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ben khan | 1992 ep


 
There is something to be said about youthful enthusiasm, and although London-based Ben Khan has youth aplenty he also has the ability to put the music where his mouth is. With his latest, the debonair and totally sexy 1992 EP the music comes out swingin’.

Last year he offered up the twin pleasures of Savage and Eden as mere demos, but now we get to listen to the aforementioned tracks fully fleshed out and alive with the most beat-i-ful heart.

All four-tracks on the 1992 EP possess a high energy, they sway and drip with R&B licks, pulsate with bassiness and crisp synth lines. Check it out below and I betcha’ your body will respond in kind. The 1992 EP drops May 5th courtesy of Blessed Vice Records. Peace. Continue reading “ben khan | 1992 ep”

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things we like: julien dubuque international film festival (2014)

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This year I am attending the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival for the first time and I am having an amazing time. Before I start talking about some of spectacular films I’ve had the pleasure of viewing let me take a moment to thank executive director Michael Coty and Maria J. McDonald (CEO of MOmentum Production) and a host of others who have really welcomed everyone attending the JDFF (2014) with open arms. Mark my words this film festival is destined for bigger things.

(Below, me and executive director Michael Coty)

 
Now, let’s talk film. When I checked-in there was a booth set up in the hotel lobby, the booth was manned by smiling faces and these folks were eager to not only talk about this year’s entries, but also recommend their favorites as well.

If you’ve ever attended a film festival it is all about the buzz, not the media buzz but what films the people are talking about. I just arrived and just like that within minutes I already got two wonderful recommendations so I jot them down. First up, the wonderful Aaron Douglas Johnston directed My Sister’s Quinceañera
 

 
This film is wonderfully anchored by Silas, the oldest son of a Iowan Mexican-American family. Silas is by proxy the man of the house, a title he never asked for but finds hard to shed. Yet, he is a man-child beset by indecision and a yearning to break free of a small town with limited options and a blurred future. I sat, watched and felt the palpable tension radiating from the screen as Silas bore the brunt of his father-like responsibilities. The depiction of this family is as organic as it is sincere in it’s approach to familiar themes. Themes which weave in and out of our every day exhalations. The commonality of his barely restrained wants versus his almost paternal presence is something, if not readily identifiable, then not far removed from our emotional core. The need to look after, and in many ways protect and provide for his younger siblings seems to engulf him and blot out is own desires for something different. For if he leaves his family will surely suffer through the exodus of yet another father. Yes, this film deals with the complexities of youthful aspirations clashing with familial responsibilities but it is also much more. This is art not imitating life, but rather it seems we witness these lives bare-eyed and up close rather than through the distant barrier of the camera’s lens.

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wife | heart is a far light


 
James Kelley, former frontman of Altar Of Plagues, is prepping for the release of his debut release as WIFE. For fans of electronica this is a boon, for Kelley brings loads of talent into this otherwise uncharted realm. Check out what he had to say during a recent Dazed interview:

“My natural instinct with this record was to be 100-percent honest and simply make the songs I wanted to make,” Kelly told Dazed. “That may seem trite for me to say, but I think that I could have also taken the easier route and succumbed to expectations people may have based on any music I have created in the past. I’m acutely aware of certain styles that exist in the electronic music arena, ones which a former metal musician could easily apply his skills towards. But that is not something that I currently have any desire to pursue, and ending my former band was in many ways (although not solely) a statement of sincerity—that WIFE is a new beginning for me, and that I am very much stepping out of my comfort zone with it.”
 

 

The What’s Between LP drops June 9th courtesy of Tri Angle Records, and the album features production turns from Roly Porter, The Haxan Cloak and LIE. Peace. Continue reading “wife | heart is a far light”

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other people | just friends | don’t tell me


 
Saying Nicolas Jaar wears many hats is a given. It’s like saying Mr. Shakespeare was pretty adept with a quill and a ink well. But it more than evident that he consistently rises to the realm of the splendiferous in relation to stunning resonating sound waves.

Other People is the collaborative project between Nicolas Jaar and Sasha Speilberg (Cate Capshaw + Steven Speilberg = Sasha). Regardless of her parentage, she is quite the talented noisemaker.

