Christian Piers Clocked Decay EP

The third 12″ to come from A1 Bassline‘s SourceUnknwn imprint again finds the label head himself delivering the product. This time around, the UK artist appears as Christian Piers—a moniker we assume is something resembling his given name—offering three technoid house workouts led by a standout title track.

Without question, the best part about the Clocked Delay EP is “Clocked Delay.” The title track rolls out with a relaxed, swinging strut, led by the ping of a tuned tom pattern that treads dangerously close to being too far out in front of the mix. Still, the slightly delayed rhythm that the toms lock into eventually falls into place, and Piers crafts a rather solid production around them, adding chorded stabs, hints of vocals, and a simple but effective drum pattern that comes with a bit of shuffle. The whole track has an analog vibe throughout, though it’s hard to say whether its elements were specifically born from hardware. “Clocked Delay,” and the entire EP for that matter, manages to be rough enough around the edges to add a bit of drive, but—to its credit—not enough to become unhinged.

While the title track sets the bar for the EP, its other two efforts are certainly worthwhile. “Nukke 5Two2” sounds a bit unfinished musically, but its rhythmic muscle, fortified low end, and acid gurgles could make it a useful DJ tool. The closing “Soul Beat Running” is more of a full composition, taking the EP to its furthest depths with low-register filtered chords and more percussion-focused drum programming.

With the Clocked Delay EP, A1 Bassline delivers a promising record under his new guise, one whose title track in particular seems primed for some dancefloor shine. It certainly speaks well for the producer’s continuing career.

Listen to Solar Bears’ ‘Supermigration’ LP for Planet Mu

For many XLR8R readers, this day has been a long time coming: Over a year after its music first started to appear on the internet, Supermigration, the second LP by Dublin duo Solar Bears, can now be heard in its entirety. Recorded over the course of a year and a half in a “state-of-the-art studio in the Wicklow Mountains” and said to be “inspired by Native American culture and the krautrock band Neu,” the psychedelically winsome and magical 12-track album will be released via Planet Mu on April 15. Solar Bears’ John Kowalski and Rian Trench have thankfully opted to unveil Supermigration before then, sharing a stream of their 40-minute LP via the player embedded below.

Changez “Selfish”*B.YRSLF*

The bountiful efforts of the B.YRSLF label continued to spring forth this week with the release of a new EP from Manchester-based producer Changez. The man’s …So Below EP is billed as a continuation of his As Above… EP, which marked the Changez project’s debut late last year (and included “Athletics,” a tune which is still available as a free download). “Selfish” serves as the new record’s closing cut, and utilizes its three-plus-minute runtime to float sumptuous vocal samples and funk-laced pads around understated drum programming. Along with this download of “Selfish,” a streaming preview of the …So Below EP can be found after the jump.

Selfish

Check Out a New Mixtape from Knxwledge

Though XLR8R hasn’t exactly been on the Knxwledge train since day one, the LA beatmaker has nonetheless randomly appeared on our pages for a handful of years now, most recently when we posted a free download of his “j?M.FRºZE” track for Leaving Records and when Lapalux tipped us off to one of his beats on YouTube in today’s High Five feature. We’re hoping to continue with this trend, and will do so by sharing the brand-new mixtape Knxwledge just posted online. The relevnt?.?b?/?sde_LP. offering finds the SoCal producer working in the lineage of J Dilla, Madlib, and Flying Lotus, a territory he’s explored across a staggering number of releases ranging back to 2009. The guy seems to flip just about anything he can get his hands on—loops of hip-hop, soul, boogie, R&B, and beyond all make an appearance—to make the 15 minute-plus beats comprising his latest offering, all of which can be streamed below and purchased for the price of $10.

Unknown to the Unknown to Reissue Rave Classic “Tribal Tone”

DJ Haus‘ unprecedentedly prolific Unknown to the Unknown label has announced it will soon drop a reissue of classic rave tune “Tribal Tone” by the now-defunct OHM. Originally released in 1992 via Scottish label Hubba Hubba, “Tribal Tone” was produced by the duo of Alan Watson and Yogi Haughton, who were tracked down by UTTU’s label head to look into the reissue. According to DJ Haus, “Yogi recalls being outside the Ministry of Sound one night and seeing a car come screeching around the corner with six blokes in it all hanging out the windows with “Tribal Tone” blaring out, and the car literally swaying from side to side with them jumping about to the tune,” which sounds like more than enough reason for the raucous label to give the track a second home.

