the single. The first is a digital only release available through iTunes (and most other digital stores) and includes the b-side 'Work It Out' featuring Little Boots. The second is a Beatport exclusive and includes remixxes by Don Diablo (Hype Machine No. 1, Elbo.ws No. 8), Russ Chimes (supported by BBC Radio 1's Andy George & Jaymo), Hot Pink Delorean and Geek Chic Soundsystem.
-- NEW SINGLE 'WHEN THE SIRENS SOUND' OUT 18.05.09 INCLUDES DON DIABLO, RUSS CHIMES & HOT PINK DELOREAN REMIXES PLUS EXCLUSIVE B-SIDE 'WORK IT OUT' FT. LITTLE BOOTS
HEADS WE DANCE www.headswedance.co.uk www.myspace.com/headswedance
Bionic Commando, the classic video game I'm sure you all remember, is getting rereleased (or rather relaunched as I understand it) in the UK. Their marketing person is smart... like SMART smart because they got some of the best names out there to remix the theme! Rusko, Clipz & Surkin all in one post for ya! At 320 kbps nonetheless...
I just remembered they played this theme at Video Games Live... what a wicked show... not unlike this video... that won't embed... go check it out! http://vimeo.com/4611423
Here's a little info... Bionic Commando Rusko, Surkin & Clipz Remixes Game release date: 22nd May 2009 (released on PS3, Xbox 360 & PC)
* Iconic 1980s arcade game Bionic Commando is back for the 21st century and is being released in the UK on 22nd May
* The Surkin remix comes fully equipped with a great video by Matt Brown – see it here: http://vimeo.com/4611423
* Bionic Commando is available to preorder from Play.com - http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/5537268/Bionic-Commando/Product.html
Hope that brightens up your Wednesday. Thanks to all of you who helped get that Major Lazer/Robot Koch remix to #5 on Hype Machine! Be back soon...
I have to say, and this is a little bit of a recap, that I never expected to be doing this blogging thing at this "level". I guess I got lucky getting in just after the 2nd wave of bloggers (before Hype Machine and Elbo.ws were a staple in thousands of people's lives). I sort of was just posting whatever I felt like (getting really really high traffic), back when the record companies were only concerned about new songs, when I started. Slowly but surely bands started approaching me, then labels, then promotion companies... and before I knew it I was in a position I'd always dreamed of.
And I'm not sure how much I deserve it? Because I know a lot of these blogs are SERIOUS about what they do, whereas I usually write like the only people who are reading this are my friends. This is largely due to the fact that people told me if they wanted to read a magazine they would, and that they appreciated the laid back "Average Joe who just happens to be a music freak" banter. There is very little that I have written that truly could be used as a "professional writing sample" or anything (certain publications have asked for writing samples and I've struggled to find anything that doesn't read like an instant message lol)...
POINT IS: I'm EXTREMELY honoured to be working alongside blogs like Palms Out Sounds, Big Stereo, Curb Crawlers, Discobelle, Discodust, Electrorash, Disco Punk, iheartcomix, Jacuzzi Killers, Red Threat and more over at Hype.Fm! Those are the blogs that inspired me to do what I'm doing now. So please pop by the site and look forward to my upcoming show! More details about me later, check this out first!
TheHype.FM - New Website Launch Info: - 3 (free) audio streams (low bitrate mp3, high bitrate custom player, mobile stream launchable through iphone/blackberry/etc) - new completely interactive website designed by the legendary UsLot Everywhere (http://www.usloteverywhere.com/) - exclusive regular shows and interview by over 30 of the most influential blogs & hottest artists from all over the globe - new video stream with exclusive video interviews and music videos playing around the clock - our new blog focusing on art, news, fashion, and production/dj technique (basically everything but a music blog) - partnerships with several music labels...you'll get to hear the new releases weeks to months in advance
It's so baller I hope you guys enjoy it... I can listen to it on my Blackberry! How cool is that?!?!?
While we're here I should probably post some music. Mike Skinner, of The Streets has been dropping tracks left and right on Twitter... and I don't know if they've been reposted but they should be! (I hope this is ok, if not Mike then hit me up)...
Last but now least Don Diablo and Example (an associate of The Streets) have LOADS of new tracks... you gotta get on top of these new ones... because you know the previously released ones have been all over the blogosphere in a way only Justice was before!
Don Diablo & Example vs Daft Punk - Aerodynamic Hooligans (Don Diablo Mashup) Don Diablo (www.myspace.com/dondiablo) and Example (www.myspace.com/leadingbyexample) team up for their joint effort "Hooligans", which is set to become the mosh pit anthem of 2009! On remix duties: Noisia, Spor, A1 Bassline, Doorly and the main man Don Diablo himself. Make sure you grab your copy of "Aerodynamic Hooligans" as well, which is a mash-up Don Diablo did of his Hooligans track with elements of Daft Punk's "Aerodynamic" and yes, you know it will work like a MoFo on the floor! Release date: 29.06 (except Australia / North America / Mexico, release dates tbc).
Check out the music video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH78CezwPOQ
I'm so excited about the Hype.Fm show... please check back. Thanks to Mike Skinner, Don Diablo and Example, ans Stephan. Be back soon!
Happy mother's day! I wonder if there are any mothers who read this. My mom doesn't really know how to use a computer so we can count her out! But she does listen to the radio show and get other people to as well so I can't complain. Speaking of radio I'll be putting together my Hype.FM show tonight which will broadcast (I believe) next Saturday at five.
Anyway, there's loads to celebrate about today for lots of people... and free music always seems to add that little extra bit of cheer... SO without further ado I unveil a very tasty tracklisting from Hessle Audio's Ben UFO and his Fabriclive mix!
In celebration of Hessle Audio’s takeover of room three next Friday the 15th of May, Hessle Audio founder Ben UFO has put together this special mix for the occasion.
