The More That I Do

GO TO THE NEW WEBSITE!

2011-04-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

My buddy Dan and I started a new podcast/website. Check it out if you liked this blog. It's called Brooklyn Bass at Bklnbass.com. For now R.I.P. Themorethatido.

-Thomas M. Callihan

Thom Yorke Hits Broadway

2011-02-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Who would have guessed that one of the most dramatic vibratos in the past decade would have been destined for Broadway. Yes, that's right Thom Yorke will be doing a one man show of Radiohead tunes on
Broadway. "After seeing what Green Day's American Idiot did for youth culture I had to respond with something in the same vain, but more me" Yorke says. The play entitled No Surprises is set to start in late September and will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (not the awesome Komapkt recording artist). Jonny Greenwood is also set to compose the musical. I have a feeling this is going to be a winner.

This is also a joke and not true.

James Blake's "Wilhelm Scream" video

2011-02-17T21:31:00.000-08:00

This is pretty old but still pretty rad so I thought I should post it. If you don't have the record, get on it.

Joy Orbison to release new Single "Wade In/Jels"

2011-02-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

Joy Orbison went from post dubstep producer (?) to straight up bad ass house producer. I won't write too much here. I think the man liked making tracks that sounded great sonically ("Hyph Mngo" e.g.) but realized kids were not shitting themselves on the dance floor like they should have been. I don't think kids every shit themselves for house music but O's making really interesting sounding tracks and doing it well. He's also a baby (only 23 years old I think). In 5 years he could be even more amazing. Him and Nicolas Jaar are killing shit right now. Everything they put out I'm all over and I can't get enough of. The new single will be released on March 21st on Hotflush Recordings who also just seems to be killing it right now with artists such as Mount Kimbie, Scuba and Boxcutter.

Pretty weird that Arcade Fire won the Grammy for best album last night for their record the Suburbs. I like the title track and "Sprawl II"but the rest of the record reminded me too much of Green Day's American Idiot or maybe just a pop-punk record. Maybe I'm turning into an old man but I'm really not that teenage angst anymore. I do like No Age though?

I want to write more about Nicolas Jaar right now but I'm not going to and try to absorb his record and get back to this after a while. This is also the third or fifth time I've written about Joy O. Do I have a man crush or what?

Joy Orbison: "Wade In" (via FACT)
Joy Orbison: "Hyph Mngo"

-T.M.C.

Switchboard @ the Ace Hotel

2011-02-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

A new monthly party has formed via Telephoned (Sammy Bananas and Maggie Horn) at Liberty Hall in the Ace Hotel on the first Tuesday of every month. The idea is the DJs and vocalist reproduce songs in new ways in however the artists see fit. I saw some of Telephoneds set and thought it was alright. I think I kind of just walked into their set and didn't know what was going on yet. There was also some sound issues with feedback that was slowly taking cared of during Telephoned set. I meet Maggie Horn at the bar and told her the set was nice.

I was most excited to see Shyvonne (you might know from Kindom's "Mindreader") and Eli Escobar.
When Shyvoone got on the mic everyone magically swept towards her like she was some kind of mystical soundtress. When she sang too, HOLY FUCK she could belt out some notes. I don't get to see live R and B or house type vocalists live so this was a refreshing experience. I would love to see her do this again. If she sang some house/soul classics I might shit myself.

By the time Eli got on the decks for his set my posse was half done and so was the crowd. No one seemed like they were in a dancing mood which to me was kind of bullshit. He was playing a killer set though.

As we were getting ready to leave I walked up to meet Eli and see what his DJ set up was. I looked to my left as I walked to the decks and sure enough Diplo was right there. I don't really get star struck but I was surprised to see him there on a Tuesday night. Here's how our conversation went...

Me: Diplo???(surprised to see Diplo)

Diplo: Yeah, what's up man?

Me: What are you doing in the city?

Diplo: I had a court date.

Me: For what?

Diplo: For breaking some dudes arm.

Me: Why'd you do that? (thinking he was kidding)

Diplo: Because he was fucking with me.

Me: OK, see you later. (realizing I might become annoying)

My girlfriend also told me that night that Diplo was sexy like 1,900 times. Thanks, I get it;)

James Brown: "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Eli Escobar Bmore Club edit)"

Kode 9 @ The Cove

2011-02-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

Kode 9 (aka Steve Goodman and owner of Hyperdub Records) came to Williamsburg, NY January 28th 2011. I was very excited to see my first Hyperdub DJ/producer live in my new city the day before my birthday. Unfortunately, I drank too much coffee and alcohol before his set at the Cove and don't remember any of it. He did play funky and house based tracks instead of the more dubstep influenced stuff he usually produces. I wish I had a list of tracks he played but I think that might of been the pile of barf I left in the cab on my way back home. Also, this is the first time I've ever puked in public in all my years alive now. Parents if you're reading this, I watched some TV and passed out early. If you can imagine though---I had a very happy birthday.

I know I haven't posted in a while. My internet is not up yet at my new place. The new Simian, Hercules jj and Toro y Moi are out. One of those has to be good. Until I write again...

Kode9 mix for XLR8R from a while back entitled Bubble 'N'Squeak. Download it!

Kode9: "Babylon" mp3

Follow me at Songkick and see the shows/gigs I'm going to and maybe tell me what shows I should go to. My name is Thomas-Callihan on the site.

Brooklyn Bound

2010-12-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

I'm moving to Brooklyn in a few days with my very lovely girlfriend and I don't know how long it will be until my next post. Before I leave Gainesville, FL (about fucking time) I'd like to leave everyone with some tracks that helped me grow up while I was here. It might look like a weird list but these tracks really helped me on my path of music geekery and and becoming a DJ or at least somewhat of one. This might be my college playlist, maybe? I might look very cliche after all of this? I'll take that.

Oh, and the new James Blake album leaked so get you hands on it some how. It's really, really, really good.

The Beatles: "Revolution 9"

This might have been the first time I heard an abstract and minimal song placed on a pop-rock album. The song sounds silly to most, but I was impressed very much with the balls the Beatles had to put this long track on a commercial rock record. I think I actually read that John's the only one who wanted it on the record. Either way, here it is.

Bob Dylan: "I Want You"

I think at this time I was in love and I liked the way he expressed that idea. I couldn't find cliches in Dylan's writing and thought his words came off more genuine than what I heard in pop (as much as he didn't want to be considered pop) music before. Dylan also got me into the Beat Generation writers like Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. Both writers made me change the way I thought about literature in that they didn't do what they were suppose to do and had this very unique perspective on the world. This I liked.

The Velvet Underground: "I'm Waiting for My Man"

"I'm Waiting For My Man" to me is almost like one of the first rap songs. It's about what's happening on the streets away from the eye of the white collar working folk, but also about buying drugs. The train thump drum beat in this song is what really makes the song interesting besides the already ballsy lyrics. This showed me that you didn't have to be traditional in your song writing.

Can: "Vitamin C"

This was one of the most important times in my life. I started to realize I liked production, interesting approach to song writing and music that overall didn't do what it was supposed to do in pop standards. I still think this beat is one of the more interesting ones I've heard in years.

Ricardo Villalobos: "Dexter"

Villalobos was to me what to jam bands are to some kids. I just didn't want to take a hand full of drugs and dance all day at a festival with 10,000 other smelly kids with the same intention. Villalobos made smart bedroom music that sounded really good in a nice pair of headphones or a really nice sound system. It also made me feel more patient towards music on a whole. The song is nine minutes and some change long but it never really loses momentum. There's not too many sound artists that could pull that off. This was also when I decided that I liked house music for the first time.

Liquid Liquid: "Optimo"

This track convinced me that you could be punk, indie, hip-hop, disco or a house music person, but as long as you liked interesting sound and dancing you were would like this song. This song might have made me a dance DJ as much as Villalobos made me a bedroom DJ. One of the best things I saw this year was watching Liquid Liquid on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon perform "Cavern" with the Roots, even the Roots seemed stoked. To me it was like seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan.

Animal Collective: "Leaf House"

Another really good example of interesting music from kids who weren't doing what they were suppose to do with music. It was like Brazilian Tropicalia, hip-hop (at least samplers being used), weirdo pop, and folk all came together. It's really cliche to like Animal Collective as a white kid, but damn those guys have been doing a really great job not doing the same thing twice and being constantly progressing into whatever they want to be.

Madvillain: "Accordion"

As much as this could be white boy hip-hop, Doom still sounds hard and that he won't take shit from nobody. As weird as the lines are "Hey you/ don't touch the mic like there's A.I.D.S. on it", the music still comes off raw and original. I never thought an accordion could be the main melody maker in a hip-hop track either--- I was wrong. I heard that Doom and Madlib are working on round two of this project; I hope this is true.

Motor City Drum Ensemble: "Raw Cuts 3"

I try to listen to house tracks on the reg but it's hard when songs are nine minutes long, you work full-time and you have a girlfriend. I got really lucky to hear MCDE aka Danilo Plessow production of Detroit techno, Chicago house, and classic disco and soul. These are all things that I enjoy very much. If you're an organic, soul or analog type person this might be the guy that gets you into house music.

Burial: "Ghost Hareware"

A friend of mine comes to Gainesville a few years ago (right before Untrue came out). He plays me the Burial's Untrue album and speaks about so romantically that I feel that I missed out on something truly important. My internet is not hooked up my new place so I can't get a hold of it. Luckily for me a local record shop has the Ghost Hardware EP. I buy it and start listening to it a lot and try to figure out how to use it. I feel it goes well with the downbeat early night stuff like Nobody and Flying Lotus. I throw this on one night when my friend who originally played me Burial came to town. He immediately lets me know I've been playing the track too slow. I feel like an ass but we both decided the track sounded cool both ways and that I mixed it in well either way. This is the first dub-step artist that I really got into and then I started paying attention to more UK club music. 'Nuff said.

Best Tracks Playlist from 2010

2010-12-23T15:36:00.000-08:00

Best of 2010 Playlist

01. Here We Go Magic: "Casual"
02. Lindstrom and Christabelle: "Music In My Mind"
03. Nite Funk: "Am I Gonna Make It"
04. Onra: "The One (feat. T3 of Slum Village)"
05. Dimlite: "Diana Won't"
06. Flying Lotus: "Kill Your Co-Workers"
07. Les Sins: "Toss and Turn"
08. Thomas Fehlmann "Permanent Touch"
09. Teebs: "Double Fifths"
10. Gil Scott-Heron and Jaime XX: "NY Is Killing Me"
11. Joy Orbison: "So Derobe"
12. John Roberts: "Even or Not"
13. Deerhunter: "Memory Boy"
14. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: "Round and Round"
15. Darkstar: "Gold"
16. James Blake: "CMYK
17. Beach House: "Lover of Mine"

Click here to hear the playlist. (Just let the first video play and when the song's done the playlist should just play through. If you want a physical CD, let me know and I'll try to drop one off to you or mail it to you)

Beach House on Conan

2010-12-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I missed Beach House on Conan the other night. Beach House might win as my favorite live show that I was lucky enough to see this year. I think at the beginning of each song at the show I said "I love this song". I was really surprised to see their record in so many top albums lists 0f 2010. Way to go Beach House.

