XLR8R is offering XLR8R+ subscribers free passes to the upcoming Circoloco event taking place at The Drumsheds, London, on Saturday, December 14 from 12pm to 11pm. Tickets are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Circoloco has become one of the most recognizable party brands in electronic music, rising to prominence at the legendary Ibiza nightclub DC10. It has since gone on to achieve global status, and December 14 is shaping up to be a special party with a top-class lineup. Seth Troxler, Joseph Capriati, Gerd Janson, Job Jobse, DJ Tennis, Bedouin, Carista, Gideön, Smokey make up the bill with Printworks sister venue The Drumsheds providing the setting, so you know you’re in good hands.
For those who haven’t yet, just SUBSCRIBE HERE and email your full name with “Circoloco” as the subject to [email protected] to claim your FREE pass. For those current subscribers, simply email your full name and “Circoloco” as the email subject.
The 17th edition of XLR8R+ is here featuring cuts from DeWalta, Öona Dahl, and Alci. You can subscribe here and hear snippets of the tracks below.
Dan Snaith will release Suddenly, his seventh album as Caribou, in February.
The announcement of Suddenly follows “Home,” Caribou’s first track in five years, out in October, and Caribou’s last album, Our Love, released in 2014.
Whereas Our Love provided an open-armed exploration of the concept of love in its grandest form, both as an expression of gratitude to his fans and as an examination of that one thing that matters most in life, Suddenly takes that concept and winnows it down, directly applying it to real life and the people to whom that love means the most.
The title refers to the moments of dramatic and unexpected change that occur at points in any life and within any family, universal themes that catch you off guard and change your life in a heartbeat.
As with previous Caribou albums, Suddenly was mined from hundreds of draft ideas, this time over 900. “I record music every day, and I love it—as much or more than I have always done. I feel very lucky—the thrill has never, ever left me,” Snaith says.
There is a moment where the daunting piling up of rough ideas morphs into an album quickly taking shape. “For the last few albums at least, there’s been a point about three-quarters of the way through where I work late into the night (as usual), but when I try and go to bed, ideas keep forcing me to get up and go back to the studio again,” Snaith recalls. “It happens over and over in one night. I can feel the gears whirring as I lie there trying to sleep, and I can’t ignore the ideas for fear that it will be gone when I wake up the next morning.”
In support of today’s announcement, Snaith has shared a new single, “You and I.”
Speaking of the track, Snaith says: “‘You and I’ was one of the first tracks on the album that I started, and one of the last tracks I finished; it existed in some form or other throughout the whole arc of making the record. It also captures a lot of what the record, and the title of the album, are about—the track changes suddenly and unpredictably, and it is about a change in my life that happened out of the blue.”
Art direction and photography is by Jason Evans, with design by Matthew Cooper.
Suddenly will be released via Merge Records on February 28, 2020. Meanwhile, you can pre-order here and stream “You and I” below.
Tracklisting
CD
01. Sister 02. You and I 03. Sunny’s Time 04. New Jade 05. Home 06. Lime 07. Never Come Back 10. Filtered Grand Piano 11. Like I Loved You 12. Magpie 13. Ravi 14. Cloud Song
LP
A1. Sister A2. You and I A3. Sunny’s Time A4. New Jade A5. Home A6. Lime A7. Never Come Back Side B1. Filtered Grand Piano B2. Like I Loved You B3. Magpie B4. Ravi B5. Cloud Son
Sofie has released a new single via Stones Throw, titled 99 Glimpses.
Sofie, real name Sofie Fatouretchi, is based in Vienna, Austria. She has long held close affiliations with Stones Throw, where she curated releases like Sofie’s SOS Tape and collaborated with artists like MNDSGN. She was also a member of the original Boiler Room crew in Los Angeles, and presents a monthly show on NTS Radio, “SOS Radio.”
99 Glimpses is the first single from her new solo project, and just a teaser to end the year. We’re told to expect more music in 2020.
Khruangbin and Leon Bridges have announced Texas Sun, their forthcoming collaborative EP out February 7 on Dead Oceans, in partnership with Columbia Records and Night Time Stories Ltd.
