I had a conversation a while back with an A&R guy (who’s name I don’t recall) from some major label and i asked him if they had anyone on the payroll who’s job it was to just go through myspace looking for artists. His response amounted to that if you need to stoop to finding artists on myspace then you’re failing in the A&R business. That’s just about the stupidest statement I’ve heard on the subject as myspace is probably the best and easiest source for finding unknown or little known artists on the planet as I’m sure I don’t need to tell the lot of you who partake in the music blog community. He’s a moron.
Anyway, the reason I brought this up is because I was perusing myspace per usual and I happened upon a quirky, spanish electro-pop band from Barca called Mendetz who seem to have been writing all their music specifically for me for quite some time now. Let’s see; robots? check, disco? check, wailing Casio synths? check, choreographed dance numbers? check, orgasmatron? check. Yup everything is there. These guys are like The Happy Mondays with cheap synthesizers, tighter and more polished riffs and a dash of disco. There’s also a tongue-in-cheek-ness about the detail in their composition, specifically their walking funk basslines and the bleeps and bloops scattered throughout the tunes, that adds a satirical edge to their otherwise clean straightforward style. They certainly manage to capture a levity without making their music goofy which is great.
My favorite tune of theirs is Future Sex, which is the single off their recent Future Sex EP on Naked Man Recordings. They made a wonderful low-budget video for it (below) that is reminiscent of the sex scene in Demolition Man if it were reenacted with bubblewrap, Styrofoam and glitter.

Mendetz - Future Sex (YouTube)

They were also kind enough to provide a free tune for download off their self-titled Album on Sinnamon Records called “The Ground”, which is a bit faster and more intense than Future Sex.

Mendetz - The Ground

And finally heres a cheeky little interview I did with the casio punks. Next time I’m in Barca I must party with these guys. They’re a hoot!

Local Hero: How did you guys meet?
Mendetz: We meet when we were 3, at nursery… we are like brothers now. I think we didn’t know that we would form a “casiopunk” band 20 years later… in 1985 we were thinking about playing Masters of the Universe and watching Transformers Cartoons.

LH: What are some of your influences?
M: From Michael Jackson to Queen to Jamiroquai to Backstreet Boys to The Faint to Rage Against The Machine to Daft Punk… and we specially love the soundtracks of the (more…)

Rip from UK Radio, but fun listen nonetheless.
(Thanks Imeem)
I had the most tasty raspberry mojoto’s with Dave Taylor (better known as Switch to most) right after he finished production on this album and he told me crazy stories of their adventures while gathering inspiration for this album.
Cockroaches as big as cats, living in tents, crawling around while they slept.
HELL F!@#$%^ NO!
I would have cried and ran home.

Looking forward to hearing the full album, Switch is the bomb, but who doesn’t know that?!?!

Photo courtesy of Craig Wetherby

Every once in a while, an artist comes along and literally steals your soul. Unless you’ve been captured and brainwashed by a religious cult in the past year, chances are you’ve heard the name Santi White, or SANTOGOLD mentioned well over a few times. Not surprising. Her name has been splashed throughout internet land with coverage on a slew of blogs and spots in Fader and I-D magazine. I’m not the first to feature her, nor will I be the last and instinct tells me that she’s about to go off the richter scale!!

This Philly bred, now New York based singer/songwriter is something of a rarity amidst all the music of today. It isn’t everyday that an artist crosses genres and tackles them as swimmingly as Santi White has. From her previous punk band, Stiffed, (now defunct – absolutely loved them) to her recent project Santogold, Santi has worked with a list of noted talent that includes Mark Ronson, Switch, Sinden, the late Disco D, Freq Nasty, Naeem Juman, XXXchange from Spank Rock. She has co-produced with Res, Gza, written lyrics for Lilly Allen and worked with her boyfriend Trouble Andrew. Gasp!! This gal has taken the lead.

