2 Many DJs

2 Many DJs

Soulwax

Soulwax in mode Dia de los Muertos

Friday night, October 31, 2008. The weather was crisp, the girls were mostly naked, and the streets were lined with youths waiting to get into the HARD Haunted Festival. After a very thorough security search (including a pat-down on the chest), I was finally admitted in. One hour later the entire place was jam packed with smelly, sweaty bodies and loud sounds of amazing music vibrating throughout the festival grounds.

Navigating this place was a nightmare! There were four stages, and to get to two of them you had to go through one. People were scrambling and stumbling back and forth all night in a constant stream of, “I need to get to this stage where so-and-so is playing next!” while attempting not to trip over the semi-lifeless bodies of candy kids rolling like the ’90s still existed.

I ended up seeing 2 Many DJ’s throw down a killer set for my first show. Amazing. The crowd was enjoying it so much that even girls with too many rolls to be naked started peeling off their shirts and throwing them on stage! Fast forward to behind a different outdoor stage…
The Soulwax boys were getting dressed up for their show, and donning their white suits. There was velcro present and masks reminiscent of Dia de los Muertos. Justice was running around in the midst of it all trying to keep from being vandalized by a 16 year old girl with braces and a penchant for going overboard on drugs and screwing headliners. The Crookers gave me lessons in Italian, Simian Mobile Disco was wrapping up on stage, and my own search for booze went incomplete.
Their show in a word: fantastic. The kids were jumping, singing along, and the vibe was, for a small amount of time, pure music enjoyment.

After their set was done I followed the Belgians back to their tour bus and jumped into champagne, a Lucky Strike, and an interview to discuss their docu-film “Part of the Weekend Never Dies”. To put it into perspective for those of you unfamiliar… Take the energy of rock and sex appeal of electro, put it in a blender and that is SOULWAX, the Belgian group composed of David Dewaele, Stephen Dewaele, Stefaan Van Leuven and Steve Slingeneyer.

Most of us are familiar with Soulwax by their work as related to the band, 2 Many DJs, Radio Soulwax, and most recently, their docu-film “Part of the Weekend Never Dies“. It was an incredible film that captured the essence of life on the road, life in the party, and everything that encompasses the in-between. Commentary in the film includes the likes of Justice, Busy P, LCD Soundsystem, and the editing is done so well that when watching, your adrenaline shoots up and you feel like you’re back in the show with killer music and crisp colors.

And now, a brief discussion with Soulwax…

bisouK: How long did it take to edit “Part of the Weekend Never Dies”?
David: I’d say six (6) months.

bK: What has the reception been like thus far from audiences and fans?
DD: One of the things about the way the industry is changing is that I don’t think you get any bad response because now there’s so much output from everywhere that people who don’t like it just won’t see it.

bK: How did your performance ensembles come together?
DD: We think when people go on stage they should make an effort. And because it’s white it’s a source of light because when you put light on white, it reflects. And the tuxedos is because we like things to be classy.

bK: The girls shown in the film kind of give off a 60’s free love vibe, was this intentionally shown or is that really the feel?
DD: Honestly I don’t know the answer, we are visually influenced by so many things from that era, but it wasn’t a conscious effort.

bK: Are you guys feeling more of Soulwax right now or 2 Many DJs as far as work is concerned?
DD: Right we now I’m feeling food…but yeah it changes every day. Things happen, you don’t know why things happen…We don’t pretend like we know what we’re doing.

bK: Is it safe to say this film was your way of doing a film like a DJ set, based on the editing of the images and sounds? Was this the goal?
DD: Great. Thank you, that’s an intention. That’s actually, when we had all the footage of 18 months of this, it’s very hard to make something exciting that would stand the test of time and cover all the bases of what we wanted to explain… the show the boredom.. we wanted to show the other sides.. All these kids are here and they’re watching Justice now and they must think “Wow, to only be in that position would be incredible”. We tried to show that it’s not that incredible… It’s heavier, maybe, than people imagine. Especially the way we do it… There’s not many people that produce and DJ and play all at the same time. But, it’s logical.

