NEON NEON

Brainlessly a ‘Concept’ album requires a tad-sharper attention to be able to understand & enjoy, & that’s the case here. ‘Stainless Style’ shrines & borrows its blueprints from the life of the valorous businessman ‘John DeLorean’ who contrived the DMC-12 the sleek stainless steel exoskeletal time traveling automobile with gull-wing doors from the 1985 illustrious movie ‘Back To The Future’ but the car became popularly known as the ‘De Lorean’ because of the fame & attention it brought to its creator after its conception & the state of lux he was living in. Even though he was allegedly romantically involved with the sex icon of the 70s, US film and TV star ‘Raquel Welch’, being part of the high society, creating a car that became a symbol of the 80s pop culture, & getting married 4 times, DeLorean’s life was not as shiny as the media lenses portrayed him, the man was hungry for more power & fame as he got richer & it seemed like he would’ve sold his soul to the devil to take his empire a few steps higher at a time his business wasn’t lacking any heavy burdens, specially with a debt of £85 million from the British government that he wasn’t capable of paying back. Eventually his motor company was forcibly shut & declared bankruptcy after the FBI staged a 24$ Million cocaine deal he fell for, that was supposed to save his empire. Luckily it was a fictitious crime, without the government there would be no crime & DeLorean was found not guilty due to entrapment. This man had his ultimate ups & sheer drop downs but he always took extreme measures to reach the highest power possible; an ataxic life but lived to the fullest.

Neon Neon is the manufacture of the L.A. based shape shifting, genre warping producer Boom Bip (Bryan Hollon) & cut-throat-indie-pop wizard, front man of the ‘Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys. ‘Stainless Style’ parallels Boom Bip’s diamond cut punchy beats & lush artificial melodies with Gruff Rhys’s super songwriting abilities & heart-whole coaxing vocals through what could be considered a musical of the interesting aspects of the life of ‘John DeLorean’ & just like his unstable life ‘Stainless Style’ maneuvers from its pop base to other territories such as Hip-Hop, Crunk, Indie Rock, Italo Disco, Synth, and Electronica & recruits power enforcements from Spank Rock, Fat Lip, Yo Majesty, Sean Tillman (Har Mar Superstar), & Cate Le Bon to deliver a product that is crash tested, multi optional, & special.

Starting from the 80s commercially-appropriate enticing opener ‘Neon Theme’ it interlopes a thick distorted bass loop over sharp ominous synths that shines the title in neon bright lights, ‘Dream Cars’ glorifies every guy’s dream of customizing a car let alone build one from scratch & boosts with cowbells, rapid powdery snares, strong start-stop style beats & guitar, while ‘I Told Her At Alderaan’ revivifies 80s power synth rock & boasts with Rhys’s tender syllables a combination so authentic it’s certified to teleport you back into the 80s; shifting a bit from the base style the album started with comes ‘Raquel’ a song that projects an-assumed-scenario of Delorean’s thoughts of ‘Raquel Welch’ in Jamaican-ish (or Brazillian) playful power pop with tickles of bongos, & glass taps… still on the subject of girls & love ‘Trick for Treat’ & ‘I Lust you’ frankly criticizes the cold self-serving trickery involved in Hollywood relationships where love & lust has a price tag, one that is not cheap & not necessarily deals with cash, ‘Trick for Treat’ stars with a-chant-line but after a short silent pause a trip-hop-esque crunk beat kicks in rapidly accompanying a dark bassline & dial-tone beeps & bleeps that paves the way for the rap verses & cheerleading-like “It’s a Bust” shouts, while ‘I Lust You’ is a quirky med tempo Electropop tune that is one of the catchiest tracks on the whole record. As you proceed you realize the diversity of the album from the rest of the tracks like the drenched in italo-disco ‘Belfast’, the proper retro acoustic/poprock ‘Steel Your Girl’, the Missy-Elliott-like grimey & doomful siren quacker & moans full Hip-Hop battery ‘Sweat Shop’, the drum machine driven looks obsession theme ‘Michael Douglas’, the unusual storytelling-style electro rap ‘Luxury Pool’, & the death truism funeral encore ‘Stainless Style’.

01. Neon Theme
02. Dream Cars
03. I Told Her On Alderaan
04. Raquel
05. Trick For Treat (ft. Spank Rock & Sean Tillman)
06. Steel Your Girl
07. I Lust You (ft. Cate Le Bon)
08. Sweat Shop (ft. Yo Majesty)
09. Belfast
10. Michael Douglas
11. Luxury Pool (ft. Fatlip)
12. Stainless Style

One look at the credit list & you should know ‘Stainless Style’ is to be purchased blindly. There is just as much synth as guitar here, & every song sounds like an eligible blockbuster theme… if they still made the ‘DeLorean’ then this record would’ve been the ultimate accessory for it, this record should seriously be printed on stainless steel compact discs (whenever they invent one).

Absolutely a pleasure, sincerely without exaggerating I’ve played his album entirely about 7 or 8 times since I received it in the mail.

Lots of Love & Thanx to ‘Neon Neon' & their management for sending me the singles & retail album a month in advance.

‘Stainless Style’ is out on the 17th of March & the next (3rd) single is ‘I Lust You’.

*** The album sampler leaked into the internet in mid January, please do not download it because it has only 8 out of the 12 tracks & they’re not in the correct order. Make sure you add this to your ‘Must Buy’ list.

Bag Raiders

Alright, Bag Raiders; I have no clue what the name means, but that's besides the point. Link numero uno is their website-- not finished, but its got some flash previews of their self-titled EP, released August 15, 2007. Oh yea, and here is their myspace.

They're from Sydney. They have sick album art. And they're a refreshingly different type of electro. So, here it is:

DL: Bag Raiders - Punch Reprise

KAP10KURT - Dangerseekers (World Premiere)!

OMG I've been waiting for this since november, this is officialy one of my favorite videos of 2008. 'The Holograms' did an amazing job in transforming Kurt & Leah into robot controlling super heroes & the action video is so perfect for the song. KAP10KURT R.A.W.K.S!

Please leave your thoughts & comments of the video, Kurt & Leah will read them later!

Ohh, & check this space again later.. there might be a freebie of some sort. Maybe?

How do you describe a feeling?

Well , here’s the "X" Woman to show you how, haha; Minogue is back to the dance scene better than ever, with hot stuff like these; “In my arms” is the second single from her originally called “Magnetic Electric” album(with ends up to be a b-side track), I mean, “X”, that marks Kylie's 10th album.

With a producer like Calvin Harris what less can we expect?

This song which is good as the album version, comes with remixes that are just better than the song itself.

On, Minogue announced she would promote X with a European tour, to be called KYLYEX2008 (kinda chessy, je).

DL: Kylie Minogue - In My Arms (Chris Lake Vocal Mix)
DL: Kylie Minogue - In My Arms (Sébastien Léger Mix)

A curious thing about this song is that it comes as a duet with Jolin Tsai, a popular singer in the mandarin music market, in Taiwan; replacing the original album edition that we all know.

You might already saw these tracks in other blogs and if u don’t press and download this gems of popelectricalfeeling.

Sam Sparro!

This mix tape consists of current artists like Roisin Murphy, MIA, Kanye West, The Gossip, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, Hot Chip and old school artists like Soul II Soul, Ready For The World, Technotronic, Montell Jordan, Fatboy Slim and more.

DL: Songs Not Bombs (Mix Tape)

Sign up here to Sam's mailing list and download the mix tape in .wma format if you choose.

You may have heard "Black and Gold" already, not knowing who it's by but you soon will. "Black and Gold" will be released in the UK on March 31st, with remixes from Paul Epworth & Al Usher and he is currently in the studio working on his album.

DL: Black and Gold

Sam's voice is soulful but his sound is Electro/Funk/Pop. Combined makes sexy, dance able music which you can't get enough of!!!


Sam Sparro - Cottonmouth

&

Sam Sparro - Black & Gold (Warning: May become addictive)

Sam Sparro Myspace

Spin Dry: Shiny Toy Guns

The Bosch ClassiXX front-loading Class C dryer. This puppy burns 3.6 kWh per cycle with a 6 kg capacity. With its state-of-the-art Condenser drying mechanism, this tank will suffice for ALL of your drying needs.

Apparently, CLASSIXX (formerly Young Americans), shares their new name with a line of washers/dryers. But that's beside the point; CLASSIXX, released a self-titled EP a little over a month ago (Ohh! Crapp Interview). Sold exclusively on Beatport, CLASSIXX tracks have proved themselves to be quite a bitch when it comes to actually finding them. The Bombs and Hellogoodbye remixes are both sold on the iTunes Music Store (under the name Young Americans), but most everything else seems to require some detective work. So, my point is:

DL: CLASSIXX - Starts With One [Shiny Toy Guns]

And I digress: The sneaky German duo, Digitalism, though they should sneak a release in Japan, leaving the other 193 countries on Earth out to dry. Released February 6, 2008, here's a track of Digitalism's Moshi Moshi EP.

DL: Digitalism - The Pulse (Live Version)

Not Alan Braxe Just Fred Falke!

When the word ‘Filter House/Disco’ is mentioned, immediately pops into my head the names ‘Alan Braxe’ & ‘Fred Falke’. Most of the people I know seem to preferre ‘Alan Braxe’ over ‘Fred Falke’ when I can’t really decide between them because in my opinion their best work comes to light when it’s done by them together.. Funny thing though 90% of their work is made together, yet neither of them has the other on their MySpace top friends nor mention the other’s name there!

Anyhow, Fred Falke’s new ‘Music For My Friends’ EP is out on vinyl today & it’s one of the must have releases for any true fan, it contains 4 spankin new track (see tracklist below), my favorite track is ‘Love Theme’ which pretty much have been played at least 10 times between bedtime & this morning when I woke up, I just love that thick trembling elastic bassline & spherical ambience… I dream of a day when Braxe, Falke & Savage collaborate to make a disco rock album, that would be super wouldn’t it?

1. Love Theme
2. 808 PM @ The Beach
3. Sanctuary
4. Last Wave



Bonus: Alan Braxe & Fred Falke – Rubicon (Full Length) 06:16

‘Music For My Friends’ EP is released on Kris Menace’s label “Workitbaby” & can be previewed/purchased from Juno & some other places if you google it.

Fred Falke MySpace

Fit Nid & Saucy Sancy!

Nid & Sancy are an Electro/Punk/Chrisitan Rap duo from Belgium that I really don’t know much about except that I like their music… yesterday ‘Vink’ from ‘SymbolOne’ gave me 2 remixes & said “We did a remix along with Sluttt for Nid & Sancy, they’re coming out in 2 weeks on vinyl along with digital release”.

Nid & Sancy will have an album later in 2008 titled ‘Modern Times Are Gone’ but until then they want you to enjoy these 2 remixes totally free!

DL: Nid & Sancy - Give It Up For M.U.S.I.C (SymbolOne Mix)*
DL: Nid & Sancy – My Rave (Sluttt Don’t Fuck Mix)

Both remixes & more will be on the April release EP ‘Check Yourselves Out’ available on Crisp Vinyl & Digital Downoad.

*If this gives you a ‘Hmmm’ moment, refer to ‘M.I.A. – Jimmy’.

