GRUM - "Shake This Feeling"

Like that one SMD video, but way less scary and gross... make sure you watch it through to the end!

SUPER POST: Ellie Goulding album review, Echo & The Bunnymen live, and win prizes from Record Makers!

Unless you've been in a coma, or are Osama Bin Laden's cavemate, you've probably heard of Ellie Goulding. She's been hailed as the most important musical artist (especially female) since The Beatles and is the future of everything and you should buy her album so you support the future of everything... right?

Well... hype is an AWFUL AWFUL thing... it's such a bad thing in fact that it put Miss Goulding in the hospital last year when she was opening for Florence & The Machine and had a wicked panic attack! And I think it's unfair to pin all the hopes and dreams of electro-pop-dance-futurism on one person all across the board... for example it's one thing for me to say "FRANKMUSIK IS THE GREATEST THING EVER IN THE HISTORY OF EVER" and it's another for every paper, blog, podcast etc to say the same. It makes the artists insane, and it kills credibility (unless you're like Lady Gaga or something and transcend all boundaries), and it creates expectations SO HIGH that they can't be meet...

So how is her album "Lights", the recently released debut from electro-pop's most talked about person since La Roux, when all the hype dust clears?

It's pretty damn good. I'd love to say I thought it was a 10/10 but I feel like maybe there was a "too many cooks spoil the broth" thing going on here with "Lights"... not like Ellie's primary collaborator, the brilliant Starsmith, doesn't know what he's doing... but I sometimes feel like maybe the label said "it's great but I think we need a little more of this" or something because some of the spark that came across in her demos and original versions of these songs is missing (something that often seems to be the byproduct of label tampering).

The album starts off with "Guns and Horses" which has transformed into a more dancefloor ready song compared to it's original version (provided by John Fortis' production). It's much more urgent and I think that's a great addition to the song. Not as hot about the "I'd do it all for you"s at the end of the song but... perhaps that because I'm used to a very different version of this song. "Guns and Horses" does however set a nice thematic tone for the album ("when I'm standing here in the dark I see your face in every star") when paired with "Starry Eyed".

I don't need to tell you anything about "Starry Eyed". It's a brilliant single (produced by Jonny Lattimer). The first time I saw the video I was breathless. My sister cried and couldn't explain why. The song is really that good... and it's this type of perfection that feeds that damn hype monster... but that doesn't take away from it's unbroken heart vulnerability/enthusiasm that makes the track nothing short of precious.


We move on to "This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)" which could easily be a single (but more likely a b-side remix bonanza for the dance kids) it's so catchy. It's lyrics have the quality of a song by The Smiths... in that they're not too upbeat but the song sounds (mostly) like rays of sunshine. This is her genius (again something that is highlighted by Monsieur Starsmith).

"Under The Sheets" is like super sick. The lyrics are really vivid and the production it's subtle without being too slick. I got my 7" copy in the mail the other day and was elated. If you don't know this song I'd be surprised so I don't have a lot to say about it.


Ok, now here is one of the songs that got a substantial overhaul, "The Writer". The last one was completely acoustic guitar, I think, so this version feel very different. This truly has "single" written all over it. It's nothing short of cinematic and I think that actually fits well... it's hard to listen to this version and not see some major love affair of a video, or some climatic problem where a couple gets separated (see see Jacob at the end 'Eclipse' lol)...

"Every Time You Go" is inventive and fun and thankfully doesn't sound like a single... because when an album is nothing but singles you don't ever feel connected to it because it feels far too universal (in my humble opinion). The lyrics on this one keep going with the 'star motif' and are some of the most tear worthy lyrics on the album. I give this one a big thumbs up.

Ok, now here's the tricky one. "Wish I Stayed" is produced by ISoA friend Frankmusik and I'm a tad confused why the album version of this song is so so so different from the original. I like the dubby vocal, the almost Chemical Brother sized beats, and I appreciate Vince's desire to constantly evolve (and change the songs he works on)... so I'm going to guess he just wasn't satisfied going with the version he and Ellie put together quite some time ago? But I still prefer the original to this (however the more I listen to it the more progressive and interesting it sounds). Going back and listening to the original it feels like it's dwarfed by these new changes... but the vocal stuttering, the backwards section after "freefall", the audible background vocals, and the bouncy synth groove of the chorus were what endeared this song to me. BUT the version I'm speaking out would be REALLY out of place on this album soooooooo... ultimately I'd give this one a high grade but would recommend for you the listener to hear the original, and for Vince to do a remix version for an upcoming single. That would be amazing. Ohhhhhh or re-record it as a duet... yeah do that lol :) Here's the album version, and then a download of the original...

Ellie Goulding - "Wished I Stayed (produced by Frankmusik)"

"Your Biggest Mistake" is audibly produced by someone other than Starsmith. It's a good tune but the previous one was so huge that this song was one I had to listen to on it's own and not in the context of the album. It sounds very radio ready? And while very catchy it just doesn't have the impact of some of the other songs for me.

"I'll Hold My Breath" has Ellie and Starsmith back together and you can tell that they are both at their best together. This song isn't all fireworks like their other collaborations on the album but is a brilliant 2nd to last song. It keeps with the 'star motif' again and just sounds right... it just sounds right. There is no other way to explain it.

"Salt Skin" is the perfect album ender, and like watching a supernova or something. It's very experimental, shimmery perfect album closer. I recommend this to all the skeptics because this song touches on something that other albums in this sort of genre haven't.

Add all that together and I'd say it's somewhere between a 8.7/10 to a 9.5/10 lol. It just depends on how the tracks hit you and what you already know about Ellie. Hype aside it's a wonderful debut and is frankly MUCH better than some of her contemporaries who have had very successful careers.

