French artist extraordinaire Franck Rivoire, producing under the moniker Danger, has become notorious amongst many and recognized for his exceptional synth heavy production, that he describes as ‘French Touch new electro’. His music evokes complexity and a sense of darkness, stirring the emotions of his devotees, causing an insatiable desire for more. I’ve often envisioned Danger’s music playing in the background to an Osamu Tezuka anime, which seems quite fitting given his childhood influences.

Just five years back, Danger was a self-proclaimed chiptune geek, creating game music. His direction changed and his music has flourished since the days of past and in recent months, Danger has remixed tracks for Midnight Juggernauts, ‘Into the Galaxy‘ and Sébastien Tellier, ‘Divine‘. But it was his first few brilliant productions, ‘11h30‘, ‘14H54‘, ‘19H11‘, that paved the way for what was to come. Signed to the Parisian label Ekler’o’shock, Danger continues to push the limits of his craft, taking us into the future. As a long time favorite of mine, I wanted to know what is behind the mind of Danger, so a few months back, I exchanged a bit of Q&A with him. After a long delay and the responses properly translated, here you have his answers in French and English.

Lovestar: Who is Danger? Please give some background history

Danger: Je suis illustrateur et graphiste, je suis très imaginatif et j’aime raconter des histoires, et communiquer des sensations. J’ai passé une certaine partie de ma jeunesse devant des écrans d’ordinateur , des livres, et des consoles de jeux, je fais des bandes dessinées, j’adore le cinéma, l’art, les jeux vidéos et les synthétiseurs.

I’m an illustrator and graphic designer, I’m very imaginative and I love to tell stories, and convey sensations. I passed part of my youth in front of computer screens, in books, and game consoles. I do comic books, I love cinema, art, video games and synthesizers.

Lovestar: Tell us about the music that you are producing

Danger: J’imagine mes musiques comme des émotions simples. Mon avenir c’est de continuer à suivre simplement ce que j’ai envie de faire ressentir. Beaucoup d’entres nous parlent à “l’enfance” en faisant ce genre de musique, je m’en rends compte et j’ai d’autant plus envie de donner une vision de l’enfance qui est la plus fidèle à ce que je suis et à ce que j’ai été.

J’essaye de ne pas penser qu’à la musique quand je compose mais aussi à des images et à des sensations, d’ailleurs le fait que je sois graphiste et illustrateur m’aide à m’écarter du seul chemin musical, qui n’est pas le mien.

Je vais faire pas mal de lives dans un futur proche dans lequels j’utiliserai la vidéo et l’animation plus d’autres surprises mystèrieuses.

I picture my music like simple emotions. My path is to continue to follow that which I have the desire to experience again. A lot of other people talk to us about “childhood” in making this kind of music. I realize this and I really want to give a vision of a childhood that is the most faithful to that which I am and that which I have been.

I try not to think about just the music when I’m composing, but also the feelings and images. Otherwise, the fact that I’m a graphic artist and illustrator helps separate me from a single musical path that’s not mine.

I’m going to do a few live shows in the near future in which I will utilize video, animation, and other mysterious suprises.

Lovestar: Your tracks are all named with numbers and letters. Are these random or do they have meaning?

Danger: Disons que je pense qu’une heure est aussi évocatrice d’un sentiment qu’un titre littéraire. Je passe ma vie à faire attention à l’heure et je trouve sincèrement qu’un 20h45 ou un 14h porte déjà en lui tout un tas de sentiments, alors imaginez 14h54, c’est un truc de fou.

Let’s say that I think that an hour is just as evocative of a feeling as the title of a piece of literature. I go through life paying attention to the hour and I really find that no other time than an 8:45 PM or a 2 pm already brings a whole barrel of feelings… so imagine 2:54 PM, it’s something crazy.

Lovestar: Are you still working as a graphic designer and do you create your own artwork?

Danger: Yes still drawing :) It’s important for me to be sure to create what I want to communicate.

Lovestar: What went into creating your latest EP, 09.14.2007?

Danger: A first step for me…:)

Lovestar: Your music has a lot of expression to it, I could see it being played in a Japanimation movie or a Speed Racer scene – Do you know of Speed Racer? Have you ever thought of scoring your music in a film?