bK: Who are you currently remixing and when can we expect those out?
DD: Honestly, it’s tough but we had to turn down some people that we really would have loved to have remixed and we turned down some really big names that would have been nice to remix.. but we did “Night Versions“, which is remixes of ourselves… basically the last two years all we’ve done is remixes. We’re a little remixed out, but who knows maybe in three months we’ll come out with something.

bK: What are the basic energy level differences in the crowds of the different countries you play in?
DD: Not that big of a difference. I’ll say that there are two exceptional ones: States and Japan. Not good or bad, exceptionally different.. for example here I feel like it’s really something of it’s time. For example, if we do a Radio Soulwax gig in Barcelona, it’ll be sold out and there’s a sense of understanding. These people know where we come from they’ve supported us from the beginning, and they’ll probably be there in two years time. But here in the States it’s like all of the sudden, they’ve seen footage of how kids in Europe are doing it, and they think, “This is how we should do it”. That makes for something you don’t really trust that much. I have a feeling we could come back in a year and people will be like whatever. And in japan it’s almost the reverse in respect but also similar in that it’s new. But they’re so obsessed in every detail. It’s not a bad thing, though.

bK: Who was most involved in editing with Kurt Augustyn?
DD: Steph did most of the editing for the whole film and then Steph and I did the music.

bK: Did he have more or less free reign or was there a specific set of parameters? Or he start editing and then you came with Yes or No?
Stephen D: A little of both. There was a lot of stuff I said no. At one point Kurt had done something and I had really really liked it. And we used that as a starting point and just went from there.

bK: Outside of music, what art/fashion influences what you are doing and/or who you are as a band?
DavidD: The truth is that everything influences you. It’s hard because we have, Steph and I, absorbed so much pop culture. We buy so many DVDs and books that it’s hard for me to say just one thing.

bK: If you had to give advice, after doing Soulwax, Radio Soulwax, POTWND, and 2 Many DJs…what would you say to those out there aspiring to be on such a level?
DD: Don’t do it! We don’t know anything about how it happened, things just happen. Either you go ‘once upon a time’ or you have no idea how things came to this.

bK: So after 120+ shows, one camera, editing, premiers, etc. is there the possibility of another Soulwax film?
DD: Nothing like this, nothing about us. We really want to get into multimedia. In fact, old media is what we’re interested in.

And with that the tourbus took off to Mexico.

Can’t get enough of HARD Haunted Mansion debauchery? Check out these fun photos by LA kid Caesar Sebastian…

deadmau5

Justice

Boys Noize

DJ AM

*Special thanks to the Soulwax group, Michel, Hugo for the Luckys, Maarten for helping me get around, Dana at Biz3 PR, and Caesar Sebastian for the use of his photos.

Record Label, Fools Gold is about to make this summer even hotter with a slew of new releases scheduled to come out in the next few months.

If you have been living in a cave or maybe some how stuck in time back in Soviet Russia, Fools Gold is the new indie record label started by Nick Catchdubs (who was just featured here on Trash) and A-trak. The label, so far is famous for bringing the world rapper Kid Sister and rapper Kid Cudi, who surprisingly are not related but both amazing. They have also introduced Canadian powerhouse producer/dj duo, Jokers of the Scene and Sammy Bananas a member of East Coast phenoms, Certified Bananas.

This is the kind of thing Fools Gold is about; introducing and breaking new talent to the scene and keeping things fresh. Not to mention the artwork is astounding because creating it is super designer, Dust La Rock.

They have recently released a Kid Sister remix ep with mixes by Simian Mobile Disco and JFK from MSTRKRFT. Head over to RCRDLBL to hear a preview.

Next up is the KAVINSKY picture disc vinyl “BLAZER”.

And it keeps getting better and better.

Atlanta’s Treasure Fingers is releasing his hit single “Cross the Dance Floor” with huge remixes by Laidback Luke, Curses! and lifelike.

Then Canada invades the scene with “Acid Bagg” ep by Jokers of the Scene. Almost everyone has been waiting to get there hands on a copy of “baggy bottom boys” and this will be the chance. Brodiniski and Destroy Disco will also be appearing on the ep remixing “acidrod”.

