It is quite an honor for an artist to have their music played on BBC’s Radio 1. An achievement that would elate even the biggest fish in the vast music pond. So when a remix of The Death Set’s “Impossible” by Boston’s Etan was aired on U.K.’s Mary Anne Hobbs show in March and in June on Australia’s RTR ‘Out To Lunch Show‘ with Gemma Pike, feelings must have been high! Etan’s remix of “Morning Tide” by The Little Ones crashed the airwaves again on Colin Murray’s Radio 1 show in June. Indeed a start to a fine summer.
Prior to the radio hype, two of Etan’s remixes - The Death Set’s “Impossible (Etan’s Positive Outlook)” (on The Death Set’s ‘Around the World’ 7″) and Daedelus’s “Hrs:Mins:Secs (Etan’s Greenwich Mean Report)”, landed on long time favorite U.K. imprint Ninja Tune. But first came the Tronstep Remixes 12″ with bootleg dance treatment for Caribou, Crystal Castles, and Justice on Broader than Broadway Records – listen at Tronstep Remixes. With a full length in the works for Ninja Tune, out in 2009 - 2010, the future is looking day-glo bright for the young Bostonian.
Music has been running through the veins of 21 year old Etan (aka Nate Donmoyer), since he first heard the Amen breakbeat at age 13. Influenced by Grizzly Bear, Blonde Redhead, daft punk, Radiohead, and The Beatles, Etan describes his sound as “taking the colors I like from electronic music and using them in a song form that may not fit the genre from which they were stolen.”
Modest in stating that luck and a nice guy is what has brought him exposure, Etan has the talent and skill to back it all. “It’s all about being prepared for when luck chooses you,” he says “for me it completely began with two friends at a shop called Proletariat in Cambridge, MA who let me leave mixtapes on the checkout counter.” These mixtapes fell into the hands of a prolific Boston promoter/journalist named David Day who liked Etan’s sound and interviewed him. “He was the first guy to book me in clubs and invited me into the basstown crew. Everything has really been luck.”
Good fortune is on Etan’s side. Surrounded by a rising crew of talent, Basstown breed, consisting of Dj Die Young, Volvox, Red Foxx, Plus Move, Baltimoroder and several other talented folks, Etan continues to cultivate his craft and go beyond. He plays drums in a band called Passion Pit and has written music for “Lost Friend”, a short animation (see video below) by Susan Chien, which can be seen at the 2008 Boston Underground Film Festival.
With upcoming remixes for Radioclit, Micachu, Ghislain Poirier and his hands in a bit of everything, Etan is proving to be inspiring and unstoppable. If it all keeps up, I have a sneaking suspicion we’re all going to be pining for Etan in the coming year! Now check out the solid remixes kicking off with one of my favorite Death Set remixes!!
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!!!!!!
There are several reasons why I am quite fond of HEARTSREVOLUTION:
1. The obvious – Their unique D.I.Y. vision
2. They have icecream trucks full of delicious, international candy / mixtapes / icecream / tshirts!!!!!
3. After doing my 1st feature on them, Adventures with Heartschallenger, to show their appreciation, they sent me LMTD edition VINYL + stickers – Gasp!!!!
1 GLOW in the DARK split 6″ with Crystal Castles and a WHITE HEART shaped C.Y.O.A. single!!!
4. Their graphic designer, KATE MOROSS, is one of my favorites!!!!!
5. The 2nd write-up, I introduced the excellent, Heartsrevolution - C.Y.O.A. video! Shortly afterwards, they sent over their totally fantastic C.Y.O.A. tshirt + some cool REVOLUTION buttons!!!!!!!
6. Their “Switchblade” release out the 21st of April is a 10″ COTTON CANDY PINK VINYL with HOLOGRAPHIC LASER FOILED SLEEVE and NEON INNER PRINT!!!!!!! LMTD edition of 500!!!! (a must have)
HOW FUCKING ACE IS THAT?!?!?! Thanxx to everyone at HEARTSREVOLUTION!!!!