Texas Sun is the kind of record “made for listening with the windows down and the road humming softly beneath you,” the label explains. It’s the first time that Khruangbin—formed of Laura Leeon bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald “DJ” Johnson on drums—have worked with a vocalist, tailoring their exotic funk to Bridges’ soulful melodies.
The EP started on the road and wrapped up in the studio. Both Bridges and Khruangbin had been touring nonstop behind their sophomore LPs when their paths converged for a joint North American tour in 2018, a run of shows stretching from Los Angeles to New York. Although both of their musical lanes were slightly different, they shared a dusty, laid-back vibe. When a Khruangbin session yielded a song that seemed like it might pair well with Bridges’ voice, the band sent it over. Bridges returned the track with his vocals the very next day. They all soon decamped to the studio with engineer Steve Christensen, hoping to make it into a B-side, but everything flowed so naturally and it was obvious this would be something bigger, leading to Texas Sun.
In conjunction with today’s announcement, they present its title track. Over a slowly rolling backbeat and strums of flamenco-style guitar, Bridges sings of the pull the unique Texan landscape can have on you, even from miles away. It kicks off the EP’s own journey through homesick reminiscences, backseat romances, and late-night contemplations
Tracklisting
01. Texas Sun 02. Midnight 03. C-Side 04. Conversion
Texas Sun EP is out February 7, 2020. Meanwhile, you can stream the title track below, and pre-order here.
It’s time for the next edition of XLR8R+, this time coming from DeWalta, Öona Dahl, and Alci—from Germany, the United States, and Switzerland via Turkey respectively. And yes, there’s a bonus track!
DeWalta’s contribution to XLR8R+ has been a long time coming and it marks a particularly poignant moment for the German DJ-producer: fatherhood. With his newborn sleeping by his side, DeWalta, real name David Koch, wrote “Quinnie,” a psychedelic groovy roller, in the dead of night reflecting on this next chapter in his life. The track pairs punchy percussion and a warm synth-line that jumps in and out, making for a great set-closer.
Following this is Öona Dahl, the Hallucienda artist also known for her affiliations with All Day I Dream. “15 Years Old” an ambient track, is the latest of her ever-broadening studio experimentations that touch on floating ambience, cosmic techno, and pop-infused pastures.
We return to the groove to close the edition, this time with Alci, real name Faith Alci, who delivers a track much in the same vein as DeWalta’s “Quinnie,” with percussion front and center. We picked it when he tested it out at Berlin’s Hoppetosse earlier this year, and signed it there and then.
Rounding out the package is a dub version of DeWalta’s “Quinnie.”
Artwork comes from the mysterious John Smith, who has curated the events and designs for Los Angeles promoter Cyclone. Their artwork, deeply psychedelic, is based on DeWalta’s track and then shaped by the other two.
DeWalta’s tracks were mastered by Kamran Sadeghi, with Öona’s mastered by Klas-Henrik Lindblad of Blackhead Studios, and Alci’s mastered by Carsten Dämbkes.
The package, including the tracks, zine, and wallpaper artwork, is downloadable via Bandcamp once you SUBSCRIBEHERE.
You can stream snippets of the release below, along with a preview of this month’s zine, which will also be printed in a limited-edition run.
For those unfamiliar, XLR8R+ is a member-supported music community and subscription service. Every month, you will get three exclusive tracks—sometimes more—by amazing artists that XLR8R has supported over the years, as well as exclusive editorial content, exclusive mixes, FREE passes to music festivals and events, curated music playlists and more.You can find out more and check out the music here.
Liam Wachs’ work is founded on an enduring love for house, garage, breakbeat, techno, and electro, and these all form part of his sound as Desert Sound Colony. He discovered music through his parents, avid music collectors and enthusiasts, but also performers who introduced him to acts like Pat Metheny, Jill Scott, and Steely Dan before he’d even reached adolescence. Electronic music entered his life when he was 16 when he attended a London warehouse party, where he saw Benga for the first time. “I remember ‘Lean Forward‘ by Mala getting rinsed,” he recalls. “At the end of the night, my friend and I played it on repeat after everyone had gone to sleep.”