Nid & Sancy MySpace

Remix Remixed

Ohh! Crapp, I'm about get my blog on...

So, the music industry is a little, no really, different today. iPods, "ZOMG UFFIE!!1!!1one!" Kids, V Cast (fucking V Cast...), DJ Tiesto -- We stand at the brink of the Electropocalypse. Technology is taking over... a little different than SkyNet or Zero One, but the effects are everywhere (you are reading this on an MP3 blog). So what better way to celebrate the machines taking over: remixes.

DL: Johnatron – Aerodynamic [Daft Punk]
DL: Mr. JL - Aerodynamic [Johnatron] [Three 6 Mafia]

Johnatron p0wn3d Aerodynamic. Then Mr. JL swoops in an slaps some Three 6 into a re-mix (I RHYMEZ TOO) of Johnatron's piece (Remix²?). Well its the end of the world as we know it; a remix got remixed. Enjoy.

DUFFY!

Welsh singer Duffy will release her debut album "Rockferry" on 3 March 2008. She has been declared the Sound of 2008, the New Amy Winehouse, or simply the Welsh Adele.

But she deserves to be declared just Duffy. If this is the first time you've heard of her, it definitely won't be the last!

Promotional CD (Album Sampler)

1. Mercy
2. Rockferry
3. Warwick Avenue
4. Serious
5. Distant Dreamer

Rockferry
Album Released: 03/03/2008

1. Rockferry
2. Warwick Avenue
3. Serious
4. Stepping Stone
5. Syrup & Honey
6. Hanging On Too Long
7. Mercy
8. Delayed Devotion
9. Scared
10.Distant Dreamer

Sign up to her mailing list here and get a free track "Breaking My Own Heart"

Duffy Myspace

TRENTEMØLLER

After 2 years Trentemøller is releasing yet another single from his 2006 critically acclaimed album ‘The Last Resort’. ‘Miss You’ shows off his inimitable & astonishing composition skills, exuding with warmth & emotions where the haunting original is kept minimal & glazed with soft melancholic keys, ill-omened dreamy ambience, & completely built around a tatu-30-minutes-like miniature music box melody while his remix (probably going to be the single version) is more deep & energetic with piano, sharp hi-hats, accelerated pace, hypnotic melody, & even a smooth progressive dusty beat.

DL: Miss You (Original Radio Edit)
DL: Miss You (Trentemøller Remix Radio Edit)

To be released in March with remixes from Pascal F.E.O.S., Pole, & Lulu Rouge/Asger Baden.

Trentemøller is one of those rare artists who can extract your emotions through their music & that’s probably one of the reasons why he’s one of the best musicians in the world.

Trentemøller MySpace

Alex Metric Gone Mechanical!

There are many pleasant surprises within the new release, probably the best of all is the fact that Alex from now on will be singing on his songs, thanx to Bnann the frontman of the electronic rock ‘n roll noisemakers the ‘Infadels’ who wrote the addicting lyrics to ‘In Your Machine’ & pretty much the rest of the songs from Metric’s summer debut album where he will be singing on all the tracks, he wants to go out live with it, he even bought a shiny red vintage ‘80s keytar & he’s ready to unleash it.

Update Alert : "In your blog it kinda sounds like bnann wrote the song, he didnt. we wrote the lyrics and melodies together, tis a collab. not a biggie, just wanted to clear it up." -Alex Metric

‘In Your Machine’ earns an extra star for the vocals which transforms the song from being an electro tune to a proper indie electro pop song, think Daft Punk’s funk, Justice’s rubbery mechanic bass lines, & Preset’s dirtiness plus Grafton Primary’s synth. Actually it sounds like a mash-up between Justice’s ‘Phantom pt.II’ & Grafton Primary’s ‘I Can Cook’!

1. In Your Machine
2. Pins
3. Deadly on a Mission (Dub)

‘In Your Machine’ is the follow up to the 2007 ‘Whatshewants’ EP & will be released on March 3rd through ‘Marine Parade’, you can stream all three tracks here.

Alex Metric MySpace

Skittled NUs!

The Presets
The album has a title ‘Apocalypso’ & a cover, it will be released on the 12th of April. Pre-order it now from here if you want a signed copy & from here if you want a free limited editon Presets scarf. No Tracklist yet.

Infadels
Beside their frontman Bnann writing all the songs for ‘Alex Metric’ new album, the band have finished their album & have played the whole thing at camden live! The album is produced by ex-Killing Joke and Verve producer ‘Martin "Youth" Glover’ (its predecessor ‘We Are Not The Infadels’ was produced by Jagz Kooner) is titled ‘Universe In Reverse’ due for march. The first single ‘Make Mistakes’ will be released on 31st March, backed with B-sides 'Black Eyes and Love Bites', 'Black Days Away' and an ‘Infadels’ remix of the title track.

If you liked their 2006 single ‘Can’t Get Enough’ (+ remixes by ‘Jagz Kooner & Mekon’), they recently have re-released it digitally with remixes by (TEPR, Kris Menace, Infadels, & Felix Da Housecat) here.

Miami Horror
I’ve been chit-chatting a lot with Ben ‘Miami Horror’ lately, & beside seeding an image of a cunt-penis 2-in-1 thingy in my head… long story (thanx ben), & also showing me a video of a guy with 2 penis’s (freaky must watch)… we still do talk about normal stuff, mainly about his upcoming EP ‘Bravado’. He said the tracks should be finished by the end of March & will probably be released in April, the EP will have a refreshed version of ‘Don’t Be On With Her’ + vocals, along with ‘Summerfest’, a track that sounds like a mixture between Soulwax’s ‘NY Excuse’ & Daft Punk’s ‘Around The World’, & an epic track which Ben allowed me to listen to the first minute and half of & boy oh boy you’ll be surprised. All I can say is that it’s not something you’d expect from him, think Danger/DatA… probably more Danger though, it’s ominous & thick with sharp synths that makes your head spin. You know in castlevania & those games when you get to the final stage boss there’s always amazing dark music, it’s sort of like that.

He also remixed Datarock’s ‘Fa-Fa-Fa’ it’s an up-beat remix with cowbells & what I Thought was accordions (turns out to be a whirly piano… or something) but thanks to yours truly, I brought his attention to a 1 second off-key in the choruses & now he says it will take a him at least half a day to fix it but being busy with is EP there isn’t enough time to do it, still he’s planning to finish it sometimes.

Ohh I almost forgot… there will be a second EP after ‘Bravado’ & it might be titled ‘Divine’.

The Teenagers
As everyone knows the next single ‘Love No’ is going to be released around the first week of march & in a recent interview with Michael & Dorian they confirmed that the single will include remixes by ‘TEPR, Dolorean, Poney Poney’ & a cute cover by the French girl Soko. All three remixes have leaked & made it into the fronts of “The” blogs (I haven’t downloaded any, waiting for the proper release). Also, their Official Site is up now, it seems like they’ll be updating the news section themselves regularly.

Crystal Castles
Fellow bloggers Data Sapiens have uploaded a 7 minutes teaser-video with
samples from the upcoming Crystal Castles debut-album to youtube here, & here's an MP3 version to go with that.

Futurecop!
Their "Big City, Bright Lights.." EP was supposed to be released already through BamBam Muzik but it has been delayed & there's a chance it might get cancelled. Apparently 'BamBamMusik' are trying to force Fututrecop! on having the main track of the EP remixed by some techno heads that Futurecop! don’t really like... so it will be postponed till further notice. On the other hand, Manzur told me he saw the final versions of the Futurecop! t-shirt designs & he says they’re to-die-for! Should be available for purchase soon…

Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya
Arghhh! Are still a mystery, I tried tricking one of their close friends into exposing their identities but it seems like they’ve sworn everyone to secrecy. All I know is that YaYaYa is French & has his own famous band… too bad that could be anyone, heheh.

KAP10KURT
Can’t believe I haven’t gotten bored of Dangerseekers yet, even though I’ve been playing it since November, anyhow… Kurt back then said in my interview that there will be a video for it done by ‘The Holograms’ & it should be out in mid January… well February is almost over & still no video. So I had to investigate & here’s Kurt’s response “HAHA! Actually we just got the video today... we will send it to you very very soon! And the next single will be ‘Mission Complete’... we are waiting to get the remixes in... Hope you are well. We are in Vienna, and going back to NYC tomorrow!”.

Flairs & The Black Ghosts
I have been playing ‘Flairs’ album for weeks now & I feel bad because when it will be released in summer I would’ve played it a million times already… & I have ‘The Black Ghosts’ album too but I still haven’t decided whether I should play it I or wait… I’m going to ask them if it’s ok if I write an early review of both, that should give you an idea of what to expect. Unfortunately I can’t reveal anymore, maybe soon.

4NN0UNC3M3NT!

Ladies & Genitals, ‘Ohh! Crapp…’ is in search for A Blogger available for adoption. If you like writing about music, new artists & other stuff + have a lot of free time to roam the internet, then follow the instructions below & hit us with an email to hollywhore@gmail.com

The email should be titled ‘Cuntributer’ & includes an answered version of the form below (copy/paste):

3 favorite new artists:
*
*
*

3 Artists you hate to death:
*
*
*

3 favorite movies:
*
*
*

3 favorite new remixes:
*
*
*

Make up 2 lines of smart nonsense:
*
*

Give us 1 good reason, why we should take you in:
*

How much time do you spend everyday online?
*

Knowing how to use any photo editing programs or being an ex. Blogger is a plus, Good Luck to Everyone.

Pop Poetry & Youth Novels.

In many occasions where ‘Lykke Li’ was the subject of discussion, I’ve heard recommendations down the line of “She’s like Robyn”, “She’s the new Swedish girl hype”, & “You got to hear this pop record, its deep” & I had to see it for myself since her name was being brought up enough times to make me start get sick of it. So I finally gave ‘Youth Novels’ a listen & I’ve got to admit, at times she does sound like Robyn, and while looking her up on the world wide web I realized she currently is the new Swedish girl hype, but I wasn’t sure about the ‘Deep Pop Record’ part… the first time I played it, it felt like a one long dragging song, but then later that same day at 4:00am I wasn’t able to sleep & for some odd reason I had a strong craving to go & listen to it again, I really couldn’t remember anything from the record or why I got that urge to listen to something I thought I didn’t really like… but after I did (again), it all made sense.

Swedish chanteuse Lykke Li would perfectly appeal to the fans of Robyn, Feist, & even Lilly Allen, she’s one of those artists who sees a grand significance in pairing music with songwriting. Her gauche magnetism exuberates through her petite voice that radiates with poetry reading rather than singing vocals which unpredictably becomes the vividly memorable & high point of the record. With the help of ‘Björn Yttling’ of ‘Peter, Bjorn and John’ and ‘Lasse Mårtén’, Li was able to craft the translucent minimal-pop by fusing electronica shimmer with organic instrumentations to build a shrine for her romance saturated songs to kindle. The whole-hearted claps, whirly toy piano dabs, glittery xylophone tinkles, hyblaean acoustic guitars string trembles, dubby drummachine beats, & smokey ambiance caress its pop figure & harmonizes with soul & electronica in a soft menage a trois.

