New At INCITE Online, Sept. 12

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Chris Herbert – The latest album from this UK-based producer is a collection of digital, textured pieces assembled through the manipulation of found sounds and environmental sources.

Theatre Of The Absurd – Combining pleasing synth elements with percussion that varies between accenting hits and in your face rhythm, the band sets the tone for many a lounge with their latest release.

Fat John and Styrofoam – The duo’s work travels beyond the simple concept of indie rocker meets hip hopper, displaying their shared musical tastes while simultaneously showcasing their individual backgrounds.

Silver Apples – Pulled from tapes originally thought to be lost forever, the new album contains material recorded by the New York duo way back in 1969.

Loer – Having performed and worked with the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saul Williams, Ace Lover, DJ Ese, and many more, Loer is ready to unleash his first solo album.

College Night At SFMOMA

The San Francisco college community is invited to an evening of art and music next week at the San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art. The SFMOMA will have a selection of rock posters on display in the architecture and design galleries that will be in conjunction with the museum’s Art of Design Series, which showcases industrial and graphic design, both established and up and coming.

Artist Rex Ray will be giving a talk, to be followed by a DJ set from Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel/The Postal Service/James Figurine) and a live set by The Paradise Boys.

Admission is free for Bay Area college students, faculty, and staff with ID.
College Night takes place Thursday, September 21, 2006 from 6.00pm – 8.45pm.

sfmoma.org

Five Star By Andy Smith

He’s best known as tour DJ and resident sample-digger for downtempo hitmakers Portishead, but as his The Document series of mix CDs shows, Andy Smith‘s true love runs from the funk and disco he heard growing up in late-’70s Bristol to the underground hip-hop of today. He also makes heads bounce to the storming dance sounds of rare 1960s Northern soul and early reggae, as heard at his monthly residency at London’s Jazz Café, his crate-digging Sunday night party Lost and Found with Keb Darge, and on mix discs like Andy Smith’s Northern Soul (BGP) and The Trojan Document (Trojan). Here, Smith picks his top five Northern soul spins.

1. Rubin “You’ve Been Away” (Kapp)
Every time I hear the bassline intro I know that within 20 seconds I’ll be dancing if there is a dancefloor nearby…or even if there isn’t! I never tire of hearing this record–it’s totally uplifting. Who can care about any problem during the barely three minutes that this one’s on?

2. The Pointer Sisters “Send Him Back” (Atlantic)
I usually stick to the ’60s side of Northern soul but tracks like this [make me] happy to delve into the ’70s sound–the vocals, the instrumentation, the arrangement, the “Sha la la la la boom boom”…I blast this out on a hot summer’s day trying to drown out the nasty new R&B being played in the car next to me at the traffic lights.

3. Frank Beverly and The Butlers “If That’s What You Wanted” (Sassy/Inferno)
Up there as one of my all-time favorites of any genre! The vocals by Frankie (later of Maze fame) are fantastic. Combine them with all around top arrangement, and this makes for a total killer Northern track that always ignites the floor!

4. Joy Lovejoy “In Orbit” (Checker)
One of the earlier Northern soul tracks that I first heard on my Soundburger portable player while in a record store in the States. The positivity of the vocals combined with those horns makes for a top track. I always wonder what happened to Joy Lovejoy; I’ve never heard another record by her.

5. Sam Dees “Lonely For You Baby” (SSS International/Goldmine)
When I need to take the tempo down a bit after the 200mph dance numbers, there’s no better way than this. Possibly one of the classiest soul tracks I know; top-notch vocals from Sam coupled with a killer bassline, great horns, and tight drums, and the way the horn breaks keep the track in check is just perfect. Everything a Northern soul track should have.

Tussle To Release Telescope Mind

Tussle has seen some changes since the release of their acclaimed Kling Klang in 2004. Bassist Andy Cabic departed (amicably, as the story goes), and drummer Alexis filled his spot. A new drummer Warren was brought on board, and after this musical chairs of sorts it seems that the band is in better shape than ever.

Telescope Mind marks a new era for Tussle, being more experimental than their previous release, traversing dance jams, abstract sound creations, and just plain old ambience. A 12″ will be release prior to the album’s street date, with remixes by Hot CHip and Optimo.

Telescope Mind is out October 30, 2006 on Smalltown Supersound

Tracklisting

1. Lyre
2. Warning
3. Second Guessing
4. Kindermusik
5. Cloud Melodie
6. Elephants
7. The Story of Meteorites
8. Flicker/33.3
9. Invisible city
10. Trappings
11. Cloud Melodie ii
12. Pow!

Cut And Paste Expands Tournament Locations

Started in late 2005, Cut And Paste has been heralded as the designers answer to a DJ battle or poetry slam. An audience is invited to view the artists creating their projects in real time as they battle it out to be winner, sort of like Iron Chef meets design world. Projection screens allow viewers to see every brush stroke or mouse click done, the idea being that in this day and age a part of art is the creative process itself.

