Friday, August 6, 2010

Picks are hard

Lollapalooza is here and now and we are full of dilemmas... choosing where to go while at Grant Park is not the issue: we have an explosion of aftershocks around the city. The options on the right side are just the things I think are worth parceling out your precious ears and Etnies to. Let's start with the easy stuff:

Friday
The Ettes - 12:30
...but I'll probably get there at 1pm
Mavis Staples - 2:15 (Ana Sia is 2nd)
Drive By Truckers or My Dear Disco - 3pm
Semi-precious weapons
Hot Chip - 6pm
Chromeo - 7pm
Tiga - 8:10pm
2manydj's - 8:30pm
Jet to the Metro - 10:30
Cut Copy - 11pm
Soul Party in Chinatown if it's still going on - 2am
Orchard Lounge at Smartbar since it's the only late night thing I've heard of


aaaaand.... let's update this tomorrow. Merde I need to get out of here.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Last day at Pitchfork 2010

This weekend has been a whirlwind of festival get-togethers (my next door neighbor was standing next to me randomly. I love this fest.) I need to get out of the house to get to Best Coast right now. They really are wonderful. Below is the schedule and my projected path if you want to follow, or tell me about my maybies. Find a fellow and grab a ticket outside the gates for $20 if you can.

Best Coast - The Sun Was High (and so was I)

Pavement 8:30 (a)
Sleigh Bells 7:40 (b)
Big Boi 7:25 (c)
Neon Indian 6:45 (b)
Major Lazer 6:15 (a)
Here We Go Magic 5:45 (b)
St. Vincent 5:15 (c)
Surfer Blood 4:45 (b)
Lightning Bolt 4:15(a)
Local Natives 3:35 (b)
Beach House 3:20 (c)
Washed Out 2:50 (b)
Girls 2:30 (a)
Best Coast 1:55 (b)
----arrive----
Cass McCombs 1:45 (c)
CAVE 1:00 (b)
Allá 1:00 (a)

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Aeprilplane


Terrible photoshop job

I really should be napping, but this nagging mix really should be reposted. Recently I picked up yet another one of Aeroplane's monthly boss mixes. The one from 3 months ago that they did for Radio 1 is no exception of excellence. It starts out a little slow, which makes the mix a little short, but then again if you are itching for some more pulsating rhythms that means they are doing a good job. Also, the big hullaballoo on this is that they are Radio 1's 500th DJ's to be on their show.

Aeroplane April Mix on Radio 1.
(In case you don't know how to download off of soundcloud, there is a little download button just above the play button. Sometimes it's activated and sometimes it isn't, depending on the artists. Click that button!)

Tracklist:
01. Aeroplane - We Can't Fly

02. OTP Party Breaks #1 - Lifetime Groove

03. Radiorama - Vampires ( Remix )
04. Marta Acuna - Dance, Dance, Dance

05. Lucio Battisti - Ancora Tu

06. Aphex Twin - Iz-Us
07. Friendfly Fires - Paris ( Aeroplane Remix )
08. Flight Facilities - Crave You

^^ 7+8 mixed create: Friendly Fires vs Flight Facilities - I Crave Paris (Aeroplane Mix)
09. Human League - Don't You Want Me (Instrumental Edit)

10. Black Van - Yearning
11. Les Rythmes Digitales - Sometimes

12. Casco - Cybernetic Love

13. Fox The Fox - Precious Little Diamond ( Shep Pettibone Remix )

14. Patrick Cowley - Right on Target

15. Goldfrapp - Alive ( Joakim Dub )

16. Lime - Unexpected Lovers

17. Children of the Mission - Tears

I always get a little giddy when I hear good DJ's play tracks that I have, especially if I have them on vinyl. I randomly got the Human League track a while back and it wasn't labelled as such, but it's instantly recognizable. If I rip it (unlikely) or find it online (more likely), I'll update this. Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Alternating Current / Direct Current



Ah blog. Where have you been.

