Remixes can only take you so far.
April 15, 2009 | Filed Under music | 2 Comments
Some real talk between a friend and I on current ‘hot’ electronic music producers has been happening lately. We’ve got the utmost respect for the production and success of all these guys and gals; but let’s be honest –a great portion of their original songwriting can be really pants when compared to their ‘hit’ remixes.
[there was a huge rant on songwriting vs remixing that previously occupied this space, but I've decided to spare the eyes. when it comes down to it, remixing will always be business and songwriting will for the most part, be the truth.]
Here are prime examples of producers who remix right and write right (damn, I’m clever as fuck). I’m not gonna post the runts because it’s not what I do -I’m sure you can guess ‘em though.
So mad props, homies who pump out EXCELLENT remixes along with EXCELLENT originals.
The following pair of tracks is the same song, different renditions. Main point is, the original producer (Alex Gopher – awesome) made a stellar track that was remixed by people who aside from making amazing remixes, also create great original music.
Ok, honestly, what can I say. Knightlife and Riot in Belgium (RIP, but hello Beni ♥♥). Both kind of Australian natives, both fucking awesome. I first heard Knightlife back when all that proved his existence was a demo called “Ambopop” on myspace. It was and still is massive while Riot in Belgium secured their place in dopeness history with “La Musique”. Nothing else is really necessary. As stated in the past, the fusion of Australia’s finest never seems to fail.
Alex Gopher - Aurora (Riot In Belgium & Knightlife Remix)
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This next version of Aurora was conceived by La Mode, also out of Australia. Hmm, what are the odds. A totally different direction than the Riot in Belgium and Knightlife take, but just as enjoyable.
Alex Gopher – Aurora (La Mode Remix) (Bonus)
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Whew. OK. Breaktime. Who doesn’t like a harmless little Deadmau5? This is a little less of his usual monotonous-house steez and a little more church-organ-melodic steez which is what draws me in.
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Alright, now for some more real talk. The Twelves are no strangers here, and if you’ve been keeping up, aside from remixes, they can lay down a real mean song. Here’s a hot off the press remix the boys from Rio did for Metric’s newest album (and single). It’s keeping their record of hot remixes strong and includes their ’signature’ drum sounds and rhythm breakdowns into the chorus verses.
Remixes be payin the bills up in here! Keep hustlin, 12s.
Metric - Help I’m Alive (The Twelves Remix)
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[just click the link and play it within the browser. this track sounds like a broken tape with the flash player for some reason.]
OK wow. if you were able to wade through that scramble of words, here’s your prize. This is probably one of my many favorite things that has happened in a long while. Pacific!, who are magic in my book, got together with PONEY PONEY, who are also magic in my book, and churned out a serious gem. Thanks to @doriandumont for the heads up on this one.
Poney Poney - When Do You Wanna Stop Working? (Pacific Remix)
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Basically to reiterate what has already been said: you better have some dope ass originals to back up your dope ass remixes. All of which the aforementioned accomplish.
As if that wasn’t enough, here’s what Beni (of Riot in Belgium fame) is all about. yeaaa, it’s kind of a big deal. real big.
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next up
January 25, 2009 | Filed Under day to day, music | 8 Comments
image: tuftsmania flickr
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE DOOM from Bang Gang 12″. They are fucking bad ass and insane party animals. He keeps my inbox oh so happy.
These were received quite some time ago and I was buried with work at the time. I still am. But since I’ve decided to not care anymore they’re gonna show their pretty little faces right here.
Way back when (blog years), ZZZ remixed the Bag Raider’s “Fun Punch”. an epic single. It was a hit, and now they’re back with another $$$$$$ piano-filled-face-melting-trip.
Bag Raiders is now returning the favor and remixing ZZZ’s FUEGO track, “Lion”. (and the great big gay australian circle jerk lives on, in a good way.) A bit of the pianos have been deleted in favor of our favorite Bag Raiders outer-galaxy space sounds.
…
AND I WANT TO FUCKING CRY. this is what dreams are made of.
This isn’t to say that the original isn’t worth a listen, because it’s magnificent on it’s own.
ZZZ – Lion (Bag Raiders Remix)
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(hint: really turn it up around 3:10, thank me later.)
Just buy the EP. It’s worth more than they’re charging. (Leonine will change your life)
bonus for those of you who haven’t heard the ZZZ remix of Fun Punch:
Bag Raiders – Fun Punch (ZZZ remix)
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WTF is up with these guys
November 6, 2008 | Filed Under music | 7 Comments
image: tuftsmania for tufts vs cits
I’ve posted about this phenomenon in the past, but it’s just starting to become the norm. Just like black presidents. (totally doubt he really actually is black, something must have ramped up to his melanin production as a child.).
Anyway, concrete jammers –Bag Raiders is at it again, having sexual relations with their 1st cousin, Cut Copy. They may be on separate labels, but all blog/electro/crackhouse bands that come out of Australia I lump under the same label: Bandular 12 inch Cutters. All the fuckin same. Didn’t u hear? Modular is in a financial crisis. Why aren’t they closing up shop? because they are part of the Bandular 12 inch Cutters dynasty. Everyone knows that nobody fucks with the Bandular12inCTTRS dynasty.
That said, some people were talking shit on this remix, and you know what I say, “fuck’em” (shouts, D, micronesia, ponhpei ♥ u) This shit is on fire and a half, burning up on your doorstep.