I'm home for the holidays and I don't have a whole lot to do. Expect a lot of posts.

I Love London

2010-12-20T16:36:00.000-08:00

My girlfriend and I are moving to NY in a few days and we're really excited about being in New York for New Years. I don't want to talk trash about other cities and their choices of New Years parties but I did take notice of the list of acts playing in London on New Years and had a moment where I just wanted to hop on a plane and go (if I could). I'm very excited about this New Years and I'm sure if it's anything like last years New Years, it's going to be unforgettable. Either way, take a look at London's New Years Parties list (via Pitchfork). It's almost too good.

LONDON, ENGLAND

-Sonic Youth, Shellac, Factory Floor, the Pop Group, DJ Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai) - Hammersmith Apollo (ATP Strange Days)

-Matthew Dear, Joker, Roska, Seth Troxler, Damian Lazarus - The Tunnels (Eastern Electrics NYE)

-Friendly Fires (DJ Set), Riton, L-Vis 1990 - XOYO

-Steve Bug, Jay Haze, Terry Francis, Cassey, Hearthrob - Fabric

-Caribou - Flowerpot

-Carl Barât (DJ Set) - All Star Lanes Brick Lane

-British Sea Power - Koko (Club NME)

-Four Tet, James Holden, Jamie XX, Nathan Fake - Corsica Studios (Trouble Vision X Deadly Rhythm)

-Matthew Johnson, Åme, Move D, Mark E, Gerd Janson & Tim Goldsworthy - CAMP (Phonica Records)

-Mala, Toddla T & Redlight, Nicky Blackmarket, Sukh Knight, P Money - TBA venue (Urban Nerds X ATG)

-El-B & MC Roller, Channel One, Daddy Skitz - The Big Chill House

-Mark Ronson, Annie Mac, Katy B, Fake Blood - O2 Academy (Together)

Here are some tracks I thought were appropriate for this post.

Crystal Fighters: "I Love London (Brackles Remix)"

FaltyDL: "To London"

Burial: "South London Boroughs"

Top 10 Lists Part 3

2010-12-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

(The Dream)

An old good friend (Axel Anderson) of mine via Brooklyn who produces, edits, DJs, and web designs just sent me his top 10 of 2010. It's another list in no particular order. That seems to be the popular thing to do with my friends. Check it out. It's the only single track list on the site.

In no particular order:

The-Dream - Veteran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt0KoGu4RU8

OFWGKTA - Up Chopped and Screwed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrFWBrU0KyI

Ramadanman - Work Them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utvgs27fT4U

Jody Breeze - The Way I Move
http://soundcloud.com/ghettophiles/jody-breeze-the-way-i-move

Girl Unit - Wut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc6ZqhJWRhE

Dinah Washington and Max Richter - This Bitter Earth / On the Nature of Daylight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXHGoaEtmFM

Geiom feat Marita - Sugar Coated Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTQ4TBOYAe8

James Blake - Limit to Your Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOT2-OTebx0

Arthur Russell - Come To Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IksudTFX42c
* Came out at the end of 2009 but so damn good I'm putting it in.

Darkstar - When It's Gone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgqHWQToHas

(Ramadanman)

Top 10 Lists Pt. 2

2010-12-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

(James Blake)

I feel like every year I make a years best list and then I always want to change it a million times. Hopefully this year---that's not the case.

1. James Blake - Klavierwerke EP (all the EPs are killer though)

2. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

3. Actress - Splazsh

4. Joy Orbison - The Shrew Would Have Cushioned The Blow

5. Mount Kimbie - Crooks and Lovers

6. John Roberts - Glass Eights

7. Four Tet - There Is Love In You

8. Matthew Dear - Black City

9. Beach House - Teen Dream

10. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

James Blake: "I Only Know (What I Know Now)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBsJ09RhqZw

Joy Orbison: "So Derobe"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FN4nwLTxHs

(Flying Lotus, Cosmogramma)

Runner-ups

Tame Impala - InnerSpeaker

Wild Nothing - Gemini

Shed - The Traveller

Prins Thomas - Prins Thomas

Thomas Fehlmann - Gute Luft

Best Coast - Crazy for You

Onra - Long Distance

(Onra)

Onra: "The One (ft. T3 from Slum Village)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIkzg3Oit0

(Matthew Dear)

This list comes from a good friend of mine, music geek and local boutique owner in Gainesville F.L., Matthew Turner.

In no order, except for #1.

1. Matthew Dear - Black City
2. Gayngs - Relayted
3. Beach House - Teen Dream
4. Kanye West - My Dark Twisted Fantasy
5. The Fresh and Onlys - Play It Strange
6. Jonsi - Go
7. Four Tet - There Is Love In You
8. Tobacco - Maniac Meat
9. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
10. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest

Matthew Dear: "You Put A Smell On Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm8kPVSbbS4

Four Tet: "Love Cry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxkFfbejcMk

(Gonjasufi, A Sufi and Killer)

Runner-ups
Gonjasufi - A Sufi and A Killer
Cloud Nothings - Turning On
Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot
Twin Sister - Color Your Life
Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma

Twin Sister: "All Around and a Way We Go"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLjnTO6k2dU

Gonjasufi: "Duet"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDZ31YQvxWY

(Four Tet, There's Love In You)

(Guru)

I sent an e-mail to a few music friends about a top 10 list of the year. I got a reply back from my friend Jay Lang (aka DJ CurbCuts) about a Guru top 10. I'm a big Guru and Gang Starr fan so I was all for it, so check it out--here it is.

DJ CurbCuts Top 10 Guru Tracks In No Particular Order
"Code Of The Streets" - Hard To Earn
"No Time To Play" - Jazzmatazz Vol. 1
"DWYCK" - Hard To Earn
"Mass Appeal" - Hard To Earn
"Take It Personal" - Daily Operation
"Full Clip" - Full Clip
"You Know My Steez" - Moment Of Truth
"Tonz O Gunz"- Hard To Earn
"Ex Girl To The Next Girl" - Daily Operation
"Moment Of Truth" - Moment Of Truth

Gang Starr: "Mass Appeal"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9lNbNGbo24

Gang Starr: "Moment of Truth"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwSXfocnt48

Bonus Tracks:
"Loungin" - Jazzmatazz Vol. 1
"Just To Get A Rep" - Step Into The Arena

Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal R.I.P. 1961-2010

Top Albums of the 2010

2010-12-05T22:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a few lists of top 10 records of the year from a few music geeks that I know or that I DJ around with on occasion. All the lists are really good and if you're looking for a list with a non bias slant (meaning none of us are paid off by sponsorship or by labels), its a good place to look for records you might have missed out on this year.

Dan Snider (Resident DJ out in St. Augustine and Jacksonville)

In no particular order

Earl Sweatshirt - Self Titled
Curren$y - Pilot Talk 2
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Pt. 2 (Return of the Ankh)
Shit Robot - From the Cradle to the Rave
Matthew Dear - Black City
Mount Kimbie - Crooks and Lovers
James Blake - CMYK EP
The Dream - Love King
Onra - Long Distance
Floating Points - Vacuum EP
Actress - Splazsh

Actress:"Always Human"

Shit Robot:"I Found Love (Radio Edit)"

James Blake: "CMYK"

My main man Larry G.out in San Francisco (Minimal, Tech and House DJ)

Bonobo - Black Sands (highly recommended, classy and well put together)
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest (space rock...period)
Todd Terje - Remaster of the Universe (poppy coolness)
Prins Thomas - Prins Thomas (The sound of Robert Johnson and German space age disco)
Four Tet - There is Love in You
V/A -Pop Ambient (like furry little kittens softly massaging my balls)
Thomas Fehlman - Gute Lift (old dude knows what is up)
Martin Buttrich - Crash Test (just a great album for dancing the 4/4)
Michael Mayer - Immer 3 (nice addition to the series)
Actress - Splazsh
Patrick Pulsinger - Impassive Skies (very interesting stuff...also appears on Immer 3)
John Roberts - Glass Eights (surprise from nowhere. nice stuff)
Sascha Dive -Restless Nights
Wolf and Lamb - Love Someone

and I like Pulshar.

John Roberts: "Glass Eigths"

Deerhunter: "Helicopter"

Bonobo: "Eyesdown (ft. Andreya Triana)"

My most frequent DJ partner-- Ernie Hotsauce

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Guido - Anidea
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
Darkstar - North
Fly Lo - Pattern + Grid World
Gucci Mane - The Burrprint 2 HD
El Guincho - Pop Negro
Rick Ross - Teflon Don

Dam-Funk - Toeachizown (Came out riiiight at the end of 2009, wasn't released on vinyl until 2010, so I count it)

Guido: "Mad Sax"
Darkstar: "Aidy's Girl Is A Computer"

As for my own list...it will be out sometime this week. I want it to be perfect so I'm really thinking about it.

Deerhunter on Conan

2010-12-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

Deerhunter made their debut on television last night playing "Helicopter" from the bands new record Halycyon Digest.

Les Sins (Toro Y Moi side project), Gil Scott-Heron remixed by Jamie XX, and John Talabot

2010-11-30T14:49:00.000-08:00

Les Sins is the new side project from Chazwick Bundick of the chillwave act Toro Y Moi. This new project is more disco/house than his former material. I'm really digging this. I'm glad he got more into producing dance music. Toro Y Moi sounds good in the club and all but it's not really a way to get a party started. Toro Y Moi is meant for the very beginning of the party or on the drive back home. Either way, it's always good stuff.

Chazwick started off playing in a band called The Heist and the Accomplice in high school with some classmates in South Carolina of all places. It's hard to imagine this music coming from someone who grew up in South Carolina but I suppose Washed Out came from the same place.

The release of Les Sins was put out on Carpark Records (the same label as Beach House, Light Pollution and Dan Deacon) and is heavy on the Daft Punk. Not in a bad way though like all these new electro wannabes. This comes off a bit more legit. The guitar work, samples, bass and drums are all very Daft Punk influenced. It sounds like it would be fun to produce this and even more fun to play live.

From the Lina 12" on Carpark Records:
Les Sins: "Lina" mp3
Les Sins: "Youth Gone" mp3

Jamie XX is remixing the whole Gil Scott-Heron (soul, jazz, spoken word, funk, and proto-rap artist) record, I'm New Here. When I first heard about this project I was very interested in hearing what this would sound like. The first track I heard remixed was "NY is Killing Me". It's a chill dubstep track with excellent high pitched female samples and of course Gil Scott-Heron samples as well. I really love the soul feeling of the song. It makes the cold production of Jamie XX sparkle. I'm really looking forward to hearing the rest of this project.