Let's not talk of our brief separation and just work on getting back to having some sort of friendship. Let's go to all the things we find and then tell everyone the story. We're always there together, but I can't have you acting too clingy because that doesn't make me want to write. Let's be relaxed about it so you can be important in my life, but I need to get out there and do different things too. I know I want to write a book, but I know it can't be with you, and you know that too. You love all the same music I do, but dare I say that I need to look at the other blogs? I'm a man afterall. I actually have another blog. I never told you but there it is. It read you one day and it didn't like the fact that I was posting, but that was to be expected; I would imagine you would have the same reaction. Towards the end there I was writing over there more and I realized that I couldn't keep both of you up forever. We had a long stint at Coachella, then Soundset, and I'll see you again at Pitchfork for sure, but I need to write for the other one. I'm sorry it had to be this way. Can we just listen to music like old times?

Speaking of dreaming, even though Cut Copy hasn't made an album in ages.. AGES I say, Dan Whitford (Cut Copy * 1/2) and Joel Dickson (Riot In Belgium) have come together like hydrogen and oxygen to explode into this fluid fantasy for my aural entertainment. How could you not play this at eleven? You can definitely hear the Cut Copy arpeggiation, the signature synths, and catchy chorus. Can't characterize too much of Dickson since I don't know too much about him other than RIB's "The Acid Never Lies" (fantastic) off of Azuli records. Clicky!

Voltage - All Night

Voltage - All Night (Azari & III Remix)

Riot in Belgium - The Acid Never Lies (3PM Rough Rave Version)

Little note behind AC & DC. After the advent of the electric lightbulb, cities were considering switching from their night light fuel from gas in favor of electricity. One region in particular was around Niagra Falls where a hydroelectric plant was beginning to be built. (side note: did you know that because of all the generators in the area, the falls actually used to pump out about 20x more water and were that much more awe-some?) There sprung a debate about how to carry the electricity from source to bulb over the huge distances of demand via cable. On one side was Nikola Tesla (of the Tesla Coil), proponent of the AC system and on the other was Thomas Edison with the DC system. DC was what Edison's lightbulbs used, batteries inherently have DC, no AC motors were around, not to mention all of Edison's patents were using DC. Unfortunately, AC had the super-advantage since transmission costs ($ per mile) for DC were much higher than AC since DC required additional generators ever couple of miles because the power lines would lose current and heat up if you tried to push it further than 2 miles. AC needed a similar station every ~15 miles so building sending electricity in rural areas was much more economical. Niagra was a done deal with AC and Edison ate his hat. More.
I love being a geek.

More music devotion

I've always wanted to run a tracker for bands like on the side of conspicks for the rest of the country so it's easy to find good shows wherever you are. The flip side of that is me traveling around the country to see people that wouldn't normally come to Chicago / get a different vibe. Coachella has it's scene, Pitchfork & Lollapalooza their's, but after going to them year after year there becomes a twang of familiarity bordering on repetition. That's why I went to Soundset this year since I've never been to an all hip-hop fest, but my true desire is to go to Belgium or Japan for a quality electronic music fest. (I've never wanted to go to WMC in Miami due to massive bro-dom.) Well, I found out the other day that I am a lucky man.

Enter Sonar Music Fest - Chicago.

Based in Barcelona, I've always talked about going there with Larry but it's always been time/cost prohibitive (I already plunk $1k for Coachella and I think he does the same for Lolla). This year's acts in Spain that I wouldn't see anywhere include Air, Roxy Music, DJ Hell, and Booka Shade and I would gladly pay more festival bucks for. As it pertains to my town, they say that they are focused on cultivating the North American and Catalonian (not necessarily Spanish) scenes at the fest. In similar regards they did other versions already in New York and in DC, and are doing another take this year in Tennessee. I'm excited.

I should also honorably mention that North Coast Music Fest is also going to be around in early September. Not purely electronic in nature (it almost seems like they're jumping on the festival bandwagon) but I'll be happy to see Pretty Lights, De La Soul, Moby, Boyz Noise, and Chemical Brothers. Oh my.