It's often mentioned (in almost every review) that Goulding is a "folkie" dressed up in Frankmusik/Starsmith's poptronica production sheen... which is kind of true? But I'm not exactly sure what it has to do with anything unless staying that is some derisive term to imply she doesn't know which direction she really wants to go in. I think that to focus on that too much is to negate her talent as an artist and is an attempt to corral her into some genre specific cage (which is goofy because I'll bet right now that her next album will sound nothing like this one). Since it doesn't really show up on the album though I thought I'd post some of her more acoustically inclined work :)

"Not Following You"'s lyrics on this are bit like 10cc's "I'm Not In Love" which makes it coy and adorable...
Ellie Goulding - "Not Following You"

This one I listen to a LOT. "The End" stirs up a lot of memories and just sort of sounds like magic... even if the lyrics are a little sad in places...
Ellie Goulding - "The End (Demo)"

I'd post more from Ellie but I think I'd get my ass handed to me by the illusive Polydor. Someone involved in her career said I could probably get away with this remix as well so enjoy, because it's probably the last you'll get from her for a while! This one is for the dubstep heads out there... I also suggest seeking out the Jakwob remix of "Starry Eyed" if you can manage.

Ellie Goulding - "Under The Sheets (Pariah Remix)"

On to something TOTALLY different...

I would say that I've probably listened to "The Killing Moon" as many times as I've brushed my teeth in my life (which is a high number, thank you, not a low number lol) so I was very excited when my friend Zoe shared with me that Echo & The Bunnymen have recorded a NEW VERSION, along with a bunch of other live tracks, for Daytrotter. I was initally a little put off by the 128 kbps download, but there are options to buy, and the interface is really cool and worked smoothly with my Mac... so for all the skeptics, go ahead and register and check it out, it's free!

Ian McCulloch of Echo & The Bunnymen - "A Bunnyman In Rock Island"

Now, normally, you know I don't post things that aren't British... but frankly? I'm starting to see that this is going to be impossible. Why? Because frankly a lot of your favourite artists are on record labels that slap me with DMCA notifications for dumb shit like posting a WIDGET. So I'm willing to play ball with certain individuals/labels that are a step ahead of the average prerogative. So I guess let's intro the uber famous label Record Makers by saying Bobby Gillespie from Primal Scream is on Turzi's new record "B" which is awesome by the way!

Sebastian Tellier has been a pretty non-stop fixture in my car/iPod/phone recently (after wearing myself out on "Sexuality" when it first came out)... so I'm very relieved to see some new material here! The good people at Record Makers have a lot of cool stuff coming out starting with this...


And then there's all this! Have you ever played with the iDaft app? Because if you have then you know how baller this should be...

Launching twelve months of 10th anniversary celebrations in style, the Parisian label Record Makers are proud to announce the release of a free iPhone application along with a special digital compilation to commemorate a decade in existence.

The iPhone application was developed by Sam Vermette (iDaft) and conceived by French contemporary artists Mrzyk & Moriceau. The idea behind the application is to provide the user with a surrealistic visual game, an exquisite corpse in the vein of French surrealism. The introduction theme comes courtesy of label figurehead, Sébastien Tellier, with Mr. Oizo on hand to provide the noises for this eccentric game of mix and match. Unreal graphics appear on your screen, that you can send to your friends at the touch of a button.

Spectacular prizes are on offer to those who find the winning combinations and send in photographic proof to Record Makers HQ. The entire discography is up for grabs, whilst every entry will be entered into a prize draw to win a trip for two to Paris in October including a week’s stay at Hotel Amour and an invite to Record Makers’ anniversary celebrations on 10/10/10.*

- The first 100 to send in one combination will receive 2 CDs / vinyls from the Record Makers discography.

- The first 50 to send in two combinations will receive 10 CDs / vinyls from the Record Makers discography.

- The first 10 to send in three combinations will receive the entire Record Makers discography.

Players only permitted one entry.

You can find the app in the App Store on your iPhone!

Video Teaser - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ2DrsaBl6A

Head over to www.recordmakers.com for more info and a free download of the video to Sebastien Tellier's 'Look' by Mzyrk and Moriceau.

'Look' Teaser - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8C33AXf9GY

Competition winners will be announced via twitter.com/recordmakers

Here's a video for the app:


Download the 10th anniversary compilation from iTunes here for super cheap and here at 10 really really interesting facts about the label that you probably want to know...

AND IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH... here's a the new Kavinsky called "Nightcall" (which you may have read above is produced by none other than Guy from Daft Punk) and "Pacific Coast Highway":

Nightcall by Kavinsky
Pacific Coast Highway by Kavinsky

WHOO! That was one hell of a post... I've got a bunch from Ninja Tune to post for you guys but it didn't seem like it would fit in this post. Plus I've got the line up for this years Movement and other little tidbits so PLEASE come back... and as usual you comments are always appreciated :) Be back soon!

Maya Jane Coles of She Is Danger presents new dubstep project

Look at that face. Add the words DJ and dubstep. Then play the songs. Listen for the sounds of fanboys (and girls yeah?) fainting...

I'll add more later but check the press first:
"Maya Janee Coles - unveils new dubstep project....

London based, British/Japanese producer Maya Jane Coles - http://www.myspace.com/mayajanecoles is the main production force behind female dub meets electronica act, She is Danger - http://www.myspace.com/sheisdangermusic and is ready to unveil her newest creation - Nocturnal Sunshine - http://www.myspace.com/nocturnalsunshinemusic - a dubstep project with elements of electronica, dub and tech house included with very interesting developments in the not too distant future....

