Ready to feel unaccomplished? The UK duo who make arty, R&B-influenced post-dubstep as Bondax, George Townsend and Adam Kaye, are both still in their teens. Though they wouldn’t be able to buy a drink in America yet, their music is sophisticated and considered enough to fit them in with the big names of their home country’s arthouse scene. Check out their single “Only You Know” for proof – a helping hand from the singer Dee elevates the duo’s already dizzyingly complex instrumentals into a track that’s as fascinatingly layered as it is endlessly relistenable. We’re always looking for artists who are doing something fresh in a genre with such prescribed minimalism, so we’re definitely looking forward to more from Bondax. In the mean time, you can check out 8 other tracks over at Soundcloud. Check it out.
After a hugely successful weekend at Snowball Music Festival, we return with 3 of the acts to bring you a slice of what you may have missed in Colorado. This thursday @ VERSUS, we welcome the Bang Gang wildchild Cassian from Australia, riding the momentum from his ‘Vamos a la Americas’ tour. Also coming in hot off Snowball Fest are the Guns In The Sun DJs and Bixel Boys, and supporting will also be GypsyDiscoCaravan and our very own aRod. Make sure you hurry up and RSVP, this is one is gonna be a hot mess of a good time.
SET TIMES + INFO + EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOADS after the jump!
SET TIMES: 9-10 GypsyDiscoCaravan 10-11 Bixel Boys 11-12 Guns In The Sun 12-1 CASSIAN 1-close aRod
► RSVP Closes at 7:30p day of the event ► FREE before 11pm w/ RSVP ► $5 after
LOCATION:
@ The Central: Social Aide & Pleasure Club
1348 14th Street Santa Monica, CA 90404 ► Thursday, March 8th ► 9:00pm-2:00am ► 21+ ► $5 Red Bull Vodkas til 11pm!
TUNAGE: Free remix from Cassian, and exclusive mix from Bixel Boys: “We we’re lucky enough to Hook Up with Hex and put together a little mini-mix with some of the stuff we’ve been jamming out to lately. We hadn’t done a more uptempo mix so we figured this was a good time to test new waters. Some new ones, some old ones, enjoy.”
We still can’t believe that Mixed Emotions is Tanlines’ first album. What with the singles and the compilations and the remixes and the bevy of awesome stuff drummer Jesse Cohen used to produce with Professor Murder, it seems like these guys have been around forever. That’s probably because they were just waiting to put out a record that was a totally cohesive statement, which Mixed Emotions is – equally club- and world-influenced, catchy and complex at every turn. You can stream the whole record over below (via NPR) a couple weeks before its March 20 release date.
Next week, if you see someone busting moves awkwardly at the bus stop you’ll know what’s up. Winnie has had the privilege to preview the new EP and there are some serious chest bursting dance tracks mixed in with some surprisingly thoughtful journeys. You can see Humans at the Winnie Cooper SXSW Showcase in Austin March 17th, as well as Winnie’s showcase in Los Angeles in March 8th at Dim Mak Studios.
We’ve already seen some huge and long awaited releases drop this early in the year, but this EP is sure to take the taco. Our boy Clockwork is finally releasing his much anticipated Squad Up EP Tuesday, March 13th on Dim Mak Records – featuring the heavily supported ‘Squad Up,’ the techno darkside in ‘Hulk’ and the big room monster ‘Nox.’ If that wasn’t enough, the EP has also procured explosive remixes by Dillon Francis, Botnek, and Torro Torro, plus a special vocal edit of Squad Up. The self-titled tune is already receiving incredible support and is on target to be one of the top tunes of the year (not to mention a huge Beatport chart contender).
Listen + Download the EP after the jump!
“The Squad Up EP marks Clockwork’s full realization of the bass-heavy, no-frill electro sound that he has developed since he first threw himself into the dance music scene. Expect the unique marriage of heavy bass lines, thundering drum patterns, and memorable drops, representing the big room sound that is Clockwork.”via Dim Mak Records
So remember a little while ago when we thought Simian Mobile Disco were teasing their new record Unpatterns with that ambient drone track “Fourteenth Principles”? Well, not quite – that track, though it’s great, won’t show up on the new record, but the duo’s first single, “Seraphim,” which just premiered on BBC, will.