Check out the track Don’t Tell Me and know what a earful of sonic dopeness sounds like. Look for the Don’t Tell Me 10″ to drop soon. Peace. Continue reading “other people | just friends | don’t tell me”

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digits | keeping secrets | official video


 
Digits delivers a Karaoke-themed video riff with dark haired lovelies (the best kind of lovelies there is if you ask me, but alas you didn’t ask(SIGH) and muted, hazy lights. The song Keeping Secrets is a steady drone of electronic pulses which prickles your skin-drums like a spring shower of candy coated raindrops. Oh by the way, you can DOWNLOAD the track Keeping Secrets for FREE. Peep the video below.

Also, Keeping Secrets is the last single from the Shake Your Body Down mixtape, which you can still download for free or buy on cassette here: Shake Your Body Mixtape. Peace. Continue reading “digits | keeping secrets | official video”

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rae morris | do you even know? | video


Rae Morris (of Blackpool, UK and African Express alum) puts out a mighty fine and verily artful video for her lead single Do You Even Know? courtesy of Atlantic Records. We can also look for her as yet untitled debut album release in the near and dear future. Word is production work is being handled by the beyond capable Ariel Rechtshaid (Charlie XCX, Sky Ferreira and Vampire Weekend, etc.).

And in describing the song and accompanying video check out what Ms. Morris had to say,“I wanted people to be able to feel the discomfort and awkwardness of feeling misunderstood. I wanted people to see me as a mannequin shining on the outside but with the inside well hidden. The end of the video is my favourite part. My figure, the static character, begins turning and spiraling out of control through a form of stop frame animation. At the end, the spiraling stops and I’m no longer in the chains of the statuesque stillness from before, but moving more freely and dancing. To me, that symbolises an acceptance and shy confidence knowing that it doesn’t really matter if people know you or not…”

Take in a listen and see if I didn’t bring you some good stuff. May 6th is the date, and Do You Even Know? is the 4-track EP. You can pre-order the bugger Peace. Continue reading “rae morris | do you even know? | video”

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metronomy | love letters lp | video


 
Recently, the latest album Love Letters, from the ever-changing and perpetually ear-appealing foursome Metronomy is 10-piece deep fried and served with packets of funk sauce. Yes, your ears will need wet wipes for this one. Here is a band with a sound soul-stitched in the artsy annals of some future retro otherworld. Down below you can check out the brand new and oh so official video the their titled-track Love Letters. This piece was directed by Mr. Michel Gondry, so you know it’s an eyeful of sticky sweet. You can cop Love Letters now via the music outlets below, and check out the band’s Deezer Session you’ll succumb to total swoontaneous combustion. Peace.
 

 
iTunes
Amazon US
hmv
Recordstore.co.uk
Rough Trade East Continue reading “metronomy | love letters lp | video”

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frank ocean | mick jones | paul simonon | diplo | hero


 
Hero, from Frank Ocean, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Diplo is the latest track from Converse’s Three Artists. One Song series. Additional vocals from the West Los Angeles Children’s Choir. Mr. Frank Ocean appears courtesy of Def Jam Recordings and BMG Chrysalis Music Publishing. Diplo appears courtesy of Mad Decent Records and Songs Music Publishing. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean | mick jones | paul simonon | diplo | hero”

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the alexanders | don’t miss ep


 
The Alexanders are super producers Yuksek (Pierre-Alexandre Busson of France) and Alex Metric (reppin’ the U to the K). Yuksek via his newly minted PartyFine label has a lot to crow about and has been building a loads of buzz. You can expect bunches of great music from his roster too, which includes The Magician, Crayon, Villa and of course the Yuksek himself.

Then there is Alex Metric, who is quite the accomplished dj/producer/god of sound, etc. has been filling dance floors and headphones for quite a longish time. He’s recently penned a deal with Skrillex’s OWSLA label, and his stock has only risen mellifluously to the stars.

Their debut EP Don’t Miss just dropped via PartyFine and features the beautiful vocals of Australian ingenue Anna Lunoe. Peace. Continue reading “the alexanders | don’t miss ep”