ROOM ONE: Rusko (LIVE), Skream, The Gaslamp Killer, Jackmaster, Patchwork Pirates
ROOM THREE: HESSLE AUDIO... TRG, Ramadanman, Pangaea, Ben UFO, Untold MC Asbo
Ben UFO Fabriclive Mix Ben UFO Fabriclive Mix YSI Here's the eclectic and awesome tracklisting... LOADS OF UNRELEASED STUFF! I love how it's got Omar S and L-Vis 1990, and then Ramadanman and Peverelist and Bump and Flex! You know that's some hot shit! Enjoy the mix, have a good day, go to Fabric and dance you arse off this next Friday!
Greena - Maracay (Forthcoming Applepips) Omar S - Busaru Beats (Sound Signature) Aphrodisiax - Unfinished Business (Jus House) Karizma - 33rd Street Anthem (Defected) Unknown - Unknown (Unreleased) Altered Natives - Rass Out (Fresh Minute) Pearson Sound - Wad (Unreleased) L-Vis 1990 - Hey! (Unreleased) Brackles and Shortstuff - Sutorito Faita (Forthcoming Planet Mu) Deep Cover Inc. - Deepin' Side [NYC dub mix] (FX) Ramadanman - No Swing (Unreleased) STP - The Fall [T++ remix] (Subsolo) Peverelist - Teachings (Unreleased) Shortstuff and Mickey Pearce - Tripped Up (Unreleased) Untold - I Can't Stop This Feeling [Pangaea remix] (Unreleased) Bump and Flex - Promises [Hardstep dub] (Urban Heat) Untold vs. Tempz - Nextaconda (Unreleased) Youngstar - Bongcat Riddem (White) James Blake - Air and Lack Thereof (Unreleased) Untold - Flexible (Unreleased) Ikonika - Fish (Unreleased) Mala - Hunter (DMZ) Joy Orbison - Hyph Mngo (Unreleased)
This is a repost because those links are dead I do believe... and the ID3 tracks were wrong so this didn't make the Hype Machine and people HAVE to hear this
UPDATE FROM 11/05/09: Here's some Mediafire links, as I've been informed the other ones are quite dead!
Holy $#it. There are few producers out there who make tracks, and remixes, as consistently awesome as Robot Koch.
While most producers are saturating the market with about 5 tracks a day, which normally sound unfinished or the same, Robot Koch gives us quality every time he steps out with something new.
Example: This insanely perfect Major Lazer remix... a combo of a track from the Aftershocks EP and the vocal from "Hold the Line"!
Now if you thought that was good... this exlusive JAHCOOZI snippet mix of their new EP. I'm literally speechless... I mean I really liked the remix you just listened to... but I'm a big Jahcoozi fan... so this knocked the wind out of me. It's got all these different elements like dubstep, wonky synth sounds, downtempo vocals, stringers, 4/4 beats... I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THE WHOLE THING. Check it out: Jahcoozi- "Watching You (Snippet Mix)"
Lastly, remember that Robot Koch vs Cerebral Vortex track I posted about a year ago? Check out a bit from the aforementioned Aftershocks EP:
I hope you guys enjoyed all those goodies. No doubt this one has already made it's rounds 10,000 times in the last 3 hours so I'm not going to bother saying anything about it. You know Aoki, you know N.A.S.A. (whose Designer Drugs track I posted the other day)...
Steve Aoki has remixed the arguably stand out track on the album ‘Gifted’, and the guys put together a 5 minute minimix for BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac Mash up session; 57 songs crammed in to 300 seconds including some N.A.S.A. home brand tunes amongst the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Justice, and George Kranz.
Holy $#it. There are few producers out there who make tracks, and remixes, as consistently awesome as Robot Koch.
While most producers are saturating the market with about 5 tracks a day, which normally sound unfinished or the same, Robot Koch gives us quality every time he steps out with something new.
Example: This insanely perfect Major Lazer remix... a combo of a track from the Aftershocks EP and the vocal from "Hold the Line"!
Now if you thought that was good... this exlusive JAHCOOZI snippet mix of their new EP. I'm literally speechless... I mean I really liked the remix you just listened to... but I'm a big Jahcoozi fan... so this knocked the wind out of me. It's got all these different elements like dubstep, wonky synth sounds, downtempo vocals, stringers, 4/4 beats... I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THE WHOLE THING. Check it out: Jahcoozi- "Watching You (Snippet Mix)"
Lastly, remember that Robot Koch vs Cerebral Vortex track I posted about a year ago? Check out a bit from the aforementioned Aftershocks EP:
I hope you guys enjoyed all those goodies. No doubt this one has already made it's rounds 10,000 times in the last 3 hours so I'm not going to bother saying anything about it. You know Aoki, you know N.A.S.A. (whose Designer Drugs track I posted the other day)...
Steve Aoki has remixed the arguably stand out track on the album ‘Gifted’, and the guys put together a 5 minute minimix for BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac Mash up session; 57 songs crammed in to 300 seconds including some N.A.S.A. home brand tunes amongst the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Justice, and George Kranz.
I don't think I ever did a post about Maps before. Truthfully? I got the album after the hype had died down some (U.S. release dates suck sometimes) and with all the fresh stuff coming in I don't think Maps got any attention. I know my wife loved the album!
I got a track sent this morning that is a dub mix of his new song "Let Go Of The Fear" that shows a nice change in direction that I can really get behind... I can't help but imagine that working with one of the blokes from Death In Vegas would give you new ideas for sound (TRIVIA: Did you know that Death In Vegas were supposed to produce and Oasis album but typical Oasis brother tensions but a quick end to that?)
I like an album I can listen to in my car, at home, and in the club (see Simian Mobile Disco, Frankmusik, and The Black Ghosts) and if this track is any indication of what's to come the new album will fall under that umbrella. I hope you enjoy this track as much as I have!
