Category Archives: music
Crooked Colours – I’ll Be There (Remixes)
As the acclaimed three-piece Australian outfit Crooked Colours gear up for their first major US headlining tour, the band have now released a carefully curated remix pack for their most recent single “I’ll Be There”. The tune received remix duties from some of the greatest record producers in the electronic genre, including fellow Australian flagship act Bag Raiders, Grammy Award-winning record producer Sharam, Belgium’s Kolombo, Portuguese multi-talented musician and skateboarder Xinobi, and more.
“I’ll Be There” arrived just over two months ago and served as the debut single from Crooked Colours’ sophomore LP, due for release in 2019.
Astrolemo – Just Another Lie
Astrolemo was founded in 2017, somewhere in the universe. The music can be compared with modernised Massive Attack, drug free Flying Lotus and spicy Bonobo. Every single track from Astrolemo is a future hit, so listen them right now before they become mainstream!
NICK WARREN’S The Soundgarden – ADE Special
NICK WARREN’S THE SOUNDGARDEN ANNOUNCE THEIR ADE SPECIAL & TWO ADE SHOWCASES.
Giving a platform to emerging artists has long been a goal of Nick Warren’s. The legendary DJ and producer has been championing new music for decades, and now he’s brought together eight of the planet’s finest emerging producers for The Soundgarden’sinaugural eight-trackADE Special.
In the words of the man himself, “these are some of the secret weapons that have been rocking my sets over the past few months, squarely aimed at the dancefloor and for your dancing pleasure”, and here among the more established artists are some of the finest of the new school of producers who are bringing new life and vitality to the Progressive House and Melodic Techno scenes.
First up is Argentinian EmiGalvan, who applies the knowledge he’s attained through years of studio craft to create a richly musical summery soundscape – and one that’s full of hope and low-end thrust – in the form of the groovy ‘Synchronicity’. Next up is the stark and distilled imaginings of Verlk, using a vocal sample in ‘Alias’ to great effect to create a mesmerising theme tune to a film that was never made.
Frankie Mburst onto the scene in 2015 and now finds himself signed to the likes of Superordinate, Massive Harmony and Balkan Connection SA; and, if ‘Otro Mundo’ is anything to go by, he has the potential to become one of the greats. Julian Natesis another emerging talent making his debut on The Soundgarden. ‘Seven Ways’ is a smooth, well imagined, and wild ride into the peak time hours – this is a guy on the up.
Argentinian supremo Manu Fadds to his already impressive back catalogue with the dreamy ‘Digital Kiss’, while fellow countryman Memory(ARG) (hot from his Sudbeat appearance) reminds us why he’s currently such an in-demand producer with the bumpy Eastern promise of ‘Borderline’.
Next up, JJSalinastakes us on a jazzy ride, and one that’s filled with bubbling synths and catchy hooks, with his brand-new track ‘X23’. To complete this ADE Special, the Polish DJ and producer otherwise known as Tuxedounleashes his alter ego, Fluente. ‘Lasting Generation’is emotive, utterly hypnotic and perfect for any time of night.
It’s an impressively varied package, and one that’s been carefully curated to highlight the very best of the Progressive House and Melodic Techno scenes from every corner of the globe. No matter what your tastes may be, there’s guaranteed to be something for you on The Soundgarden’s ADE Special.
THE SOUNDGARDEN ADE SHOWCASES:
If the sound of their ADE Special is getting you excited, then you’re in luck: The Soundgarden is hosting two special showcases at this year’s Amsterdam Dance Event. The first, a collaboration with Flying Circus and Sudbeat – and featuring the likes of Hernan Cattaneo, Audiofly, Nicolas Rada, Tripswitchand Interaxxis – takes place at Thuishaven on Thursday 18 October, and is set to serve as the perfect start to what promises to be a jam-packed weekend of quality electronic music.
Then, as soon as the curtain has fallen on their epic Thuishaven show, Nick Warren and Hernan Cattaneo’s attention will turn to Friday 19 October and The Soundgarden x Sudbeat Boat Party, which will be an all-day affair featuring a special back-to-back set from the two electronic music titans themselves.
