Labor day weekend is coming up, and that means one thing for a lot of us: Road trip. Zimmer is here to give you an April closing soundtrack for the drive into May. Desert Drive/April Tape is an hour long compendium of the best in Nu-Disco. The highlight for this listener is the Motown inspired sounding track that fades in at the 22 minute mark, only to fade out later into a schoolgirl-like disco chant record. It's a seamless transition, and the tape is full of such serendipitous moments that make long drives the memorable listening experiences they are.
Track List: 1. Zimmer - Cruisin' (Lou Teti Remix) 2. Neighbour - You Can Do It 3. Chordashian - Black Eye
4. Lou Teti - Love It (Dublin Aunts Rework)
5. Monitor 66 - Triscuits
6. Moon Boots - Got Somebody
7. Alpine - Hands (Goldroom Remix)
8. Only Children - Down Fever
9. Munk & Peaches - You Can't Run From My Love
10. Sebastien Tellier - Cochon Ville (Hey Champ Remix)
11. Lauer - Trainmann (Tensnake Franceman Mix)
12. Housse De Racket - Chateau (Mickey Remix)
13. Balla - Montra (Moullinex Remix)
14. Zebra and Snake - Money In Heaven (Helsinki 78 82 Remix)
15. Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca feat. Hard Ton - Pretty Baby
16. Kennedy - Karate (Tronik Youth Edit)
17. Zimmer - Slave To Your Heart (ft. Jeremy Glenn) (Xinobi Remix)
18. Mercury - Running Back To You (feat. Christopher McCay)
19. M83 - Reunion (Mylo Remix)
20. Duff Disco - Over To The Left
Check out this worthy b-side from Breakbot. Breakbot has just announced the upcoming release of his first album, "By Your Side" (Ed Banger), in September 2012. "Programme" is a stunning b-side from the forthcoming single, and if the b-sides are this solid, the album is bound to be a major breakthrough for an already accomplished artist. You may have seen Breakbot over at the Sahara Tent in Coachella this past weekend. We trust you'll be seeing a lot more of him.
Eight and a Half release the official video for 'Go Ego'. The video is transfixing in its portrayal of living on the edge (literally). Living between all consuming ego, and the possibility of its death. A gorgeous woman tip toes on a high rise balcony, and we are not entirely sure why. She jumps off the edge only to fall into her bed, or is that really true? The chorus is teetering between two points itself: There goes my ego. There goes my ego meaning I've let it consume me? Or there goes my ego meaning I've finally let it go? We are unsure what it means, and we're happy to sit in its mystery.
Check out the official, uncensored video for Sebastien Tellier's 'Cochon Ville'. Often music videos take up an 'uncensored' tag as a quick way to generate some publicity, or they leave you wondering what needed to be uncensored. Such is not the case with the video for 'Cochon Ville'. The video takes place at the most lurid, glamour dance club you can imagine. Stefon (of SNL fame) would visit this club and be shocked at what he sees: Men dancing in purple chaps with 'Beyonce' written on them, magicians with white stars for eyes lurking in the corner, a hairball flute player in a baby blue bathrobe, a lost cocker spaniel, someone lighting fireworks in someone else's you know, and more.
We'll take any opportunity we can to write about Tears For Fears. SIMØNE remixes a classic Tears for Fears track, Shout. The result is decidedly more glitchy and giddy than the original. 'Sinth Wave', they call it. SIMØNE keeps remixing our favorites from the 80s. Do check out the Barcelonian's SoundCloud page for more. The track calls for you to shout for things you could do without. OK we'll keep quiet, and keep listening to this track, but know that you should never have to jump for joy.
Major Lazer, one of the tops in dance music, links up with Amber Coffman of avant-garde indie band Dirty Projectorsfame. The result is as exciting and fun as you'd expect. 'Get Free' is a slowed down, sprinkling indie dance track. The video finds Major Lazer vibing to Amber's high vocals while flying with seagulls, surfing the cosmos, and sitting atop dinosaur bones. Just another day.