Musical peers ranging from Massive Attack, The Orb, Delphic, Steve Bug, Sister Bliss, Doorly and Caspa count themselves as fans of her work and woman aren't suppose to be able to produce/engineer/write, right? Wrong - or so it would now appear and to prove she's versatile her prodcutions have placed top 10 in both the tech house and dubstep charts on Beatport!

Maya's official credits as a remixer under her varied monikers includes artists such as Massive Attack, Groove Armada, MSTRKRFT, Ellie Goulding and Todd Terry amongst others, not bad for a 23 year old! With her originals and remixes being played on BBC Radio 1 by the likes of Annie Mac, Pete Tong and Mary Anne Hobbs, as well as international spins and recognition by stations such as KCRW Stateside and many more across Europe, Asia and Australasia.

Additional Maya's remixes have won plaudits such as NME Radio 'Single of the week', NME Daily Download, Best of Myspace, Q Magazine 'Track of the Day' and RCRDLBL 'Track of the Day' with her 'She is Danger remix' of Massive Attack's 'Girl, I Love You' alongside band member Lena Cullen being included on the deluxe version of 'Heligoland'.

Maya continues to perform in She is Danger supporting Crystal Fighters, Theopolius London and The Orb as well as DJing under the 'Maya Jane Coles' playing parties stretching from Tokyo to Berlin to Barcelona with Sonar, Bestival, BBC Electric Proms and Fabric's sister club Matter just a few of her scalps."

Here's a little buffet of all the different irons Miss Coles has in the fire...

Nocturnal Sunshine ft Cardamis - "Dirty Secret"

Maya Jane Coles - "Don't Believe The Hype (Edit)"

She Is Danger - "Who's That Girl (Eurythmics Cover)"

I knew She Is Danger was off the hook... but I mean... this girl has superstar written on her face :)

NEW Little Boots Remixes!

Apparently Little Boots' full-length debut album "HANDS" is coming out in the U.S./Canada March 2nd via Elektra Records. There are "new" remixes from Wideboys, Rusko, Tiesto, GRVRBBRS,
Clap Mike Amour, and Alexander Robotnik to drum up hype for the release... but does this mean that Robotnik and Rusko did NEW remixes? OR they just haven't officially been released in North America? Either way, I haven't heard some of them so they've got my attention. I loved that album and if the remixes come with it? I'm more than sold :)


Check out more at www.littlebootsmusic.net and Myspace... I'll be back soon!

TWIZZLE – SKYDIVING (DUB MIX)

This is for all you dubstep fiends out there...

Twizzle– "Skydiving (Dub Mix)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_aVToZN_k8

NEW: Herve remixes Faithless

This one isn't out til 3rd May... and the album doesn't come out til the end of May... BUT we've got it for you here right now! Herve has been a fixture of this blog because of Cheap Thrills, Machines Don't Care, The Count & Sinden and on and on and on...

He gave us an awesome interview, to the blog, a while back with none of the long delays and jumping through hoops with middle men... he agreed to the interview, I sent him the questions, they were back in a day... for that I am eternally greatful. He's prolific, friendly, genre bending, and one of the biggest driving forces in dance music for the last half of the decade (and no doubt many years to come)!

No press for this at the moment, but I'd love to hear your comments on this one!
Faithless - "Not Going Home (Hervé Remix)" Dropbox
Faithless - "Not Going Home (Hervé Remix)" YSI

Check out more at http://www.faithless.co.uk and http://www.myspace.com/hervespace...

Be back soon!

She Is Danger give away lots of free remixes!

It's often pointed out that I don't post enough about women (or play them enough on the show)... I want to blame PR people and stuff... but it's my fault too.

While looking for some new female power I almost lost it when I read this on She Is Danger's YouTube page... these girls are bad as hell (and their portfolio is impressive):

"She is Danger are London based female producer/vocalists Lena Cullen and Maya Jane Coles. She is Danger write, produce, engineer and perform all their own music, to create a world of dubstep, electronica and beyond...
'Hurt You' will be released in 2nd February 2010.
For more up to date info: www.myspace.com/sheisdangermusic"

Check out this awesome video and then peep the .zip file below for a BUNCH of hot remixes... Massive Attack, Delphic, Groove Armada, Crystal Fighters and Groove Armada... that's a lot of names kids!


This little give-away of remixes by She is to make you aware of the release of 'Hurt You', now on Beatport, out on 8th February 2010 on other download services.

Zip file of tracks below
Here's what's in the Zip file of awesome:
'Paper Romance' (She is Danger Remix) - Groove Armada
'Doubt' (She is Danger Remix) - Delphic
'Girl I Love You' (Feat. Horace Andy) (She is Danger Remix) - Massive Attack
'I Love London' (She is Danger Remix) - Crystal Fighters
'Under The Sheets' (She is Danger Remix) - Ellie Goulding

If you wanna check more videos...
'Hurt You' (Radio Edit) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArihRgWIjV4
'Hurt You' (Subscape Remix) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhEqeKQkoi8
'Hurt You' (Kanji Kinetic Remix) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo6KUyHFmPU

She Is Danger - "Hurt You (Radio Edit)" YSI
She Is Danger - "Hurt You (Radio Edit)" Sendspace

Love to hear what you think in the comments! Be back soon!

Oh and here's some more info:

She is Danger are London based female duo multi-instrumentalist/singer Lena Cullen and British-Japanese producer/dj/spoken-worder Maya Jane Coles.

She is Danger write, produce, engineer and perform all their own music, as well as their own stage visuals; and are fast creating ripples within the worlds of dubstep, electronica and beyond.

