‘Liquid latex’, has been making the rounds on several videos as of late (Santogold, “Les Artistes”, Huoratron, “$$ Troopers”). Here again, appearing in “Focker“, directed by Daniel Brereton, which is the latest single for LATE OF THE PIER. Erol Alkan has added his magical touches creating “Focker” into an immense tune.

Erol has co-produced “Focker” and a brand new version of “Space and the Woods”. Both tracks will be released as a double A side on the 19th May on 7 inch, 12 inch, CD, download. The Castle Donington quartet have hit the road once again, touring throughout May and June. Check their MySpace for complete dates and check out the making of the “Focker” video at Dazed Digital. Click here to purchase LOTP, Space and the Woods/Focker.

If you create wonderful sounds, your name happens to be Metronomy and you want a really fantastic video to accompany your latest single, “My Heart Rate Rapid“, who do you ask? How about one of today’s most creative forces, Dandi Wind! Known for their innovative, detailed, theatrical and artistic works, they’ve created a video that is a stimulating visual wonderland!

The bouncy body suit wearing dancers are having the time of their lives moving about in front of hot dogs being made, volcano’s erupting, fire burning, a carousel spinning, a train passing, pancakes and loads more. Gleefully dancing with their giant cassette tape and cut out kid faced masks, they certainly make you feel like your heart is beating at a rapid pace. So much movement happening, this one is packed with so much to suck in!

Just back from their Asia tour, (where Dandi was electrocuted, thankfully she is fine) Dandi Wind are constantly cooking up new works. Here’s an update on their latest 7 inch single – “We are super happy to have a limited quantity of our new Japan only 7 inch single to offer up for sale online. It features 2 exclusive brand new songs that will not be issued elsewhere and comes in a fab glossy picture sleeve. Also we are including a Dandi Wind button and .FLAC mp3 downloads of both songs which are incidentally titled ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Belly Cutting’ with your purchase.” As soon as the link is working, I will post for those interested in purchasing!!!!!

Metronomy’s 2nd LP will be out in the distant future on Because Music. Look out for it!!!!!

I’ve been enjoying listening to ‘Antidotes‘, the debut album from Oxford 5-piece, FOALS, which came out in March (available for purchase off Sub Pop). I’m very keen on “Olympic Airways” and the two bonus tracks, “Hummer” and “Mathletics“. Already featured on a Kitsuné Maison compilation, it’s understandable why the hugely bright young group have been hot on everyones tip!

Foals and last.fm have joined together (sometime in April) for a REMIX CONTEST in which they offer the chance to remix “Electric Bloom“, from their debut album, Antidotes. If you’re up for the challenge, you can grab the parts off last.fm and get to chopping and tweaking!

Here’s how they’re working it – The tracks will be narrowed down to the 10 most popular, then announced. From there, Foals will choose a winning track to be released along with a future single as a 7digital download bundle. There’s still time to get in on it, as the deadline isn’t til 25th May! I have to say though, it doesn’t seem entirely fair, as it’s hard to choose which to listen to. At the moment there are over 100 remixes that have been done.

Interesting Foals tid bits – Foals drummer Jack Bevan, posed for the iconic British fashion house, Burberry, for their spring/summer line. As did another favorite, Patrick Wolf, for the ‘07 autumn line, ‘British Medieval’. This is Burberry’s second ever full-color campaign. Pretty spectacular!

For those that live in the states and are fans of Foals and perhaps Barack Obama, you’ll be pleased to know that Foals have endorsed Obama (even though they won’t be voting). ‘Change’, is the motto from both camps. This is certainly a positive influence and possibly a good way to round up some of the younger generations to get in on the coming election! PLAN TO VOTE KIDS!!!!

Lastly, Foals are nearing the end of their U.S. tour, finishing off in Brooklyn, for a sold out show at Union Hall. They’ll hit Radio 1’s Big Weekend, head to Japan a few days, then they’re back in the states til May’s end, returning to the EU til mid July, then popping over to Chicago for Lollapalooza! After all of that, they’ll do a string of festivals, including Bestival, (the line-up is absolutely insane - sold out!!), then head right into their biggest tour to date in the U.K., culminating in mid-October at Brixton Academy!! Catch them along the way and be sure to check their MySpace for all event dates.