Maps ‘Let Go Of The Fear’ (Dub Version) Release date: 11th May 2009 (digital) Useful links: http://www.maps-blog.com www.myspace.com/mapsmusic www.itunes.com/maps
Now since the Hype Machine has changed the way it functions (by not posting more than one copy of a track) I'm going to have to fuck with format for a while to get my numbers back up. I'm still only going to post stuff I like but I guess some of it's not going to be British. Does anyone have a problem with this? I might. We'll see how it goes... I think this time I can find a way to combine a new song from France back to the UK via Franz Ferdinand :)
I just saw Franz Ferdinand at Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac the other night with my friend Jessica... and I have to say, there are very very few bands that can sound as good performing as they do on their records... Franz Ferdinand are one of those bands for sure. It was easily was one of the best shows I've seen in years. They tore it up, and their guitar player came out on crutches and STILL blew everyone away. I don't know too many bands that look like they're having that much fun on stage and would highly recommend that you go see them. They waited til the encore to play "Ulysses" and "This Fire" and I went bonkers when they played both. Then I almost died getting hit by a jeep, and got followed by 5 cop cars on the way home... but... whatever you know? Franz Ferdinand- "Womanizer (Britney Spears Cover)" I wanted to mention for you Franz fans out there... there's a little EP floating around that won't be out til Summer but I promise you'll dig it... here's more info: ‘Blood’ will be available for general release on 1st June 2009 through Domino Records, but 500 vinyl copies of the album will be available through selected independent outlets to celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday the 18th of April. ‘Blood’ was originally featured as part of the box set & double disc versions of ‘Tonight: Franz Ferdinand’, though the new version will include the additional song, ‘Be Afraid’, a version of ‘Dream Again’. The band are currently on tour in the US and head to Japan before returning to the UK in the summer for a number of festivals including T in the Park & Glastonbury.
I also can't remember if I posted this before or not but this has been my favourite bloghaus track of the year so far... I play it every time I DJ now... Franz Ferdinand- "Ulysses (IHEARTMYJUNO Remix)"
NOW here's the break in format... Sliimy has done a cover as well that is one of the best one's I've heard (frankly it is better than the Franz one, but it's also very different). Here's some info on that... Here's a cover of 'Womanizer' from 20-year-old French boy wonder, Sliimy that would be great to get your thoughts on and up on the site as a download. Sliimy is an optical and meteorological phenomenon whose “happy, pop, furry-toy” songs have been known to cause a spectrum of light to appear in the sky, every time they are played! Also soon to be released will be Ê»Wake Upʼ, the UKʼs premiere view of Sliimy’s kaleidoscopic, fantasy world. Itʼs a soupçon of sweet tasting hooks. A demi tasse of neon-bright melodies. Itʼs choc et le bloc full of LOL sing-along lyrics and the UK wonʼt have heard anything so glass-shatteringly exuberant since Judy Garland minced down the yellow brick road.
Also a break from format, but a hot name nonetheless, Kotchy a new err "joint" for you :) This is at least his 3rd appearance on the blog... I believe the last one with with Shunda K from Yo! Majesty...
Kotchy's glitched bass and slouching beats get dirty, bassy on "A Superstar" it's a perfect blend of house party sleaze & club savvy hip-hop. . Tongue in cheek both figuratively and literally speaking. Kotchy says
"I wrote it while living above a cheesy club in Seattle, I find a lot of main-stream American culture to be sad, and this scene was cranked at full volume but Smoke a joint, and it's suddenly hilarious."
Hence his new I'd Have to Be High EP then.
Harnessing the more sinister side of the track HRDVSION’s jacking techno monster morphs Kotchy’s sleazy vocals and killer drum breaks into a dark twisted club stinger. Nathan Jonson aka Hrdvsion (Wagonrepair) is part of the first family of Canadian Techno and with brother Mathew but has fled the nest for Berlin where he tearing it up and confesses..."the dancefloor loves the mix i've made a banger! wtf?!!"
The remix and original feature on Kotchy's latest EP I'd A Have To Be High Listen in full: href="http://www.civilmusicplayer.com/civilmusic/CIV006/">here and grab the ltd 12'" and get the download free href="http://www.civilmusic.com/buy/id-have-to-be-high-ep-1/">here at Civil Music
Stream the original here: height="380" src="http://fairtilizer.com/track/34419?fairplayer=large&skin=fabric">
Ok, well hopefully this wealth of information will somehow get me put on the Hype Machine. Once again I appreciate comments and if you would follow me (see "Followers" in the right side bar) I'd appreciate it. You guys are the best. Be back soon!
This is why I'm even more surprised that it took me this long to post this. See, around the time my dearest Anna sent this to me... I was so depressed I couldn't even really read the email. I'm sure the rest of you who are feeling the recession blues get it... hell, almost ALL my favourite blogs have come close to hanging it up at one point or another. BUT not unlike the Heads We Dance feat Little Boots track from the other day, music like this is undeniable (and even though loads of other people got around to posting it before I did, that doesn't make it any less awesome lol)... I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!
It's still not out for a week (11 May) so I didn't sleep on it tooooo long! Check out more at Myspace.
Next up is one from Joe & Will Ask? who made an appearance with a Lowline remix a few weeks back. Here's the press... The track is to be Released on Gulp Communications later on in 2009 and more Joe and Will Ask tracks are available at www.beatport.com. Joe & Will Ask?- "Yellow Stone"
NOW THIS I GOTTA HIGHLIGHT... my boy Chima Anya from Oxford's GTA is the only doctor in Brithop and this man spits straight fire. Not only is he a wicked emcee but he also has a knack for choosing the BEST possible instrumentals to work with as you'll see in the press blurb below. DOWNLOAD THIS or miss out on one of the UK's fastest rising hiphop stars... Having already received support from the biggest radio stations in the uk (Radio 1, 1Xtra, Choice, Kiss FM) and cosigning from some of the most progressive blog sites arouind (Moovmnt, IBYM) Chima Anya (hip-hop's only practicing Doctor) releases his mixtape to great anticipation.
