Time to play catch up with all the tracks that have flooded our inbox over the past few weeks that we’ve not had a chance to mention! We last heard about our Swiss friends Cryptonites back in June when they had an overwhelming response to their remix competition for “Can’t Give You Up“. Prior to that, their first EP, “Hands Of God” was released on their label, Destruction Music.
With no delays, Cryptonites have been in the studio preparing their 2nd EP, due for a November release. As a warm up to that, they’ve had some fun creating “Revolver Disco“, a gnashing number you’re sure to get into. “We always wanted to do something down tempo, something dark with disco influences,” say the boys. “Revolver Disco” has a certain weight about it – heavy and pulverizing with a disco feel and a Justice-esque sound. You’ll find it the perfect start to your Dj affairs, as you set the pace for an intense filled evening, or a sure-fire way to close out your set.
And before the 2nd EP arrives, you’ll get another dose of Cryptonite remixes coming out in October. Sydney, Australia band Grafton Primary get the remix treatment as well as the successful German rock band Jennifer Rostock, which will come out on Warner music.
If you saw Division Kent’s new album, Gravity, walking down the street it would be the most darkly sensual woman with a cigarette hanging out of her parted lips asking you for a light. Somehow this group manages to pull off breathy female vocals and slithering sounds without sounding like a couple of depressed emo kids.
To give some background, Division Kent is based out of Zurich, Switzerland and currently signed to Sony BMG. Made up of Andrea B. and Sky Antinori, this duo is officially seducing the US in October when Gravity is expected to be released. Listening to the tracks takes you on a musical trip, with ethereal music and vocals that could probably bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your face at the same time. I will say that my particular favorites are “L’heure bleue”, “No Kryptonite” and “In the headlights”.
So in order to show our love for them and you, we’re posting a few tracks illustrating the style and variations that encompass Division Kent and some of the killer remixes that have come out of this album already. Want a literary preview of our remixers?
The Phantom’s Revenge out of Nîmes, France is a disco tap! Listening to their remix makes me wanna boogie nights, sleep never, and bust out the glitter.
From the Netherlands, expect to get Shook‘d up with… some Jane Fonda spandex. This remix is a dream complete with 80s fadeouts, leggings, and a Pretty in Pink attitude.
The intro on this version by L.A.’s Keenhouse, sounds like something you’d hear as the background music on a Discovery Channel show about spiders, when they show the spiders building a web in like 10X speed. Then it quickly gets into the sexy French lyrics.
Not in the US? Well, it’s already been released in Switzerland if you’re over there. In early 2009 it will be released in Germany, Austria, Benelux, and the UK. The Euro edition comes with a bonus CD of nothin’ but remixes. All in all not a bad little package here. Enjoy!!
“While the majority of the music currently coming out of Berlin remains painfully grey and deep, there’s a small culture of electro freaks bubbling away in the city. Shir Khan’s Exploited label is the most obvious source, but Moston’s close behind with his Freakz label. A wonky, tripped out number, the main hook is just one word ‘jack’ and a beautiful bassline which rumbles and tickles in all the best ways. For a little more swing to your set flip for Daniel Dexter and Nhan Solo’s rub - meaty beats all the way. peeps!”
When Moston was asked about the review, he admitted he’d not heard about it. “Did I?” he asked surprised. “What for?” He was chuffed -although he pointed out that, unfortunately, Freakz Me Out is not his label. He could be forgiven for not keeping up.
Moston’s latest remix of Human Resources‘ 1991 old school classic “Dominator” has been getting loads of props. It’s released on house music veteran Bryan Cox’s label, Crux records - others on the fidget house label include Chamillionaire, Trash Fashion, The Bulgarian, 3 Is A Crowd, Gaetan, Chew Fu, Pette Vaydex, Shax, Bryan Cox, Mightyfools, Hostage and so many more I’ll get tired writing them out.
Gigging wise, Lars is doing his normal Germany rounds (below), but is also planning to be in the UK this autumn, which I eagerly await!
5 Jul 2008 - Parkhaus, Lübeck
11 Jul 2008 - Dusted Decks, Grimma
20 Sep 2008 - Taste @ Muffathalle (with Daniel Dexter & Nhan Solo), München
10 Oct 2008 - Suite 15, Regensburg
11 Oct 2008 - Bauhaus, Landshut
15 Nov 2008 - Famous Breaks (Moston & Malente), Gdansk (PL)
I’m featuring “Jack It!” again and also throwing out a track that’s getting a lot of playtime on my i-Pod, “Ever Since I Heard The Sound”, which was released last May (2007) on Plastique Base Records, and is just a perfect electro house tune.