And speaking of Jokers of the Scene, they have just teamed up with NYC clothing company MISHKA for their new mix tape series “Keep Watch” – listen to the mix tape here – MISHKA explains, “Mix tapes have always been an integral part of NYC’s underground culture and burgeoning music scene, and as such, Mishka is proud to carry on the tradition with the launch of Keep Watch. Featuring top DJs hailing from every genre and geographic corner, Mishka’s Keep Watch party-mixes celebrates one of the most widely practiced American art forms. Released on a semi regular basis (usually to accompanying party), the mixes will be available for free download through our site, the Bloglin and very shortly podcast on Itunes.” The mix features a track from the “Acid Bagg” ep and one from labelmates, Nacho Lovers, ep.

other scheduled releases are:

FGR011 - Four Color Zack & Pretty Titty Sing Sing Breaks
FGR012 - Sammy Bananas Braids & Fades
FGR013 - Jokers Of The Scene Acid Bagg EP
FGR014 - Nacho Lovers Go On / Acid Life
FGR015 - Bag Raiders Big Fun EP
FGR016 - Trackademicks Enjoy What You Do
FGR017 - Crookers EP
FGR018 - Congorock EP
FGR019 - LA Riots EP
FGR020 - Malente I Like It

So keep a look out and be aware!

Also if you’re in the Chicago area on August 23, 2008, co-owner of Fools Gold, A-trak will be performing at Subterranean. It’s a 17+ show, so buy your tickets here. And grab those two tracks of his off his blog here.

The Black Ghosts are truly a multi talented pair. They’ve demonstrated their aptitude as both an electronic and a rock act, a dance band and a sit-back-and-think band, and had success crossing over to just about every major genre short of mariachi. Now to place the cherry on top, they’ve released a mixtape, thoughtfully named “The Black Ghosts Mixtape” (sorry, not available on cassette….well… unless you record it to tape yourself for authenticities sake). To promote it they have provided us with a mashup taken straight from said mixtape worthy of 2 Many DJs best mashes. Taking Lindstrom’s “I Feel Space” and, as the kids say, “mashing it up” with ex-Simian frontman, Simon Lord’s fun-turned-ethereal vocal from The Black Ghosts laid-back jam, “Something New” (go to their myspace to hear the original). It’s really amazing how Lindstrom’s signature stratospheric sound completely alters the vibe of the original. After downloading this exclusive, be sure to venture out in the interwebs and grab yourself a copy of the mix where all fine digital musics are sold. Oh and rumor has it that the album will be released in July in the U.S. on IAMSOUND Records!

The Black Ghosts vs. Lindstrom - Something New (Galactic Version)

While fully immersed in their new tour “Music Tastes Better With You”, Buffetlibre DJ’s have edited the sequel to one of the most celebrated sessions of last year – another helping from the Verbena Selected series. As with the last session, which received more than 15,000 downloads in less than 3 months, Buffetlibre DJ’s have left the task of choosing the tracklist to their favourite artists of the moment. With names such as Simian Mobile Disco, Midnight Juggernauts and Dragonette collaborating last time round, now it’s down to The Gossip, Dj Mehdi, Cut Copy, Shy Child and Busy P, founder of the French label Ed Banger. So, to discover Busy P’s secret love of Deee-Lite, Make Model’s weakness for Le Tigre, and the eighties touch that made Girl Talk fall for Jane Child.

DOWNLOAD :: VERBENA SELECTED 2

And as if that wasn’t enough, Verbena Selected 2 has arrived accompanied by Verbena Rewind 2. In this new set dedicated to the 80’s, Buffetlibre DJ’s have followed the advice of several national and international music sources in putting together the tracklist. Contributors include - Discobelle, Electric Zoo, The Beeb Blog, Discodust, Electrorash, Proyecto Batidora, Red Threat, Trash Menagerie, Get Wierd Turn Pro, Madrid, Acid Boys, Streetkiss, iheartcomix, Kidz by Colette, Pretty Much Amazing, Cause=Time.

DOWNLOAD :: VERBENA REWIND 2

WWW.BUFFETLIBRE.NET

This was initially going to be my Monday post, but the day got away from me, because Monday’s suck.

