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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leaks, hate, and palmtree families make for a fine sunday
March 15, 2009 | Filed Under music | 13 Comments
you may or may not spot celebrities in this image. (hint: one’s a millionaire and one’s an art curator/marketing/moog wizard)
Wait, hold on. Let me finish freaking my shit over the new Phoenix album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (WAP WAP WAP WAP).
Alright. I won’t be putting any leaks up on this site because unlike certain other french acts that had a huge and ongoing ‘debut leak’ (which didn’t affect their status of short-lived blog-hip icons), Phoenix is actually a credible and established fixture that you will be able to count on for solid listening material for years to come. You’ve already heard their official and semi-non-official leaks via here and here, so save your pennies to purchase their album when it comes out later this spring.
But let me assure you, google is your friend if you’re wanting more preview material. Unfortunately, the leaks are of pretty low quality so it won’t be worth much in terms of listening pleasure.
Speaking of leaks, I think Phoenix is running the show spot-on when it comes to creating hype. Here’s a brief timeline of their highly effective hype-strategy. disclaimer: This is completely from my failing memory, so it’s most likely very wrong
- First of all, everyone already knows they’re amazing.
- half a year post their previous album release “It’s Never Been Like That”, updated website with ominous next album release forecast
- radio silence (almost a year+)
- they released a really rough teaser of a demo riff like half a year ago ‘21 minus zero’ –you can hear the riff they used in that demo on track 4 “love like a sunset” of their upcoming release.
- silence for a good 4+ months. speculation ensues
- out of nowhere, they send full quality 320kbs files of 1901 to blogs
- few days later, official release via wearephoenix.com
- music blogosphere freak-out ensues, hypem explodes, elbo.ws says ‘what’s going on, eh‘
- 1901 stems are released for open-remix via wearephoenix.com
- low bitrate ‘kind of official leak’ of Lisztomania is released
- low bitrate ‘completely unofficial’ album leak that was probably leaked intentionally and hits various limited file sharing channels.
While some may see it as disastrous, I think point 11 is ESSENTIAL to creating a successful pre-release hype fest. When an album is leaked, what hurts most is if it’s released v0 or 320kbs full cd quality. Even though real, uncompressed CDs sound leaps better than 320, it’s ‘good enough’ to prevent people from purchasing the official release. In any case, what set this apart from many other leaks was that this was a low quality rip which was still somewhat listenable on something like budget or laptop speakers, but quite unacceptable for anything else. Torrent snob trackers will shun this release because it’s not up to their mp3 encoding standards and this somewhat controls the dissemination of the leak quite effectively in itself. It’s a great preview and indicator on if an album would be good or not, but definitely not a keeper.
This is my breakdown of the demographics this type of marketing might reach:
-The fans who cared enough to put in the time and effort to seek this leak out, are probably the same fans who care enough to go out and buy the album.
-The savvy fans who love Phoenix but don’t care enough to hear the complete leak will still rabidly gobble up various blogs leaking individual tracks (and will still probably purchase the album).
-Those who are actively reading Pitchfork -trying to be ‘indie’ but don’t know anything about Phoenix will hear about their official album release through a ‘more indie’ friend who raves about it; or via Pitchfork who will probably give it a 6.2. I’ll go ahead and say 60% of this less-savvy demographic will pirate the full quality CD rip from a public access torrent site. These same people will probably still go see a show with their ‘more indie’ friends and this is where they’ll realize that pitchfork is run by a bunch of lanky-folk loving-onitsuka tiger-track jacket wearing fags.
Some might say this model is unsuccessful, but you tell me after you go to one of their sold out shows and observe the empty merch tables afterward.
[Was this a pitchfork hate post? oops]
Now feast your ears on some non-leak material.
DJ Lapse of Capetown taking quick advantage of those recently posted stems to 1901:
Phoenix – 1901 (Lapse Remix)
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And here’s that 21 minus zero demo I mentioned somewhere in the mess up there:
Phoenix – 21 Minus Zero
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Finally onto a small but very necessary tidbit on some old favorites of mine, Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family. Just listen to this Para One remix of their recent e-released 1973 EP single.
PAY ATTENTION AFTER THE WHISTLE INTERMISSION @ 2:15. magic.
Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family – 1973 (Para One Remix)
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cop this EP on itunes. it’s (+) quality, has an excellent selection and it’s only $3.99. WIN4U.
Don’t think my tiny bash on Justice up there was malicious in any way. They are a talented pair, and have been doing a lot of behind the scenes production for bands like Tahiti Boy and Poney Poney. (with stellar results) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
example:
Poney Poney – Cross the Fader (prod. by justice)
addendum: if you haven’t been following TUMBLRMANIA, you should start. you can see how disgusting my browsing habits are.
things i love: parisian lyrics (when they’re in english)
February 9, 2008 | Filed Under music | 13 Comments
artwork: SO_ME
It’s pretty much a given that I will love any track The Teenagers sends out to its e-audience. If you haven’t checked out their tracks, you must, and you will.
I love parisian lyrics (when they’re in english) because they are brutally and perhaps unknowingly honest. Somewhere in the translation of french to english, something happens that strips the words of all ulterior meanings and kinda slice you right across the throat. That semi-gay-retard sounding (totally cool) parisian accent just adds to the honesty of the words.
Those of you who know me know that I NEVER listen to lyrics, but this is where I make my exception. That’s gotta be saying something.
Here’s a Poney Poney (awesome, stream junior 345394934 times on myspace please.) remix of the Teenagers – Love No. Just listen to the monologue!!!
The fact that the track itself is awesome is almost secondary this time.
big ups to the big ballers at redthreat for putting this one up!!
Teenagers – Love No (Poney Poney emotion remix)
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The Teenagers are definitely veterans here. In case you were born yesterday, here’s a live mix they did in ‘06 for Pharrell of the FLUOKIDS on his radio show, “miam les fruits” with radio campus. It is tops.
download
