Sundtrak

By Tom

So this is actually the first guest post on this blog from Cassette Culture. His mixtape is based on remixes of Australian electro-pop artists, something which I've definitely been ignoring lately. Thanks for the guest post.

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Now if anybody actually said "Psychedelic Australian Electro-Pop" to me vocally I think I'd recoil in horror, but apart from actually listening to the music I'm about to talk about, it's probably the best way to describe it.

Over the last few months there's been a burst of activity from these bands that seem to be, for the large part, based in Sydney or Melbourne. Excitingly for us, these guys have all started remixing each other's stuff. Double the fun.

Here's a couple of tracks from the front runners of this Australian revolution – Cut Copy and Ladyhawke. Midnight Juggernauts have produced a slightly less dancefloor friendly, more psychedelic remix of Cut Copy's "Hearts on Fire" whilst Van She Tech have transformed Ladyhawke's Van Halen esque "Back of the Van" into an infectious dancefloor pounder. Enjoy yourselves.


Cut Copy – Hearts On Fire (Midnight Juggernauts Remix)
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Ladyhawke – Back Of The Van (Van She Tech Turbo Fire Engine Remix)
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Sunny day on the crowded beach, jolly road trip with friends, kids playing on the playground,bright fireworks...That's Ra Ra Riot.

Five young and handsome musicians from New York are just at the beginning of their own history,but they had already had an experience of perfoming on big stages (like SXSW) with such cool figures as Art Brut, Tokyo Police Club, The Cribs and Editors.

These guys went through a fair amount of difficulties before this debut album . The death of their drummer and friend John Pike ,who was found drowned by the sea after a show in Massachusetts, was a real shock for everyone but they didn't break up and kept on playing together.

The main instrumental parts are played by cello and violin. When you hear it you imagine jumping musicians, ragged horsehair on fiddlesticks... and wow, surprise- it's two cute girls are doing all that! Moreover, there are flatter vocals, death and ghosts under rocks in lyrics, unobtrusive guitars and tolling keyboards. Everything that today's American indie-rock needs.
For those who like comparisons: they sometimes sound a bit like Arcade Fire receiving melody cards from Vampire Weekend, but still their songs don't make an impression of something you've already heard before.

Official release date is August 19th so you can buy it now at Amazon


Ra Ra Riot - Dying is fine
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Ra Ra Riot - Too Too Too Fast
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Ra Ra Riot - Suspended In Gaffa
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lastnightsparty

The first track was in yesterday's post, it was in the Justice mix. Justice actually did something clever with the track, or maybe Soulwax did originally, but instead of 'superstar djs' they switched it to '2manydjs', well at least I thought it was clever. Now I'll let you discover the original by The Chemical Brothers, but here's the remix by Soulwax. Fantastic original and remix. And I know this track will get completely destroyed in the music blogosphere, in a good way. Second is fresh from the inbox, the Shook remix of Division Kent. Absolutely love this track. I know I promised to post more about these guys a long time ago, I'll keep up with that promise soon. And lastly, the Fred Falke remix of The Energies. Lifelike also made a remix of the same track that I suggest you check out. To post or not to post...


The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy, Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix)
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Division Kent - L'Heure Blue (Shook Remix)
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The Energies - Born Again Runner (Fred Falke Remix)
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I decided that I wouldn't be doing you justice for not posting the Justice at Ibiza mix, excuse the pun. Heard parts of it on BBC Radio 1 Live in Ibiza. Not really sure if they played the whole set on the radio, I'm sure they did though I didn't want to spend 8 hours of my weekend to find out. Anyways, here's the full thing which I wish I could give props to for posting, but I'm not sure who did. I think it's a good look at one of Justice's sides, we heard their creative and unique tracklist side in their rejected Fabric Mix, this is more suitable for the clubs which Ibiza was that weekend. Not that this mix didn't have a creative tracklist, but it's something I'm more used to which is always good.