Alan Hostage is a man that truly captures that DIY spirit! Along with all of the music he produces, he also has a knack at whipping up homemade graphics that accompany said music. Some of this art happens to be of food, but usually the visual is a play along to the track title.
If you’ve ever browsed through the graphics on Hostage’s page, perhaps you’ve seen some of these images – A man yacking for “Sick”, toilet paper for “Rip Shit Up”, a pile of knives for “Stab Up”, a large stadium filled with people for “Stadium”, a snake charmer for “Snake Charmer” and the one that just had me snarking was his remix for “Make it Clap” with an image of a dog wearing a jheri curl wig. Okay, maybe I’m just a bit mad or have an odd sense of humor, but it’s these little things in life that people do that make me grin. Head over to Alan’s page and humor yourself too.
So in other exciting news, a little bit o’ sunshine shining down on Hostage (which can be heard on his latest mix that I hope to be posting soon) as well as his latest tune “The Next Level” created with the Roccodisco Crew. Yayyyyy Hostage!!!!!
Title: Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Tocadisco/Nic Sarno/Hostage Remixes) (Alphabet City)
Artist: Tommie Sunshine
Label: Alphabet City
“On one of his many trips to Germany playing alongside Marc Romboy, Tommie Sunshine dropped by the studio of 45 Rocks and heard this tune they had been working on. 20 minutes later he had the lyrics and 30 minutes more they were put to tape sending him and Marc out the door in less than an hours. The track first saw the light of day in its original form on Tommie’s Ultra Rock Remixed in America and has now been transformed into a powerhouse package for every possible taste. On vinyl one, besides the original Tocadisco was chosen to send this track into outer space after he and Sunshine collaborated on ‘Chaos In The Streets’ on his last album. He has delivered both a remix and a dub that is destined to receive both massive worldwide club play and constant island rotation throughout the season. On vinyl two, Sunshine has been given the A&R reigns and has groomed this package for the fringe and beyond. First up is Alan Hostage from Edinburgh, Scotland who has a stranglehold on the blogosphere and delivers his Ravemix to delightful results. This is serious pumping madness and not for the faint at heart. Next up is Milano, Italy’s Nic Sarno (ESP/Tirk Records)! This is Fidget madness done proper and no less than fellow Milano man, Bot from world renowned Crookers to master his remake to assure full-on dance-floor destruction. This is peak-hour done right and takes your set in a whole other direction in all the best ways. Crookers featured Nic’s mix both on their 25000 strong downloaded may 2008 mix tape and their upcoming Essential Mix for Pete Tong’s show on Radio One. The flip is Tommie as his own Brooklyn Fire moniker delivering the secret weapon of the package in the form of a spaced-out exercise in acid-house restraint. This Odyssey pt. 1&2 is both a vocal and dub stretched over 9 minutes of madness.
Tracklist:
1. Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Original) (Alphabet City)
2. Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Tocadiscos Beach Club Mix) (Alphabet City)
3. Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Tocadiscos Beach Club Dub) (Alphabet City)
4. Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Nic Sarno Remix) (Alphabet City) 5. Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Hostage Remix) (Alphabet City)
6. Tommie Sunshine - Limit Of Your Mind (Brooklyn Fire Odyssey) (Alphabet City)
Coming soon to all good record shops and online music shops yeahhhh!!!!”
MARAL SALMASSI is one striking femme. She exudes talent and beauty, combined with a hint of masculinity, giving her a distinct edge in the music she creates and the way she styles herself. Founder of notable techno label, Konsequent Records in ‘97 and new media label, Art of Perception in ‘99, Maral’s past explorations in music have paved the way for what is her most exciting and diverse label to date, Television Rocks.
Born to Maral Salmassi and partner Fabian Stall, Television Rocks, is a platform for both artists solo projects. Maral has created a sound that she describes as, “funky, playful glamour tech which is more a combination of New York wave disco, old school hip hop and electro and french cut-up hop than Cologne Post-Minimal sounds and styles”.