Their sound is a dark mixture of influences from dub through to electronica with nods to 2-step, tech-house, dubstep, techno, trip-hop, speed garage, ska, drum'n'bass, reggae, ambience, film scores, soul, indie and jazz along the way.

Their remixes of acts such as Ellie Goulding, Delphic and Crystal Fighters have already earned the dames of dub spins by the likes of Annie Mac, and a lot of blog love with their remix of Groove Armada's 'Paper Romance' featured exclusively as a 'Daily Download' on NME.com and their remix of Massive Attack's 'Girl, I Love You' guesting Horace Andy on vocals was RCRDLBL's 'Single of the Day' with the track included on the deluxe version of 'Heligoland' available on Itunes.

Recent gigs have included supporting acts such as Crystal Fighters, Heartless Crew, Doorly, DJ Lottie, Engine-Earz Experiment, Theopolis London and even the Orb at the Orb's latest album launch, as well as clubs nights as far ranging as Yo Yo, Dirty Boots, and the world largest fetish club Torture Garden ;)

She is Danger's darkest side is evident on their debut limited edition release 'Hurt You'. Boasting remixes by rising stars Subscape and Kanji Kinetic and has already enjoyed spins internationally and at home in the UK on stations like BBC Radio 1, Galaxy, Kiss and XFM whilst also making a 'Single of the Week' on NME Radio! Not too shabby for a debuting self-releasing act...

'Hurt You' will be released on She is Danger Music:

* Beatport - 2nd February 2010
* All Other Download Sites (exc Itunes) - 8th February 2010

NEW: Robot Koch remix on Bassnectar EP

Teleport Massive (Robot Koch Remix) by robot koch

Bassnectar's new EP (also featuring Dj Vadim, RJD2, Stagga and Son of Kick)

Check out more from Robot Koch at these links:

http://www.twitter.com/robotkoch
http://soundcloud.com/robot-koch
http://www.myspace.com/robotkoch

French Horn Rebellion give away free EP and support Little Boots!

This is more a Midwest/East Coast thing... but... Well I've found two ways to turn this back toward the UK. Let's start with those...

First off French Horn Rebellion will be playing with Hot Chip Feb 6 2010 at 8:00Pm @ Music Hall of Williamsburg supporting Hot Chip in Brooklyn, NY. Then they will be popping up to Glasgow, then London, and a few appearances and months later touring with Little Boots...

Apr 22 2010 8:00P
Masquerade w/ Little Boots Atlanta, Georgia
Apr 23 2010 8:00P
9:30 Club w/ Little Boots Washington, Washington DC
Apr 24 2010 8:00P
Voyeur w/ Little Boots Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 28 2010 8:00P
Middle East w/ Little Boots Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 29 2010 8:00P
Club Soda w/ Little Boots Montreal, Quebec
Apr 30 2010 8:00P
Phoenix Theatre w/ Little Boots Toronto, Ontario

If you want to know more you should check out their awesome Myspace.

Now, after listening to some of their new stuff I would say this set up seems worth it. Right now if you go to the link below you can get a free EP just by signing up for their mailing list.

Free EP Here

Tracklisting:
1. What I want (demo edit)
2. Up All Night (Might Five Remix)
3. Ancient Lover – Tiger City (French Horn Rebellion remix)
4. The Quatrain

The Glamour cover Daft Punk for "Love Burn" b-side

The Glamour are not new kids on the block but they are new to Herve's Cheap Thrills Label. To really get out there and get people's attention so they have covered Daft Punk's "Robot Rock" for the b side of their new single "Love Burn" (out on Beatport this week, and in the shops next week)!

Links:
The Glamour - "Robot Rock (Daft Punk Cover)" YSI
The Glamour - "Robot Rock (Daft Punk Cover)" zShare
The Glamour - "Robot Rock (Daft Punk Cover)" Dropbox

Here's the press kids:
The Glamour - ‘Robot Rock’(Daft Punk cover)
From the ‘Love Burn’ EP (Cheap Thrills)
Release date: 8th February

• The Glamour are Diamonds (Asher Gray) and Richard Richard (Richard
Galling) and are based in Milwaukee
• Their proximity to Chicago meant that plenty of house music legends passed
through town, influencing a small scene from which The Glamour take their
cue
• The ‘Love Burn’ EP is their first release on Hervé’s Cheap Thrills label and
the title track features vocal from Diamonds – it’s also been remixed by
Cheap Thrills labelmates Max Morrell
• ‘Robot Rock’ is found on the b-side with a space disco remix by Mighty
Mouse
• Cheap Thrills have previously released tracks from Fake Blood, Trevor
Loveys, Jack Beats and High Rankin, to name but a few

Check out more on Myspace! Granted, these guys aren't British, BUT I've got mad love for the Midwest and Herve is behind them... and it's a Daft Punk cover for Pete's sake! Leave your comments below... I'll be back soon! Thank to Anna btw :)

Steve Aoki feat Will.i.am - "In The House (Qemists Remix)"

I like Steve Aoki well enough... that "Pillowface" mixtape was sick... and I don't hate Will.i.am... he put's on a good show, and I used to like the Peas, at least they have made semi-decent dance cross over music. Will.i.am's heart is in the right place with all his David Guetta, Daft Punk-loving, Tron meets N.E.R.D. thing he's been taking overground. And I DEFINITELY love the Qemists sooooooooo...

I really like this remix. It's a nice slice of D&B but... this must be a sample because it's really short... that's the only bummer here. Listen and tell me what you think...