Ana Lola Roman, a favorite of the Scotch & Murder team, releases her Keep It Mellow EP. The three-track EP is the best of what we've come to expect from Ana Lola Roman: Magnificently cascading across genres, eminently danceable, and explosive even in small spaces. The EP contains three joyously strange and DIY suggestive synth-pop tracks. From the track names, the EP is about taking things apart, deconstructing them: Keep it Mellow, Decode, No Architect. Ana Lola Roman succeeds in breaking things down---all the way to the bottom---and building them into her own, and juggling all the pieces effortlessly before you the whole time.
Walter Sobcek releases a video for Hollywood Cries. The video is an 80's treasure trove of abandoned A list, B list, C list and more Hollywood stars and moments. Hollywood Cries is taken from the French Duo's second official single Miami and includes three remixes of the title track by Muffin, Pharao Black Magic, and Kido Yoji. Miami was recorded and mixed with notable producer Samy Osta (Chromeo, Cocosuma, and Syd Matters). We expect big things from the Walter Sobcek boys in the future.
As for Hollywood Cries, the track is set against things like a orange soaked 80's Entertainment Tonight Set, and you realize how strange it would be if dark electro like this were the theme music for todays celebrity news shows. The assemblage of weird and somber Hollywood moments feels downright quaint when you consider the surreal celebrity onslaught we have today. Val Kilmer also makes an appearance in the video. I am unsure of what to label him. You can also listen to the full length uninterrupted version of the track after the video (below).
GigameshremixesAlexander Holland's 'City of Lights'. One of the fun things about this mix is trying to guess what kind of city is being grooved about. At times the mix gets very aquatic, with slight wails that sound like the longing of whales in Atlantis. Other times, the mix has some post-industrial drums that could only come from a burned out metropolis like Detroit or Berlin. Whatever city you're in, whether above sea or under it, this mix is for you. Download Alexander Holland - City Full of Lights (Gigamesh Remix).
On a weekend where Christians were honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ and Jews honoring redemption, hundreds of fans poured into the Music Hall of Williamsburg to honor the music of The Rapture. Their work is an infectious blend of disco from the 70's, punk rock from the 90's and electronica from naughts. The band's obsession from their very beginning is to blur the lines of these genres – so much so that The Rapture’s ever-stomping, ever-dancing, wild-arm-flinging fans could listen to them anywhere – from a grungy dive bar to a glitzy dance party.
In all of their songs, but especially in their performances of Get Myself Into It, House of Jealous Lovers and the show's finale, How Deep is Your Love, Vito Roccoforte's relentless force of drums and Gabriel Andruzzi's propulsive melodic saxophone blend into a groove with Luke Jenner's soulful, shrilling, aching-but always powerful voice. The audience was mostly young, dressed down and unpretentious – fans who let the music take control and simply danced their hearts out. The first encore, Children, seemed a touch on the emo side, but Miss You and How Deep is Your Love even motivated fans from the very back of the second level to get on their feet and move.
Other works to highlight were Whoo! Alright Yeah... Uh Huh (or WAYUH) and a recent favorite of mine, Sail Away, where Luke Jenner's voice is haunting and romantic and nostalgic all at once.
There were no variations between their performed and recorded songs – proof that Jenner sings and wails his heart out just as much in concert as in the studio. It's clear the band is confident in their identity and their accomplishments. Jenner recently posted this on the band's blog:
Because “House of Jealous Lovers” didn’t get played on the radio and sell millions of records I thought I had failed....That song changed the game, we were the first band of our generation to write a really killer song that incorporated something that you could DJ in a club full stop with a punk vibe. ... I think it’s finally time for me to claim it, to be myself, fearlessly. Ten years ago, I accomplished everything I ever wanted in music. To make a mark, to be part of the awesome chain of music history, however small.
