808 State Gets Reissued, Remixed

The latest news from 808 State should have the old-school acid-house heads stampeding to the record stores like it’s 1993 all over again. The Manchester trio will reissue four of its most highly acclaimed albums, namely 808:90, EX:EL, Gorgeous, and Don Solaris, this fall.

Each reissue will arrive as a two-CD set that contains the original album and a bonus disc of unreleased material, rare cuts, and, of course, the remixes. The discs will drop via ZZT on October 14 in the U.S. Lucky ones outside the States can pick up copies right now.

808:90
Disc One?
01 Magical Dream?
02 Ancodia?
03 Cobra Bora?
04 Pacific 202?
05 Donkey Doctor?
06 808080808?
07 Sunrise?
08 The Fat Shadow (Pointy Head Mix)

Disc Two?
01 Pacific (Britmix)?
02 Cobra Bora (Call the Cops Mix)?
03 8080808 (Gmex Mix)?
04 Boneyween?
05 Kinky National?
06 State to State?
07 Revenge of the Girlie Men?
08 Magical Dream (instrumental)?

EX:EL?
Disc 1?
01 San Francisco?
02 Spanish Heart?
03 Leo Leo
04 Omart?
05 Nephatiti?
06 Lift?
07 Ooops?
08 Empire?
09 In Yer Face (In Yer Face Mix)?
10 Cübik (Original Mix)?
11 Lambrusco Cowboy?
12 Techno Bell??

Disc 2
01 In Yer Face (Facially Yours Remix)?
02 Olympic (Euro Bass Mix)?
03 Lift (Heavy Mix)?
04 Cübik (State to Pan AM Mix)?
05 Open Your Mind (Sound Garden Mix)?
06 Lambrusco Cowboy (Alt Mix) (Out of the Blue Mix)?
07 Ski Family?
08 Ooops (Mellow Birds Mix)?
09 In Yer Face (Cheadle Royal Mix)?
10 Olympic (Square One Original Mix)

Gorgeous?
Disc 1?
01 Plan 9?
02 Moses?
03 Contrique?
04 10×10?
05 One in Ten?
06 Europa?
07 Orbit?
08 Black Morpheus?
09 Southern Cross?
10 Nimbus?
11 Colony?
12 Timebomb?
13 Stormin Norman?
14 Sexy Dancer?
15 Sexy Synthesizer??

Disc 2?
01 Freak (Astroban Mix)?
02 Lemon (Oberheim 4 Mix)?
03 La Luz (Acid Mix)?
04 Icecream on Elm Street (Sex Synth)?
05 Mondonet?
06 Reaper Repo (12″ Mix)?
07 Bombadin (unreleased edit)?
08 Marathon (Original 2 Four Pub Mix)?
09 Insane Lover (Analogue Mix)?
10 The Jackson Fraction (Jaco Taco Mix)?
11 TimeBomb (Oldham Mix)?
12 10×10 (Vox)?
13 Plan 9 (Memory Moog Mix)?
14 Nbambi (March Here Mix)

Don Solaris?
Disc 1?
01 Intro?
02 Bond?
03 Bird?
04 Azura?
05 Black Dartagnon?
06 Joyrider?
07 Lopez?
08 Balboa?
09 Kohoutek?
10 Mooz?
11 Jerusahat?
12 Banacheq??

Disc 2
01 Spanish Marching (Fonphone Mix)?
02 Joyrider (A Natural Mix)?
03 Baton Rouge?
04 Lopez (instrumental)?
05 Mondays (Part One)?
06 Relay (Wool Hall Mix One)?
07 Goa?
08 Bonded?
09 Paradan?
10 The Chisler?
11 Lopez (Brian Eno Mix)?
12 Joyrider (Sure Is Pure Remix)

Pinback Keyboardist Battles Cancer

Pinback will continue its aforementioned tour this fall, though sadly without keyboardist Terrin Durfey to accompany the band.

The band’s label, Touch & Go, reports that Durfey, who has been battling cancer for the last 10 years, experienced a relapse in his condition and “will soon be undergoing intense treatment and therefore unable to perform with the band.”

Fans are being encouraged to donate to the Durfey family, seeing that the costs of treating cancer are astronomical. Contributions can be made at terrindurfeyfundraiser.org and myspace.com/terrindurfeyfoundation.