Finally, the anticipation is over!! The brand new HEARTSREVOLUTION - “C.Y.O.A.” EP on iheartcomix Records, will be available for ALL to get their hands on, the 15th of April!!! Once again, the 12″ includes remixes by Brodinski, Lazaro Casanova, CFCF, Lauren Flax and Dan Oh.
The Flossy duo out of the midwest, have remixed their version of “C.Y.O.A.”, as well as another superb remix that came out after the contest, by Local Hero and Angel Alanis!! It’s too bad this one wasn’t submitted in time, because I believe it’s one of the strongest out of the entire lot. I like how the focus wasn’t just on the vocals, rather the entire track. It’s got that extra bit of bang to it and totally kicks off at 1:29! Play it loud, play it on the dance floor, prepare for destruction and a HEARTSREVOLUTION TAKE OVER!!!!!
Whilst browsing the vast internet world for music, one never knows what gems will be found. They are always around, waiting to catch you by surprise and remain in your life, beating to the sound of it. So it goes, yet another talented DJ/producer from the South, Marseilles, France, is on the radar, Le Facteur.
At a young age, Simon, Le Facteur, began experimenting on a keyboard at the academy he attended. He explored many genres including, rock and roll, jazz, hip-hop and later, electronic music. Influenced by not one specific style of music, he enjoys what ignites the dancefloor and is an admirer of classic Swedish ‘chip-tune’ producer, Dubmood.
The entire ‘chiptune‘ world is pretty amazing with its digitized rythmns – Music created with video game synthesizer chips. We hear so much of this bleep and blip sound in a lot of the dance music out today – Crystal Castles being one of the more successful integrators of this video game sound. Although this style is a lot more popular in Europe, it has been growing in popularity in North America and I for one am quite keen on it!
Back to Facteur – He has created his own identity which embodies the perfect crossover between old and new school, with a choppy, cut up style that can be heard throughout his work, especially in “California”. Simon has played alongside notable acts such as, Detroit Gran Pubahs (poker flat), Orgasmic (Institubes), Terry Poison (ekler’o’shock), Strip Steve (Boyz Noise Rec), Detect (mental groove), Meisterfackt (Kitty yo), Leonard de Leonard (ekler’o’shock) – and has done an excellent remix of “Elephantizer”. Expect to hear a lot more coming out of Facteur, with more remixes, “Mr. SEIR - Cobra (Factor remix)” and a collaboration with Meisterfackt. Have a listen to his latest remix, of New Europeans, “Dr Rhythm”, which really brings this track to life and ready for the floor. Enjoy!!
They were supposed to be on tour, but apparently, Alice broke her ribs. I swear, there is always something going on with these guys, is it part of thier “schtick”? (I never use the word, felt like being weird.) I’ve seen them walk off stage, cancel tours, etc. Does Alice just need to practice more? The album is quite good, more than I expected, I quite like “Vanished” and “Courtship” date. Some of their early tunes, were, while really cool and experimental, a bit raw, these 2 tracks are less “Atari” and more musical, cheers CC! And Alice - get better soon. You know James from Simian Mobile Disco broke his ribs playing football with The Arctic Monkeys while on tour? He just took a lot of vicodin to get through it.
This Soko cover of “Love No”, fucking rocks. If feel it’s way more appropriate coming from a female, and this stripped down version, clearly gets the point across. I can totally relate to this track, and I can make a kitchen list of boys I would like to dedicate it to. I missed The Teenagers when they played here in NYC when touring with Hot Chip. I did see them at the after party, they looked wasted, but actually, everyone did, because everyone was. Owen spilled his bottle of Grey Goose at least 4 times, and he also kicked over my drink. I had to include “Homecoming” - Gentleman Drivers Rave Mix (off Reality Check), as it totally reminded me of that night, just seemed appropriate.
Uber Liebe Gold - Flakes Dictaphone Demo is cool because it’s raw, and it remind me of one of my new favorite bands - Molly Shannon, Molly Shannon. MJ - yeah, who hasn’t had a relationship with someone that was a secret and you couldn’t tell anyone about it? It’s fun to be undercover and naughty. Count me in. BUT, the question is, once it’s not a secret anymore, is it still as good? And, is it me, or does they sound kinda like early Police here?