In the past week I could not stop listening to Spanish disco/house producer John Talabot. I first heard his single "Sunshine" sometime last year and haven't been able to hear enough of his production since. He's done remixes for artists such as the xx, Delorean, We Are Stranded and Tahiti 80 and he's also done countless edits. All of which have a sunshine tingled, disco/house take on the above mentioned artists. I just downloaded (literally it's playing in my headphones right now) his Summerized mix. If this is what Barcelona (where he's from) sounds like, I missed out last time I was there (in 2007). Talabot is also on the Permanent Vacation label which is the same as label as Tensnake and Azari & iii. I always close with this, but I'm looking forward to see what this guy produces next.

Tahiti 80: "Darlin (John Talabot's Oscuro Baile Remix)" mp3 (via XLR8R)
John Talabot: "Matilda's Dream" mp3
John Talabot: "Sunshine" mp3

L-Vis 1900 and Kingdom @ Czar in Tampa

2010-11-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

L-Vis 1990 and Kingdom in Tampa
Monday November 2nd in Tampa, FL I was very lucky to see the UK DJ/Producer L-Vis 1990 and the DJ/Producer Kingdom from NYC. About 4 weeks before the 2nd I was told that these artists are coming to Florida and I was very,very surprised. Kids in Tampa don't really dig UK Funky, House or the sounds of the above mentioned future bass DJ/producers. Despite the Florida scene, I was excited nevertheless. I'd never seen DJs that I really love and this would be the first time so I started making plans with some friends to go to the show. Unfortunately, only 2 of my friends knew who or what the artists were. No Buneo.

On the way to the show we tried to sell some more of our friends on a free show in Tampa by no one is really into Tampa so it was a no go. I almost got my girlfriend to go but she had a school project due so that wasn't happening either.

I got picked up around 7 and hit the liquor store to avoid over priced drinks at the bar. We just ended up with a flask of whiskey and some smokes to keep us entertained for our 2 hour road trip.

We pull into Tampa around 9:30 and go to the club only to find it's not open yet (doors at 10:00). Food is on all of our minds so we hit up Tampa's famous Mema's Alaskan Tacos. The food is on point and we killed enough time just for doors at Czar to open. As soon as walked in I asked for the drink specials. As soon as the bartender told me they had $2 Rogue Amber and $2 Rogue Porter I almost did a triple back flip. In Gainesville, Rogues go about $5-$7 a pint. This was already a start to a good night.

The first 2 DJs are not really mixing and just kind of playing whatever to get people into the mood. The first DJ, Rob Wonder played some Burial and that's about all that was memorable. It wasn't a bad set but one that I ignored. The second DJ was Blu Jemz, who is a Turntable Lab Radio DJ. He's set was all over the place as well. He wasn't mixing but dropping tracks and not really sticking to a genre or meshing too well. I think maybe both these guys can kill it but since they're opening they were playing whatever.

By the time Kingdom got on the decks I already had 3 pints and a shot so I was feeling pretty good. Kingdom started off with the track "I Need Love" by Roska. I was already into this seeing that I've never heard anyone play this track out live before except and my friend and frequent DJ partner Ernie.
Everyone started gathering around as soon as Kingdom hit the decks to see what this guy was going to do/play. He played pretty chill for about forty-five minutes until L-Vis 1990 hit the decks. HOLY SHIT!

When L-Vis started playing his first track, the crowd really started to move and get into the Kingdom/L-Vis realm of musical selection. I got really excited and was surprised kids were getting into it. I was losing my shit and I was wishing I had a posse of friends to enjoy this with. I couldn't really tell you too much what L-Vis played but it was great, exciting and fresh sounding. I know he played a few tracks off his label Night Slugs which he runs with fellow DJ/producer Bok Bok. The weird thing was is that this club didn't have any dance lights. If they had them, they were not in use.

In the end most kids left early but L-Vis's set just got better and better as the night went on. I ended up being asked to leave as I was talking with Ezra Rubin (Kingdom) and James Connolly (L-Vis 1990) about how kids in Florida don't like house music very much, but they're more into hard electro and heavy dubstep. I almost see that stuff as the metal or pop-punk of the electronic music scene. On the ride home I slept the entire time and woke up in home in Gainesville, FL.

L-Vis 1990: "Forever You"
Kingdom: "Mindreader "

Here We Go Magic Video for "Casual"

2010-11-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a new video from the Brooklyn band Here We Go Magic for the video "Casual". It's one of my favorite songs on their new record and a pretty intense video. It reminds me of the last HEALTH video I saw for the song "We Are Water". Funny thing about this video is that my girlfriends mom was in town and I thought she was reading while I was watching this video. She in fact wasn't reading, but overlooking my shoulder (at least I think) while I was watching this video on my laptop. She gave me a look after I was done and noticed her like I was a creep. Maybe she didn't see it at all and just gave me a look. We never discussed it. I'm very glad about this.

Pitchfork keeps getting these great videos first before others do so hats off to them, I guess.

Here's the HEALTH video as well for a reference.

HEALTH - We Are Water from City Slang on Vimeo.

Morgan Packard

2010-11-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

The first thing I heard when I listened to the first track off the album Moment Again Elsewhere by Morgan Packard was the producer Jan Jelinik. I haven't thought about that name in a few years. Sitting here this morning though with a hot cup of tea and the light breeze of fall coming in from the window made this record sound perfect for my daily routine of music exploration.

I knew nothing about Morgan Packard until this morning but now I'm very glad I stumbled upon this minimal, organic, electronic composer. I also knew nothing of the Brooklyn-based label that he's on named Anticipate Recordings. The label, who is headed by fellow electronic, ambient, and experimental producer Ezekiel Honig has other minimal, electronic artists such as Klimek, and Mark Templeton. If you get a second, read their demo policy, it's really great. They won't sign you unless you only want to be on their label, and love their label and what they're about.

Moment Again Elsewhere also has hints of organic sound such as twinkling piano which is very reminiscent of Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians. There are other organic instruments on the record too such as saxophone and accordion. If you have not got from what's written above, this record is not for the club, but for the bedroom or home LP player. This is a dense listening experience, but it's worth your time.

Morgan Packard: "Unveil" mp3

This song has been in my head all day.

John Roberts New Album Glass Eights

2010-11-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

By the cover of this record you might think it's a goth/tech record, or maybe a Bauhaus rip-off, or maybe some crust punk LP. I guess the closest guess would be the goth /tech record but you'd still be missing the point. Glass Eights is John Roberts first full length LP and it's released on Dial Records, the label that have other new house/minimal artists such as Pantha Du Prince, Efdemin and Isolee who just released a new single. They're one of my favorite lables and they're based out of Hamburg, Germany focusing mainly on deep house with a lean on academia of house music. Besides Kompakt, they're my favorite minimal record label.

This record wasn't really made for the club but more made for the bedroom. I heard the whole record the first time while my girlfriend was working on a project for art history on Frans Hals and I was geeking out on some music. She asked who the artist I was listening to was and I was caught off guard; she usually refers to my music as beeps and bloops and ignores my music (or at least seems to).

The record comes off romantic from the beginning. I can't tell if it's a romantic love for Chicago House or for a lady or what. The Berlin based artist only speaks with sounds, not words. I feel it has to be for a girl though. The song titles scream longing with "Even or Not", "Dedicated", or "Navy Blue". The record has an overall melancholy feel to it. The off kilter pianos sound like they're recorded in a 1920's abandoned home in the South surrounded by oak trees with a spooky amount of Spanish moss in them.
I think I'd really like to see in an old 1950's Disney style cartoon with dancing oak trees with plenty Spanish moss in them surrounding an old run down house with the roof hinged off and a piano player (John Roberts) inside conjuring up souls with the music he plays. Hopefully that's not too abstract. Sounds like an awesome video though.

I'm pretty sick right now and Glass Eights (sounds like a John Cage record title) record is keeping me company. This is one of the stranger blogs I've written in a while so hopefully it's alright. Listen to this record though, it won't be a regret.

John Roberts: "Porcelain" mp3 (via Pejhy)
John Roberts: "Pruned" mp3 (via Keytars and Violins)

Watch this video from about 1:30 into it on mute and play any of the John Roberts music. It's kind of what I'd want out of him for a video. At least watch until the part with the castle and the souls.

DMCA Reads My Blog?

2010-11-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

Look what was in my e-mail today (see below). I found this pretty funny. I guess I'll be more careful before I post tracks that are on 1,000,000 other blogs before my blog. What a boring job the DMCA must have. The funny thing is, I don't know what track the warning was for. It doesn't say. Is it for Shed, Flying Lotus, No Age or Deerhunter? They did take the blog down so make sure you have all the new records by the above mentioned artists. They're all really great.

Blogger has been notified, according to the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), that certain content in your blog is alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others. As a result, we have reset the post(s) to "draft" status. (If we did not do so, we would be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits. The URL(s) of the allegedly infringing post(s) may be found at the end of this message.) This means your post - and any images, links or other content - is not gone. You may edit the post to remove the offending content and republish, at which point the post in question will be visible to your readers again.

A bit of background: the DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement. If you believe you have the rights to post the content at issue here, you can file a counter-claim. For more information on our DMCA policy, including how to file a counter-claim, please see http://www.google.com/dmca.html.

The notice that we received, with any personally identifying information removed, will be posted online by a service called Chilling Effects at http://www.chillingeffects.org. We do this in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). You can search for the DMCA notice associated with the removal of your content by going to the Chilling Effects search page athttp://www.chillingeffects.org/search.cgi, and entering in the URL of the blog post that was removed. If it is brought to our attention that you have republished the post without removing the content/link in question, then we will delete your post and count it as a violation on your account. Repeated violations to our Terms of Service may result in further remedial action taken against your Blogger account including deleting your blog and/or terminating your account. If you have legal questions about this notification, you should retain your own legal counsel.

Primary 1 "Never Know" Video

2010-11-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

(via Pitchfork)

This reminds me what could have been of David Bowie in the 80's if he would have worked with Prince instead of doing all those awful albums like Tonight, or Never Let Me Down. I know those records aren't the worst but come on, they're pretty bad. This is a really cool looking video either way.

Gregory Isaacs + Deerhunter + Deefhoof + Spank Rock (Todd Edwards remix)

2010-10-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Bummer news I read the other morning. The classic reggae vocalist Gregory Isaacs (1951-2010) dies today at his home in London. He was 59 and died of lung cancer.