Steve Aoki feat Will.i.am (as Zuper Blahq)

Here's the press...
In The House (Qemists Remix) - Steve Aoki feat [[[Zuper Blahq]]]
The Qemists smash down the door into 2010 with a d&b remix of Data records debutant Steve Aoki featuring rapper [[[Zuper Blahq]]] aka Will I Am. Its very simple. This is a banger! Pure quality from the Brighton trio who deliver a peak time dance floor destroyer. Support so far from Andy C, Friction, TC and more. Go here to listen: http://www.myspace.com/qemists

So, whatddahyatink?

Massive Attack - Girl I Love You (She Is Danger Remix)

You know I love Massive Attack. I don't think they've ever released anything I haven't liked which puts them in a tie for my favourite band (Joy Division, The Libertines, Massive Attack= 3 way tie)...

So I was very excited when Jez sent me this track yesterday. It's over at RCRD LBL as well but... download it from here because that's more fun :)

Massive Attack - Girl I Love You (She Is Danger Remix)
Massive Attack - Girl I Love You (She Is Danger Remix) RCRD LBL

Buy new Massive Attack on iTunes!

Always interested to hear what you think of the track! Keep your eyes and ears open and I'll be back soon :)

EXCLUSIVE: Findlay Brown cover of The Black Ghosts

Sooooooo... I was going through my iTunes earlier and found an "untagged" acoustic version of "It's Your Touch" by The Black Ghosts. I knew it wasn't Simon Lord singing and Oli from This Is Music confirmed I was correct. It's actually Findlay Brown. As far as I'm aware this song has not been posted before (at least on The Hype Machine) SO I am very proud to present Findlay Brown covering "It's Your Touch"!

Findlay Brown - "It's Your Touch (Black Ghosts Cover)" YSI

I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks again to Oli, and keep your ears open, I'll be back soon!

Robot Koch's FREE Phon.o remix! New EP info!

Well at this point, if you've been paying attention to buzz so far this year, you probably heard about Robot Koch playing Low End Theory in LA last week. Luckily we've got some video for those of you who weren't there... but it's sure to say that Arcadia's good friend made a real splash...


Why is the man behind Jahcoozi's beats touring you ask? Well on top of dropping his stellar Death Star Droid album he's prepared a new EP for your asses! It's full of remixes from Loops Haunt, Flako, Blue Daisy, Shlohmo, Body Language, and Phon.o as well as 2 new tracks!

You may know Phon.o from our friend Chris De Luca's CLP project. He's a quality remixer and producer, and this remix is a great way to get excited for this upcoming release!

Robot Koch - "Gorom Sen (Phon.o Remix)" YSI

Robot Koch - "Gorom Sen (Phon.o Remix)"

Here's a little info for ya:
"‘DEATH STAR DROID REMIX EP’

Shortly after the release of his hugely successful album „Death Star Droid“ , Robot Koch returns with this Remix EP, that also includes 2 brand new tunes by the sleepless robot.

On this EP, robot gathered some friends and like minded artists from around the globe to flip his original compositions.

The EP kicks off with a brand new original tune from Robot Koch: „Blind“ featuring Grace on Vocals, who also appeard as a guest vocalist on on death star droid.

Robot and Grace are working on some new stunning material at the moment that will come out sometime in fall 2010.

When robot played in NY last time, he met brooklyn based band Body Language, who release on Machine Drum`s normrex label, and shared a stage with them at coco66 in brooklyn.

For this EP Robot remixed their tune „new day“ and they made a surprising flip of koch`s dubstep infused album tune „gorom sen“ in return.

Robot`s berlin mate Flako, who recently grabbed the attention of the likes of Giles Peterson and Stones Throw, make a nice re-edit of the title track of robot`s album: death star droid.

Phon.o (of CLP/Shitkatapult fame) took the club banger potential of the tune gorom sen to the next level and made it sound like zomby and boy 8 bit jamming it out.

Upcoming beatmaker Shlohmo from san francisco also remixed gorom sen, making some noise on the blogoshpere about it prior to the release already.

Loops Haunt from Scotland, who could be found recently in Rustie`s Fact magazine Mixtape and Hudson Mohawke`s BBC Essential Mix, made a ten remix of gorom sen.

Producer beat laden from portugal, that recently caught attention with his KUBO remix on man recordings gave that original sengalese vocal scatting a rerub and turned it into a solid club banger.

Talen, from Switzerland made their very own unique interpretation of Robot Koch`s frenetic original.

And last but for sure not least, UK Producer Blue Daisy made a sublime remix of the song while feat. Manya one of the few vocal tracks on Robot Koch`s Album. His mix does the cinematic original justice and takes it even further out of space or underwater. A pure Sound Trip.

Album Press quotes :

the album 'death star droid' by Robot Koch is the sound of artifical intelligence discovering Religion - essential listening.... (bobby friction/BBC)

"A gothic galactic aesthetic of ten ton beats and space age melodies" (dazed and confused)


“Death Star Droid’ is definitely one of the standout instrumental albums of the year.” (ATM magazine/UK)

“If, in some distant future, robots will make folk music, this is what it would sound like.”
(The Crack Magazine/UK)

„death star droid by robot koch is dopeeeeeeee! Berlin power!“ (Modeselektor via twitter)

“Like mum and ratatat covering a dubstep tune” (stop play rewind blog)"

Hope you're as excited as I am. Please comment, a look forward to more here soon...

http://www.twitter.com/robotkoch
http://soundcloud.com/robot-koch
http://www.myspace.com/robotkoch

NEW: South Central's Nirvana bootleg!

Most people who know me know my two favourite bands are The Libertines and Joy Division...

