Mr. Dibiase

great video of L.A. producer Dibiase at his house, making beats.....

The Playlist

Lots of new tunes for free download out there. 2 that have been gracing my iPod a lot.....

First on my list is a dude calling himself "The Charlie Ross Project".



He's a producer/MC from the D.C. area who recorded the project in question in '07, but it didn't see the light of day until now, as a free download. The beats are simple, dilla-like, sample based grooves and the rhymes are intelligent. Literally every song on this EP is quality. My favorite is "Love and Change" where Ross spits the line:

"Homie please believe,
I've got some bangers on my hard drive that need to breathe,
I've seen ya studio fees,
(what?) Dog please,
Bang straight out my crib,
so I can keep my cheese."

That line pretty much sums up where the good hip hop is at these days. Dudes in their basement, cranking out beats and recording vocals on a cheap mic.

download the free EP right HERE



The next is a beatsmith named Devonwho, whose free EP Waves has been steadily felting my mace the past few days. Its instrumental glitch-hop with the L.A. sound. Its wacky, weird, and noisy.



download it right HERE

Free Music: Jash

Was cruising around facebook when I saw a link to this dude's page on Tokimonsta's comments. His most recent mixtape has some real nice space-glitch, and its available for free download through his bandcamp page (which is quickly become my new favorite place to listen to music on the web)

you can listen and download through the player below

check it....

Alex B Podcast "Brain Food"

New podcast from beatsmith Alex B. Lots of unreleased beats from Dibiase, Knxledge, and B himself. Click the HERE to download, courtesy of Brainfeeder. Download this now, it will not disappoint.

setlist:
1. 0:00 Introducing
2. 1:25 Alex B- At Channel One (Unreleased)
3. 4:25 Ziploc- Sushi Caps (Unreleased)
4. 5:40 Knxwledge- Petaluma (Unreleased)
5. 6:45 Count Bass D- Aurul S(ECT)s (Dwight Spitz)
6. 8:04 Devonwho- Zelda (Unreleased)
7. 9:00 Alex B- Wallin (Unreleased)
8. 12:40 Alex B- Metameme STS9 REMIX (Make it Right)
9. 15:21 AFTA 1- Believe (Aftathoughts)
10. 16:16 Alex B- Show Me (Unreleased)
11. 18:10 Get Nice Interlude
12. 18:40 Viktor Vaughn- GMC W/ Eucalyptus (Super Villian)
13. 21:25 Devonwho- Shut it down Remix (WAVES)
14. 24:30 Alex B- You and I Both Know (Unreleased)
15. 27:00 Alex B- Players J Dilla REMAKE (alexbeats.com)
16. 29:35 Alex B- Frankenstein (Unreleased)
17. 32:40 Alex B- Nothing is Always something (Unreleased)
18. 35:10 Heralds Of Change- Asswank (Puzzles EP)
19. 36:15 Alex B- SB (Unreleased)
20. 38:20 Alex B- Hide Extension (Unreleased)
21. 41:35 Alex B- Spain (Unreleased)
22. 44:45 Dibia$e- Be fly (Unreleased)
23. 46:10 OUTRO


original post here

The Downtown Indie Sessions: Ep. 2

Have you ever seen a dude rock an MPC like this? crazy

from Brainfeeder.....

Brainfeeder Sessions Episode 2 from Gerardo Acevedo Jr. on Vimeo.

Free Music: Shlohmo

Get on this quick.

Shlohmo is a 19 year-old beat smith from L.A. proper that knows how to set the mood. His latest EP, "Shlo-fi", dims the musical lights and takes the listener on a meditative and spacious journey through the abstract tunnel of "beat music". The EP is in effect instrumental music, with some spoken word samples that serve more as texture than a listening focus. The beats themselves are freeform and organic, with haunting repetitive phrases that swing back and forth like the timepiece of a hypnotist.

If a comparison had to be made, you might want to lump this guy in with the crew over at Brainfeeder, but his music also has the aesthetic of an individual, existing just as comfortably in simple folk guitar patterns as it does the "stink-face head knod". In short, its some damn good Couch Music, perfect for late-night listening after the after-party or perhaps pumping through some big big headphones on a redeye from Cali to NYC.

Download Shlohmo's EP "Shlo-fi", from the label Error Broadcast, right HERE (Mp3's) or HERE (lossless FLAC)

check out the myspace HERE

The Dorf Matrix: Explaining NPR's Terrible taste in Black Music

When I saw this title, I laughed at loud, remembering all the times i've heard Victor Wooten slap a cheese-filled bass line across NPR's airwaves. I must say I really like NPR and its music programming (probably because I'm a bearded, college-grad white dude, as the article references) but the article does have a good point about NPR's programming in general.

article via Slate's culture blog "browbeat" by writer Jody Rosen:

"In August, National Public Radio's flagship music program All Songs Considered published "The Best Music of 2009 (So Far)," a rundown of the top 30 songs and albums of the year-to-date as voted by the show's listeners.