Reminiscing my past love for hardcore punk, and Bad Brains is what prompted me to post this video by Santi’s old band, ‘Stiffed.’ A glimpse of her past work and performance style which has a flair similiar to that of H.R. from Bad Brains. Interesting to see how Santi has been able to reinvent herself so successfully.

Stiffed - “A Day With Andrew”

And the ever popular track from Santi’s latest project:

Santogold - “Shove It”

If you’re fiending for more of Santi’s inimitable style and down to earth nature, read on for an interview and keep your eyes peeled for her self-titled album Santogold, slated for a late spring release on Lizard King Records and a tour with MIA and Amanda Blank!! (these hot ladies are sure to make you melt, like cheese) xx

Lovestar: Upon doing a google search for ‘Santogold,’ the first entry I came across is an odd site about a man named Santo Rigatuso, who in the mid-80’s, tried to sell fake gold chains & promote his alien movie, Blood Circus. (ha!) Does the name Santogold have anything to do with that?

Santogold: Santogold was a nickname that I got when I was younger cuz I used to wear these huge gold name earrings. My friend who made it up said she got it off an infomercial for cheap gold, and that was it.

LS: What lead you to make the switch between your last ska-punk band, Stiffed, to Santogold, more dance related music?

SG: Well, Stiffed broke up, and John Hill (the bass player from Stiffed) and I just started writing a bunch of new material that was more dub influenced than the Stiffed songs had been, and using a lot more program drum and synth sounds. And since it wasn’t a band project, we had an opportunity to work with a bunch of different producers who all brought new elements to the table. And some of those (more…)

Boy, its quiet around here.
Its like we all have jobs or something! Ha! Silly bastards that work . . .
Psssshhhht.

So what can I talk about in an attempt to entertain?
Well, how about I get selfish? I would love some new mixes.
Getting lots of tunes, but I’m looking for that magical mix, something along the lines of JDH & Dave P’s “Go Commando”. I wore that out. Its so worn out, It disappeared.
I listened to James F!@#$%^ Friedman - Go Commando today however, solid as the first day it came out. But I need more!
So please, I beg, send away, I’m waiting for something.
I guess use the Submit! Addy - submit@audiopimpstress.com

Ok, so I have to admit something to all of you. I feel like we suck b/c we didn’t do a Coachella review. Coachella. Or in my case - CoacHELLa.
There was a reason it took me so long.

I was SO geared up for this trip.
I sat out WMC for the first time in 8 years, skipped SXSW, this was gonna be my thing.
First time, amazing line up, LCD, !!!, Kings Of Leon, Interpol, Bjork, Happy Mondays, and The Rapture, live AND DJ. Woah. I was on my way to heaven when I left NYC.
I had big plans, schedules printed, cute little party pants packed, lets do this!

Thursday
I arrive in L.A. after my flight was delayed 3 hours from JFK.
I go straight to my artists gig, we head out after, I throw my luggage and laptop on the bus, and we hit the town. Checked out Beauty Bar, meet some ppl at this bar, at that bar, met some ppl in a van, met some people in a hotel, next thing you know it time to head to Coach, and the bus left for the next city. (Sans part of the band.)
The bus wasn’t far, but it wasn’t the direction I was going, so Fedex was the only way I was going to get my things. Ok, problem solved. I can borrow some clothes from my girl for today, made a call, got a new pass, let go to this festival, dammit!

Friday
Phone dies on the way to the festival in route to rendezvous for the new pass.
Freakout.
Somehow get new pass.
Get beer spilled all over me, and the only clothes I have, by some cute guy that works at Cornerstone. This is all caught on video by my new friend from Vice. (I admit, this was funny.)
We watch Bjork, Cornerstone gets a new beer, spills it again, this time, not on me, we laugh.
Get stuck in the parking lot.
Get out.
Go to an private after party, cops tell us to leave.
I leave and a cop tells me I better not be driving.
I told him, no problem, I don’t drive.
He asks me if I have an attitude and tells me he is going to arrest me for being drunk in public.
(Is that EVEN possible?!?!)