In 2007, The Cribs let us know about “Men’s Needs”, well, in 2008, they’ve declared their “realists”, and are offering up kind words to all the broken hearted. They’ve had a good year reflecting it seems, right on boys!
Le Le, aka Antoine DuFour, want to let all the ladies know, their plans for us - we’re “Breakfast”, all “meaty and fat”, the “cheese on their baguette”, “oatmeal, granola”, YEAH bitch!- um, cheeky, eh? I supposed they expect us to cook it up as well? I’ll give you a skillet, get yer ass over here. Its a fun song, reminds me of Detroit Grand Puba’s - “We Can Make Sandwiches”. That was quite the jam. Anything involving food and music, i’m there. Joakim’s - “Come into my Kitchen”, Dinky’s - “Acid in My Fridge” - sounds like a fab dinner party.
I hung out with these boys over the summer while they were recording their album in Brooklyn. We enjoyed drinking and smoking on a rooftop overlooking the city, we hit a few (er, was it many?) neighborhood pubs, and they would pop by every so often to see what was new and exciting and to give us mini updates on their studio session. It was a good week, good times all around. Really happy to see they are doing so well, and its a big plus that I love their music. Their label - Transgressive, top notch. Tim and Toby, you guys rock. The door is always open - my NY is your NY!
Baltic Fleet are new discovery, they hail from Liverpool - UK, but seem to have spent some time in my former hometown of Chicago, so I was immediately interested, and glad I took the time to nab their album, it’s solid, and really good. Its described as Electro, Minimalist, Garage - intriguing mix. The first track i’ve posted, “To Chicago” covers the minimalist aspect, and “Double Door”, is where is gets gritty and raw. For those that are not familiar with Chicago, Double Door is a live music venue in Chicago’s Wicker Park. Its been around for YEARS, and just about EVERY band has played this venue, Smashing Pumpkins, The Presets, The Rolling Stones, I could go on, seriously, its legendary. The tracks I posted by Baltic Fleet are not incredibly representative of the rest of the album, I chose these specific tracks because of my personal association with Chicago. I would strongly urge you to pick this album up, and check it out in it’s entirety, it’s been on my player often, i’m quite fond of it, solid.
So, while we’re on the subject of Chicago, I had to throw in this Dave Gahan remix of “Kingdom” by Ralphie Rosario, a legendary Chi-town house DJ and producer. He’s remixed everyone and their mother. And, here comes the slightly embarrassing bit i’ve had locked about in my closet. Once upon a time, long, long again, in a galaxy, FAR, FAR, away . . . I dabbled in vocals and production. T he first track I ever recorded was back in 1999, for Ralphi’s first album, “45 Miles of Nerves”. Really, I have kept this a secret, I’ve never really told many people about it, never played it for anyone. I don’t know why I feel the sudden need to come clean and put it out there. So, if you wanna ‘ave a laugh, take a listen. Don’t get me wrong, it was fun going into the studio and working on my “first track”, but it’s not really, exactly, AT ALL, “ME”. The target audience was Glee Club Sunday night’s at Crobar, which, I had some of my best nights out. There’s nothing quite as nice, as being doted on by a bunch of lovely, fantastic gay men, dancing on boxes with their shirts off, who want nothing more than to buy you drinks and other goodies. I didn’t write the lyrics, or the music, for “Mellow, But Yet Taunting”, but yep, that’s me saying “Undress me . . . my ears were filled with orgasmic sound”. YEP.
Portishead, oh, Portishead. I know it’s only March, but this could be THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR. No words to be said, the music does the talking.
Link: Portishead.com
The frigid weather we’ve been having in Chicago, -1° F, is enough to keep a person holed up in the house for days on end! Not too terrible if you’ve gone to the grocery, stocked up on some good food, a sugary snack or two, perhaps picked up a few movies and have some good music to get you through the chill!!
