Obligatory (but totally by choice)
February 18, 2010 | Filed Under music | 9 Comments
image: scoliosis via flickr
Right now, Australia is still one of my favorite places putting out TUNES/JAMS/MAGIC.
You’ve already heard it over and over again, and it seems they’re not letting up. Most notably, Bang Gang has been shaking things down. First major change was joining up with Modular last year and since then putting out amazing releases non-stop. Who could ask for more? Here are some lovely cuts from down hunder that I’ve been recently playing out but I’m quite sure very few of these are actually new to you.
Tenzin oh Tenzin. Biggest techno around! That is all. Play this in a big room with a big system.
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Cut Copy – Hearts on Fire (Tenzin Remix)
What haven’t I said about Knightlife (even before the advent of tagging on tuftsmania)? He may have been my gateway drug into the world of the Australian Tune Factory. (Oxford Art Factory?) Anyway, hopping allllll the way back to the first time I heard Knightlife’s 2007 demo ‘Ambopop’ to now, the magic is still there. I can honestly say the demo is still just as good as it used to be –and his recent stuff is even better. That’s saying something.
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Our boy Cassian! He’s one of Bang Gang’s freshest hit-makers and has been on a roll since before the new year! With his recent release of the Friday Night EP, people are just starting to get a taste of what this guy is all about. This remix of Polygon Palace is soooo fresh. Leveraging that delicious reverbed piano synth from the original, Cassian lays his magic disco touch on the whole track with finesse –bringing in a solid tambourine / hand clap track as well! sooo much vibe happening!
This track was actually supposed to be released under the CSK OK name, but somehow that was lost in translation. So here I present you –a properly tagged file! yew!
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Polygon Palace – Tokyo Getaway (Cassian Remix) (CSK OK Remix)
Remember that fresh remix of Daft Punk ‘Around the World’ with the live guitar action? Yeah, none other than Nicky Van She and Dangerous Dan! This is Dangerous Dan’s newest solo release and it’s…SOFRESH!! It’s his rendition of the classic ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ and the break where it cuts to an original version of the song is OMIGOD awesome. I’m not sure which version of Ritz it’s from as there are quite a few renditions. I’ve only heard the Benny Goodman version and it’s pretty different.
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I haven’t heard of any other Dangerous Dan solo releases prior to this one –anyone know if he’s got any other originals?
This isn’t quite Australian, but Hercules & Love Affair (amazing) made a splendid remix of Cut Copy’s Far Away (amazing). Mathematically that would be amazing^2, right? I mean, even if one were not amazing, it would still be amazing… mathematically. This holds true to the remixing world.
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Cut Copy – Far Away (Hercules & Love Affair Remix)
Wait, let’s step back for a sec…SPEAKING OF CASSIAN…. How good is his stuff??? It’s so good I’ve been playing a mixtape rip of Friday Night since 2009!! With the Friday Night EP finally out, I don’t have to do that anymore!!
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minibonus:
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Dangerous Dan & Nicky Van She – Around the World in 5.07 (again)
Boy that was a juggernaut of a post. Are we done with australia for a while now? ugh, probably not. (but wait, that’s awesome.)
Speaking of juggernauts, where’s the next album??? someone speak up.
Tuesday Snack #2
August 4, 2009 | Filed Under music | 2 Comments
image: flickr
Snacktime, kids. I have a feeling summer poolside music is going to continue going strong through the fall, possibly winter and spring. Yep, I think it’s going to be one of those years.
Come get cozy with Knightlife again. You’ve all should have heard this by now, but if not… listen real hard.
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I think this one was ripped from The Twelves Mixtape 2, but whatever. It’s too good. #ilovehandclaps, pause.
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Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal (The Twelves Remix)
Remixes can only take you so far.
April 15, 2009 | Filed Under music | 3 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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things I love: australia, bag raiders, midnight juggernauts, knightlives
February 5, 2008 | Filed Under music | 16 Comments
I find myself saying this at least once a day. Australia, with the bag raiders, midnight juggernauts, and knightlife make my life that much better.
In Australia, it’s a big gay circle jerk of bands that put out amazing sounds and once they’re done, they all trade tracks and put out amazing remixes. After that they drink edit: talk shit on fosters beer and hang out with kangaroos all day. And when they flush their toilets the water spins the other way.
Here are 3 infinitely amazing remixes these kids did of each other’s tracks:
sooo sick.
This already very healthy MJ track gets their bags raided. You won’t guess where they take this track until you get into the first chorus. ohhhh eeemmmm geeeeeeeee
Midnight Juggernauts – Twenty Thousand Leagues (Bag Raiders Remix)
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sooo sick.
Classic Knightlife drums and synth rhythm right here. ON TOP OF A BAG RAIDERS TRACK!!!!FUCK!!!
Bag Raiders – Nil By Mouth (Knightlife Remix)
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sooo sick.
Alright fine, this one is a Bag Raiders remix of Chicago’s Kid Sister, but it is UNSTOPPABLE. The signature Bag Raiders synth is in full force at the close of the track. hell yes.
Kid Sister – Pro Nails (Bag Raiders Remix)
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in the field
March 25, 2007 | Filed Under day to day | Leave a Comment
Hello party people, it’s me, posting from Merida in the Yucatan Peninsula. If there are any Yucataneans reading, CITS and I will be DJing the next 2 nights here, so if you know of any fun clubs that want ILL music, let me know.
—-tonight we’re going to be at KY60, which has got to be the gayest name ever *could quite possibly be a gay bar*. come out and party with us!!