The overall atmosphere of ‘Youth Novels’ is pleasantly tenebrous, as if bleak industrial machines have learned how to feel. It wears you, touches your heart and spoons your soul; this is an album that reminds us why we need love even though it vitiates us every time we fall for it. This indie pop record is in fact deep & knows how to keep on drawing us back in over & over again.

Lykke Li MySpace

Interview: Little Boots!

If you’ve been blog leeching in the past couple weeks you’d probably have stumbled a couple times upon ‘Little Boots’ whom new single ‘Stuck On Repeat’ is being praised & already called one of the best tracks so far in 2008 specially because it literally does what the title says. Interviewing ‘Little Boots’ I realized how serious this is… If things all go well ‘Little Boots’ could become one of the best new artists of 2008, You’ll be amazed to find out who’s involved in this nu-pop project… Knock yourself out.

DL: Little Boots – Stuck On Repeat (320Kbps)
DL: Little Boots - Stuck On Repeat (Dub) (320Kbps)

Let's clear up the key fact to this whole 'Little Boots' outfit, is it just you Victoria, or is it you and a producer/musician collaborating?

Little Boots is just me... obviously I work with producers and I'm sure there will be collaborations in the future but the project is just me.

The name 'Little Boots'?

When I started doing my own project I wanted a name that was external to me rather than just use my real name... Little Boots was what my friend had started calling me after watching a film called Caligula... Caligula is Latin for 'little boots' which was the name of a Roman Emperor who was pretty insane... he turned the palace into a brothel and made his horse a member of the roman consul, pretty mad... look it up on Wikipedia. Anyway the name just kind of suited me and it stuck.

So you're a movie girl? 'Michel Gondry' means anything to you?

Of course, although I thought he’s more into music promos? But no I'm not really a movie girl I generally consider them to be a waste of time I'd rather be making music. Although I do enjoy music videos, a few of my friends are promo directors and I am always interested in what people come up with, I think the visual side of songs is only going to get more important.

The first single 'Stuck On Repeat' is produced by Joe Goddard from Hot Chip right?

Yeah he just got hold of the original demo I'd done for the track and he was really into it, a lot of the work was done over email. He built a lot of the music up using the original demo then I redid the vocals. It's a strange way of working but he is very time limited because Hot Chip's new album has just dropped (which is amazing... buy it), but it seems to work for us as I like the pressure of working at home not in the studio. We've got more stuff in the pipeline together so fingers crossed.

The whiny male Ooohs on 'Stuck On Repeat' are Joe's right?

Well I wouldn't call them whiny! But yes, they are definitely not mine.

Even though 'Stuck On Repeat' is pure electro, being the ex-lead singer of a successful Leeds' rock band leaves a residue of indie guitars allover you, is Little Boots going to be all about electronic music only like on 'Stuck On Repeat' or Is there going to be proper indie rock tracks, with full lyrics & live instrumentation?

I've always loved electro especially since I started playing and collecting synthesizers a couple of years ago so I knew I wanted the project to be more electronic, but there's a lot of stuff I'm getting very tired of in the electro scene at the moment and I think its important to be fresh. I don't think there'll be 'proper indie tracks' as not too much in that world is exciting me either... I just want to have a variety of sounds and keep using a range of instruments, I like mixing synthetic and organic sounds I think it makes a really interesting combination.

I know right! I mean it seems like once someone comes up with a new sound & it succeeds, everyone else just follows which ends up with 20 bands/artists making almost the same music when only 2 or 3 of them are good! Or maybe that's not what you meant... but still I would like to hear it from your point of view? & what are you exactly tired of in the current electro scene?

Well I think that's a bit of a generalization and things are more complicated than that, but yeah there's a lot of things that sound the same not just in electronic music, which isn't necessarily a bad thing it just pushes me to try think one step ahead or try new combinations.

It's funny how 'Stuck On Repeat' is a pretty accurate name as it does generate a craving for playing it repeatedly throughout the day for many listeners already, The words to it are very simple & extremely catchy... who writes your lyrics?

The magic lyrics fairy... who do you think?! No seriously its all me... I was going through a phase of writing almost nonsense lyrics round a theme or concept, like in this one I wanted it to be called stuck on repeat as a metaphor for how someone makes another person feels, but at the same time wanted to the track to sound like the CD was actually stuck on repeat, so it kind of works on two levels. A bit like onomatopoeia, Deep...

Another person involved in this project is 'Greg Kurstin' of 'The Bird & The Bee', I believe you finished recording 4 or 5 demos with him... have you found the Little Boots sound through them, I mean do you know where you want your music to go or is it still in let's-try-&-see-what-comes-up process?

Its definitely still in the working process, I don't feel tied to any sound or direction I'm just trying everything and following up on the things I get excited by... its not a very ordered way to work and probably end up with a pretty random album but I kind of like that, it probably reflects me more as a person.... No direction and slightly schizophrenic... yeah probably about right!

If I heard that answer few years back I would've sworn that you're quoting 'The Presets' as their last album 'Beams' doesn't repeat any tricks twice yet it became one of the best albums of that year... what I'm trying to say is a lot of artists (specially newbies) try hard to strict themselves to one style in a desperate attempt to come up with 'Their Signature Sound' & it ends up projecting them in 1D... you know? I mean, listeners these days are much smarter, they can filter marvelous from the plain good & have a wider range & music knowledge! So pretty much what seems like a chaotic random music making is a smart plan!?

Well no offence to ‘Presets’ but if I was going to quote anyone it probably wouldn't be them... but I think you’re right, I felt in my old band there was definitely a pressure to try and stick to 'our sound' even though I don't think we ever really knew what it was. Nowadays I just be myself and try everything. Some things work, some things don't.

By any chance any of you ex rock band members going to be involved?

Probably not.

Who else?

Not sure yet... more with Joe Hot Chip, hopefully some stuff with Metronomy... my friend Dev from Lightspeed Champion is always threatening to write power pop with me but we never get around to it! I sang BVs on some tracks he did with Basement Jaxx but I dunno if they'll ever get released... I'm talking to a few people at the minute.
derstand
OMG METRONOMY! You know he has a record coming out soon & judging based on his latest release 'Radio Ladio' it seems like this time around he's aiming for a wider range of audience, since 'Radio Ladio' is less weirdness & more on the pop side... meaning your collaboration is bound to conceive some gems! How did you get him on board? Is it just talks for now, or did you work on stuff already? Please tell all...

I'd say Radio Ladio is definitely no less brilliant than anything else Joe's done, probably more. I dunno we've all been friends for a few years but time is always difficult, apparently he has made a track for me... I'm just trying to prise it out of him! But yes I've heard his new album is seriously brilliant and from what I saw would be worth purchasing for artwork alone!

You're bound to play live at some point, do you have a band or an extra set of hands, exactly how do you plan on performing?

I'm not planning on proper live gigs for a while I want to get the music right first, when I do I will definitely have a full live band I can't imagine anything else, I'll probably play keys/ synths and I have a brilliant drummer Anna Prior. For now I'm doing some low key gigs... a few DJ sets and some secret piano vocal gigs planned round London... I also have this thing I'm gonna do with me and a karaoke machine but it's still in the works...

You're not going to buy a mobile karaoke machine & just drag it in the streets & subway stations singing for promotions are you?

Singing for promotions? What you on about?!

Let's go through some of your MySpace top friends! First 'Kylie Minogue'... even though on your blog you haven't mentioned her in the list of influences but there is definitely some common ground between her style & yours (judging merely based on 'Stuck On Repeat')! Are you a Kylie fan?

Yes HUGE! I love her, my mum and I have tickets to go watch the new tour. I have her calendar on my wall right now. It's not really her she just kind of represents ultimate pop music for me. I think as well its coz we're the same height, I've been called her evil twin before.

Don't you think Kylie is more aware of the independent music scene than other popstars, I mean in her current 'X' era she has tracks produced & remixed by Calvin Harris, Studio, Kish Mauve, Spitzer, Death Metal, & CSS! Is the thick line between indie & mainstream is slowly decaying!?

I dunno really, I think she's just a proper old fashioned popstar and maybe they're trying to dress her up with what's cool or hip but I just find nearly everything she does to have a certain quality... I don't think there was ever a thick line between indie and mainstream to be honest, they are both just constructs and if they even exist then they are always simultaneously feeding and destructing each other.

Back to the MySpace Top Friends subject, So... ‘Kitsune’ possibly the label you're releasing your first single through?

Maybe in the future, they did want to release ‘Stuck On Repeat’ but we decided not to do it so we can stay in control at this early stage, its going to be on some Kitsune compilations I think and who knows maybe a single eventually.

Wow, you rejected a kitsune offer, they have a pretty strong reputation & they strictly release good music! Them wanting 'Stuck On Repeat' is a strong statement of its brilliance!

I'm not saying it'll never happen.... I love and respect the Kitsune label but they have such a strong brand and identity I don't want to get lost in that, not just yet anyway... but yes I was very flattered that they asked to release it and who knows what will happen in the future.

Frankmusik/Seiji/Late Of The Pier… Possible remixers?

Would love all of the above! Seiji I've been working with on songs/ production actually, I love the Róisín Murphy stuff he did. Vince Frankmusik is a friend and we have the same management, everything he touches turns to electro gold. And would totally love LOTP boys to do it, I just saw their new video its sooo sick. My ultimate remix though would be by T2 who remixed the track 'Heartbroken'. Bassline is the new phenomenon.

You sound like one of us cool losers who need to be updated & aware of what's new & who's new in the scene! Do you check Blogs for new?

I go on Blogs sometimes but only to get hold of something I've already heard, I'm terrible for downloading music free but to be honest why pay for something you can get for nothing? I have given lots of people my new track for nothing, the way things work are changing and I don't know what the solutions gonna be yet but I don't have a problem with downloading music. I don't really try stay updated with any scene or anything, just if I happen to get passed something new I'm excited by I'll follow it up.

Even though you don't have 'Heads We Dance' on your top friends list, their drummer 'Bex' left you a message on your MySpace calling you 'Vic' & saying "We've got lots of new live dates booked so see which suits you and we'll see you there!"... What's that all about?

God this is a bit of MySpace stalking! Yeah I'm friends with HWD from when I lived with Leeds, I was a fan of their old bands and we have a lot of mutual friends, their first gig was supporting my old band. I actually did some guest vocals on one of their tracks a while ago... hopefully I will catch them live soon although now I'm in London it's a bit tricker.

Ohh, actually few weeks back they sent me a sampler with 3 tracks... I can only recall hearing backing female vocals on 'Love In the digital Age' & 'Work It Out', by any chance is it one of them?

Yeah I'm on 'Work it out' but I don't think it really sounds like me!

There's a post on your MySpace blog that confirms the following influences:
[B-52s / Kate Bush / Girls Aloud - Black Jacks (first verse & choruses) / T-Pain / Basshunter / Kate Bush again / Daft Punk pedal / Elton John electro / Sugababes - Denial (verse only) / Max Martin eat your heart out / Dr Luke (is he a real doctor?!) / Jobim - Waters Of March / MILEY CYRUS / Queen albums I & II]

That list consists of multi styles, meaning your music is either experimental pop where you take bits and pieces form every other song/artist or you're just going to work with as many different people as possible? But seriously 'Miley Cyrus' (& you have her listed in capital letters)... I don't get it?