The results of the survey suggest that the All Songs Considered audience has a fuzzy understanding of the word "all." "The Best Music of 2009 (So Far)" consists almost entirely of indie-rockers: acts like The Decemberists, Wilco, Grizzly Bear, Neko Case, Andrew Bird, Regina Spektor, and Animal Collective, the Brooklyn art-rock group that took the top spot in both the best songs and best albums tallies. On the Best Songs list, there are no songs that cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and none by African-American performers. Two black artists, Danger Mouse and Mos Def, made the Best Albums list, at numbers 20 and 23, respectively.

None of this is a surprise, of course. NPR's audience skews white and college-educated; so does Animal Collective's fan-base. In matters of musical taste, everyone has a God-given right to provincialism and conservatism, even those NPR listeners who consider themselves cosmopolitan and liberal. The numbers, of course, tell a different story. The NPR list leans not just white, but male—dudes with beards and guitars. So far in 2009, the No. 1 song on the Billboard charts has been by a black or female artist—or by groups featuring both blacks and whites or men and women—a total of 41 out of 42 weeks. (The exception is the current No. 1 hit, "Down," a collaboration between an Anglo-Asian R & B singer, Jay Sean, and an African-American rapper, Lil Wayne.) Who are the progressives again—the public radio crowd or the Top 40 great unwashed?"

read the rest of the article HERE

Free Music: The Unusuals

My buddy Eileen over @ Modiba hipped me to these up-and-coming New Yorkers yesterday. Having only listened through their latest EP a couple times, I can't claim to be an expert. What I will say is that the music is fresh, relevant, and uses AutoTune in such a tasteful way, it gives a big EF U to Jay-Z's new single, D.O.A.

The songs seem to do a bit of genre-bending, having folky structures and harmonies with boomy drum samples and ripping synths. Perhaps its what would happen if a few freak-folkers made love with Kraftwerk on the sidewalk of Bedford Avenue (quite an unsanitary place to give birth for sure, but you get the idea).

The band has been kind enough to make both of their EPs available for free download. So what are you waiting for? It's free, it's autotuned, it puts a goofy smile on your face.

Download the debut EP, "As Usual", right over HERE

To check out the new one, entitled "Space and Time", click HERE

check them out on myspace HERE

Slappin Bass with your Feet

leave it to the japanese.....

New Rammstein Video: Pussy

This is certainly not safe for work, maybe not even safe for home. You can be the judge.

Rammstein are back from the depths of Hell, and they're smackin us with their hot new single "Pussy". Listen to this chorus, it's pure poetic genius.

words cannot describe the feelings this video taps into....


Watch 500.000 rock & metal videos on ROCKTUBE

Tangible Sequencer

Beat Building in Kindergarten

No More Radiohead full lengths

In a move that is sure to stir both controversy and delight, Radiohead is abandoning yet another industry standard, the full length album. In an interview with The Believer magazine, Thom Yorke explains why he doesn't see a full-length in Radiohead's future, and why singles are the way to go.

from the Believer Magazine:

THOM YORKE: "I always hated CDs ... I'm happy to see the CD format disappear...None of us want to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again. Not straight off."

THE BELIEVER: In some ways, the way Internet singles work is close to the way things used to be with the music industry in the ’50s, before full-lengths were the thing, and radio singles were what defined artists.

THOM YORKE: "Right, and if you forget about the money issue for just a minute, if it’s possible to do that—because these are people’s livelihoods we’re talking about—and you look at it in terms of the most amazing broadcasting network ever built, then it’s completely different. In some ways, that’s the best way of looking at it. I mean, I don’t spend my fucking life downloading free MP3s, because I hate the websites. No one seems to know what they’re talking about. I’d much rather go to sites like Boomkat, where people know what they’re talking about. "

link HERE

Pondering the Pentatonic

In this video, Bobby McFerrin demonstrates how the pentatonic scale seems to be embedded in our brains, no matter what culture, gender, or age we are.

I think this demonstration sheds light on how musicians learn to improvise with each other in real time: By finding common musical ground and following each others lead; exploiting the knowledge they have of where their musical comrades might be heading to next, and meeting them there.

In a way, this video is like a jam session where Bobby is the soloist and the audience is holding down the chord progression.

so cool

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

Boards of Canada: Roygbiv

Me and my band (Fatty Acid) played this song last night live, and now I can't get it out of my head.

Dilla on Madlib

Jojo Meyer kills it

Painting to Four Tet

Painting by youtuber "cheekychen"
Music by Four Tet

Last.fm Stumble: Dorian Concept

While cruising around the related artists section on my last.fm radio player, I came across the German electronic artist "Dorian Concept". On first listen, I may have pigeonholed him a bit, to the wonky, off kilter glitch-hop scene, which pleased me to say the least (I can't seem to get enough of that "flylo" sound these days). But, after exploring all the youtube and blog links I could get, I found that Dorian Concept is as deep an artist as any.

Wielding the virtuosic abilities of a be-bop piano player, and the technical knowledge of a seasoned audio engineer, Dorian Concept borrows from a multitude of genres and playing styles. Sometimes he'll be playing jazzy licks at a baby grand piano, and other times, twisting fuzzy warbles from the knobs of a MicroKorg synthesizer.