From here, Wachs was hooked—dubstep replaced heavy metal as his music of choice, and it remained that way through his university studies at Leeds, which he chose because of its burgeoning dubstep scene. From 2009 until 2010, when he dropped out and left for New York, Wachs was a regular in the northern city’s nightspots, in particular The West Indian Centre, a small community center, and Wire, as his tastes became more refined. During this time, he worked on making music using GarageBand, and played selector at some of his friends’ house parties. His earliest music, more tech-house than dubstep, formed part of an experiment to try and write dance music using only live instruments and recorded audio.
Wachs became Desert Sound Colony in 2014, just after he’d moved to Bristol, United Kingdom, with a lovely run of melancholic house music informed by ’60s psychedelia, but the lure of mind-bending, transcendent dancefloor experiences proved too great. Around 2017, at which point he launched Holding Hands, his label and artist collective that includes Breaka, Adam Pits, Baby Rollen, and Guava, Wachs began releasing bass-driven, club-ready techno with all the earmarks of a producer with a background in dubstep.
Earlier this year, Wachs took his work to Nick Höppner’s Touch From A Distance and also to South London label called Scenic Route. He also launched a Holding Hands podcast to discuss music production and life in the industry. Next up is an EP from On Loop, the label of Moxie, which Wachs marks with his XLR8R podcast, an intense ride that doesn’t let up for a minute. Many artists tend to take their foot off the pedal for a studio podcast but Wachs has put his foot down, settling into his London studio for just over an hour of driving deep house and breaks, laced with unreleased cuts and the first taste of his own upcoming material.
What have you been up to recently?
Lots of wicked gigs including some new label showcases and the Sock It To Me parties which I run with Dr Banana, Alec Falconer, and Harry Wills. It has been a seriously fun few months. I’ve also put out a couple of new EPs in quick succession on a killer new South London label called Scenic Route and Moxie’s ever-wonderful On Loop.
One more thing. I just started a new monthly radio show on Rinse FM which will be 1—2 pm on the third Thursday of each month. Get yourself locked in for all sorts of audio goodies.
Talk us roughly through your journey into electronic music. What are the key turning points?
Quite a lot of it hinged on going to a house party with some older friends up in Sheffield when I was 17 and hearing dubstep for the first time. That got me totally hooked on that sound and obsessed with making music. I chose to move to Leeds for university because of the music scene there and it was in that city that I really broadened my taste in electronic music going to Louche, System, and Back To Basics at Mint Club, Wire and Stinkys Peephouse. After I left Leeds, I moved to Bristol and started the Desert Sound Colony project which at first sounded very much like a band but has slowly transitioned into something very dance floor- and club-focussed. I started Holding Hands a couple of years ago and now here we are today.
What are your processes with finding music for Holding Hands?
Almost one hundred percent of the music on the label comes from my very best mates. Fred Quest and Yutaro were the only people that I wasn’t already very close with and in the end, it turned out that Fred and I actually had about 20 friends in common anyway.
When and where did you record this mix?
In my studio last week.
What can we expect with it?
Absolute slamadamdams. There is a little respite here and there but in general you probably just want to strap in, get those goggles on, and hope your face doesn’t get too melted off.
How did you select the tracks that you included?
It’s a mix of some of my music from my latest EP on On Loop, some unreleased bits from myself and my friends, forthcoming tracks on Holding Hands, and also some old records I’ve found on my travels recently.
When and where do you imagine it being listened to?
At your house, when you are getting ready to go out with all your mates. I don’t go to the gym but I imagine it might also work quite well in that environment.
How does it compare to what you play in clubs?
Very similar, although I do also play a lot of garage in the club and if I am playing with the Sock It To Me guys then I would probably pull out some more silly records as well.
What are your long-term ambitions with music?
Have as much fun as possible and elevate as many friends and new producers through the label as much as I can.
What’s up next, looking forward?
I’m currently in the middle of a little U.S. tour which is mega fun. Then there are a few more UK shows to round off the year in Newcastle, Corsica in London, and Oxford. Potentially a little NYD party as well so stay tuned for more info. In the new year, we have an absolute belter of an EP coming out on Holding Hands as well as another reissue on Holding Hands Again. Lastly, we at the label are working on a very cool project with Rhythm Sister so keep your eyes peeled for more on that soon as well.
XLR8R has now joined Mixcloud Select, meaning that to download the podcast you will need to subscribe to our Select channel. The move to Mixcloud Select will ensure that all the producers with music featured in our mixes get paid. You can read more about it here.