The Rapture proves that obsession is a prerequisite to success. Their music succeeds because of their never-ending chase to perfect their sound – they are game changers and they should claim it.
The Rapture will be playing at Coachella in San Diego on Friday, April 13. We hope to see you there.
Yuksek remixes Stuck in the Sound's 'Brother'. The freak-funk is released on this mix. Instrumental wise, the beat would not be out of place on a conga line during a Soul Train episode. And the vocals? The vocals sound like Bon Iver on PCP. Brother, where aren't thou fun?
Brodinskitakes a spin with Sebastien Tellier's Cochon Ville. Brodinski pushes the track every inner working to a furious pace. For crescendo fiends, this track is a marvel. The crescendo's build up with infinitely spliced electro effects, and come down in pounds of menacing synths and hand drums. A mix not for the faint of heart.
Scotch & Murder favorite Krychek releases Room No. 237, a blistering 50 minute mix of the best in house, disco and funk. In case you've lived in a secluded hotel all winter and are unfamiliar with the Room 237 title, it is a number play on the mysterious room in The Shining where no one is allowed to enter. In that room (should you ignore the warning)people age backward, red rum is a favorite, and all things hedonistic rule. You can leave anytime you want, so step in to Kyrchek's seamless mix and at least get some senseless dancing in. The mix features the likes of Oliver, Pat Lok, JBAG,Moon Boots, Childish Gambino, and many more. On second thought, you might not be able to stop, and you might lose all desire to leave, but what the hell.
Destructo, featuringOliver, releases 'La Funky'. The track is a blood brother from the land of where all funky things come. The fun part about the record is that it combines this deep rooted funkiness with a lively industrial feel. Destructo's EP "Technology" was just released. You can find it over on iTunes.
Final DJ'sbid you a supremely 80s adieu with 'F.A.R.E.W.E.L.L'. The instrumental, elegant and well-paced, brings to mind the best of New Order and French house. The track is an ideal one for closing the party. Final DJ's should be your last guide for the night. It is not a goodbye, but a 'see you later'.
Destructo releases a video for the title track of his EP. The video first appears like just another modern day, technology assisted breakup video. Everyone is talking loud, but saying nothing. But this is Destructo, and things get especially complicated when your girlfriend is a robot. This isn't 'Revenge of the Fembots' or 'Attack of the 50,000,000 MegaWatt woman'. Things get a lot weirder than that. Check it out below.
Lifelike release a new, expansive DJ set. This 50 minute set includes tracks from Alan Braxe, Daft Punk, Eric Pyrdz, and more. And each have the Lifelike touch, of course. Personal standouts for this blogger include Lifelike's remix of Visitor's 'Coming Home' andPetar DunDov's 'Stairway'. Take a listen and pick yours.
Track List: :
1- SURRENDER - Conflicted - (Original Mix) - HotdamnDirty Disco
2- STEVE STRIP & DAS GLOW - Calcium - BNR Trax
3- HOUSSE DE RACKET - Roman - (Oliver Remix) - Kitsuné
4- TYSON - Out Of My Mind -(Original Mix) - Backyard Rec.
5- M83 - Midnight City - (Eric Prydz Remix) - EMI
6- VANDROID - Master & Servant - (Yuksek Remix) - Vandroid rec.
7- ROMAN D'AMOUR - Make Love Tonight (Peo DePitte Remix)-ComputerScience
8- ALAN BRAXE & FRED FALKE "Rubicon" (Lifelike re-edit) - Delabel/EMI
9- LL TON J - Roger More - (Phonat Re-edit) - Mofohifi
10- BOYS NOIZE - Yeah (Original Mix) - Boysnoise Records
11- VISITOR - Coming Home - (Lifelike Remix) - Glasgow Underground Ltd
12- TIGER & WOODS - "Deflowered" - (Original Mix) - Running Back Rec.