Danger: It would be great, that’s a long time dream.

Lovestar: What was it about the label Ekler’o’shock that made you want them to represent you?

Danger: I really liked the Ekler’o’shock artists.

Lovestar: A comment left by a fan on the Ekler’o’shock My Space said that “if Daft Punk and Justice had sex, their lovechild would be Danger”. What do you make of this?

Danger: Je pense qu’on a raison de comparer les artistes entre eux et de leur trouver des ressemblances mais généralement ces ressemblances viennent plus de références communes plus anciennes mes references viennent des jeux videos de ma vie, des films que j’ai vu et je pense pouvoir raconter d’autres choses que Justice et Daft Punk, des artistes que j’aime beaucoup pourtant.

I think that we’re right to compare artists between themselves and find their resemblances but generally these similarities come more from common references that are older. My references come from the video games of my life, the films that I’ve seen, and I think the ability to relate about things other than Justice and Daft Punk, artists that nevertheless I like a lot.

Sébastien Tellier - Divine (Danger Remix)
on Record Makers

Midnight Juggernauts - Into the Galaxy (Danger Remix)

We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (Danger TV Remix Edit)

Danger - 11h30

Danger - North America Tour Dates
Sept 11 2008 8PM / Abby Pub / CHICAGO, Illinois
Sept 12 2008 8PM / The Estate / BOSTON, Massachusetts
Sept 13 2008 8PM / The Social / TORONTO, Ontario
Sept 14 2008 8PM / LAX / LOS ANGELES, California
Sept 16 2008 8PM / Cinespace / LOS ANGELES, California
Sept 18 2008 8PM / Julliards / CALGARY, Alberta
Sept 19 2008 8PM / Mezzanine / SAN FRANCISCO, California
Sept 20 2008 8PM / Pasaje / MEXICO CITY, México

via ChiefBodega.com

In the last 3 months New York City has felt a quiet roar coming from across the Brooklyn Bridge. Off the JMZ to Myrtle Avenue, deep in the heart of Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, is a bodega. But this bodega doesn’t sell $1 40’s, $0.50 Twinkies, or cheap cigarettes, but it does sell an affordable time of your life. The Bodega is an up and coming project from the Chief Magazine boys Andy Smith and Ed Zipco, and it’s working. A cheap, out-of-the-way venue, in which lots of people somehow find there way to and go bat-shit crazy.

Arriving at The Bodega was for me as much of a whim as any other music-related gem I discover via the internet or word-of-mouth. Luckily the night I decided to attend, it was one something of a treat for The Bodega. Playing out that night was Morsy of Nanachill.com and a bright young B-More/Bootybass talent, as well as Famous Friends (Finger on the Pulse), and Mr. Andersonic with a live MPC-set. From the moment I arrived and felt the first trickle of sweat along my forehead, there was no doubt that this was the best party I’ve been to so far (exception goes to Diplo @ T&B for obvious reasons). More than even the urgent sounds of throbbing Booty Bass, it was the crowd that was staggering.

Certainly Daft Punk at Coachella 2006 was enough to make people lose their shit, not to mention the occasional Studio B performance by M.I.A., or most often at Death By Audio. But that Thursday night (yes, Thurs.) brought one of the more diverse (skull caps and dolphin floatees) and apeshit crowds I’ve ever witnessed. At even the slightest sound of the Baltimore Club clap and shake, kids were applauding and jumping with praise. At one point in the evening, the invisible and visceral ooze of crowd pleasure has reached a peak and out came a large stuffed horse, probably won by a lucky girl at one of the many Coney Island water-gun games. The horse, in a flurry of passion and impulse was thoroughly molested by a twosome of B-Boys in the middle of the dance floor. Between furious humpings and the occasional launch into the air, there was little if anything anybody could do to justify what was going on.

Arriving at Bodega at 1AM and leaving at 4AM felt short-lived. But walking out the door I made sure to ask a Bodega faithful what the deal was. I was then introduced to the General Manager Steve, who being extremely accommodating agreed to meet with me in the coming week. After a casual walk around Union Square and a few riffs on the current musical scene, Steve put me in touch with the founders/owner Andy Smith and Ed Zipco. And after a few $1 PBR’s at Soundfix, I came to understand the stoppage in time that was my Thursday night.