Oh the power chords! It must be a new Free Energy song. The classic rock devotees have just released the first taste of their upcoming album, Love Sign. The album, produced by Kurt Vile and Dinosaur Jr. affiliate John Agnello, is expected out around summertime. Listen to and download “Electric Fever” below:
Last night in Dallas, Radiohead performed, for the first time, a track called “Skirting On The Surface.” Thom Yorke performed the song last year as a member of Atoms For Peace, but it wasn’t until last night that we got an idea of what the song might sound like in a future Radiohead release. And guess what – it’s really, really good! Watch the live capture below:
Best remix of the day – Tom Vek’s take on Bombay Bicycle Club’s mouthful of a track “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep,” the fourth single from their 2011 record A Different Kind of Fix. Remixes of indie pop songs are always a little touch and go, but Vek more than succeeds – he doesn’t mess with the band’s irresistible Britpop sensibility and smart guitar interplay, nor with Jack Steadman’s vocals, he just clubs the whole thing up a bit with a housey, skittering backbeat and heady synth line. The end product is probably the catchiest thing you’ll hear all day and definitely one of our favorite remixes of the year so far. Put it on repeat.
Look. Listen. As Elections Canada investigates allegations of widespread election fraud and subversion of democracy via ‘robocalls’ to voters that provided misinformation about where to vote (in some circles politely referred to as ‘voter suppression’), imagine a robot with a human face. One with greying hair, and a smug, somewhat vacant expression alternating with a faintly bemused smile: a robot that knows something you don’t.
Picture this robot sitting on the edge of his bed as naked as a robot can be and, having carefully unscrewed his robot junk from his crotch, even more carefully sealing these balls and bearings in a zip-lock bag. There is a glint of triumph in his robot eyes—perhaps even a sense of moral superiority. Now imagine all of Canada lying ravished, stunned eyed, and cold sweating in the bed beside him.
Got it?
For those who don’t know a hell of a lot about robots or Canadian politics, let me clear up a few things. Robot=Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Stephen Harper=Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Robot genitals=conservative dirty tricks. Now, Stephen Harper will tell you he hates politically dirty things— grossly disingenuous spin and misdirection, misuse of public funds, election campaign funds fraud, robocalling voter interference, invasion of privacy, campaign dirty tricks, and so on. These are tactics that, he will assure you, he and his ilk have never had anything to do with. And, like any decent robot, he will go to great pains to ensure that there is no possibility that he ever touches this robot junk—no inadvertent fondling, no somnambulistic stroking, no wee hours wanking of it in the dark of the night—hence the zip-lock bag.
So, when the Elections Canada and the RCMP investigations into the latest crude attacks on (what remains of) our democracy are complete, I expect they will find no definitive connection to Harper and the Conservatives. The criminal misdoings will stay carefully sealed in a zip-lock bag, there for all to see, but detached, unclaimed, and unmanned, as it were. But make no mistake: Canada will still have been fucked by a political machine—and though cold and impersonal, it will feel dirty, no matter who was wielding the junk.
Pour yourself a tall drink (on me) and crank up this song, and keep one ear open for the robots whirring outside your door.
Not long ago we profiled Yeasayer percussionist Ahmed Gallab’s first release as Sinkane, the slinky, sexy “Jeeper Creeper,” and Gallab’s still dropping teaser tracks for his upcoming LP, Mars, that are blowing our minds.
His brand new single is “Running,” another funky, irresistible jam that owes a little inspiration to his more high-profile project’s intertwining psych-rock guitars and world-influenced grooves. It’ll be tempting to put this one on repeat, stick it on a playlist with Tanlines’ “All of Me,” and call your summer jams for 2012 totally set, but make sure you don’t skip over Caribou aka Daphni’s seven minute arthouse mix.
Clancy’s remix of Kisses’ “Midnight Lover” was my jam for the entire month of February last year, so needless to say I was more than excited to find out he’s back and this time with an original track. Aptly titled “Bringing You Joy,” the song has smooth disco vibes and promises to take you higher.
Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori basically blew my mind with his Golden Salvation installation. And check out that soundtrack by Jemapur, what a perfect pairing. Just Beautiful.
It’s hard to think of dance music without thinking of Boys Noize. Since 2004, Boys Noize has produced a slew of remixes for the likes of Cut Copy, Apparat, and Snoop Dogg to name a few. In addition, he’s put out two full length albums, 2007’s Oi Oi Oi and 2009’s Power, both of which were well received. You can listen to one of his sets chock-full of brash and aggressive techno-infused electro below. Taken from IHEARTCOMIX’s December Check Yo’ Ponytail 2 party, Boys Noize gets the crowd moving.