God this is just the tip of the iceberg... experimental pop sounds like a good phrase... Miley Cyrus is a genius you need to open your mind my friend, 'See You Again' is where it's at... Talk about stuck on repeat... that's what's stuck on repeat on my iPod. I'm also really into Ashlee Simpson 'Outta My Head' at the moment.

I can't help not thinking that Miley’s beginning is similar to Bitney's but sometimes becoming TOO FAMOUS could end up being a bad thing... at least to a minority. Ehh, I just hope she doesn't pull another live lesbian kiss or marry a nobody, go out without knickers, shave her head & then fall in love with an ugly papparzo... Why am I even talking about this…

I have no idea... to be honest I don't care if she wets the bed every night I just like the music.

Back to the influences list, the fact that 'Girls Aloud' & 'Sugababes' were mentioned tells me that 'Little Boots' is first and foremost POP?

Definitely. I love pop music, anyone who knows me will tell you I'm completely obsessed, it’s so immediate it’s like musical drugs. All I do all day is try write pop songs with my piano, if they sound cool it's an accident... I just think pop is an exciting place to be, if you can manage to do something that strikes a chord with a large amount of people and at the same time still be a bit weird it's a great achievement, I find pop the most challenging thing to do as songwriter.

Because it could easily end up sounding like every other song out there?

No I think you've missed my point, I find it challenging to create something that can appeal to a large audience that can still be a bit unusual and maybe make people think, kind of like when you didn't want to eat peas with your dinner when you were little so your mum would say hide it in some mash, coz everyone likes mash. Hmm actually maybe that's a bad analogy...

Beside 'Vocals' what does Victoria bring to 'Little Boots'?

Well I'd like to think pretty much everything! I'm not just a random puppet vocalist... this whole project is me... I write the songs, lyrics, sing, MySpace, Blogs, find people I want to work with... Vocals is only one tiny part of the picture, I've never really considered myself a vocalist, I've been a musician a lot longer I only started singing when I was a teenager and needed vocals on the songs I was writing.

Out of mere curiosity, what are the latest albums you purchased/downloaded?

Hmmm let’s look... Ashlee Simpson, Daft Punk first album, Ladyhawke, MC Hawking, Wiley, Lykke Li, and I think Mystery Jets Young Love is brilliant... even if they are boys with guitars.

Name 1 artist you'd rather get shot in the head from close range than listen to his songs?

Manic. Street. Preachers.

What's next? Official Releases? Video? Remixes?

Yeah the extended version of Stuck is gonna be released on 12" white label in a month or so, just a very small release... probably no video or remixes all just starting small, keeping it real...wotevz...

But ‘Remixes’ is one of the ultimate pleasures of buying new singles! Well, what if the 12" sells like crazy... will you then be willing to re-release with remixes? (The correct answer is: Yes!) Yes?

I'm sure there will be remixes eventually... just for now like I said this is a very low key release. Yeah maybe it will encourage people to buy it... if we sell loads, will have to do a re-release with remixes. Never though of it like that.

Little Boots MySpace

New Layout : Siezures & Noise!

A mild migraine, almost 3 hours with Kissy Sell Out’s ‘Her (Touché Remix)’, Alan Braxe & Fred Falke’s ‘Rubicon’, & Cut Copy’s ‘Light & Music’ on repeat, a pack of sour shrimp crisps & a whole Danish cookies tin + a toilette full of puke… that’s what it took to make the header’s animation & this new layout…. I never knew how much I hated html until few hours ago! But it’s all worth it because I was sick of that old drenched in vitamin C orange layout… anyhow this layout is just temporary until the end of march when I will move the blog to wordpress & rework the whole thing form scratch!

I hope you like the new layout... feedback is appreciated!

Original Graphics by: Serious Ron!

Big Face (Interview + 8 Tracks Album Taster)!

For a band that started with 1 member hopping from a style to another trying to find that so called ‘Right Sound’ & with many members joining in and leaving in less than a year, you’d think this band is doomed or it’s just not good enough to make it… but in their case it seemed like everything wrong has led this five piece into the right path! I sat down with ‘Marvin’ the founder & headmaster of the electro-indie-rock band ‘Big Face’ & had a little chit-chat!

Marv (Marvin) started ‘Big Face’ in August 2005 as a Techno/Electronic project “I chose that name because I thought it was silly… the last thing I wanted was to be taken seriously!” but at that point his music made a clear statement that it wasn’t the style he is supposed to embrace “It Wasn’t very good, like getting hit in the head with a bag of nails!”… Pretty soon he decided to drive on another course “Yeah, I got bored of making loop based material. I wanted to make songs rather than tunes. I grew up listening to punk bands like (Big Black, The Jesus Lizard, Swervedriver, Fugazi, Shellac) rather than electronic artists; so making songs that represented techno/house & electronica in more of a traditional style (verse, chorus… etc) was the correct step for me.” Even with the new indie base, one can tell that the people behind ‘Big Face’ have had a massive techno/electro influence though their life “Well after being leaving my first band which was more punk based I met some new people at a party whom introduced me to the electronic side of things. For a few years I listened to all kinds of techno/electro like (Depeche Mode, Felix Da Housecat, Tube Jerk, Matthew Herbert… etc) before deciding to try and make music with my new influences...” Still a lot of people think that ‘Big Face’ is a one man band, because their music could’ve been achieved by one or 2 persons spending a lot of time in the studio “I have seen loads of DJs and laptop musicians over the years; some of them big names some of them just friends. I just didn’t find any real excitement in it. Although I understood the music, I always thought seeing a band is the way to watch live music...” but the perception of ‘Live Shows’ have changed in a way, in the past few years. These days ‘Live Show’ could mean 1 or 2 persons behind a laptop & some visual effects, who don’t even have to look at the audience, & people accept that “It Totally depends on the environment. That kind of thing generally happens in clubs with everyone dancing… so most folk will not really care. On a Wednesday night down the local Pub it’s a totally different story, with most new acts playing around bars there is more of a need to give your audience the band vibe... like Hot Chip” & that’s why Marv was determined to turn ‘Big Face’ into a five piece band, but it wasn’t really easy finding the right guys “Yeah that was a real struggle… our first show was in November 2006 it’s now February 2008... I have had 1 guitarist, 1 keyboardist & 1 drummer all join and leave in that time… which is hell of a lot of folk to come and go in a band over a year. So we have only managed maybe 15 gigs in the past year and a bit. Just getting your friends in isn’t the way to go. In the end I found people through friends and now have a solid band. Woohoo!!” that solid band is “Marvin (Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar, & Programming) I previously was a member of the local band ‘Fighting Red Adair’ - Chet (Bass, Backing Vocal) - Crag (Guitar, Backing Vocal) - D.Reekie (Keyboard) - & D.Miller (Drums) who was previously a member of the local band ‘Ming Ming & The Ching Chings’.” Marv also does the songwriting “Im not much of a poet or even fancy myself as a lyricist... I just try to make it sound cool. A message in a song doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. I don’t listen to music and think: they must be talking about this or that…”.

Their first single ‘I Wanna Be A Style Crusader’ is as layered & multi flavored as a cheesecake slice, starts with a laidback nippy bassline, uncluttered claps, miniature cowbell taps & couple video game ping pong pongs carrying on till mid of the tune where ticklish 8-bit bleeps take on a whirly head-spinning solo tricking you into thinking it’s the highest point before it accelerates into a stronger raunchy figure with ominous guitars & elements mentioned before, saving the best taste bud tang for the encore… & it makes sense why ‘Kitsuné’ decided to pick up the hipsters anthem for a Nov. 2007 release “Hipster no... I like things considered hip, but I’m not really interested in the main connotation of what it is to be considered hip. I have been aware of Kitsuné for years and liked what they where doing. I’m not entirely sure how they came across the track as I haven’t asked, but the world is a smaller place for bands and artists now with the internet generally being the first port of call when investigating a band.” The release was backed up with 2 remixes by ‘David E Sugar’ & ‘DatA’ “I chose an artist to remix it and they chose one also. I think I prefer the DatA mix becuase it’s a different world from the original…” The next single will be out around March 2008 & it will be “My Eyeball I reckon, with the proper mix...” ‘My Eyeball’ is also featured on the latest compilation for the highly reputed club BOOMBOX which is released through Kitsuné as well “Yeah played there twice now over the past year. They are nice folks who seem to understand the music I make. I think we probably have lots in common but living in Glasgow I wasn’t aware of the club until they asked us to come and play. It was good fun though, on both occasions.” But Marvin wasn’t really happy with the version he handed for the release “I made the demo at home and posted it on the net. A few days later I received an email from Richard at BOOMBOX asking if I would like to have the demo on the club mix. Schedules where a bit tight and I had to take the track to the studio to properly put it together and ended up running out of time before it had to be submitted... So I handed the track over when I wasn’t quite happy about the mix…”

After listening to their music your brain immediately connects it to the French electronic scene, but they are from Scotland & to be honest I’ve never heard of any good Scottish electro rock bands before them “Not really, I do like French artists but as a scene, not really! - Scotland, especially Glasgow has huge night life. You can hear almost whatever you want any night of the week in Glasgow... but as far as electronic bands and a scene, there isn’t one that I know of, Of course there are other bands... there is just no scene to join or be part of… there aren’t many club orientated bands.” Talking about their upcoming (set for late 08 release) album... with a CD of 8 tracks been playing constantly in my lair, I can tell this is going to be one of the great albums of 2008 once it’s properly finished & released… listening to it I noticed that on almost all songs the bit after the middle triggers a combination of sharp bleepy electronic sounds that forms somehow like a breakdown (if I may say) & the whole atmosphere of the music is very dark & ominous “Most dance music builds before it all comes banging in. I just built indie dance tracks with that in mind, so as to have parts that just build then eventually come in with a 4 to the floor beat, simple! And I didn’t sit and say lets make this dark... It just came about naturally. Some tracks just work better when more sinister. Sinister is always good…!” Another side people will be surprised of & love is the cinematic down-tempo delicate ballads like ‘Jack Passion’ (My Favorite) which is a reminiscent to AIR drowsy, drunk ambient & electronic lo-fi affair… it really shows more versatility power “When I first started making songs electronically it was with ‘Reason’. The songs basic melody and structure had been sitting around for a few years before it was revisited and turned into what it now is... you need diversity!! Didn’t just want to make up-beat tracks all the time...”.

Out of curiosity I asked him if there’s any new artists that pulled his attention recently “Recently watched the new ‘Late Of Pier’ video on Mtv2. I liked it, its an interesting song... also been listening to ‘Those Dancing Days’ an all girl group from Sweden or Switzerland, cant quite remember...” Big Face’s remixology consists of “Remixes for Shit Disco - ‘Kung Fu’ & ‘Reactor Party’ and one for kylie Minogue... think I’m getting another one in over the next few days from ‘Yoav’ island records new signing.” & the bands concept of a fun day is “Basically, set fires and rob children…” Finally a sneek peek at the ‘Big Face’ itinerary “Make the record, I start next week… redo all the tracks/demos even ‘Style Crusader’ & got a few more tracks to work on. At this point I’m happy with the material for the full length…”.

Ladies & Gentlemen there you have it, a short text documentary of one of the must watch out for bands this year… & for your auditory pleasure you can download an 8 track album teaser in 320Kbps VBR, ripped by me directly from the CD Marvin threw at me.

