Following the cheap efforts by a few chancers posting fakes, it was inevitable that the realness would soon follow. For how long it will remain up, who knows? But now it’s out there I guess there’s no stopping the spread. Let’s see. Anyway, it sounds pretty good, but without the visuals it’s hard to pass any judgment. Whether the French duos efforts are at all a decent compliment to the much hyped Disney endeavor remains to be seen – until December.
Oh yeah, don’t forget the adidas tie-in. Adi did a Tron tribute Stan Smith a few years back, and Daft Punk were in the Adi Star Wars spot a few months back. Does that mean we’ll being seeing three stripes all over the screen? It’s already part of the outfit, as seen above.
The departure of Mary Anne Hobbs from her Radio 1 slot has prompted much gnashing of teeth from the experimental electronic music community. The Bass scene in particular is understandably concerned that the sound has lost its most visible proponent.
She did a lot to popularise the music which, without her support, would surely have seen fewer column inches in broadsheet culture sections, fewer LP sales for the crossover artists, less appreciation and recognition on the wider cultural agenda.
Apparently, she’s passing up the show to devote more time to a career in education, lecturing at Sheffield Uni in practical media skills. This leaves an experimental music-sized hole in the programming of Radio 1, to add to the yawning chasm opened up when we lost John Peel.
Looking for someone to fill those shoes, John Peel is a fine reference point. Both of the DJs’ shows were about the cutting-edge but somehow you couldn’t imagine Mary Anne Hobbs pursuing her agenda for another 20 years. John Peel on the other hand seemed licensed to go on for ever, largely because underlying his confrontational approach to new music was real historical context.
That’s what electronic music needs now at the Beeb. At the ripe age of at least 40-years-old (nerds, we can argue this point in the comments) it’s time to stop treating the music like some weird, leftfield quirk that mutates hourly and has the shelf life of a bunch of flowers from your local petrol station. Can’t we see dance music accorded the historical weight of rock? And listen to the latest sounds with context?
Fetishization of ‘newness’ in dance music is a mixed blessing. Of course, we love that its nimble and challenging but there’s very little middle ground between pure pastiche of the past (say, current deep house productions) and the aggressively new. Wouldn’t we see a more complex relationship between past and present surfacing in the music if we let dance music grow up?
That’s right. We had the iPod DJ. That was pretty whack, unless you simply saw yourself as a selector with absolutely no use for transitions or creative touches. Now, there are these guys, the iPad DJs. There are a few examples online, but this seems to be the one that has caught the most traction to date. She claims to be the worlds first. I’m not sure exactly how you might qualify that, but I have no grounds to contend it (other than that she has zero skill) so I won’t. Anyway, regardless of the poorly executed demo, you can kinda see what she is getting at…. there is a lot of creativity to be had with these things.
Whilst on the iPad tip, Gaslamp Killer was spotted going ape shit on stage with an iPad in hand at the Worldwide Festival earlier this month. He was doing all sorts of remote triggering, looping and effects while Gonjasufi tried to drown out the crowds booing with his mumbled noodlings. Seemed more like product placement than genuine creative showcasing. Oh well. You can see him doing something similar but far more subdued here.
One last thing, and please be vocal if you disagree, but I can kind of see how the iDaft format of delivering music as a grid set of pre-defined playable parts and loops could lend itself to many more DJ orientated releases of the future, particularly if the touch screen interface becomes king of the decks. If every track were an app… maybe that’s another article of it’s own.
Saturday before last something fairly interesting happened. An auditorium stage was given over to a quintet of both underground and commercially interesting musical talent. In front of a seated audience Jammer, Camelot, Mumdance, Sampha and a chap named Rodaidh McDonald (he mixed The XX’s album) took spontaneous cues from a crowd and proceeded to co-create a piece of music. With a 55 minute time limit my expectations weren’t particularly high, and sure enough the end product (yet to be made available) was pretty basic. But, most worthy of note were the levels of engagement and response to participatory portions of the process from spectators. As an effort to create an informative experience I have to tip my hat to The Creators Project. As just one of many features among an array of talks, installations and performances on the night I’m sure Jammer and crew will be happy to hear that through a series of chats and eavesdropped conversations it seemed clear to me that this show of interactive improv had been the highlight to many. Nice one VICE, nice one Intel. It’s clearly what the people want, so, here’s to more of the same…
MAJORLY FEELING THIS, BIG RIDDEM!!!!!!!!! I think that the Dub is the best version but the vocal on this version by Shadz is a bubbler for sure, check it out!
