Alice

This kid sampled Alice in Wonderland, made beat out of it and played it to the movie.

Illstm

Here's an interesting guy. Equipped with a saxophone, a controller and a macbook, Illstm generates a trashy house sound that smacks you in the face like Apollo Creed. Illstm lives and produces in Oslo, Norway, where he'll be performing alongside MSTRKRFT end of May.

Download two of his mixtapes for free here and here!

IllStM feat. Hanny - All Classy For Me

Download

IllStM on Beatport

Vektorkat

You might have heard them on D21NKMU51K MiNiMiX Vol.1. We haven't formally introduced them yet. Vektorkat. Three young men from the east of France that are sure to hit the scene big. They're teasing us with three tracks for now and each one of them will most definitely be a club favorite. I can't wait to hear more from these guys! I added a clip of them DJing at the Festival de Chaumont in front of some cool visuals created by CTRLZ.
Don't forget to check out Vektorkat's blog for a bunch of sweet mixes.

Vektorkat - Wyno

Download

Vektorkat - End Run

Download

Mr. Oizo - Positif (Vektorkat Remix)

Download

Toolbox Records - Paris, FR

On my recent trip to Paris, I was lucky enough to visit the infamous Toolbox Records - located in the hip 11th arrondissement on Rue St. Ambroise (also a short walk from Jim Morrison's resting place). When I informed a close friend of mine that I was going to be in Paris and wanted to pick up some of the obscure, French banger records that I couldn't find digitized on the net, he pointed me here.
George and Ivan. These two were super helpful. I kept asking for them to pull out their favorite records and I wasn't disappointed. Each time I'd head to a turntable to listen to a stack, they'd start putting on AMAZING tracks on the store's main turntable that would blow my mind.
Sadly, they were out of the one record I was looking for, Sa Bat' Machines new 12". But they clearly are in the know in Paris and were able to call the Sa Bat' producer, Stefan to bring a copy and hang out for a bit. He also previewed his newest track (made exclusively on Ableton, I had to mention) from his USB key.
Stefan from Sa Bat' Machines.

I'll leave you with a sweet Reso track I picked up at Toolbox:

Reso - If Ya Can't Beat 'Em

D21NKMU51K MiNiMiX Vol. 3

A new installment for the Mini Mix Series.

YES&NO - MiNiMiX Vol. 3

right click here to download

Tracklisting:

1. Sa Bat' Machines - Sylvia
2. Martyn - Vancouver
3. Joker - Snake Eater
4. Seth Troxler & Patrick Russell - Love Spray
5. Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso - 555 (PopofNeo TransVersion)
6. Loco Dice - M Train To Brooklyn
7. Trentemøller - Take Me Into Your Skin
8. Mount Kimbie - Maybes (vs. Peter Tosh)
9. Wreck Tech Crew - Leading Cause of Death Among Schoolboys
10. Nathan Fake - The Sky Was Pink (Martinez Remix)
11. Nathan Fake - Grandfathered

Artist of the Day: Caspa

Caspa is easily one of my favorite dubstep artists. His tracks to date are the epitome of bass-heavy dubstep dance tunes.

He's a young producer straight outta West London. Apparently he used to be really good at basketball or something... but then he hurt himself and bought some turntables. I'm sorry Caspa, but I'm really glad that happened.

His new release Everybody's Talking, Nobody's Listening just came out last week, and you should really buy it. It's got a lot of featured vocalists, which is a pretty new aspect for Caspa's original tracks. And they are all amazing.


Here's a couple of previews from the album:






Also, here's some of my other favorites:

'TC - Where's My Money [Caspa remix]'
This remix, out on D-Style's Where's My Money [Caspa remix]/Tron 12", blew up last year - it's surely one of 2008's anthems


'Caspa - My Pet Monster'
This is another banger, out on Caspa's Floor Dem/My Pet Monster release with Digital Soundboy


'Caspa - Born To Do It'
This track opens Caspa & Rusko's Fabric Live 37, which marked dubstep's first appearance into Fabric's prestigious DJ mix series


'Caspa & Rusko - Bread Get Bun'
I just stumbled across this track, and it's pretty tight. Caspa & Rusko are both solo artists, but they often collaborate and perform together. This track is from Aquatic Lab's Bread Get Bun/King George release


