XLR8R scribe Sarah Bentley once dubbed the music made by Tokyo-based collective Soil & “PIMP” Sessions as “death jazz.” We see what she means on this track, in which punk-rock, jazz-funk, and Latin flavors collide here with a force (and lots of cymbals).
“Fantastic Planet” is off the band’s new album, Pimp Planet, out now.
Word is finally coming through as to just who is on the bill for Sonar 2009. The multi-day electronic music and arts festival, whose dates we announced late last year, unveiled its official lineup thus far, and it should please the techno purists, cool kids, and dubstep heads alike.
Britain-based duo Orbital will headline the festival, which will also see performances from Late of the Pier, Crookers, Moderat (Modeselektor and Apparat), Lars Hornveth, The Knife’s Karin Dreijer Andersson as Fever Ray, and others. As the final icing on the musical cake, Sonar has invited legendary Jamaican singer Grace Jones to perform tracks from her new album, Hurricane, which was produced by Tricky and Brian Eno.
Additionally, there will be a few showcases during the festival, including those presented by Mary Anne Hobbs, the Ed Banger crew, Ostgun Ton, and Sunday Best.
Tickets are onsale now. Sonar 2009 takes place June 18, 19, and 20 in Barcelona.
Confirmed Lineup
Orbital
Grace Jones
Late of the Pier
DJ Mujava & MC Mzura
SebastiAn
Fever Ray
Erol Alkan presents Disco 3000
Crookers
Deadmau5
Filastine
Micachu & The Shapes
Moderat
Lars Hornveth
Pictured: Crookers. Photo by Bob _Yeah.
NY-based DJ/producer Sabo furnishes us with the next installment of the XLR8R podcast, and for anyone who didn’t think Argentinean folk music and Big Daddy Kane could fit together, here’s a mix that should refute that idea. Sabo—who manages the Turntable Lab NYC store and also runs his own Sol*Selectas label—gathers some unlikely cuts together and take us on a trip through house, dubstep, hop-hop, baile, and more, all in just over an hour. Photo by Pablo Sanchez.
XLR8R Presents Sabo
01 Underground Trak Team – “The Concept”
02 Big Daddy Kane – “Raw (Dubstep Mix)”
03 Benga – “Night (Geenus Remix)”
04 Bobby Konders – “Massai Woman”
05 Oliver $, Deise Tigrona – “Ta Com Medo Do Mim (Jesse Rose Mix)”
06 Of Norway – “The Governor’s Daughter (Danny J Lewis Remix)”
07 Daniel Haaksman – “Who’s Afraid of Rio? feat. MC Jennifer”
08 Gregor Salto – “Mystery Baila”
09 Sylvia Telles – “Discussáo (DJ Boláo & MC Gringo Remix)”
10 Joao Gilberto – “Bim Bom (DJ Amazing Clay Funk Remix)”
11 Klaus Doldinger – “Insensatez (DJ Edgar Remix)”
12 Antonio Carlos Jobim – “Agua de Beber (Dj Edgar Remix)”
13 DJ Sandrinho – “Montagem Percuca”
14 Nappy G – “Bushwick Baile (Sabo Remix)”
15 Sabo & Uriel – “Don’t You Want My Baile Feat. Zuzuka Poderosa”
16 Buggin Out – “DiscoTech”
17 DJ Jorj – “Es E Zulu (Zulu Dub)”
18 Sabo & Zeb – “Free Generation”
19 Timmy Vegas & Bad Lay-Dee – “Another Dimension (Tom Novy Remix)”
20 Peace Division – “BU4T (Jamie Jones East River Mix)”
21 La Pena – “La Pena 01”
22 Sabo & Cassady – “Esa Loca Cumbia”
23 Freakstylers – “To Com Saudade Feat. MC Maiquinho”
24 DJ Sun – “Para (Sabo Remix)”
25 Sabo & Cassady – “Kuff Kumbia”
26 Sabo & Cassady – “Curura”
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While Spyro’s name may not ring out just yet, the man has DJed for a virtual all-star team of U.K. grime MCs—Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Wiley, Kano, and others have all sung his praises. Rinse: 07 is Spyro’s first official mix CD, and he spends it blasting through a whirlwind of urban U.K. sounds. Whether it be a Montell Jordan-sampling grime cut from J Mixer or a stone classic like Dizzee Rascal’s “I Luv U,” Spyro’s flawless mixing allows his track selection to shine. Eschewing dark and scary tunes in favor of revving up the dancefloor, the frenetic garage and bassline sounds that litter the latter half of the mix are particularly good.
