Category Archives: Whoa!

Cut Copy Releasing Oceans Apart Compilation Next Month!

Oceans Apart

Cut Copy has truly become an international band in the past decade, having released four albums & performed over 1,000 global headline tour dates & prestigious international festivals in the process. They’ve additionally DJ’ed continuously during that period, remixed a selection of amazing artists, and run their own dance imprint, Cutters Records. The global Melbourne ambassadors have now just announced Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart, a 19-track continuous DJ-mixed snapshot of new & exclusive music from their hometown’s thriving underground dance music scene & club culture mixed by the band themselves- set for release digitally November 11th! In addition, two vinyl EPs of compilation highlights will be released on November 18th. For an early taste of the compilation, fans can give NO ZU’s “Raw Vis Vision” a spin.

Listen: NO ZU – “Raw Vis Vision”

Both a local scene document, which is increasingly rare in this global age, and a bumping 80-minute non-stop dance party, Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart is the product of the band’s observations of its hometown, where it became undeniably apparent that this fertile community was mushrooming. As frontman Dan Whitford elaborates, we’ve always found deep inspiration in the music of our home city. It’s where Cut Copy started, as just one band in a potent community of unique and likeminded artists. But it also continues to inspire and surprise us, with great new music constantly bubbling to the surface.”

The motivation behind the compilation came from a late night conversation in a Melbourne club with a friend of mine. As we excitedly shouted over the noise of the dance floor, one of us said ‘the dance scene in Melbourne has gotten so interesting over the past few years- someone should really document this!’, adding “We looked at each other knowingly, and from that moment, the idea for Oceans Apart was born.“

Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart threads together a cross-section of the different party crews, label rosters & ambitious lone rangers that have been catalysts in making Melbourne vibrant & happening week in, week out- all in the format of a continuous dance mix, which is what the music was made for.

There’s been much speculation as to how this unprecedented wave came about. Is the fluoride in the city’s water supply having positive side effects? Is it the mediocre Melbourne weather that’s either keeping people on the dancefloor or in house arrest, tirelessly tinkering in the studio? Is it the abundance of late night venues or the long standing presence of two influential community radio stations? Or does it all come down to the appreciative audience that are just as critical as the creators? All we do know is that this epidemic can’t be stopped and needs to be celebrated.

Catch Cut Copy LIVE On Tour:

10/28: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
10/29: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
10/31: San Diego, CA @ The North Park Theatre (SOLD OUT)
11/1: Los Angeles, CA @ Red Bull Sound Select (SOLD OUT)
12/31: San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine

Cut Copy presents: Oceans Apart tracklist:

1. Knightlife – Don’t Stop
2. Andras & Oscar- Music Is My Life
3. Michael Ozone – Oxygen
4. Statue – Statue Theme
5. Turkish Prison – Overboard
6. Ara Koufax – Brenda
7. Myles Mac – Suburban Odyssey
8. Fantastic Man – Robotic Temptation
9. NO ZU – Raw Vis Vision
10. Coober Pedy University Band – Kookaburra
11. A+O – Take Me
12. Nile Delta – Aether
13. Tornado Wallace – Circadia
14. Speed Painters – Total Person
15. Len Leise – Call of Kati Thanda
16. Bell Towers – After Party at Jackson’s House
17. World’s End Press – Feel City (Outskirts Dub)
18. Roland Tings – Swimmer
19. Sleep D – Austral Aura

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Dimond Saints Release 3rd Single From Hunters Moon EP

Hunters

Listen: Dimond Saints – “Hunters”

Out of the shadows and with steady aim, Dimond Saints release the formidable “Hunters”. A hulking beast of a song that twists and turns on the drop of a dime. “Hunters” uses dark yet empowering vocal manipulation, combined with the multiple bass & rhythm shifts, with crisp futuristic production the Saints are becoming known for.

“Hunters” is the 3rd song from the Hunters Moon EP. Which is the Second chapter from the Shingetsu Album.