The latest single “Courtship Dating“, from Crystal Castles long-awaited debut, is simply brilliant! It’s one of those dark, reflective songs that sticks with you. I can’t get enough of their 8-bit wonder.

I’m certain the track and video are captivating more than a few of you. Directed by Marc Pannozzo, the video for “Courtship Dating” seems quite basic, yet it’s gripping and draws you in. Kinda makes you feel the emotions Alice is projecting and you want to help her. Flashing bits of strobe lighting add to it all, but for the sake of your eyes, don’t stare too long.

The iconic Crystal Castles/Madonna ‘beat up eye’ illustration is one of my favorites – Madonna never looked better. Seems Crystal Castles has been caught up in some shit about the artwork created by Trevor Brown. Read about it at the Torontoist. I never purchased that tee and I still want it!! If by some odd chance anyone out there has a small that they’re looking to get rid of, let me know!!!!!!

This cool limited edition boxed set is looking mighty dreamy!! Almost like a pillow that you could lay your head on and dream of hearing great music coming out of it! Chances are, you will. “Music For an Accelerated Culture“, is the debut album for the Leeds 5 piece, grindie pop outfit, Hadouken! The album drops 5th of May on Atlantic Records (U.K. only) and will contain nine new and two older songs. Play it loud!!

For those that were to desperate to hold out for the album and ended up with 1 of 2 advance leaked versions, shame on you! The hour for the REAL one is near and it doesn’t include any fake tunes! Patience is a virtue. Also available on itunes, U.K. including 2 remixes!! Buy the real deal and continue supporting the artists!!

If you’re fiending for some of their favorite older tunes, which they compiled on a mixtape sometime last year, you can still download it here and have a listen. The video to their latest single “Declaration of War“, came out sometime in April. What a chune! Watch it here and expect to either fall in love with the Hadouken! or hate them for being too cool. Check the following links to stay up on the band, with events happening up and down the U.K. throughout the entire spring/summer!!!
Hadouken! MySpace
Hadouken Remixes

Per Hadouken!’s site regarding the limited edition boxed set –
Fans who purchase the limited box set will automatically have a years membership to ‘Aerials’ an exclusive community with sole access to an avalanche of Hadouken! music and privileges throughout the year. Check the limited boxed set link above to see what those goodies are!!!!!

Ok so I have news that has actually caused me to salivate profusely! Yes hipsters it’s true this news caused enough drool to rival Homer Simpson’s when he sees a doughnut!

What’s the news I hear you cry?

Well, Trash Fave - Glamour Soundsystem & partner in crime Lillica Libertine combined their excessive bundle of talents to create Stylenoir - an exciting media company set to blow your newest and most fabulous Marc Jacobs bag straight off your dainty arm with excitement!

Seriously, after witnessing a drunk Kelly Osbourne attempt to present the Birmingham Style Show last weekend the news that Stylenoir are publishing a bi-annual book entitled ‘The Black Book of Art and Fashion’ was welcomed as a well timed vodka shot to put me out my fashion misery. The book will primarily showcase the works of up-coming fashion designers, photographers and artists, but beware it will only be stocked in London, Paris, Milan and New York City – exclusive or what?

This fabulous book will be jam packed with plenty of fashion-based delights from designers such as Charles of London, Ioannis Dimitrousis, and Pavla Kopecna (Vogue Italy, Dazed & Confused, Tank magazine) as well as many of the usual desirable suspects.

A Stylenoir website will be launched to provide fashionistas with a new portal to keep them up-to-date with fashion news across the spectrum from the alternative fashion all the way up to Karl Lagerfeld’s latest move.

Last but definitely not least, there will be a dazzling launch party for Stylenoir on 11th of May at London hipster venue - Hoxton bar. This sophisticated shindig will be hosted by Matt Horne (who hosted the NME awards), and will also host performances from Tapedeck and one of my personal favourites - The Real Heat, oh and don’t forget a catwalk show from Charles of London!

