Cosmic Opera unveils their second act, a visual and aural feast featuring the likes of Fedde Le Grand,Zedd, FunkAgenda, Felix Cartal, and more. Set to take place at Hammerstein Ballroom on April 5th & April 6th, Cosmic Opera Act II has taken the ambition of the original to even greater heights. One often wonders, when listening to a particularly great electro/house track, what would it be like to put my inner experiences into concrete images (beyond the iTunes visualizer)? Cosmic Opera Act II is the answer to the that: It's a full-on laser show, prop and electric dance spectacular. It is telling that, in the reviews for Act I, nearly every critic had their own favorite moment or image. You don't have to go to the actual cosmos to celestial experience. Just go to the Cosmic Opera: Act II show on April 5th & 6th.
Daft Punk is often thought of as a band as untouchable as you can get. Which is why we are thankful thatCadillac took the chance to cover them, and created a worthy and moving tribute. Cadillac slows down the tempo of this early 2000's seminal track. Daft Punk also go a bit tropical under the direction of Cadillac. If you're going to cover such innovative artists, you might as well be equally as bold, and this cover meets the challenge.
Lou Teti remixes Zimmer's Cruisin'. The result is definitely top down, early April music. In the space of five minutes, we are treated to so many different, fluid laid-back styles: tropical twang, early Sunday afternoon guitar strumming, warm synths, and more. If you're a person who loves to find similar sounds in songs, the little breakdown of this track around the 3:50 mark sounds near exactly like Nas' "Hero". A serendipitous connection, no doubt, and the two tracks share the similar feeling of graceful invincibility. If you're feeling this mix, remixes of Zimmer--"Horizontal Disco"--will be out on April 6th on DiscoTexas.
Appaloosa's 'Sinister' gets a delightfully unsettling video treatment. The song itself sounds like an 80's basement techno band (to add to the nostalgia: it openly references 'Roxanne'), and the video is equally as evocatively retrograde. Through vintage film stock, we're shown a looping of a transfixing dancer shedding her clothes only to generate new ones on the spot. If there is ever an image that so defines nostalgia and youth--the desire to assume any identity one pleases--it is an image like the one in this video. The video is worthy of the tracks name: Sinister. It is undoubtedly alluring to shed ones clothes and pick up new ones immediately, but their is the risk one might someday end up naked.
Le YouthremixGoldroom'sAngeles. The mix is decidedly sunny, and it is backed by a clever manipulation of the vocals that stretches every inch of the word 'Angeles'. Everything about the city of Angels is in that staccato breakdown: the hope, the disillusionment, the love, the hate, the frenzy, the relaxation. It's fitting than an act called Le Youth are the ones who remix this ode to L.A. Is there any city in the world more obsessed with youth-remixed than Los Angeles?
Lend an ear--or two-- to Frames Dub remix of James Curd's of Guide Me. Bouncy, bassy, and yodel-y, Guide Me is a veritable guide to some of the best house/disco has to offer. Perhaps most infectious here is the trailing, joyous vocal behind the beat. It is a guide in the best sense: It is there for you when you need it, and otherwise lets you have your own fun. Guide Me is courtesy of etcetcmusic, but there is nothing supplementary about it.
Two new tracks from the lively Deadmau5. Titty Sprinkles (sure to get a lot of radio play) is a grime level track, gnarly and hip hop inspired. At times it sounds like an extremely danceable version of indie-rock-rap outsiders Death Grips. The second track is Fractals, which are about as far away from the world of titty sprinkles as you can get. Fractals is a choppy, synth-heavy 80's video game laser sound effect track from Deadmau5, once again proving that he is an artist aspiring to all trades. He is many things, but boring is certainly not one of them.
TEEELworks up a memorable remix toSelebrities'Forgotten. The result is a synth-methane inspired party. TEEEL describe their sound as "synthesizers. guitars. electronics. computers. shades. leather gloves. hoverboards". That sounds about right. The extra 'E' in TEEEL, that extra slide to indicate an excess of joy, was rarely so fitting.