The tournament was met with such approval that this year the organizers expanded it to include Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, as New York. Judges include illustrator Deanne Cheuk, Flavorpill founder Sascha Lewis, designer Jeff Staple, graffiti artist Buffmonster, and Giant Robot publisher Eric Nakamura. Anyone can enter, and each contestant is provided with tools they’ll need to create a variety of projects. At the rate the tournament’s popularity is increasing, they might be televising the 2007 edition!

Entry Deadlines
09/29 New York
10/06 Chicago
10/13 Los Angeles
10/20 San Francisco

Cut And Paste

The XLR8R Office Top Ten Album Picks, Sept 11

Dino FelipeDinosaur Bones & PyramidsSublight
We’re not sure what Dino Felipe’s been drinking, but it’s something weird. After his scrappy collaboration with Nick Forté, his new full-length offers sonic feedback pursed against a thrashed-out, chaotic downtempo that is as catchy as it is harsh on the head. Dino has reached the next level.

Fat Jon & StyrofoamThe Same ChannelMorr Music
Somewhere out there in indie hip-hop land, a bunch of MCs and producers are pissed because of The Same Channel. Without coming close to complacency or obscurity, producer Styrofoam churns out some spacey, electro-butter while MC Fat Jon comes through with eerie melodies and rapid-fire flows. Thank you, Morr Music. Thank you.

A Raga For Peter WalkerTompkins SquareTompkins Square
Holy smokes. After a 37-year hiatus, acclaimed guitarist Peter Walker releases a few recent gems alongside contemporary guitar innovators like Thurston Moore, Greg Davis, and Jack Rose on this intricate compilation. Far from some corny tribute album, A Raga For Peter Walker is an ode to creation that pushes instrumental boundaries.

Paul KalkbrennerReworksBPitch Control
Do you like your techno minimal? We sure as hell do. On this stunning remix disc featuring tweaked tracks from the likes of Modeselektor, Ellen Alien, and Sascha Funke, Paul’s jams take dark, head-twisting turns that make us all want to move straight to Berlin.

Of Mexican DescentExitos y Mas ExitosTemporary Whatever
Featuring leftfield MCs 2Mex and Xolo, this duo–10 years in the making–has changed the face of hip-hop with their psychedelic, introspective bangers. Originally released in 1997, Exitos y Mas Exitos is getting its second run on Busdriver’s Temporary Whatever imprint this fall. Viva Mexico.

Code EAlgorithm MethodMule
Japanese electronic programmer extraordinaire Code E is no newcomer to the scene. Working under a slew of monikers like Cable, Ebizoo, and Nobuhiko Tanuma, homeboy’s disco-dub stylings on Algorithm Method are definitely exemplary of some of his most progressive work to date.

Elliot LippSteele Street ScrapsEP Hefty
Hefty Records has not been slacking when it comes to releasing hot albums one after the next. Following his acclaimed full-length Tacoma Mockingbird, Elliot Lipp slays it on his minimal, yet electrifying follow-up EP. Lipp’s penchant for synths, dirty snares, and grooving basslines will leave producers and fans shook up in a really good way.

SUN OK PAPI KOOrchestre PhilharmonokSonig
This Belgian dude is crazy. Laurent Baudoux (a.k.a. SUN OK PAPI OK) is one of those musical shakers who thrives on the energy of amusement, avoiding the “serious” approach to his creation process. Comprised of choppy strings and GameBoy bleeps galore, Orchestre Philharmonok is the underground’s newest addition to the grime-crazed platform, pushing buttons that have remained unscathed thus far.

Radio SlavePresents: Creature of the Night Eskimo
Matt Edwards is the glue that bonds Rekid and Radio Slave into a well-rounded dance machine. On this groove-oriented mixtape, Matt pumps out a cohesive mix featuring DJ Hell, The Kills, and Ricardo Villalobos, amongst several killer remixed hits that will shred your night away.

TussleTelescope MindSmalltown Supersound
Rhythm has always played a crucial role here at the XLR8R office and S.F. band Tussle concerns itself with one thing: rhythm. At times reminiscent of Kraut pioneers Faust, at others disco maniacs WhoMadeWho, Telescope Mind is the percussion-infused hit of the year.

Favorite Fashions

XLR8R asks: What is your favorite fashion look of the last five years?

Joshy D
“Tattoo imagery. Although I don’t consider my company a disposable trend, the acceptance of tattoos on skin and in fashion has given Rebel 8 more exposure, popularity, and legitimacy. And I love the resurgence of glam and punk fashion. There is nothing wrong with having a 1980s time capsule as your wardrobe.”

San Francisco’s Joshy D runs t-shirt company Rebel 8.

Bob Kronbauer
“Wool scarves as caps. Like when you drape a scarf over your head and tie it under your neck. Kinda like Jackie O-style, but ghetto…and for dudes.”

Vancouver, B.C.’s Bob Kronbauer is a photographer and graphic designer who owns the clothing label and artist collective Crownfarmer.