As a sidebar, I should mention that Sonar is still looking at various venues to hold their event, including Millennium Park, Congress Theatre, and the Metro. WHY can't they revitalize the Uptown Theatre? I understand that cost to rehab the place is astronomical, but with the presence of something like Sonar or whatever other music fest, I would think that it would be a great place to have a show. Do other cities in the US / the world have as many music gatherings as we do? I'm ignorant to whatever street fests go on in NYC or Paris or London, but I would imagine that with their glut of talent that there would be something to go to. You know what the best way to find out is, right?

UPDATE:
I actually wrote this entry last month. Since then, it looks like Sonar is going to do their spiel at the Cultural Center (the city's old library) on Sept 10-11. Announcement here.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Ante Neo Post Neo


Nicked from bluewhale


Found on youtube, then led to the website of DM ecstasy, and after massive difficulty (via Rapidshare) and patience, I am pleased to present Dominatrix, aka Andrew Ektom. Man I love the internet.

This guy remixes Depeche Mode songs. But unlike many other remixers, he does it as if it were the second track on the B-side of the single. I feel like he had Martin Gore standing over his shoulder the whole time while he's making this stuff. Needless to say, I'm putting this on before my Saturday night Neo trips.

Depeche Mode - The Things You Said (Kernfusion) <--
Depeche Mode vs. Bronski Beat - Free (Smalltown Boy Mix)
Depeche Mode - Lie To Me (Madtracker Mix)

I'm trying to get more right now by cross-referencing via his youtube (he has 300+ tracks!) to make sure I'm getting exactly what I want. Check it out yourself.

Monday, May 17, 2010

A cut above


Via Zonders

Thanks to good ole TNUC, I've been reintroduced to that fantastic sound that is Diamond Cut.

Cassette Kids - Lying Around (Diamond Cut Remix)
Datostrom - All I Ever Needed (Diamond Cut Remix)
LexiconDon - Heart Attack (Diamond Cut Remix)
Cinnamon Chasers - I Like Watching You (Diamond Cut Remix)
Evermore - Hey Boys and Girls (Diamond Cut Remix)
M'Black - Heartbreak (Diamond Cut Remix)
Hail Social - No Paradise (Diamond Cut Remix)

Once again, my heartstrings are pulled for the same reasons: that sure-fire distortion synth, the lyrics a la lady, and quality pop structures. It's like they came up with a formula and targeted it for me:

"What would Conrad like? What if we could work on a song with someone like Little Boots singing, but with actual lyrics, and turned it into something hard that Moullinex would be proud of, but just a little smoother so Classixx would approve."
"Yeah, and let's use that sweet bass synth that Futurecop! has in Eyes Like Ocean."
"Dude, this will be so jam."

Futurecop! - Eyes Like Ocean
Moullinex - Breakchops
Yacht - Psychic City (Classixx Remix)

Fingers crossed for a x-atlantic adventure to see them do their thing.

clicky for their soundcloud.

P.S. Repost of this sweet Futurecop! fan vid:

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Post Coach



There is a great debate between my friend Jenny and I: how do you say Coachella? Is it Coh-chella or Coh-ah-chella? Our ears were perking up every time somebody said the place and each time we were racking a score for our respected sides. According to my unbiased buddy Larry, only me and Prince say Coh-ah-chella whereas the rest of the world does it the other way. Obviously Prince is correct...

What is NOT up for debate is what a fantastic time people had. We all saw (in order of aud/visual enticement, yes ranked):

La Roux
This should come as no surprise as who my #1 pick is. After some initial hesitation starting up with Tigerlily, Elly took control and had a blast on stage especially when there was a roar in the crowd of everyone singing the lyrics with her (I lost my voice as a result). I appreciate the fact that Elly doesn't seem to smile to change the mood, but rather to reinforce it.



2manydj's
In a close second is Mr. Dewaele showing up and rondvoll killing it. There isn't much time to set up after Die Antwoord's 20min set, so to get things kicking he plays around with a radio trying to find a proper station while the background the equipment is getting connected. He finds a station he likes and then starts mixing their version of Hey Boy Hey Girl into it, quickly moving to Dominator. Damn it's a jam... especially 5 people away from him.

Fantastic energy notwithstanding, probably the best aspect of the show is the fact that while doing the mix, his brother (I'm assuming) was doing the VJ work by taking the album covers of the remixed tracks and turning them into a Monty Pythonesque Flash animations. After looking for videos, it's not a new concept to them but I had never seen it before so Larry and I were blown away and the sheer simplicity and joking manner in which they were done.