'Caspa - Cockney Flute [Rusko remix]'
This one's not really a Caspa finished product, it's Rusko's remix...but who cares. It's from the Dub Police (Caspa's 2nd of 3 labels) release, Acton Dread/Cockney Flute [remix]



'Caspa - Fabric Promotional Mix'
This last one is a 25-minute mini-mix Caspa gave to us back in October of '08 to promote Dub Police's Room 3 takeover at Fabric in London on Halloween

download Caspa's Fabric Promo Mix

Tracklist:
1. Caspa - My Pet Monster (Digital Sound Boy)
2. Klaxtons - Its Not Over [Skream remix]
3. Rusko - Mr Muscle (Sub Soldiers)
4. Caspa - Louder VIP (Sub Soldiers)
5. Caspa - Floor Them (Digital Sound Boy)
6. Emalkay - Explicit (Dub Police)
7. Sub Scape - Transaction (Dub Police)
8. The Others - Africa VIP (Dub Police)
9. Unitz - Wait a Minute (Dub Police)
10. Rusko - Jahova (Sub Soldiers)
11. Caspa - The Terminator (Sub Soldiers)
12. TC - Where’s My Money [Caspa remix] (Dstyle}
13. Skream - Fick (Tempa)



If you're interested in hearing him spin live (seeing how he isn't coming to the States anytime soon), you can check out his weekly radio show on Rinse.fm. Here's the Rinse.fm April Schedule - Caspa's show is every Wednesday 11p-1a, which I think means we can hear it at 6p here in the states (EST).

I also highly encourage you to buy some Caspa 12s

Ellen Allien dresses up

Ellen Allien just came out with a new collection of her clothing line "Ellen Allien".
For those that like to get styled up for the club and those that spend hours preparing to look undid, take a look here.

Here's a mix of Ellen's song "Queer Fellow", bonus track on a Modeselektor/Pfadfinderei collaboration titled "Labland". The video is by Pfadfinderei, a visual project critically acclaimed and best known for awesome, trippy graphics.

Ableton Live on tour

Berlin-based software company Ableton, responsible for one of today's most popular DAWs, is taking its updated flagship product Live 8 on tour. Supported by DJ/production team DubSpot, Ableton is set host educational workshops in 8 cities in the US, kicking off in San Francisco and leading through Boston, Chicago, LA and DC, among other cities. The tour, which will take place throughout the month of May, aims to display new features to those that have used previous versions of the software, as well as introduce the program and its revolutionary capabilities to people that haven't worked with it before. While interactive learning sessions are to take place during the day, the nights will be filled with some sweet live performances. Tickets will be $125 for a single day, $225 for the entire weekend. Sounds like a lot of cash, but it's pennies well spent for those interested in audio production or DJing.
Check out Dubspot's website for more info on schedules, participating artists and purchasing tickets.

History of Electronica

Here's a neat 3-part documentary about the history of electronic music. Featuring interviews with Jean-Michelle Jarre, Richie Hawtin, Keith Emerson, Brian Eno, Sven Vaeth, Depeche Mode, Trent Reznor, The Chemical Brothers, Carl Cox, Moby and Underworld, this short film explores the evolution of electronica through the eyes of some of its most influential characters. It seems to be a few years old, so it doesn't cover the most recent years and developments. Very interesting though. Click on any of the artists for more selected vids.

More Paris Buskers

Here's some more sounds from Paris.

Stoned old dude. Wailing on the guitar!


One man band under the Pont Solferino near the Musee D'Orsay.


Funky group near the Eiffel Tower.

Kollektiv Turmstrasse

For those that haven't heard of them yet, here's a duo to keep an eye on. Kollektiv Turmstrasse of Ostwind Records have a great sound, their tracks are long and have a large range, with many build-ups and changes, much like Extrawelt. Btw one of the few electro acts to come out of Hamburg, Germany, a city otherwise known for bringing forth popular hip hop and alternative artists. Here's a selected handful of their songs. Enjoy!