Some labels are like fruit flies: dead in days. So it’s all the more impressive that not only has Steve Bug’s Dessous label established a solid rep for deep house, but it’s now marking its 10th birthday. Here the German DJ/producer has collected 20 of the label’s top tracks, along with a bonus mix, including b-sides and rarities, from Kevin Yost. Frankman’s “Make It Ruff, Make It Smooth” is, unsurprisingly, a standout, groovy and joyous and almost perfectly paced, but there are enough other great tracks here (Bug’s own “Soulin’ Deep,” Ryo Murakami’s elastic “Monument,” Phonique’s samba-tinged “99 and a Half”) to remind everyone why the label’s lasted as long as it has.
Earlier this morning, numerous sources reported that Pylon guitarist Randy Bewley had suffered a heart attack and was in critical condition. He had been driving through his hometown of Athens, GA on Monday, February 23 when the heart attack occurred, and according to an email sent by bandmember Vanessa Briscoe-Hay, he was taken to the ICU in critical condition.
It has since been confirmed that Bewley passed away just before 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, February 23, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
Pylon is considered by many to be one of the most influential new-wave bands to come out of the Athens music scene of the late ’70s and early ’80s. The band reunited in 2004, as well as reissued its 1980 album Gyrate on DFA.
Pylon, live in 1979.
Disco-style synths, hard-hitting electro beats, and incessant chanting. Welcome to the frenzied world of Devin Booze and Sarah Reynolds (a.k.a. Ear Pwr). The duo has unleashed this track, off its forthcoming Super Animal Brothers III, to liven up the afternoon.
Super Animal Brothers III is out May 19.
Whether they’re coming out of Italy clad in masks or hopping the pond armed with synthesizers, plenty of artists are headed Stateside this spring. Here are a few noteworthy tours about to kick off.
Late of the Pier
These four lovable lads from Nottingham, U.K. will head Stateside next month, for a few SXSW appearances and some North American shows in support of their debut full-length, Fantasy Black Channel. myspace.com/lateofthepier
03/18 – 03/2 Austin, TX – South by Southwest
03/24 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
03/26 Miami, FL – Gansevoort Hotel (DJ set)
03/27 Miami, FL – Vagabond Hotel (DJ set)
03/28 Miami, FL – Bicentennial Park
03/30 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
04/01New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
04/02 New Haven, CT – Yale
04/03 Brooklyn, NY – Studio B
04/04 Philadelphia, PA – TLA
04/07 Washington DC – 9:30 Club
04/08 Boston, MA – Paradise
04/09 Montreal, QC – Les Saintes
04/10 Toronto, ON – Kool Haus
04/11 Chicago, IL – Congress
04/14 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
04/15 Portland, OR – Holocene
04/16 San Francisco, CA – Popscene
04/19 Indio, CA – Empire Polo Grounds
Video: “Heartbeat”
Simian Mobile Disco
Also leaving the U.K. for a handful of U.S. shows are James Ford and James Anthony Shaw. A new album is slated for release this year, and the duo has already issued a single and video in support of the album, so expect new tracks to be played at these shows. simianmobiledisco.co.uk
03/12 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
03/13 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
03/14 Mexico City, Mexico – MX Beat Sound Fest 2009
03/15 San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
03/16 Los Angeles, CA – Henry Fonda Theatre
03/17 San Diego, CA – Casbah
03/28 Miami, FL – Ultra Music Festival
04/17 Chicago, IL – Metro
04/18 Toronto, ON – The Guvernment
04/19 Montreal, QC – Club Soda
04/22 Boston, MA – The Paradise
04/23 New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
04/24 Philadelphia, PA – Transit
04/25 Baltimore, MD – Sonar
Video: “Synthesise”