The MicroKorg, however kitchy looking, is an integral part of the Dorian Concept sound, and deserves partial credit for bringing his music into the public eye. It started with a video clip of Dorian Concept at home, filmed from a crappy USB camera, playing one of his songs. The playing was so good in fact, that many people didn't actually believe he was playing it live. Those rumors have since been dismissed, as the guy manages to re-create the sounds of that video in his live shows, with a watchful camera lens projecting a live image of the keyboard to the audience via a projector.

The music in the end is something that can't really be boxed. It has the timbres of progressive electronic music, with the song sensibility of a thoughtful composer.

To give you an idea of the genre-bending I speak of, check out the videos below.

links:
Dorian Concept on Last.fm HERE
Video Interview HERE

Dorian Concept @ FM4 Soundpark, Germany


The viral video that started it all:

iPain

It was only a matter of time before Auto-Tune made it to your iPhone. This incarnation of the software is particularly cool, with the ability to sing along side seasoned auto-tuner T-Pain, and share your robotic serenades with friends. It's yours for $2.99. Pretty good deal considering the studio version costs over three hundred bucks. Check it ....

Talking Heads, Literally

This could quite possibly be the most innovative and well executed video I've ever seen. Simply amazing!

Music by Scratch Perverts
Video by Chris Cairns

check out the story behind the film HERE

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc. from Chris Cairns on Vimeo.

Moldover Releases Album on Circuit Board

Ex-Brooklynite Music Masher "Moldover" is finally releasing his album of original music. As some of ya'll know, Moldover is known for his customized MIDI controllers and Circuit-bent noise makers. He's taken that idea one step further with the packaging for his new album.

take a look and see for yourself....



head over to www.moldover.com to stream the new album.

R.I.P. N.I.N.

After 20 years of giving you nightmares, Nine Inch Nails is calling it quits.

The band's leader and founder, Trent Reznor, has been in the news in recent years publicizing his alternative music distribution concepts, and has been an outspoken critic of the commercial music industry.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the band musically, but I always appreciate reading Trent's commentary on the music busniess and his forecast for where he thinks things are headed. Some articles of note:

His Advice to Independent Artists trying to find their Audience
Reznor Slams Labels for State of Industry (Rolling Stone)
Reznor talks about the Price of Albums

NIN will be having a last hoorah in New York this week, with sold out shows around the city.

Next up is Terminal 5, tonight and tomorrow. Don't even think about finding any extra tickets.

1000 Brown M&M's

Ever wonder what your favorite stars ask for in their dressing room?

TheSmokingGun.Com has a great archive of musicians backstage requirements. T-Pain likes 2 bottles of Patron, Jay-Z needs a Maybach Benz, and Lady Gaga always has to have some deli meats sans "sweaty cheese".

Click HERE to view the archive

The Bus Driver Spits Heat

"Coon Talk" BUSDRIVER (VisionVersion) from dublab on Vimeo.

New Music: Hudson Mohawke

The new ill hip hop isn't straight outta Compton, it's straight out of Scotland.

Hudson Mohawke, aka Hud Mo, is a young up-and-coming producer set to release his first EP, entitled "Butter", in late 2009. Hud Mo started out as a young DJ in Scotland and, in 2007, was spotted by the folks at Warp and signed on to release an album of original music.

The tracks sound Dirty. Heavy. With incredibly deep pocket beats and glitchy blippy and beeps that are sure to make your head bounce.

check out the myspace HERE

release info and dates HERE

Yeeeeehaaaaaaaw!

The faster chickin picker in the west!

R.I.P. Les Paul

Les passed away today.

from the New York Times...

"Les Paul, the virtuoso guitarist and inventor whose solid-body electric guitar and recording studio innovations changed the course of 20th-century popular music, died Thursday in White Plains, N.Y. . He was 94.

The cause was complications of pneumonia, the Gibson Guitar Corporation and his family announced. .

Mr. Paul was a remarkable musician as well as a tireless tinkerer. He played guitar alongside leading prewar jazz and pop musicians from Louis Armstrong to Bing Crosby. In the 1930s he began experimenting with guitar amplification, and by 1941 he had built what was probably the first solid-body electric guitar, although there are other claimants. With his guitar and the vocals of his wife, Mary Ford, he used overdubbing, multitrack recording and new electronic effects to create a string of hits in the 1950s."

FULL ARTICLE HERE

MySpace Stumble: "Free the Robots"

I often find myself wandering around myspace, linking to "Top Friends" or bands that comment. Most of the time, you get some run-of-the-mill, lo-fi, bedroom demo bands; but every once in a while, you stumble on something awesome. Thus the name of this post, of which I plan on doing more of, is "MySpace Stumble".

This week, while looking through the pals of Flying Lotus (who happens to be playing Terminal 5 in a few weeks, whoop whoop) I saw an ominous picture of a Fedora-Clad Skull, with the words "Free the Robots". I clicked the link and, as a result, went through each and every song on the player of beat-mangler Chris Alfara a.k.a. "Free the Robots".

It's hard to find any hard copy releases of his stuff anywhere, but from reading the details on his myspace, he is in the process of recording his first full-length. With just over 1 million plays and no full length out, the dude is obviously getting around the airwaves.

There is an EP that is available for download, that you can get by clicking HERE or find it on iTunes.