Kollektiv Turmstrasse - Altona Connection


Kollektiv Turmstrasse - Heiligendamm


Kollektiv Turmstrasse - Melodrama

Download Oliver Huntemann's Remix

Kollektiv Turmstrasse - Tristesse



Kollektiv Turmstrasse on Beatport

Kombinat 100

Here's another offspring of the German electro scene. Kombinat 100, from Rostock, up north by the sea, is a 4 man strong combo I heard of back in Berlin a while ago. One of them occasionally plays the accordeon. They throw down some pretty sick live sets and their own productions are just as easy on the ears.

Kombinat 100 - Tanz in den Mai


Kombinat 100 - Del Maritim



Buy Kombinat 100 records here

Artist of the Day: Akira Kiteshi

From Last.fm, "Akira Kiteshi is Edinburgh based producer Tommy Forrest. His sound ranges from almost un-danceable wonk and glitch-hop to club bangers, dubstep and organic soundscapes."

That pretty much sums him up.

This guy is comin up big, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is a household name among djs by the end of the year. Gizmo turned me onto him a week or two ago with one of his recent singles on Black Acre Records called 'Pinball' - which is ILL.

buy the Pinball/Noglitch 12"



The main excitement for me though is Akira Kiteshi's exclusive mix for Electronic Explorations (show 071, 04.02.09), Rob Booth's (aka Surgeon) fantastic radio show. The mix is called 'Chive Hunny and the Plaster Fixers Bukakke Special'.

download Akira Kiteshi's Electronic Explorations Mix

Tracklist:
01 - EPROM - Bubbles - [dubplate]
02 - Vibesquad - GroundScore - [dubplate]
03 - Bassnectar - Kick It Up (Remix) - [dubplate]
04 - Beastie Boys - Intergalactic [accapella]
05 - Akira Kiteshi - Boom N Pow [dubplate]
06 - Tag Team - Whoomph There It Is [accapella]
07 - Reso - Busted Crunk [dubplate]
08 - Akira Kiteshi - Hells Teeth - [dubplate]
09 - Bassnectar & Akira Kiteshi - ITza Bouta Git Hektic/Beet Tu - [dubplate]
10 - EPROM - Humanoid - [dubplate]
11 - Akira Kiteshi - Ulysses31 - [dubplate]
12 - Starkey - Guttermusic - [Keysound]
13 - FFA - Mutumbo (Raffertie Bigg Sizzip Bass Remake) - [dubplate]
14 - 16Bit - Flat Beat - [Dub & Run]
15 - Zomby - Spliff Dub (accapella]
16 - DZ - Game Over (A.K pixelated re-rub) - [dubplate]
17 - Reso - If You Can’t Beat Em - [Civil Music]
18 - The Rogue Element - The Hive (Raffertie’s SWARM Remix) - [dubplate]
19 - Rustie - Zig Zag - [Wireblock]
20 - Emalky - Explicit - [Dub Police]
21 - Akira Kiteshi - Untitled - [dubplate]
22 - Starkey - Murderous Words - [Dubplate]
23 - Cardopusher - Homeless (Quarta 330 rmx) - [Hyperdub]
24 - Moves!!! - All Skate - [Dress to Sweat]
25 - Jeff Mills - The Bells - [Purpose Maker]
26 - Loops Haunt - Roll Doom - [dubplate]
27 - PROPA TINGZ (featuring DAKINI) - Babylons Scared (16Bit Remix) - [dubplate]
28 - DZ - AWOL - [dubplate]

KITESHIII!!!!!!!! OH gosh

Parisian Buskers - Old and Dainty

fresh in paris. lots to see, lots to hear. great buskers line the streets. after dinner last night, we were lucky enough to catch these two performing near St. Germain de pres.



today i'll be hitting up the Louvre and hopefully spend a few hours in the famous Toolbox Records!
PARIS ROCKS.

LESS PANTS, MORE DANCE

My turn!

Here's a sweeeeet mix I completed a while ago. I think you'll like it. I sure do.

So take off your shoes (clothes too?), forget about work (or whatever else you're doing) and make everyone around you jealous with your bootylicious grooves.