Dates
10/07 Toronto, CA – Mod Theatre
10/08 Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
10/09 Columbus, OH – Milo
10/10 Louisville, KY – Headliners
10/11 Columbia, MO – Blue Note
10/12 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
10/13 Madison, WI – High Noon Salon
10/15 Missoula, MT – The Other Side
10/16 Seattle, WA – Showbox
10/17 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
10/19 San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s
10/20 Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
10/22 San Diego, CA – Casbah

Coachella 2009 Dates Announced

Shopping malls are already talking Christmas decoration schemes, and the festival world too, it seems, is moving along at a break-neck pace, waving its 2009 plans at us already.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is the latest multi-day music extravaganza to announce dates for next year. The three-day event–whose full lineup last year included Portishead, Justice, Battles, Vampire Weekend, Hot Chip, Crystal Castles, Animal Collective, and dozens of others we’re not going to take time to name here–is set to return to Indio, CA on April 17, 18, and 19, 2009.

Another gigantic roster of artists and ticket information is said to be available soon. Best too book a hotel before Christmas decorations go up.

Dubstep Forum Shuts Down “Indefinitely”

The 20,000-strong online discussion board, Dubstep Forum, has announced that it’s closing indefinitely. Over its three-year run, the site, founded by European producer Dubway, has become a major information portal for dubstep artists, producers, DJs, radio shows, and intensive, multi-user discussions. A bulletin posted on Dubstep Forum’s homepage on October 6 announced the site’s third birthday, to be commemorated with a free DJ mix by site moderator BunZer0, and concluded with the cryptic message: “And oh yes, we’re also closing the forum. Indefinitely.”

A Wikipedia entry on dubstep cites Dubstep Forum as a major contributor to the growth of the genre between 2005 and 2008. Other similar dubstep user forums exist, including Groundscore and Get Darker, but Dubstep Forum has occupied a central place in the development and discussion of the music.

The post also announced the canceling of this year’s Dubstep Forum awards ceremony, which will be replaced by a third birthday party on November 14, at a venue to be announced.

The site’s announcement cannot be independently verified at this time, and is therefore unsubstantiated until more information is available. In an age of fake artist “retirements” and rampant internet rumors, it remains to be seen if Dubstep Forum is gone for good, or to be reincarnated elsewhere in the future.

Third Birthday Mix
01 16bit “Lazy Town”
02 The Widdler “PositiveVibes”
03 Phaeleh “Cheki Deep”
04 Fused Forces “For The Biters”
05 XI “Light FM”
06 J.Sparrow “Sniven”
07 Hyetal and Sines “Secrets”
08 Jus Wan “Twilight”
09 Myrkur “Skttrbrain”
10 Simon/off “That Night”
11 Janner “Synthetik”
12 Not In My Name “Blunted”
13 DFRNT “Aftermath”
14 k3bee “Dark Whisper”
15 Fiberous Oxide “Return To The Sea”
16 Low Density Matter “Transparency”
17 3rd Eye “Irish Wind”
18 Izc “Arcticdawn”
19 Superisk “Eve Takada (Wascal Mix)”
20 Marlinspike “Bongo Rocka”
21 Threnody “No Imagination”
22 Saviour “Squarefootage VIP”
23 HxdB and Cure “Spill The Beans”
24 Reflux “Who Built The Lion”
25 Hd4000 “Fake Rekkid”
26 Blackmass Plastics “Time To Quit”
27 Loetech “Liters (12th Planet Rmx)”
28 Kion “Room Modes”
29 Pure Phase “Napoleonic Complex”
30 Vibezin “Touch And Go”

DZ & XI “Guns at Dawn”

Portland-based dubstep imprint Lo Dubs has been releasing well-received 12″s stateside for over three years. They label dropped its first CD earlier this year, Analog Clash, a compilation mixed by 6Blocc, as well as an unmixed bonus disc containing every 12” Lo Dubs has released to date. The release features a substantial amount of exclusive tunes while facilitating a choice representation of the dubstep movement in the Americas. “Guns at Dawn,” off the compilation, comes courtesy of Toronto-based DZ and XI, and has a deeply melodic, downtempo-esque feel with a multi-faceted sound highlighted by stifling deep bass, lightly used, intentional brass and vocal samples, and a slight techy feel.