The lovely Kimberleysmobiledisco of TM, featured MeMeMe late January, It’s All About MeMeMe! complete with an excellent mix to get us going! I’ve just listened to the most recent they’ve whipped up for NLLR and it is one FINE PIECE OF ASS in the form of a mix. Sink your teeth into this one wherever you are, freezing or hot. Cheers!!
“MeMeMe, aka Moxie and Purlow, are a very tight Nottingham based DJ duo with a much buzzed about residency at much loved club, STEALTH. Having already played alongside the likes of EROL ALKAN, KISSY SELL OUT, SINDEN, NIGHTMOVES, BANG GANG DEEJAYS, LATE OF THE PIER, FRIENDLY FIRES, DETBOI, PRIMARY 1, D.I.M., CRYSTAL CASTLES, GUNS & BOMBS, LILLICA LIBERTINE and RORY PHILLIPS, these two fine and most talented individuals have thoroughly earned their deejay stripes and their career is barely off the ground. If like me you’re a big fan of the utterly fresh sound folks like HERVE, SINDEN, SWITCH, DROP THE LIME, SURKIN and friends are currently throwing down, then you’re gonna’ flip over this mix. In the space of 13 tracks and 1 hour MEMEME manage to whip up the euphoric frenzy of a full nights clubbing at the coolest venue imaginable. There’s more whirring Bassline and Dubstep-style sub-bass, Bmore and Jukey shake, grinding Electro pulse and stuttered post-Hip Hop, post-Rave beat and melody in this mix than you’ll know what to do with. It’s an absolutely bangin’ set from start to finish, comprised of only the very hottest tunes out there at the moment, selected and mixed to woofer trembling perfection. Needless to say MEMEME are going all kinds of good places in 2008. If after enjoying this exclusive mix that MOXIE and PURLOW have lovingly crafted for you, you are left craving more MEMEME, then you’re in luck! They did a sweet-as mix for Trash Menagerie only last month, which I’ve conveniently linked below. So there we are, go friend MEMEME, MOXIE and PURLOW on Myspace, check out their extensive list of upcoming dates and get on this mix!!!” – No Love Lost Records
01. Drums Of Death - Breathe (Curses! Remix)
02. Bulgarian and Spoek - Zombie Door (Santiago and Bushido Remix)
03. Solid Groove - This Is Sick (Yeah! Woohoo! Remix)
04. Fagget Fairys - Samo Ti (AC Slater Remix)
05. Azzido Da Bass - Dooms Night (Switch Remix)
06. Crookers - My Penny
07. CJ Bolland - Sugar Is Sweeter (Twockers Respect To Van Helden Remix)
08. Klaxons - Atlantis to Interzone (Destroy Disco Mix)
09. Hostage - Rave Rave Rave
10. The Count and Sinden - Beeper (Fake Blood Remix)
11. Benga and Coki - Night (L-Vis 1990 Hyper Bass Remix)
12. Congorock - Exodus (3 Is A Crowd Mix)
13. Bok Bok - What The!
Cheers to Arne Blackman of Clarky Cat who has kindly sent us his latest track entitled, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, and it is quite a journey. Working the knobs above for the first UNITAUR, a free live music tour and party thrown by our favorite mag, VICE, this past October/November.
The tour took place in nine university towns and cities in the U.K. (Please come to the U.S. next year guys), showcasing acts such as, The Teenagers, Crystal Castles, These New Puritans, Ed Banger’s DJ Mehdi, and a slew of others. If you missed out on Vice Unitaur, be sure to catch it next year where you are sure to find more of Arne Blackman and Clarky Cat! Looking forward to what these talented, young whippersnappers have in store for us in 2008!!