YES&NO - YABBA DABBA MIX


Tracklist:
1. Gizmo - Jaw Harp Intro
2. Crookers - Love To Edit vs. Spank Rock
3. Buraka Som Sistema - Wawaba (Radioclit Remix)
4. South Rakkas Crew - Mad Again (Boy 8-Bit Remix)
5. Modselektor - Rave Anthem (Gizzed Out Remix)
6. Stylophonic - Baby Beat Box (Crookers Remix)
7. Ghostface Killah feat. Mapei - Charlie Brown (DJ Mehdi Remix)
8. Fake Shark-Real Zombie - Designer Drugs (Designer Drugs Remix)
9. Nathan Fake - The Sky Was Pink (James Holden Rmx) vs. Spank Rock
10. Dusty Kid - The Cat (Crookers Remix)
11. Lethal Bizzle - Selfridges Girl Not On Myspace (Boy 8-Bit Remix)
12. Don Rimini - Let Me Back Up (Crookers Remix)
13. Bonde Do Role - Gasolina (Crookers Remix)
14. AC/DC - Thunderstruck (Crookers Remix)
15. Ron Carroll - Walkin Down The Street
15. Gizmo - Jaw Harp Outro

Sea Organ

In 2005, a project to redesign the city coast of Zadar, Croatia, was completed. Out came a submerged organ, built into marble and played by the winds of the sea. Awesome.

Mux Mool

You might have heard Mux Mool before. He provided a beat to some adult swim commercials.

His tracks are hip hop influenced, but work well - or better - without vocals. A pretty original sound with good use of samples that should get your heads moving (kind of like Daft Punk meets RJD2..). I might be wrong, but to me it sounds like it might be FL Studio material.
Here's a few of his tracks I quite like.

Mux Mool - 10


Mux Mool - Night Court



Mux Mool - Lost and Found



Get Mux Mool's records on Beatport

Mistabishi

Here's a very chilled song I just stumbled over by British DnB artist Mistabishi of Hospital Records, taken from his debut album "Drop". He's been around since 2007 and has been making a name for himself in the past year through the release of his first LP. Visit his blog here.


Mistabishi - View From Nowhere

Buy


Mistabishi - Printer Jam


Buy "Mistabishi - Drop"

Mistabishi on Beatport

BURAKA SOM SISTEMA ON TOUR!!!

Long awaited State-side arrival of Buraka Som Sistema. Portuguese-Angolan kuduro group that incorporates polyrhythms (can anyone say syncopation?) and traditional West African sounds/timbres to create some tunes that will make you move. Plus, the Portuguese vocals they often include are the definition of phonetic sex. Initially emerged out of the Lisbon club scene, they caught the eye(s) of Mad Decent Monarch, Diplo (we should all be so lucky). They've been found remixed, remixing, producing, DJing and collaborating ever since.
Check out a couple of my faves.

Buraka Som Sistema - A Morte Do Sonic


Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Som Sistema Remix)


Dre Skull feat. Sizzla - Gone Too Far (Buraka Som Sistema Remix)


Buraka Som Sistema - 2009 US Tour Dates
Apr 17 Indio, CA @ Coachella
Apr 21 San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
Apr 23 Portland, OR @ Rotture
Apr 24 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
Apr 25 Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
Apr 28 Chicago, IL @ Sonotheque
Apr 29 Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo
Apr 30 Montreal, QC @ Zoobizarre
May 01 Boston, MA @ Harper's Ferry
May 02 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

Future of loudspeakers

Read this neat article on newly developed flat and flexible foil speakers.

Forss

The Skandinavians never seize to impress. This kid Forss from Stockholm is quite interesting indeed. He has a relaxing, nu-jazzy, diverse sound to him and uses lots of sweet samples. The songs keep on building up and changing, so you have to really listen to the whole thing. Forss should appeal to anyone who likes listening to The Avalanches, RJD2, DJ Shadow or..uhm...jazz. He releases his records on Berlin based Sonar Kollektiv, the label founded and run by Jazzanova.
(Should peek into Jazzanova's latest vid too- going with the ronson-winehouse-and-everything-else-that-sounds-like-it-was-made-35-years-ago hype by creating a catchy little motown track of their own.)