So, this playlist is now dedicated to Tuesday’s. Which, in my opinion, is as good as any other day to get trashed. So go for it!

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles
Link: Crystal Castles Myspace

Crystal Castles - Courtship Date

Crystal Castles - Vanished

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.

Cut Copy - Lights & Music
Link: Cut Copy Myspace

Cut Copy - Lights & Music - Superdiscount Remix

Cut Copy - Lights & Music - Boys Noize Happy Birthday Remix
Modular is always the hotness, as is Cut Copy. Throw in remixes from Superdiscount (French house pioneer/god Etienne de Crecy), and Berlin’s white hot producer Alexander Ridha aka Boys Noize and you’re on fire.

The Teenagers - The Tricolore Collection
Link: The Teenagers Myspace

The Teenagers - Love No - Soko Cover

The Teenagers - Homecoming - Gentleman Drivers Rave Mix

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.

Mystery Jets - 21
Link: Mystery Jets Myspace

Mystery Jets - Uber Liebe Gold - Flakes Dictaphone Demo

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?

The Cribs - I’m A Realist
Link: The Cribs Myspace

The Cribs - Men’s Needs (CSS Remix)

The Cribs - Kind Words From The Broken Hearted

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 - Existence
Link: Le Le

Le Le - Breakfast

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.

Foals - Cassius
Link: Foals Myspace

Cassius (Kieran Hebden Version)

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!

Artist: Baltic Fleet - Baltic Fleet
Link: Baltic Fleet Myspace

Baltic Fleet - To Chicago

Baltic Fleet - Double Door

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.

Dave Gahan - Hourglass Remixes
Link: Dave Gahan Myspace

Kingdom - Rosario’s Big Room Vocal Remix

Mellow But Yet, Taunting - Ralphie Rosario

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

Portishead - We Carry On - Third

OK folks yes its that time you have been waiting for - KMD managed to get to grips with the duo whom she ripped off with her name, and boy was it fabulous. I managed to tie Jas Shaw (of Simian Mobile Disco) down for a quick chat before he escaped again to continue on their hectic schedule. We talked about their new EP - Clocks, The Chemical Brothers & ‘Tits & Acid’ obviously….

Kimberleysmobiledisco: Why release this EP now?

Jas Shaw: This new LP is a way for us to draw the line under the previous mobile disco sessions. The record basically contains tracks that we absolutely loved and were personally my favourite, but we just couldn’t put them on the first album, as the structure didn’t sit quite right. This EP allows us to lay the past to rest and start on the second album fresh.

We felt that by distancing the first and second albums there is no danger of the creative process being damaged, plus by releasing the EP we relieve the whole ‘second album syndrome’ that has so clearly plagued a lot of artists in the past.

We really want to get onto writing new stuff; we are already booked to go into the DFA studio, which is very exciting.

KMD: So, tell us about the SMD way of laying down new tracks

JS: It doesn’t take long to write stuff at all, and it’s definitely a spontaneous process for us in the studio. Both of us often put melody ideas down separately and then come together to experiment as that retains the fun element and gives us that all important starting point for new tracks.

Our main downfall is buying copious amounts of gear; seriously we spend loads! Analogue gear is the key.

KMD: There are a lot of electro wannabee wizzkids out there, so you have any tips?

JS: Keep away from software! Computer based music always sounds so stiff, particularly in the transition from studio to stage. Try to avoid too much programming if you can. We tend to stick to Pro Tools, which we use like a tape machine alongside hardware.

I am personally always loathe to any restrictions placed on me, however I truly realise the importance of deadlines now, mainly because the more time we get from people to complete things the more get tied up over analysing things instead of getting the job done. My girlfriend is a teacher and she says the broader the brief you provide a class with the harder they find the task as it becomes too much to consider. So along those lines is important to consider deadlines – they help immensely in the long run to keep focus.

KMD: Your Mix Mag CD created immense disco fever for KMD, do you have any plans to do another?

JS: Yes! We are going to do a Fabric Mix. [KMD faints]. Fabric have been really good to us, especially in the early days of SMD and its time we returned the favour by doing a mix for them.