Here are the previous 2 songs:

Dimond Saints

DS

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Second Single Released From Dimond Saints

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On Sept. 24, under the blackness of the moon, Dimond Saints released the first single from Hunters Moon, “Stop Time” . With each phase of the moon, a new single is born, until the second installment of Dimond Saints album is complete.

The  second single, “MidNight”, maintains a dreamy melodic presence throughout, yet manages to break free and twist and shift in all the right places. The Dimond Saints craft is really shining bright on “MidNight”, with crystal clear production and a lot of dynamics, that makes this a must have for any connoisseur of Future Bass music.

Dimond Saints is the new project of, An-Ten-Nae and Releece. Their grand romance with making music, pushing its boundaries, and innovative use of vocals, is garnering attention from A&R Reps and media outlets alike.

Dimond Saints’ recent  remix of “LAYLA” effortlessly levitated itself to #1 on Hypem, making a total of 5 songs  that have made the top 10 on the famed Hypem, and garnered them over 5 Million plays on Sound Cloud & Youtube combined. It is no wonder the media is gushing over the saints and have garnered over 500 write-ups in global press, blogs and online publications from Billboard to Earmilk. With a creative mine full of musical gems and a heavy release schedule, it seems as if even the moon is attainable for these Saints.

Dimond Saints

Listen: Dimond Saints – “MidNight”

Up next on October 8th, under the fullness of the moon comes the title song and next single from Hunters Moon.

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Mord Fustang Reveals Lead Single From Forthcoming 2015 Debut Album

Mord Fustang

Listen: Mord Fustang – “Drivel”

Following numerous Beatport Top 10 smashes and a slew of top festival and club appearances, DJ/producer Mord Fustang announces plans to release his debut album, 9999 in 1, on his own label Magic Trooper in early 2015. Finally lifting the curtain on the enigmatic wizard famed for merging teched-out house, disco, electro, glitch, and hard bass grooves in a single track.

Now, following an exclusive premiere with EDM.com, Mord releases lead single “Drivel”, his first new track since he took the dance world by storm with breakthrough 2011 hits “The Electric Dream,” “Lick The Rainbow,” “Milky Way,” “Magic Trooper,” “Champloo” and “Taito” on the renowned Plasmapool label.

Paying homage to his video game roots, Drivel is an electro-house anthem laced with the primitive sounds contained on the bootleg Nintendo cartridges of his youth – the first electronic music he’d ever heard. A true “classic Mord track” as he calls it, Drivel sets the tone for the electronic concept album that is 9999 in 1, who’s title derives from the random numbers on the plastic yellow cartridges of his first bootleg video games. “The album is a 8-bit homage I have for those games,” Mord states of 9999 in 1.

From remixing for the likes of LMFAO, Morgan Page, and CeCe Penniston to being voted Beatport’s “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” in 2012, Mord fast became an in-demand global attraction, bringing his laptop-smashing DJ/live performance everywhere from London’s legendary Ministry of Sound to the U.S.’s Coachella, Lollapalooza, Electric Zoo, and Ultra music festivals.

It was this success that laid the foundation for Mord Fustang’s artist album debut, a masterwork created over a two year stay in Los Angeles that builds on the innovative groundwork he’s already built, and trailblazes into some unexpected zones, too.

With more tracks to be revealed in the coming months, Mord is certainly a producer to keep your eyes and ears on this fall.

MF

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BT & Christian Burns Are: All Hail The Silence + Tour Dates w/ Erasure

"[All Hail the Silence] showcases the synergies between BT's polished production style and Burns' pop-conscious songwriting."  -Billboard

“[All Hail the Silence] showcases the synergies between BT’s polished production style and Burns’ pop-conscious songwriting.”
-Billboard

Grammy-nominated producer BT and triple platinum singer-songwriter Christian Burns’ new supergroup, All Hail The Silence, will open for legendary synthpop group Erasure on The Violet Flame North American tour starting 9/26.