The momentum for Maral’s sound has been building. Highlighted on notable blogs, Missingtoof, Discodust, iheartcomix, la decadanse and a slew of others, she is giving us a whole lotta reason to be intrigued. Read on as Maral gives us a peek into her collaborations, thoughts on music, inspirations, fashion, Cologne and my absolute favorite place to be, Spain. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for what’s ahead!! Cheers Maral! x
“I’m a DJ, musician and singer currently running the label Television Rocks together with Fabian Stall aka Zero Cash. We started our label in the beginning of 2007 as a result of our lives crossing their paths in many intense ways thinkable. Zero Cash and I live together and have our studios in the same building. We produced a lot together and are currently working on my album. Zero Cash has a long history as a producer for many different bands and projects. He started doing club music as we started with Television Rocks. His style is a blend of techno and electro, more straight and instrumental, but with a rock attitude. My style is more a mash up of all the music I love to dance to, mostly inspired by rocking electro and hip-hop.
I like anything, which has power and attitude: Music like old-school hip-hop and Electro, rock, metal, classic, good pop music, old blues, pompous new US hip-hop productions or traditional music like Magrebian, Gipsy, or Indian music, Also fashion, art, TV and internet are my inspirations. I don’t want to transfer any message with my lyrics, it’s all about fun, my actual mood with a touch of sarcasm in good fun.
I live in Cologne but except the Dom and the Carnival there is nothing spectacular going on in this city. The nightlife in Cologne can be described as a monoculture. Since ages they play the same old boring minimal bullshit in the clubs. Everybody is complaining but they all keep going to these parties, moving like sloths on the dancefloor. The DJ’s keep playing their lullaby and the German press keeps reviewing this stuff as the hottest shit. It’s hopeless! Well but there is one good thing about living in such a boring city: It’s the best place to work!
My favorite places to play are the clubs Stardust and Goa in Madrid at the moment. The Spanish crowd is the craziest and very stylish! Fashion is very important to me. It’s like music, a tool to express yourself individually. A club full of stylish people is a nice place to play, to look at and to hang around…”
This filthy banger remixed by Fukkk Offf swept the blogosphere and left us yearning for more from this collaboration.
Maral Salmassi Official Biography
Maral Salmassi, born on 24th July 1975 in Teheran, first grew up in Persia and later in Jordan. With the fall of the Shah’s regime in 1979, the family was forced to return to Persia and after seven years under the Islamic regime, they managed to escape from a country subverted by the war between Iran and Iraq and settled in Germany in 1986.
Among the many characteristically uncharacteristic Techno protagonists in Cologne, Maral Salmassi is the most uncharacteristic one: nothing in her work refers to the specific Cologne style or can be defined as “made-in-Cologne”. On her early label Konsequent Records for example, there were mainly straight Tool Techno releases in style of Berlin-based Tresor label sounds. Today, Maral produces funky, (more…)
There will be some serious and I mean serious, jukin’, bassline, grime and french electro, popping off at “Better be (French) Boobs”, at Scala, Berlin on the 19th of April (Saturday). With RAZIEK, MOULINEX, MIT, ABSURD, BAGGS, MARVY DA PIMP, SPYZ, YEAH FOOL! and WAST IT GRRLZ, this party is set to throw your head for a spin!! Those looking for some HYPE, this one’s for you!!!! I’m pretty sure you would find several of the Trash crew in attendance, if we weren’t such a far stretch from Germany!!
To give you an idea of what some of this ghetto extravaganza will sound like, have a listen to the latest remix of the Mr Biggs track “Busted” by GTO. “The Ghetto Technicians Officiales”, as they’re called, are Raziek and MC Cerebral Vortex. If these two don’t leave your legs feeling like complete jello after shakin’ your ass, then maybe you’re just a bit too stiff. Absurd brings in some nice ragga bassline edits with “Gangsta 4 Life”. Check out Raziek’s remix of Top Billin’s, “Make Me Cream”, (on his My Space, to be released soon) which is ghetto tech, dirtiness!!!!!!
Hot Chip keeps “Coming on Strong”, their forthcoming album, “Made In The Dark” (DFA/EMI) finally hits the shops on May 5th. The band is doing smashingly well, and this latest album, has thus far proved to be their best to date. HOT Chip - indeed! (Wonder if these “chips” can be implanted, and if so, I would seriously consider getting one)
Its seems like Hot Chip only just left the states a few weeks ago, but as it turns out, good news! They will be back again in April for another North American tour - so get ready for the floor!
