Alex gets Happy

Alex Ridha makes everyone happy though...does he not? This is a great prelude for their March album as well. Make sure you keep some spare change aside for then.

Happy Up Here, the Boys Noize mix, by Royksopp

Zombie's are worth something?

This is worth it. The video (originally here, thanks to jeroener) is of Florian's friend Tiga playing a new Zombie Nation track at Soulwaxmas in Rotterdam 2008. The rip is the prosaic audio from it. Zombie Nation's album is releasing around March and this track should be available on January 12 of the coming year as a pre-release to his album. "Sick Is The New Healthy" is the B-Side of that pre-release. Make sure you invest a couple of dollars into both of these releases when they are made available.

Worth It (Prosaic Quality), Alternative

Sufjan's Songs for Christmas Vol 8

New material from Sufjam "Stovetop" Stevens! Fortunately for us, one of Sufjan's friends embraced the spirit of Christmas and shared Songs for Christmas Vol. 8, fittingly titled Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage.

The 40 minute EP continues the tradition of reanimating classic Christmas songs, this time including great versions of "Joy To The World", "Do You See What I See?" and original tracks that perhaps will be the classics of the next generation, like the intimate "Christmas In The Room."

Sufjan brought his Christmas spirit this year from outer space, with robots and extra-terrestrial blips accompanying him on most of the songs.

Angels We Have Heard On High

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

Nevereverland Melbourne

Klaxons playing one of their new songs, "Moonhead"



Crappy audio rip from the video.


Hercules & Love Affair's brass section breaking into a free-form jazz solo:



And just because they were there, here's The Presets "Are You The One?"

The Proxy Tour 2009

~Thomas Von Party~
~The Proxy~




Indian Film, in prosaic quality
The Proxy - Live at the Social Club, Paris, 16th of August 2008

A Repentant Celibate

Soulwax, Kraftwerk & The Beatles - Tour de Eleanor Rigby (Alternative)

Wilderness of Forza

~damn cool~

©Arthur Molines

A fabulous release from Florian Senfter, under his moniker of Zombie Nation, on UKW Records. Almost matches Gizmode? Buy the 12" here, or the digital release on Beatport or Juno. A must, my friends. A must.

Forza (Original Mix), with Zombie Nation

A Different Link

You won't be flaccid on this acid.

There is a lot of hype around Turbo Recordings at the moment. All of it is well deserved, of course, but it has been accentuated by the blog world due to upcoming releases of The Proxy, ZZT and Tiga. Some of these have featured here, and are worth the hype surrounding them. Tiga is an incredible modern music mind, and all his productions are moves of utter genius.

To discover if they are truly worthy, however, we must look further back into Turbo’s past. One does not become a saint without being holy. Their back listing of vinyls and CD’s is barely credible; obscure names jump out, as well as comical onesheets by Tiga and occasionally Von Party. But it’s all manifested into Turbo. Their back listing proves to everybody the worthiness and greatness of not just acid and techno alone, but of a label that is dedicated to their sound.

These are tracks from Turbo-009 onwards. Enjoy this selection and go to beatport and buy as much as you will allow yourself, if you give each track time it will envelope you.

TGV is Mateo Murphy and Tiga, both from Montreal. TGV EP, Turbo-009 was released on the 11th of February 2002. This EP was a thundering prelude to Mateo Murphy’s solo EP “Bringing it Back”. TGV create an acidic environment of techno within Night Train.

Night Train, TGV

Clemens Kahlcke & Michael Pagliosa are the Märtini Brös. Flash was their second record released through Turbo Recordings with Pläy being their first EP. They were founded in 1998, and Flash gets the remix from Tiga and his nostalgic acid days.

Flash (Tiga's Acid Flashback Remix), Märtini Brös.

A Spanish producer since 1989, Robert Calvin was influenced by late 70's and early 80's electronic groups such as Cabaret Voltaire, Einsturzende Neubauten and Depeche Mode. Methods of Dance, Turbo-021, has that beloved 80's sound, producing techno with an acid twist. A brilliant example of IDM (think intelligent dance music, then think warp records, then Aphex Twin, then last of all individualistic experimentation).