The Bangers, made up of Nik At Nite, Rok One & DJ Jaclyn play dance music without boundaries or restrictions. Funk, New Wave, Synth Pop, Soul Classics, Post Punk, Punk, Italo Disco, Disco, House, Techno, Freestyle, Electro, Miami Bass, Baltimore Club, Baile Funk, Metal, Ghetto Tech, Grime, Hip Hop, Crunk, Electronica, Industrial, Goth, Cold Wave, Classic Rock, Dub…
The Bangers have shared the decks with some of the best DJ’s and performers in the game including Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandwizard Theodore, DJ Assault, Diplo, Z-Trip, Cut Chemist, A-Trak, Prince Paul, Lupe Fiasco, Lady Sovereign, The Rapture, The Faint, Bonde Do Role, Teddybears, Matt & Kim, Crystal Castles, Juiceboxxx, Chromeo, Kid Sister, Flosstradamus, Kavinsky, Joakim, Girltalk, Escort, Patrick Wolf, The Glimmers, Santogold, Spank Rock, MSTRKRFT, Yo Majesty, The Noisettes, Battles, CSS, Fluokids and the list goes on.
They like to mix it up and stray from one singular sound as much as possible, while still rocking the party with a cohesive sound. To quote the late great Big L, if you think we “can’t f*ck with whoever, put your money up/ put your car, naw f*ck it, put your honey up/ Put your raggedy house up/ punk, or keep your mouth shut…”
DJ JACLYN/ THE ALL GIRL MIX
1. New York, New York/ Nina Hagen
2. Self Control/ Laura Branigan
3. Silikon/ Modeselector fest. Sacha Perera
4. A Simple Edge/ DJ Roctakon mix/ Stevie Nicks
5. Good Beat/ Deee-Lite
6. Bad Girls Go To Hell/ Hakan Libido
7. Me and U (Eli’s Pure Energy Mix)/ Cassie
8. It’s All True (Escort Extended Remix) / Tracy Thorn
9. Lets Make Love (Spank Rock remix)/ CSS
10. Crazy on You / Heart
11. Walkman/ SSQ
12. Wish I Didn’t Miss You/ Angie Stone
13. Two Of Purple Hearts/ Purple Crush
14. Club Action (By Product Remix)/ Yo Magesty
15. Alfie (CSS Remix)/ Lily Allen
16. Pro Nails/ Kid Sister
17. Tir Aux Pigeons/ The Prototypes
18. You’re Out (Frank Music Remix)/ Dead Disco
19. Superfreak/ Amanda Blank
20. The Bomb/ New Young Pony Club
21. Sex (I’m A…)/ Berlin
22. Love is the Drug / Grace Jones
23. Rehab (Hot Chip Remix) / Amy Winehouse
24. You’ll Find A Way (Switch & Sinden Remix) / Santogold
I’ve been extremely busy the past few days, but there will be new things on the horizon very soon! Because I missed Crystal Castles perform last night in Chicago, I am posting these entertaining videos, “Crystal Cat” and “Big Big Big Big Big” by Dan Deacon I like them, they amuse me. Hope you like them too!!
We’ve made some friends in Spain, Buffet Libre.
They have a fun site full of great music and a cool remix project. The music buffet currently offers you the opportunity to whip up your own beats collaborating with artists such as Pomomofo, Voxtrot, Dragonette, The Go! Team, Shitdisco, X-Wife, Mendetz, and Brakes to name a few.
They also sent over their most recent mix, Verbena 3.
check it and feast your ears on all you can eat beats!
BUFFET LIBRE DJ’S “VERBENA NO.3
[display_podcast]
1. Sintonia Buffetlibre
2. Calvin Harris – Merrymaking At My Place (Kissy Sell Out Remix)
3. Sidechain – Turn Your Body On
4. Nico Vega – Cocaine Cooked The Brain (Guns’n Bombs Remix)
5. Cobra Dukes – Leave The Light On (Knightlife Remix)
6. Moving Units – Crash ‘n Burn Victims
7. Timbaland - Miscommunication (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)
8. Sneaky Sound System – I Love It (Bag Raiders Remix)
9. Kissy Sell Out – Her
10. Justice feat. Uffie – The Party (LA Riots Remix)
11. Chromeo – Tenderoni (MSTRKRFT Remix)
12. Bag Raiders – Fun Punch
13. IDC – Akai Elvis
14. Lifelike – So Electric
15. Boys Noize - & Down (Extended Mix)
16. Elektrons – Get Up (Herve Gets Down Remix)
17. Felix Da Housecat – Like Something 4 Porno (Teenage Bad Girl Remix)
18. Soho Dolls – Trash The Rental (Crystal Castles Remix)
The invite reads: “We will have ice cream, and candy, and toys, and white heart shaped HEARTSREVOLUTION vinyl, and good times.” Upon arrival an adorable pink truck fully stocked with all sorts of goodies – international ice cream, candy and toys, mixtapes, graffiti prints, limited edition sticker/button packs, t-shirts, records, even their own product line, awaits you! Fun-Fun-Fun! I’m truly smitten! HEARTSCHALLENGER has dreampt up a happy visual wonderland for the kid in all of us!!