Everybody likes techno music. Not to mention a techno ticket tape parade.

...mini youtube playlist

Gossip
I can't listen to Music for Men all the way through, but individually they hold muster well... and at the show they are amazing. Beth Ditto has amazing presence and an equally amazing voice. She always connects with the audience with he chatty Kathy attitude and what seems to be everyone she meets. Damn she's good. But what really got me piqued is the finale. They already did Standing in the Way of Control, they already did Yr Mangled Heart, Coal to Diamonds, Dimestore Diamond, what could she have up her sleeve? ...how about a Grace Jones cover? Perfection:



Major Lazer
I couldn't believe that I was finally going to be able to see Switch & Diplo do their thing. I missed them in Chicago... twice. I can't imagine a similar show being done at the Metro or Smartbar: people flying off ladders, booties in the air, ...CHINESE DRAGONS! Oh shit. I wish I could experience it from a 15-year-old's perspective. This was a show and a half.


Fever Ray
We had a quick glimpse of Fever Ray. Same setup as at the Metro but it didn't have the same ambience as there were too many people that were already pumped up rather than being in a relaxed w/ pupils wide open state. It was still intense for me with its Nordic soundtrack of wicca approaching on tundra while riding Banthas. I highly recommend going to see their show.

Phoenix
Great show at the Aragon. I took a nap. Great show!

Passion Pit
Ahhh! I had to skip them in order to go to the La Roux signing. I don't care, I'd do anything for Elly. Great show at the Congress!

Gil Scott-Heron
I'm an idiot. I thought Gil Scott-Heron was Jill Scott, which my senior year art teacher would play on repeat while giving my friend attitude. I should have come early and not been so ignorant of the sweet tunes that they played. Billy Glen Turner, the fellow on bongos killed it at the end (when I got there), after the rest of the group got off. Gil's voice is the perfect raspy embodiment of blues: too much singing, too many smoky rooms, and just the right mumble. Even his look is classic: overgrown facial shadow, needing a haircut, worn jacket, and flat cap that comes to his eyes almost like Rudy from Fat Albert. If ever I have the chance to see him at House of Blues in Chicago or hopefully at Kingston Mines, I'm def there.



Hot Chip
After seeing their show at the Aragon the day I came back from LA, they totally got cheated out of an extra hour they needed to do a proper show. Part of the issue at Coachella was that the vibe also wasn't there but if you go to a sold out show, you have 5000+ people going nuts for the one artist while being squashed up in the front jumping up and down (this is turning out to be a theme in my life). Yay!

Mayer Hawthorne
Winner. See him. Once.

the XX
I love the XX, but I just grazed by them this time. They were unfairly scheduled between the Gossip and dinner. Go see them for sure. They opened up for Hot Chip at the Aragon and they blew my mind. Again.

Gorillaz
I always like Gorillaz, but I never delved into learning more about them or hearing the latest album. So if you already know, skip this part. Gorillaz is a collab between the fellow from Blur, Damon Albarn, and the co-creator of Tank Girl, Jamie Hewlett. I didn't know anything about Tank Girl but now the animation style carries over.
The trouble is, I never was a fanatic about Blur, nor do I read comic books so I wasn't instantly captured by them. Knowing the premise now, and the fact that they opened up with Snoop Dogg doing Plastic Beach as well as seeing all the intense animation I'm more interested. I think I'll pick up their DVD's as you'd think this would be the true method to experience these guys, other than the actual show. Larry, Jenny, and I skipped the last half of the show to jet back to LA early and beat everyone else.
For kicks, here is my favorite Blur song, that I found using Soulwax as my source (of course)...

Blur - Song 2

Matt & Kim
Saw them from a distance. Seems like the same show everytime and everytime they play it's awesome. No show would be complete without Matt standing on his chair but still playing the piano at seat-level. They are so intense.