Tracklist:
1. Handbraekes – Callgurls
2. Handbraekes – Milc
3. Handbraekes – The Qat
4. ZZT – Rock The Peace
5. Retro Grade – Pulsar
6. ID
7. Modeselektor – German Clap
8. DJ Sneak – Operation Sneak (1995)
9. Maelstrom – Tanger (BNR Edit)
10. Djedjotronic – White Noise
11. SCNTST – Beachboy
12. DJ Hyperactive – Reptilian Tank (Audio Injection’s Dirty LA Remix)
Watch below for an audio interview of Boys Noize and Switch over live footage taken from the show.
Diplo’s forthcoming EP, Express Yourself will finally be released in May. The title track and first single, which we’ve already heard, will be released on March 13th, backed with a track called “No Problem.” You can now download a free MP3 of the bouncy, summer-ready single.
You can also check out the six-track tracklist for Express Yourself below:
In trying to keep up with the boys out in LA, I’ve been busy in trying to organize more GDD events in Miami. Our weekly Slap & Tickle party on Tuesday’s at Electric Pickle has become quite a hot little dance party (maybe in part to $2 tequila shots) that’s encouraged me to get some more events happening. On Thursday, GDD teams up with the good folks at Poplife, Super Music Group, and Grand Central to bring you two rooms of good vibes. Amtrac and Brass Knuckles will be headlining the main room, and I’ll be headlining upstairs in The Garret, debuting a bunch of new stuff I’ve been trying to finish before WMC. The show is 21+ and starts at 11pm. Pick up pre-sale tickets here.
With odd Future’s new compilation album, The OF Tape Vol. 2 literally just around the corner (it’s out March 20th, folks), the collective has released a second single, the Hodgy Beats and Tyler the Creator fronted “NY (Ned Flander),” complete with bizarre video. Catch it below:
Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino is hanging out at home in Los Angeles doing some final writing before going into the studio to begin recording her second LP. It's only been about a year since her debut album Crazy For You was released, and two years since her lo-fi, sun drenched and fuzzed out tracks started permeating into ears. By the blog watch, two years seems like a lifetime; but in terms of palpable success, Cosentino has been using those last two years to steadily climb not only the charts and away from the cat obsessed stoner public image that she herself had built during that time, but also into more rarefied circles of fame and fortune.
It was just the other day that she was rubbing shoulders with Tina Fey and being asked by Tracy Morgan to sing 'Respect' with him. She had a video directed by Drew Barrymore featuring a host of young stars including Chloe Moretz and Donald Glover, and in the witheringly backhanded compliment, has been a notorious target for HipsterRunoff's personal brand of caustic and ironic wit.
On second look, maybe she is in fact, deeper than just cats and weed. In fact, I might be inclined to think that, on one hand, she takes herself very seriously. And on the other, not seriously at all. Perhaps it's more that she takes her position in pop culture seriously, but herself not so much - though perhaps a little more with each HRO post. Cosentino seems cautious in her responses, and at times even defensive. She's frank though, and even speaks at length to explain her intentions and actions.
Tuesday March 6 2012:
We first interviewed Bethany back in September 2010. I did this interview with Cosentino about a year later in October 2011. With the recent buzz surrounding her new range for Urban Outfitters dropping into stores in May 2012, it seemed an appropriate time to let y'all read the unedited conversation. This cat-and-weed-meme-indie girl with the songs about the everyday tragedy of heartbreak and love set to warm and fuzzy guitar has proven far more than a blip on the radar and doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. To be honest, I prefer Best Coast less when she's talking and more when she's singing. Less meme and more music, I say - and it seems, so does she.
Have your smartphone assistant mark your calendar; Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros’ second LP, Here, is due out May 29th, just in time to accompany you throughout the summer months.
Stream “Seraphim”, the first single off Simian Mobile Disco‘s forthcoming Unpatterns LP; set to drop April 9th via Wichita Recordings. I’m really glad they’re veering away from the pop influence and heading back into the deep.
Susanne Sundfør is no rookie to the indie music scene, but I only just discovered the Nordic singer/songwriter via her latest single “White Foxes”. And what a first impression it was! Susanne possesses a haunting, theatrical voice, with a sorta operatic delivery style that reminds me of Austra. If you’re into eerie, cerebral indie electronic pop, you’ll like this. Clocking slightly over 4 minutes, the song still feels short to me – I wanted her to belt out that strange chorus once more. Notably, the contrast between the warmth of the piano and the iciness of synths is an interesting choice. Practically, it’s music tailor-made for long, dreary winters.