Featuring production from Flying Lotus/ Hudson Mohawke/ Samiyam/ Rustie(editorial note: holy shit, see what I'm saying?!?!) juxtaposed to the more commercial standard bangers this mixtape is the first symptom of vocal hiphop's evolution to a Higher Ground.
This I thought would be fun to post... you know how I feel about Brithop (only the grime boys and GTA ever make the cut)... but The Forcefield Kids do, and I quote, "leftfield/lo-fi UK hip-hop act from Newcastle and have an EP coming out on the 6th of July" and I enjoy it. The lead track from the EP is right here:
Now I got some rock for those of you who thought I forgot what that was (smirk). Duke Special have a nice little 3 track sample they want you music fans to have and it's got a fun cover in it that you don't wanna miss. Here's some press about their album that just came out and this freebie:
‘I NEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME’: The brand new album, out 20th April 2009 "A more immediate and visceral collection than the previous multi-platinum selling Songs From The Deep Forest, Duke Special’s new album, I Never Thought This Day Would Come is full of moments of beauty and hope juxtaposed with a dark, brooding edge.
Recorded between Wapping, London; Champaign, Illinois and Culleybackey, Northern Ireland, 'I Never Thought This Day Would Come' was produced by long-time collaborator Paul Pilot and mixed by Nick Terry, best known for his work with the Klaxons and The Libertines."
As a free taster please download 3 Duke Special Tracks: 1. "Those Proverbs We Made in the Winter Must End" (Duke Special / Bernard Butler) produced, co-written and co-played by Bernard Butler 2. "I Feel For You" (Prince cover but made famous by Chaka Kahn) 3. "Low" (Duke Special)
So hopefully you'll dig that. Now this is kind of off the beaten path for this blog but I recognize I've come close to being a British "dance" music blog, not just a British music blog so... I'm broadening the horizons some! I've heard VERY heated pro/con online convos about this trio but... I'll let you decide what you think of it. I will say I thought they said "drinking out of a sports bra" and thought "That's a little naughty isn't it? I can't even picture that!"... which is proof I'm a moron :)
FORMAT CHANGE: I had a lot of good stuff in the inbox so I decided to post some non-British artists. I don't do this often, but when you ignore your inbox for weeks you stumble upon loads of sick tracks. I mean tell me you don't want this N.A.S.A. or Jokers On the Scene... yeah, exactly my point... ENJOY
Ok, well I know you guys like designer shit (I'm a Kidrobot man myself), and I know a lot of you like drugs (shame on you), and while rocking both I notice a lot of you listen to Designer Drugs. Now I present to you "the amazing ‘Strange Enough’ with a Designer Drugs touch, featuring Ol Dirty Bastard, Karen O. and Fatlip"... N.A.S.A. - "Strange Enough (Designer Drugs Remix)" (320kpsex) N.A.S.A. - "Strange Enough (Designer Drugs Remix)" YSI
The Brash are from Canukistan (*cough* my neighbour to the north, Canada). They are described as "two guys from around the corner. A Dj and a geek. Straightforward electronic music. Nothing more, nothing less"... and personally I like a press release like that lol. They got fellow Canukistanians Jokers Of the Scene to do a remix so you know they're about to be hot shit! THIS TRACK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED The Brash - "H Muet (Jokers of the Scene remix)" The Brash - "H Muet (Jokers of the Scene remix)" YSI
I'm posting this Dirty Projectors track because a) I like it and b) I think this AIDS Charity they are doing with Bjork is awesome... read more below...
"Stillness Is The Move" is available on 12" and digital with new b-sides a remix by Lucky Dragons May 5th. Pre-order the 12" now from Domino Mart -http://www.dominorecordco.us/usa/singles/09-04-09/stillness-is-the-move/
"Stillness Is The Move" is taken from the upcoming album, Bitte Orca, which will be released worldwide the week of June 8th (check local listings). Many of you will be able to catch the band live in action prior to that as special guests on the upcoming TV On The Radio tour:
FRI 5/22 - Oakland, CA - Fox Oakland Theater SAT 5/23 - Portland - Roseland Theater MON 5/25 - Vancouver - Malkin Bowl WED 5/27 - Edmonton - Edmonton Events Centre THUR 5/28 - Calgary - Macewan Hall FRI 5/29 - Saskatoon - Louis’ Pub SAT 5/30 - Winnipeg - Burton Cummings Theatre TUE 6/2 - Toronto - Sound Academy WED 6/3 - Montrea - Metropolis THUR 6/4 - Boston - HOB FRI 6/5 - New York - Summerstage SAT 6/6 - Baltimore - Metro Gallery - w/ A Place To Bury Strangers MON 6/8 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club TUE 6/9 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club WED 6/10 - Richmond, VA - The National THUR 6/11 - Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend *All shows with TV on the Radio except June 6th
In addition, on May 8th, Dirty Projectors and Bjork will be collaborating for a one-night only benefit show at the Housing Works Bookstore in Manhattan. The performance will feature an original piece composed by Dirty Projectors’ David Longstreth. The material will pair Bjork and Longstreth with the Dirty Projectors’ Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, and Haley Dekle. All proceeds will go to Housing Works, a non-profit established to provide services for homeless men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS.
OK! Hopefully that makes up for my absence! I'll try to make sure to stay on top of things from here on out and appreciate all your support. I notice a lot of you adding me on Twitter but please feel free to "follow" the blog (the option is located in the right sidebar). I'll have a show starting soon on Hype.FM in the next week so make sure you keep your eyes and ears peeled because that'll be off the fucking hook... have you seen the other names who are gonna be on that site? Phew! And for those of you already podcasting Albion I apologize about the lack of updates... we have a server problem that should be fixed soon. Thanks again, I couldn't do this without you guys, be back soon!