L.A. import, HEARTSCHALLENGER, is a lifestyle brand born in 2005 to Leyla Safai (Lo) and Ben Pollock, which uses colorful ice cream trucks as a vehicle to showcase their favorite things at art openings, clubs, festivals and raves! With an aggressive D.I.Y. spirit and limitless passion, they are taking their vibrant colored trucks to great heights – From L.A. to NYC, London, Paris, Japan, back to L.A. then Miami!
HEARTSREVOLUTION is their band, derived from a Huggy Bear reference to a “boy/girl revolution.” They produce electronic thrash pop punk music with catchy hooks and danceable beats.
On August 13 they self-released two records worldwide. First is their 3-song single titled: “HeartsRevolution - Choose Your Own Adventure” which is a limited 500 pressed 10″ white heart shaped vinyl that collectors will love! Cutesy Japanese vocals introduce the group on “Choose Your Own Adventure C.Y.O.A.” The chorus repeats “Foxes and bunnies, fire and snow, we’re all just lost, don’t know which way to go!” “Domino Effect” is more of an instrumental, kind of an 80s’ Miami Vice themed track and “Prism Effect” feat. Cory Kennedy chanting “the world is in danger of disease”.
Lo and Ben have teamed up with another boy/girl duo, Crystal Castles releasing a rare 6″glow in the dark split EP that comes with a hologram sticker pack. The A side features Crystal Castles “XxzxcZx Me” and “1983.” On the flip side, HeartsRevolution “Choose Your Own Adventure (C.Y.O.A!)” and Acid Girls remix “Prism Effect ft. Cory Kennedy (it’s not the size that matters)” Purchase yours before they run out!!
I Scream You Scream We all Scream for HEARTSCHALLENGER!
Read more about the story behind this sweet idea!! Heartschallenger story
and watch their blog for press updates! Heartschallenger blog
There are remixes that you have a listen to and think to yourself, “damn good!” Then there are those rarities that slip into your hands – you download, press play and instantly it causes a stir inside – Like the magnetism between two people falling in love – It sends chills throughout your entire body and puts a smile on your face. I’ve just listened to a remix of Goodbooks, ‘Walk with me,’ (the original, released as a one-off on Transgressive Records last April) done by Arne Blackman (top right) of Clarky Cat – about 10 times. Hopeless romantic? Never – but this remix is so lovely I almost want to break up and make up and play it over and over again!
Boys and girls who’ve heard, swoon over the four-piece Kent, U.K. based, Goodbooks. In time, I’m pretty certain those unfamiliar, will fall in love as well. With their debut EP, ‘Control,’ having just been released yesterday (7.30), the young lads have loads to look forward to – Including dabbling with some more remixes and of course, others remixing their tracks – Both Crystal Castles and Kissy-Sell Out remixed ‘Leni,’ The Teenagers - ‘The Illness,’ Arne Blackman of Clarky Cat - ‘Walk with me.’ Their clever lyrics have us all yearning for more. Is there a tour ahead? Will they cross the pond and deliver their fine melodies to the U.S.? We hope – we can’t wait!!!
Some tracks have no need to ever be tinkered and toyed with however, this one certainly falls in the ‘amazingly good remix!’ category – up for a mere 7 days!!!!! Truly epic Arne! – Heartbreaking. I’m feeling like 17 today.
Goodbooks - Walk with Me (Arne Blackman’s Epic Edit Remix)