Guns at Dawn

Name+Relucto “Loopo”

Following releases from Alex Smoke and FOOL, the third offering from new Glasgow-based imprint Hum+Haw sees the label stepping into stranger territory. Mysterious duo Name & Relucto, who gathered initial praise for their reworking of aforementioned FOOL’s “Drama,” brings their own unique breed of infectious space-techno to the Hum+Haw roster. With sliced-up computer voices and unexpected noises alpenty, “Loopo” is something for both the weirdoes and the party people, and has us scratching our heads and rubbing our tummies on the dancefloor trying to determine exactly what’s going on.

Name+Relucto – Loopo

Carson Ellis: Deep Woods

Historical and haunted, escapist yet fixed in real- life emotions, Carson Ellis’ beautiful illustrations tug at your heartstrings with a bittersweet smile. Immerse yourself in her art–you’ll be whisked away to a place a little left of Where the Wild Things Are, floating through a snowy Siberian landscape with simultaneous views of Hokusai’s Mount Fuji and Portland’s Mount Hood in the distance.

“I started drawing at an early age and picture books were my introduction to art,” says Ellis. “I’ve been drawing avidly and obsessively all my life. I’m surprised that more people aren’t totally obsessed with book illustration. I guess something about that association is potent enough that it’s informed everything I’ve done creatively. Narrative drawing just resonates with me. Conceptual art is almost lost on me completely.”

Carson’s long-term boyfriend is Colin Meloy of The Decemberists; they met while she was studying painting at the University of Montana and Meloy was fronting his previous band Tarkio. Her cover art for Decemberists albums Castaways and Cutouts and Her Majesty the Decemberists exudes a coy playfulness that mirrors the band’s music.

“I feel like the people around me have such eclectic taste in music,” Ellis says. “I guess people are sometimes surprised to find out that I’m a huge Deadhead. I listen to a lot of classic rock but especially the Grateful Dead, and especially live shows from the late ’60s. And I listen to a lot of British hip-hop.”

Following her recent illustrations for The Composer Is Dead (a picture book by Lemony Snicket) and a book of Greek myths by Cynthia Rylant, Ellis is currently preparing for a show in New York at the Werkstatte Gallery in December. As well, she’s illustrating a book called Stagecoach Sal by Deborah Hopkinson, and being seriously inspired by Colin, and their son Hank. “I think becoming a mother changes a person in deep, indescribable ways,” she says. “It’s certainly inspired me to be more patient, sympathetic, and loving. I’m inspired by tons of tiny things that are constantly changing.”

So, is love all around? “Man, I hope so. It seems to be all around me a lot of the time.”

Favorite Portland Artist:
Ryan Boyle. He is amazing.

Hot 8 Brass Band Hot 8 Remixes

Over the last decade, the brass band sound has made its mark on American culture, allowing groups such as New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band to take off with their cover of “Sexual Healing.” Here the track is featured as a re-edit, instead of a remix, yet it remains a musically inventive, albeit vocally challenged, take on Gaye’s classic. The vocals on “Mish Mash,” remixed by Unforscene, prove much better, as do the beats added to the soundscape. It’s unfortunately, one of the few solid mixes on this nine-track collection. While Lack of Afro’s mix of “It’s Real” gives it that New Orleans skunk, most of the remixes employ beats and bass that are way too thin to match Hot 8’s larger-than-life sound.

Various Give Me Love: Songs of the Brokenhearted – Baghdad, 1925 – 1929

Before Gramophone became EMI, they commissioned a few Westerners to take shopping bags across Iraq for documentation purposes. Thank goodness for sonic archaeology–the records they preserved are brilliant and serve as wonderful reminders of the humanity of a country often viewed under a purely political microscope. There is little music on the planet that matches the intense yearning of the Arabic song,; and the haunting inflections of Said Al Kurdi’s and Sayed Abbood’s voices are perfect examples of the spiritual quest. Equally exhilarating are the instrumentals, be it with the Kurdish violin, the zourna, or the Persian zither, the kanoun. This is a heartbreaking and intense collection.