Much like any young party-throwers, Ed and Andy liked to throw big ones. At their old loft space in Bushwick they threw dozens of police-happy ragers. These weren’t just ragers though, they were concerts. With friends in bands and as DJ’s, they became notorious for their themed parties for events like the Super Bowl and Halloween. Unfortunately some of these ended with blacked out girls peeing on neighbor’s A/C machines and providing a golden rain to those unlucky enough to be nearby. As the ease of party throwing quickly gave way to the forces in blue, they took them to bars and music venues.

But like any established venue here in New York, these events came with large cover fees and $12 drinks. Dissatisfied with the traditional annals of party throwing, it was time for a creation of their own. With Chief Magazine as their original baby, Ed and Andy had already built a DIY space. And when they caught wind of a crooked bodega space going up for lease last April, they went for broke.

Rotted, dying and possibly full of dead, the space they decided would be their new project was more of an adventure than a project. Filled to the brim with junk, rotting walls, and surgical equipment(they don’t hypothesis on this one), they invited their friends and family to camp out inside and begin renovation.

Andy On His Lunch Break

Over a month later and 12-hr days every day, they rebuilt walls, hauled innumerable amounts of trash and filth from the belly of the bodega, and stacked more debt than all of it combined. By the first week of June they had their first party, and people showed up. Despite a broken stage their first night and a few construction errors, they had, for all they knew, the biggest financial mistake of their lives sitting on 1089 Broadway in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Looking at the Myspace page for The Bodega, you’ll notice a series of dates for the month of August. Particularly though, you’ll notice that this week is booked in its entirety. Ed and Andy when I talked to them said they were willing to try anything at this point. That they haven’t had a “bad night.” (Save for a punk set ending in shattered glass and a bloody lead singer). At Santo’s Party House, Andrew WK’s mixed blessing, they require $8000 at the bar in order for outside booking to come play. Ed and Andy offered me a chance to play out before I left, ya know, just for fun. To the Chief boys, The Bodega is our space, and if you or I think we can throw a great party, they think so too.

Ed and Andy told me they didn’t have a grand vision necessarily, but just wanted to continue the success of their projects (Chief Mag, The Bodega, Chief Records) and see their musician friends garner the success they deserve. But if everything truly works out, the Chief boys have something unprecedented on their hands. With the excpetion of Fader’s rising FADERlabel, there is no other triad of business force like what they have begun.

With plans to have arts installations, a liquor license, and a fully operational basement space, The Bodega is most certainly here to stay. Perhaps next in line should be the Chief Rail, transporting the young and the restless from the Island and to the BK. But no matter, The Bodega location is almost like a filter, as only the dedicated and truly restless (passionate) come to witness what they’ve been itching for here in New York for a long time.

Friday night will mark the 2nd “Night of the Jams” since I’ve been here. DJ Tameil of the infamous Unruly Records. Unruly Records, for those who don’t know or are too lazy to click the aforementioned link, is the very first Baltimore Club label, started by Scottie B and Shawn Caesar. Other notable Bodega artists include, Chief Record’s family Ninjasonik, Japanther, Juiceboxxx, The Death Set, Danger, Spitzer, and The So So Glos.

On Friday night, the evening of Night of the Jams, take a moment in your “face-down-ass-up,” to look around the Bodega walls and around the room at those in attendance. Most likely you’ll see Ed and Andy, beers in fist, smiling and laughing at what they created, still in disbelief, but having the time of their lives for the 4th time that week.

From Right to Left: Ed Zipco, Andy Laumann, Dude

Morsy - Tukka Yoots Riddim

Ninjasonik - Tight Pants

Lil Wayne - A Milli (DJ Tameil Remix)

Photo by Rennie Ellis, Sharpies, Melbourne 1973

I drove into not-so-sexy Culver City, CA recently to check out the photo exhibition sponsored by Scion for the infamous magazine VICE. Those of you who are familiar with the publication know the types of photos they showcase – the avant garde, the party, the graphic, basically everything fun in the world.