Gregory Isaacs "Night Nurse"

Producer/DJ Diplo and producer Lunice remixed a track off the new Deerhunter record and now there's a video too. Check it.

Deerhunter - Helicopter (Diplo & Lunice Remix) from Mad Decent on Vimeo.

Deerhoof has a new record coming out January 25th called "Deerhoof vs. Evil" with a limited edition 2000 vinyls being printed. There's a few new songs up on blogs and so, so look for those. Their last record was ok, but I love these guys and I have hope that this one could be good. The first song I posted here is from the new record and the second song is from a cover album, soon to be released of Congotronics tracks. The album also has covers by Animal Collective, Glenn Kotche, Andrew Bird and Shackleton.

Deerhoof: "Merry Barracks"
Deerhoof: "Travels Broaden the Mind (Kasai Allstars cover)" via Fader

Todd Edwards, my favorite Jersey born UK Garage/house producer remixes Spank Rock to surprising results. I love playing both these artists out live and now I have more of a reason to. I never would have paired the two together but I'm very glad this happened. This track appears on the label Ninja Tune's new compilation Ninja Tune XX. The comp features artists such as Toddla T, The Bug, Zomby, Dark Sky, and a lot more spread over this 6 disk set.

Spank Rock: "What it Look Like (Todd Edwards remix)"

Matthew Dear bonus track from Black City

2010-10-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

XLR8 just posted a bonus track from Matthew Dear's newest record Black City. The album is maybe one of the best of the year and that's coming all from the indie and electronic sites. The album is on the more synth pop side and less on the house side of music this time. This new bonus track is killer though. I can't wait to see where this album lines up in this years best. Think David Bowie meets Depeche Mode for this record.

Matthew Dear: "Innh Dahh" (via XLR8R)

Matthew Dear - Black City Teaser from Ghostly International on Vimeo.

Check out the teaser for Black City as well. It's a good taste of what the record sounds like.

Villa Venus

2010-10-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

A good friend of mine who lives in Brooklyn has a new band and a new release. The band has press shots and all that so I think they mean business. The band name is Villa Venus and sound a lot like the Sub Pop Records band Low. If you're a fan of dream-pop, slowcore, or sadcore you should really check these guys out. They've been playing shows in Brooklyn too, so make sure to keep your eyes open. You can also download their EP for free here, so get on that sucka.

Villa Venus: "Slow Collapse"
Villa Venus: "Currents"

Flying Lotus + Best Coast + Darkstar + Teebs

2010-10-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

Flying Lotus - Kill Your Co-Workers from Warp Records on Vimeo.

This is another video from Flying Lotus. It's everything you'd want from a Flying Lotus video and some. If you haven't heard his new EP "Pattern+Grid World, GET ON THAT SHIT!

Everyones favorite summertime band, Best Coast is back with a video for the song "Boyfriend". Usually this kind of indie-pop is too cute for me but this band really pulls off this sound well. Also, is it me or did the singer lose a few? Either way, she sexy.

One of Hyperdub's newest groups just put out a great new record entitled North. They're no Burial but just as you would expect a Hyperdub group to produce, they make the marks. This album even treads into synth-pop waters which I wouldn't expect but somehow found it pleasantly surprising. Listen to this record. "Aidys Girl Is a Computer" you might know from the mix that Jamie from the xx put out this year for Colette.

Darkstar: "Aidy's Girl is a Computer"

Teebs is a California beat magician, but he's also a painter, skater and an artist. He's lived with Flying Lotus and now just put out his first full length LP entitled, Ardour. Andour is being released on Flying Lotus's label Brainfeeder. I actually just read a facebook post Teebs received about a text he received saying Erykah Badu likes his music. That's pretty fucking cool.

Teebs: "Double Fifths"
Teebs: "Why Like This"

James Blake "Limit to Your Love" (Feist cover) Video

2010-10-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

I've been playing this song in my head over and over and over again. I can't get enough of this guy's production. This new song is part post-dudstep (silly I know), part pop and part experimental. When the bass kicks in on this track I get goosebumps. The video is also great. It reminds me of the crisp look of a Radiohead video, mixed with a little of Fiona Apple's "Criminal" video. Those are two things I love very mucho. The video is directed by Martin de Thurah, who also directed Fever Ray's video for "When I Grow Up". Both videos are minimal and magical in similar ways. I can't wait until this guy puts out a full length record, I think it's going to blow lids off and pop out the eyes of the bystanders who witness lids blown off. I'm very excited about this. I don't know how popular this guy is in his home the UK but I hope he is well received. I wish this video wasn't featured through Pitchfork TV, but that's out of my control.

Avey Tare's (of Animal Collective) new video for "Lucky 1"

2010-10-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you haven't got a copy of Avey Tare's (of Animal Collective) new album Down There, got on it son. Listen to it outside, it sounds better that way. Also, here's his new video for "Lucky 1" made by his sister, Abby. The video reminds me a lot of the animation from the Mighty Boosh episode "Journey to the Centre of the Punk".

Lucky 1 from Abby Portner on Vimeo.

(via Pitchfork)

Darkstar "Gold" video

2010-10-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Saw this on Gorilla vs. Bear this morning. I hope you all enjoy. These Hyper Dub dubstep boys are up to something else. Their new album North is due out November 2nd. I'm thinking only good things about this record.

Darkstar: Gold from Evan Boehm on Vimeo.

Deerhunter + No Age + Shed + Flying Lotus

2010-09-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Blog removed by DMCA.

Tame Impala - Lucidity from Modular People on Vimeo.

Thomas Michael Callihan

September 2010

Talk Talk//Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti//Sun Araw//David Bowie

2010-07-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I haven't posted anything in a while. I've been moving, starting new jobs, attending to typical life bullshit, etc. But the past few weeks have been good and this is what I've been into.

Talk Talk

I revisited Talk Talk (first picture above) who I haven't listened to in years. I went through a phase a while back trying to hear all the classics that aren't on Rolling Stones greatest list of great music records. As I could have figured, there was tons of great shit that was outside the pop music/radio spectrum that Rolling Stone loves so much. There were a lot of interesting things going on with music for decades that they decided to leave out so that they could sell more copies of their magazine (that's something you can respect). Not only did they give into commercialism but as music journalists, failed doing their research on music. This still seems to be the case today. No going back now though.

I was pretty sick yesterday and my girlfriend was in study mode. With that in mind I put on Talk Talk's 1991 album Laughing Stock. The album was even better this time around than last time and it seemed to be perfect for an atmosphere of studying and recuperating. I always try to find the perfect sound track for the situation. In the car, Laughing Stock, reminded me of Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. The way those beautiful notes would melt into noise. I love it. I know improv was used on this album a bit and that incense was burning along with glowing black lights in the studio to set the mood of the album during the recording session. At certain points there were thirteen violin players who would show up for a recording session.

No matter how you feel about post-rock, this album might be one of the reasons that term exists and why it can also be very cool.

Talk Talk - Laughing Stock

(You might know the No Doubt cover of this. This is when Talk Talk we're more pop and just got back from touring with Duran Duran. How funny that Duran Duran was on tour with Talk Talk)

(This is towards the end of their career as Talk Talk. It reminds me of the Radiohead "No Surprises" video. Talk Talk is one of the few groups who progressed being a band and not digressed. I would have loved to see what they would have done after Laughing Stock)

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

This year a friend of mine came to me and asked me if I heard the new Ariel Pink? I was a little shocked because this person was more into the other spectrums of music. I instantly said YES! I wasn't too impressed by the record, I've only heard it a handful of times. I am not here to talk about the new record either. I heard a disco edit by Night Plane (a Brooklyn producer) of one of the singles and knew I'd have some friends that would be into it. Ariel Pink is one of those artist you love or hate. I love the way he chooses sound for his records and the way he doesn't care about what Rolling Stone says (or at least I think) about his record, that above all things deserves respect.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: "Round and Round (Night Plane Disco Edit)" Mp3

Sun Araw

Sun Araw is a solo member of Magic Lantern and Vibes. He recently moved out to Long Beach after spending some time in Austin. Much like Talk Talk, Sun Araw uses methods of improvisation. If you're not a fan of psych rock, drone, classic rock, afro-beat, noise or jam you might not be into this record. It's almost as if he took all the 70's weirdo stuff we might or might not know and threw it in a blender and pushed liquify on modern effects. This takes time to get into and if you're looking for a hook, you're done for. Cameron Stallones (Sun Araw) also makes his own music videos. If all artists did this we might have less capitalism in music and more art, or at least I'd like to think so.

Sun Araw: "Ma Holo" Mp3

Sun Araw: "Deep Cover" Mp3

DEEP COVER - SUN ARAW from CatCakes on Vimeo.

David Bowie

I'm not going to write a David Bowie bio, if you don't have David Bowies first 12 records, you shouldn't be reading this blog. Download them right now. There is some rough patches like Pin Ups and Diamond Dogs, but besides that they're all pretty fucking good. The man was always on some next level shit. Especially the album, Low, that record freaks me out.

I stumbled upon this edit while re-downloading some Bowie I've lost over the years.

David Bowie: "Golden Years (Mano Le Tough Edit)"

The embedded for this was taken down but its David Bowie doing "Golden Years" on Soul Train. It's pretty fucking cool being that he looks like a vampire and all in front of the Soul Train crowd. WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Onra Interview

2010-06-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

Onra, a new and exciting producer residing in Paris, France, spoke with me the other day about what he's up to and his future. If you haven't heard his new record Long Distance, you should go check it out now. It's one of the most tasteful and funkiest records that I've heard all year. It's making its way into my top 20 of the year, I'm pretty sure. If you don't want to read the interview, at least listen to the tracks and watch the video. The tracks will definitely make your summer play list and maybe a few mixes.

How are you doing today, what city are you in and what are you working on currently?

Hi, I'm doing fine, thank you. I'm in Paris today, it's the first day of summer, also the day of the releasing of my new album "Long Distance". I'm working on helping promote this new LP, working on a US tour. I just started to work back on Chinoiseries Pt. 2, I made half of it last year already, and I need to finalize it for 2011.

How old were you when you made your first production and how has it changed since then?

I was 19 when I started to play around with a computer program called Ejay. The cheapest software you could find at this time, not even 20 bucks if I remember right. I've used it for a few years, until it sounded more serious, then I decided to buy my first piece of equipment, which is an Akai MPC 1000, that I still use today. I've been using this machine for seven years now, I'm feeling really familiar with it, but I'm getting to a point where it is too limiting for me, and I feel like I need to learn those new programs if I want to step my game up.

I really like the cover art for the new record, Long Distance. How much input did you put into it or did you give free reign to the artist who designed it?

No, actually, it has been one of the main reasons why the album got pushed back, since the label and myself were not too sure of our first options. The graphist sent me something like 40 examples of covers before we all agreed on this one. I felt this album was really important to me, so I really wanted to be 100% sure that I liked the cover.