My favorite track so far: On the myspace player called "Mad Different Methods", with some hilarious Method Man samples that makes me yearn for a seat on the couch.

dig it on myspace HERE

The SealCast: Episode 2

A brand new Seal Cast just washed up on shore, sure to please. Expect frantic Drum and Bass and piercing Seal wails.

Follow the link, and download Episode 002, 6.29.09

Stop needless Clubbing, enjoy it from the comfort of your own home.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Zeo Keating: Avant-Garde Cello

Zoe Keating is awesome. The video speaks for itself. Check her out in a town near you.

Musicians Find Backers as Labels Wane

from The New York Times, July 21st, 2009.....

"There was a time when most aspiring musicians had the same dream: to sign a deal with a major record label.

Now, with the structure of the music business shifting radically, some industry iconoclasts are sidestepping the music giants and inventing new ways for artists to make and market their music — without ever signing a traditional recording contract.

The latest effort comes from Brian Message, manager of the alternative band Radiohead, which gave away its last album, “In Rainbows,” on the Internet. His venture, called Polyphonic, which was announced this month, will look to invest a few hundred thousand dollars in new and rising artists who are not signed to record deals and then help them create their own direct links to audiences over the Internet."

FULL STORY HERE

Warp20 New York: Battles, Prefuse73, !!!

A monstrous concert is heading to NYC.

In celebration of Warp Records 20th Birthday, the label is bringing their big guns to NYC's Terminal 5 and putting on a monster of a show.

Headlining the date is the post-rock/big beat/face-melters "Battles". Embarrassingly, I've only been hip to these guys for the past couple months, but it's a live show that I've been salivating over since I heard the song B+T off of the "EP B/C EP" Record.

Supporting the main act is the avant-garde beat juggler Prefuse 73, !!!, and Pivot, along with Warp DJs filling in the gaps between sets.

There will also be a screening of some Warp Films, including some of the label's legendary music videos from the past 20 years.

Tickets go ON SALE TODAY, so don't miss out!

More info @ the Terminal 5 website

click on the bands to sample tracks:
Battles
Prefuse73
!!!
Pivot

The Deli Sells Out

If you're a New Yorker who likes indie music, chances are you've heard of the Deli Magazine, an online and hardcopy publication that discusses independent local music. The Deli is one of those blogs that aims to set trends, discover new talent, and remain free from the commercial and played-out strategies of the "mainstream music industry". For a second there, I thought it was just that. It's something of a Brooklyn Vegan or Stereogum, always looking to write about that group that no one has ever heard of.

The site constantly had reviews of new bands from all genres, and it was usually pretty good. I had noticed that just about all of the reviews were really positive, but I figured it was because they didn't care to write about stuff that didn't interest them. I was so wrong.

Then, to my horror, I got this message in my inbox.

" Subject: "NYC bands, affordble Deli rates!"

Message: "The Deli has some super discounted rates just for you for our Summer Issue, out in early July.

Here are some plans including both print and web starting at $99.

OPTION #1, $595
- Full page color ad in the mag
- 1 month ad on the website (in The Deli's Shortcut Blogads space) 30k impressions guaranteed
- banner ad in 2 weekly email newsletters (out to about 5k subscribers)
- complementary blog entry about one of the band's shows" "

Notice the tagline, "complementary blog entry"...

So essentially, for a little bit of cash, the Deli writers will show up to one of your shows and post a review. Doesn't this seem a little off? How are you going to write an unbiased review when the band is paying you to do so? If The Deli really claims to be a source for honest independent music, how can they expect their readers to respect their opinion after learning this?

It would be like President Obama paying a reporter to attend a speech of his and write a review. Even if the writer did claim to be objective, would anyone believe him? No, and they shouldn't.

So now when I read the Deli, how do I figure out who paid to be written about, and who was actually worthy of a glowing review? Answer: I can't.

If I want to know what a band thinks about themselves, I'll go to their myspace. And if I want to know what a real journalist thinks about them, I won't go to The Deli.

read more bullshit @ www.thedelimagazine.com

"Love Lockdown" FlyLo Remix

When I heard the original version of this song, I thought it was some kind of joke. This remix redeems it 10-fold.

Never Gunna Give You Up

the amazing thing about this video is that this stuff used to be cool

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Uploaded by trashfan. - See the latest featured music videos.

I'll Be There

say what you will about his nose and chin, but the dude could sing.

New Imogen Heap is coming

Imogen Heap (aka Frou Frou) is finally done with her record. After 2 years of listening to "mmmmmm what cha say" over and over again, there's finally something new to dig your teeth into.

I had always wondered how involved she was in the production process, and judging by this video she's no stranger to ProTools.

Here she is, in a delightfully wacky outfit, talking about the creative process that went into the new album.




also, this live performance of "Just for Now" is friggin stunning, click HERE

Cut Chemist Digs for Gold

Pete Rock rockin the MPC

Warp Records celebrates 20 years

This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Warp Records, in my opinion the greatest and most influential record label today. They broke artists like Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Autechre, Boards of Canada, and Battles. In celebration of 20 years, Warp has put together a special box set.