Jónsi
I listened to enough to know that I need to investigate more. He was excellent to just hang out and take a mild nap to. He, the lead singer of Sigur Rós, has a voice that can melt Reykjavik away. What I like most about his work are all of the different instruments that he brings into it. Executed incorrectly it can propel into cacophony, but in this case it makes the pieces well rounded by telling a story through the different voices. I feel like this is the kind of stuff you need in order to test hi-fi systems since everything is so balanced.

Beach House
These guys are nice to listen to and it's cool to see how they've progressed since I first saw them at Pitchfork '07. They seem to be a staple at every festival. Yup, that's about it.

MGMT
I can't say anything about these guys that hasn't been said already. I'm a little disappointed that they decided to take their music in a departure from Oracular by not being as dreamy and druggy and turning more into what I regard as the general alternative genre. Have they gone mainstream? Oh shit...

Die Antwoord
Um. Who are these guys? There were a pile of Antwoord fans as we were waiting for 2manydj's to come on and they were going nuts. Nuts! This guy was explaining to me that this was their debut performance outside of South Africa. And they only had a 20min set. Unfair, right? Dude comes out on stage and starts up the bumping tunes. All of a sudden, this little girl comes out on stage and starts rapping. Crazy! No way! This is fantastic. She's wearing white sweatpants and a white hoodie filled with black doodle tags. Then she takes off her hood and keeps going. I'm feeling it and it's pretty good.
Then the guy comes on. Ok tight flow, he's got the same tight clothes. Aren't these guys getting warm? They think so too and they start taking off their hoodies. Ok, this girl is not a little girl but just looks like a little girl. The guy has a sweet flat-top that reminds me of Guile from Street Fighter. Now the visuals are turning into some sort of happy hardcore, flash-based, cartoony yet suggestive, trippy craziness. "Huggy Huggy Party Party Fun Fun Fun!"

And then the masked fat guys with no shirts came out as backup dancers...


By the way, according to this video, this actually wasn't their real US 'debut' but it happened before at a Dim Mak party night.

Z-Trip
Larry and I have decided that Z-Trip is old. Whereas mashup styles have been cool, he really has been stuck where I first saw him back in Denver in 2004. Style notwithstanding, he is a fantastic scratching DJ, something that is seemingly rare nowadays especially with the perpetual rumors of hip-hop falling off the face of the earth (P.S. it's not true, it's just not as popularized). Also the guy has great energy and loves the stuff that he does. I just found myself getting bored at his sets because of his selection. I think the most recent track that I recognized was Pon De Floor... which is turning into MGMT's Kids in my book.

Gah! Don't end it on a low note! Go to Coachella next year! Find a cheapo hotel! Have a fantastic time! Here, get excited about this:

Caplin Band - Il Veliero
Boney M - Nightflight to Venus
The Three Degrees - The Runner (Soulwax Edit)
off of As Heard on Radio Soulwax v12. Play them in order. Mmmm rough disco...

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Coachestrictor

This is about the time where I should be picking favs to see at Coachella. By the way, here are the set times. Actually, this is about the time where I should be heading to work...

Friday movement
Kate Miller-Heidke (if we get in early)
DJ Lance Rock (to check out)
Perry Farrell vs. Steve Porter
Calle 13
(nap)
Aeroplane / She&Him
Gil Scott (to get close to...)
La Roux
Imogen Heap
Fever Ray

Saturday movement
Girls
Beach House
Gossip
The xx
Hot Chip
MGMT
Major Lazer or David Guetta or MGMT??
Z-trip
Die Antwoord (to get close to...)
2manydj's

Sunday movement
Mayer Hawthorne / Deerhunter
Yo La Tengo / Julian Casablancas
Miike Snow
Gary Numan
Thom Yorke
Gorillaz (if there's time)
Julian Casablancas
De La Soul

Biggest Crimes of Humanity
2ManyDJ's vs. Devo
MGMT vs. Major Lazer vs. David Guetta
Phoenix vs. Julian Casablancas

Another update to this later.

Monday, April 12, 2010

House house house house house house house

This is what I should have been listening to rather than going to 3rd grade...

Classic, but I love what the guy did on the youtube with the cutscenes. Next task: be a VJ.



And oh if Frankie Knuckles could have only done some sets on Sesame Street for me...