1. Donna Summer - Dim All the Lights
2. Justice - Waters of Nazareth
3. ?
4. Party Shank - Penis VS Vagina (Lies In Disguise Remix)
5. Prodigy - Girls
6. ?
7. Don Rimini - Let Me Back Up (Crookers Tetsujin Remix)
8. Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix)
9. Brodinski - Bad Runner
10. Bill Withers - She wants to (get on down)
11. Les Petits Pilous - Wake Up
12. Mr Oizo - Bruce Willis is Dead
13. Mr Oizo - Flat Beat
14. 20 Fingers - Short Dick Man (Disco Villains Remix)
15. Alex Gopher - Dust
16. Justice - Phantom Pt. 2 (Soulwax Remix)
17. Gonzales - Working Together (Boys Noize Remix)
18. Boys Noize - &Down (Extended mix)

Justice - Live at Amnesia Ibiza (02-08-2008)

Included three tracks, two of which I'd like to give props to Hot Biscuits for having. First track is the Crookers remix of Don Rimini. Maybe one of the first Crookers tracks I enjoyed. An absolute podium finish for the Soulwax remix of Justice's Phantom Pt. 2, though it might be because this was one of my favorite tracks by Justice. Soulwax definitely kept a lot of the elements of this track in tact. There's some additional bass lines and vocals, I do really do like the additions to the track. It's more epic. And lastly, the Disco Villains remix of 20 Fingers. Yikes, this makes me disappointed in myself for not having posted Disco Villains yet.


Don Rimini - Let Me Back Up (Crookers Tetsujin Remix)
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Justice - Phantom Pt.2 (Soulwax Remix)
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20 Fingers - Short Dick Man (Disco Villains Remix)
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lastnightsparty

This is your weekend update. First is a new remix by LA Riots of The Ting Tings which is downloadable at RCRD LBL, I have the link below. I haven't really touched on LA Riots for a while now, really started to miss them. It's just what the track needed, a little bit of dirty electro. The next two remixes are done by the same guys called Aeroplane, a duo based in Belgium. I'm completely sure how to describe the track, they're kind of groove of psychedelic as their Myspace so eloquently describes it. Their remixes of MGMT and Cut Copy.


The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (LA Riots Remix)
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MGMT - Electric Feel (Aeroplane Remix)
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Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (Aeroplane POP Mix)
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Music for models to do their hair to, Clubfeet met under a single umbrella during an electrical storm in Australia. Doesn't make much sense now, but not to worry, once you hit play it will all come together. Clubfeet couples soft electronica with clever, haunting, and often humorous lyrics. Think music you can walk down a runway to while banana cream pies are hurled at your face...

"Cafe Diem" is the tentative title of their debut release so keep your ears to the ground.


Clubfeet - Last Words
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Clubfeet - Die Yuppie Scum
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Clubfeet - Choc Bomb
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Keenhouse is at it again with a new mixtape, Disco To Disco. I actually couldn't find much information on this mixtape so, I assume it's new Ken? I've posted his music before and I think I like it too much. In a good way of course. Anyways, this mix has two faces to it; it starts out with what you'd normally expect from Keenhouse with the retro sound and it goes right into electro/dance towards the end. Smooth mix, not many mixes I've liked lately but this went past my high standards. Check it.

1. Sunlinxx - For A Better Future
2. Tony Lee - Love So Deep (Instrumental)
3. Starpoint - Wanting You (Romeo Erotic Remix)
4. Thomas Bangalter - Colossus (Phantom's Revenge Rework - FutureFlashs Live Re-Edit)
5. Ben Mono - Jesus Was A B Boy (Moulinex Remix)
6. Bag Raiders - Nil By Mouth (Knightlife Remix)
7. Division Kent - L'Heure Bleue (Keenhouse Remix)
8. Young Monday - Russiya
9. Human Electric - Borderlinn
10. Division Kent - In The Headlights (Melnyk Is Behind The Wheel Remix)
11. Daroc - Birth
12. International Music System - Nonline
13. Break Machine - Street Dance (4TrackZ Remix)
14. Vivek Shraya- If We're Not Talking (Ben Mono Remix)
15. Minitel Rose - Elevator
16. Let's Get Invisible - The Spices Of Love Chesty (Turbo P Remix)
17. Love Motel - Cosmic Love (Grum Remix)
18. The Count Of Monte Cristal - Dub More Forward (Original)
19. Hercules And Love Affair - You Belong (Riton Rerub)
20. The Sidestreet Players - Aquarius (E.B.E. Remix)
21. Trickski - Hormony