After Chinoiseries pt. 2, I read you're going to be done with concept albums. Are you wanting all your past projects to come together and form a solid concrete sound or do you hope to create a new sound altogether?

I don't know where I'm going now, I'm not trying to think too much about it, I'm going with the flow, taking one thing at a time, and we'll see where it leads me. With "Long Distance", I feel I'm getting closer to how I want to sound, but still, there's a lot of progress to be made, I'm still very far from where I want to be.

When I hear your music I hear influences from Dam-Funk, Madlib, J Dilla, and maybe Washed Out. Are these artists big influences on your work and if not who DOES influence you?

It's true for the first three artists, especially J Dilla. He's a legend, a genius, a god for me. I guess that says a lot. I'm also inspired by all the dope Hip-Hop and R'n'B producers from the 90's, that's what I grew up listening to. I didn't know about Washed Out until recently, when someone after a show, asked me if I sampled "Washed Out" to make that "Moving" beat. It appears that we sampled the same thing. Though I made this beat almost two years ago, from the same time I released "My Comet" on a 7".

Which producers would you like to work with and why?

I'd like to work with my friends, the people that surround me here in Paris. Buddy Sativa, Walter Mecca, Häzel, etc... I'm a big fan of their work, I hope the world will soon open their eyes on what we got here in France cause there's a lot of talent. Aside from them, I'd like to work with artists that I'm already in touch with. People like Waajeed, Dam-Funk, Jneiro Jarel, Reggie B, etc...

The MCs/vocalist chosen for you in the past seem very appropriate, but which MCs/vocalist would you like to work with if it was up to you with no budget involved?

That's an interesting question. I'd randomly say Andre3000, Sade, Prince, Pharrell, Bobby Caldwell, Kashif, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, a lot of MC's...

What are some of your favorite albums of all-time?

Slum Village "Fantastic Vol. 1&2", Lonnie Liston Smith "Visions of a New World", Brenton Wood "Baby, You Got It", Aswad "New Chapter In Dub", Roger Troutman "Many Facets Of Roger",

I know you're going on tour soon. What is your live set up? I heard you might be bringing a friend on tour this time.

Yeah, exactly. Buddy Sativa is coming along with me on tour. He plays synthesizer on top of my productions. I bring my two MPC 1000's on stage, and play my beats from them. We really are a good fit, it makes the show much more enjoyable for the crowd.

America seems to be on the line-up for a future tour. How many U.S. dates do you want to end up playing?

I'd like to play as many dates as possible... I'd like to stay for two months, so 20 gigs would be awesome.

What is your formula for laying down a track?

I always start with finding a sample, then it just happens in the MPC. Sometimes I know what I want to do exactly, sometimes I don't and I go with the flow...

Do you have a day job or can you survive just making music?

I'm surviving with music right now, thanks to the gigs I get, because the money we got from CD's/Vinyls' sales is very small. Surviving is the right word. I have basic needs, I never buy anything too pricey, so I can live off my art pretty simply. I wish I could renew some equipment, buy other machines, but for now, it's not possible.

Onra: "High Hopes (feat. Reggie B.)" Mp3

Onra: "Long Distance feat. Olivier DaySoul" Mp3

(if you need help finding the album or tracks let me know and I'll see what I can do)

Onra - The One feat. T3 from Slum Village from Onra on Vimeo.

Nü Sensae Interview

2010-06-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

This duo coming all the way from Vancouver, BC is creating new noise/punk in fun and exciting ways. They're made up of Andrea who plays bass/sings and Daniel who plays drums. I haven't been this excited to see a new punk band in years. I recently was lucky enough to interview them briefly about their influences, favorite producers and how they feel about the Real Housewives of New York. They seem like pretty silly kids and I'm looking forward to meeting them in person. Nü Sensae will be playing the Atlantic in Gainesville, FL Friday June 11th with touring partners Shearing Pinx.

Where are you currently?

A - Providence, Rhode Island.

Who are you in the band and what do you play?

A-Andrea I play bass and sing.

D- Daniel, I play the drums.

You're currently on tour with Shearing Pinx, how is that going? You're both from Vancouver, is there any kind of camaraderie or competition going between you 2?

A- We hate them, they hate us, it's cute.

D- We have all known each other many years. Our first show was with the Pinx.

It think it's pretty obvious to say you guys sound or influenced by Sonic Youth or maybe Nirvana. What other artists sonically are you influenced by and why?

A- I got into those bands a lot more after playing music, I always liked them, but I was thinking a lot simpler like the Germs or something.

D- I love Nirvana and Sonic Youth. But I am also influenced by lot of bands that don't sound anything like us..Patti Smith, The Breeders, Stooges, X...

If you could work with any producer who would it be?

A- Rick Rubin, I like what he did with Slayer.

D- Nina Simone, bring her back!

What new bands/artists are you following and who maybe would it be a dream to tour with?

A- Cult Ritual.

D- Tv Ghost and Swimsuit.

Is this going to be your first trip to Florida?

A-Yes!

D-Yes!

On tour what are you listening to in the van?

A- I've been listening to the first record by Epitaph, a German Sabbathy band from the 70s and Neil Young

D- Pixies, Babes in Toyland, Kurt Vile

What is your favorite city outside of Vancouver?

A-I really like California.

D-I like New York, Philadelphia and southern California.

Where would you like to tour?

A- Asia.

D- Antarctica / Europe.

Do you think we should hold Tony Hayward (CEO of BP) responsible for the oil spill in the gulf?

A- He's dead to me.

D- I hold myself responsible for that.

What are you watching tonight, the Real Housewives Of New York finale or the Celtics vs. the Lakers? Don't worry, I'm not judging.

A- I wish I were watching Real Housewives of New York, although I prefer New Jersey

D- No way! ATLANTA!

Is there anything going on in Vancouver I should check out that I probably haven't heard of art wise?

A- Yes, C/R/I/T/I/C/S/.

D- Leanne Carmicheal's photography.

Is there anything you'd like to say to Florida before you get here next Friday?

D- We don't have tans...

Nü Sensae: "Cat's Cradle" (mp3)

Nü Sensae: "New Lies" (mp3)

Music Waste #4: Loud Date ft. Nu Sensae from the shots on Vimeo.

Is Arcade Fire similar to Green Day?

2010-06-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

I remember 2004 so well, there were releases from Animal Collective Sung Tungs, Madvillain Madvallainy, Dizzee Rascal Showtime, and countless others where I actually thought music was as amazing as it was when I was 12 years old. Arcade Fire was part of this affair with Funeral. The album was as if David Bowie made a concept album about the post-apocalyptic world circa 1973, but not then now. To say the least I was blown away from all this music. I even saw Arcade Fire on tour, the band wasn't very tight yet, but the passion was there and you knew in the future they would dominate.

About 3 summers ago I saw Arcade Fire again, this time at ACL festival. The band had gotten tighter but the new record was so cheesy and full of in-your-face messages that I couldn't get into it. The stage and show were also littered with cliché, atheist-type propaganda that I always hate seeing. Neon Bible's were everywhere. That name alone (Neon Bible) gives me a stomachache. I had to walk away and go home early.

To get to the point, The Suburbs the new Arcade Fire single with b-side "Month of May" is everything you want from whinny, rich, spoiled kids who are bored and don't want to think about anything new except the same cliché bullshit. OKAY Arcade Fire, we fucking get it. The Suburbs suck and are part of the pollution to American culture. I don't want to hear about it anymore, and I hope all you other indie bands get the same idea. I think I'd feel kind of weird if I was a grown ass man and my fan base was 16 year-old kids in all black who have these formulaic thoughts of life and being alternative. What happened to individualism? Was American Idiot any influence on Neon Bible/The Suburbs? Similar ideas are on both records, one's just dumbed down more than the other. I feel both bands are using their stardom to spread their thoughtless, unoriginal thoughts of America and the future to their empty fans.

This was written due to people wanting to read bad reviews sometimes from me. I'd go on comparing the 2 bands but I don't want to give them more press that they don't deserve.

Arcade Fire: "The Suburbs"

Arcade Fire: "Month Of May"

Bored with the USA

2010-06-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

A great icon was just denied access into the US. I can't fucking believe this, one of the best DJs in the world can't obtain a visa into the states to headline a music festival in Detroit called Movement. Ricardo Villalobos hasn't played here since 2002, and might not anytime soon. What the fuck is wrong with this country? Maybe I'm one of the only minimal house kids I know but this guy is still the real deal. (via XLR8R)

Ricardo Villalobos: "Easy Lee"

Ricardo Villalblos: "Dexter"

New Flying Lotus Video

2010-05-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

A new Flying Lotus video dropped (via Twitter). The song is great and unreleased. ENJOY!

Atlas Sound Videos

2010-05-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

Incase you missed it, Pitchfork TV posted some videos of Atlas Sound that I thought were quite nice. "Sheila" is one of my favorite tracks off the newer Atlas Sound record also, and one of the tracks chosen, so more good reason to check these videos out.

Liquid Liquid on Jimmy Fallon

2010-05-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5544480/Liquid_Liquid_-_Cavern_-_(Jimmy_fallon-02-04-2010)%5Bhdtv-Divx%5D

Liquid Liquid recently played on the Jimmy Fallon show? What, that great No Wave, funk, experimental, minimal band from New York who Grandmaster Flash sampled on the song "White Lines (Don't Do It)" played on the lame ex-SNL members late night talk show? I was confused by this but ok with it too, based on the idea that I might not ever see Liquid Liquid, especially see them with the Roots. This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while.

Liquid Liquid: "Cavern"

Grandmaster Flash: "White Lines (Don't Do It)"

Gonja Sufi video

2010-05-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

New Gonja Sufi video I just stumbled over. I think I might post a few video only blogs to keep this thing moving along more fluently.

GONJA SUFI 002 from mrimd on Vimeo.

Dimlite:::Sabbo:::Nina Simone via Felix da Housecat :::James Brown via Eli Escobar

2010-05-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

I don't start my new job until Monday, so I have some time to kill, posting tracks and bullshitting around. Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and I played the Sabbo track and the James Brown via Eli Escobar re-edit, it killed. There was some pretty crazy dancing for such a chill place.

Dimlite is a Switzerland born producer who I actually found just recently. I fell in love instantly. He's been releasing tracks since 2003 and, from the earlier stuff I’ve heard, has really come into his own and developed his own sound. His newest release is Prismic Tops. I Feel like this guy would fit in well in L.A. with Flying Lotus, Nobody, Gaslamp, and all those dudes. I'm always exited to hear interesting downbeat, experimental, electronica.