Bloody Beetroots
Look out for this masked Italian duo, whose Cornelius EP was recently released on Dim Mak. They’ll be taking their punk-infused dance tracks to WMC first, before playing a few U.S. dates that end with an appearance at this year’s Coachella festival. myspace.com/thebloodybeetroots
03/24 Miami, FL – Mansion
03/26 Miami, FL – Dim Mak Party @ Fontinue
03/28 Miami, FL – Ultra Music Festival
03/28 Miami, FL – Louis
04/01 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
04/03 New York, NY – Webster Hall
04/04 Montreal, QC – S.A..T. w/ Steve Aoki
04/07 Boston, MA – Great Scott
04/08 Chicago, IL – Abbey Pub
04/15 San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
04/16 Denver, CO – Ogden Theater
04/17 El Paso, TX – 69 Lounge
04/18 Indio, CA – Coachella
Podcast: Bloody Beetroots Mini-Mix
Ghislain Porier
Meanwhile, Montreal’s king of bounce will be playing his roughneck bass bangers around North America. Remember those ear plugs for these shows. ghislainpoirier.com
04/03 Ottawa, ON – Disorganised
04/09 Toronto, ON – Circa
04/10 Los Angeles, CA – Guatelinda
04/11 San Fransisco, CA – Elbo Room
04/15 Calgary, AB – Hi-fi Club
04/16 Vancouver, BC – The Astoria
04/17 Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
04/18 Portland, OR – The Crown Room
04/24 Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques
Atmosphere
Judging from its name, Slug and Ant’s forthcoming When God Gives You Ugly tour will likely feature songs from 2008’s When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint that Shit Gold and the recently reissued God Loves Ugly. myspace.com/atmosphere
04/09 Missoula, MT – Wilma Theatre *
04/10 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory *
04/11 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory *
04/12 Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue *
04/14 Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater *
04/15 Tempe, AZ – Marquis Theatre *
04/17 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre *
04/18 Indio, CA – Coachella *
04/19 Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst *
04/20 San Francisco, CA – Warfield Theatre *
04/21 Lake Tahoe, NV – Montbleu Resort and Casino *
04/23 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom *
04/24 Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo *
04/25 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
04/26 Victoria, BC – Element
04/28 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
04/29 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Ballroom
05/01 Saskatoon, SK – The Odeon
05/02 Regina, SK – The Riddell
05/04 Thunder Bay, ON – Rockhouse
05/06 Toronto, ON – The Phoenix
05/07 London, ON – Music Hall London
05/08 Montreal, QC – Theatre Plaza
05/09 Ottawa, ON – Ritual Nightclub
05/10 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
05/12 Portland, ME – The Asylum
05/13 Boston, MA – House of Blues
05/15 Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero Theatre
05/16 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
05/17 Richmond, VA – Toad’s Place
05/18 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
05/19 Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
05/21 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
05/22 Omaha, NE – Slowdown
* = w/ P.O.S.
MP3: “Shoulda Known”
Pictured: Late of the Pier.
For anyone who ever wanted to see MC Azeem strutting around San Francisco’s Mission District clad in devil horns and trailed by a group of cheer leading cops, this is the video. Thousands of still photographs make up this Ben Stokes directed video, with additional animation by Patrick Siemer.
Since the release of his debut full-length, Magic Monday, Michna (born Adrian Michna) has been making a name for himself with his particular blend of funk-driven hip-hop, and more often than not, this means a horn section is involved. Check this track for further evidence.