Because VICE is globally distributed and present, the exhibition really had a lot to offer from around the world. Australian Rennie Ellis (1940-2003) was the cover for the show, with his photo Sharpies (Aussi for gangs of punk loving 70’s dudes that favored cardigans in group colors), set in Melbourne in 1973, as the face of the posters and ads.

From Japan:
One of the noted Japanese photographers whose work is present is Yoshiki Saitoh. He utilizes a style of “borderless”, gender bending photography. His subjects are people in the scene of Japanese underground and the most notable part of this is the blindfolded series in which sexuality is obscured.

Photo by Yoshiki Saitoh

Then there is Jin Ohashi, a young man whose interest in photography was spurred on by his father’s attempted suicide.

Photo by Jin Ohashi

Last, but not least is Kawori Inbe, who incorporates cultural elements into her work (including school girl uniforms, yum).

Photo by Kawori Inbe

The nice and wholesome part of this show is not only the free posters they have of Inbe’s and Ellis’ work, but the fact that all proceeds go directly to the artist. It’s consumerism for a great cause (keeping artists alive) and makes me say ‘kudos’ to VICE and Scion for not being money grubbing by taking commission.

Coolest thing there in my opinion: the one non-photographic piece of stencil art by Blek le Rat. Full scale human size, this dude came around before Banksy in 1981 in France with guerilla art.

Design by Blek le Rat

If you happen to be in LA and wanna check it out the address is:
3521 Helms Ave., Culver City, CA 90232.
Hours: Wed-Sat 11am-6pm
310 815 8840
It ends this Saturday, July 26th so hurry the fuck up if you wanna check it.

If you are in the Brooklyn area, lucky for you! The 2008 Photo Show runs from August 1st-31st at their gallery:
99 N 10th St, between Berry and Wythe, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Metro: Bedford (L)
Hours: Tue-Fri 3-7pm, Sat 12-6pm (Closed Sundays and Mondays)

Ever since Trash’s KMD introduced us to the exceptional sounds of Birmingham’s Deluka, they’ve been on a hot streak and we’ve been HOOKED! Chances are you may have heard their tune ‘Sleep Is Impossible’ played in your living room over your last round of Grand Theft Auto IV. Beyond car chases, their album ‘Broken Sleeping Patterns’, released mid March on Japanese imprint, Fabtone, features a fine remix of “Flashbacks” by Hooker and De Freitas.

Where were you in 92? It was the year Michael Hooker of Hooker and De Freitas began his music obsession. “Music excites me and has since the first mix tape I was handed in 1992. The rave scene was in full swing and I was far too young to party, but the vibes from this tape was the start of my obsession.” And with that obsession, long time friends Michael Hooker and Elcias De Freitas, also producing under the name JE2, got to work combining their different styles to remix music by Deluka, Trash Money, Atelier Nouveau, Client, and numerous tracks by the gleeful Birmingham band Trash Fashion.

“I love the music scene at the moment,” says Michael, “I do not think that so many different groups of people have crossed into different genres ever.” Working with a plethora of styles is exactly what JE2 and Hooker and De Freitas like to do – mixing electro, breakbeat, house, classic party anthems, and more. Currently the Birmingham-based duo are working on their debut solo material and have completed the follow up to their recent track ‘Start The Beat’, with remixes by Jonze, Uncle Buck, The Hats and C.O.C. The newest track features guest vocals from Jet Storm of Trash Fashion. They’ll be out for digital download, September, on Italian label The Family Records. Meantime, Hooker and De Freitas plan to complete a few bootleg projects for free download and get to work on some old disco and funk tracks. Keep an ear out!

Deluka - Flashbacks (Hooker and De Freitas Remix)

Deluka - Broken Sleeping Patterns - Featuring the Hooker & De Freitas remix of Flashback
Available on Japanese import only (cd)
Zavvi.co.uk
101cd.com

Start The Beat available on Beatport

Design Nolen Strals

Over the past year, the masters of infinitely spastic sounds, The Death Set, have gone back and forth between U.S. and E.U. cities, wreaking havoc to all who’ve witnessed their assaulting, in-your-face sets. They spew the kind of energetic music that should be blasted during moments of skateboarding, heated love making, getting piss drunk, fits of happy rage, getting your first tattoo or simply being overjoyed that life is fucking good.