Frankie Knuckles on WBMX, Halloween 1986, compliments of the Deep House Page

This mix has been on repeat for the past 3 days and I need more. Cheesy Casio claps, toms, high hats aside, this is decent.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Sandra is my former Lover

Most recently I was referred to this vid by Art. My jeans were tighter for sure after watching that. In the same vein of 80's excellence but not as italo, is Sandra. Similar vocal impressions as Sabrina, but less uber-dancy. Now that spring has sprung in Chicago, these will be the jams for this weekend year.

Sandra - Maria Magdalena



and
Sandra - In the Heat of the Night



While reading an f'book post on TNUC's wall, this guy posted a link about this Finnish goth rock group (To Die For) who did a cover:


And after these tracks, take the Ralph Wiggum quiz...

Cornball



How could I not capitalize on this tradition of tomfoolery and put up some gag tracks? Although I haven't April Fooled anyone today (not inventive enough yesterday). Rather, I'll focus my passing attention span on a completely random minimix for the day.

Raffi - Banana Phone

Wayne Newton - Danke Shoen (from Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

Fats Waller - The Spider and the Fly

Bubbies - Bidibodi Bidibu (from Supertroopers soundtrack)

I'm not going to lie, I got the Raffi tip from the Mad Decent blog where two of my Chicago fav's put up their April Fools remix. Naturally, it was done by Autobot of Flosstradamus fame and Willy Joy, who is always the jam at any jam.

Ok that's all. I'm going to run to the Black Lips show at the Logan. Guaranteed quality time... unless it's sold out. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Exhibit B: Vuk



I told you before what a great time I had at the Fever Ray show, not the least of which was the opener, Vuk (pronounced Vook). She was so folky however with instruments other than your classic Americana folk implements (fiddle / harmonica / banjo / etc.) using a pump organ named Myrtle and filling the air with her caressing, eloquent, empowered lyrical melodies accompanied by a backing of whimsical yet apropos tunes. She's good. You could use this album for the soundtrack to the sequel to Amelie, but with vocals.

I knew this would be the first and last time I would see her for a very long time, so I made special note to get her album (The Plains) especially to have her sign it. I highly recommend you pick up a copy too. I wish I could say more about the show, but it happened back in October of 09 and honestly it was totally eclipsed by Fever Ray's show (just like many other shows I've seen). She is chatty with the crowd and very inviting into the experience of her performance. Hopefully she will come back to the States so more folk get to accept her invitations.

Vuk - Barefoot in Arizona

Vuk - Flint In The Pines

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Conspicks is Dead. Long Live Conspicks.

I could make a lot of excuses as to what I've been doing with my time in the meantime (like preparing for my Japan/China trip, working a lot, and instead working on jetlad) but instead here are a couple things worth mentioning:

16Mar - White Stripes come out with a live album / DVD "Under the Great White Northern Lights" showing off Jack&Meg playing in really tiny Canadian joints for their 10th anniversary tour as well as sitting in on them being together sans performance
19Mar - The Glamour from Milwaukee is playing at Smartbar. Always a jam.
25Mar - Beauty Bar Chicago opens up in Sonotheque's old spot 1444 W. Chicago

This needs to be much longer... (via)


I sent back a whole set of vinyl jams as well as some radio Soulwax comps from Shibuya (Tokyo) which should be arriving shortly. Expectations are high. See you soon.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Refresher Course

My morning commute normally is comprised of songs that aren't just stale in my car, they are downright turning rotten. I'm not home long enough after work to ever really play anything but some random things that fill in my void. On those uncommon Sunday mornings and post-nap 2am weeknights, I get a chance to delve into those morels in my pantry. Such a fancy feast includes this compilation from Sympathy for the Record Industry aptly named "Alright, This Time Just The Girls, Volume 2".


The A-lines - Four
Matson Jones - A Little Bit of Arson
Candypants - Nerdy Boys

Favourite line: "Why don't you take off those tight-whiteys. No, I don't think you're butt is pasty... it reminds me of the sands of Tattooine."