‘One Pure Thought’ is the second single from their forthcoming album, and for the first round of remixes, Hot Chip’s enlisted nothing but the best (of course!). Cologne’s finest Supermayer (Kompakt) and Sheffield’s finest - Toddla T, provided some wicked reworks. Look out for follow up remixes from one of my top rated producers, Germany’s Dominik Eulberg. Eulberg has quite a discography, that include releases on seminal labels - Cocoon, Traum, and Traumschallplatten, just to name a few. He’s been been TWICE nominated for the German Dance-Music Award in the categories of “Best Remixer”, “Best Newcomer”, and “Best Producer”.
The Chosen Two is Wiesel and Captain Koma. Wiesel is also recently producing as Easy is Dead. Both projects have a way with the bouncy bouncy that seems to pull a bit here and there from disco, funk, breaks, electro, but with a unique clarity and joviality. This is pulsing, concentrated goofy happiness. I personally dug their stuff enough to help them with some animated GIFs for their myspace profile.
These dudes, split between Berlin and Hamberg,Germany, have been doing multiple projects with multiple names individually and together for a bit, and as Wiesel and Captain Koma got props in February’s “Mixmag” with the breakbeat tune of the month for their track “Nice” (Ruff Dog Records). As “The Chosen Two” they were poised to release their first EP, until recently, but through some rather shady circumstances are now looking for a new label.
Today we’ve got some 128kbps MP3s. At 128kbps they aren’t ideal for front line usage, but Wiesel says if you need 320kbps for mixing, feel free to drop a line on their myspace and they might oblige. Enjoy the bounce!!!
Tom Deluxx of Just a Band, has remixed “Elektrik Bad Girl”, by the electro rock group, Love Ravers out of Hamburg, Germany. (on A.N.D Records) I’m hearing a touch of Tom Tom Club in this group? And did I hear fucking raver? or was that rock and rave on?? We can do both! Perhaps 2008 means we’ll be hearing some new and interesting styles in dance music. Check Tom’s My Space for another remix I quite like, “YMVSO”, which will be released soon on Philtre Records, and a previous feature done in September, “Drama Queen“.
Ralf Hütter, leader of the worlds most influential electronic group, Kraftwerk, contributes his vocal stylings on “Artificial Personality” the debut single by Audio Objekt, a fairly unknown duo from the city of Lund, Sweden. The single also contains updates of classic Kraftwerk songs, “Computer World” and “The Model”. The musical focus of Audio Objekts has been varied, while the band is busy updating old Kraftwerk songs to the reality of today, they are writing original music as well. Their debut LP VÅR NYA VÄRLD (Our New World) will be released this November.
VÅR NYA VÄRLD - Our New World
1.VÅR NYA VÄRLD (Our New World)
2.MODELLEN (The Model)
3.VÅR NYA VÄRLD - Jeff Bennet remix
4.MODELLEN - Meldodix Remix
5.MODELLEN - Leuka Kestääpesiä Cut-up Remix
6.ARTIFICIAL PERSONALITY feat. Ralf Hutter
Ed from Toilet Disco, photo courtesy of Rodolphe Olivier
On Thursday 20th September, I took the Eurostar over to Lille for the opening night of Le Name Festival, an electronic music and multimedia showcase, organised by Art Point M and funded by Conseil General Departement du Nord. Before I left, I’d been warned, “Oh you don’t want to party with the French — they’re too cool for school!” However, I felt confident as I went into the rabbit hole of the English Channel that my travels would bring me rich and unique treasures.
For a start, I came across the little heard of Le Name by chance, stumbling upon the festival brochure in 2005 while I was at the Be Queer Festival, which took place on board the Stubnitz ship in Dunkerque. The bright yellow art-fuelled brochure displayed an awesomely inspiring line up of electro and minimalist DJs (largely from Germany), vj artists from all over the world and film showcases. I kicked myself for two years for missing the boat that year.
This year’s line up was promising and plentiful, although largely French, and I looked forward to seeing larger-than-life legends such as Andrew Weatherall, The Orb, and Ivan Smagghe, along with Alter Ego, Alex Smoke, Radio Slave, Magda, and many other artists I was less familiar with. This season also featured a preview of “Lagerfeld Confidentiel” (documentary on iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfield by Rodolphe Marconi), a round table debate with philosopher Yves Michaud on modern art technology, masterclasses on Ableton Live and Logic and a DJ/VJ contest. Unlike UK festivals, it was largely classed as a cultural event, with less emphasis on appealing to other countries as a commercial venture and more focused on providing an experience for local people.