This thing is quite a collection. New Music, Old Music, remixes, Vinyl; it's got everything! For the somewhat reasonable price of 150 bones, here's what you can expect:

Warp20 (1989-2009) The Complete Catalogue: 192 page book
10” square, 192 page full-colour, perfect-bound book. The complete-ist’s dream – a catalogue of artwork of every Warp release from its inception in 1989 to August 2009. Includes artwork from over 400 sleeves including work by the Designers Republic, Julian House, Build, Universal Everything and Kim Hiorthøy amongst others. Foreword by Warp co-founder Steve Beckett. Black un-coated board cover with debossed and foiled typography.

Warp20 (Chosen): Double CD album
The definitive best of Warp on 2 x CDs. Ten songs chosen by you (Warp20.net), ten songs chosen by Warp co-founder Steve Beckett. Packaged in deluxe case-bound 10” folder, exclusive to this box set. Your personal messages and memories from Warp20.net featured on pullout poster.

Warp20 (Recreated): Double CD album
2 x CDs featuring twenty brand new cover versions of Warp songs by Warp artists past and present; including tracks by Autechre, Harmonic 313, Jamie Lidell, Plaid, Clark, Maximo Park, Leila, Seefeel, Luke Vibert and more… Packaged in deluxe case-bound 10” folder exclusive to this box set.

Warp20 (Unheard): Triple 10” Vinyl
Secret treasures newly rediscovered from the Warp vaults. Unheard and rare tracks by Boards of Canada, Autechre, Broadcast, Elecktroids and others cut to 3 x 10” vinyl. Housed in uncoated card sleeves with debossed typography. Vinyl exclusive to Warp20 (Box Set).

Warp20 (Elemental): CD album
Specially-commissioned hour long piece by re-edit master Osymyso, made from sections, samples, and fragments of Warp music from the last 20 years. Exclusive to Warp20 (Box Set) and packaged in deluxe case bound 10” folder.

Warp20 (Infinite): Double 10” Vinyl
2 x 10” vinyl cuts of hand-picked locked-groove loops from Warp tracks. Four sides of loops for mixing fun. Exclusive to Warp20 (Box Set) and housed in uncoated card sleeves with debossed covers.

I know i'm ordering one. You can too, by clicking HERE.

Mountains: Towers of Ambience

You know when someone gives you a CD and you don't listen to it for a month or two? I love that. It's like finding this little diamond in your bedroom that up until that point, you thought might have been a lump of coal.

Such is the case with the album "Choral" from ambient Duo Mountains. I was working with one of the members of few months back at a Sound Studio in Times Square. As I left work one day he passsed along a copy of his then new CD "Choral". It got a nice spot in my CD rack at home, but for some reason, never made it into the player.

After a good long while of being wedged in between Matmos "The West" and Squarepusher's "Just a Souvenir", "Choral" made it out of the rack and into the CD player. How silly I feel now knowing that this beautiful album of soundscapes escaped me for so long.

Each track builds its textures and moods at a snail's pace, like a budding flower slowly reaching towards the sky. The sonic palettes are compromised of, as the liner notes state: Guitar, Harmonica, Melodica, Accordian, Cello, Piano, Organ, Voice, Synth, Field Recordings, etc. all played by 2 people: Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp (I think I bought something at IKEA named that..)

All in all, the album is a beautiful collection of lush ambient songs, perfect for spacing out late at night, or some deep meditation.

Mountains was kind enough to post an Mp3 for free download, which you can get by clicking right HERE.

Visit the Myspace HERE

Cop the album in its entirety HERE

SealCast Vol. 1

My man DeadGeoff just posted his first installment of "The SealCast". A slinky mix of Fuzzy Hip-Hop, Techno, Dance, Drum and Bass, Glitch, and all the weird noisy shit in between.

Like a good coaster at Six-Flags, this jawn is NFTFOH (not for the faint of heart)

click HERE to download

hardlink HERE

expect another post when Vol. 2 dropz

Free Cougar

I can't say enough good thangs about these dudes. The music is fresh, like fresher than a spicy italian footlong at Subway, dig?

In preparation for the late summer release of their new album "Patriot", Cougar is giving away a free mp3 of the first track "Stay Famous". Expect roaring guitar textures draped over driving heavy drums, with a fat fat bass line to boot.

Click HERE to download. Go on, it's mutha effin FREEEEEEEEE.

Video Game Music: Amon Tobin and Infamous

A very interesting and inspiring video detailing the creation of the music for the new PS3 game "Infamous".

The game company enlisted Amon Tobin, among other composers and sound designers, to write the score for the immersive shoot-em-up. The recording techniques are quite reminiscent of Tobin's album "Foley Room", where the break-beat producer took foleyed real world sounds and built musical songs around them.

I can't claim to be all that much of a video game buff, but I would consider playing this thing just for the soundtrack. Judging by the sounds they explore in the video, it's going to Dee Oh Pee Eeee.

For more about Amon Tobin's "Foley Room", there's a two part mini-doc about how he went about making it.

Part One
Part Two

Guitar Affair: The NetFlix of Gitbox Rental

Ever wanted to rock out on a Custom Re-Issue Les Paul on your vacation in Cali, but don't feel like lugging your sweet gear around the airport?

How about trying out a Vintage Strat in the comfort of your own home, without the drowning tones of Guitar Center clouding your discerning ears?