Azid Life, Robert Calvin

Jori was born in northern Finland. He had a very eclectic taste in music for his age, especially since he grew up in the middle of the cold war. He was leaning towards an electronic style and suddenly hit the profound Detroit techno in the late 80’s. He has been consistently releasing on F-Communication and PIAS since 1995, but has two magnificent releases on Turbo recordings under his solo alias; EP’s Katajanukke and Rave 2.0. Additionally, his Helsinki Mix sessions in 2000 are cataloged. Katajanukke (Turbo-036), which translates to Juniper Doll, is a four track 12” of frenzied, acerbic techno with a thudding bass.

Enter The Fear, Who Will Be Slaughtered Next, Jori Hulkkonen

Maxime Firket (Compuphonic) was born in early 80’s in Belgium. He was trained during his childhood as a violoncellist, and his solo production is a combo of 80’s tech house and minimal sounds. Olivier Grégoire is Kolombo. He has been releasing since 2005 but his foremost release on Turbo is the Emotion EP (as well as “TMV-001”) with Maxime. Reverie featured on TMV-02 as a solo release. Together, they are Compuphonic & Kolombo, their “Emotion” EP (Turbo-044) was released in September of last year. It has the concentrated goodness of their Lekebusch remix and is a tad more distorted than usual, but that distortion comes across as warmth and fills my heart with blinding acid once more.

Emotion, Compuphonic & Kolombo

More commonly known as Remute; Denis Karimani is playlisted by the likes of Florian Senfter aka Zombie Nation. His work featured as track six of ten on Turbo Mind Vacuum (TMV-02). A standout track on a standout compilation. While his productions are described as progressive house/tech house, they can be summed up in a single word: marathon.

Rooms & Rites, Denis Karimani

"Freak Thyself!" - Tiga

Passarella Death Squad

You may have seen the name Passarella Death Squad on the label of some interesting t-shirts:

The multi-talented fashionistas behind these designs also, and perhaps primarily, produce electronica. Based in London, and consisting of Danny Broddle and Kingsley Gratrick on noises, and Emilie Albisser on vocals, the group has been compared to minimalist electronica with the vocals of Siouxsie & The Banshees. They are signed to The Republic of Desire, they are releasing two 12" records in the next few months and with an album out early next year.
Danny has answered a few questions for us:

1. Clearly you guys have a flair for the evocative, both in clothing and music. Are the two related? Which field were you originally interested in pursuing?

Both really, the music started first then about 2 or so months after the idea for a t-shirt came around and the clothing went from there.

2. Your style is very minimalist, and yet it manages to "awaken our deepest, darkest sexual psyche". When you work on new material, do you try and tap into primal urges for inspiration? Is it a natural process?

Nothing as exciting as 'awakening primal urges' ever happens, but I suppose it is a natural process, we usually know what we expect it to sound like before it's started, dark, deep etc it's just a case of playing around with the drum machine and going from there.

3. The two remixes on your 12'' Ima/Blackout are very different, both from your original material and each other. Do you prefer either style? Were these the remixes you were looking for?

I liked them both but I preferred Midnight Mikes mix (now called Mickey Moonlight on Ed Banger records)

With remixes all you can hope for is that the artist has an good idea of what they want to do before they start,

rather than using the 'remix by numbers' process.

4. Were you excited when Tiga tracklisted you? Do you think you may get involved more with electro producers in the future?

Yes! It was also the first track played on his podcast show, so I was really happy about that as well.

I like electro music but I don't think I'd like to work with the producers as such.

5. What new material is on the way?

Next 12" 'Painted Yellow, Painted Black' is out in November, remixes coming from Perc and George Issakidis,

followed by another 12" released possibly in February with the album out in early 2009, all on The Republic Of Desire Recordings.

6. Have you ever considered doing a t-shirt displaying the three members of PDS nude?
Not until you mentioned it.

Ima

Blackout (Midnight Mike Remix)

Hand over your heart

Why are the Kings of Leon divided by the Atlantic?

From their very first record the Followill brothers have been shunned by US media and critics, struggling to fill even small venues and receiving little attention and plays on the radio and TV. Fans in the UK and Australia can't understand this brutal dismissal of the much-loved brothers, who have headlined large festivals like Glastonbury in the UK and Big Day Out and Falls in Australia.