Yes people, it’s nearly time for our Summer Jam! Once again, we have a line-up of pure fire DJs and producers to bring you the the hottest Grime, Dubstep, House and Funky….
GET SOME
14.08.2010
The Gramaphone
60-62 Commercial Street, Shoreditch
London E1 6LT
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Teddy Music formerly DJ Silencer
Without doubt one of the most important Grime producers working in the game right now. Teddy (formerly DJ Silencer) had produced tracks for Skepta, Lethal B, Ghetts, D Double E and more recently P Money.
His stand-out productions are always popular with MCs and get heavy rotation on radio shows from the likes of Logan Sama, Westwood and Cameo. Teddy’s most recent work is collaboration with up-and-coming producer G.Tank entitled Ghanaian Fire.
A veteran of pirate radio, Teddy holds down a regular spot on newly legal Rinse FM, and has been smashing shows up and down the country. For grime fans anywhere, this is a performance not to be missed!
http://www.myspace.com/officialteddymusic
Simbad
A prolific producer as well as DJ, Simbad has produced under many different aliases but is best known for his collaborations with Karizma, under the guise of IZMABAD.
The no nonsense Frenchman describes his DJ style as ‘Quality Booty Music with a bit of Je Ne Sais Quoi…’ something we very much like the sound of. His versatility sees his style touch jazz, dancehall, funk hip-hop, deep house, garage, disco and broken soul – guaranteed to get the party rocking.
http://www.myspace.com/djsimbad
Doc Daneeka
Swansea’s Doc Daneeka, has been steadily establishing himself as one of the most promising producers to come out of the UK underground scene. Putting his own twist on the House and Funky sound with sub-low bass and rattling percussion saw him named in Fact Magazine’s ‘Ones to Watch’ for 2010.
As well as releasing his own tunes on the fabric, RAMP and PTN imprints, he has formed his own label, TenThousandYen. Championed by Marcus Nasty, Kode 9, Giles Peterson, Sinden, and Ben UFO to name but a few, demand for his work has seen him remix Delphic and the Digital Mystikz classic, Pathways.
http://www.myspace.com/therealdocdaneeka
Residents on the night will be J Money, Ouzo Beats (http://soundcloud.com/ouzo) and Pictures Music(http://www.picturesmusic.co.uk/).
I was lucky enough to have caught Jeremy’s live set on the beach at the Worldwide Festival in Sete earlier this month, but there weren’t any decent clips of my highlights to share, so I went looking for something to substitute. Here he is in Cardiff earlier this summer performing a similar set. The visual isn’t great but you can see what he’s doing with lightning quick fingers and a sick feel for a groove. Enjoy.
We Fear Silence & Dirty Canvas presents Lightworks // Saturday 24th July // Cable // 2300 – 0600
Main Room:
Kieran Hebden AKA Four Tet (DJ Set)
Loefah
Cooly G
Space Dimension Controller
SBTRKT
Sampha – Live
Reecha
Jon Rust
Bar: PTN vs Get Me! Feat
Doc Daneeka
Deep Teknologi
Hypno
Tom Kerridge
Lixo
Jet Letts
We Fear Silence have teamed up with Dirty Canvas to present LIGHTWORKS, a night of future-feeling electronic music.
The first stellar lineup sees experimental luminary Four Tet joined by Hyperdub’s house mistress Cooly G, the extraordinary cosmic navigator Space Dimension Controller and studio junkie SBTRKT. Fresh on the back of his new SWAMP 81 imprint, a re-invigorated Loefah bounces back with a new 808-heavy technotic sound. Earlier in the evening, underground star in the making Sampha provides an live set of soulful synths.
Over in the bar Get Me and PTN keep things bubbling with fresh sonic fruits from the likes of Doc Daneeka and Deep Teknologi.