Tracklist:

1. I Wanna Be A Style Cruader

2. Ride The Front Seat
3. My Eyeball
4. My Body Moves Faster
5. I Run With Life
6. Away She Blows
7. Drink Juice Like
8. Jack Passion

DL: Big Face - 8 Tracks Of Pleasure in a Zip File

Bonus: My Eyeball (Big Face BOOMBOX Mix)

Show them some love on their MySpace!

Sex On Compact Disc!

Visionary ‘Sebastien Tellier’ lordly established his spot as one of the avant-garde artists of the Parisian Nu-wave & contemporary pop scene, procreating some of the most eclectic cinematic Pieces & luxuriant orchestral pop in the past few years, explaining why his latest offering ‘Sexuality’ became one of the most anticipated albums of 2008 but let’s not overlook the fact that Pretty much a big percentage of the hype relates to one ½ of Daft Punk ‘Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo’ whose produced the whole thing, Though; The big question is ‘Will Guy-Manuel Overpower Over Tellier & Steal The Lights?’ The answer is simply, Nope.

Guy-Manuel provides dense synth injected retro-futuristic pop melodies & tap-tunk-knocking drum machine co-ordinations that resurrect the vintage flamboyance & originality of progressive pop of the 70s & 80s, while Tellier elevates it with his delicate musk scented vocals & neo-pagan poetry. The Bi-lingual record successfully amalgamate the extravagant 50 minutes with its sensuality concept while each track still maintains its physical entity and unique texture, from the urban-esque electro rote of the opening track ‘Roche’, through the enticing Calvin Harris channelling zap-zap synth riffs of ‘Kilometer’, the addictive The-Beatles-like cosmic Mmm-Bop looper ‘Divine’, the hypnotising erotic fantasy provoking ‘Pomme’, to the minimal closing track ‘L'Amour Et La Violence’ whose first two minutes immediately pays homage to ‘La Ritournelle’.

Tellier has translated foreplay into music & intoxicated it with female Oohs, Ahhs & enough moans to start an argument on whether this album was recorded in some high society boudoir or a 70s porn movie set. An aural aphrodisiac made with an intention of inducing the cravings for lovemaking & conveying the suppressed passion, even Tellier swoons, coos, and come-hithers.

Tracklist:
01. Roche
02. Kilometer
03. Look
04. Divine
05. Pomme
06. Une Heure
07. Sexual Sportswear
08. Elle
09. Fingers Of Steel
10. Manty
11. L'Amour Et La Violence

‘Sexuality’ is his first commercially accessible record but its leisurely susceptibility demands to be listened to privately & entirely as it’s strictly made for the aficionados; this is not something you want your 6 year old nephew singing, nor played loud in your room with your door locked, you get the best out of the experience through your headphones, on your bed, in the dark… Pure Aural Pleasure.

Sebastien Tellier Official MySpace

Snoop vs. Robyn / Randy vs. Abdul

Does this really need any kind of information or description at all, I mean it should say enough already that I’m posting a track by 'Snoop Dogg'... Robyn kills snoopy, at first I thought this remix was by Kleerup since the intro sounds a lot like 'With Every Heartbeat' but it turns out to be by this artist/s called 'Fyre Department'. Apparently there's also an explicit version of it titled 'Sexual Eruption' & seriously how can you not like a rapper with a talkbox & a keytar!

DL: Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction (ft. Robyn) (Fyre Department Remix)

Love the video big-time, actually when I first saw it I believed that it was one of his early videos from the 80s, was shocked when I found out it was shot a couple months ago, HAWTNESSSSSSSSS!

Since I’m doing this already… Paula Abdul has released her first new single since 1996 it’s titled 'Dance Like There's No Tomorrow'. The single is lifted from ‘Randy Jackson’s Music Club, Vol. 1’ which is obviously a producer album with guest singers including ‘Kiley Dean, Joss Stone, Katharine Mcphee, & Mariah Carey’ among others. It is set for release on March 11th.

I like the fact that there has been a strong use of a N.A.S.A. state of the art voice purifier technology to make Paula sound like a teenage goddess.

DL: Paula Abdul - Dance Like There's No Tomorrow

I’ve been playing it nonstop... it's just SOOO cosmic, I like how the vocals are echoed & the beat is magnified! This is a great electro-pop tune & its powers definitely lie within the production.

Bitchee Bitchee YaYaYa - Fuck Friend (Video)!!!

Mr Ya Ya Ya and Miss Bitchee are very proud to announce the birth of their
1st video It is called FUCK FRIEND The great Julien Demond made it with the help of the great Ilan Rosenblat If you're good, you can recognize a couple people playing in the video!

If you missed my interview with them then you can check it out here where you also can download 'Fuck Friend' in 320kbps!

Monster Mixtape #7!

What's been radiating on full blast through my speakers recently!

DL: Armand Van Helden - Je Taime (Simian Mobile Disco Mix)
DL: Datarock - Princess (Morgan Z Remix)
DL: Siriusmo - Allthegirls (Yuksek Remix)
DL: Muscles - Sweaty (Shazam Remix)
DL: Booty Luv - Some Kinda Rush (Soul Avengerz Remix)
DL: Etienne De Crecy - Funk (The Bloody Beetroots Remix)
DL: Danger - 9H20 (Culture Prophet Remix)
DL: Infadels - Can't Get Enough (Infadels Remix)
DL: Bitchee Bitchee YaYaYa - Fuck Friend (CSS Remix)
DL: Spektrum - The Mirror Man (New Young Pony Club Remix)
DL: The Teenagers - Sunset Beach (CFCF Remix)
DL: Fischerspooner - The Best Revenge (Alex Gopher Retaliation Remix)
DL: Dennis Bohn - Rocky Beach Theme (Tobitob (Moonbotica) Remix)
DL: Cazals - To Cut A Long Story Short (Autokratz 80s Heartthrob Mix)

You Know What To Do, After Downloading.

Previous Monster Mixtapes: #6, #5, 4, #3, #2, #1

I’m Here, I’m Here, I’m Here!

The Slips is a not-here-to-just-have-fun project, these guys want to parade their music brilliance & shows off its bold, sharp & in-you-face electronic powers & demand for impressing reactions like ‘Wow’!

After years of hoppin’ between the biggest London studios doing magic with their hands for a star studded list of popular bands & artists, this duo has finally decided to take all the experience they gained & every style & influence brushed on them to put it in full use for their own benefit.

The Slips is a split project between David Treahearn & Rob Haggett, who were involved (in most cases sound engineering) with flashy names & multi-genre artists including: Madonna, Keane, Janet Jackson, Depeche Mode, Black Eyed Peas, Marilyn Manson, Fischerspooner, Britney Spears, Bjork, Natasha Bedingfield, Massive Attack, Gwen Stefani, New Order, & most recently the Spice Girls (Headlines).

‘This Time Is Not Your Own’ is a proper electro glitch jolter with a structure of a pop song, built meticulously to sound sharp & clear in every split second of it with a strong presence of a hypnotic melody & digitally purified vocals. You can tell such track can’t be engineered by any music newbie… a lot of the elements are well placed & studied to give a smooth overall result that appeals to any slice of music junkies.. They can make non mainstream music accessible without losing its credibility.

DL: The Slips – This Time Is Not Your Own

Some have called them the English Digitalism & Justice, some say they sound like Daft Punk & LCD Soundsystem, I really don’t see the resemblance except for the fact that their music is as good as the best of the French music scene, although they admit that their music is inspired by the European sound wash of Digitalism and SebastiAn, and by Diplo and Cornelius from over the seas.

* This has proudly made it into my route replay playlist.

The Slips MySpace

AURORA the Goddess of Dawn.

Alex Gopher is a true artist whom success gets measured in miles; this is the guy who over a decade ago formed the band ‘Orange’ consisting of himself, Nicolas Godin, Jean-Benoit Dunckel, & Xavier Jamaux… you definitely know Nicolas & Jean-Benoit because later they formed the legendary duo ‘AIR’. After that, Gopher started an underground label with ‘Etienne De Crécy’ & they released a VA comp’ titled ‘Super Discount’ consisted of exclusively done tracks for it featuring the most hyped about artists in the electronic scene at its time, it was rewarded with a massive success demanding a sequel & that’s what they did a few years later… but after ‘Super Discount 2’ they stopped, later he was asked by Yves St. Laurent to create 3 tracks for his catwalk show but Gopher ended up with 10 & decided to release them all as an album titled ‘Wuz’; In late 2006 ‘Alex Gopher’ released his astonishing New Order-vs-AIR-like indie rock self titled album (Re-released with bonus tracks in 2007) & if you’ve been around Ohh! Crapp… for the past month (beside leeching) you’d know that my latest obsession ‘Flairs’ who played bass for Alex is having his album & single mixed with the golden hands of Gopher (Who is a fan of Flairs himself)!

His latest & first release in 2008 ‘Aurora’ is still unclear whether it’s a comeback single or just a standalone 12” to add up to his discography but let me tell you, Aurora is a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines & on that magnetic field floats black unicorns bleeding million ink drops from their eyes that crystallizes before piercing our delicate skulls & settling into our brains turning us into glass… Aurora is cosmic & ominous, rich with compressed electronic static, hidden keys, light flashes sounds, chilled claps, alarming synths, overcharged hit & run beats, & even a jaded version of the revolutionary Justice ingredient ‘Distortion’!

DL: Alex Gopher - Aurora

The single can be purchased from Beatport, iTunes, & Juno Download with remixes by Cajuan, Dada Life, & a to-die-for collaboration remix between Riot In Belgium & Knightlife!!

Here are some of the reactions from other artists who’ve heard ‘Aurora’, Acid Jacks “Sounds like zdarlight on super discount! Amazing.”, AutoKratz “LOVE the Gopher BIGTIME!!! Gopher continually making amazing stuff at the moment. Proper prime time banger, will hammer this weekend.”, Digitalism “Cool stuff, good start for this year.”, Justin Robertson “Amazing package sir! Been getting a lot of play...!”, Mason “This is a really amazing release - I'm gonna play the shit out of this!”, Sharam Jey “Luv it...will support.”, Tiga “I really like… I will chart and support.”, Tronik Youth “killer for me, amazing track can’t wait to play it out.”…

In a recent interview ‘Alex Gopher’ has announced that a new Super Discount 3 is in the pipeline & it will be green!

Alex Gopher MySpace

Siriusmo! (srsly)

Mammoth acts like Digitalism have shown us that there is incredible music being produced (unbelievably!) outside Australia and France. Fluokids darling, and favourite of 2Many Djs (aka Soulwax), Siriusmo's hypnotic sound is attracting a lot attention for the Berliner wunderkind. His remix work has been kicking around the internet for a while now, and last week his much awaited EP "Exploited" dropped. As one of the most boss tracks on the record exclaims... "Wow". Highly addictive, rolling basslines, crunchy house elements, and a fun disco girl-vocal overdub, what's not to love? Particularly "Girls Rock", I haven't heard tracks with this much replay value since I stumbled across "Cold Act Ill" (Classixx). Both highly recommended.

DL: GirlsRock- Siriusmo

DL: Allthegirls (Modeselektor Remix)- Siriusmo

Check out Exploited.