Enter, Guitar Affair. This new instrument rental service offers high-end guitar rentals, delivered to your door, hotel room, or vacation spot anywhere in the world. You can choose from a huge variety of seriously sweet axes. Guitars also ship to you with headphone amps, cables, and even instructional videos if you like. When you're done ripping the jams, just toss (not literally) it back into the case it came in, put the prepaid mailing sticker on, and you're good to go.

If you end up growing attached to the instrument you're auditioning, you can eventually purchase it from Guitar Affair. (although seeing some of the price tags may make you think twice)

Browse the catalog HERE

Learn more about how it works HERE

www.GuitarAffair.com

Classic Video: Jaco plays Tracy

Jaco Pastorius plays "Portraits of Tracy"

Who's Got my Super-Heady-Jam-Tronica...for FREE?

Right ovah here bra! Papadosio is Ohio's answer to the newly emerging Jam-Tronica scene (is that what they're calling it, or did I make that up?) Taking the lead from bands like Disco Biscuits, Sound Tribe Sector Nine, and Eoto, Papadosio blends ripping synth arrpegiations, tight crisp drums, and....of course.....super heady guitar solos.

In the spirit of all things Jam, Papadosio is giving away their new E.P. "By the Light of the Stars" for FREEEEEEEE! (WEEEEEEEEE!) So go ahead CLICK HERE and download the thing, there's no reason not to.

They're doing the festival thing this summer, and chances are they're playing a CrunchFest near you. So go on, Pop a Dose Yo!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE E.P. "BY THE LIGHT OF THE STARS"

CHECK OUT THE MYSPACE

Free Erlend Oye from Dublab

Some may know him from the Normwegian Folk duo, Kings Of Convenience. Others, perhaps heard his vocals grace the dance-able club bangers of Röyksopp and The Whitest Boy Alive. Whatever the setting Erlend Oye's voice sounds pure, moving, and undeniable. The first time I heard his song "Misread", I was hooked.

The kind folks at dublab.com have recorded a solo concert of Erlend at their studios in L.A., and posted it for free download for us mere mortals. The set in question is Erlend and an acoustic guitar, doin it solo, and kicks off with the mellowest Purple Rain i've ever heard. Grab it down, slap it on the ole' iPod, and enjoy a day outside with Mr. Oye singing the soundtrack.

DOWNLOAD THE SHOW HERE (OPTION + CLICK)

LINK TO DUBLAB'S PAGE HERE

MORE ERLEND OYE HERE

The Focus Group - Reflected Message

put down the phone for a second, open a window, and space out....

Auto-Tune and You

Ever wonder why T-Pain sounds like a robot? (I don't think it's the Nuvo...) Every wonder why untalented bimbos somehow manage to sing perfectly in tune?

It's called Auto-Tune, and whether you know it or not, I'm almost positive you've heard in some form or another. Perhaps it's the drastic "T-Pain" effect that graces the chorus of most contemporary popular hip hop, or maybe the (not always so) subtle tuning of a bubblegum pop star's verse.

Although artistically it has somewhat ominous implications, the technology of it is fascinating. It continues to shape the way performers think of recording vocals, and the expectations of those who listen.

PBS has a nice radio-style webisode interviewing the creator of the Antares Auto-Tune software, Andy Hildebrand. It's AutoTune for dummies, and if you haven't looked a little deeper into how the software does what it does, you gotta check it out.

CLICK HERE to load the PBS show.

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Autotune the News

get LOVE from akudama...on their dime

More free indie rock fer yer earbuds. This month, Akudama hits us with a track off of their Johnny Appleseed E.P. called "Love". Along with it, a bouncy club banger entitled "Wilted Flower" from aku-side-project Neon Glitter Bliss.

Follow the links for some free downloads. They've also put the recording stems up for download, in hopes of some rocking remixes coming their way. If they get some they like, it will be included in future free E.P. releases. And next time you're in NYC on a Saturday, stop by Spike Hill Music Club in Williamsburg: There's a 85% chance they're playing a show, and a 95% chance guitar player Calvin Pia will be there eating a burger with avocado.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE LOVE E.P.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE STEMS OF "LOVE" TO REMIX

Past Free Releases:
The Arctic Jog E.P.
Fireflies E.P.

Akudama playing "Love" with Daddy Pia @ Spike Hill

Phish Still Rocks

I know what you're thinking. Isn't everyone over Phish already? Aren't they soooo 5 years ago? Jon, you're just a stupid hippie. Maybe, Maybe not. They did manage to sell out every single show on their tour this summer, and 2 nights ago at Jones Beach, they rocked the effing house.

Yes there were bro's high fiving during guitar solos, yes it was hard to breathe because of the patchouli/ganja combo floating through the air, and yes, perhaps the lyrics to their songs are somewhat "cheesy". With all the stigma draped conspicuously over our eyes, Trey, Mike, Fish, and Page played a surprisingly tight-as-hell set.

Highlights included a drawn out "Reba" jam, and a super-heady "Harry Hood" that sent chills up and down my spine (Yes, it was Trey induced goosebumps, now known as Troosebumps). The ease with which the band jumped from Funk to Blues to Rock and back convinced me once again that Phish is one of the greatest and most talented bands playing today.