XLR8R is offering XLR8R+ subscribers free passes to the upcoming Epizode Festival, taking place from Friday, December 27, 2019, until Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
This will be the fourth edition of the music and arts festival situated on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island, with the idyllic setting boasting tropical seas, epis sunsets, and white sandy beaches.
The lineup matches the scenery with some of the finest artists in electronic music on display, including Apollonia, Ben UFO, Carl Craig, Jamie Jones, Luciano, Moodymann, Nastia, Nicolas Lutz, Petre Inspirescu, Raresh, Ricardo Villalobos, Rhadoo, Richy Ahmed, Satori, Sonja Moonear, and many more, with over 70 names on show. Find the full lineup and travel options here, with the list of ticket options here.
Our free passes are limited so be quick. For those who haven’t yet, just SUBSCRIBE HERE and email your full name with “Epizode 2019” as the subject to [email protected] to claim your FREE ticket. For those current subscribers, simply email your full name and “Epizode 2019” as the email subject.
The 16th edition of XLR8R+ is here, featuring tracks by Alec Falconer, Jack Michael, and Leif. You can subscribe here and hear snippets of the tracks below.
Morgan, from Porto, Portugal, comes from jazz piano and free jazz bands, where he developed his improvisation techniques, but his tastes turned to electronic music and he began producing his first tracks last year. He released his first EP, Mujipuki Returns!, through Loveless Records in 2018, an amalgamation of genres that seamlessly blend together into an experimental and dancefloor-friendly album.
Mujipuki lives!, his second outing, focuses on techno and beats. It’s made of six “raw and aggressive songs built with unusually beautiful samples,” we’re told. It’s said to spark anger and joy, and loneliness and hope.
Rotten \ Fresh launched in 2017, and has put out work from Oströl, Buhnnun, and more. It’s based out of Lisbon, Portugal.
Tracklisting
01. Interlude 01 (ft. Katya Yonder) 02. F*ck Your Bitch, Your Bitch And You 03. Sleepy Doggo 5.0 04. What’s My Pin (techno mix) 05. Recuerdos A Todos (mix05) 06. Outro
Mujipuki lives! lands December 12, with “What’s My Pin” streaming below.
Directed by Emilie Elizabeth and Alessandra Leone, the video opens out the visual mood of the album’s artwork into a film that will be familiar to fans who have already had the chance to see Cortini’s live performances across Europe and North America.
An exclusive cassette of the album, limited to 150 copies, is also coming via Bleep.
Following the live launch at Berlin Atonal and a performance at the Barbican, Cortini continues his Volume Massimo tour with performances through Europe from December through April.
Available now, Volume Massimo combines Cortini’s fondness for melody with the rigour of experimental practice. It picks up directly from Cortini’s previous album, 2017’s Avanti, with the whisper of voices from that release slipping to the surface on the album’s opener, “Amore Amaro.”
Read more about the album and the gear behind it here, and watch the video for “SABBIA” below.
Military Genius has released a new single, “When I Close My Eyes,” the second taste of his debut LP, Deep Web, releasing early 2020 via Unheard of Hope.
Military Genius is the project of Bryce Cloghesy, a member of cult Canadian post-punk groups Crack Cloud and NOV3L. He recorded the album over the course of four years while on tour with these bands.
Earlier this year, Cloghesy shared “Focus,” an explorative piece of music that fuses ambient elements with subtle jazz drums, foley samples, and harmonics.
“When I Close My Eyes,” meanwhile, blends disparate influences from the electronic punk minimalism of Suicide, to the rushing horns of Mingus Ah Um, to the immersive ambience of Arthur Russell. Euphoric saxophone moves through a disorienting haze of noise, crashing between distorted club rhythms and shape-shifting jazz.
The label describes the album as “a journey into the cosmic night, an exploration of internal conflict beyond sight or sound, a submission to the bliss of pure abandon.”
“When I Close My Eyes” is available now ahead of a debut album in March next year.
Album Tracklisting
01. Deep Web 02. Focus 03. Not Tonight 04. When I Close My Eyes 05. Let My Guard Down 06. Reflex 07. The Runner 08. Born Blind