Inbox: Tanya Morgan

Sure, we’re always curious to know about an artist’s upcoming release, most recent tour, or arsenal of analog gear, but XLR8R‘s also got a curiosity for quirk. Thus, each week, we email a different artist and find out what makes them tick, in the studio and in life. This week, we hear tales of fighting, PSPs, and devil worship rumors from Cincinnati/Brookyn hip-hop trio Tanya Morgan.

What are you listening to right now?

Von: A Tribe Called Quest, The Love Movement

Donwill: Some stuff that got forwarded to me in one of those “hey check out this new artist!” emails. It’s kinda bad.

What’s the weirdest story you’ve ever heard about yourself?

Ilyas: I’ve heard I was a devil worshipper. Lol.

Donwill: I heard that we are signing to atlantic. Lol.

Von: Hmm… I don’t know. I haven’t heard anything crazy about me.

What band did you want to be in when you were 15?

Ilyas: I wanted to be down with Death Row. Glad that was out of reach.

Donwill: Definitely NWA or The Ghetto Boyz.

Von: I wanted to be down with Bad Boy when I was 15. Lol.

Worst live show experience?

Ilyas: Performing a long set with little rehearsal and being completely winded and exhausted halfway through the set.

Donwill: Anything involving outdoors and rain. We have played outdoors several times and each time it rains. I don’t really like playing outdoors in general, to be honest. It always makes me a little nervous. I think it’s like reverse-claustrophobia.

Favorite city to play in?

Ilyas: Home in Cincinnati. Nothing like getting love from home in a town where local acts typically don’t get love.

Donwill: It’s a toss-up between Toronto and Chicago, but I think Chicago is winning right now.

Von: I love Denver. That’s my spot.

Who’s the most interesting hip-hop artist you’ve collaborated with?

Ilyas: My dude Mysterious, who did the first and last joint on The Bridge EP, the title song, “The Bridge,” and “How Low.” I’ve seen this cat do four bangers in about an hour. And he is still one of the producers that don’t use pacing programs. He plays everything out live. It’s crazy to see him sprinting around the studio, hittin’ different keyboards adding elements to a beat until it arrives at the finished product.

Von: 88 Keys, because he makes so many beats on the spot and throws them out a half hour later if they’re not good enough for his liking.

What is your favorite thing you own?

Ilyas: My PSP. I can listen to music on it, play video games, hop on the web, and watch “movies.” Lol.

Donwill: My sidekick, for now. When iPhone decides to let you highlight and copy/paste text, I’ll make the leap, but for now I’m good.

Von: I guess that would be my laptop, because I can make music on the go with it.

Name one item of clothing you can’t live without.

Ilyas: My spiked leather armor I’ve grown accustomed to wearing recently. I love it. It feels like I’m walking around with legal weapons. Lol.

Donwill: I’m a sneaker head, so by default, I’d say shoes. Nothing specific though. And I need a new pair.

Von: My favorite item of clothing is a Yankee fitted. I don’t always wear one, but it’s a New York classic accessory.

What’s cuter: Kittens, penguins, or Scarlett Johansson?

Von: Scarlett!

Donwill: Scarlett Johansson’s kitten. Can I say that?

Ilyas: In the same context as Donwill, kittens. All lined up in a room, purring. Lol.

What did you always get in trouble for when you were little?

Ilyas: Fighting. Period.

Von: I was a class clown until 9th grade so that… definitely!

Donwill: staying out late or getting caught sneaking outside when I wasn’t supposed to be.

Which pop star would you most like to work with?

Ilyas: Andre 3000.

Donwill: John Mayer.

Von: Kanye West.

What’s the last thing you read?

Ilyas: A book called the The Laughing Jesus [by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy].

Donwill: Umm… something on gawker.com about hipsters.

Von: An article about Rube Goldberg.

Complete this sentence: In the future…

Ilyas: You better buy Brooklynati or the world will cease to exist.

Donwill: Obama will be president.

Von: Cars will not fly.

Stupidest thing you’ve done in the last 12 months?

Ilyas: Split my eyebrow open. Lol.

Donwill: It involves spending money. I’d say getting a lap-dance. Lap-dances are pretty dumb.

Von: I couldn’t put it in an interview!

What’s next?

Ilyas: Wowing the hip-hop world in 2009!

Donwill: Finishing up Brooklynati and touring again. The circle of life.

Last Week: Dinky

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