For more on The Soundgarden’s two Amsterdam Dance Event showcases: https://www.facebook.com/SoundgardenSessions/
Beatport / Spotify Exclusive: 12 October 2018
All Stores Release: 26 October 2018
The Soundgarden ADE Special
1. Emi Galvan – Synchronicity
2. Verlk – Alias
3. Frankie M – Otro Mundo
4. Julian Nates- Seven Ways
5. Manu F – Digital Kiss
6. Memory (ARG) – Borderline
7. JJ Salinas – X23
8. Fluente – Lasting Generation
Thom Yorke – Hands off the Antarctic (Greenpeace Exclusive)
The newest track from Thom Yorke (of Radiohead fame) is a Greenpeace exclusive. Hit full-screen and enjoy ‘Hands off the Antarctic’ – with stunning footage from the Greenpeace ship ‘Arctic Sunrise’.
Join the campaign to create the world’s largest protected area in the Antarctic: http://protectantarctic.org
DESIRE – TEARS FROM HEAVEN
Italians Do It Better trio Desire, made up of vocalist Megan Louise, producer Johnny Jewel & Chromatics’ member Nat Walker, are sharing their first new single in nine years with new track “Tears From Heaven”, which is available across all digital platforms today.
The single premiered last week on the Spring Summer 2019 Chanel runway in Paris, which you can view here, and is the first glimpse of Desire’s new album, which is expected to be released next year.
Speaking about the new single, Megan Louise of Desire offered the following insight:
“”Tears From Heaven” is a song about crossing the divide between being a voyeur on the sidelines of your own life and taking action to make your own destiny. Heaven is a metaphor for life after death. A leap into the great unknown. If you never knock on the door, it will never open. In the song, the tears represent raindrops pouring down from the clouds washing away all of the dirt and confusion. The mundane obstacles of the daily routine are pushed aside for a clearer vision of what’s to come.”
Listen to “Tears From Heaven” here:
Johnny Jewel met Megan Louise in the late 00’s in Montreal and formed Desire with Chromatics/ Symmetry’s Nat Walker on drums & synthesiser. The band released their debut self-titled album in 2009 to critical acclaim and in 2011 their song “Under Your Spell” soundtracked the film Drive, which starred Ryan Gosling & Carey Mulligan.
Sasha and La Fleur to release debut collaboration ‘Förbindelse’ on LNOE
Sasha and La Fleur to release debut collaboration ‘Förbindelse’ on LNOE
Watch a video of La Fleur playing Förbindelse at Melt!:
Sasha and La Fleur release their much-anticipated collaboration ‘Förbindelse’ on Last Night On Earth. The release also features a solo track from La Fleur.
Sasha’s collaborations with other artists are always driven by mutual respect and admiration for one another’s craft. His LNOE imprint is recognised as a platform to spotlight exciting fresh talent, and he has been supporting La Fleur since her debut on the label in 2015. After the Swedish producer remixed the acclaimed ‘Trigonometry’ for the label head last year along with playing the renowned Last Night On Earth boat party in Miami, fans have hoped further collaboration might be on the cards.
‘When I first approached Sasha to present some music for his label I couldn’t have dreamt he would suggest a collab together!’ La Fleur says.‘It was a great honour to say yes to the challenge. It has taken some time and a lot of drafts going back and forth to end up with this track together, when it just felt right.’
La Fleur’s career has blossomed exponentially over the last few months – from a game-changing back to back set with Cassy and B.Traits at Radio 1 Weekend, to standout sets at Bestival, Junction 2 and Melt Festival. Still on a high from delivering a flawless Essential Mix, she continues a summer of pivotal achievements including some exceptional releases, which continues with LNOE.
Whilst having two very different musical histories, these two artists are both trailblazers in their own right, constantly pushing forward and bringing the electronic music scene something fresh and exciting.
‘As the track name suggests, our ‘connection’ (in Swedish, ‘Förbindelse,’) made us start and finish this project. We are very happy that we can now share this with you.’
‘Förbindelse’ drops on Last Night On Earth on Friday 26th October.
Tracklisting
Sasha & La Fleur – Förbindelse
La Fleur – Rooned
Video: Niklas Paschburg – Anew
Niklas Paschburg Releases Hypnotic Video for ‘Anew’. The video uses footage from legendary surfer and filmaker Bruce Brown’s ‘THE ENDLESS SUMMER’.
Niklas Paschburg was born in Hamburg in 1994 – but he knows how to charm and bewitch with melodies and notes; mesmerising sounds and a cinematic atmosphere, intense crescendi and a pop flavour that moves and fascinates. Following his first EP “Tuur mang Welten”, he released his debut album ‘Oceanic’ with 7K! back on in February: a moving trip full of both melancholy and energy; twelve instrumental songs between neo-classical, ambient and electronic music, inspired by nature.