Feast on three wildly different and fun offerings fromMoonlight Matters. First, check out the Playground Mix 4, an hour long mixtape that features cuts from artists like Volta Bureau, John Talabot, a reworking of Kate Bush, and much more. Next, chill out to Moonlight Matters' remix of Charlotte Gainsbourg's Anna. The track finds Moonlight perfectly pairing Gainsbourg's smokey vocals (worthy of her father) with a synth shining instrumental. In terms of remixers, these two might be as playful and engaging as Gainsbourg-Gondry are in film. If this track is anything to go by, we hope to see a collaboration soon. Lastly,check out Moonlight's remix of Oxford Fixers' Iron Dear Dreams. The remix is a surreal mash of influences befitting to Oxford Fixers. One of the benefits of catching up with an old friend is that you receive all the most important news, all at once. It's a pleasure to catch up with Moonlight Matters, and see all the places the artist has gone.
Scotch and Murder had the privilege of venturing down to Miami this past weekend for Ultra and a little WMC action. Let us take you on our journey and share some favorites along the way. Below you will find a brief description of our experience of each particular event we we're invited to, plus some videos from each event. For all of the videos from our weekend visit the Scotch and Murder YouTube Page.
HARD Miami 2012:
Our first event of the weekend was HARD Miami. We arrived just in time to catch the start of Busy-P's set. A stellar one at that, featuring remixes of Kavinsky's Nightcall and Cassius's I Love You So (below). Next up was everyones favorite German Boys Noize, who absolutely lit the stage on fire. Mr. Noize played a fine selection of his own music plus that of others, including a stirring remix of Jay-Z and Kanye's Niggas In Paris (below). Finally, after Gesaffelstein, the dark prince of electro himself, took the stage. Of course this was with fair warning, Busy-P was sure to ask his audience if they were ready to go to hell. Sure enough they were. Our decent began with 's very own Viol (below). Quite possibly the perfect introduction to the depth of hades. At this point we joined the crowd dancing amongst flames, tortured and teased by pulsing base and demonic baselines.
ULTRA Day 1:
At first we were a bit dismayed to see seating at Ultra's new Live Stage. Then we realized we would have front row seats to just about every act we wanted to see. So we strapped our selves in and went for the ride. New Order kicked off the festivities with a dream come true set. The kind our older siblings have been bragging about. Miike Snow'sfull band performance was probably our favorite of the day. Truly flawless execution with high levels of energy and passion. Kraftwerk'sperformance was so beyond unique it can only be described as one of a kind. Finally, Pretty Lights closed out our first day at Ultra with a dance happy set for the books. My man can throw one hell of a god damn party.
The Windish Agency Presents: Diplo / Skream / Caspa
After a quick shower and a bite to eat we found ourselves back at Grand Central for The Windish Agency's stellar line up. To our dismay, however, we missed some of the acts we wanted to see most. Nonetheless, we made in time to catch Diplo, Skream, and Caspa. Not to shabby. For what its worth, Diplo probably has the best stage presence of any DJ we have seen preform live. A total natural. Nothing feels forced. Its like hes spinning right next to you. Skream's set proved to us that he is in fact probably the best pure Dubstep artist out. Caspa had us going so hard we forgot to take any video of his work.
Ultra Day 2:
At the start of Ultra day two we found ourselves reunited with Gesaffelstein. The dark prince appropriately played in near seclusion at the MixMag stage on the water. Naturally the crowd followed for what turned out to be quite the day time dance party. On our walk back to the Live Stage we stopped in for a little taste of some Laidback Luke, who was absolutely destroying the Main Stage. Back at the Live Stage we caught a glimpse of Metronomy, who may have the coolest bassist alive. Next we dashed off to see the man with his own tent, Carl Cox. We weren't the only ones. The trip to see Mr. Cox was about as close to a human traffic jam as you can get. Once there, we found ourselves blasted with an endless supply of bass.
Midway through Carl Cox's set we rushed back to the Live Stage to catch M83. A performance we were expecting to be the highlight of the day, if not the festival. Unfortunately, the band experienced technical difficulties for 50 minuets. Ultra has no choice but to keep in line with the cities timing requirements, so that was 50 minuets M83 was not getting back. However, the band came out and delivered a rousing version of Midnight City (below). No hard feelings, M83 is still one of our favorites. Shit happens.
Justice was next on the menu for our first real visit to the main stage. The Frenchmen put on quite the performance with a fine mix of tracks from both Cross and Audio, Video, Disco. We were particularly ecstatic to witness Stress preformed live (below). Justice continued to tease the crowd with fake endings to the sets. Finally the duo closed with what felt like a never ending version ofAudio, Video, Disco. To call it epic would be a understatement.