Saturday
Luggage does not arrive like it was supposed to, i’m told it will arrive on Monday, the day I am leaving to go back NYC.
Missed many sets trying to find new clothes in the middle of the desert. HOT.
Phone suddenly works again!
!!!, LCD, The Rapture, amazing!
I lose my mind, my friends, i’m stuck at the festival.
Make some calls, and I end up in the artist village at Tiesto’s trailer.
We drink, we laugh.
Tiesto walks out of his trailer and says to a friend, “Did you fart?”
I swear to god he said this, and I wish I had it on tape.
We leave the festival, head to “Frank Sinatra’s Mansion” for some swinging bash.
I did not know this upon arrival, but one of my DJ’s is playing, I go to visit him in the booth, and find myself in celebrity hell standing next to Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton.
We get the hell outta there, back safe to the hotel.

Stupid Spoiled Whore Video Playset

Sunday
I realize my phone is straight up GONE.
Must have got lost in hell.
I’m over it all at this point and high tail it back to L.A.
I think I am cursed, and the best thing to do is LEAVE as fast as I can
I get a bit of R&R before I head back to NYC, hoping my luggage will be there when I get back.
My CoacHELLa adventure is over.

Monday
Luggage arrives! Whew.
Get an email, hey, is that you in this lame ass vid with Lohan?
Get another email, we found your phone!
But we thought it belonged to The Klaxons and we mailed it to them in the UK.
They are mailing it back.
Still waiting.

Worst trip ever.

Stupid Spoiled Whore . . . So nice, they anime’d it twice!

Luca Venezia has been busy, living a dual life as both Drop The Lime and Curses!
Its hard to be a superhero, but he’s holding it down.
Last week, Trouble & Bass and the Cut Crew showed Brooklyn that they have outgrown the 100 cap Boogaloo, and were in fact Masters of the Universe, as they took over Studio B for a full on Rave.

Moby, Curses! (live) and Knifehandchop owned.

More madness to ensue this weekend, catch Luca if you can . . .

Friday, May 11th, Slap You In Public present the Institubes Terror Club:

And Saturday May 12th, Toronto, Rinse presents Drop The Lime with Sek One and Dougie Boom

EXTENDED PLAY - EYE WEEKLY, Toronto

With Denise Benson

DROP THE LIME (a.k.a. CURSES!) at CURB CRAWLERS with Sek One and Dougie Boom. Sat, May 12. Crosstown, 178 Bathurst. $10 before midnight.

“When I was seven, my dream was to be like Ritchie Valens.”

Hero worship of the 1950s smooth-voiced Latino rock ‘n’ roll star best known for “La Bamba” is not what I expected from bass ‘n’ noise producer Luca Venezia. It turns out that the 25-year-old New Yorker is full of surprises. Raised in Manhattan by visual artist parents, the man who would become Drop the Lime studied jazz guitar from the age of seven, had a penchant for Fugazi, Brian Eno, Kraut and prog rock as a teen, and has always had a soft spot for crooners.

It’s a bit of a musical leap to the frenetic breakcore of Drop the Lime’s first bunch of records, but once Venezia heard a tape of British drum ‘n’ bass pioneer DJ Hype’s pirate radio show, he holed up with a keyboard, drum machine and four-track recorder to make twisted techno, drum ‘n’ bass and breaks.

“I got really into all the fills and edits of jungle and drum ‘n’ bass, like when the shaker sound or snare roll happens,” he recalls. “I think that’s why my early production ended up being considered breakcore. I wanted the whole song to sound like that – everything all crazy!”

His first EP Sweet Desire dropped on adventurous British indie label Ambush in 2003 and led to other offers. Kid606’s Tigerbeat6 has been Venezia’s main base since 2004, releasing a series of Drop the Lime EPs and two full CDs. Through them, Venezia diversified his sound and grew greatly as a producer.

“I think I busted out of breakcore because it was all sounding too much alike, and I was done with it,” he states. “I did as much as I could have done. Bass is my thing now – strong, nasty, out-of-control basslines – and I want to keep people dancing. I just want to keep on pushing the sound of dance music, and make things bigger.”