KMD: Can we expect it to go off the beaten path like the Justice mix?

JS: [After an explanation of why Justice didn’t release the mix] Wow, I wondered why it hadn’t been released. Maybe we will go down a heavy prog route, haha!

KMD How was touring with The Chemical Brothers?

JS: They are real dudes. Their live set makes ours look a bit shit really! It takes them like 12 hours to set up before a show, as a lot of it has to be programmed. I think when you want to incorporate audiovisuals and tailor your show to stadium-sized audiences you really have to raise your game.

KMD: You have a pretty hectic schedule how do you deal with it all?

JS: It’s bad, we say ‘yes’ too much. Both of us are very close to having an episode! We only got back from Paris the other day and as soon as we got off (more…)

Remember those moist and tender, perfectly baked Chewy Chocolate Cookies I mentioned early December 07? Well they’re back to remind us of their “Pepites” EP release, out this Friday 22nd February, on what is quickly becoming a favorite French label of mine, Ekler’o’shock.

Illustrated by Fake, the EP design is looking mighty tasty, as do the contents within which include, Time / Profondo Rosso / Cheeseburgers / Profondo Ross (Mixhell Remix) / Cheeseburgers (Xerak Remix). There will be an exclusive digital pre-release available in every digital shop. Oh and if you fancy Brazil’s grindcore duo, Mixhell, you should know they’re in the midst of a U.S. tour and slated to appear at the highly anticipated SxSW. (Gosh! Never knew that one half of Mixhell, Iggor Cavalera, is the ex-drummer of Sepultura! jajajaja)

Have a listen to the Pipete’s teaser along with two other CCC remixes that I so do love, Portugals Loto, “Back to Disco” CCC Remix and Simian Mobile Disco, “Hotdog”, CCC Remix. More remixes for DL available on CCC site.

Chewy Chocolate Cookies - Pepites EP teaser

Loto - Back to Disco (CCC Remix)

Simian Mobile Disco - Hotdog (CCC Remix)

THE AGE OF THE UNDERSTATEMENT

I’ve watched this trailer least a dozen times. It’s mysterious, intriguing, seems like they are on a journey, and something has been discovered. Echoed sounds, muffled, inaudible voices, combined with dramatic, emotive, orchestral strings - then the audio fades to dead air. What exactly is coming our way in April?

The Age of the Understatement
a new project created by . . .

Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
Miles Kane (The Rascals)
James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco/Simian)
Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy)

OH MY LORD!

This is one of my jammy jams of ALL TIME!!! Classic Detroit House, Inner City - produced by Kevin Saunderson (KMS), Big Fun and Good Life, get me EVERY TIME, timeless tracks . . . and SMD getting their hands on it, oh, gasp!

(Gabie, are you reading this!?!?!)

Off the Radar caught a hold of this one, the d/l limit had been reached, but you can hear it here - Inner City - Big Fun (Simian Mobile Disco Remix)

No Kinda Boys at ::Off the Radar::
“Oh and remember Inner City? Good life… Good life… Good life… Good life… well they’re back, kinda, with a remix of another song from the same period. What makes it a big deal is that Simian Mobile Disco is the one that produced the remix. Paris Grey’s vocals take me back. (When’s the Soul II Soul reunion?)”

So, Big Fun popping up seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to bust out this gem i’ve been wanting to share - “Detroit Love - Funkmaster Mix” produced by The Westside Kings, a faction of Detroit’s infamous Underground Resistance, Scottlin Rucker, Mike Clark and vocalist Billy Love. Rucker and Clark have been working together for nearly 10 years, and launched The WestSide Kings persona a little over a year ago. As producers, they have released more than 40 tracks that have reached international acclaim. Their new project tends to lean away from the Detroit techno sound that made UR a household name, and this sound plays on a more soulful side of things with the trio dishing out deep, rich, echoes of past glories, and a little Chicago House vibe, while still remembering to give a nod to their roots. (And some will argue its all one in the same)

The Westside Kings - Detroit Love - Funkmaster Mix
The Westside Kings on Myspace

Trash Menagerie’s favorite boys from Barca, Buffet Libre, have been busy. In addition to sharing more remixes than we could consume in one sitting, they are kicking off a tour “Music Tastes Better With You”, starting in London. So feast your ears on some Das Pop, Go Team, Plastic Operator, Pomofofo, Shitdisco, Toxic Avenger, and Voxtrot, and catching them on the road, mixing up some beats in a club near you.