You Are A Fever!

The kills are no amateurs as they have released a couple albums already, a bunch of singles, been featured on other artist’s albums, & even had their songs appear in TV shows! Last year Alison ‘VV’ Mosshart (US) & Jamie ‘Hotel’ Hince (UK), the Bonnie and Clyde who traded their guns for guitars finished their 3rd studio album ‘Midnight Boom’ set for release on March, 10th with a little help from SpankRock producer Alex Epron a.k.a. Armani XXXchange who’s providing the beats. The duo admitted that this is going to be their best album.

The first single ‘U R A Fever’ is a 2 minutes of grim, stark sleaze-pop that prowls into your brain with a him/her turn-taking vocals, electro-noise, handclaps, and telephone dial tones in a raw formula of an anti corporate-common-punk-rock that anesthetizes the senses & feeds the grungy souls with its violent &gritty drums.

DL: The Kills – U R A Fever

‘The Kills’ are one of those bands you can follow with your eyes closed & never be disappointed.

It’s for you if you like: Goldfrapp electronica, Garbage dirtiness, Gorillaz nuclear radiation bass, The White Stripes unusual lyrics, & The Cardigans guitar moogs.

Official MySpace/Website

AUTO-MATIK!

There unquestionably isn’t a shortage of dance-rock bands in the hemisphere right now, but it never hurts to come across more as long as they don’t bore us to death.

MATIK: Peter van Drie (Vocal)***, Sajoscha Talirz (Bass), Maarten Willemsen (Guitar) and Niels Geurs (Beats, Keys and Producer)… NO Live Drummer, as they’re trying to avoid sounding too “Rocky”.

They’re the winners of the 2006 Amsterdam Pop Award, & have played as opening act to the likes of the ‘Infadels’ & ‘Goose’. They have Bloc Party, Talking Heads, New Young Pony Club, !!! (Chk Chk Chk), & David Bowie on their MySpace top friends list & they admit their love for Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Hot Chip, & AIR… but surprisingly they never mentioned the 2 artists they sound like the most, Cassius & Fischerspooner… in a more influential way than quality equality.

Their debut single ‘Dance It Off’ is a nice electro-indie-rock track but it doesn’t really succeed in signing in their own Identity as it sounds like many other tracks under its genre, but a good one nonetheless. It’s very early to throw a solid judgment, they do have a lot of potential & hopefully their next single will be stronger.

DL: Matik – Dance It Off

The single comes with remixes from ‘Laidback Luke’, ‘Dean Coleman’, ‘Andreas Bergmann’, & ‘Arthur Baker’. You can purchase them from iTunes, Rhapsody, & Emusic.

Laidback Luke has been rocking his remix in Ibiza, David of the Autokratz praises the ‘Arthur Baker remix’ calling it ‘nice ravey sounds and 90's techno beatz’, & Tronik Youth have been playing the ‘Dean Coleman remix’ alot!

MATIK official MySpace/official Website.

***Peter’s vocals remind me of a sesame street character, unfortunately that’s bad.

CLASSIXX : New Versions Unleashed! (UPDATED)

You better get your plastics fired up at Beatport, because “Dial 1” & “Cold Act Ill” can now be both purchased in HQ 320kbps!

Now you wonder why would you spend money on buying tracks that you already have in a fairly good quality & already on most of the Blogs. WELL… apparently the versions we’ve been rocking to for the past few months are after all DEMOs! The new versions are much crunchier, properly mixed, has a lot of new sounds & elements, a bit extended & best of all boosted with enough distortion to make you swallow your teeth. The new “Dial 1” is no longer a soft Hellogoodbye semi-twin. To announce even better news, beside the “Radio Mix” of our favorite “Cold Act Ill” which has not only been boosted & revamped but there’s also a 6 minutes “Extended Mix” of it with a new intro, a dreamy breakdown & a longer outro.

Go Here To Purchase!

I’ve been jamming to this for couple days now, it’s a must buy. You won’t be disappointed (I Promise)!
___________________________________
UPDATES UPDATE UPDATE

Now It's available with remixes, follow this link to preview them or make your collection complete!

Remixes:
* Dial 1 (Tim Healey's KTV Remix)
* Cold Act Ill (Wolfgang Gartner Monster Mix)
* Cold Act Ill (Wolf Gang Gartner Club Mix)

If you missed my interview with them, check it out here + download the early versions of both songs.

What Vampires Do On Weekends!

Before you start making stereotypical assumptions regarding the band’s music based on their name, I would like to let you know that the only connection probably is the blood-dry-pale-white-over-powdered complexion of the nobles of the Victorian era, & that their music is not even remotely close to being bloody or gothic, If they were vampires at all then they would be well educated vegetarian vampires who live in the Hampton, lounging in their sunny rose garden, reading books, eating organic grain biscuits & having tea, while playing music for their dressed in cashmere & Egyptian cotton girlfriends.

Even though they’ve received immense praise & free press promotion before they even decide to actually release an album, & being one of the most searched for & hyped about bands on the internet (after only releasing a blue CD-R demo of the album)… Vampire Weekend kept their composure intact & avoided coming across as the typical skinny-jeaned cool indie kids to boost their commercial success but persevered on earning points the old-fashioned way by writing smart top-notch songs that speaks on their behalf articulately.

The real reason behind their success though is their fascination with African popular music and Western Classical Music which they embraced; merging Africa and New England resulting in a style they call "Upper West Side Soweto", with Afrobeat being the most blatant element, Vampire Weekend engineered their lo-fi-tinged tracks to withhold specially picked genres to avoid sounding flat, like ska-pop & left-field with retrograde piano chords, pungent minimal orchestra compositions, staccato guitar tickles, proper keyboard distribution, radiant rhythm and melody flux, & Softened animated tribal percussions sometimes accompanied by classical harpsichords and string sections that sounds like they’ve been elegantly composed back in the 18th century but infused carefully to not override the African influenced scent.

Even though this record wears its African pop like a 2kg rim chain & graduates from the school of proper indie, it’s still the most mainstream/radio friendly independent music I’ve heard in a while, you see… Vampire Weekend are not trying come up with a breakthrough musical achievement nor invent a style that has never been played yet, they’re just a New-York quartet with passion for music & a craving to conceive smart abstruse lyrical afro-pop music that connects and relates with everyone from the fans of the Beach Boys to Mika. Simple & Clean.

Tracklist:
01. Mansard Roof
02. Oxford Comma
03. A-Punk
04. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
05. M79
06. Campus
07. Bryn
08. One (Blake's Got A New Face)
09. I Stand Corrected
10. Walcott
11. The Kids Don't Stand A Chance***

At many points through the album they sound reminiscent to other bands like the Arctic Monkeys, The Good The Bad & The Queen, & Arcade Fire while still maintaining their own personality. The only downside though is the fact their next record is not going to be 1% as successful & hyped about as this one if they stick to this style because it’s definitely a one time experience, otherwise it gets redundant and monotonous after over exposure. They better cook with a new recipe or I’m pretty sure their future won’t be indulging in newfound triumphs.

Official Vampire Weekend MySpace.

***My Favorite Track!

In MIAMI HORROR We Trust!

For us the miserable unfortunate souls who were babies during the 80s, we cling on precious treasures others-call-Junk in the post millennium in an attempt to re-live it or at least simulate a time gone by, that's why I’d rather watch the transformers on old dusty VHS than the re-mastered DVD, it's the glitches, static & un-harp image that makes the watching experience worth it all. I miss seeing those one inch badge covered denim jackets, I miss wearing those magnificent cheap looking colored plastic, rubber, & nylon Reebok shoes, I miss being fascinated by those neon colored special edition VHS tapes, I miss those losers get covered in slime & goo kids gameshows, I miss spending hours with my finger on the record button of my stickers covered made-in-china mono radio/tape-player waiting for my favorite songs to come up on the radio so I could record them on my mixtape that I’ve been waiting days to finish, I miss my stiff easily-breakable action figures, I miss those super heroes, movies, product advertising, vomit covered print & clashing doodles T-shirts, but most of all I miss every orgasm & seizure provoking bubblegum, ice-cream, lollipop, & bar of chocolate they stopped manufacturing since then.

DL: Miami Horror - Don't Be On With Her
DL: Faker - This Heart Attack (Miami Horror Remix)
DL: Grafton Primary - I Can Cook (Miami Horror Remix)
DL: The Dirty Secrets - 5 Feet of Snow (Miami Horror Remix)
DL: Midnight Juggernauts - Road to Recovery (Miami Horror Remix)
DL: Codebreaker - Exiled! (We Don't Need No) (Miami Horror Remix)
DL: Bloc Party - The Prayer (Miami Horror Remix)
DL: Soft Tigers - Mr Ice Cream (Miami Horror Kids Out On The Street Remix)

So, it only makes sense that we try to find some comfort and homage through whatever left or being made in the vein of that era, & that's where Miami Horror steps in for me, his music has equivalent joy authenticity to finding an original mixtape from the 80s in the middle of the road.

Miami Horror Official MySpace, Also try: Grafton Primary, Midnight Juggernauts, Futurecop!.
___________________________________________

Interview: MIAMI HORROR

Hello your majesty! How's life in the royal palace?

Magical and Divine.

Tell us about yourself, the real person?

My real name is 'Benjamin Vanguarde', I'm 21yr old and I'm the main writer/producer for Miami Horror. I have been studying film for the last three years until now where music has taken over. Music is my life and many others, my music is all about creating lasting feeling for its listeners, I think of myself as a composer in which I can create something from anything I feel has a certain power, potential or emotion to it whether it is a chord progression/melody …etc played by me or not it is all about making something special and memorable.

Over this year I am taking on music full time, producing my album along with several tracks for and with other artists.

Ohh, a lot of people think 'Miami Horror' is a one man's project! How many other members are there, any of them that we know?

Nobody knows any of them yet however they may become more apparent when fully live performances arise and also when two man live shows occur around different countries.

The impression I get with Australia is that everyone's just looking for a good party to have fun at. The music isn't taking itself too seriously, and it's often downright fantastic, and everyone seems to respond really well to it.

Yeah that definitely plays a role in how we all make our music, electronic indie music written in Australia seems to be a lot more "fun" than around the rest of the world. I also think that could be attributed to the fact that everyone here is happy to do their own kind of thing and not just try to fit in.

Could it also be the fact that there are a lot of musical geniuses who emerge from that scene in AUS creating a competitive atmosphere & raising the bar so high for others to always try to boost their efforts… especially with a label like 'Modular' around?

I don't know why there would be a higher percentage of musical geniuses in Australia, however I have had that theory several times, we don’t really compete here, everyone has their own sound really, there are some small time copy cats but that doesn’t make much of a difference.

Tut tut... what happened to patriotism, Why not "Melbourne Horror" & why Horror (morbid much)?

Well there is a reason and a bit of a story behind Miami Horror that everyone will one day find out and understand but until then I can't say anymore except that Melbourne horror would be a pretty boring name.

Do you remember the first track you ever made? How was it?

It was very videogame like, not much like Crystal Castles but just raw synths, adventure and a bit of dirtiness. But besides that I was always trying to make 80's "Breakin" style tracks and loved old drum machines such as 707's, linn and the drum emulator.