13- LIFELIKE & POPULAR COMPUTER "Getting High" - ComputerScience PROMO
14- PETAR DUNDOV - Stairway - MusicManRecords
15- JOKERS OF THE SCENE - Black Mountie - (Shadow Dancer Remix) - Fool's Gold
16- SEBASTIAN feat. MAYER HAWTHORNE - "Love In Motion" - Ed Banger/Because Music
RUFUSreleases the official video for 'This Summer'. The video begins with a person emerging from a sepia tinged swamp, and things get stranger from there. They invade a wedding reception, star on the dance floor, and they're not even the focus for the whole video. The camera follows a cast of characters with deft tracking shots, detailing the throw-ups, fist fights, and occasional blood that comes with some sweltering summer nights. There are some nights when a figure emerging from the water, impeccably dressed, is the least bizarre thing.
John Talabot releases a 'ritual reconstruction' of T.E.E.D's Tapes & Money. The track is a sinisterly spinning instrumental with looped vocals lamenting 'it's all lies, it's all lies'. Soon a swimming synth breaks in and you're hooked. An interesting thing about the 'it's all lies' loop is that if you listen to it, it almost sounds like it echoes back 'so have I'. Lying and being lied to rarely felt so ok.
Zimmerreleases six remixes in a set of Horizontal Disco (remixes). The remixes feature the likes of Lou Teti, Moon Boots, Xinobi, and more. Zimmer's 'Slave To Your Heart' gets the most reworking here, with three distinct remixes to its credit. Horizontal Disco, while having many meanings, has one I can confirm. These tracks are meant to be enjoyed sequentially, zipping one-by-one down the Zimmer line.
Simian Mobile Discoa remarkable visual treatment for 'Cerluean' that would make Paul Klee and Kandinsky proud. The video is so many things. At times it looks like brickles on acid. Other times it looks like Pong skimming on stardust. The video may seem like too much just by these descriptions, but a single, humble ball guides you through the virtual wonders. The video astounds, but never overwhelms.
Air Franceannounced their breakup not long ago, but that doesn't mean a mood of doom and gloom has to be the only response. Tributes and memories can lighten the mood.Memory Tapes provide a wonderful tribute to Air France in their remix of 'It Feels Good To Be Around You'. The remix has an indelible loveliness befitting of the artist it re-imagines. The members of Air France may not be around each other all the time, but they'll be around in the speaks of Memory Tapes and everyone else. And in this sense, Air France has never left.
Playing a little catch up here. Tanlines released a video for 'All of Me' a minuet ago. The video is at times remarkably noir and futuristic. Tanlines play their tune on a faded television in the middle of bar that gives new definition to 'seedy'. The lowly figures in the bar watching Tanlines on the telly may look removed and gruffed, but that does not mean they can't dance once in a while if inspired. The indie pop stylings of Tanlines do just the trick, and we are privy to hilarious, stiff but sincere dances among the bar folk. Sometimes you just gotta give in.
Jack's Vengeance gives you Gimme. The electronic song is a slow, magnetic builder. The track begins with cold crushed drums, slowly sliding in bumpy bass, and soon things become awash in layers of hypnotic sounds. The track is off of Jack Vengeance's EP, the 'Vengeance EP'. The EP, which features four nice cuts in house and electro styles, can be purchased here.
Ben Browningreleases his Lover Motion EP. Browning, a bassist in Cut Copy, brings the exuberance of his famed band and combines it with his strong individual vision. The EP has the best of what we expect from Browning. Delicate turns of phrase, and sonic synths. Lover Motion EP is fun from front to back, from the opening club-pop of 'I Can't Stay' to the closing instrumentals of 'Bullet Island'.
Violensannounce a new 7" of their 'Totally True' track---and if that tantalizing prospect is not enough for you---they also announce a small string of East Coast tour dates. 'Totally True' will be out April 17th on Slumberland Records, while Violens will be out-and-about starting with Miami on April 14th and ending with NY on May 16th. The tour and 7"--the first single-- are in celebration of Violens' upcoming album release, True. If there was ever a single name that promised to give you a taste of what the album will sounds like, Totally True is it. We expect the track to be the best of Violens---silk harmonies, crafted guitar, and delicate improvisation. And we expect to see you at the NY show.