You probably also are aware that I have been a long time supporter of electro-rock firestarters South Central. They've gone from making bootlegs of Late Of The Pier, to touring with The Prodigy, all the while making headlines in magazines like NME and Remix Magazine... They've really come a long way since I first started talking to them and I still think the sky is the limit with these guys!

UPDATE: The recently sent me a track... and it was not supposed to be released! If you did happen to get this rough draft of a certain song PLEASE keep it to yourself. If you were a musician working on something you would at LEAST want to have the public hear the final version before any "demos" made their way to the surface.

In place of that track we have this Nirvana bootleg that I expect will be a staple in many DJ sets! I hope you enjoy this (I know I have) and I'm interested in what you think... please leave your thoughts in the comment section!

South Central - Smells Like a South Central (Nirvana Bootleg )" WAV file from DropSend

South Central - Smells Like a South Central (Nirvana Bootleg )"

We're almost at the end of the year, so I want to thank everyone, and if I can get some more stuff before tomorrow evening I will. Have fun, you all rock! Thank you for everything...

A Britastic Best of 2009

Every year this is a very difficult list to make... this year it's even harder. NOT because there weren't a bunch of brilliant releases... but because I had a lot going on personally this year that kept me out of the music world.

As usual I'll be updating this all the way up until New Years Eve (most likely)... so, enjoy, and I can't wait until next year because I promise it will be the BEST on this blog has ever had :)

Best Albums of 2009
Pete Doherty - "Grace/Wastelands"
Morrissey - "Years Of Refusal"
Little Boots - "Hands"
Frankmusik - "Complete Me" (plus "Recomplete Me" & "Completely Me")
Arctic Monkeys - "Humbug"
Editors - "In This Light And On This Evening"
Dot Allison - "Room 7 1/2"
Heads We Dance - "Love Technology" (plus "Dance Technology")
The Whip - "X Marks Destination" (released in the U.S. this year)
Simian Mobile Disco - "Temporary Pleasure"

Honourable mentions:
Bloc Party - "Intimacy Remixed", Franz Ferdinand - "Tonight", La Roux - "La Roux", Echo & The Bunnymen - "The Fountain", Bad Lieutenant - "Never Cry Another Tear", Doves - "Kingdom Of Rust"

Best Singles
Morrissey - "Something is Squeezing My Skull"
Arctic Monkeys - "Cornerstone"
Pete Doherty - "Broken Love Song"
Thom Yorke - "Feeling Pulled Apart by Horses"
Simian Mobile Disco - "Audacity Of Huge"
Heads We Dance - "Take My Picture"
Bloc Party - "One More Chance"
Frankmusik - "3 Little Words"
La Roux - "In For The Kill"
Franz Ferdinand - "No You Girls"

Honourable Mentions:
Lily Allen - "The Fear", White Lie - "Death"

Best Dance Tracks
Hostage - "I Get High"
The Count & Sinden - "Mega"
The Prodigy - "Invaders Must Die"
Bloc Party - "Trojan Horse (John B Remix)"
Frankmusik - "Confusion Girl (Russ Chimes Remix)"
La Roux - "In For The Kill (Skreams Lets Get Ravey Remix)"
Little Boots - "Remedy (Rusko's 'Big Trainers' Remix)"
The Black Ghosts - "Full Moon (Marlow Remix)"



Best Compilations
Various Artists - "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"
Various Artists - 5: Five Years of Hyperdub
FabricLive.44 - Commix
FabricLive.47 - Toddla T

As I said, I'll keep it coming but these were the first albums/songs to come to mind. Thank all of you for all your support; I wouldn't be where I am with out you all!

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Heads We Dance PLUS Remixes!

If you read the blog regularly you'll know that I've been anxiously awaiting remixes for "Take My Picture"... and they couldn't come at a better time of year! Just as everything is freezing and awful looking they deliver remixes that make it feel like Summer again :)

Heads We Dance we kind enough to take a few minutes to do a little Q & A for us and give us 3 new remixes! So please read below to find out what their new single is about, what artist almost made Yoni take scissors to his neck, and HWD's tips on how to make it in the industry. Of course the aforementioned remixes are just below this awesome interview...

ISoA: What was the inspiration for "Take My Picture" (which by the way has one of the catchiest choruses you've ever written)?

It’s about the power relationship between celebrities and the press; it’s a two-way thing, which can work in a similar way to a romantic relationship. That’s the main theme of the song anyway; the inspiration for the general sound of the song was the fact that we were really longing to make an out-an-out pop track! I’m glad you picked up on the catchy chorus – we definitely went for that, and putting Becky centre stage also gives the track a real pop feel.

ISoA: It seems like most bands or artists have one... do you have a favourite song that you've written?

We always get really excited by the song that we’re currently working on. As a band it’s important you keep it exciting for yourself, and I guess you always want to be thinking the next thing you do will be the best thing you’ve ever done. Now is no exception! It’s a bit of a cop-out because nobody can hear this track yet, but we’ve nearly finished the follow up to 'Take My Picture' and we all absolutely love it… It’s called 'Guilty Heart' and I honestly think it's the best thing we’ve done.

ISoA: What have been your favourite albums this year?

Heads We Dance: I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs album; we all went to see them live a couple of weeks ago and it was just great too. ‘Heads Will Roll’ especially was just huge! The Fever Ray album was sonically fantastic; amazing soundscapes. Recently I’ve been listening to quite a bit of the new Boys Noize album (which seems to have been somewhat overlooked) and the Blakroc album as well.

ISoA: Is there any song you could go the rest of your lives without hearing?