Forss - Characteristics


Forss - Soulhack

Download

Forss - Using Splashes


Forss - Paradigm Shift


Forss - Paradigm Shift (Dorian Concept Remix)

Get Forss music on Beatport

Sonovox in the 40's

I'm in a retro-ie mood today. Here's a clip from the 40's of a big band and a guy jamming on a "Sonovox", a vocoder-type instrument. The thing was invented by Gilbert Wright, an engineer and radio operator, who noticed that the sound of his electrical shaver traveled through his neck and emerged from his mouth with a buzzing sound. So when he formed his mouth and lips as if he was speaking, the sounds came out as words. It's awesome. I totally want one.
(Wait until the end for some amazing, Lucas-Arts-esque special effects.)

Delia Derbyshire

The forgotten genius. Born in Coventry, England, in 1937, this is the lady responsible for the awesomely magical theme song of famous 60's-80's TV show, Dr. Who. She has had exploratory sessions with Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd and Yoko Ono, her songs have been covered tons of times and she's been credited and mentioned by many big artists, including Aphex Twin and The Chemical Brothers. It is safe to say that this misses is one of the true pioneers of electronic music.

Before joining the BBC in 1960, Derbyshire was rejected by Decca Records due to their policy of not hiring women. The guy who turned her down also rejected The Beatles. She became part of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in the early 60's. After more than 10 years of successfully producing and recording countless songs, tv themes and sound effects, she stopped recording music and left the BBC in '73 - apparently because she was worried about the future of electronic music, due to what was being released at the time. She returned for some collaborations with Sonic Boom (who btw is coming to Boston) in the late 90's, before passing away while working on an album in 2001.

After she died, people discovered hundreds of unreleased recordings in her attic that she had made over the last 35 years. Considering alot of them were created in the 60's, some really were quite a while ahead of their time. One of them kind of sounds like Bjork to me.
Check out this article with some of those tracks.


Here's a clip of her in action.


I'll leave you with a cool little documentary about the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. You'll be able to hear what inspired Aphex Twin with much of his music.

BADMAN PRESS

Just discovered Badman Press, a label out of Ottawa featuring DZ, Threesixty, Dubsworth, Bombaman, Kozee, Bakir, RedEyz and High Deaf (Threesixty & DZ collab).
I first heard DZ on Scuba's XLR8R podcast and was hooked. He's really mastered the wobbly bass aspect of dubstep and taken it to another level. The riffs are long and diverse. Like Wagner.

Check these out:

DZ - "Old Timers"


Woogie - "End Dub" (DZ Remix)


In addition to the decent collection of tunes to choose from on his Myspace, you can also hear a sweet collection here.

1983 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

i think this might be the best post yet (thanks, Jessie!)


Ryan Paris is looking goooooooood :)
I suggest you visit above link, gawk at his slanky, sleazy background centerfold, and sign the guestbook. He might just friend you on facebook (not kidding).

In the traditional fashion of one-hit-wonders, poor Mr. Paris (born Fabio Roscioli) only went as far as #5 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983 with his smash hit "La Dolce Vita". He seems to have pursued an acting career, and claims to have starred in "Once Upon A Time In America" with Robert DeNiro (click here and go to his bio). But imdb seems to think otherwise.

Check out his sweeeeet video for "La Dolce Vita" (1983)

And if you're in Spain at the end of July, be sure to hit up his Beach Disco Party at Tarragona, Barcelona!

Dub FX

Check out Dub FX, belting out some sick live Dub tunes in downtown Bristol, UK, on what looks like a Boss RC-50 Loopstation with an effect unit. This gentleman has some skills and it seems that he is unsigned. I'm sure we will be hearing from this guy again sometime soon.





Dub FX - Made

Dub FX - Flow With Me

Dub FX feat. Mr Woodnote and Flower Fairy - Flow

Get Dub Fx records and merchandise here

MAYBESO - D21NKMU51K MiNiMiX'z (Vol. I & II)

INTRODUCING MAYBESO!!

The Berlin counterpart. Holding it down on the other side of a puddle. Here are two fresh and concise mixes to get you amped up before a night out.
Let us know what you think!

ENJOY!