DAS POP - Fool For Love - Gaetan Remix

DAS POP - Fool For Love - Lupoo Remix

Das Pop - Fool For Love Super 7 Remix

Go Team - Grip Like a Vice - Mojib Remix

GO TEAM - Grip Like a Vice - Night Facilities Disco Remix

GO TEAM - Grip Like a Vice - Poj Masta Remix

PLASTIC OPERATOR - Home 20207 - Eile Remix

POMOMOFO - Back At The Club -Touristik Remix

SHITDISCO - Reactor Party - Emotiquon mix

SHITDISCO - Reactor Party - Plimsouls Cataclysmic Remix

TOXIC AVENGER - Escape - Dareman Mix

VOXTROT - Mothers Sisters Daughters & Wives - DW Dunphy Remix

BUFFETLIBRE DJ’S “MUSIC TASTES BETTER WITH YOU Tour 2008″

Buffetlibre Dj’s kick off their new tour “Music Tastes Better With You” in London on Saturday 2nd February. This “Grand Opening” will take place at the Casino Royale Club, held twice monthly in Barfly, Camden.

On this special occasion, they’ve cooked up a dish of spicy beats and bitter sweet pop, mixed with just the right dose of 80’s sounds.

This tour presents the new Verbena Selected session, in which Buffetlibre DJ’s have been joined by artists such as Simian Mobile Disco, Just Jack or Shitdisco in the making of the set, available for free download on their website http://www.buffetlibre.net

As a taster of this new tour, which will also be stopping off in Barcelona, Madrid and Paris among other cities, Buffetlibre have launched the competition “The greatest 250 T-Shirts in the world”. Before each event, everyone will have the chance to win one of t-shirts made by some of the top designers on the web.

New site alert - Awdio.co.uk (shown above) streams music from clubs and lounges all over the world.

Glass Candy - Clown -Ssion Remix

Spektrum - Horny Pony - Greg Wilson Remix

Pharrell Feat. Gwen Stefani - Can I Have It Like That - Hydroz Remix

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

Silver City - Shiver - Ewan’s Bari Girl Remix

Here’s a lil rewind to right around 2005, when some of my most loved homies had time to produce remixes . . .

Supersystem - Miracle - The Rapture Remix

Who Made Who - Space For Rent - The Rapture/HushHush Remix

Annie - Me Plus One - The Rapture-HushHush Remix

Other places in cyberspace . . .

Kiss Atlanta has a dope version of Justice -D.A.N.C.E. - Your Dirty Habit Remix

Get Weird Turn Pro posted a track from Chicago homie, Mano. The Throne of Blood Crew first turned me on to him over the summer during the “Dafter Party”. Check this lil write up and remix he did of Digitalism - Pogo

And last but not least, props to the Hype Machine for the continued “turn on’s” this one’s for you . . .

Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler - Shackelton Remix

I’m about to jump on a plane and head to the great Midwest. I only have 20 minutes, so this post won’t be as in depth and link up as I would like it to. Perhaps i’ll revisit in the next few days and do it up proper. Perhaps not : (
I’ll be spending my NYE in Chicago at Smart Bar with Dave Taylor, known to most as Switch. He produced M.I.A.’s latest album “Kala”, which hit many “Top of 2007″ lists this year, including #1 on Rolling Stone. He’s also been doing a bit of production work on Sanogold’s debut album. It’s a bit ironic that Santi was also named Rolling Stone’s #1 artist to watch in 2008. SO! Without further ado, here is my Top of 2007 list (to the best of my recollection).

These things can be difficult, I always feel someone or something is missing . . . ufff!