We ended our second day of Ultra with 2manydjs. No we did not see Avicii and Ms. MDNA in all of their glory. Instead we decided to attend what turned out to a non-stop dance with your pants off extravaganza. 2manydjs (aka those dudes from Soulwax) perfectly meshed and mixed tracks a supremely unique set of tracks, some of which we would have never expected. The highlight of Ultra trip came as 2manydjs closed their set with Nirvana's Breed (below) as a sea of confetti shot into the sky only to land at the crowds dancing feet.
Oliver at Bardot:
Energized from an absolutely thrilling day of music, we joined our dear friend Dave Edwards for a drink at the Dream Hotel. After rubbing elbows for a minuet we decided to head over and finally catch Oliver, the duo we had been waiting to so long to see. Note, we had missed them the two previous nights. After catching a cab to Bardot we were pleased to see that the two man act from LA had yet to preform. They did not disappoint, putting together a fresh blend of the latest in Nu-Disco, New Wave, and Funk.
Ultra Day 3:
Our final day of Ultra Music Festival 2012 turned out to be another camp out at the live stage. Note we were a little videoed out at this point. We kicked things off with the Magnetic Men, the project featuring producers Skream, Benga, and Artwork. Next up was the pleasant surprise of Chase and Status. Some heavy drum and bass was just what the doctor ordered. Next was SMM super favorite those Bloody Beetroots. The duo got off to a slow start, but absolutely destroyed it during the second half of their set. Please do check out the video of Warp, probably our best of the show. The Beatroots ended their set with the Isely Brother's Shout (below). We finished off our Ultra 2012 experience with Bassnectar, who left the crowd screaming "we want bass" as the festival closed its doors.
The Magician drops in with the latest instalment of his Magic Tape Series, that is, Magic Tape Twenty-One. The mix starts off with a super discoed out remix of Daft Punk's Too Long. Awesome baseline on that one. Chew on the Magic Tape Twenty-One for a minuet while we put together our coverage of WMC and Ultra. Videos coming soon. Cheers!
D/R/U/G/S remixes Lana Del Rey's Americana ode, Blue Jeans. D/R/U/G/S makes the vocalists range a little more acute and speeds up the track to a dancehall pace. The song is no longer a ballad, and is now a melancholy boogie. The sweet resignation in the instrumental is a perfect fit for Lana Del Rey's cool, detached crooning. The track is out April 8th on Beatport.
Check out Goldroom's latest mix, Aviva. The hour long mix features tracks from the likes of Plastic Plates, Ray Mang, Goldroom, Pinemarten, and more. Goldroom spends a lot of time on these seasonal mixes, and its careful consideration shows. And what better way to celebrate what seems like the second day of spring that with this seasonal, light mix? Happy spring, and may you spring forward.
A. 1. Goldroom - Sneakers 2. Nathan Swiss - Heart (Moonchild Remix) 3. Alpine - Hands (Goldroom Remix) 4. Cadillac - Blue Skies (Ray Mang Remix) 5. Blackjoy - Mercurian (Jupiter Remix) 6. Goldroom - Angeles (Le Youth Remix)
7. Plastic Plates - Toys
8. Alexander Holland - City Full Of Lights (Gigamesh)
9. Chris Malinchak - At Night
B.
10. Madi Diaz - Trust Fall (Jensen Sportag Remix)
11. Mario Basanov - Lonely Days (Plate Dub)
12. Matt Corby - Brother (Lancelot Remix)
13. Edwin Van Cleef - Falling
14. Goldroom - Heart Takes Me
15. Cherokee - Take Care Of You (Le Nonsense Marine Remix)
16. Hemingway - City Lights
17. Housse De Racket - Chateau (Mickey Remix)
18. Michael Cassette - Summer
19. Pinemarten - Here It Is
Take some time to take in the video for CSLSX's Aeromancer (feat. Mountain Man). This video is a miracle for Starfox 64 and Pink Floyd fans. It is a gorgeous visual full of flashing triangles, rectangles rotating in the cosmos, endless oceans, and more of the ethereal. The pale blue dot and its relationship to space rarely looked so good. Let the Aeromancer wash over your Neuromancer.
Listen to a gloriously funky remix by The WIG of Boston based Bad Rabbit's "Come Back Down". The bass is wobbly, the synths wavy, and the voice wailing. Maybe there's not a riot going on, but there's definitely a party. Score one for some Boston solidarity. Oh, oh/oh, oh/you can't..back..down.