I don't normally do this BUT this piqued my interest:
Last year Converse's "Get Out Of the Garage" contest pitted about 1,000 bands against each other to duke it out for the #1 spot.
This year they're doing a slightly different version that very well may be more exciting for you the curious music devotee.
Apparently Converse felt there were so many good bands that they couldn't just have ONE winner... so instead they are releasing a CD with the 10 songs that rocked the most from the contest!
Normally I'd be like "blah blah" because I just found an old Doc Martins promo cd and there were like 2 good songs on it (I mean it's miserable, I like DM and all but I can't believe I still have that cd lol); I mean come on, free CDs (in the past) from companies have rarely had staying power.
However, Converse is one of these brands that has really put themselves, in the last couple of years, at the forefront of the changing music industry and so I'm very curious to see what this CD sounds like. If nothing else it shows that Converse has a commitment to getting new music out there (instead of going the obvious and easy route of slapping a couple worn out singles, a couple live tracks, and a couple remixes on a CD and pawning it off as "the newest ish out there") and I give them props for that.
SO I'm sure you're wondering how this applies to you. Well, it's Spring so it's time to put the boots away and perhaps go cop a new pair of shoes... and I know that a lot of you blogosphere/hipster/post-hipster/indie-not-indie/DJ kids can't find what you're looking for at Finish Line (although I gotta say they play good music there lol) and this means if you're going to a mall you're probably going to Journey's. If you spend $75 or more at Journey's you get a free copy of the "Get Out Of The Garage" CD! $75 for shoes isn't much but I mean last time I was at Journey's I found a pair of two pair of Converse that would have added up to about $85 (which is one pair of shoes anywhere else lol)...
If you decide to go out and get some new kicks remember there's a CD full of fresh talent waiting for you at Journey's that you probably don't want to miss out on. You guys know I choose the commercial projects I promote carefully because I don't want to degrade my hard work, and blog, by just selling out in hopes of making a buck or two. Frankly, I'm making nothing off this... I just think it's cool.
The ad campaign that had Kid Sister, Kenna, Frank Gallows, Julian Casablancas, Santigold, Pharrell and all these other artists I like/know/respect reignited my interest in Converse so I don't feel weird repping their stuff at all. Converse has a strong history in pop culture (from pictures of Kurt Cobain drawing on his shoes, to Renton in Trainspotting) and as long as they are keeping with that "underground spirit" I'm interested in what they're doing.
And I'm gonna have to go get a new pair of gray canvass hi-tops and the Kurt Cobain "Journal" shoes same way you will; no one is hooking me up for writing this. So don't roll your eyes at me... we've had at least three pieces now where I've talked about the importance of companies getting involved with music going forward... it's the only way the bands we care about are going to survive.
Here's the (slightly modified) press release... On June 16th, 2008, Converse, Journeys and Cornerstone launched the Get Out of the Garage Music Contest, a contest designed to target untapped talent in the artist community.
Entrants were given the option of uploading their MP3 to the Get Out of the Garage Music Contest website (http://www.getoutofthegaragemusiccontest.com/). Entrants could also go to any Journeys store to obtain a mail in envelope to send their song in. Over 5,000 entries were received for consideration.
On December 8th, 2008, Converse, Downtown Records and Cornerstone announced the Get Out of the Garage Music Contest winners and revamped the Get Out of the Garage Music Contest website to reflect the Grand Prize Winner and Runner Ups.
The Get Out of the Garage Music Contest website is dedicated to the winners of the contest. Each band was given an individual page on the site, where viewers can stream the winning band’s songs and check out their bios and pictures. Check out all the winning entrants here: http://www.getoutofthegaragemusiccontest.com
All songs, from each winning band, will be available on CD at any Journeys store by April 15th, 2009. This exclusive CD is available through a $75 purchase or more of Converse footwear.
The Winner: (GRAND PRIZE WINNER) "On A Whim" Flying Machines The Grand Prize winner won the following prize
* 4 day trip to New York City to record music * Studio time with a NYC music producer They found one winner previously: Flying Machines for their song "On a Whim." But during the process they realized there were lots of talented bands so they decided to make a whole album to promote all the bands!
Here's the playlist: *"Say It Out Loud" The Company Kang *"Kenny's Big Adventure" Control Escape *"Let's Go Steady, Debbie" Echo Station *"On A Whim" Flying Machines *"Beside You" Junior Giant *"Soul Sucker" The Melismatics *"September" Mod Amish *"You Should Be My" Nasty Little Habit *"Goner" The Nothingheads *"Deadfall" The Swear
Here's the video from the "winning band" last year (who are on the CD). It's nice upbeat powerpop. It's a bit like if Phoenix were from New York and the guy form Keane was their singer. To my knowledge all these bands are American so the Gallows and Keane mention are my attempt at trying to tie this back to the blogs format lol...
So that's that. Just wanted to let you know it was out there... and I'm really interested to see if this new "corporations are the new record labels" thing turns out to be as good as it seems. I mean one of my favourite bands, Midwest Product on Ghostly International, probably made the most money in their career lending their greatest song "Swamp" to Hummer. My boys Flosstramdaus released their wicked indie-electro gem "Big Bills" through Mountain Dew. And everyone from Simian Mobile Disco to LCD Soundsystem to A-Trak (and now De La Soul) have put out releases through Nike. We're in a new era guys and it feels like an industry that we have more control over than we ever have before.
Let's cross our fingers and hope for a productive outcome... and in the meantime maybe we can enjoy some music and new shoes to boot? Be back soon!
It's frustrating to see work from your friends find it's way on to the internet a little too soon... BUT Heads We Dance have always been about sharing even their singles with fans so, while this release may not have been when they wanted it to come out, I know for a fact they are happy for you guys to have access to this track (albeit a little early lol)...