It was just a few years ago that New York City, and the thought of conquering the land of the free, was but a glimmer in Johnny Siera and Beau Velasco’s eyes. “We did an Australian tour with our old band Black Panda with Brooklyn band Japanther. It was really inspirational and pretty much decided that we would move to New York and tour and destroy the states,” recounts Johnny. With that motivation, the two friends picked up and left the Gold Coast of Australia and headed to America.

Destroy the states they did. In a short span of time, Johnny and Beau found their calling in the grimey warehouse scene of Baltimore. Since planting their feet there, they’ve done a good amount of globetrotting playing gigs with the likes of Bonde do Role, Monotonix, Team Robespierre, Matt & Kim (current F Yeah and VICE tour). In July they’ll rode trip with The Mae Shi in support of their recent full-length April release, ‘Worldwide‘, on Ninja Tune off-shoot Counter Records. Quite frankly, The Death Set have gone beyond conquering the states – they’ve chewed it up, spit it out and are still storming ahead.

With a penchant for noisy lo-fi punk flooded with distorted guitars and screeching vocals, drum-machine beats, with elements of dance-punk, The Death Set meld a pool of sickening sounds that could very well rob you of your hearing and quite possibly melt your face. They’re like the bratty, bastard kids of Ian McKaye that have taken bits of cool from Minor Threat, The Dead Boys and Le Tigre, and created a totally unique sound of their own – and unlike McKaye, they’re all for crowd surfing. The Death Set are maddening cool and will elevate your adrenaline 5 notches and bring on a sweat-induced frenzy to any party, basement, club, warehouse, living room or roof top bang-off – You’re sure to be chanting “TheMotherFuckinDeathSet” and feeling amped at the end.

Continue on for some photos, video footage, remixes by etan and Pfunkt, gig dates and an interview with Mr Johnny Siera (done in between The Death Set’s European tour in May, prior to their U.S. tour with Bonde do Role)… Yeah, it’s a head spin of a lot… Cheers to Johnny for taking the time to answer in detail, amidst a grueling schedule!

Photos of FYeah tour
Videothing captures the FYeah tour
The Death Set MySpace
The Death Set Remixes

video by Danny Baxter

The Death Set - Negative Thinking

The Death Set - Impossible (etan’s impossible outlook take 8)

The Death Set - Impossible (Pfunkt’s Im-Poss-Ass-ible Remix)

Q&A with The Death Set
Lovestar: For those that don’t know, fill us in from point A of leaving the Gold Coast of Australia, going to Sydney, picking up and moving to the states; Brooklyn, then ending up in Baltimore.

Johnny Siera: So Beau and I met on the Gold Coast of Australia. It’s a surfing town near Brisbane on the East Coast. Really beautiful but pretty devoid of anything inspirational. We did an Australian tour with our old band Black Panda with Brooklyn band Japanther. This meant really only about 5 dates though. But it was really inspirational and pretty much decided that we would move to New York and tour and destroy the states. No doubt.. We first moved to Sydney, wrote a bunch of songs, put a picture of NY on the wall, then moved. After a stint of being broke and first hand experiencing how rad Baltimore’s warehouse scene was we moved down there. It was a fairly easy decision.

Lovestar: Any story behind ‘The Death Set’ name, how it came to be?

Johnny Siera: It was always meant to be a kind of gang or club type feel. But it has that kind of polar opposite thing going on which I like as we’re really the most un-scary band you don’t know.

Lovestar: How many key people in the group and who goes on tour?

Johnny Siera: Beau and I wrote the record. Beau doesn’t come on tour right now as he works and trains as a tattooist. So on tour it is me, Peter O’Connell on guitar, and two live drummers Jahphet Landis and Joey Sulkowski. Of course with all the electronic backing tracks blasting out of our system. We’re especially close with a bunch of peoples like Ninja Sonik, Matt and Kim, Bikes in the Kitchen, Chief Magazine, Tod Seelie and Emily Rabbit who we are in crew called the Newmore Swithblades.

