Whispering Truths

[Image: The Vagabond Set]

Every day I flood my 'Recently Added' iTunes folder with new tracks. I barely ever listen to half of them in the initial screening process, but, more often than not, I end up deleting almost every song I hear after only a few seconds. Sometimes, I wonder why I even continue to blog. Then I realize that if it weren't for blogs, I wouldn't have the newest In Flagranti remixes (courtesy of Planet SHHH and Slutty Fringe), and I wouldn't even know about Miike Snow (courtesy of just about every blog out there). Oh yea I also probably wouldn't have heard the new remixes of Marina and the Diamonds' "Obsessions" over at Bigstereo and Discodust. But my favorite thing I've learned from reading blogs has got to be...
Van She!

Van She :: Sex City (128 kbps) (Amazon, eMusic)

From Barcelona, With Love

Sidechains will make his North American debut tonight at Europa. The event is hosted by The American Dream Team, The Culture of Me, Fingers on the Pulse, and Faction and will also feature JD Samson of Le Tigre, The American Dream Team, Faction DJ's, and DJ Never Forget & Terry Diabolik of Finger on the Pulse. This will be an 18+ and the $8 cover charge includes a champagne toast at midnight.

Sidechains :: Dance While You Can
Sidechains :: Dance While You Can (Coresair Remix) 
Sidechains :: Dance While You Can (Tits & Clits Remix)
Sidechains :: Dance While You Can (Dirty Monkeez Remix)

What A Beautiful Name

Thanks to Ohh Crapp! for hyping us to Breakbot's new track 'Penelope Pitstop', and its accompanying video.

Galactic Glare

This week has been an exciting one so far. There have been so many new tracks, videos, and newsworthy stories that its been a frenzy to keep up with them all. For starters, NYC Fashion Week kicked off this past weekend and Belvedere Vodka held one of the first parties to reveal their new line of top shelf vodka, Belvedere IX. Everybody's favorite DJ and New York's own, A-Trak was on the decks while celebrity guests such as Mary-Kate Olsen and Andre Benjamin mingled amidst a steady flow of cotton candy flavored vodka and pop rock chasers (More at Poprocks and Notes on a Party).

Next up is the story of Kid Cudi vs. Reebok. Word has it that Cudi was arranged to perform at a Reebok sponsored event in Phoenix as a part of the NBA Allstar Weekend. However, when Reebok representatives realized that Cudi planned to take the stage in a pair of Nike Air Jordan's an altercation broke out and police eventually intervened by tazing Cudi and arresting him. Details about the event are sketchy. (More at The Grip and Hypebeast)

In other news, Proxy has been tearing up Australia lately. Check out Trashbag Kids and Fancy Sounds for more on that.

Now for some music.

Don Diablo :: Teen Scream Machine (Short Edit) mp3

Sidechains :: Can't Love U Babe @ Welcome to Dance Club

Friendly Fires :: Skeleton Boy (Paul Epsworth Version) @ Ohh Crapp!

WhoMadeWho :: The Plot (Discodeine Edit) @ LA Friendly

Woolfy :: Oh Missy (In Flagranti's Xenon Mix) @ Planet SHHH

Freak You :: Galactik (From MOTU2) mp3

****Bonus****

Check out Phase02's recent Freak You interview

Instant Replay

The Presets :: If I Know You (Dir: Eva Husson)

The Presets - If I Know You from Modular France on Vimeo.

Fever Ray :: When I Grow Up (Dir: Martin de Thura)

When I Grow Up from Fever Ray on Vimeo.

La Roux :: In For The Kill (Dir: Kinga Burza)

La Roux - In For The Kill from pster on Vimeo.

CLP's Factory

It may seem strange coming from a blogger and a fan of dance music, but I usually do not listen to DJ mixes. Perhaps I lack the attention span, or maybe I enjoy the spontaneity of iTunes in shuffle mode, but mixes are something I usually avoid. This habit, however, is currently under review after listening to CLP's Factory Fresh Mix. Clocking in at over 80 minutes, this mix is exactly what the title suggests: a grindhouse of refreshing Hip-Hop tracks and remixes.


Chris de Luca Vs. Phon.o :: Factory Fresh Mix



Tracklist:

01.     Lil’ Mama – Lip Gloss
02.     50 Cent – I Got Money (Lazer Sword Remix)
03.     L.L. Cool J – Come And Party With Me
04.     V.I.C. ft. Frank Ski & The Package Store – Wobble
05.     CLP ft. Zion I & Data MC – Rockin’ Wiz Us
06.     Nicki Minaj – Beam Me Up Scotty & Boy 8-Bit – Fog Bank (MashUp)
07.     EPMD – Run It (Duke Dumont Remix)
08.     The Cool Kids – Pump Up The Volume
09.     Pussycat Dolls ft. Snoop Dogg & Kardinal Offishall – Bottle Pop
10.     CLP ft. Kovas – Dip Shorty (Unsportsmanlike Remix)
11.     Common ft. Pharrell – Universal Mind Control
12.     Kid Kaio – We Don’t Give A
13.     Polka Shit vs Bitches – Mr. Licious (Bootleg)
14.     Le Le – Breakfast Beesmunt (Baltiflage Edit)
15.     Stuffa & Andy ft. Mapei - Pretty Girls (Krazy Fiesta Remix)
16.     Dj Madcom – Put Your Drinks Up
17.     Mikix The Cat – Freeze
18.     CLP ft. Kovas – Dip Shorty (Bugati Force A Rabiata Mix)
19.     The Death Set – Listen To This Collision (G.L.O.V.E.S. Remix)
20.     Dj Mujava – Township Funk (Dj Rob3 Remix)
21.     LFO – Freak
22.     Monsieur Monsieur – Gambler (Rave Re-Edit)
23.     Dj Edjotronic – Turn Off
24.     Notorious B.I.G. – Hypnotize (Cold Blank Remix)
25.     Trackadamicks – Enjoy What You Do (Shadow Dancer Remix)
26.     Mr. Patron – Give It Up
27.     Killa Queenz – Sweaty Wet
28.     N.E.R.D.S. – Rockstars (Disco Villians Remix)
29.     Robb G – 12 Inch Therapy (Bass Kleph’s Dirty Ows Mix)
30.     Dead Prez – Hip Hop (Diplo Remix)

CLP's website is stockfull of more mixes, videos, and streamable music from Chris De Luca and Phon.o.

Hungry For Life

[Image: The Culture of Me]

So, I've gotten behind once again. I should have been blogging about the upcoming Royksopp 'Happy Up Here' EP (March 16, Astralwerks), which features remixes from Boys Noize, Breakbot, and Datassette or the new Crookers song 'What Up Y'all' which has also been remixed by Dirty Disco Youth. But I haven't. So, instead you should check those out at LA Friendly and Datasapiens (here too). As for me, I don't have anything exclusive to offer you, but I can give you a double dose of remixes from one of my favorite producers.

Junkie XL :: Mad (Night) Pursuit (Anoraak Remix)
Junkie XL :: Mad (Rad) Pursuit (Anoraak Remix)

****Challenge****
Bonus points go to anyone that can explain how that guy in the back right of the picture relates to this post.

And when I say bonus points I mean I'll think of something cool to send you via email/iChat.

Death to the Throne

[Photo: It Seems Alright As Long As Somethings Happening]

DJ/Remixer Death to the Throne has had a productive/successful 2009 thus far. He has a busy schedule in his locale of Phoenix, Arizona, including an upcoming show with Treasure Fingers on April 15 for Pinky Ring Wednesdays at Bar Smith. Whats more, he has already released three new remixes upon us this year. What separates Death to the Throne from other remixers is that his tracks, rather than being statements of his own style, tend to highlight elements of the style of the artist he is remixing - though he usually does so over a distorted bass and a solid backbeat. His Lykke Li remix uses high plucked strings to recreate the feel of a Lykke Li production; his M.I.A. remix takes on the Bollywood sound by using three bass hits each measure; and his M83 remix utilizes distorted sweeping synths and a light pulsing bass to recreate the ethereal feel of an M83 track. Each one is a unique combination of two artists' musical outlooks and this gives Death to the Throne's repertoire a refreshing diversity. Check them out and see what you think.

Lykke Li :: Little Bit (Death to the Throne Remix)
M.I.A. :: New Song (Death to the Throne Remix)
M83 :: Teen Angst (Death to the Throne Remix)

I Wanna Be Your Dog

[Image: Hobo Gestapo]

With the electro bubble bursting it seems that some artists are losing their touch whereas others are proving to be more progressive. Gone are the days of the chainsaw synth driven ghetto-house in which acts like The Bloody Beetrots and Crookers thrived - even their sounds are evolving into a more elegant style. As a result, the electro scene has moved away from its hip-hop influences and adopted rock as the current trend (e.g. The BPA's recent collaboration with Iggy Pop and its subsequent remixes). Once again, The Passive Resistance are ahead of the game. They've brought their style of "maximal electro" to a new era, and produced the hardest rocker I've heard thus far. The bass is raw, the drums are heavy, and the sample is dirty.  Keep an eye out for more on this trend.

The Passive Resistance :: Dog Tag

No Excuses

This is a beautiful video for an equally beautiful song. Air France never fail to deliver. Anyone else ever check out their first EP On Trade Winds? Its fantastic.

Reflex Reactions

I don't know when I first heard Reflex, but I've had these two tracks around for a while now, and I haven't been able to get my hands on any new releases (though I love the new tracks available for listening on Reflex's myspace!). Their unhurried and deliberate approach of introducing themselves to the world, however, makes me consider how apt of a title they've chosen. Reflex certainly aren't impulsive. They don't seem to respond to the minor shifts and changes in music trends. Rather, they appear to govern their responses and they seem to be steadily moving in the direction of their intent. As a result, their sound is like a well-tuned machine on cruise control. This makes me think there might be more to the name than its denotations. Actually, I'm just playing -- I think its a great name and I'm looking forward to an official release!

Digitalism :: Taken Away (Reflex remix)
Franz Ferdinand :: Ulysses (Reflex Remix)

Girls

It may have been a while since this song first dropped, but this video is a nice reminder that Walter Meego are still around.

Walter Meego @ Myspace