Here's the official press from our good buddy Don Diablo (the busiest man in dance music lol): Don Diablo (www.myspace.com/dondiablo) has cooked up a mighty tasty remix for the forthcoming single "When the Sirens Sound" by Heads We Dance (www.myspace.com/headswedance). Don turns the electropop original into a heavy dancefloor destroyer that is sure to rock soundsystems across the globe. The full e.p. will be released on Monday May 18th on Gash Digital. Also on remix duties are Russ Chimes, Hot Pink Delorean and Geek Chic Soundsystem, but make sure you grab the Don Diablo remix, right here right now!
I don't know about you guys but now I'm even more stoked to hear the other remixes. Their album Love Technology is already a sure shot for my top 10 albums of 2009 and the year isn't even half over! You'll understand why once you hear it... it's gonna blow your mind and you ear drums!
I do have to say though... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE buy this release. You're getting most of it for free but, in my opinion, that's all the more reason to buy it. This band is giving you their hard work (which cost a lot to make) for free, and if you enjoy it, the least you could do is throw a couple quid their way for being so fan-centric. HWD have given me loads of stuff to give to you guys free... and so I ask you (not them) to please at least buy digital copies of the single(s) and the forthcoming album. It would mean a lot to me and would help prove to me that this blog is doing what it's supposed to :)
Check back soon because I have a backlog of a LOT of stuff to get you guys!
Mmmmmm... *takes deep breath*... hello everyone! Sorry I took such a significant extended leave of absence! I sort of WELL... you know I'm not sure if I got fired? Or if it was a lay off? Because... I was "let go" because they didn't have the money to pay my paycheck anymore BUT they came up with nice totally unfounded and untrue reasons why I should be let go. Probably not a lay off huh lol...
That's America for ya! Here's a couple good suggestions if you want to keep your job (where there are no rules and supposedly you set your own hours)... DO NOT get a horrible infection in your mouth (w/o insurance) and wait for 6 months to take care of it (forcing you to go to the surgeon all the time). DO NOT wear your Kidrobot hoodies even though you work in the basement, and no one sees you, even though the collective professionalism level is in the negative numbers. DON'T make sense at all... because sense is the enemy of nonsense, and right now that's the ruling power still.
So all that has been a bummer... it made me so depressed I didn't have the energy to even write. BUT on the lighter side of things one of my favourite bands has come through with an antidote to gloom!
Heads We Dance have come through with, no doubt, what will be an album to rule the summer called Love Technology (I haven't been able to take it out of my car to even copy it) which is amazing...
They've always been out to be the best of the best... so of course they've hooked up with one of the "best", Little Boots, to make sure that no one can escape their synth perfection. This b-side to their new single, "When The Siren Sounds", is true unadulterated pop perfection that begs to be played over, and over, and over again.
Pete from HWD had this to say via email earlier today: It's nice to be able to get all our online stuff together in one place at last! As well as 'Work It Out' you can download our mixtapes, and the Frankmusik remix of 'Love In The Digital Age' - and there are a load of photos, songs for streaming and all the usual news etc. you'd expect to find - take a look! www.headswedance.co.uk
Of course, it should be mentioned, that new Arcadian associate Don Diablo has remixed the new single along with Hot Pink Delorean and Russ Chimes. Don't sleep on this one... and make sure you check out the HWD website to get more goodies. Be back soon!
P.s. Maybe we can convince Frankmusik to let us post his Little Boots track in the near future?!?!
NEW SINGLE 'WHEN THE SIRENS SOUND' OUT 18.05.09 INCLUDES DON DIABLO, RUSS CHIMES & HOT PINK DELOREAN REMIXES PLUS EXCLUSIVE B-SIDE 'WORK IT OUT' FT. LITTLE BOOTS
HEADS WE DANCE www.headswedance.com www.myspace.com/headswedance
The people over at Noise Porn mentioned they had something cool coming up. Not only is it really is a good cause, and a great idea, but YOU could get yourself involved... Read more below!
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
On July 11th 2009 two drivers will depart on a 10,000 mile drive from London to Mongolia, crossing Europe, central Asia and culminating with a dash across the mighty Gobi Desert. We are raising money for Save The Children, in association with the Mongolian Charity Rally. Our specially equipped off-road vehicle will be packed full of educational materials and clothing to donate to the Mongolian people. We will also be donating the vehicle on arrival.
WHAT IS THE MONGOLIAN MIXTAPE MARATHON?
We’re asking DJs from all over the world, be they big names or bedroom DJs, to upload mixes for us to listen to all the way to Mongolia. We estimate we have 800+ hours driving time and we’re intending to listen to dance music non-stop all the way there! Each DJ will be asked to submit a one hour mix of their favourite tunes and also make a small donation (of at least £1). We’ll then put all the mixes together and listen to them non-stop, all the way to Mongolia!
Once we depart, the mixes will be podcasted to the world as a lasting record of your mixing prowess. They’ll also be hosted on this site for at least a year after we return. So it’s a great place to keep your mixes for others to hear too!
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE MONEY?
This rally costs around £3000 per team to enter and complete. We have put in significant personal investment ourselves and have been supported by sponsors, friends and family. The money raised from the Mongolian Mixtape Marathon will be put towards our essential fuel and repair costs (estimated at £1200).
WHAT DO SAVE THE CHILDREN DO IN MONGOLIA?
All the money we raise for Save The Children goes towards charity projects in Mongolia. Last year’s teams raised a fantastic £25,000 for Save the Children’s projects in Mongolia. This has funded:
* A new Child Centre for street children in Ulaanbaatar which was bofficially opened on 6 October 2008 and now benefits over 100 homeless street children a month, providing them with a hot meal, shower, laundry, medical checks and educational and development activities. The functions and operation of this Child Centre will be sustained by operational support provided by other donors whose financial assistance has been secured and committed annually. * The restoration of a Rehabilitation and Education Centre in Ulaanbaatar to serve children with disabilities at a national level providing key therapeutic services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, aqua therapy, and speech therapy.