Keenhouse - Disco To Disco

Included three tracks from the mixes, one track I wish I had is 'Division Kent - In The Headlights (Melnyk Is Behind The Wheel Remix)', but it hasn't been released yet so keep an eye out for Melnyk and Division Kent. I actually have two Ben Mono tracks, first of which is a Moulinex remix. All things you should expect from Moulinex, sometimes I wonder why this guy isn't bigger than he is. Sounds more French house strangely. Second track is from a a group called Minitel Rose, an electro trio who I've sadly looked over in the past. They almost remind me of a mix of Daft Punk and Justice, in modern form. Expect to see more of them from me. And lastly, the Ben Mono remix of Vivek Shraya. A rather strange track with a thick bass beat.


Ben Mono - Jesus Was A B-Boy (Moulinex Remix)
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Minitel Rose - Elevator
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Vivek Shraya - If we're not talking (Ben Mono Remix)
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I'll start off with a nice surprise, the Phonat remix of The Young Punx. Both artists I really like. Fantastic remix by Phonat though, you all probably know I love that strange retro synth sound which is probably most exaggerated by Calvin Harris. The Young Punx will actually be releasing a new package of remixes of this track available at Beatport. Second is the Klumpfisk remix of Lykke Li, more of an instrumental remix of it really. It's kind of mellow, that's a nice change. And lastly, I posted all of their other remixes so why not this one? The CSS remix of Bloc Party, sounds very much the same style as their other remixes. Nice to see they've decided to stick with their roots.


The Young Punx - Fire (Phonat Remix)
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Lykke Li - Little Bit (Klumpfisk Remix)
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Bloc Party - Mercury (CSS Remix)
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antony gormley

So, I've actually been looking for this track for some time now, completely forgot about it. It's one of Calvin Harris' first remixes and it's of none other than Jamiroquai. Though I'm a bit scared of why it's never really been posted before, if you are the label/artist and want this track removed, please contact me. It's one of his remixes back from 2006, I actually love the strange synth sound he's so known for which is especially noticeable in this track. I seriously hope he doesn't move away from it. Second is the Vega remix of The Kills. A rather mellow track, definitely enjoyed it. And lastly, edited by Troublemaker, includes loops and vocals from The 87 Stick Up Kids and Micah James of Bonde do Role's Gasolina. Wow, that was hard.


Jamiroquai - Canned Heat (Calvin Harris Remix)
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The Kills - Black Ballon (Vega Remix)
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Bonde Do Role - Gasolina (SK87 Remix Troublemaker Edit)
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Hard to pronounce? However, worth doing. And don't worry, I'm not going to tell you about Japanese techniques. This is an English band who's taken such a weird name. These guys have nothing to go along with today's stylish British musicians. Moreover, they prefer playing music without using incredible electronic gadgets and it makes them sound so special . There is some charm in this "music from early-nineties" .

Influenced by kraut rock, it represents a mix of electronica and funk, old synths and whispered vocal. Transparent things is a second album released in 2006. It was named after a Nabokov brain dump on the relationship between the past and the present that tends to have some common features with Fujiya & Miyagi itself. Funny thing about the album is the tracklist: the first and last songs are called Ankle Injuries and Reeboks In Heaven. I guess, they aren't satisfied with this trademark. Then it also explains why they recorded a track for Nike. It's quite interesting that track Collarbone was used for two commercials at once: Jaguar cars and Miller beer.

Now the band has a tight touring schedule which covers different places all over Europe and USA. In NYC they will intersect with new Canadian stars Crystal Castles for one massive dance show with Denmark's Who Made Who on October 23rd. And at the same time they are going to release a new album Light Bulbs in September. One person, who's been to their show, said that they made dance everyone- from 10 to 60 years old. Just think about that.

P.S. I'm the one who's going to adorn this blog with cool indie faces. Popular or not, their music is everything I'm worried about.


Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone
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Fujiya & Miyagi - Reeboks in heaven
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