Normally, my judgement of music relies on how well my körperteile respond to the aural-to-pelvic triggers found in Out Hud or Vitalic. Not to say that this album doesn't garner a similar experience, it just does it by injecting emotion via my left hemisphere. Find it and listen to it.

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Doctor


Compliments of Jonty.

I have to throw this one up here. I didn't grow up watching the show, but Dr. Who was big in the UK with a theme song that is leaps and bounds better than Knight Rider's or possibly any of these.

Speaking of doctoring, I'm always into analyzing how any particular track is made. It sucks to be at a show and not being able to stop that automatic drive, which is where the booze comes in. I'm pretty sure I can deconstruct rhythmically most songs, but tweaking and finding sounds is a whole different arena. Watching this video gives me a whole new appreciation for The Prodigy. This guy managed to reconstruct Smack My Bitch Up using Ableton, which is impressive, however The Prodigy managed to do it back in the mid-90's without any CuBase's, Abletons, or m-Audio anythings. Maybe my ignorance of their methods it what elevates is to a perceived level, but no doubt The Prodigy has talent.

Friday, January 8, 2010

What's new in the next decade?


I'm not going to joke about it, 2009 was a great year. A ton of shows, an even more number of evening dance events, and meeting some great people. I've had lots of visits from out-of-towners that I need to return the favor to and I'm experiencing the pending return of Intro Body. I've seen the rise and fall of bangers (hopefully), discovered music that isn't joke rap (think Benzino) for the first time in college, and went to a decent handful of Coachellas and Lollas (SXSW's are next). Its difficult for me to grasp the fact that this is a new set of 10 years (2000's were the noughties, we're in the tens or teens now? there's no good way to say it) seeing as I lived through a millennial transition with some heavy playing of the artist-formerly-known-as. Regardless I've got some things to look forward to:

Possible Gary Numan & Little Boots collab?? To those readers who are unfamiliar, imagine taking someone as seminal and experienced in the electronic music world like Kraftwerk and mix with a rising star with angelic voice who already has a set of pop tracks underneath her belt. Numan is responsible for a vast set of influences not least of which are Basement Jaxx, Nine Inch Nails, etc. I only have I, Assassin (remember, there are two ass's in assassinate) and I think half of it is decent and the other half is rubbish, or at least I've never been in the proper mood to relish, but you should appreciate the era this stuff was made in. By the way, read this post about Numan.

New Albums Coming Out
19Jan, Spoon - Transference
26Jan, Beach House - Teen Dream
-Beach House - Walk In The Park
26Jan, The Magnetic Fields - Realism
-The Magnetic Fields - Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree
9Feb, Hot Chip - One Life Stand
23Mar, Goldfrapp - Head First

Jam Shows
Passion Pit, La Roux, King Sunny Ade, Miike Snow, Vitalic, The xx x2, Hot Chip

Things To Do
Go to SXSW, attempt to go to all the events I list on here, learn to play the keyboard, run, design shit, buy a vcr, dj more, blog more, facilitate more hand holding, get out of the country.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Winter Chill


I've been on a hiatus. I've started so many posts that I haven't had the 'proper time' to finish; I am the king of good ideas and unfinished projects. Most recently the Christmas cards (yeah I know, cute) that my roommate finished designing, writing the innards, and putting address labels on around week 1 of December I'm almost done with finally putting my 2¢ of text in. That's really what's eaten up most of my time in the past 2 weeks when looking for something to do with my vacation, which has been anything but relaxing... just the way I like it. But amongst the procrastination, I still managed to pile up a healthy heap of harvested tracks. In the spirit of the Chicago cold causing my lengthy lethargy, queue the Winter Mixtape.

Mayer Hawthorne - Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix)
Memory Tapes - Bicycle
Fever Ray - Keep The Streets Empty For Me
Ohbijou - Last Christmas
Regina Spektor - Blue Lips
The XX - Fantasy

I always forget that I like Regina Spektor. File her under heart-caressing vocalists swimming in sweetness. These are meant to be listened to under the comforter at 5pm when it's dark out, or in Chicago's case, when there hasn't been any sunshine for a couple of days and you're finishing that raspberry preserve open-faced sandwich while sipping on left over mulled wine from last night's party dinner party.