At the risk of sounding completely lame: seeing the crowd and vibes being passed around at the show almost made we want to put my tie dye back on and hit the road this summmer...almost..

All in all: The jams were heady, the crowd was crunchy, and the pretzels were $8. It was a complete pleasure seeing the band again after all these years, and I hope I can sneak my way into another one in the very near future.

They play 2 more shows @ "the beach", then head off around the country for the beef of their tour.

DOWNLOAD THE SHOW here

SEE THE DATES here

more phish stuff HERE



Related Posts:
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Breakfast @ Sulimay's: Old People Listen to Music too!

Ok, so maybe i'm the 1 frillionth blog to feature these webisodes, but fuck it, this stuff is straight up hilarious, and I HAVE to share it.

The concept is simple. Go to a rural diner in (almost) middle America, pass around an iPod with "hip" music on it, then film the reactions. The director has honed in on 3 painfully normal people, all 50+, who have probably never heard of the word hipster, think Vampire Weekend is when Halloween falls on a Saturday, and think Animal Collective is some kind of pet cemetery.

This one hits close to home, as these reactions are almost identical to the ones I got from my grandparents when I gave them a copy of my album.

Interestingly enough, the reviews are somewhat refreshing. There's no high-brow blogger bullshit clouding the integrity of the review. They're not concerned with image, myspace playlist counts, or how "undiscovered" someone is. And although most of the bands get panned, there are some surpisingly positive reviews along the way (the lady in the middle LOVED Young Jeezy).

So here it is, in all it's glory: Breakfast at Sulimay's. The episode below takes a crack at describing Young Jeezy and Animal Collective.



CHECK OUT ALL 23 EPISODES HERE

p.s. Thin Mints are the best!

Sweet Axe

Click Here to see 20 of the sweetest guitars ever made.

Free Music: Akudama

In an effort to undermine everything the RIAA stands for, Akudama is giving away new free tracks every month this summer. Last time, we were hit hard with Arctic Jog, and the ubiquitous Fatty Acid remix.

This time around, a new tune called "Fireflies", which was tracked last year in a secluded Massachusetts barn. Complete with lush, heady string arrangements, I like to listen to this song with headphones on in New York City at night. It fools me into thinking i'm out in the country.

Track #2 is an oldie of theirs, something that was tracked long before the band was doing their almost-weekly show in Williamsburg. It's called "We have Stars" and it has the lovely (somehow nostalgia inducing) sound of a 90's digital multi-track recorder.

Hurry, there's only a few days left in May, after which these puppies make their way to the iTunes store.

Click HERE to go to the download page. C'mon, it's FREEEEEEEEE.

For more Akudama, visit www.akudamamusic.com

CDs on their way back?

from wired.com

"TuneCore is poised to partner with Amazon’s on-demand CD-printing-and-distribution service, Wired.com has learned. It’s a deal that could put powerful new physical publishing options in the hands of musicians, even as the world goes increasingly digital.

The service is expected to be announced Thursday, linking Amazon with TuneCore, a novel digital distribution startup that’s made waves signing the likes of Trent Reznor, Keith Richards and other stars seeking a way out of the label system, as well as slews of garage bands and hopefuls on their way up."

full story HERE

The death of Gaga

If this spread doesn't put the nail in her coffin, I don't know what will. As wittily remarked by Gaga herself, "“I don’t feel like I look like the other perfect little pop singers. I think I’m changing what people think is sexy.”

hahahaha, this is sexy? riiiiiiiiiight.



wait! on second thought, I kinda do wanna get down with a fart bubble mime....

NOT SAFE FOR WORK! Flying Lotus "Parisian Goldfish"

This is 100% NSFW, 100% LOL, 100% WTF? Video by the Tim and Eric dudes set to flying lotus's "parisian goldfish". I don't know what to say about this one, its just straight up weird.

New Videos: Daedelus and Tortoise

Enjoy!

Daedelus "La Nocturn"

Daedelus LA Nocturn by Eli Stonberg from Alfred Darlington on Vimeo.

Tortoise "Prepare Your Coffin"

Cougar EPK...Album coming this Summer

Every morning on my way to work, I see ads for the new Bravo show called "The Cougar". This premise is obvious to those hip to the urban dictionary. (kinda hot) Older woman has younger men compete for her heart, in painfully scripted competitions.

If only Bravo knew that the above use of the word is sooooooo last year. So what does Cougar bring to mind now that we've put the slur to death? Cougar means HEADY INSTRUMENTAL "EMERGENCY ROCK".

This summer, my new favorite band Cougar will be dropping a heavy, heavy new album. (a follow up to the stellar "law") Ninja Tune (the mighty fine label that represents such juggernauts as Amon Tobin and Bonobo) was lucky enough to grab these dudes and will be unleashing the flood gates also known as "Patriot" in August.

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy, and let me tell you, this shit ROCKS. My favorite is a tune called Rhinelander, which incorporates lush vocal harmonies set to latin scripture (I know, sounds weird, but it just works, ok?)

I could draw comparisons to bands like Tortoise, Jaga Jazzist, Four Tet, or maybe even Battles; but I won't because they are unique in their own right.