Dimlite: "Diana Won't"

More influenced by roots club/dance music, Sabbo gives us his Tel Aviv version of dance music. Some of his biggest influences being Fela Kuti, Funkadelic, James Brown, Bootsy Collins, The Meters, and Nina Simone. I'm really into how this guy makes his music, especially being from Israel. The new EP is called It Is the Time. The record has dancehall, dubstep, and electronic elements. If world club is more your thing, check this out.

Perfect Loosers feat. Karo MC: "Bandits (Sabbo rmx)"

Maluca: "El Tigeraso (Sabbo rmx)"

The Chicago native, Felix da Housecat, is getting the remix right with Nina Simone's classic "Sinnerman". I didn't hear this song when it first came out but now I hear it on some God damn commercial every 5 seconds. Either way, the track is done very well. I could see this one being a house classic. Only time will tell.

Nina Simone: "Sinnerman (Felix da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix)"

Eli Escobar is one of my favorite producers to remix a song. The first one I heard of his was the Justice song, "D.A.N.C.E." I liked Eli's version because instead of taking the hard electro route (which I think is easy) he chose a more laid back housey way to change the song. Here, with his take on "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", he turns the James Brown classic into a straight dance-floor, Baltimore club banger. I used this song twice last week and it killed both times. Way to go Eli. Way to make Gainesville get down. Hopefully he's reading this in his East Village apartment.

James Brown: "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Eli Esocobar B.more Edit)"

Freddie Gibbs' new thang...

Onra::Mos Dub::Mind Spiders::Diamond K and Al Ripken Jr.

2010-05-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted last so I'll make this short and sweet. I'll also keep this one more upbeat than the past few, just to keep it more entertaining.

Onra is a newer DJ/producer and from France and is killing it on his new single Long Distances. The single contains elements of electronica, soul/funk, and hip-hop. Fans of artists like Dam Funk, Hudson Mohawk, Flying Lotus, Prince, and J Dilla will dig this. This EP has been playing nonstop in my room for a few weeks now. GET THIS!

Onra: "Long Distance (feat. Oliver Daysoul)"

Onra: "High Hopes (feat. Reggie B.)"

Mos Dub is a new project that mixes Mos Def tracks with classic reggae tracks. It's produced by Max Tannone, a silly white kid from New York, who makes these great mash-ups. These are very appropriate summer songs. I'm very glad this happened.

Mos Dub: "History Dub"

Mos Dub: "Johnny Too Beef"

Mind Spiders is a new garage/power pop band from Texas that really blows shit out. The new 7" is self titled and is a side project of Mark Ryan of the Texas punk band The Marked Men. Play this loud.

Mind Spiders: "World's Destroyed"

Diamond K and Al Ripken Jr. are Baltimore club DJ/producers on the Top Billin' label. The new EP Hands in the Air is going to be playing in your local club soon, so you might as well get on this shit now. There's not really anything new going on here, but it's still good, fun Baltimore club to get down to. The Bok Bok remix of "Hands in the Air" on this record is my favorite, but the "Single Ladies, Single Fellas" track seems to be pretty popular as well. Wah-bam!

Diamond K and Al Ripken Jr.:"Hands In The Air (Bok Bok Rmx)"

Here's 2 bonus videos by Wild Nothing and Dominique Young Unique (she'll be in Gainesville in July).

Wild Nothing - Chinatown from Jack Tatum on Vimeo.

Prins Thomas//Aloe Blacc//Sonny and the Sunsets//Thomas Fehlmann

2010-04-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

It's really difficult for me to choose tracks for this site. I like a lot of different types of music, but I really started this site as a vent to talk about music that I like without bothering my friends because they're into different music than I'm into (if anyone was wondering).

Prins Thomas peeped his head into our world around 2002 with some remixes that he put out. At this time he was more of a house/tech house kind of producer. He's really blossomed into this wonderful, airy, spaced out, jam oriented, minimal disco producer. With all the elements of 70's production and a deep knowledge of disco that I'll never be able to compete with, he dominates this modern electronic scene. I'm personally drawn to him because he's never gets cheesy. He has a good ear for what each instrument in his songs should do, and how to arrange them.

Thomas recently put out a stellar album collaboration with another Nordic electronic hero, Lindstrom. The album was simply entitled II. This album (self-titled) is Thomas' first solo album. I've played a few tracks out early in the night at clubs and I listen to it constantly in my room. I can't get enough. The album is mostly disco, but contains elements of house and deep house and was released on his own label, Full Pupp. If you are someone looking for a pop hook or if you have a short attention span, this is not for you. I heard Yeasayer just put a new album out, maybe you'll dig that, Pitchfork does.

Prins Thomas: "Uggebugg"

Prins Thomas and Lindstorm: "Urkenvandring"

Aloe Blacc has come a long way from his indie rap debut in Emanon in the mid 90's. He has really blossomed into this influential modern American soul signer. I really hope he keeps progressing.

His new single "I Need a Dollar" seems like a very appropriate song for the life in times in America currently. Shine Through, Aloe's 2006 release seemed a lot more abstract than the new single, which will be on his new album Good Things. The new album will feature members of the groups The Expressions (from Lee Fields and the Expressions) and El Michels Affair. If you haven't heard anything from those guys yet, get the fuck on it.

Good Thing is going to be a pure soul record, unlike Shine Through. Hearing all the Latin influence on the last record though, and knowing that both of his parents are Panamanian, we can expect more Latin influenced music from Aloe to come. I'm very excited to see what this artist does with sound.

Aloe Blacc: "I Need A Dollar"
Aloe Blacc: "I'm Beautiful"

Sonny Smith, the singer/songwriter from San Francisco, CA has a lo-fi, beach-pop sound, which may be some of the most charming music that I've heard in a while. I am a classic pop fan (especially the Beach Boys) so this to me is very reminiscent of what maybe a demo version of what a Brian Wilson song would sound like pre-Pet Sounds on just an acoustic guitar. Sonny can't sing as well, but he gets the genre perfectly, which makes me like the music more.

Tomorrow is Alright is the full length and Hypnotist is the new 7". My Friends in the Jacuzzi Boys are playing with Sonny and the Sunsets soon in San Francisco, so if you happen to be in San Fran. around May 21st, go.

Sonny and The Sunsets: "Too Young To Burn"

Sonny and The Sunsets: "Lovin' On An Older Gal"

Thomas Fehlmann, a sometimes collaborator with the Orb as well as a DJ, musician and producer has just released a full length on Kompakt Records entitled Gute Luft. It's a soundtrack to a TV show in Berlin called "24H Berlin". The album is all electronic based with dub techno, tech house, and ambiance being the basis of sound for the record. I know when most people hear techno they think party, party but this record is the opposite of that. It's a very chill, relaxing record. There's a lot of really beautiful melodies that play throughout it and sometimes the melodies resurface in other tracks throughout the record.

I wouldn't put this record on before I went out to a club or bar but it might be nice to drive home to or listen to on a Sunday morning after a little smoke, doing some Sunday cleaning.

Thomas Fehlmann: "Permanent Touch"

Thomas Fehlmann: "In The Wind"

Drummer Steve Reid died this week. He was a frequent collaborator with Four Tet and a well know jazz drummer.

The Sandwitches interview

2010-03-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

It's funny to me that bands like the Sandwitches don't get more press. They have soul, song writing ability, and they're never cheesy. It seems people just want to hear over-produced pop songs that mean nothing and have some shitty hook. Even more appealing to me is that sometimes you see the Sandwitches in clown costumes and sometimes you see them in Loretta Lynn type outfits from the 1960s. People are so obsessed with image that they don't know how to have fun and enjoy quality music anymore.

The Sandwitches are a lo-fi lady trio (I feel sexist saying girl group) from San Francisco, California. The members are Grace Cooper, Heidi Alexander, and Roxy Brodeur. Their sound goes from gothic folk to 60s pop with deep influence in soul, especially the vocals. There is an overall 60s production style going on but without ever feeling gimmicky.

The newest record is called How To Make Ambient Sadcake and was released on Turn Up Records. If you haven't heard it yet, dip your balls in it. The band is also playing Gainesville, FL on Sunday, March 14th at venue TBA and lots of other shows across the states with bands like Thee Oh Sees, Washed Out, Real Estate, and Best Coast.

(for some reason my fonts, sizes, bold and italics aren't working so this interview doesn't look as nice as it could)

So who are you girls and where are you from?

We're classy ladies from California.

Who are some of your biggest influences (could be music or non-music related)?

Dad, Todd Rudgren, Gene Wilder, Grandma, all the boys.

When I first read your band name, I thought this might be a silly, lo-fi, female band. Is that the intention you had or is there some long running inside joke?

Well, that's sort of what we are -- except now we've got our man Lance -- but moreover we accidentally happened upon the name in conversation and unfortunately couldn't help naming ourselves that once we though of it, despite our own better judgment.

You ladies are playing the Gorilla vs. Bear Showcase at SXSW, and you're playing with Thee Oh Sees out west in March. To me, all that sounds like a pretty big deal, how do you feel about all that?

We feel pretty good about it. Thee Oh Sees are good friends but all the kind press was unexpected and we feel real lucky to have it.

I believe this is going to be your first trip to Gainesville and Florida. Are you excited about that as well? I'm excited that you are playing, we get a lot of punk, metal and alt country shows here which is fun but there's a lot of good music out there that's not coming to Gainesville.

Heck yes, and we'd love to see a gator.

Are there vegetarians in the band?

Lazer's a veg.

What fast food do you eat on the road? Do you make food before hand, gas station snacks, weed brownies, hot-pockets, fruit roll ups?

Mostly Slim Jims, beef jerky, and weed brownies.

Are there any straight edge people in the band?

Nope.

How often do you do laundry on the road and how often do you wear the same thing before washing it?

We'd rather not answer that question.

What are your plans for 2010?

Take it to the max we guess.

What bands would you like to tour with?

Sludgehammer.

If anyone could produce your next record, who would do it?

Phil Spector, so has he keeps his trigger finger in sight.

Domino's recently said their pizza won in a taste test over Papa Johns. Do you believe this and whom do you prefer?

ROUND TABLE!!! We're no fools.

Anything you want to tell Gainesville before you play here?

Those we seek only loves peace and pleasures are better to pass out of love's domain, but they will not laugh all their laughter, nor cry all their tears.

See you soon,

xxx

SAndwitches

The Sandwitches: "Back To The Sea"

The Sandwitches: "Tarantula Arms"

Pantha Du Prince/Joy Orbison/Beach House/Wild Nothing

2010-02-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

A few months back the track "The Splendor" was released and I started to get really excited about the hint of a new Pantha Du Prince album. The last album he (Hendrik Weber) released was The Bliss on Hamburgs Dial Records and was one of the most sonically impressive albums I heard in 2007. I actually think I heard the album more in 2008. Regardless, the man knows who to make minimal techno. Shit, I mean he remixed Animal Collective. Not every producer gets asked to do that. Only Dam Funk, Black Dice, Zomby and a handful of others have been asked to do so so far.