The original 12″ release included Watson’s “Ruffneck Mix” and Haughton’s “Mo’ Better Grooves Mix” (which is said to be the first production to use a Korg M1). Those two versions of “Tribal Tone” will feature on the reissue alongside remixes from UTTU mainstay Capracara and recent Bubblin’ Up featuree Marquis Hawkes. Though a release date has not yet been announced, Haughton’s “Mo’ Better Grooves Mix” can be heard in the player below, and an interview with DJ Haus about his label’s upcoming reissue is available on Juno Plus.

Sau Poler “Isolated “*Atomnation*

Last month, Barcelona-based producer Sau Poler shared the first taste of his debut EP, A Soundless Echo, via the organic and unhurried cut “Rutes.” Now, with Poler’s debut effort out today via the Applescal-helmed Atomnation label, we’re privy to another EP cut. Like “Rutes,” opening track “Isolated” showcases Sau Poler’s patient production aesthetic, one which takes its inspiration from artists like Gold Panda and Four Tet to make for an outing that is invitingly melodic but still as appropriate for dancefloor action as it is for headphone enjoyment.

Isolated

Listen to a New Version of Dre Skull’s “Loudspeaker Riddim”

The quietly powerful force behind the Mixpak label and many of the tunes it releases, Brooklyn producer Dre Skull has issued a new version of his XLR8R Pick’d “Loudspeaker Riddim” which features vocals from frequent collaborator Popcaan and—surprisingly enough—singer Megan James of tweelectro-pop duo Purity Ring. As Pitchfork points out, this take on Dre Skull’s riddim is called “First Time,” and will be released as a single (artwork above) in conjunction with Puma. Before it’s available to purchase on April 15, the song can be streamed in all of its auto-tuned, trance-infused glory below.

Archie Pelago to Inaugurate New Label with EP

Bubblin’ Up Brooklyn live trio Archie Pelago has a lot on its plate these days, not the least of which is a brand-new EP set to appear next month via its own record label. The band’s upcoming record, Sly Gazabo, will mark the inaugural release of Archie Pelago Music on May 20. A press release describes the four tracks featured on the EP as “a complex and vibrant world that explores a variety of tempos, rhythms, and atmospheres, all while maintaining the uniquely Archie Pelago sound that listeners have come to admire over the past several releases.” Before Archie Pelago drops Sly Gazabo, its artwork and tracklist can be found below.

01. The Avocado Roller
02. In The Room
03. Sly Gazabo
04. Nancy’s Library

High Five: Lapalux

Following the recent release of his debut full-length, Nostalchic, Lapalux has once again found himself in the spotlight. The UK producer and Brainfeeder affiliate has always been a bit schizophrenic in his musical vision, and while that varied sonic palette is undoubtedly key to the potency of his tunes, it’s also left us curious about exactly what makes Lapalux tick. In search of some insight, we asked him to choose some of his favorite YouTube clips for the latest installment of our High Five series. Without question, his selections—which he claims follow a theme of “deep thought, meditative, and inspiring art”—are interesting and intriguing, but it’s also possible that they’ve left us with even more questions about Lapalux and his craft.

DJ Rashad “Rollin'”

I’ve been to see Rashad and Spinn a few times now and they never disappoint, either live or in their productions. The new Rollin’ EP by Rashad has been on repeat since it came out. I especially love how this track blends that soulful sample with that harsh, off-kilter footwork beat. Really something special here.

William Basinski “d|p 1.1”

This is a true piece of beauty. I listen to this track a hell of a lot. I stick it on and go for walks and everything disappears after you let that tape loop take over. There’s a lot of sadness in this track, and I use it to meditate and really think about things. The video is pretty amazing too. It was shot during the last hour of daylight on September 11, 2001 after the Twin Towers dropped.

Farben “As Long As There’s Love Around”

This is another one of those deep-brewing and skittering, thought-provoking jams. I’ve really gotten into these swelling, ambient-type housey vibes recently. It’s really nice to go out on bike rides at night with this track, especially when there’s no one about and the city sleeps. It’s the sort of track that for me is a very visual, hypnotic experience, and I try to incorporate a similar sort of mood and setting in my own work.

Dorine Muraille “La Supplice de la Baignoire”

This album really got me thinking about music in a completely different way when I bought it back in 2003. It’s one of the most inspiring and thought-provoking pieces of art for me. The sheer amount of layers and sounds that he manages to cram into each track is something I myself have used in some of my more maximalist tracks.

Knxwledge “life[nvrhrdofthm][TWRK].”

Knxwledge is my dude. You could give him anything and he’d flip the shit out of it into an absolute masterpiece. He’s insanely prolific too. It seems like he has a new tape out every week. Check out his Bandcamp to cop his tapes. There’s a flip of “Suck My Dick” by Lil Kim there that you need to go check.