Lovestar: You’ve just wrapped up another U.K. tour – What were some of the highlights? Did things get real rowdy?

Johnny Siera: Yeah it was real rad. Just like anywhere some places and shows are rowdier than others but kids were spazzing for real. The UK can sometimes have a “cooler” atmosphere so it was fun to fuck shit up.

Lovestar: Your full-length, “Worldwide” is already out in Japan and the U.K. and is about to drop in the U.S. on April 22 on Counter Records - Ninja Tunes offshoot. How did it happen that you ended up getting signed to Counter Records?

Johnny Siera: When we first moved to the states, we moved with our pal from Annapolis whom we lived next door to in Sydney, Sniper Dan He now actually runs a rad letterpress gallery called The Arm in Sydney. Through that contact we met Emily Rabbit who put out our first two EP’s. Through her we met Spankrock… Following? Anyways we crashed on Spankrock’s floor the first bit we were in the states and became friends. So when they toured we hung out and met the Ninja Tune (Counter) kids and I guess they just kept tabs on us because when the record was done I sent it to them and they were super stoked. In the end we worked it out to have the record come out on Counter and I’m super psyched.

Lovestar: How long did it take for all 18 tracks off “Worldwide” to come together and what went into the process?

Johnny Siera: The actual process of writing was probably a year but that included touring as hard and often as we could. Then probably another year and a half where I had to leave the states, solve visa stuff, mix and change labels. The process of writing was pretty relaxed. We recorded it ourselves and pretty much just ate rice and tofu, watched hip hop videos on youtube, went skateboarding then wrote for a bit over the course of a year or so. The whole process was real DIY and we were able to tweak it til we were happy. And yes, we wanted it to sound the way it does. With distorted vocals, synths and drums which is why it comes across as lo-fi.

Lovestar: What were you guys doing prior to forming The Death Set?

Johnny Siera: I was living in Japan for two years and traveling and partying, going crazy as much as I could. Beau was living on the coast DJing making electronic music. Its funny because we both made both electronic and punk music but at different times and we kind of met each other in the middle.

Lovestar: Does Australia have as great of a music scene as it seems? If so, what was your motivation to leave?

Johnny Siera: When I was living there it was more of a ecstasy drenched electro scene which was most prevalent. Which is fun and cool but not really too much of a scene that supported more experimental stuff. When we were playing Sydney it was more of the fact that we would just be playing the same clubs again and again and we wanted to tour like the bands we would read about like Black Flag etc. So the motivation was to tour. For me I wanted to be a band where playing shows defined the music rather than writing a record then touring it.

Lovestar: What triggered everything to come together and really start happening for you?

Johnny Siera: To be honest, it was positive thinking. I know it sounds cheesy but every day I would devote a time to affirm, visualize and feel out where I wanted to be and it was crazy to watch it unfold.

Lovestar: Discuss the music making process that you go through and who does what

Johnny Siera: Beau and I both write the songs. They are usually written in a rock way where the structure, and lyrics are written first usually on guitar or in a more electronic way where I will be sitting around messing with a sampler of synth then the structure is written on top of that. I would then work on the electronics with Beau stomping around the room giving input. Anything goes in there from the obvious organic guitars and vocals to outboard gear like MPC’s, synthesizers and laptop programming. Pots and pans on one track even. Whatever seems good at the time.

Lovestar: Would you say your music professes positivity, messages of hope?

Johnny Siera: Yeah definitely, but I wouldn’t say we profess it. A lot of it is just personal struggles going on in my own head and the songs I guess being the documents of dealing with it. As I said before I really do try hard to be aware of what’s going on in my head. I know how important that is, and how I’m the only one responsible for it. But sometimes it is simple spazzy punk rock with out swing on it. Most songs cull anything superfluous and is direct as possible.

Lovestar: Music influences – past and present and how you take these bits and apply it to your sound

Johnny Siera: Hip hop, electronic music and punk are the three styles that I have lived with pretty much all my life. I would like to think “Worldwide” is a little beast vomited out of the mish mash of those styles going on in our heads.