Here are the scores side by side of some UK and American reviews:
(click the scores for links to the reviews)

Youth & Young Manhood
NME: 9/10                                         Pitchfork: 4.2/10
The Guardian: 5/5                                 Popmatters: 3/10
Uncut: 5/5

Aha Shake Heartbreak
NME: 8/10                                         Pitchfork: 4.9/10
The Guardian: 4/5                                 Tiny Mix Tapes: 0.5/5
Uncut: 2/5

Because of the Times
NME: 8/10                                         Pitchfork: 5.4/10
The Guardian: 4/5                                 Spin: 5/10
The Observer: 5/5                 
Uncut: 4/5

Only by the Night
NME: 7/10                                         Pitchfork: 3.8/10
The Observer: 5/5                                 Popmatters: 2/10
Uncut: 4/5
Baked Not Fried: 3/5

What is it about KOL that polarises listeners and critics? It seems that you either love them or hate them. Is it Caleb's voice, or his lyrics? Is it the attitude the Followills have, is it the comparisons to the Strokes or U2? Whatever it is, I enjoy the music of the Followills, and will continue to do so, regardless of how poppy they push to become (to a point.) Hopefully they can break the US market so they can return to proper form and don't have to waste effort crafting radio hits.

Here are two excellent B-sides, the first from the Only by the Night deluxe version and the second from the Sex on Fire 7". They are only 128 kbps, buy full quality via iTunes here.

Beneath The Surface

Frontier City

Mindimension/The Future

"Every time I look into your eyes I see the future"

Tiga's newest album, being kept under wraps very well, has a few track titles known off of it. One being "Mind Dimension". Using vocoders to the maximum, limited lyrics and that new found grounding and rolling synth, the track is definitely one for a bigger system. Capable of creating an incredible atmosphere when heard live.

"The house is mine"

Being released soon on Turbo Recordings (or maybe PIAS or Wall Of Sound) - Tiga's own label - it cements Turbo's place as one of the very top labels this year. Massive releases from ZZT, The Proxy, Tiga, Cari Lekebusch, Popof, Brodinski's "Oblivion" coming soon and also the quirky TMV-3 show us all where the direction of music is heading, and I love it. Check more of Turbo Recordings here and remember to read our interview we had with Thomas Von Party!

News: The single will be released on the 1st of December this year. Two tracks; Mind Dimension 1 and Mind Dimension 2. Number 2 has additional production by the Dewaele Brothers.

Mind Dimension 1 - Tiga (Prosaic Quality) (mediafire) (zshare)

~BUY IT~
~watch it live here~

A Tape Worm

ZZT, who are Tiga & Zombie Nation, hit back harder this time with "The Worm". After their debut collaberation "Lower State of Consciousness" was thrashed to hell and back by Justice; hit producer and DJ, Erol Alkan turns The Worm into a rolling wheel of granite; it rolls to hell and back... twice.

The track has been thrown around by Erol himself along with Stephen and David Dewaele as 2 Many Dj's and although there is no official word on the release date from Turbo Recordings, but rumours are that it is being released very soon. Remember to buy it digitally or, even better, the 12".

The Worm, with Erol Alkan's Extended Rework (alternate link)
The Worm, Original Munich Version

Chark's Reckoning

After releasing three original tracks, Chark Mu has decided to focus his attention on reinterpreting some more well known works with his own chilled out flavour. His first remix was Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", available here. He has just created his second; Radiohead's "Reckoner."

Unlike many hundreds of other remixes entered in Radiohead's contest, Chark Mu's does not try to be too clever, and retains the laid-back vibe of the original while still enlarging the backing instrumental with keys that melt into gentle synths and a swirling ambience.

Reckoner (Chark Mu Remix)

Naissance Des Pieuvres

Known as "Water Lillies" in the international film circles, this French feature film stands out as a film that takes on a very generic and over-done genré and develops it into an absolutely incredible film. It premiered on 17th of May, 2007 at the Cannes Film Festival.