Both of these projects are now up and running and benefiting a huge number of children in Mongolia. This year, the money raised will go towards similar projects and help sustain the fantastic work Save The Children does all over the world.
CAN I DONATE DIRECTLY TO SAVE THE CHILDREN?
Yes - you can donate here
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO HELP MORE?
*We’re relying heavily on donations of equipment and cash from generous individuals and businesses. If you have any equipment, money or expertise that you feel could be useful to us, please get in touch! We have plenty of sticker space on the car, as well as on this website for those who can help us out. Sponsoring the Mongolian Mixtape Marathon is a great way to unite your company behind an incredible cause, and can have lasting business benefits long after the rally is finished. Feel free to get in touch at info@mongolianmixtapemarathon.com if you wish to discuss this further. Companies who have already contributed their products, services, support or money include
R&S records is one of THE MOST RESPECTED TECHNO LABELS OF ALL TIME. So I'm very proud to announce that this, ARCADIA'S 300th POST will be highlighting the relaunch of this great label.
Read below to see why... there's LOADS of goodies today, but I think it's more than worth your time to read why these tracks are so relevant and this label so cool... we'll start with Delphic, then move to a FREE 4 track R&S sampler, and then I'll give you a tip on a couple new tracks that are pure dancefloor fillers :) I kept hearing about Delphic from various media types and industry people. On a daily basis, almost, I've been seeing their names. Now I understand why... check out this undeniable video for "Counterpoint"
If you wanna watch it outside of this site the link is here.
And here's a little press on these guys... you know how I love Manchester (speaking of, The Whip interview should be up soon!)... Delphic are post-dance futurist nostalgics from Manchester. In a world of indie bands dipping a cautious toe into dance music’s occasionally baffling computer world, Delphic are the real deal, the missing link between the Chemical Brothers and New Order, between Underworld and Muse. The next giant leap forward for a dance outfit to take repetitive beats and crisp electronics out of the underground with the swagger, confidence and tunes to take over festivals and ultimately to fill stadiums.
Delphic are Richard Boardman, Matthew Cocksedge and James Cook and have been together for only a year. They make their music on laptops before figuring out how to play it live, throwing guitars, bass and drums over the electronics to results their unique sound, then take to the stage and stitch their songs together into one continuous euphoric DJ set-like onslaught.
‘Counterpoint’ is their first single on Belgium’s classic electronic label R&S. It’s an epic, a timelessly optimistic pure rave moment produced by Berlin based producer/remixer Ewan Pearson, who is soon to start work in Berlin with the band on their debut album, due for release later this year.
Check out more about Delphic @ www.randsrecords.com. NOW ON TO SOME MORE AWESOME SHIT!
NEXT UP is a 4 track sampler you can get over at Amazon.com. Click here to download it. I was gonna post up individual tracks? But you want all these puppies, trust me.
The tracks included are: "Quail" "Shining" "I Become Overwhelmed" "Majestic 12"
Here's some press on this sampler... "David Morley
Although producer David Morley ( www.davidmorley.com ) has been involved in a range of recording projects, encompassing trance and techno as well as the more ambient and "intelligent" offshoots thereof, his work has been marked by a consistent experimentalism, earning him a reputation as a compositional innovator among producers, DJs, and home listeners the world over. Born and raised in England, Morley's name is most often associated with the Belgian techno scene, primarily due to early R&S releases as Spectrum, TZ4, and under his own name which helped to solidify the label's nascent sound. Spectrum's "Brazil," recorded with R&S owner Renaat Vandepapeliere, was a visionary fusion of dancefloor techno/trance and ambient/experimental strains that helped earn R&S its association as an important force at the fore of European dance music. Morley, together with Outlander's Marcos Salon, was also behind the fourth release (known as TZ4) in R&S' Test Zone series (and co wrote 2 of the TZ7 tracks with Maarten Van Der Vleuten with whom he also wrote the classic and highly sought after black label "Mantrax - Sonic Circus"), an important signpost in R&S' early development. In 1994, Morley released his first two EPs under his own name -- "Evolution" (the first release on R&S sublabel Apollo) and "Shuttle" (on R&S-proper) -- both exploratory ambient/electro classics that sit neatly next to the works of such artists as Biosphere, Aphex Twin, and Higher Intelligence Agency as early examples of ambient/intelligence techno. More recently, Morley has released increasingly dark and textural works, both solo and in combination with former Inky Blacknuss collaborator/current Mo'Wax signee Andrea Parker. In addition to the pair's Infonet EP Angular Art (1995), Morley and Parker recorded the Too Good to Be Strange EP (Apollo, 1995) under the name Two Sandwiches Short of a Lunchbox (later used in the Tom Cruise film "Vanilla Sky"), as well as contributed tracks to R&S ambient sublabel Apollo's second label comp The Divine Compilation. Morley's debut full-length, Tilted, appeared on Apollo in 1998. He also co-wrote Andreas Parker's classic debut "Kiss My ARP" on Mo Wax and has recently released a variety of songs on Miss Parker's "Touchin' Bass" label and on Sub Rosa's sub label "Quatermass". A new album is apparantly in the works for release this year..... His music is published by Bug Music
Jacobs Optical Stairway
Jacob's Optical Stairway project from 4Hero's Dego and Mark Mac. The album was something of a superstar collaborative effort at the time, also featuring Juan Atkins and Josh Wink getting in on the Junglist action. The album moves beyond 4hero's previous ruffneck ragga style and incorporates a mellow jazz instructed vibe to proceedings, married beautifully with Atkins on the Detroit meets West London experiment 'The Fusion Formula', and exploring live organic textures with saxophone from Lascehes, Niles Hailstones trumpet on 'Solar Feelings' or Quincey's guitar on the title track.