Heads We Dance: Can I say the entire Jamiroquai back catalogue? I was having my haircut the other day and they put a Jamiroquai album on. I almost wrestled the scissors off them and stabbed myself in the neck to make it stop. I didn’t - I stayed in my seat and got my hair cut – but only because I’m polite! I would happily never hear any one of those songs again!

ISoA: Are there any artists, or bands, that you expect big things from this coming year?

Heads We Dance: Loads of the acts that inspired our Love Technology album like Justice, Chromeo and Digitalism have been out of the spotlight for a while so I'm looking forward to what they come up with next year. I'm also hoping that A-Trak will put an album together as I've loved almost all his remixes and original tracks. I also have to confess that I'm looking forward to some big blockbuster pop albums from Britney, Kylie et al!

ISoA: Obviously you've kept it together and big things have happened for you all. Has there ever been a moment where one or all of you said, "We may not be able to do this", where you considered packing it in?

Heads We Dance: Yeah I think it's fair to say we've all had our moments, especially when we're juggling music, jobs and relationships. We've had some amazing reactions to our tracks over the last 18 months but we still have to work really hard to keep things moving!

ISoA: So far what has been your biggest moment as a band?

Heads We Dance: I'm not sure really. Releasing 'The Human Touch' was a big moment as it felt like a turning point and the start of a much more positive time for us. Releasing 'Take My Picture' feels like a big moment too though because it has shown us we can surpass our indie band origins to make some proper pop!

ISoA: Are there anything embarrassing moments hiding in the bands past?

Heads We Dance: We like to keep moving as a band so we can be pretty dismissive of things we've done in the past - there is a demo version of 'Love In The Digital Age' floating about on the net which is pretty embarrassing. If we stand back from it all though we realise that we wouldn't be where we are now if it wasn't for past mistakes... don't listen to that demo though!

ISoA: Does anyone in the band have a hidden talent?

Heads We Dance: Becky is an awesome cook and likes to bake stuff to keep us going in the studio! I have also been told that I look like an albino Snoop Dogg though I'm not sure if that's a hidden talent...

ISoA: You guys are the ones who introduced me to Frankmusik; how did you come to work with Vince on the "Love In The Digital Age" remix?

Heads We Dance: We were put in touch with Vince via the guys at Puregroove Records. We had actually never heard of him (this was back in 2007) but loved his remix of 'Digital Age'. We supported him at The Cockpit in Leeds in November this year - one of the best and most fun gigs we've ever done.

ISoA: This is probably my most asked question: With the collapse of traditional music industry, what do you suggest to young bands trying to make it right now?

Heads We Dance: Be organised and be prepared to put in some hard work! I think it's also important to enjoy what you're doing while you're doing it - it's easy to get sucked into always looking forward to the next stage and getting hung up on that. Also, don't be shit and rely on a nice haircut - there's too much of that about!


I wanna thank them for taking the time to answer these questions and for giving us these wicked remixes! Make sure you pick up "Take My Picture/After Dark"!

Heads We Dance - Take My Picture (Digital Foxglove Remix)"

Heads We Dance - Take My Picture (Justin Faust Remix)"

Heads We Dance - Take My Picture (Coin Operated Boy Remix)"

NON-BRIT: Larry Tee vs Don Diablo!

Larry Tee is my hero. He's my friend. And he has very often been my mentor (despite being many states away and only seeing each other once every 3 years or so). The man has influenced music in a way that many DJs and producers could only DREAM of.

Here's a little Wiki-bio for those of you not familiar with his work...
Tee was born to two Canadian-born citizens in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in Seattle and then Marietta, Georgia. He moved to Atlanta in the early eighties, where he became a part of the music scene and he hung out with drag personalities such as RuPaul, Lady Bunny, Amanda Lepore, and Lahoma Van Zandt at the Celebrity Club in Atlanta.

In 1989, Tee along with RuPaul and Lady Bunny and Lahoma Van Zandt moved to NYC and quickly took over the Club Kids scene with his epic party, Love Machine. He hosted the infamous DISCO 2000 seen in the movie Party Monster's hot body contest, and also DJ'ed at the ROXY on a weekly basis.

During the 1990s, he became a prominent DJ by playing at highly-regarded venues such as Palladium, Twilo, and the Roxy NYC. In 1992, Tee co-wrote the RuPaul's top 40-hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)".

In the early 2000s, Tee created and trademarked the term "electroclash" and it became well known enough that it started to appear in the Oxford Dictionary. He coordinated and managed the 2001 Electroclash Festival, which featured Scissor Sisters, Fischerspooner, Ladytron and Peaches, who all participated in the festival. He also created and managed the nouvea-music electro girl group, W.I.T."

I mean come on! Creating "electroclash" and then defining music for years to come, helping launch some of the most important acts this decade, writing on of the most popular dance songs of all time? THE MAN IS A GENIUS! I could tell you more awesome things about him (like his amazing transformation from drug addict to superstar DJ) but I'm sure you'd rather hear this remix, featuring Roxy Cottontail, from 2009's remix king Don Diablo :)

LARRY TEE - LET'S MAKE NASTY (DON DIABLO REMIX)
LARRY TEE - LET'S MAKE NASTY (DON DIABLO REMIX) zShare
LARRY TEE - LET'S MAKE NASTY (DON DIABLO REMIX) YSI

Here's Don Diablo's press...
Don Diablo (www.myspace.com/dondiablo), who's currently on tour through North America, gets nasty with New York nightclub legend Larry Tee's forthcoming single 'Let's Make Nasty' on Ultra Records, adding tons of subbass, freaky synthstabs and his trademark guitarlicks, turning 'Let's make Nasty' into an effective clubrocker Don Diablo style. Play this baby on a big soundsystem in a dark underground club and damage will be done to the dancefloor. Expect Don Diablo to cause damage to dancefloors in Houston (Rich's, 17 Dec), El Paso (Club 101, 18 Dec) and San Diego (Voyeur, 19 Dec) this week!