Vilones East Coast Tour:
4/14 - Miami, FL @ Maps Backlot -Art Walk Concert Series
4/28 - Hamden, CT @ Outer Space w/Lower Dens
4/29 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott w/Lower Dens
5/03 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's w/Lower Dens
5/04 - Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel w/Lower Dens
5/05 - Baltimore, MD @Otto Bar w/ Lower Dens
5/16 - New York, NY @Le Poisson Rouge (Record Release show)
Gramatik releases his #digitalfreedom mix tape. This six song, free EP features Gramatik switching it up a bit, moving from his hip-hop roots toward dance and electronic. We are pleased to say that his foray succeeds. Tracks like 'Fist Up' and '23 Flavors' find Gramatik at his most wobbly wobbly, and he actually makes the term not a bad thing. The tracks are powerful and confident, but never forced, and always freeing.
Young upstarts The Beatles get a remix--courtesy of Guido Minisky-- of one of their biggest hits, 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. The Beatles original is one of the most covered tracks of theirs, its sonic depth lending itself to remixes from acts as varied as Wu-Tang and the very own Guido Minisky. Minisky labels his remix as 'Playing God with the Legend', and Minisky is in total control here. The song takes an approach not yet heard as it loops the memorable '1.2.3.4' from the songs opening, and layers it over the classic chord progression. The rest of the track is just as bold and fun, from breakdown to chorus. The guitar doesn't weep hear. It claps.
Cut Your Hair release their debut single, Utah in Pictures. Catalan three-piece set Cut Your Hair are awash in indie euphoria (coincidence or not, their band name shares the same name as one of indie god Pavement's most famous tracks), and their music is a burst of golden guitars and melodies. Consider it wonderfully strange, then, that the source of inspiration for this euphoric band is, of all places, Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City, for many Americans, may best be remembered for the Winter Olympics and impeccably gray haired John Huntsman, but Cut Your Hair gives the city a well needed shot of spritely spirit. We look forward to seeing what Cut Your Hair enliven next.
Goldroomrelease a video for 'Morgan's Bay'. The track is the definition of 'summery', and as we seem to finally hit our stride in nice weather this week, the timing is opportune. The video---containing found footage---is a golden testament to familiar summer tropes: Surfing, sunsets, and, well, seagulls. The visuals switch between faraway, panoramic views, and very minute close-ups of things unexpected. Perhaps the coolest shot is of bubbles bellowing and faintly bursting on the water, just like the beats on the track.
Moon Boots offer up 'Got Somebody'. The tropical-tinged track is described as 'balmy, romantic, and free'. The song brilliantly re-imagines Wayne Wonder's 'No Letting Go', and Wayne Wonder is in need of reinvention. However, instead of the words 'No Letting Go', the remix seems to say 'No letting back'. Don't let affect your feelings about the replay button.
The Naked and Famous get the remix treatment from Co-Pilots. The remix is heavy on the tribal drums, and the soft melodies. At about 1:30, it breaks into a lilting guitar melody. But seconds later, we are crashing into a wall of jarring guitar. This remix will keep you on your toes, physically and mentally. We've also included the stellar video to the original track.
Two Scotch & Murder favorites, Ana Lola Roman and TEEEL, feature on a remix of 'Telegram'. TEEEL's remix of Ana Lola Roman's 'Telegram' stretches the vocals to a truly cascading chorus. The chorus sounds as if someone is tickling Ana Lola Roman's throat with a fuzzed out record player needle. It takes a bold artist to match the inventiveness of Ana Lola Roman, and TEEEL is just the match. How does one recreate an artist who is already a remarkable collagist? By throwing all those concerns out the window, and jumping into the creative ether right alongside her.
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!