The Magician works his tricks on Sebastian Tellier's Cochon Ville. The Magician adds some sharp snares and tight strings to the mix. The vocals are at times mumbling and at times perfectly clear, moving along to their own rhythm. This track is a tantalizing meeting of two electronic titans, and we look forward to breaking our replay button. Release date April 16th.
The city of a million colors gets a remix from Le Crayon. Le Crayon's remix of Goldroom's Angeles is a track of flashing lights synths and altogether sunset grooves. Woody Allen once joked that he wouldn't want to move to a city (LA) where the only cultural advantage is the ability to make a right turn on a red light. Well, now you can add excellent shining groove tributes like Le Crayon's Angeles to the benefits of the city of Angels. So now L.A has two things good about it.
Edwin Van Cleef belatedly releases his remix of The Penelope's Sally in the Galaxy. The remix continues in the rhythmic, jovial spirit of the songs title. Edwin Van Cleef ups the tempo with a nu disco pacing that can only be described as moving at a cosmic speed. Adding wave to the end of anything automatically creates a new genre, so says Edwin Van Cleef. Call this cosmic-wave? And I believe there is a sufficient amount of cowbell in this song that will leave your cowbell needs satiated.
Check out the groove in Dwon Lowd's 'Untitled'. It takes a cue from Houston's Chopped & Screwed sound, but the cue is decidedly curious. The vocals to this dance track sound as if someone auto-tuned Barry White's voice, then ramped the bass up to a level that would make Spinal Tap jealous. There is a humane and low touch to the voice that makes its lyrics all the more effecting. I want to touch the sky/I wanna fly so high.
Gigamesh remixes Alexander Holland's City Full of Lights. Gigamesh has stated that he 'leans toward sound palettes that embrace a little cheesiness without sacrificing too much integrity'. His remix of City Full of Lights is a great example. It is a delightful 80's B-movie boogie and disco that sacrifices none of the unrepentant joy, but still keeps a tasteful ambience. Gigamesh goes for gaudy and comes up with pure gold.
If you haven't seen our badass bills around Brooklyn, here's a reminder to come to Scotch & Murder Presents: Ana Lola Roman, Warm Ghost, and Black Soft at Cameo Gallery this Tuesday, March 20th. We are inexpressibly proud to showcase three of the most exciting and energetic artists in avant-garde pop/post-electronica circle:Ana Lola Roman, a modern Renaissance Woman (composer, sound designer, choreographer, and more) who will be playing tracks off her cerebral EP 'Keep it Mellow' live for the first time. Warm Ghost is the duo of Paul Duncan and Oliver Chapoy, a duo that takes to heart the very idea of duplicity: On their debut album, Narrows, each pop element paired with an experimental one. Warm Ghost's warm and considered little bursts of sound, their hypnotic collages of rhythms pop and provocative, are something you must see live. The Black Softis the last of our trio: Characteristic of their velveteen name, The Black Soft craft sexy, electro tracks-tracks which have caught the attention effortlessly cool people like Nicola Formichetti. And, if you thought that was it, we've got one more: To top it off, the event will be DJ'd by Rewards, an instrumental (in more ways than one) part of Chairlift, and an accomplished solo artist in his own right, spending last year solo touring with the likes of Brandon Flowers and Warpaint. Rewards has just announced the release of his upcoming single, Equal Dreams, which will feature Solange Knowles and Blood Orange. The single is set for a July 25th release on DFA records.
We've reached the midpoint of March, so what better time to listen back to some of the hits of the month so far. Check out Walter Sobcek's March tape The Return of the Knight of Love, a veritable treasure chest of hits. The mixtape includes remixes from acts like Scissor Sistersand Le Crayon and original tracks from acts like Moon Bootsand Sam Padrul. You can even find a lovely Chromeo X Whitney Houston mash up. You can find all the madness of March in this mixtape.