So there you have it - check out Stylenoir online, buy the book and blag your way into the party - just don’t forget to arrive fashionably late!

Got my hands on the new release (17th March 2008) from a local favorite, the Brighton Breaks label, for which Northern breaks/electro recluse Sam Hell teamed up with the ever-so-young, but wise-beyond-his-years breaks head Rektchordz, and boy are you in for a treat!

I’ve written about SH plenty on these pages, but Rektchordz is definitely one to get cozy with. The boy’s credited with a hefty stockpile of tracks and remixes – he’s out on BreaksFM, BombTraxx, Unstable, Trans:Verse, to name a few – and they’re all belters.

Blipvertz - Sam Hell & Rektchordz [Brighton Breaks]

“Blipvertz” starts with Sam Hell’s signature big chunky breaks, followed by a casual assault of bleeps. The track has a one-minute intro before it all totally kicks off. Turn up your speakers and get ready for it.

Subliminal? Quite possibly. For those who were born before 1980, the reference might not be lost on you; “blipverts” were the lightning-fast tv commercials that overloaded viewers’ nervous systems and killed them on ’80s Reaganomics-inspired tv show Max Headroom.

Boolash - Rektchordz [Brighton Breaks]

“Boolash” (Rektchordz works alone on this one) is a super-catchy, quite minimal tune with a funky bass groove throughout. I like it a lot and I’m sure you will too. I will be very surprised if I don’t hear this one played out incessantly this spring. Very surprised.

Love ‘em and buy ‘em is the new catchphrase. I expect a sensory overload when I hear both tunes on speakers better than my shit ones, that’s for sure.

Buy on Beatport
Buy on Streetwise

The Teenagers made us feel somewhat youthful, careless and kinda dirty with their impetuous hormones – but with the arrival of Late of the Pier, our attention has been utterly distracted with their half naked bodies prancing on stage in their videos. (see “Bathroom Gurgle” and live performance videos) I’m feeling even dirtier than I did when I first listened to The Teenagers, because with Late of the Pier you get real teenagers.

With two excellent singles, “Space And The Woods” and “Bathroom Gurgle”, out in 2007, it goes without saying that in 2008 the four-piece out of Castle Donington, U.K. will surely cause pulses to race and legs to wobble!! Riiiighhhtttt? Guaranteed.

February 2008 came and so did the pretty gold wrapped compilation from Kitsuné Maison, with Late of the Pier’s, “Broken (Fairy Lights Mix)” featured in all its glory. Speeding into March, “The Bears are Coming”, off Parlophone, arrived and with plenty of remixes from Beyond The Wizards Sleeve, Emporer Machine and Joakim. This is just a taste of things to come as they’re headed back into the studio to finish off their debut album with a man we so do love producing it – Erol Alkan. Expect only great things!!!!

This is a tad old, dated back to December however, just a snippet of what the people from the Digitalism camp had to say…

‘2008? It’s the year of odd band names’

Friday December 21, 2007
The Guardian

Black Kids, Dead Kids, the Whitest Boy Alive … which bands will make it big next year?
Dave Simpson hears nine industry experts’ predictions

The next big thing’s next big things

Last year’s success stories give their tips for 2008

Isi Tufekci, Digitalism

We think Late of the Pier could be bigger than Klaxons. They have three different sounds in one track: cool indie, 70s synths and techno, all at once. They’re really young and produced by Erol Alkan, who does things like make a guitar sound like a saxophone. Another band we like are the Heavies, who are a mix of disco and funk - and the guy has an unbelievable voice. At the other end of the spectrum we like the long-awaited comeback album by an old band, the B-52s. They’re back in Love Shack style. We like the Hot Chip album, too. It’s a mix of 70s and 80s, but sounds like now.

Read the rest of the article, 2008? It’s the year of odd band names and purchase their single “The Bears are Coming”. When you buy the 12″ you get a free pair of rainbow trippy goggles. As a special treat everyone who purchases the download will be entered into a competition to win one of 10 personalised, hand-distorted Late of the Pier tee shirts. All UK orders have free postage.