Venezia has shown an uncanny ability to evolve quickly as he develops his “bigger” sound. He’s constantly at the crest of the curve, always in sync with the approaching wave. As a DJ, he’s been deeply into dubstep and grime, bringing UK acts to his club nights Bangers & Mash and Trouble & Bass. As a producer, he’s veered more towards the four-to-the-floor, bass-crazed, distorted ‘n’ mashed punk house being pushed by producers such as Switch, as well as French labels including Ed Banger or Kitsune.

It’s fitting then that Venezia’s next big release, serving as an introduction to his Curses! alias, will drop on Parisian imprint Institubes.

“The Curses! thing has its own sound,” enthuses Venezia. “It’s a bit slower, has vocals, and is spooky, kinda disco-like haunted house. There’s a bit of a dancehall sound, but I’d have to say that Chicago house is the biggest influence on it.”

Like many of his contemporaries who were raised on rave and have been discovering its roots in Detroit techno and Chicago acid and house, Venezia is currently enthralled with much of the electronic music that came out of the Windy City in the mid to late ’80s. We’ll hear it in his mix as Venezia blends all from acid to dubstep, old school jungle, happy hardcore, his originals – complete with live vocals – and more this Saturday at Curb Crawlers.

Whether playing here, on home turf or in UK clubs like Fabric, he’s feeling free to play what he loves.

“These days, people are definitely feeling dance music again. I don’t necessarily agree with the whole nu rave scene that’s popped up in London, but I do think that it helped wake people back up to hard dance music. Stuff like Digitalism, Klaxons, Boys Noize, Justice and the other Ed Banger stuff came out and people got it. ‘This distortion sounds like a guitar! I can dance to this!’ And then the light shone on Daft Punk and old-school rave again, and old-school house, too.”

Venezia is mad animated as he completes his thought.

“Chicago house and acid is about to blow up again, like really, really big. I feel it, and I’m hearing the influence around with other producers and DJs. Even the hipsters just out for drinks are starting to wake up to it.”

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So, I’m sure that some of you have been wondering why I haven’t posted in a week or two. And I’m sure that most of you haven’t even noticed. Well, regardless, I’ve been, amongst other things, busy preparing the first of hopefully many very special gifts for you all. I have made a special mix, exclusive to TM, of all my favorite tunes of the last few months. As I mentioned, hopefully this mix series will be a regular thing on the blog so until the next one, enjoy:

Local Hero - Dumpster Diving #1

Dumpster Diving #1

00:00 Chromeo – Fancy Footwork (Guns ‘N’ Bombs rmx) [Turbo]
02:36 Baobinga & ID – Recognise [Fat!]
04:29 Dynamix II – Pledge Your Allegiance to Electrofunk [Monotone]
06:51 Daft Punk – Too Long (Acid Girls Re-edit) [acidgirls.com]
09:13 Math Head – Do Damage (Passions rmx) [Trouble & Bass]
12:59 Edge – Compnded [Edge]
15:35 Unknown – Luxury II [White]
17:43 Zebo – We Likes [None]
19:50 Justice – D.A.N.C.E. (Tittsworth rmx) [None]
22:26 Modeselektor – Silikon (Siriusmo rmx) [BPitch Control]
25:01 The Killergroove Formula – Out of Money (Malente’s Crazy Ass Dub) [Lounge]
27:55 Steed Lord – Dirty Mutha (Crookers rmx) [None]
30:01 Sinden & The Count of Monte Cristal – Beeper [Counterfeet]
32:37 Armand Van Helden – NYC Beat (MSTRKRFT rmx) [Southern Fried]
34:30 Sneaky Soundsystem – UFO (Van She Tech rmx) [Unknown]
37:44 Goose – British Mode (Jester rmx) [None]
41:29 Lillica Libertine – Loose Lips Sink Ships [None]
43:35 Klaxons – Gravity’s Rainbow (Soulwax rmx) [Rinse]
46:45 Maelstrom – Disto Funk [Menu]
48:37 Mr Hudson – Ask The DJ (Ocelot Express Mix) [Universal]
51:47 Aaren Sen - Osc Low Nyzz (Blende rmx) [Aelaektropopp]
53:25 Armand Van Helden – This Ain’t Hollywood [Southern Fried]
55:31 Bass Kleph – Coup D’Etat [Vacation]
58:36 Lazaro Cassanova – Shorts and Heels [None]
60:17 Acid Girls – Crystal’s Apartment [None]
62:08 Gwen Stefani – Wind It Up (Kissy Sellout rmx) [None]
64:41 The Lowbrows – Doo Pa Pa [Delicatessen]
67:03 Sneaky Soundsystem – Pictures (Tonite Only rmx) [Whack]
70:18 Deaf and Dumb Crew – Stay [Dust Traxx]
73:47 The Scanners – Lowlife (LA Riots rmx) [Dim Mak]
77:23 Kasabian – Club Foot [Botchit & Scarper]