Roxy Summers
“God loves Cam’ron Giles, the man that made pink a trend. Before the purple haze of 2004, Cam’ron could be seen rocking a pink mink, a pink Range Rover, pink polos, and even pink fatigues. Dude pulled it off and had Tommy Hilfiger taking notes as well as the rest of the world. No homo? Yes, homo! Not just a fashion icon but a rapper too? We love you killa Cam’ron!!!”

Roxy Summers (a.k.a. Oxy Cottontail) is a New York party promoter and partner in clothing company aNYthing.

Casisotone For The Painfully Alone

Ten bucks says Owen Ashworth can make you cry in under two minutes.

With a couple of crummy Casios and his trusty 4-track, the 28-year-old film school dropout has built a decade-spanning career out of drawing tears at rapid speeds. Armed with two-minute synth-pop songs and a husky, Prozac-induced voice, Ashworth (a.k.a. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) has brought to life a trilogy of melancholy mini-epics: Answering Machine Music, Pocket Symphonies for Lonely Subway Cars, and Twinkle Echo.

With 2006’s Etiquette (Tomlab), Portland’s favorite saddo ups the ante, tossing the “bedroom producer” shit to the curb and fleshing out his somber skeletons with studio flourishes and guest musicians. Teeming with the saddest stuff (bad moms, lonely holidays, growing up, and growing apart), Etiquette perfects the dismal honesty his fans have come to expect.

Even so, the affable Ashworth is not comfortable calling his music depressing. “I don’t know if ‘depressing’ is the right word.” He pauses. “I really forget that the songs are so sad. But every once in a while someone will sit me down and make me listen to one of them, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s a fucking depressing song.'”

Writing tearjerkers wasn’t something Ashworth just stumbled upon; it’s what he set out to do. After starting his one-man band in 1997, Ashworth set forth a slew of guidelines for himself to follow, in hopes that rules and regulations would “make songwriting as efficient as possible.”

Those limitations: Everything was to be written in the key of C, thereby rendering the black keys useless; songs were to begin and end with the vocals, because Ashworth considered anything before or after that superfluous; all music was to be created with battery-powered Casios, because, well, that was cool; and, finally, everything had to be totally glum.

Nowadays, most of those rules aren’t as important, but Casiotone still jerks tears with the best of ’em. “I grew up with Prairie Home Companion and bluegrass,” says Ashworth. “I think the tradition of American folk songwriting is based in some incredibly depressing songs. Like the Carter Family–someone is always dying of starvation, and those were always the songs that sounded legitimate to me, [they were the ones that] sounded compelling and sincere.”

Much like the country music of his youth, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone songs are light on decoration and heavy on pathos. He traffics in the most direct and honest space songwriters can: our darkest, most depressing days.

“I’ve written songs that were happy for other bands,” says Ashworth. “But something about Casiotone, something about the form of it, [made me want] to write songs that were generally dark. And even if they were kind of happy-sounding, elements of the songs should seem true to human experience. Nothing that really happens in life is 100 percent sad or 100 percent happy, and I wanted to use that gray area.”

Eliot Lipp To Release Steele Street Scraps

With his sophomore full-length, Tacoma Mockingbird, Eliot Lipp suddenly found himself on the radar of numerous fans, journalists, and booking agents, and 2006 became a very busy year. Choosing to stay with the same synth-funk instrumental hip-hop from that release for his latest project, Lipp presents ten songs that serve as a kind of companion to Tacoma Mockingbird.

Steele Street Scraps, though is anything but scraps. Rather, it’s work that surfaced during the recording of Tacoma Mockingbird, with a few brand new tracks and some remixes thrown in for good measure. Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, it’s a nice way to tide his audience over until the release of his next full-length, due out in 2007.

Steele Street Scraps is out October 2006 on Hefty.

Tracklisting

1. Illa Than (Earmint Mix)

2. Flashlight

3. The Intro

4. Gangsta Shit

5. Tic Tac (John Hughes Remix)

6. Next Break

7. Glasspipe (Victor Bermon Remix)

8. Choosey

9. Moog

10. Harmonix

Melted Mailbox: Singles Club

Twenty-four-year-old Matt Kimmel gets a rush from discovering obscure bands. But he’s noticed that even in a hyperlinked world, deserving artists go unappreciated–hence the inspiration to start Melted Mailbox, a new psychedelic singles club. “It’s a low-tech solution to the modern problem of finding out about new bands,” says Kimmel. “If you like experimental music, and you like your mailbox, there’s no reason not to sign up.”

Becoming a Melted Mailbox member may seem expensive–$70 for U.S. addresses, $90 for the rest of the world–but it’s a bargain for those craving out-there audio. Special records are shipped roughly twice a month–each 12″ has art and etching on one side and a single (unavailable outside the club) from the likes of Keith Fullerton Whitman, Brooklyn noisenik Carlos Giffoni, or Ariel Pink (who submitted a 15-minute freakout recorded immediately after he found out about 9/11) on the other side.

Membership has other rewards, including surprise CD-Rs, a poster, unique artwork, and a handmade storage box for the vinyl. The first series, which started June 25, ends this month, but sign up soon for the second wave of this mind-melting sonic attack.

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