Maybeso - MiNiMiX Vol. 1

right click here to download

Tracklisting:

1. The New Holidays - Maybe So, Maybe No
2. Format B - Edding 850
3. Bondo Do Role - Gasolina (Crookers Crunk Remix)
4. Vektorkat - End Run
5. Modeselektor - Suckerpin (Feadz Remix)
6. Tommie Sunshine - Dance Among The Ruins
7. Mason - Quarter
8. Andy George - Big Dipper (Hijack Remix)
9. Digitalism - Taken Away (Lalory's Modern Romance Remix)
10. Gooseflesh - Take Shoot
11. Zombie Nation - Forza (Housemeister Remix)
12. Illstm feat. Hanny - All Classy For Me
13. Tonka - Freeze
14. Audion - Noiser (Mary Velo Remix)
15. Mr. Oizo - Positif (Vektorkat Remix) vs. Technoviking

Maybeso - MiNiMiX Vol. 2

right click here to download

Tracklisting:

1. Format B - Cosa Nostra Funk
2. Claude Von Stroke - Who's Afraid of Detroit
3. Dons - The Nighttrain (Dons meets DbN in on Board Remix)
4. Bassnectar - Yo (Speaker Junk's Jackin Brasilian Rave Mix)
5. Tom Dazing - Capadoras
6. Luca Bernardi - Boca Do Inferno
7. Magda - Sadm (Mark Henning Reflected Loop)
8. Henry Goes Dirty - Sink
9. Richard Dinsdale & Mark Knight - Crunch
10. DJ Josh Blackwell & Miss Babayaga - Super Glue (Original Mix)
11. Niederflur - Iso
12. Johannes Heil & Extrawelt - Erdbeerfeld
13. Chris Feilberg - Dalila
14. Workidz - Washmachine
15. Oxia - Domino
16. Koen Groeneveld - Flight E.P. (Wake Turbulence)

Format B in NY, May 30th!

You better write this one down guys. Format B, one of my personal favorites, is hitting stateside! With their US/Canada tour kicking off May 19th, they will be stopping by New York on the night of the 30th. Seriously people, go. These guys are badass! The venue for this gig hasn't been confirmed as of yet, but as soon as it is, you will be the first to know.
I'll be lucky enough to see them a few weeks earlier in Berlin (May 10th @ Bar25), so I'll get a post up after the gig to give you an idea of what is heading your way. Also look out for them on some upcoming Drinkmusik mixes!
For now, I'll leave you with a Format B snippet I found. Enjoy!

Artist of the Day: BASSNECTAR

This guy Lorin Ashton (aka Bassnectar), and all his San Fran buddies - they know how to make some phatty bass. I first saw this guy @ Langerado 2008 and he blew me away. Saw him again @ Paradise later in 2008, which was another CRASS experience.

Bassnectar samples a ton of shit, and never overdoes certain sounds in each song, which I appreciate. This guy tours a lot, so be sure to catch him next time he's around your neighborhood.

Here's a song from his last major release from 2007, Underground Communication (buy):


download 'Bassnectar - Kick It Complex [feat. Persia]'



And a couple more new tracks from his newest EP Heads Up (buy):


download 'Bassnectar - Heads Up'



download 'Beats Antique - Roustabout [Bassnectar remix]'



I'll top it off with Bassnectar's only official video (I think) for Bomb the Blocks, also from Underground Communication and also featuring Persia

Kode9 alert

Wow, I haven't been this excited for a show in a stretch. His name is Kode9, owner of Hyperdub, and he's one of the brainchilds of all we know as dubstep.

He will be swingin through Boston on Wed April 15th, headlining Basic's night at Good Life, downtown at 28 Kingston Street.

Though I will certainly be at that show (also featuring Alex Incyde and SCOTCH 1), I am even more thrilled about Kode9's show the next night (Thurs 16th) in NYC at Love. Not only is he playing a special Burial set...but he will be merely one guest among a beastly crew of formidable DJs: Flying Lotus, Martyn, Mike Slott, Persuit Grooves, Ras G and my personal favorite Zomby. It's like a mini-festival where no artists suck at ALL.

This mega ultra gathering is all part of Brainfeeder NYC - Part 1, "a showcase for Flying Lotus's all-digital label" Brainfeeder.

If all of that doesn't make you wana cream your skivs, buy 10 tickets, and find any way possible to get to the Dirty Fat Apple, consider this: it's only $8