The 28 year old Céline Sciamma wrote and directed this award winning film, titled Naissance des Pieuvres. It won both the 2007 Prix de la Jeunesse (Cabourg Romantic Film Festival) and the Prix Louis-Delluc. It is about Marie, Floriane and Anne; set in a monochromatic suburb of Paris during summer. Marie is an ungainly but attractive 15 year old girl who agonises over not being in the synchronised swimming team. That, and her developing romantic and lustful emotions, longing for the femme fatale in Floriane, mould her character to be likeable and relateable.

With stunning motifs in the costumes and fixed manic smiles, the synchronised swimming team and its main members allude to the deepest lesbian cravings and the youthful angst that is unavoidably bonded to it.

The Soundtrack - Music to and from Naissance des Pieuvres - was produced Jean Baptiste De Laubier aka Para One, from Institubes. It is an excellent departure from his previous work; which was designed for the club scene. This CD captures the frames of Naissance des Pieuvres in an exquisite manner, with his synth work reminiscent of Handel's harpsichords in his Water and Fireworks Music.

Finale

Vampire

L'axe Majeur

The Bran Flakes

Recently signed to Illegal Art, home to Steinski and Girl Talk, The Bran Flakes are an experimental sampling duo consisting of Otis Fodder and Mildred Pitt. They have been around since 1992, and released a number of albums from 1997 to 2002. The new album, I HAVE HANDS, is to be released early 2009, and, like their previous releases, will probably include samples from sources like 50s TV shows, video game soundtracks, Kermit the Frog (and other Muppets), and obscure records.

Here are two of their slightly more musical tracks; they don't cover the incredibly eclectic and assorted range of sounds produced by The Bran Flakes, but they are a small slice of the pie.

Good Times a Goo Goo

Countdown to the End (Choo Choo Mix)

On their website is a plethora of assorted video and audio goodies, including various albums, compilations, live sets, and remixes, most available to download for free.

I'm not Disappointed By Candy

Disappointed By Candy is Gabe Ruschibal and Jeremy Lutito, two classically trained percussionists hailing from Nashville, Tenessee. Late last year they released their self-titled first album on indie label Gray Matters, with 10 tracks crafted with local producers Ian Fitchuk and Justin Loucks. The two have said of the songwriting on the album "these songs were well thought out and precisely composed, but there is also quite an organic element of spontaneity and energy that takes place as well." - from Out The Other

Here are two tracks from their album.

Failed Medication (YSI)
This song has a Radiohead feel, with busy drums and urgent vocals.

Not Lived Out (YSI)
Again, intricate drums, and a warm, melodic, piano-speckled chorus.

Lite Glow

Das Glow releases his second EP on Institubes: Sunburnt. The title track was released in November of last year on a limited edition Arcade Mode 7". It has a crashing crescendo and it is in a similar vein to Weiss Gaz, but funkier and more distorted.

The other track, Lite Brite, is the definitely the main feature of his Sunburnt EP; as I have previously discussed here. It is reminiscent of an old Sinatra melody: Granier has kicked up the tempo and created a magnificent electronic jazz oeuvre. Lite Brite still maintains the structure of a normal electronica track, but Das Glow really tosses things around this time, something different is just what everyone needs.

Lite Brite (Extended Extract)

A Cross The Universe - Official Teaser

~Releasing 24th of November 2008~

D.A.N.C.E. (A Cross the Universe/Rehearsal Version) - Justice

Trouble Sleeping?

Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.

For Chark Mu, there has definitely not been a long time in between drinks. Having released Rocker and I Know Its Time both in the past couple of months, he has pushed on and made a track that draws the attention away from his previous productions.

Eh Oh is his latest opus, and it starts off with soothing and stimulating synths. Once again he utilizes his own voice, and while he isn't a singer, he sure isn't tone deaf. The first 211 seconds of Eh Oh continues to draw you deeper and deeper into a state of hypnosis; the repeating line of lyrics, the fluid synths and the extra terrestrial frequencies. More vocals start to kick in, and you can subconsciouly feel the music start to throb and pulsate harder and more aggresively.

He plateaus that intense feeling and then creates a drop into a harder and heavier line. This new line wakes you up from the hypnosis and is unusually invigorating.

Eh Oh - Chark Mu