The Glass

I first heard of Dom & Glen’s band back in, well, damn, that magical year, 2005.
“Won’t Bother Me” was MY SHIT. Ralph Lawson is my home boy, and he released this little ditty on his 20/20 Vision imprint, Leeds at its finest. The 20/20 Vision Soundsystem remix, well, I just couldn’t get enough of it, still gets me every time. I permanently “borrowed” the vinyl from my ex, and he didn’t get back for quite awhile. It in fact went missing at one time, and he actually thought I snatched it and was holding out on him.

My first meeting with the band was via Dom, the night of the magical Soulwax/Klaxons gig at Studio B in Sept 2006. Taxi’s were scarce that night, and we ended up jumping into one to share a ride out of Greenpoint, we got to chatting, where you from, what do you do, etc, etc, and it came out that he was in The Glass. In my typical fashion, I gushed about how much I loved “Won’t Bother Me”, and so the story goes.

So of course, I was genuinely excited to hear that the band are getting ready to release a new album, “Couples Therapy”, even more so that they are sharing a few tracks and a DJ mix with TM. The are headed on the road in June as The Glass Soundsystem, and in late July/August for a full band tour.

THE GLASS ‘COUPLES THERAPY’ EP
1. Mad At You
2. Green leaves
3. Fourteen Again
4. Come Alive
5. Try Some More
6. iWonder
7. 4 Bytes

COME ALIVE

“Come Alive” Original Mix

Purchase this single on Itunes
“Come Alive” Rinocerose Remix

Purchase the Remixes on Emusic
Purchase the Remixes on Juno

The Glass DJ Mix
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The Glass Performing at Transmusicales, France, December 2006

The Glass “official” biog
Ever since The Glass released their first single “Won’t Bother Me” on Fine/Four Music in Europe, the band has been garnering rave reviews in the press, turning DJs into fans, and strangers into supporters. Mylo remixed the Glass’ second single and the band has played with CSS, Kaiser Chiefs, Shy Child, The Pipettes, The Bravery, The Go! Team, Whitey, Mylo, The Glimmers, Arthur Baker, DJ Hell and many more.
The Glass is comprised of Dominique Keegan (vocals, guitars) and Glen Brady (on programming, vocals, keys and samples). Both, originally from Dublin, have been working as DJs since the 90s: Dominique at his own Plant bar and Plant parties in New York and Glen (aka DJ Wool) as a fixture on the Irish dance music scene and as a DMC champion. Glen, who moved to New York in 2001, is also an accomplished producer whose credits include such diverse artists as R.E.M. Jennifer Lopez, INXS and Timo Mass. Together, the duo also mixed and compiled ‘The Sound of Young New York’ compilations.
Dominique and Glen formed The Glass in 2003, and since then have been featured on over 20 compilations, including John Digweed’s FABRIC 20 mix and Dave Seaman’s Renaissance mix, and released four 12”s. They’ve played live in Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, Rennes, London, Leeds, Munich, LA, San Francisco, Miami, DC, Boston & Toronto. Additionally, the Glass have been featured on albums by 2020 Soundsystem, Rinocerose, and Filur.
The Glass perform as a full band (3 piece with bass player), as DJs and as a Soundsystem, using turntables, synths and vocals to create an exciting performance designed for clubs and dance venues. They have just completed a S/T debut album and have a great remix package available of the first single ‘Come Alive’ (download) with accompanying 12” (April 17 on Plant Music) with an EP coming in June. The Glass recently toured Europe, and had stellar performances at Back 2 Basics’ 15 Year Anniversary (with 2020 Soundsystem & Bez from Happy Mondays) and at Transmusicales festival’s main stage in Brittany, France.