Lovestar: Have either one of you ever had your hand at Djing?

Johnny: Yeah Beau DJ’d for a while and I do it every now and then. More laid back and relaxed rather than dance floor burner style.

Lovestar: Between a lot of time spent making music, touring and performing, what do you find yourselves doing in your spare time? (if there is any of that!)

Johnny: Pretty much 99% of my energy is revolved around this band. And has been for a long time. But in my spare time I guess I like the usual things like hanging out with my friends, going out and getting crazy and the like. Riding bikes and skateboarding when I can.

Lovestar: This question is for Johnny – Do you feel you’ve mastered balancing on drum kits?

Johnny: Yep, Its one of the main reasons we got live drummers :)

Lovestar: What’s in store for the immediate future, do you have a secret mission?

Johnny: Tour TOUR T O U R ! ! ! It’s insane this year. After finishing this tour off with Bonde Do Role we head back to Europe and the UK then another US tour followed by two Japan tours including Fuji Rock and Australia. We are going for it.

Quick questions…
LS: Tell us about…
LS: Your worst battle scar from a show
JS: Beau picked up a light and smashed his head till a bloodbath remained. Real gross. Pic on myspace.
LS: Your special microphones
JS: Are dead as they were too abused.
LS: What makes a basement so special to play in
JS: Recipe for a good show for me is simple… Small confined space, positive energy, LOUD music and a crew of crazy unpretentious nerdy kids.

The Death Set Tour Dates: (through July)
Thur 3rd July // Chicago, IL @ Hide Out w/ Matt & Kim, Vice Tour
Fri 4th July // Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbary w/ Matt & Kim, Vice Tour
Sat 5th July // New York @ Hugs w/ Matt & Kim, Vice Tour
Sun 6th July // Buffalo, NY @ Soundlab w/ Fuck Yeah Tour Vice Tour
Tues 8th July // Kalamazoo, MI @ Rocketstar Cafe
CANCELLED! Wed 9th July // Chicago, IL @ The Abbey Pub w/ The Mae Shi
Thur 10th July // Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick w/ The Mae Shi (more…)

Soulwax’ film/documentary “Part of the Weekend Never Dies”, was filmed in the summer of 2006 by Saam Farahmand using one video camera, covering about 120 live shows in clubs throughout Europe, Japan, the United States, Australia and Latin America. The documentary, which premiered at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 24 April, 2008, takes a look at the relentless day to day routine of the Dewalee brothers and life on tour. It includes music, interviews and footage of 2manydj’s, Soulwax Nite Versions, James Murphy, Nancy Whang, Erol Alkan, Tiga, Justice, Busy P, So-Me, Peaches, Kitsuné, Klaxons and many more.

If at some point you tire from the back to back Sónar parties, the documentary will be screened at SónarCinema as part of Sónar’s daytime activities. Plan to catch the boys in action, as they’ll be performing on the main Sónar by Night stage, 21 of June.

SónarCinema / Soulwax’ “Part of the Weekend Never Dies” documentary screenings
19 June (Thurs) – 07:00pm
20 June (Fri) – 12:30am
21 June (Sat) – 04:15pm

This is one of the coolest videos I’ve seen!!!! Created by Ove-Naxx (Isao Sano), a Japanese Breakcore/Raggacore artist from Osaka, Japan. Ove-Naxx fuses death metal, dub, hip hop, ragga, breakcore, J-Pop (Japanese artists) and dancehall with samples of Latin American music and farmyard animals, as well as using modified GameBoys to push the limit.

If you’re one of the very lucky peeps to check out Sonar this year in Barcelona (June 19 - 21), there is a myriad of amazing music coming from all over the world. If I were there, I would definitely be checking out some of the futuristic sounds by Ove Naxx (Accelmuzhik/JP), Bogulta (JP), DJ Scotch Egg (Load/JP), Maruosa (Renda/JP). This event is happening Saturday 21 June / Sónar by Day / SonarComplex.

It wasn’t until recently that I discovered the impressive MIT, out of Deutschland. The Cologne based three piece has been around for three years and recently released their debut album, ‘Coda‘, 17th of March on Half Machine Records.