It’s been HOW LONG? and I still can’t get enough of the Bag Raiders signature spiraling rainbow road synth. ♥
Cut Copy – Far Away (Bag Raiders Remix)
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PS: I was just in the mood for some hard and heavy freak out music, and We Are Terrorists delivered PLUS+++. There’s just enough of a break in the middle for you to catch your breath.
turn the volume up. ok, that’s perfect, now louder.
We Are Terrorists – Ground Zero
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If I keep googling We Are Terrorists I might get an unwanted FBI guest in my house.
Such a shame…(updated links)
July 25, 2008 | Filed Under day to day | 9 Comments
image: tuftsmania flickr
My trusty steed of 4+ years has finally failed me. The backlight or inverter on my 17″ Powerbook finally gave out and I’m left with a gimpy computer through which I cannot see the cyber world. I have finally gotten around to hooking up an external monitor and getting back to my normal daily grind.
This happened just after vacation which would explain the insane delay in content between now and my last post.
Hello everyone, I’m still here.
Lately I’ve been getting down to fat and funky basslines and Lovelock from NY has been kicking out the jams. Word up to Aleks from the discodust for uncovering this gem. (ps: let’s start more mailing lists please)
listen for the awesome synth keyboarding:
Lovelock – Maybe Tonight
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Speaking of funky bass lines, Fred Falke has been making his rounds in the blog world lately. This balding, stiff looking french man may be awkward in real life, but he brings the funk. The collaboration of Fred Falke’s fret burning bass skills and Miami Horror’s nostalgic synth stabs is heaven when added to Pnau’s “Embrace”.
Pnau – Embrace ft. Ladyhawke (Fred Falke & Miami Horror remix)
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Finally what post on this website would be complete without a track by Midnight Juggernauts? Arguably one of my favorite bands in Australia (possibly the world) right now.
Gearing up for their new single release, come a slew of remixes for “Into the Galaxy”. Also a really dope dope dope dope (more dope) video:
It has been established that the “big gay australian circle jerk” phenomenon exists, however, Paris is destined to break the trend. Chateau Marmont (not to be confused with Chateau Marmont –my new residence) added a much needed parisian twist to this track (next next level blog music inbreeding). Anyway, fuck typing all this, just listen.
Midnight Juggernauts – Into the Galaxy (Chateau Marmont remix)
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I just finished sifting through a shit ton of emails, and I’m pleased to say that quite a few things made my ears and eyes happy. Stay tuned.
ps: does anyone out there at Apple want to gift me a macbook pro? I’d really like that.
pps: i heard you can get free and steezy sunglasses that will instantly increase your street cred at glahsez.
hotter (update! one more remix)
May 19, 2008 | Filed Under music, photography | 12 Comments
image: tufts vs cits
The temperatures in LA have been out of control lately. My normal bike route home which is usually very short and cool, resulted in me being drenched in sweat all week.
This is the time to have sweaty, debaucherous parties.
–but before all that, I need to finish school. 
ENOUGH OF THAT.
MANY Thanks to all the people who send me demos, advances, mixtapes, nudes, and especially all the big name labels who, as of late, have been flooding my inbox with complete bullshit (and arguably shitty incomplete SAMPLES of songs).
But most importantly, thanks to all the people who send me high-bitrate mp3s. I cannot stress how much this means to me. Things like this tell me that you VALUE you own work as an artist.
To me it says,
“Hey, my work is tops, I don’t want it heard on anything but the best quality it can be. 320kbs all over your chest.”
I am probably more apt to respect your shit if you demonstrate some level of respect for it as well.
Something I can’t understand is an email consisting of,
“hey dude blogger guy, I don’t really give a fuck but you’re on the mailing list I made by crawling hypemachine, here’s my 96kbs track, feel free to play it live and post a blog entry about it.”
10 min later,
“oh sorry bro, i forgot to attach/link the file”
By this point, not only am I bothered that there was a message that failed to deliver with music, I was totally let down by the SHITness of the finally delivered track. Failure to deliver is such a bitch.
I will obviously not play a track that isn’t appealing to me, but I will sure as shit not play something that sounds like it was:
recorded off a ford fiesta fm radio into a lawyer’s spit-encrusted-dictaphone,
re-recorded onto your macbook through the built in microphone,
maxed out the input level because it wasn’t loud enough,
and finally re-compressed.
There isn’t enough time in a day.
hang in there, I’ve got a few weeks to go.
don’t have time to say much more… so listen.
The Futureheads – Hounds Of Love (Phones’ Wolves At The Door Remix)
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ok, I GOTTA say something about this. Aside from all the Australian label inbreeding, I still can’t seem to get over the magic of Midnight Juggernauts. The spacey synth, church organs, reverb, CASTLEVANIASOUNDS, everything fucking thing they do is so epic and executed in a way that dwarfs everything in comparison. (them being juggernauts and all, LOOK I MAKE THE JOKE)
Cut Copy – Hearts on Fire (Midnight Juggernauts remix)
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FUTUREHEADSPACE
PHONESPACE
JUGGERSPACE
CUTCOPYSPACE
UPDATE!: how could I forget this one?? FLIP, FLIP FLIP IT
Midnight Juggernauts – 45 and Rising (cut copy remix)
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