The video for ‘Anew’ uses original footage from a short film shot legendary surfer and filmmaker Bruce Brown, who became famous for producing and shooting much of the film footage for ‘The Endless Summer.’ It features skateboarding manoeuvres performed by a group of young boys, using slow motion and a variety of camera-angles which were not typical in 60’s.
Paschburg’s story is intriguing: Paschburg spent as much time as possible on the coast throughout the past year, catching the mood, breathing in the sea breeze, listening to the constant flow of the waves and transposing it all into his music. This period was a defining experience for the young German composer, grown up as a pianist and then attracted by the so-called “neo-classical scene”: “As a teenager I used to listen to Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, Hauschka and all that world, and my EP was influenced by those artists. Then I moved in other directions: for my first record I really wanted to make something different, something between piano, classical and electronic music, but also with some pop flavours incorporated – not in harmonies, but in the songs’ structure”.
The result is a soundtrack of a landscape with echoes of Bonobo and Kiasmos, on the electronic side, and with Bon Iver as Paschburg’s main pop reference, co-produced and mixed by Gijs van Klooster (who has previously worked with Joep Beving and Tom Trago). And another feather in the cap for 7K!, the hub launched by the Berlin-based company !K7, to promote neo-classical, ambient and experimental music.
Live Dates
28th October – SIlent Green Kulturquartier, Berlin (Germany)
31st October – E-Werk, Erlangen (Germany)
22nd November – Šv. Kotrynos bažnyčia, Vilnius (Lithuania)
5th Decemver – Nochtwache, Hamburg (Germany)
23rd January – TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht (Netherlands)
25th January – Westerliefde, Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Micra – Plastic
Sydney-based indie-rock duo, Micra, are today sharing their scintillating debut single, ‘Plastic’. Following support in their home country based upon debut performances and early demos, the band, comprised of Bulgarian born and raised singer-guitarist, Ivana Kay and Australian multi-instrumentalist, Robbie Cain are making their debut proper with ‘Plastic’ ahead of more new music and UK live dates in early 2019.
Co-produced by the band alongside emerging Sydney producer/mixer, James Christowski, ‘Plastic’ mines wistful atmospherics that cut between Air and Zero 7, whilst turning head to dream-pop sensibilities attuned to the likes of Ariel Pink and fellow Australian, Kevin Parker. Speaking about ‘Plastic’, Cain says: “‘Plastic’ was the original piece of music I sent to Ivana as a demo over email, convincing her to work on music with me. We tracked the initial vocals in our friend’s basement after meeting in a cafe for the second time.”
The pair initially met – as if by serendipitous fortune – when were coincidentally sat beside each other at an Unknown Mortal Orchestra show after both arriving alone. That chance encounter would blossom into a musical alliance that culminated in the formation of Micra in early 2018.
Selling aka Gold Panda x Simian Mobile Disco’s Jas Shaw
Τwo giants of the electronic word, Derwin Dicker, aka Gold Panda, and Jas Shaw, one half of Simian Mobile Disco join forces to form Selling. The duo’s debut album ‘On Reflection‘ is available digitally now & set for physical release on Dec 14th via City Slang.
The decision to release the record immediately digitally was informed, in part, by the fact that Selling currently have no plans to tour or play live. Earlier this year, Jas Shaw was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, and is receiving chemotherapy treatment – which currently severely limits his ability to travel, and as a result of which Simian Mobile Disco had to cancel their touring for 2018. We’re happy to report that Jas’ treatment is going well so far, and he hopes to return to playing live in 2019.
Across its concise nine tracks and 42 minutes, ‘On Reflection’ showcases the duo’s full mastery of the genre, moving seamlessly from undulating, driving washed-out techno to sweet, shimmering electronics.
Derwin recognises lead single “keeping txme” as the point where the two felt they had really nailed down the creative process. “It was the 15th or 16th track we made but it was the first track where we did it and it felt finished as soon as we were done. And then it was like, ‘this is good, let’s do more.”
It’s easy to eye collaborative records between two established artists with either a weary sigh or a degree of cynicism. In an age where a track or record seems to perform better directly in relation to how many artist names are on the digital byline, it can often feel like engineered circumstance or a desire to exponentially boost appeal comes before any natural creative endeavour. Selling is rooted in a long-standing friendship and prior creative history.