For the new record, Black Noise all the dry parts of the last record are cut out to make a new more solid Pantha Du Prince. All the lush strings and intricate bell and percussion parts are still here. But instead of the long winded string and bell parts in some tracks along with the too hard for the record techno tracks, this record has more of a solid mix of the two here. The only part that I don't love on this record is the track with Panda Bear a.k.a. Noah Lennox of Animal Collective. I don't really feel his voice is right for minimal techno. He breathes this kind of child like essence into the track that Weber doesn't have or need to produce his brand of music. Fans of shoegaze also might like this being that Weber uses droning notes and chords that fans of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride and Moose might be into. Weber himself is also a hugh fan.

(first photo from the top)

Pantha Du Prince:"The Splendor"

Pantha Du Prince: "Bohemian Forest"

Joy Orbison! I've written about this guy way too much. I'm still consistently impressed with the tracks he (Peter O' Grady) puts out. His dubstep/house/disco tracks are smarter than most guys twice his age. He's only 22 and every single he's released had been blogged about. Even his b-sides are blogged about. I'm not going to write too much more, I'm tired of blowing this guy. Here are some new tracks. Where’s the full length O’ Grady?

(second photo from the top)

Joy Orbison: "The Shrew Would Have Cushioned The Blow"

Joy Orison: "So Derobe"

Hailing from the Baltimore, MA and having released two albums already, I didn't really see Beach House doing much more with their sound. Signing to Sub Pop Records, I should have known that things might have changed. I'm always really interested to see what bands do when they have bigger budgets, from their newfound labels. Whether they go for that all reaching pop sound that usually is not very good in order just to see how far their sound can reach commercially and how long they can last on a decent label without getting the boot. Here, that's not the case. Beach House, instead of going down that pop route, they go for a bigger, more in touch with who and what they are Beach House record. I love them for that too.

The new record Teen Dream has been playing almost non-stop in my room since I got a hold of it. The record is dark and beautiful without ever stepping into the "this is too angsty" realm. I'm getting older and I'm very hesitant to get into an indie rock record nowadays. Something about that genre is too gimmicky or "white" sounding for me to pay mind to. This record has soul though, check it out.

(3rd photo from the top)

Beach House: "Silver Soul"

Beach House: "Norway"

Beach House: "Zebra (Ring Trick Remix)"

Beach House "Silver Soul" from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

Wild Nothing is a recording project for Jack Tatum who's a Virgina native. There's not too much I can write about this because there's not too much info available yet. The vocals are breathy, the back-up vocals are haunting, the guitars are bright and the production value is that of a 90's alt rock bands. The new single "Summer Holiday" reminds me of the guitar in the Cure song "Pictures of You". Wild Nothing is playing some shows up in New York soon, so Brooklyn friends, make sure to take note and try to see them.

(4th photo from the top)

Wild Nothing: "Summer Holiday"

Nite Jewel Interview

2010-01-31T14:56:00.000-08:00

Nite Jewel is Ramona Gonzalez from Los Angeles, California. She released a record last year entitled Good Evening to rave reviews and is currently on tour and on her way to Florida. She will be playing in Orlando on Feb. 9th at Backbooth and in Tampa on Feb. 10th at Crowbar.

Nite Jewel’s sound can be described as lo-fi dreamy bedroom disco with 80’s synths and hints of 90’s R&B. I know that sounds like a lot, but when you hear it, it makes sense. The lo-fi end would come from the fact that she only records on an 8-track with analog keyboards and drum machines, which to me gives the recordings the edge and uniqueness that makes her work different from other indie bedroom-recording artists.

Ramona is married to Cole from Haunted Graffiti (who sounds like a more FM pop, lo-fi, tripped out version of Syd Barrett). Together with a few other friends they create Nite Jewel. Ramona is also working on a record with Dam-Funk (a futuristic funk artist) under the name Nite Funk, how great is that? That record will be released on Stones Throw Records sometime in the future. Did I just say in the future? No shit. Ramona also just released a podcast mix for Stones Throw, which is killer and sounds a lot like her music. It’s podcast 54, check it out.

I had a chance to catch up with Ramona and ask her a few questions. Also, I feel more in love with the fact that she answers her own e-mail. How many artist do that nowadays? Make sure to see her while she is in Florida.

Where are you right now and what have you been up to lately?

I'm working right now. I'm reading about Eno's Another सोमेव्हेरे वर्ल्ड.
Lately I've been recording and figuring out how to get from my house
to the car without getting drenched in rain.

I feel the LA scene has one of the most progressive scenes right now in terms of alternative music with acts like Flying Lotus, Nobody, Health, No Age, Dam Funk, Nite Jewel, etc.. How do you feel about it and how often do you see live music?

I love it here, I feel that I'm surrounded by a lot of creative
people. I haven't been out to see many live shows since I've been
touring a lot. As one of my professors said, "We get to the point
when the only shows we are able to see are our own."

I just watched your XLR8R Tune in an Afternoon with Dam Funk entitled Nite Funk. How was that experience and how was working with Dam Funk?

It was pretty much exactly how you see it on the program. Chill, easy
breezy, and fun.

How do you find out about music new or old (blogs, magazines, friends, infomercials, B.E.T.)?

I find about old music as a daily ritual. With new music, I usually
get advice from friends about what to listen to. Once in a blue moon
I'll turn on KCRW just to see what the kids are into, which
occasionally is good.

I know you're coming to Florida on your tour. Will this be your first trip to Florida and did you purposely miss out on Gainesville? Just kidding about the last part.

First time in Florida, yes. I'm super excited! I hear Gainesville's
a liberal town, don't know how it was overlooked!

I've been seeing your record Good Evening sold out on lots of websites. Does this give you a comforting feeling or are you pissed that your record company didn't press enough copies?

Haha. I put it out myself so I don't mind really.

What are your plans for the new year?

Recording new material. Academic applications.

If anyone could produce the next Nite Jewel album, who would you choose and why?

It's currently being produced by myself, Cole Greif-Neill, Scott
Thiessen, and David Barrett.

To me your record is a kind of staying inside, cooking dinner with friend(s), smoking some weed and taking it easy. Did you have any intention on making a record like this and does this reflect who you are?

I had no intention in making this record, but I'm glad it ended up
soothing. Seems obvious that my music would reflect who I am. I
guess lately I have been sort of a homebody.

I saw in another interview the other day that you still have a day job. To me you released one of the best records of last year and it blows my mind that you're not making a living making music. Are there artists you love that still have day jobs and does it blow your mind that they're not making a living off their art?

It's hard to make a living doing music. You have to be extremely
savvy. There are lots of desperate people in the industry trying to
find any way of giving less money to the artist. That's because less
money is coming in to the industry due to the internet and what not.
So we as artists have to do it our own way. That's why I am trying to
self-release my recordings most of the time, which means I don't pay
myself an advance. So I have to work, but I don't mind really, my job
is pretty easy. It doesn't blow my mind that my favorite artists have
day jobs. A lot of my favorite artists were never and will never be
popular. That's okay. Many great artists aren't. Hopefully with the
internet though, they can be popular in a different way, where they
have a day job and they still get accolades from web crawlers and
bloggers like yourself. It's a beautiful paradox.

If you and your husband divorce, would you ever go on a date with me? I think any girl I'd be dating would be okay with this.

If my husband and I divorce, I'll probably end up living in ashram somewhere।

Nite Jewel: "What Did He Say"
Nite Jewel: "We Want Our Things"

The Knife/Nite Funk/Young Man/Gigi

2010-01-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

I haven't written anything in a while, instead I've been watching 30 Rock and Jersey Shore. I don't get it, I talk shit about all the trash on television and then I watch the trashiest show on TV, Jersey Shore. Maybe I like it because I love sub-culture and I really know nothing about this sub-culture? I'm not sure. Anyhow, this is what's been good.

All of you know who The Knife is. If you don't, WHAT FUCKING ROCK HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING UNDER? Everything this group does pushes the boundaries of sound and never looks back on the past, only the future. If you didn't hear either of their solo projects last year, you need to get on that shit. It's quality stuff.

Either way, they're currently working on an opera. What the fuck? An opera? They're pretty ridiculous, but that makes them far more interesting. Riiiiight? The opera is a tribute to Charles Darwin and is called “Tomorrow, in a Year.” The work should reflect the text by Darwin from On the Origin of Species. The work will contain 3 singers. Each singer will be singing from a different background, electronic pop, classic opera, and performance. The Knife will be arranging the music and words to the opera. I've only heard one song from this but I am very excited to see what else comes out. Hopefully this is released on DVD. I'm sure visually this will be amazing.

(top photo)

The Knife in collaboration with Mt. Sims and Planningtorock: "The Coloring of Pigeons"

In case you guys haven't been following, Dam-Funk and Nite Jewel have collaborated on a great new track called "Am I Gonna Make It". It's a great mix of Nite Jewels lo-fi funky disco and Dam-Funk's futuristic funk. The recording was made for XLR8R's video podcast Tune in an Afternoon. Nite Jewel produces the track and Dam-Funk sings and adds his own input on the production. Make sure to watch the video. Watching the song come to life is half the charm.

(second photo from the top)

Nite Funk: "Am I Gonna Make It"

Dam-Funk: "Mirrors"

Nite Jewel: "What Did He Say"

Young Man is a new lo-fi, dream pop, bedroom artist. This style is very popular right now and seems to be making the blog lists all around. This guy is very reminiscent of Panda Bear and Atlas Sound to me but is still charming in its own way. Don't think I'm dying to hear this live but it's nice background music for my room or nice waking up to. I'll see how the full length comes out. It's due out early this year.

Young Man: "Five"

Young Man: "Playtime"

Gigi is a project of two men who love Phil Spector and the Wall of Sound. The group is based out of Vancouver and is the work of Nick Krogvich (songwriter) and Colin Stewart (producer). For those of you who love 60's pop production and harmonies, this should be your cup of tea.

This record comes out Jan. 26th, 2010. The record also contains credits to groups such as Black Mountain, Cave Singers and Destroyer. In some way, this reminds me of a Martin Scorsese movie, mostly Mean Streets.

(third photo from the top)

Gigi: "No, More Heart Will Go"

Gigi: "I'm Not Coming Out Tonight"

Gigi: "The Old Graveyard (Feat. Karl Blau)"

Metro Area, Moon Duo, Tycho, Lyn Collins, Joy Orbison

2009-12-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

I first heard Metro Area on a DFA remix album. The song was "Orange Alert" and I was pretty unimpressed. Although, I follow the blog discodelicious.com, and the guy that runs it usually has an excellent selection of songs. I saw there was a Metro Area song and I was kind of surprised. He usually stays away from the indie-tinted disco club tracks that DFA and hipster DJs tend to eat up. I usually listen to all the tracks discodelicious posts and that day wasn't any different. As soon as I pushed play, I was into the track. The song was more on the house/disco side, which scares most indie kids, thinking they might start turning into that douche bag who hates indie rock and loves club music, or so they think.