“Vince Clarke of Erasure has been a major musical influence on Christian and me,” says BT. “We’re thrilled to introduce All Hail The Silence to Erasure’s audience and can’t wait to join them on tour.”

Long-time friends and artistic collaborators many times over, the announcement joins the unveiling of BT and Christian’s single, “Paralyzed,” which was released on Enhanced Recordings 8/25.

Inspired by 80’s New Wave bands like Depeche Mode, Yaz, and The Human League, All Hail The Silence gives BT and Christian the freedom to showcase a different side of themselves artistically and focus on the live music element of their performances. The songs on their upcoming album are being recorded in a basement in Baltimore using step sequencers and modular/analog synthesizers, straight to tape, without the aid of a computer.
“We’re excited for the fans who have supported us throughout the years to join us on this new journey,” says Christian.

Keep an ear to the ground for new music by All Hail The Silence and check to see if they’ll be coming to a city near you on The Violet Flame Tour starting 9/26.

All Hail The Silence // Erasure

 Fall Tour Dates

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9/26 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata, The Music Box
9/27 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
9/28 – Pittsburgh, PA – Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
9/30 – Toronto, CAN – Danforth Music Hall
10/1 – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
10/3 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
10/4 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
10/5 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theatre
10/8 – Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium
ABOUT ALL HAIL THE SILENCE
All Hail The Silence is the collaboration between BT and Christian Burns. The duo will be releasing a fully-analog album in early 2015.

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Mystery Skulls Announces Residency at Dirty Laundry in October

Mystery Skulls

“There’s something about his diverse past that’s met by his music – a hybrid of disco, electro, pop, and soul (to name a few)…” -SPIN

 “He sings, he DJs, he produces, he stuns…Tantalizing disco-inspired harmonies will no-doubt get you dancing.” – VIBE

Mastermind electronic artist, producer and singer, Mystery Skulls AKA Luis Dubuc, has announced his upcoming residency at one of LA’s hottest establishments, Dirty Laundry, for the month of October. Each consecutive Thursday from October 2nd through 30th, Luis will bring his dynamic set with live vocals, trigged samples and beats that come together in a dazzling fashion. He will also be joined by an array of supporting acts which will be announced later.

Hailing from Dallas by way of South America, Mystery Skulls has a knack for creating insatiable pop anthems, which blend hints of 70s and 80s pop and dance music with futuristic elements. He has also already captured the attention of legendary figures such as Nile Rodgers and Brandy, of which will be featured on his forthcoming debut album, Forever.  

Earlier this year, I posted these videos — but here they are again, as a little reminder of the awesomeness that is Mystery Skulls:

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Must Hear: MONO – “Where We Begin”

mono

When MONO began in 1999, they set out with a simple mission: From bliss to bludgeon, no matter how long or winding the path may be. Their debut album, Under The Pipal Tree, outlined that mission in twisted, psychedelic fury. Subsequent albums would see the band honing their craft, mastering their mission, and ultimately abandoning that path in favor of more grandiose pursuits. Flanked by increasingly larger orchestras, MONO performed live at some of the most prestigious venues in New York City, London, Tokyo, and Australia. MONO had become an orchestral rock band, a spectacle of extreme melancholy and melodrama. By 2012’s For My Parents, the band had finally reached the logical conclusion of that era; it was time to remember where they started, and to rethink where they were heading. Less strings? No strings? Louder? Quieter? Lighter? Darker? Yes.

Remember their song “Life in Mono” that was in the movie Great Expectations with Ethan Hawke? I LOVEDDDDD that song!!!!

Here’s the video:

The Last Dawn and Rays of Darkness are a pair of new albums by MONO. Recorded simultaneously yet conceptually and creatively disparate, the two act as both opposing and complementary sides to a story. No strangers to narratives, the twin albums explore familiar themes for the band: Hope and hopelessness, love and loss, immense joy and unspeakable pain. Those elemental parts of life and the complicated relationships they create have never been more resonant through MONO’s music than they are here.