What is the CHOWDOWN?

We’d die without food or music. Which is why each month, The Chowdown invite one local chef and one local DJ to showcase their talents to a live audience. During the three-hour event, Chowdown guests eat, drink, relax and mingle while the chef prepares and serves up a three-course meal‐all to a perfectly-selected soundtrack provided by the guest DJ.

On Tuesday, May 8, the Chowdown prowls Gotham for a lineup that takes it to the city streets. Episode 10 will see chef Ratha Chau’s own fancied-up renditions of Cambodian street food goes head to head with downtown DJ James F!@#$%^ Friedman’s back-alley New York electro and techno. Will Southeast Asia or South of Houston win this sidewalk brawl? Make a reservation and find out! Seating for the three-course dinner is limited, but if you miss chef Chau’s special curried noodles, don’t worry—we’ll be dancing on the tabletops into the late hours and you’re welcome to drop in after 10pm, when The Chowdown open their doors to the public for free.

Episode 10 - The Chowdown featuring guest chef Ratha Chau from Kampuchea and guest DJ James F!@.$%^ Friedman. May 8th 2007, @ APT

Ratha Chau
After a starring role as manager and wine director at Manhattan’s prominent French restaurant Fleur de Sel, Ratha Chau opened Kampuchea Restaurant in November 2006 to share his own version of South Asian street food. Chau, originally from Cambodia and raised in the United States, has made Kampuchea his personal salute to his heritage. With items such as Cambodian crepes, num pang sandwiches, and specialty noodle soups, Ratha infuses the indigenous flavors of his native country with his own creative, modern touch.

James F!@#$%^ Friedman (Throne Of Blood/Go Commando)
is a true New York personality, and a tireless supporter for all that is fresh and forward thinking in electronic music. In New York, Friedman has hosted a series of influential parties that became known as stateside domiciles for the world’s left-of-center DJ talent, including the long-running Refuse! at APT, which hosted the likes of DJ Kaos, Joakim, Luke Vibert, and Tiefschwarz, as well as 2005’s All Wrong night at the Tribeca Grand, which saw the US debuts of such artists as Annie and Tom Vek. In addition, James has grown into a truly eclectic, technically skilled DJ, playing sounds that run the gamut from punk-funk bass lines to disco, rock, and acid-tinged techno that could strip the polished veneer off APT’s walls.

Missed it? Tune in - The Chowdown is recorded!
Yep, that’s part of the fun: The Chowdown is a DJ dinner party, and it’s also a radio show. During dinner, they record the DJ sets. The following Monday, you can tune in online as a two-hour podcast. Photos of the night will also be posted on the site.

When’s the next Chowdown?
Next month! The Chowdown takes place once a month, but actual dates may vary, so join their mailing list and they’ll keep you updated with plenty of time to mark your calendar.

NEXT UP:
Tuesday, June 12, the Chowdown brings The Rub DJs in house for a dirty South throwdown, complete with a finger lickin’ Southern barbeque. Mark your calendar and bring plenty of wet naps!

I’m interested in cooking or playing at the Chowdown. How do I get on board?
Do you make an amazing deep-dish pizza that would go perfectly with Chicago acid house? The Chowdown are always looking for good folks to get involved. If you or somebody you know is a kick-ass professional chef or DJ, please send the Chowdown an email: joe@thechowdown.com

The Chowdown on MySpace