What was your moment of truth, where you went "OMG my music is good enough for the masses”?

Is it? The first moment that made me take this a little more seriously was when Bigstereo & Discodust posted on me after Gorilla vs. Bear found Gameboy/Gamegirl by accident. Tranter from Gameboy/Gamegirl rang me and said "Dude guess what, you have got a massive post on bigstereo.." at that point I didn't ever expect anything like that to happen, it was a great surprise and made me start to lift my game a little.

Your friends say you're a pretty chilled out guy. How do you reconcile this with the synth crunch awesome loudness which is your ‘Sound’?

People tend to misinterpret my personality all the time although I think everyone is going to get a bit of surprise when they hear the album as it’s not that "crunchy" or hyped as some of my remixes, it shows more character also looking to the future and past where people were and will be listening to music for other reasons besides those that they currently are. There will be a point in the near future where everyone into the current bleepy cut up sound will be over it and anyone who can't write a melody will no longer be able to get their tracks listened to.

It actually kind of happening now, because it looks like nowadays any kid with no job & a lot of free time can put few beeps & bleeps together & forcefully try o spoon feed it to us! Don't you agree it's hard these days to spot the real good artists with all the new disposable ones emerging everyday?

Yes, because sometimes they actually sound quite similar but for you to pick out which is actually several steps, above you'd have to spend a lot of time listening to the tracks in full without skipping ahead and I don't think many people have the patience to do that with the amount of junk around. This is the reason Blogs should take this step for us, less posts, less shit.

Did you receive any label offers? Who would you like to be signed with?

I have several offers some which I can't really discuss. Until the release of my first EP I will not be signing anything. Originally really on before I had even given out any of my music I always looked up to the Australian label 'Modular' and wanted interest from them as they had several of my favorite bands it would have been amazing.

You've got a bold list of influences but honestly, are you more influenced by the pre or the post millennium ones?

Well there's a few of the pre millennium artist that have had a big impact on me since I was very young, e.g. Prince, Supertramp & Abba. I used to listen to my parents records and I'd say they play a big part in why I have a more synth & keys driven disco sound while at the same time some of the hardest electro tracks we have ever heard are being made, While the older artists influence the way I write the post millennium play a bigger role in the way/style I produce.

Your image is very vibrant & graphic-based without resorting to a "Persona" gimmick approach that seems to be common on the electro scene! Where did you come up with the whole 80s, Miami craziness thing? Who's responsible for your artwork?

At the moment everyone is trying to wear some sort of mask, create a persona or scribble out their face…etc, which in a way seems a bit try hard.

I believe an image should naturally blend with the sounds of the music. There are two sides to the Miami Horror story and at the moment people have only really seen the vibrant party like side, there is a darker side which I suppose would come across in a more minimal way. So far I have been responsible for all my graphics.

Many of your past remixes have been of other Australian bands like Grafton Primary, Midnight Juggernauts. Are these artists who you've spoken to, or did you just like their sound and thought "yeah, alright!”?

Well of course I like their sound, both Midnight Juggernauts and Grafton Pimary are in some ways creating similar music to mine and have also been an influence on me along with the whole Australian scene. When I first heard Juggernauts early 2006 they weren't that big and I begged them for "Shadows" to play out at the indie club I DJ'd at, next thing they were huge and I was begging them for a remix.

You've also remixed for a handful of international artists like, Datarock, Soft Tigers, Young & Restless, Five Feet of Snow, Codebreaker, Tegan & Sara, Stardust! Is there any remix that you feel particularly pleased with, or has a special meaning?

Well Stardust was my first one I was really happy with and has a great significance because of the original track was a big influence on my sound and something I was in love with growing up. Obviously as a child I never knew that its creators would turn out to be my two favorite musicians, that being Alan Braxe and Thomas Bangalter (1/2 Daft Punk).

So, Gameboy/Gamegirl. How's the experience been in the production side of things?

Yeah they are now some of my best friends although their lyrics and music style are not something I would have normally worked with, it has been very interesting to create beats for those also in a particular style I wouldn't normally create.

You said on your MySpace & I quote "I am also partly in a band with one friend making similar but more banging performable tracks, working on finishing a few songs now." Are you talking about your tag team project "Tigrtron" with "Curtis Vodka"?

Nope that project is with another friend from Melbourne it is more of a band setup with more of a natural live sound, but with a lot of synth work. It's something that has been waiting to happen for a while. We have some really good songs in there.

Does that band have a name & a MySpace page yet?

No its still secret and we are considering merging it together with Miami Horror, although the tracks are cool… they will break up the iconic and definitively retro feel of the Miami Horror tracks which I am personally not sure about, it would be as if Daft Punk were to merge their album with Cut Copy's, they are both similar and great but still very different.

What about "Tigrtorn”?

It was something Curtis Vodka came up with, we started with a few tracks but I became busy with things that had deadlines and we refused to release anything until we came up with a main single... It had a horror movie touch, with darker chords but was also a fun club playable 80s sound.

So, this means it's on hold for, now? But tell me has anyone heard any tracks from 'Tigrtron'… like have you secretly slipped any of it through your DJ sets?

Yeah, it is kind of on hold till all our personal projects are done. There was one small demo track for Tigrtron that Curtis was throwing around in a mix tape apparently, very horror movie like, covered in vocoded "Tigrtron" so it couldn’t be ripped from the mix.

The all season epic 80s missionary disco soundtrack, your upcoming EP that is… Tell us about it, hints, approximate number of tracks? Describe the whole feeling of the EP?

Well first of all it will have both finished awaited tracks that most people may have heard, being the new ‘Don't Be On With Her’ (+ Vocals) and Summerfest, there will then be 2/3 other tracks. Each song of the EP has a different feeling to and isn't purposely made for a club... often being slower than most club music it is essentially made to be fun/euphoric or create a certain feeling within its listener.

You said it might be called "Bravado", that's a pretty strong title... is the music going to stand up to the name?

Hopefully the music is much stronger than the name.

Is it going to be sold physically or just through online download music stores?

It will be available physically as a CD and online, also possibly a 12" in some countries.

When do you expect to release it?

Because of all the remixes I have been doing it has been delayed for a long time. I have decided not to do anymore for a while to finally finish it all. SO around March at the latest hopefully!

Is there going to be a proper single? Any plans for a video?

Yes the video for 'Don't Be On With Her' is finally in the works with a local group called MOOP JAW, it has been something I have imagined for a long time. MOOP JAW is also responsible for Gameboy/Gamegirl's first Video too.

What are your thoughts on the internet as a way of disseminating your music? Is there a sense you're reaching a larger audience?

It is one of today’s best tools, if your music is good enough you don't have to do much to get the ball rolling. It’s a great way to contact the appropriate people you may otherwise not have a chance to speak to. The problem is a lot of people who can't yet make music to a reasonable level push too hard and the result is that there is a lot of disposable music out there.

Do you plan on doing any touring around Australia soon?

At the moment I am touring as a DJ doing DJ Sets that include my tracks etc.. Once the EP is released I will do a proper live tour around Australia and even internationally, which in some cases will include a full band. Little do people know there are actually several other members of Miami Horror all over the world.

Is there a DJ night you're keeping with at the moment?

There isn't much going around that I truly support besides one night which at the moment a Thursday night at a Melbourne club called 3rd Class. It is about to become more exclusive, more disco and ran mostly as an iPod party with two or so resident DJs.

What are you going to do today?

Finish off Gameboy/Gamegirl’s long awaited party EP which has just been mastered!

Awesome, I'll leave you to it then… See Ya!

Harder, Better, Faster, STRONGER!

‘Homecoming’ featuring the ‘Coldplay’ lead singer ‘Chris Martin’ will be released as the next single from ‘Graduation’ on the 4th of Feb in the UK, while ‘Flashing Lights’ will replace it for the rest of the world. Anyhow, DJ A-TRAK the brother of the mustachioed half of Chromeo has been Kanye's official DJ since 2004, back in August 07 he finished a further-vocoded, chop-sliced with synths, claps & soft distortion remix also known as the “Me Likey” remix of the Daft Punk power borrowing single “Stronger'. Soon it leaked into the filternet, gaining attention from many reviewers & bloggers including ‘Pitchfork’.

Now ‘Homecoming’ will include another brilliant remix of ‘Stronger’ as a b-side. This time around remixed by ‘AD’ whom I have no idea about or know! Anyways, the ‘AD’ remix is more on the electro-dance side with a lot of vocal manipulations & a floor ready beat. Both remixes are amazing in their own standards, don’t miss out on these, I’ve been playing them a lot lately.

DL: Stronger (A-Trak Remix)***
DL: Stronger (AD Main Remix)

DJ ‘A-TRAK’ has previously remixed for Bonde Do Role, Architecture In Helsinki, Bumblebeez, Scanners, Digitalism, Simian Mobile Disco, Count & Sinden, & currently remixing for Boys Noize & James Pants.

*** So Fvkn Dlishiz!

NOT Teenagers NOT In Tokyo!

You know when there’s an album you’re crazy about (for example ‘Justice’) and you play it more than once everyday & then when you want to take a break from it you play something else by similar artists like ‘Boys Noize/Teenage Bad Girl/Daft Punk’ because you’re in the distortion mood… with ‘The Teenagers’ album constantly playing in my dungeon I tend sometimes to take a break and play something else & like I explained before, I unconsciously go to something different but yet under the same style & I realized how much of a jerk I’ve been for neglecting the ‘Teenagersintokyo’ EP till today, this 4 girls + 1 (later added) boy drummer Australian band have more than one thing in common with the teenagers, specially the fact their name has the word ‘Teenagers’ in it when they’re actually in their twenties. Teenagersintokyo make their music in a studio clattered with lots of glitter-stickers-covered instruments, under-lit jars of gummy bears, Venom lip thickening tubes, neon microphones, a huge pile of stolen designer shoes next to a broken wall mounted scorpions farm, & jewel crusted Ex Boyfriends skulls.

Teenagersintokyo makes synth & rock makeout (with tongue), & I un-ashamedly prefer them over the ‘New Young Pony Club’!

Tracklist:
1. Very Vampyr
2. End It Tonight
3. Black Bones
4. Robocat
5. Death Rides A Horse

My Best friend ’ Moho, Originally pulled my attention to the EP with a post after he purchased it, but I slept over it back then… Damn It.

If ‘The Teenagers’ are boys who eat girls (sexually) then ‘Teenagersintokyo’ are girls who eat boys (Literally).

** there are no spaces in their name.

Have A Dose Of Teenage Reality Check!

After being one of the most hyped about new bands of 2007 & demanding a spot in the ‘Artists to watch for in 2008’ lists plus conceiving a quite impressing number of remixes, ‘The Teenagers’ have consumed a fairly generous amount of porn magazines, lube tubes & Kleenex boxes in the process of making their long awaited album & I’m glad to say they ejaculated with 08’s first brilliant album!