The unsettling music video also build ups the mood to great effect, with footage of her playing the piano in the middle of a forest in snow, a mysterious kid carrying a dead fox, and a disturbing brain surgery scene that’s not for the faint of heart. “White Foxes” is the lead single off Susanne’s 5th album “The Silicone Veil”, scheduled to drop March 26. Thanks to Wears The Trousers for the heads up.
Matt Helders of the Artic Monkeys has lent his hand to remix Brit-rocker Paul Weller’s new single “The Dangerous Age”.
Like most indie crossovers there are essential skills picked and placed when working with a more electronic vein – with Matt Helders doing a decent job of literally electrifying the moody original.
Not so sure where this would fit, be it a indie club or personal listening but we can appreciate it all the same.
A full lineup has now been announced for this years edition of the Glade Festival, the festival will take place June 14-17 at Houghton Hall in Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
Discobelle teams up – together with famed British blogs BlahBlahBlah, Pelski and Sonic Router – to be media partners to what’s considered to be the most diverse and creatively delivered electronic music event in the UK. This year Glade will be a much bigger and better event with 14 different stages set to take place over four beautiful days against the backdrop of the spectacularly beautiful English countryside. The lineup is already looking stellar and consists of hundreds of DJs and live acts from around the globe which means that Glade 2012 is set to become the must-go-to festival for all lovers of underground electronic music. The headliners and performers announced so far are:
Sven Vath, Andy C, Alive, Rusko, Vitalic (live), Pretty Lights (live), Foreign Beggars (live), Marc Romboy (live), Toddla T & Serocee, Extrawelt (live), Tricka Technology (Kraft Kuts, A Skills & Dynamite MC, Gaudi (live), Dub Pistols (live), Robert Babicz, Drumsound & Bassline Smith, Freq Nasty, Don Letts, Killahflaw, Ben & Lex etc.
DILLINJA, DAEDELUS, JIMMY EDGAR (Live), BODDIKA, ADDISON GROOVE, SL2, KUEDO, PINCH, DJ RASHAD, SI BEGG, RAIDEN / KAMIKAZE SPACE PROGRAM, LANDO KAL, CEEPHAX ACID CREW, OM UNIT, DJ HIDDEN, RANDOMER, MUTANT BASS SHOWCASE: KANJI KINETIC, LENKEMZ, YEAHHHBUZZ, HADEAN, RRRITALIN, ESQUIRE, SIMTEK. BLACK BUTTER RECORDS SHOWCASE: HOSTAGE, NOISSES, WOZ, TOMB CREW. HYPERCHORD, JAVIER ESTRADA (UK Exclusive) SLICK SHOOTA, KRUMBLE, BASHOUT ALLSTARS, ANXS etc.
MOSCA, EATS EVERYTHING, APPLEBLIM, ALEX JONES THROWING SNOW, WEST NORWOOD CASSETTE LIBRARY,
AL TOURETTES, TOM DEMAC, SHENODA, ARKIST, DONGA, BLAKSMIF, DEFT, CHARLIE BANKS, TOM LEA, CEDRIC MAISON
You can also expect hot tubs, spas and many more treats such as a roller disco, spa, healing, food courts, cafés, art and lots of other fun stuff! There are lots more nooks and crannies that will be confirmed soon, applications are still accepted for performances.
Check out the festival on Facebook and Twitter, also check out the ticket info below:
Secret Circuit “Parascopic Rope”
Directed by Eddie Ruscha, Steve Hanft, Ashley Dunn.
Available on the debut “Nebula Sphynx/Parascopic Rope” 12″ by electronic theologian Secret Circuit (aka Eddie Ruscha ; Laughing Light of Plenty && Food of the Gods) on Beats In Space Records (BIS002) — buy here.
Eddie just also brought out volume #3 of his Secret Circuit mixtape series on Teenage Teardrops. Purchase the cassette from the Teardrops online store quickly – only 150 pressed.
I must also give substantial recognition to Eddie’s brilliant blog ‘Synthetic Hearts Club‘. Give him some support!
After a tip? Start cruising the boulevard with Softwar – not only have they just released a sexual bender of an EP titled ‘This Time Around’ but they’re now giving away the unreleased jam “Napoleon”.
It’s a bit more soft then it is hard and it whirls more than it pumps but we love it all the same and at a little over 4:40 it’s a perfect for a tiny house-boogie.