Track List:
Moon Boots "Bills To Pay"
Sam Padrul "Let's Make History"
Beck & Charlotte Gainsbourg "Paradisco (Le Crayon Remix)"
Lafaye (Scissor Sisters Remix)
Grouplove "Tongue Tied (Gigamesh Remix)"
Gemini Club "By Surprise"
Whitney Houston x Chromeo "When The Night Knows"
Walter Sobcek "Miami" (Allen Walker Re-Write)
LeSale "Time after time after time"
Late NightTuff Guy "Not In Love Anymore"
The Doors "An American Prayer / Ghost Song (Domes' instrumental edit)
Tangerine Dream "Love On A Real Train" (Club Silencio Edit)
Deadmau5 is not particularly pleased with the current obsession with 'sick drops', so he's created Sunspot-a minimal, intricate track with no explosions but plenty of fire. Deadmau5 likes to switch it up, but there is are some things that remain. Like, it will be high quality, and it will be imminently danceable. Sunspot is subtle but sublime. Drop what you can and check it out.
It's quite funny that 'Onstar' is the first word you hear in D/R/U/G/S'Data Transmission Mix. A guide is just the thing you'll need. Data Transmission Mix takes you from the highest of the house, to the lowest of the electro, and more. Check out the galactic breakdown at the 11:00 mark, or the jungle groove at 27:00 mark. Oh, the places you'll go.
Selebrities' Paraiso is the song that Tommy Vercetti would be bumping if he was cooler. Paraiso is a finely tuned freakout that recalls 80's Miami dance halls and 2012 Berlin art gallery basements. In other words, it is a sharp mix of palm tree friendly disco and icy electronica. The Night Heat 7" is out March 20th on Cascine. Paraiso, Paraiso, Paraiso.
RAC and Liz Anjos' I Don't Wanna Know is proof that you can make anything cool, even if it is related to Phil Collins (we kid, we love you Phil!). Liz Anjo's voice enlivens I Don't Wanna Know with force and energy. It is rare that a cover actually sounds more emblematic of an era than the original, but RAC and Liz Anjo's I Don't Wanna Know might make a real case. The pair recorded this song to thank their fans for reaching 15K on their Facebook page. If you're a John Hughes baby or Molly Ringwald was your first teenage love, head over there and show your appreciation.
The video for Violens' Der Microarc looks like a gothic, modern take on the famous 'Homesick Subterranean Blues'. Gone is the alley way image of a young Dylan & aging Ginsberg. In 'Der Microarc', instead we get two rockers strumming along in an all black background, shedding reading card after reading card, many with delightfully creepy images. It may be ghoulish, but it's not heartless. 'Der Microarc' is off of Violens' upcoming album, True (5/15, Slumberland).
Spin this free download of Dave Edwards & Silver Medallion' American Girl. This uptempo house track opens with a sound that takes every ones favorite 3 A.M melody, 'Don't Stop Believing', and transforms the melody into something even more infectious and sunny. Just in time for the Ultra Music Festival. And 66 degree days in NY in March. Dave Edwards is a favorite of Scotch and Murder, and with this expert blend of bright American Pop and cooled modern House/Electro you can see why. The 'American Girl' set includes a radio edit of the track, an instrumental mix, and an extended mix.
A very special thank you for all of you who came out and partied with us Santos this past weekend. Barretso, Krychek, and NevaDat killed it, each brining their own unique flavor to the evening. We had such a marvelous crowd of New York's finest movers and shakers. We wanted to share photos of the event with you (shot by the supremely talented Jessica Granato), which can be found on our facebook gallery. Joon Bug's Anrel Degenhardt was also shooting the event. We've included some of his photos in our gallery, but you can check out all of his photos from the evening here. Finally, you can find some favorite tracks of the night below. Tag Your Face.
Momma always said better late than never ... Sit back and enjoy the official video for Keep Shelly in Athens'Our Own Dream. Like the music of Keep Shelly in Athens, the video is elegantly plaintive and spacious. Written, directed, and edited by Thanasis Tsimpinis, the video from Our Own Dream looks like an outtake of 'Scenes From a Marriage'--if Ingmar Bergman grew up in L.A. We look to this director for the surreal and elegant, and once again Tsimpinis does not disappoint. The union between Keep Shelly in Athens and Tsimpinis is one worth preserving.
First, the frenelectro (frenetic + electro. Yes, we made that up) mixes of Krychek. Creator of the popular Kronicles of Krychek mixes, Krychek's Nu-Disco and Electro influences are seamlessly interwoven and perfectly pitched for a night at Santo's Party House.
Barrestoa brilliant synth-specialist coming all the way from his native Chile is in New York for one night only. Barresto's sounds are often glitch and gorgeous, and caked with synths that would make Devarahi weep tears of joy. We are very honored to showcase these two artists. Doors open at 11:00 P.M, and we hope to see you there.