2300 – 0600
£7 Advance Tickets & Students OTD / £10 OTD
Tickets: www.residentadvisor.net/wefearsilence
Cable
33a Bermondsey Street Tunnel
London Bridge
SE1 3JW
This should be a really interesting exhibition. As designer for Swamp 81, Deep Medi and Dubwar, Ashes57 has been heavily involved with the dubstep scene. Her line drawings and graphic design work have graced many record sleeves, flyers and websites and she continues to play her part in the movement, visualising the music that her friends are producing.
Over the years she has amassed a unique collection of photos, capturing the scene’s leading artists both behind the decks in packed out clubs, and in more intimate surroundings, away from the intensity of the dubstep parties. For this show she has complied a selection of her favourite photo portraits. Mala, Skream, Loefah, Coki, Benga, Silkie, Joker, Quest, Sgt Pokes – the pioneers are all here, alongside the emerging artists who represent future of Dubstep.
This show is at The Rag Factory for one night only: Thursday, 22nd July.
Picked this up via Bass Ache – a huge archive of London pirate radio recordings over on Dubstepforum. Rinse, Kool, Deja, Dream, Pressure to name just a few! Get downloading…
Just came across this little number on SoundCloud. Definitely on the future garage 2-Step inspired tip, and slightly more vocal than most will swallow at this moment in time but I gotta say it grabbed my attention. Maybe it’s my ingrained love of Todd (Edwards) style sampling that denied any chance of dismissing this, or maybe it’s just a solid track. A few more listens, a trial by dancefloor and some feedback from y’all wouldn’t go amiss in my effort to decipher.
So, what’s all this about people getting high on music videos? I know, I know, crazy right? But I’m serious. Just yesterday I came across this article warning parents of a potential new ‘drug’ threat to teens. The warning specifically targeted a ‘dangerous’ trend amongst some web based thrill seekers. According to the article, which I later substantiated with a little read of this, Binaural Beats, as they are typically known, are composed pieces of music, well, more like sounds, that apparently have the ability to alter one’s brain chemistry. The combination of subtly differing sound waves channelled directly to the left and right aural passages has been experimented with since the 19th century when it was initially thought to have some neurological impact.
Of course, like most things, knowledge and ease of access have led to such experiences being made available for all online. With hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube’s most popular Bin Beats there clearly exists a solid base of willing guinea pigs and experimentalists. And, as with every trend there is the trickle down so parents have a right to be concerned IF such content is proven to be damaging. With all this in mind – I have one question, is this just another drop of ammo for conservative parents desperate to lobby for tougher policing and restrictions of the interwebs or can you really get high on YouTube supply? Feel free to take a hit on this and let us if you manage to catch a taste of anything other than forty winks.
On an experimental tip, all you producers out there, how’s about channeling some of this theory into the backing of some serious dance floor fodder in an attempt to super vibes your listeners. Hell, you can have that one for free, just hit us up if you score some results!
Bless.
10 Man Roll isJammer’s forthcoming single from his album, Jahmanji. Produced by Mumdance. Summer vibes!
An interesting concept next, a music video which doubles as the trailer for a film. In this instance Rubber, directed by Quinten Dupieux, OST produced by Mr Oizo and Gaspard Augé. Very banging electro, if that’s your thing.
Aloe Blacc (signed to Stone’s Throw), has one hell of a voice and sings real R’n'B, you know RHYTHM AND BLUES.. not that shit you hear on the radio. Anyway, this is not a rant, please check him out and if you like it support it. I also love grainy films like this. I believe the album is due for release September time.
There is also this glorious LIVE version…
Anthemic Dubstep bit from Rinse artist Katy B. Benga on buttons.
More Rinse dubstep, from Skream. I quite like the old skool rave rave, hardcore samples on this beat. I know there are a lot of haters/chinstrokers out there who like to knock him, but the guy is a massive talent and when it comes to dancefloor tracks, he knows what time it is. They’ve gone for an arty Creation-story inspired video, with stop motion animation, skinny models, and stuff like that.
Last but not least, head-nod hip-hop from DELS, stay tuned, this kid could go big! Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard on buttons. Quality video.
The weather might have momentarily hijacked our Summer but these free giveaways are sure to put a smile back on your face.
Following a fallout with his management (‘What, again!?’ I hear your cry) Wiley has decided to give away hundreds of tracks, including his complete forthcoming album, originally due for release in September.