Hi, Doctor Nick! – Playing in a Band You’re Not Vibing with and Knowing the Right Time to Go Solo

At this point, we all know that Nick Hook is a rad dude. But he’s also a sort of renaissance man for 2013, an artist who produces, records, engineers, DJs, travels the world, parties, and never ceases to stop broadening his horizons. Somehow, he also finds the time to answer questions from the XLR8R faithful, popping in every Thursday morning to shell out nuggets of wisdom he’s picked up over the years. Doctor Nick is a veritable treasure trove of information, which is why our readers shouldn’t be shy about dropping him a line at doctornick@xlr8r.com. He’s our resident advice columnist, he’s here to help, and he’s happy to do it.

Sup y’all? Good vibes. I’m in the studio with Zebra Katz and L-Vis 1990 right now. Shout to Tokimonsta, Suzi Analogue, and Branchez for a super fun show in Brooklyn this week. Oh yeah, I dropped a record on Classicworks this week with Vin Sol and Matrixxman. It’s fun, and made to fire off fast at 5 a.m. Cop it here, okay? And send me questions. doctornick@xlr8r.com.

Hi Doctor Nick,
I play in a band/musical group that doesn’t seem to understand my musical vision. Every time I try to get weird or try something new, the other members vote it back into safer territories. Should I be scared of stepping out on my own? When is the right time to leave? Music is such a blessed/rare field to earn a living in—am I being ungrateful by not sticking with the job I’ve already got?
Gratefully yours,
Slermo

Why not do both? If the band is wifey, why not have a little side piece? If wifey leaves you, then you just keep rolling with that little side piece who lets you take it to places you weren’t getting to go in that marriage.

First off, no, you are not being ungrateful—you are in whatever position you are in because of a million factors, like working hard, being in the right place at the right time, talent, and luck. Just because you are there doesn’t mean you can’t analyze where you currently are and strive for something that you really want. I always look at it like a videogame. If you beat that game and it’s boring to you, do you want to keep playing it more?

Also, I think the greatest advice my father ever gave me was to never be afraid to walk away from anything. There is no end all be all and when one door closes, another one opens, so why not? You got to where you are, right? I’ve left one project on a major label and another one on a smaller label and at the time, everyone was like, “Are you nuts?” Looking back though, my life and my musical career have been enhanced both times. It’s almost like that thing in a relationship where if you would of ended it one year earlier, it would have been perfect, but instead you stuck in it and the whole thing went into a black hole.

Pros and cons of some options:

a) Leave completely.

Pros—You have nothing, so logically, being hungry to stay in the game is going to make you focus, hone in, and become the artist you want to be. I also think that if you force people to identify with what you eventually hope to become, it will make things easier for that to happen. You can start fresh—feel good about it. Use what you’ve learned and just go for it.

Cons—You’re giving something up that is paying your bills, not to mention something that is established. Now, I look at things like I’m never going to fail. It’s just going to be a different life, so I personally wouldn’t be scared of this one, but I also don’t know you that well. Are you patient enough to take your time and let it blossom properly? Can you use what you learned and who you know from before and just go for it? If not, you might be that thirsty dude who’s trying too hard, which we all know is not the best place to be.

b) Do both.

Pros—You’re earning your living, still doing your thing, but you can start to branch out slowly and start the new thing on your own. I almost started DJing and producing by accident, just because I had a good time, some dollars ended up in my pocket, and it actually brought good energy to the new people I was working with and made things fresh when I went back to my bands. I think the great thing about this job is that we musicians are simultaneously students and teachers, so the more you go into fresh situations, the more you end up growing. I love that about what we do.

Cons—Maybe your creative energy is still locked into the project you are in now and you can’t really break free. People won’t take you seriously because they are taking you seriously in your current project.

c) Communicate better with your band.

I have a feeling this question is coming from someone who is fairly successful and there is a reason for that. Can you guys figure out how to get past your rut and get what you want out of the project? Are you guys actually a really dope unit that maybe just needs to fight and talk your way through it? Maybe you are the stubborn one and they are right. Remember, just because you have different opinions of how the project should be, that doesn’t mean that you hate each other—voicing these things out of love could really help.

At the end of the day, I’ve also learned that sometimes you have to to be selfish, not in the wrong way, but it’s okay look after yourself for once. If going off on your own is really what you feel in your heart, you have to do it. Don’t be scared.

Hi, Doctor Nick! appears every Thursday on XLR8R. Do you have a question for Doctor Nick? Please submit your inquires to doctornick@xlr8r.com. Nick Hook can help you.

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