Wet ‘n’ wild in Toilet Disco, photo courtesy of Rodolphe Olivier
The opening night, Thursday, was by invite only (but free) and took place in La Condition Publique, a multi-warehouse art space in the neighboring suburb of Roubaix. I forgot my French dictionary at home, so I ended up walking for about 45 minutes through the commercial section of Roubaix, following the snaking tram lines in the fresh night. My first impression when I arrived at La Condition Publique was space. It was a great space, two buildings separated by an indoor courtyard, very similar to the Custard Factory in Birmingham. Only Salle Odette was open (Salle Lucette was used for screening the Lagerfeld documentary). It was an enormous warehouse, each wall hung with several 15 foot screens, flooded by quirky streams of visuals.
Music-wise, Thursday featured sCrAmBlEd?HaCkZ! from Germany, Fhex from Belgium, Pan Sonic from Finland and Damian Lazarus. When I arrived in Salle Odette, I found people sitting cross-legged on the floor, and this unfortunately was the running theme for the evening. Most of the acts were interestingly experimental, but all ambient and too similar, and it made me question the thinking behind the programming. However, two DJs saved me that night.
Mariano from Toilet Disco, photo courtesy of Jag Hunjan
Toilet Disco are Spanish DJ and musician Mariano Robles and French DJ Edouard Rostand. Mariano and Ed met in the summer of 2005 at Calvi on the Rocks (Ed’s festival) and have been inseparable since. Their act is a combination of DJing (dipping into every genre possible), fancy dress, cabaret, and sheer inane nonsense. The duo have entertained the rich and decadent at exclusive parties such as the Europe Music Awards and the MTV at the Movies party in Cannes. Toilet Disco held court (more…)
He’s taken over Germany, and now he’s coming for you!
Germany’s King Kong Klub, has established itself as the biggest “Indielectro” party taking place over ten clubs/towns. For almost seven years it has been the name on German club goer’s lists when thinking of how to escape their Friday or Saturday night loneliness. After first introducing parties at the Planet in Bochum, head gorilla Christian Vorbau, packed his record bags to enter the country. He moved on to Wuppertal and Berlin soon more cities fell prey to the great ape. That included Dortmund, Cologne, Hamburg, Kiel, Bonn, Munich and Essen. Last year Christian was invited to share his favourite tunes at the Hurricane-Festival and also at the Melt!-Festival, one of Germany’s most exceptional open-air happenings.
Every weekend the King Kong DJs drag their heavy bags packed with vinyl to the hottest clubs all over Germany. Christian, Glamrock_Baby, Happa, Dominik, Potz and Mikey Four (Club NME Resident DJ/London) take care of maximum variety and shaken legs. Those, who are still not satisfied, get their money worth at special events that regularly take place with national and international bands kicking your asses. By the way the great ape is currently the only German Indie party with ten different locations.
King Kong Club primarily plays tunes ranging from Indie and Britpop to Hamburger Schule, Postpunk and New Rave. Additionally King Kong serves his secret favorites and everything else promising fun - Kaiser Chiefs, Maximo Park, The View, Bloc Party, The Pigeon Detectives, Razorlight, Good Shoes, Klaxons or good old friends like Placebo, Morrissey, Blur and many more.
DJ Christian Vorbau - King Kong Klub - The September Straddle
King Kong Club Mix 2007
01. Burn It All Down - VHS Or Beta
02. I Am Not A Monster - Oh No! Oh My!
03. The One (The Black Ghosts Remix) - Trabant
04. Casualities (Club Mix) (Feat. Erlend Oye) - Phonique
05. Why Not?! - Alter Ego
06. Harder Better Faster Stronger (Deadmau5 Edit) - Daft Punk
07. Go Mr. Sunshine (Punks Jump Up Remix) - Remi Nicole
08. Pieces Of The People We Love - The Rapture
09. You Are Dreaming - Shout Out Louds
10. Delivery - Babyshambles
11. Suburban Knights (King Kong Klub Remix) - Hard Fi
12. Let’s Dance To Joy Divison - The Wombats
13. Model - To My Boy
14. Mouthwash - Kate Nash
15. Gold - Friska Viljor
16. Hey Girl - Figurines
17. For Science Fiction - Maritime
18. The Illness (Teenagers Remix) - Good Books
19. Had Enough (Teenagers Remix) - The Enemy)
20. Phantom Pt. II (Soulwax Remix) - Justice
21. La Musique (JBag Re-Edit) - Riot In Belgium
22. Mr. Oizo - Patrick 122
23. Digitalism -Zdarlight (Discodrome Edit)