MIT consists of three bright players (Edi Winarni, vocals, Felix Römer, drums and programming, Tamer Özgönenc, additional drums) producing a wide range of beats. Their music is hard to encapsulate, as it encompasses a noisy post-punk, electro-tinged, minimalistic, futuristic sound that is simply fucking good. So good that it doesn’t matter that you won’t understand what the hell they’re singing about (unless you sprechen zie Deutsch).

The gates of opportunity for the young group appeared not far from their hometown, in the United Kingdom. With the usual progressive attitude, the UK have welcomed MIT with open arms and heightened their visibility, playing more frequently in and around London vs their own city. The guys have toured alongside several groups including the short-lived UK band Test Icicles, Jeans Team out of Berlin and recently wrapped up touring with UK favorites, Hadouken.

MIT’s music commands you to go beyond the lyrics and cross the language barrier. You’ll end up on the other side – right where they want you. Have a listen to more from MIT at their MySpace and pick up their excellent debut LP, ‘Coda‘!

MIT - Park

An older video of their track “deine eltern”, when their music was a bit ‘harder’. Taken from their 2007 7 inch ‘goodbook‘ (Japan only), via Rallye/Klee.

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.

Yes kids, it’s true - HeartsRevolution are releasing their Switchblade EP at midnight tonight - GMT.

There are only 500 copies of this uber exclusive ep - so warm those typing fingers up and go to the ISOMORPH RECORDS website at midnight as they are only available to buy there and a few handpicked boutiques in London, Japan and Paris.

Incase you have been living under a rock for the past few months HeartsRevolution are releasing their debut EP on Isomorph Records a.k.a one of our favourite ladies - Kate Moross‘ art driven record label.

The EP is very sophisticated, it comes encased in a holographic foil sleeve on heavy duty art card. Oh and if that is not causing you to foam at the mouth - there is a double strike Neon inner print and the vinyl is a gorgeous candy pink colour! The music on the vinyl is also rather tasty, it contains 5 glorious tracks celebrating the glory that is - HeartsRevolution.

All ARTWORK by Kate Moross

To reiterate - the record comes with insert and bonus holographic sticker. This release is limited to 500 hand numbered copies!

The track list includes: switchblade, wolves+libertines, digital suicides, ULTRAVIOLENCE, & DIGITAL SUICIDES LULLABY bonus track. For a mini taster of the ep listen to “Switchblade” below.

HeartsRevolution - Switchblade

Photo from The 2007 Armory Show, credit: David Willems

Stuck in New York, bombarded by drunk text messages from Miami–what’s a party goer to do? Well, not to fear, WMC may have sucked a good number of the city’s DJs, promoters and speaker huggers down to South Beach this week–but there’s still plenty going on.

In fact, maybe you should give your ears a rest and check out the art fairs happening all over the city. You’ll likely catch me at the Carl Berg booth of the LA Art Fair to check out a couple pieces by my pal, the talented Francis Ireifej (he makes his pieces using lasers n sh*t–I’m serious).

If you still need a bit of music on the itinerary, check out some modern dance infused with traditional Japanese performance art by the Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company

As previously mentioned here on Trash Menagerie, Todos Santos is playing tonight at Savalas. They’ll do their live set in the earlier part of the evening, followed by DJ sets all night long.

Saturday night’s alright for scoring free wine at the Williamsburg Armory After Hours Celebration–where the streets of Williamsburg become flooded with art goers and alcohol as both flow in and out of the galleries in the neighborhood until 11pm.

After that, theDanger and friends will be throwing an afterparty at Supreme Trading. They’ll have some art-party elements you might come to expect–e.g., trapeze artists and stilt-walkers. But they’re throwing in an extra something for you music nerds with Vintage DJ (pictured above). The guy uses old record players as turntables, and plays a swell mix of classic funk, soul and rock n roll to boot!

If you can’t make it out to Williamsburg on Saturday, Passerby in Chelsea is worth checking out. Like all great, unpretentious bars in the city, it’s closing down to make room for some real estate development. According to NYHappenings, they’re opening up the back room and Rub n Tug will be DJing.