I love being able to post stuff that has two people I admire in it and this is one of those rare opportunities. Larry Tee is an inspiration to me and I don't think he has any idea how much people adore him. IF you somehow don't own Larry's most recent album Club Badd you need to get with it and but it here.

Anyway, I'll be back soon with new stuff from HWD! I'll try to get it up quick (but finals and life are kicking my ass)... be back soon!

Don Diablo & Scanners, Faithless dubstep remix, new RKC, and Lunar Youth!

The busiest-remixer-in-the-world-ever-full-stop, Don Diablo, has just released an official remix for the delightfully dark Scanners (one of the best, most underrated acts ever on Dim Mak) which will surely blow your skull & crossbone socks right off!

Here's the press...
Don Diablo (www.myspace.com/dondiablo) takes on the new single 'Salvation' by UK rock outfit Scanners (www.myspace.com/scanners) and turns it into an epic monster of a track by adding guitar licks, haunting strings, distorted basslines and a killer break. The 'Salvation' remix EP drops December 8 on Dim Mak Records, so get your copy on Beatport! For North American fans, ravers, hotties and non-believers, be sure to catch Don Diablo in Chicago (Dec 10), Phoenix (Dec 11), Toronto (Dec 12), Houston (Dec 17), El Paso (Dec 18), and San Diego (Dec 19). New North American dates and cities already confirmed for 2010 and to be announced soon!

SCANNERS - SALVATION (DON DIABLO REMIX) Direct DL
SCANNERS - SALVATION (DON DIABLO REMIX) zShare
SCANNERS - SALVATION (DON DIABLO REMIX) YSI




I've gotta admit... I've never been a big Faithless fan. I saw Sister Bliss play, at I think it was Prive, which was pretty cool... and I recognize their importance to dance music... but most of their stuff has never really been my thing. However, this dubstep remix of 'Sun To Me' is the perfect way to get my attention. I want to hear remixer Emalkay do a remix for Massive Attack after hearing this (it would be perfect)! I like how the press release talks about sunshine and this track is crazy dark lol...

And here's the press for this one...
Taster track ‘Sun To Me’ is a precursor to the full return of Faithless next year – the new album early in 2010 heralds a new Faithless experience, encompassing the band’s celebrated eclecticism, originality and ambience that has made them a global phenomenon.

Faithless have been introducing ‘Sun To Me’ around the UK and Europe with a string of Faithless Sound System live dates over the last 2 months and with some amazing remixes from Alex M.O.R.P.H, Gui Boratto and a classic rework from renowned Birmingham dubstep producer Emalkay, the track has been going down a storm.

“inspired by the Californian sunshine, and the wide open spaces along the Pacific highway – Sun To Me hopefully shines a little light in these dark times” Sister Bliss

Next week iTunes take Faithless’ ‘Sun To Me’ around the globe when they offer the track free for 7 days only. ‘Sun To Me’ (Faithless Dub) will be available to iTunes customers in UK, US, Japan, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Mexico from Tues Dec 15th until Dec 22nd.

FAITHLESS - 'Sun To Me' YSI
FAITHLESS - 'Sun To Me' zShare

Check out more at their website or Myspace!

Also, our good buddy Adam Ficek of Roses Kings and Castles (as well as a little band called Babyshambles) had a couple of free tracks he wanted to give away to you devoted listeners. I don't know about you but I still can't shake "Entroubled" from my head (nor do I want to). I hope you enjoy these tracks, and feedback in the comments is ALWAYS welcome :)

Roses Kings and Castles - "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid"

Roses Kings and Castles - "Empty Shells"

And last but not least we've got newbies Lunar Youth and their b-side to "Misfits" called "Peppermint Lounge"... it's certainly interesting to me because it sounds different... I mean just plain different! In an age where there are way too many bands who are turning out the same garbage over and over it's refreshing to hear something new (I will say I feel like they listened to "Sound & Vision" prior to writing the song lol). How do I feel about it though? I tend to go for angsty stuff or ecstatic craziness... so I dunno, I admire their enthusiasm... better question is what do you think?

Lunar Youth - "Peppermint Lounge" YSI

I'm getting a Q & A ready with Heads We Dance and some other surprises so STAY TUNED!

Cazals split! Leave us with "Life Is Boring"

The Cazals are dead. Long live Cazals.

Cazals - "Life Is Boring (Jali Remix)" YSI
Cazals - "Life Is Boring (Jali Remix)" zShare

C A Z A L S S P L I T:
"After many great years together we have chosen to go our separate ways and bring Cazals to an end. We want to thank everyone who supported us, whether by coming to shows, buying our album or just humming along to one of our songs, we really appreciate your support. Thanks to yourselves we had a fantastic journey; playing some incredible shows around the world and achieving the dream of releasing an album to be proud of, in ‘What Of Our Future’. A special thanks to Andre, Kitsune and Sean Mclusky in helping to make the album a possibility. We are splitting so that as individuals we can pursue our own frontiers"

Watch video for "Life is Boring"


Read the full story on Myspace.

Pick up their last single... here's the track listing!
Tracklisting:
1.Life Is Boring (Original)
2. Life Is Boring (Runaway Remix)
3. Life Is Boring (Jali Remix)
4. Life Is Boring (Viking Remix)
5. Life Is Boring (Josh Pillbox Remix)

It's a sad thing, but look for good stuff from the members in the future! Be back soon!