The group is made up of super producers/DJs Morgan Geist and Darshan Jesrani. They made a few tracks together in the 90's but didn't decide on the name Metro Area until 1998. Since then they've made about a dozen 12"s.

The track is called "We Also Not" and is a six-minute journey that's perfect for doing homework and recovering from a hangover to. If you're lucky, maybe making out with somebody. That's depending what kind of kid you are. Around 4 and a half minutes these beautiful space-aged synths come in and really give the song the eyebrows that it needs to last those six-minutes.

(first photo on top)

Metro Area: "We Also Not"

Moon Duo is the side project of Ripley Johnson, Guitarist/vocalist for the group Wooden Shjips. It's supposed to be the Velvet Underground inspired side group, but it's more than that. It's very hypnotic in the sense that the beat traps you in with its repetition. Sometimes having Motown style drums with noisy/droning guitars, bass and effected out vocals. Sounds good to me. I don't have the whole EP Killing Time yet, but it's on my list. I think I like this better than Wooden Shjips.

(second photo from the top)

Moon Duo: "Stumbling 22nd St."

The new EP from Tycho is entitled Coastal Brake and the title track starts off like an acoustic Boards of Canada track...until the drum beat kicks in. Then you're swirling down a wave of colors and synths as you chill out to the sounds of San Fransico's newest producer. I'm going to put him on my producers-to-watch list for in 2010.

(third photo from the top)

Tycho: "Coastal Brake"

Lyn Collins is a woman who we've all heard sampled but most likely know nothing about. Most famously you'd know her in Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two". It's the "Woo! Yea!" that we know so well from her 1972 hit "Think (about it)". She's been sampled by about a dozen other artists as well. Collins was born in Texas and known most for working with James Brown. Listen to this track and you'll hear the James Brown similarities.

Lyn Collins: "Think (about it)"

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock: "It Takes Two"

With just two singles released and a handful of remixes, this guy (Joy Orbison) has created more buzz in the club music/producer world than just about anyone else this year. Being only 22 and born in the UK (living mostly in South London now), Joy can have a lot of potential to become a great producer, being that South London is the heart of the garage/dubstep scene. Every song has been a great listening track but also a great club track. These songs are made for good headphones or club speakers. If you're an audiophile who loves textures, this should be right up your alley.

Joy Orbison: "Hyph Mngo"

Joy Orbison: "J. Doe"

Oni Ayhun, Animal Collective, Four Tet, Chicago, Peter Tosh

2009-12-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

It's been recently confirmed that Oni Ayhun is the work of Olof Dreijer of the Knife. The Knife is supposed to be on a 3-year hiatus so that Olof can work on his DJ project Coolof. Oni must be his techno producer outlet. Upon first listen of Oni Ayhun, I was reminded as to why I like the Knife. All the soundscapes they like to play with are here but more specified to the techno genre, with a little dub influence (there's a little dub break down around 7 minutes into the track) on side b of the single OAR003.

Following in The Knife’s tradition of anonymity, Olof did a good job of staying out of the press and hiding his face to avoid it being a distraction from the sounds. It wasn't until he started DJ-ing this project that people figured it out. He played a show recently in Germany with Joker and a few other big shot producer/DJs and I've only read great things. I'm not sure how much longer The Knife’s hiatus will last but I like both solo projects (Fever Ray being the other) and can't wait to hear more of what these two create. Sweden has birthed us two creative mo fo's.

The first photo on top is the Oni Ayhun EP.

Oni Ayhun - OAR003-B

The new Animal Collective Ep is out, Fall Be Kind. All the weird more introspective songs that Merriweather was missing are on this release. Being that Merriweather was the Animal Collective pop record, this had to be released because there are great songs here that didn't make sense to release on the full length. I happened to see them play a few of these tracks in Orlando at Club Firestone. "What Would I want? Sky" killed it. That song is the second song in history that was given permission to sample the Grateful Dead. I won't write too much about this because too many other blogs/critics already have and have done a better job. All and all this should be a good winter chill-in-your-bedroom record while you're reading or just hanging with friends. Smoke more weed.

Second photo from the top.

Animal Collective: "What Would I Want? Sky"

Animal Collective: "Bleeding"

After the Four Tet and Burial collaboration being somewhat of a let down, I wasn't sure how this single was going to be. Four Tet has done great things in the past but recently hasn't done anything to impress me. Honestly, I've been bored. "Love Cry" the new single is more inline with what I'd like to see Four Tet doing. The raw sounding drumbeat, the experimental/ambient style electronics and maybe even some glitchy elements for some extra flavor are all here. When the vocals come in they hit you like a ray of sunshine. This is a Four Tet style house track. This is not made for a club though but maybe your bedroom or a long drive in the winter. The fact that Burial worked with him and Joy Orbison is willing to work with him is a good sign. People and producers still have faith in Four Tet and this track is why.

Third photo from the top.

Four Tet: "Love Cry"

Four Tet: "Love Cry (Joy Orbison Remix)"

Chicago's album 13 came at a time when disco was at it's peak and Chicago's fans were dwindling. They decided to go disco and follow the crowd. I usually hate this, but in the case with this song, I'll let it slide. The track "Street Player" kills. The conga heavy latin breakdown is my favorite part. Sounds like an awesome dance party. A 90's house/disco group sampled the hell out this song. That's the only way it might sound like you've heard it before. Unless you're a die hard Chicago fan. Douuuuubt it!

Fourth photo from the top. Fucking duuuuuuuuuuuh.

Chicago: "Street Player"

The Bucketheads: "The Bomb (Youth's Street Player 2 Turbo Edition)"

You might know Peter Tosh as a soulful reggae singer and former member of The Wailers, but you can hear him now with this nicely done disco edit. Disco's never sounded so soulful. This edit is done by SirBilly who does a bunch of killer edits. Check him out.

Peter Tosh: "Buk In Hamm Palace (SirBilly Edit)"

(last song on the page but downloadable there)

Last photo at the bottom.

Edited by A. Gilwit

Clubroot, 2562, Beatconductor, Kurt Vile

2009-11-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

All this week Clubroot had been playing in my room non-stop. I can't get enough of it. I remember when I first heard the track "Low Pressure Zone". It was as if Burial's influence has truly gone into effect. Well... influencing Clubroot along with the new Boxcutter. The dark ambient keys, the sounds of what could be rain in the back ground, bass tones that shake your entire body, the triplet drum pops of dubstep with a little 808 swagger, and the sadness which looms over the producer. They're hints of other genres too like UK Garage but overall I hear this album as a dubstep album. I know this might be a bit of an overshot, but I feel like this could be one of the best records of the year. Not a party record, but a by yourself record. Don't put it on on a first date, your likely to bum out him/her that your with. I don't really think this record is doing anything too new, but is does feel so nicely arranged that it doesn't bother me.

Download or buy this now! Clubroot - Clubroot

Clubroot: "Fire Fly" (new track not on LP)

2562 is another newer dubstep/techno group. Don't be an asshole and get a bad taste in your mouth because I said the word techno. This is not raver asshole music. I'd be dead surprised to see glow sticks or lollipops at a 2562 show. This is for mature music fans and adults who love electronica. Much like Clubroot, 2562 goes about the slight darker side of music. Not as much as Clubroot, but the elements are still there. This music is not made for a crazy dance party as much as just to set back and listen to the tones he puts in front of you. The album Unbalance was released on the Tectonic label, which means he's label mates with Pinch and Martyn. If you haven't heard those guys yet you neeeeeeeeeeed to hear them. They all do some various sub-genre of dub-step.

2562: "Flashback"

2562: "Lost"

2562: "Dinosaur"

Beatconductor is some electronic, funk, soul, disco from Germany who seems like he's into LCD and that whole DFA thing but with more 70's influence than art punk. Either way, another newer producer who stays away from the cheese and gives us something for the club and our bedroom or even a log car ride into the sun.

Beatconductor: "Funky Boogie"

Kurt Vile has put out one of the best indie singer-songwriter records of the year, and then put out another. God Is Saying This To You was my favorite morning album for a month straight. I'm not too big of a new singer-songwriter fan anymore, but this guy's underlined assholeness and dry since of humor I like. Vocals similar to Lou Reed with hints at the 70's NY music scene. It's rare that I hear a new indie singer song-writer sound so fresh. By looking at this guy with his long hair, you would think he's from the west coast but he's from Philly. The productions range from bright acoustic guitars with reverbed out bedroom vocals to electronic noise interludes. Americana is still present even though this so new sounding. I doubt there will be an artist to put out 2 better records this year. (Childish Prodigy was the second record he put out this year released on Matador Records).

Kurt Vile: "Heart Attack"

Kurt Vile: Blackberry Song"

Kurt Vile: "My Sympathy" (this song wins)

Motor City Drum Ensemble, Woods, Fever Ray and Nosaj Thing

2009-11-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

Fall in Gainesville is nothing like fall in Sweden (above) but non the less, it's beautiful outside 90% of the time. Being from Miami and hearing people bitch about how cold it is and them being from South Florida is funny. Gainesville at least kind of has 4 seasons. That's prettttttty, pretttttttty normal.

So this is what I've watching/listening to lately. Nosaj I already wrote about but this video is pretty great, even if you don't get playing electronic music live, you might like it more now. Fever Ray (one half of the Knife) you should know but this video is pretty funny. The Woods (folk, psychedelic, jam band)you should already know too, but also a great video.

Motor City Drum Ensemble (disco, deep house) are an impressive duo from Holland who make Detroit and Chicago influenced disco and house. They just did a podcast for Resident Advisor (which in case you didn't know is the best electronic website that's out there). It's RA. 132 Motor City Drum Ensemble. The interview is good as well. Here's some tracks. When the congas take off in the track "Raw Cuts #5", the track really takes off. (via phase02)

Motor City Drum Ensemble: "Raw Cuts #5"

DJ T: "Shine On (Motor City Drum Ensemble Dub Mix)

I was trying to find a decent music video to post this week and I think I came upon a pretty good one. I hope you like it. I'm pretty surprised how natural he sings so high pitched. You can see it in the second video below.

Here's the newer Fever Ray video. She never fails to hit ridiculous.

Here's Nosaj Thing explaining his live set up and playing live. Also a little bonus video for one of his tracks entitled "AQUARIUM".

Yours Truly Presents: Nosaj Thing from Yours Truly on Vimeo.