Locust
Mark Van Hoen (born September, 1966 in London, England) is an electronic music performer and producer recognized for his contributions to the advancement of electronic music in the last 20 years. He has created music under his own name as well as: Locust, and Autocreation. His production work includes albums for Mojave 3, Scala, Sing-Sing and many others. He was a founder member of the influential group Seefeel and has toured with Massive Attack and Orbital as well as opening for Slowdive. He is a greatly admired and influential composer and performer that has inspired countless other musicians. His music is known for its distinctive blend of old world electronic music with the more modern strains of electronica, creating a rich and colourful body of work steeped in emotion and expression. His work has brought a deeply human and emotional depth to a genre of music that has been criticised as being sterile and mechanical.
After offers from Warp Records, Rephlex and Virgin Records, Mark Van Hoen chose to sign with Belgian Label R&S in 1993. Locust's early records were distinct in their pure use of vintage analogue synthesizers and tape recorders to create a romantic and somewhat dark, broody sound environment in which his music could unfold along a current of beats and rhythms while escaping the mechanisation of many of his contemporaries. As the Locust sound moved towards and increasingly more vocal oriented approach in the late 90's, Mark Van Hoen began to release music under his own name and returned to the instrumental music of his early period which he continues today.
Sun Electric
Sun Electric saw the light of day in 1990, with their first 12" O'Locco on Wau! Mr.Modo. (Well, there was actually one track before that: Sundance, which appeared on the first Cafe del Mar compilation.) After splitting up with the third member in a band called Fischerman's Friend, Max and Tom carried on as Sun Electric.
O'Locco got great attention by Alex Paterson, Jimmy Cauty & Youth in London. They considered S.E. to be the inventors of Ambient House. From there a great friendship and collaboration with Thomas Fehlmann (to whom they were already closely related ever since they moved to Berlin) and The Orb started, which lasts until today. In 1994 The Orb released "Pomme Fritz" - a collaboration between The Orb and S.E.
After being stuck with a record deal at ZTT records, which didn't lead to any releases, Sun Electric found a new label: R&S in Gent, Belgium.
"O'Locco" got re-released and a double 12" followed, then the first album "Kitchen" came out in 1993. The first big tour in England, opening for The Orb, took place in late 1993.
The artwork for all covers on R&S until the last S.E. release in 1998 was done by Designers Republic, who added an outstanding visual aspect to the music.
Three more studio albums were released, "Aaah!" (94), "Present" (96) and "Via Nostra" (98) and one live ambient-album "30-7-94", recorded that day in a park in Copenhagen.
The years 1993-98 saw the band touring all over Europe, Japan, US and Chile. After the release of "Via Nostra" the band took a turn to freeform improvised live music, got more into programming with MAX/MSP and changed their name to S.E.Berlin.
One vinyl release on the shortliving label Bad Orb followed, then Max and Tom decided to end the project.
Seven years of individual projects went by. Then Tom discovered an old CDR at a friend's house on the Canary Island Lanzarote, which Max and Tom had left there in the year 2000. It had a bunch of unreleased tracks on it from that time. Listening back to it came out as a surprise: they still sounded good and fresh, even quite special in the new musical context of 2007."
Very hot shit indeed. Scoop that up NOW. Not often that legendary labels give you so many free track, right?
"Geo" by The Chain is, well errr, off the chain lol? I'm such a fucking dork.
"If you’re a fan of the very early days of trance when soul collided with hypnotic chords and techy beats, be sure to check ‘Geo’ by The Chain. As former mule electronic [l] artists, Foat & Boddy aka The Chain have been releasing music together for a number of years and with an album planned on R&S next year they are sure to get more fans on the back of this Balearic-sounding release.
There are tribal-influenced rhythms, deep vocal snippets and sun-drenched syths that nod towards the early 90s, but the transitions and FX are up to date.
‘Geo’ sounds like a classic already."
Yeah, it's good to see R&S back in full effect. Their logo, like Ghostly International's, is one that is like a stamp of quality... you know as soon as you see that stallion that you're on to something good. I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I have... "Counterpoint" is available as of yesterday on Beatport.
As I said I've got really good stories from Chicago and an interview with The Whip (one of Manchester's other great bands) and that should be up soon. Until then!
We were getting wild with the dubstep last night at The Strutt (thanks to everyone who came out). I'll admit Felonious Punk did a much better job than I did (I'm sort of rusty on my dubstep) but we killed it nonetheless.
Hearing some of the new tracks Punk was up on got me excited, so no doubt this will get him riled up... A new Caspa track is cause for celebration... This little slice of fried gold would have been nice last night! (On a side note State Crime is back in full effect. I think SC needs to make t-shirts with Punk's "Illegal Shit B the Most Fun" on it... I'll let you know if that happens lol)
Here's some press about Caspa unveiling his debut next week: Next Friday at FABRICLIVE were celebrating the launch of Caspa’s debut album ‘Everybody’s talking, nobodys listening’ with a Dub Police takeover in room one. On the night Caspa be be joined by the likes of Skream, Benga and David Rodigan.
And here it is... what didn't even know you were waiting for... happy Thursday! Scroll down for a track off the album... Caspa Mini Mix for Annie Mac
1.La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream Remix) 2. Caspa - Marmite 3. Caspa - Riot Powder 4. TC - Where's My Money (Caspa Remix) 5. Emalkay - Explicit 6. Caspa & Rusko - Power Shower 7. Caspa - Low Blow 8. Rusko - Do You Wanna Have A Party 9. Rusko - Cockney Thug (Caspa Remix) 10. Caspa - Terminator 11. Chase & Status - Saxon 12. The Others - Kingpin 13. The Others - Africa VIP 14. The Others - Bazooka 15. Rusko - Jahova 16. Benga - Bodyrockin 17. Caspa - I Beat My Robot 18. Emlakay - Angie Got Stoned 19. Art Of Noise - Moments In Love (Caspa Remix) 20. SubScape - Nothings Wrong 21. D1 - Sorrow 22. David Rodigan Outro And more listening pleasure... something I've been dying to hear... Caspa- "Lions Roar"
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