Favorite Track of 2007
“Hustler” - Simian Mobile Disco
This was more than just a track, it was an anthem!
“Drop The Phone / Down On Yourself” – Shy Child

Albums of 2007
Simian Mobile Disco - Attack, Sustain, Delay, Release
Dandelion Gum – Black Moth Super Rainbow
A Place to Bury Strangers – A Place to Bury Strangers
The Ponys – Turn the Lights Out
The Black Lips - Good Bad, Not Evil
+ - Justice
Joakim - Monsters & Silly Songs
Mystery Jets - Zootime
Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew - Spirit If . . .
Spektrum - Live At The Gymkhana Club
Plastic Little - DJ Lowbudget Presents The Immaturity Mixtape CD
Noisettes – What’s The Time Mr. Wolf

Party Crew of 2007
Trouble & Bass / Cut – Brooklyn, New York

Promoters of 2007
Fixed - NYC
I Love Neon – Montreal
Ricardo Tejada - Mexico

Favorite Weekday Party of 2007
Tuesday’s at 205 w/ Jacques Renault & Justin Miller

Best Parties of 2007
Daft Punk after parties – Ed Banger, Throne of Blood, Mas
- Mighty, San Francisco
- Green Dolphin, Chicago
- Studio B, Brooklyn - New York
Justice after party with Erol Alkan - Fixed
Masters of the Universe – Trouble & Bass / Cut DJ’s + Diplo, Surkin @ Studio B

Best Performances of 2007
The Reactable (sorry this was the highlight of her set) w/Bjork – Friday @ Coachella
Coachella, Saturday in the Mojave tent - !!!, Justice, LCD Soundsystem, & The Rapture
Kings of Leon @ The Aragon, Chicago
Daft Punk & The Rapture @ Greek Theater, Berkley
Daft Punk @ Lollapalooza, Chicago
Daft Punk & The Rapture @ Keyspan, Brooklyn
Rock The Bells – San Francisco
Simian Mobile Disco @ Gramercy Theater
Philip Glass – Einstein at the Beach, Carnegie Hall

Craziest Performance of 2007
Spank Rock, Yo Majesty, Santogold, Amanda Blank, Devlin & Darko, and half of the audience @ The Fillmore, NYC during CMJ. Can’t even explain, you just had to be there . . .

Best DJ Sets of 2007
Laurent Garnier @ APT
Drop The Lime (on more than one occasion)
Diplo (again, on more than one occasion)
Busy P @ Dafter Party, Green Dolphin, Chicago & at Studio B, Brooklyn

Favorite Producers of 2007
James Ford
Mark Ronson
Switch

Favorite Remixers of 2007
The Glimmers
Van She Tech
Erol Alkan
DJ Mehdi

Favorite Bands/Acts of 2007
Home Video
Illinois
Ghostland Observatory
Shy Child
Noisettes
The Warlocks
The Rapture
Plastic Little
Spank Rock
A Place To Bury Strangers

My Favorite New DJ of 2007
Still at #1 of all time - Laurent Garnier
Diplo
Drop The Lime
Star Eyes
Pase Rock

Artist / Designer of 2007
Dan Stiles, US
Face, Face, Face – Mexico
So Me, FR
Dust La Rock, US

Best DJ Mixes of 2007
Go Commando – JDH & Dave P – Defend Music
Fabric 37 – Steve Bug - Fabric
Fabriclive 36 – James Murphy & Pat Mahoney – Fabric

Favorite New City to Party in
Philly, yo!

Favorite Labels of the Year
Transgressive, UK
Ed Banger, FR
Ghostly, US
Modular, AU
Downtown, US

Favorite Books of 2007
This Is Your Brain On Music – Daniel J. Levitin (Audio Version)
The Culture Of Collaboration – Evan Rosen

Favorite Music Subscription Service of 2007
Emusic

Best Music Discovery Sites of 2007
Last.fm
Hype Machine

Forward Thinkers of 2007
David Byrne
Thom Yorke
Jay-Z

Favorite Manager’s of 2007
Pedro “Busy P” Winter - Daft Punk, Justice, Ed Banger Crew
Oli Isaacs – Simian Mobile Disco, Black Ghosts, Findlay Brown

Music & Technology Publications of 2007
Five Eight Magazine – UK
Wired – US

Drinks of 2007
Jack or/ Jameson & Ginger
Vitamin Water – Endurance (the peach-mango kind!)