Taste the EPK, and count the days till August. More Links below the vid



Links:
The Website
Myspace
Youtube Vids

NPR's "Wild Card" Beat Box World Champion

so, a few days back I found out that chicks make beats, and then last night my girlfriend informs me that not only do they make beats on the ole computer, but they beatbox as well. In fact, NPR just gave the beatbox crown to a 17 year old lady from Canada. Mighty fine to see the ladies making their mark on the more abstract world of hip hop. Check it. The skillz are redonkulous.



although clearly not a woman, the first runner up is also quite skilled...

follow up post: LIGHTWORKS

so my roomate insisted I put the last post in perspective, specifically with regards to pumping J Dilla's LightWorks, or should I say, Raymond Scott's "Lightworks". The source material that Dilla liberally sampled from is a track by Raymond Scott (b. 1908), a cartoon composer and apparent inventor who had occasional stints playing with synthesizers. Here is the original, in all it's glory.

what's on my playlist

so it's been quite a while since a post. between working, writing new music, and assembling IKEA furniture, I haven't had a moment to blab to all you lovely people. In hopes that this initial effort will get me back in the swing of things, here's a list of stuff i'm currently listening to (some old, some new) with links so you can get down too.

LUKID:
This is one of my favorite new finds. I think it was Pandora that blessed me with his presence, while searching for music similar to "Flying Lotus". There I am, minding my own business, and on pops a song called Isis, a mangled, off-kilter, subsonic beat that fu*ked my mind so hard, I had to step out for a smoke when the track finally finished.

It's not hip hop, it's not typical electronica, it's not really break-beat, it's just Lukid. From last.fm, " Lukid is Luke Blair. He is from North London. He is not related to Tony Blair. Lukid makes music on his computer. So far he has released an album called ‘Onandon’, an EP called ‘The Now’, and another album called ‘Foma.’ These platters were released on a record label called ‘Werk Discs."

So, not that much bio info out there. All I know is he's a grad of an English Music Technology collegiate program, moved to London, and subsequently started cranking out absolutely ridiculous electronic music.

Get on this shit now, while he's still "underground", ur whatever.

LINKS:
LUKID ON MYSPACE
LISTEN TO THE TRACK "ISIS"

HRVATSKI:
OK, this music is not for the faint of heart. Hrvatski, otherwise known as Keith Fullerton Whitman, is a mad scientist of drum breaks and noise. Although much of the music he releases under his "christian" name might be called ambient or drone, Hrvatski slaps you across the face with abrasive distortions, warped melodies, and relentless drums.

Think Squarepusher's "Go Plastic" with a sense of humor. It's drum and bass for the ADD nation. And it's soo soo good. Wanna have nightmares tonight? just pop on THIS TRACK, and take some tylenol PM.

LINKS:
Hrvatski on LAST.FM
Keith's informative but incredible out of date website

thanks is due to my roomate Mike, who popped this stuff on one evening when my mind was capable of absorbing it.


J DILLA:
This one is an oldie but a goodie. If you don't know who J Dilla is (aka Jay Dee) I don't know what to say. You should know, you need to know, you damn well ought to know. Often called "your favorite producer's favorite producer", the late, great J Dilla is known for his signature sound and undeniable groove with the MPC. His beats have backed every rapper worth talking about, and his tunes continue to inspire years after his death.

The reason I'm listening so much these days? One word, LIGHTWORKS! By far my favorite track off his album Donuts. It's featured as a beat on the new MF Doom album, but deserves to be heard sans MC.

Support good music, and the Lupas charity his album profits go towards and pick up the record.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger FAN VIDEO

One of the best fan videos i've ever seen. There's kind of a long intro, but it's so worth the wait.

Free Pretty Lights

More free music for ya'll today, this time from Electro Remixer "Pretty Lights". In a lovely act of kindness Mr. Pretty Lights has released his newest release to the public free of charge. (an apt move on his part so he doesn't have to clear the boatload of vintage samples heard on the album)

Pretty Lights makes glitched out dance party music with heavy kick drums and stuttering vocals; a sound that brings the energy of Daft Punk with the technical skills of a nerdy laptop muscian. Although teetering on the brink of "frat boy techno", the music manages to stay in the realm of cool with decisive sample choice and heavy but careful processing.

I came across his tunes when he opened for Jam/Electronic juggernauts Sound Tribe Sector Nine at Bowery Ballroom a couple months back. From beginning to end, the dude had the whole audience bouncing along with the club friendly beats. All that was onstage was the man himself, dressed in fitting white-boy-urban-cool threads and a box with tons of little red lights. Pretty Lights performs with a laptop and a monome, a grid of midi assignable LED buttons (perhaps this is partly the reason for his namesake.) This device lets him control sample playback via Ableton Live (i'm assuming) along with a host of other effects he drops in and out.

There's plenty of music to go around, with three discs worth of tunes available for free download via his website.

Click HERE to download disc one of "Filling up the Skies"

Disk two is right HERE

and click HERE to download "Taking up your Precious Time"

To get a better idea of how Pretty Lights brings the tunes to life live, check out the video below.



For more, visit him on myspace @ www.myspace.com/prettylights