‘Reality Check’ is a sincere 60s till late 80s analogue noise rock driven ego trip, drugged with ketamine anesthetized keyboard melisma that under-handedly leads on the voluminous bass & heart-whole moaning guitar, the ambidextrous synth sodden milieu juxtaposes celestial tear-jerking melodies & hard not to tap-to pre-set drum machine co-ordinations & wearing explicit novel-sleaze lyrics delivered with raspy vocals bringing the memories back to life through anthems, facts & entropies, all cumulated in a thesis under the title ‘Reality Check’ addressing an unforgettable, humiliating, & amazingly arousing period of puberty drama & contouring eve as the product of sexual appetency, sight delectation & unsolvable conundrum; A flashback to an era fueled with raging hormones, contrasted point of views of love, drama queens, clingy shallow girls, corny self-throwing-at-boys love drunk girls, senseless constantly nagging & complaining girls, horny hot girls, relationship type of girls, & good for nothing girls! Basically a record erecting with carelessness, recklessness, proud deceiving boys behaviors, relationships, breakups, celebrity obsessions, internet, late night parties, cigarettes, vodka redbulls, French kisses, handful of aspirins, sex, & rock & roll!

Tracklist:
01. Homecoming
02. Love No
03. Feeling Better
04. Starlett Johansson
05. Streets Of Paris
06. Make It Happen
07. Wheel Of Fortune
08. Fuck Nicole
09. French Kiss
10. Sunset Beach
11. III
12. End Of The Road

It’s a record selfishly made by boys for other boys, & girls who want to know what the fuck the boys are thinking!

Luckily I came across Dorian Dumont & Michael Szpiner for a quick round of Q&A!

___________________

Interview: The Teenagers

Could you each throw a short bio on the go?

Dorian Dumont: I am a nice guy, Born & Raised in Paris (23, July, 1982), studied & previously worked in journalism. I play guitar for The Teenagers, my all time favourite band is ‘Nirvana’ & my favourite new artist is ‘Justice’.

Michael Szpiner: I’m funny but a bit nerdy, born and raised in paris (22, October, 1981), studied visual communication & previously worked as a junior communication assistant, I play bass for The Teenagers, my all time favourite band is ‘Metallica’ & my favourite new artist is ‘Circle Takes The Square’.

How’d you guy smeet?

DORIAN: I met Michael in junior high, we were something like 12, And then Quentin when we were 17. We all met during our teenage years

I heard that before “The Teenagers” each one was into a different scene! Tell me who & explain?

(Experimental Left-Field Projects)

DORIAN: I don’t really understand the word leftfield but I think it’s for. I was doing a project with a Swedish girl. It was kind of folk/atmospheric. I listen to a lot of different kind of music…

(Paris’s Hardcore Scene)

MICHAEL: I was in a hardcore band called xProvidencex and we were playing beatdown hardcore, they’re still going on really well and they just signed to an English London based label ruction, and I was also in a power violence band called Pouvoir, really fast really great, still going on too. This is the kind of music I listen to the most, it’s really intense emotionally and sometimes physically during gigs, but it’s a feeling you can’t find anywhere else.

(Fashion:)

***Obviously Quentin’s***

At that time did you have any intentions of making a band together?

DORIAN: well we were together for Xmas 2005 and that started like that. We just decided to do a song…

MICHAEL: and then we did it but there were no master evil plan at the beginning

I read somewhere that you created “The Teenagers” MySpace as a joke in the beginning & posted made up lyrics on it as responses to visitors messages, was it true? What’s the whole story?

DORIAN: Yes we did the MySpace for joke. But we did not send any lyrics to anyone as response to visitors messages. It’s just that Quentin’s first friend request was from a girl called Nicole and we all said: “Fuck Nicole”.

MICHAEL: yep, because basically at the beginning we had no visitors.

When did you finally decide to become a band?

DORIAN: well, I would say that people decided for us. After we posted homecoming on MySpace, people seemed to enjoy so we were: “why not?” You know.

MICHAEL: Basically the whole thing started getting serious after we received some messages by labels, bookers…

How did you score a record deal?

DORIAN: answering our MySpace messages.

MICHAEL: being nerds behind our computer screen.

…& your music is?

DORIAN: Rock? Pop?

MICHAEL: Pop Rock

Which is?

DORIAN: honestly something we never had to think about it; we just did what we can do.

MICHAEL: catchy and honest.

Your main influences?

DORIAN: I would say Jacques Lu cont, M83, Smashing Pumpkins, The Strokes, Weezer…

Your Brilliant Singles?

Homecoming

DORIAN: hum… 50/50. It’s a story based on our lives, but the details aren’t true, you know. It’s like when you write a book I guess. The character looks like the writer sometimes, but some parts are emphasized…

MICHAEL: it’s a modern love story with bits of everyone’s life.

Starlett Johansson

DORIAN: we like scarlet Johansson and we were in my flat someday, we just decided to make a song for her. We’re not hardcore fans though; we had to look bios on internet to write the song.

Were you expecting to become this big and popular?

DORIAN: Not at all. I don’t think we are big yet.

MICHAEL: Nooooo!

Who writes your lyrics?

DORIAN: Quentin and Michael are more involved in the lyrics. We always are the 3 of us in the same room when we write them. We just think about what our lives are, and then we write something…

Even though you guys are in your twenties, your music still screams with teenage lust & juvenile!? Do you still behave & live like you’re still in your teen years?

DORIAN: A bit yes, it’s hard to grow up. I think I realized that a lot of my friends are hardly growing up…its difficult in 2008, don’t you think?

MICHAEL: the teenage years are the best but when you’re in it you hate it and later realize it was the best, we don’t behave as real teenagers but the band is away to live those years again.

You offer to remix for others?

DORIAN: we met Simian Mobile Disco, Au Revoir Simone, Lo-Fi Fnk, New Young Pony Club & Goodbooks… and no they asked us to remix them. So we were really happy to do it.

Currently remixing or finished remixing for anyone?

DORIAN: I finished one for Operator Please. That’s all at the moment.

Ironically as its title, "The World Is Not Fair” EP; Don’t you think it’s unfair for all the international fans that it’s just being released in Japan? & seriously what’s with them getting all the bonus tracks & early releases?

DORIAN: I think it’s also released in France now. Japanese people are always lucky with releases…that’s how it is I guess.

MICHAEL: Japanese people always have bonus tracks; it’s kind of a rule now. And to come back to the title of the Ep, yes the world is not fair, that’s a good example no?

Album “Reality Check”?

DORIAN: Teenage.

MICHAEL: True.

Who helped you produce it?

DORIAN: we produced the album with Lexxx. He’s very good and he helped us a lot to sound like we wanted to. That was great to work with him! And. nobody else helped us. Xavier from Justice gave some advices for the compression…but I won’t talk about that, its pretty boring.

MICHAEL: It’s really a DIY record most of the vocals are from the demos and some guitars and bass too, we did not spend an incredible amount of money in the recording, and I think Lexxx did an amazing job and totally understood the spirit/mood of the music.

Who did a better job “Lexxx” or “Gordon Raphael”?

DORIAN: with Lexxx it was perfect, all that we wanted. Gordon is less modern in his sound and his approach and I think it was easier to do it with Lexxx. Gordon is so much fun though.

Who’s the illustrator/photographer who did the artwork for it?

DORIAN: Matt Irwin. He’s so good.

MICHAEL: we all like his work from Less Common.

Is he the same person responsible for all your previous singles artworks?

DORIAN: N that’s the first time we work with someone for our artwork. All the artwork has been made by Quentin before.

The album became available as digital download from the 15th of January! Almost 2 months in advance of the physical release! Aren’t you afraid this will help spreading it illegally & ruin sales later in March?

DORIAN: I don’t think that it’s ruining the sales at all. The aim of all that is to be listened by people. I think that if the album is leaked people might enjoy it and cone at the shows. They will maybe buy the album later. I’m not really worried about the download…

MICHAEL: Downloading is just what people used to do when they were recording album with a cassette, just a larger scale. The most people hear it and talk about it the best it is.

The next single “Love No”! Can you at this point reveal to us who's remixing it & directing the video?

DORIAN: We have very good remixes by TEPR, Dolorean, Poney Poney… and a so cute cover by the French girl Soko.

MICHAEL: We don’t know for the video at this point but we received some really good treatment.

How do you plan to promote it when 2/3 of the band is now relocated in London?

DORIAN: We all live in London now!

Tell us a secret?

DORIAN: Fools Suck.

MICHAEL: I bought a crazy town CD!

Itinerary Sneak Peek?

DORIAN/MICHAEL: We release the next single and the album in March. We’re going on tour on Wednesday in the US and that’s going to be so exciting. Then we will tour Europe and the UK and play some shows in the states again with another band (It’s not confirmed yet). Then festivals, summer is going to be fun.

Why It Was made In The Dark! Secret Revealed...

You could come up with as many theories as to why it’s ‘Made In The Dark’, maybe to show off their new glow in the dark veneers, or the fact that every string, key & button on every instrument & equipment were phosphor sprayed., But the most logic theory is the possibility that these over-educated N.A.S.A.-scientists-out-smarting nerds have secretly discovered the hazardous equation to turn audio vibes & sounds into neon glow-in-the-dark gas that only can be achieved if the music was superb enough to break the rules of physics… of course to be able to determine whether it works or not, they had to experiment it in the dark & right now they are preparing their speech for the noble prize.

It’s no secret that these culture brooders triumphantly numbed us to the bones with their previous 2 albums where the fast tracks were actually slow & the slow ones were as slow as a vinyl rotating on a battery charged gramophone that your 10years old child invented; now you probably expect another chapter of the saga following the mentioned tradition. Well, not this time around, ‘Hot Chip’ has not only found a way to get their fans even clingier but also drag everyone else too.

Forget about the amazing self pitying love-tortured poor geeks anthems because you’re in for an extraterrestrial experience to the standards of Hot Chip. Believe it or not, now you can finally call “Hot Chip” a band and actually have a reason to do so, because they have traded all the whining for singing, actual singing & the entire bullied whimper for a sturdy jaw full of sharp teeth.

‘Made in the Dark’ hits you like a crystal crowbar gashing at your skull while you’re asking for it. The energy of the opening track is powerful enough to make a vivid statement to where this record is going, Showing off its shadowy power & its meticulous production accuracy, it’s right there form the first minute like ‘BAM!’, but that doesn’t mean they have abandoned the stand-alone style they stole our hearts with, after all… good parents don’t disown their children once they turn into complicated and rebelling teens & that’s probably what their music has grown into. A more-in-your-face sound, stronger & electronically louder, crunchier & more daring... The group ‘Hot Chip’, this time around sound more like a rock band than studio convicts & have brutally injected the crisp electronic cells with steroids to achieve the enthusiasm and energy it’s predecessors slightly lacked.

The newly gained anti-shyness adjective isn’t the only neoteric feature, believe it or not the guys have surrendered to the lethargic nausea of the melancholic heart-blocking-clot melting ballads, & surprisingly the shrouding lullabies don't send us to sleep but on the contrary they awaken the senses & even evoke gloomy flashbacks.

So in conclusion, Hot Chip has finally pulled those tricks they’ve been hiding & we knew about all along. ‘Made In The Dark’ is electronically wild yet easy-to-swallow, a soulful & poppy version of the quirk heads & solid proof of their Rock & Roll abilities while still maintaining rhythmical authenticity. The songs are so intelligently constructed & engineered & surely will last on your Stereo or iPod for years to come. It’s something giving high aesthetic satisfaction to the listener, you know… Work Of Art.