Having first met a decade ago, the two have prior history together: Jas has mixed two Gold Panda records, including the breakthrough debut ‘Lucky Shiner’. In between, Gold Panda and SMD played shows together in the UK, US and Japan. So further collaboration was a natural progression, but as Derwin notes, not an inevitable one: “We talked about ‘we should just get together and make some tunes some day’. But you always say that with people and it never happens”, he notes, wryly.
Happily though, the truism was dispelled. For Jas, the appeal was two-fold. “Selling was made for fun, really as an excuse to get Derwin to come to my house and drink tea. I like to think that enjoyment is audible in the record”, he notes. Additionally, Jas was drawn into working with someone who could offer a different way of creating in the studio, given he already has a successful and enjoyable partnership with his lifelong Simian Mobile Disco partner James Ford. “I have always enjoyed how natural and unschooled Derwin’s approach to music is. I know that sounds like some sort of veiled insult but it’s not at all, electronic music is littered with well constructed, sensibly arranged tracks that follow a logical harmonic theme, almost all of that music can get fucked.”
From Derwin’s side, having a collaborator for the first time was appealing. “I’ve always been a solo artist, so it’s a lot. When you work on your own, you’re highly critical of what you make because it’s all yours, and there’s no one else to enjoy it with. It can feel like work very quickly.”
‘On Reflection’ ultimately grew from a series of sounds and ideas that were quickly recorded and then edited down to their purest form. It’s a record that exists in spontaneity and quick, gut decisions rather than any sort of laboriously plotted selection of notes and sounds.
Made in Jas’ studio, which is a converted barn at his home in Kent, the record was made “in between eating sandwiches”,Jas confides. Put together at a leisurely pace, Derwin would visit a few days at a time and the two would split their time between making tunes, walking Jas’ two greyhounds and visiting a local farm shop each day. “They’ve got this farm shop called Macknades, and it’s incredible”, sighs Derwin wistfully. “We’d go there everyday and get fresh bread and cheese. A lot of cheese was eaten. Oh, and fudge.”
Touching on how the record was formed, Jas adds “The heart of the record is [Hardware sequencer] Cirklon, it’s such a brilliant sequencer. Unusually we didn’t use the pallet of Gold Panda, which is MPC-driven, or SMD, which is modular synth driven. We started most tracks out with quite cheap 90s rack-mount synths, the type that can be bought on ebay for 30 quid. Even though these are totally digital they really have a distinctive character to them, kind of grainy and shit but in a charming way. Obviously there was a bit of synth stuff, we were not adhering to any rules but I usually think that choosing a palette of sounds to start with gives you a good chance of getting a cohesive record.”
“It’s the most immediate and natural record I’ve ever made,” concedes Derwin. “I never thought I would be a collaboration person, but I guess it’s finding the right person to make a record with.”
Derwin explains “We didn’t make this for a label or something. Initially, it was just us mucking around. There was no plan to make an album. Originally I thought we were going to make a track here and there and stick them out on vinyl. But then, we had an album that sounded quite good and it was like ‘well if we have an album’s worth of stuff, maybe we should just release it’. It became a thing, I suppose.”
“But we’ll quit if it becomes a smash hit record.”
Purchase ‘On Reflection’ here: https://selling.lnk.to/OnReflection
Satin Jackets feat. Anduze – Athena
‘Athena’ is the latest single from nu-disco star Tim Bernhardt, aka Satin Jackets, and sees the German producer team up with American soul singer Anduze. The resulting collaboration is classic Satin Jackets, the track’s warm melodies, light, breezy guitars, delicate piano and driving rhythm creating the perfect backdrop for Anduze’s stunning vocals and emotional lyricism.
Talking about the track Anduze explains “Athens, Greece has always lured me in with her warmth, charm, and overall ancient beauty. After visiting each year for a decade, I was inspired to write about the city I now live in.”
“Once I’d finished the lyrics, the musical landscape I thought would compliment it best was a vintage and melodic electro vibe. I’ve always loved Satin Jackets’ style and production, so I thought to reach out to Tim, and I feel so fortunate that we could collaborate. The result is just what I’d pictured it to be… Athena.”
Whether producing modern Balearic house anthems such as ‘You Make Me Feel Good’, seductively soulful tracks like ‘Through The Night’ or genuine poolside classics like ‘For Days’, Tim has established himself as one of the biggest names in the modern disco scene clocking up more than 30 million streams of the debut Satin Jacketsalbum, ‘Panorama Pacifico’, on Spotify alone.