The Last Dawn is the first of these two companion albums, and is the “lighter” of the two, thematically and melodically. It contains undoubtedly some of MONO’s strongest songs ever, drawing on an array of influences from minimalist film score to vintage shoegaze. It is MONO at their absolute purest, executing an uncanny, unspoken dialogue with each other without the dozens of stringed instruments that have been so prominent throughout their catalog in recent years. The songs are also noticeably more efficient – there hasn’t been a MONO full-length record that fit on a single slab of vinyl since 2003’s One Step More And You Die – and the album benefits immeasurably from this streamlined approach. MONO have always been masters of telling compelling stories without words. But now they’ve proven they can do it without frills, too.

Listen: MONO – “Where We Begin” from The Last Dawn 

Preorder The Last Dawn

Rays of Darkness is the first MONO album in 15 years to feature no orchestral instruments whatsoever. That fact alone is remarkable given the band’s reputation for sweeping, dramatic instrumentals that recall Oscar-worthy film scores. Instead, Rays of Darkness more closely resembles a jet engine taking off inside a small, crowded auditorium. It is MONO’s blackest album ever, a collection of scorched riffs, doom rhythms, and an unexpected contribution from post-hardcore pioneer Tetsu Fukagawa of Envy. The album ends with the smoldering wreckage of distorted guitars and ominous drones playing out a eulogy to the days when MONO shot blinding rays of light through seemingly endless darkness.

Preorder Rays of Darkness

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THE LAST DAWN TRACKLISTING

1. The Land Between Tides / Glory

2. Kanata

3. Cyclone

4. Elysian Castles

5. Where We Begin

6. The Last Dawn

mono 2

RAYS OF DARKNESS TRACKLISTING

1. Recoil, Ignite

2. Surrender

3. The Hand That Holds the Truth

4. The Last Rays

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Video: Menace & Lord – “Sun, Moon & Stars , Pt. 1” (Part 1 of 3)

“We wanted to make a collection of songs that are a soundtrack to the times you lose yourself in the moment…whether it’s in the club, in the sunshine with friends or staring up into the night sky.” – Menace & Lord

Each has individually enjoyed a colorful, successful career within the electronic music industry, but now Kris Menace and Simon Lord have teamed up for an all-new music project simply dubbed Menace & Lord.

In step with their new direction, the pair will release an album on September 15th, and the debut single from the album is the title track “Sun, Moon & Stars, Pt. 1”.

The music video was directed by Rolling Stone Awarded Meeto Worre Kronborg Grevsen from Denmark who says: “When I was first presented to Menace & Lord, I was completely astonished by the feeling of the tracks. For me, they had a sense of magic like the feeling of being in love for the first time. A feeling of the universe coming together around you and a feeling of coexisting with another person and daydreaming. We wanted to create a love story, and we quickly decided to let the video universe evolve over more than one video to get deeper sense of the story and atmosphere.  It’s always a task to make a story fit within a music video, because making a music video is to the create a visual emotion to the music, and often a story is told by words and within a narrative structure that has to make sense somehow.  But I think we found a way to create a sense of a story without making it depend on words and the narrative structure. You should feel the videos rather than understanding it perfectly. And I love the chemistry between the actors.”

This is just the first video of three that will be released for the debut album Sun, Moon and Stars. The next two music videos are just as visually breathtaking as this one, and will be released in the coming months.

Again, from Meeto, “‘Sun, Moon & Stars, Pt. 1’ is the initial video of the trilogy and it should set the atmosphere for all three.  It’s centred around the first meeting and the magic of feeling another person for the first time.  It’s a happy beginning but we put some drops of melancholy in there as well. The sense of nothing last for ever.”

Menace & Lord are defining an all-new path in the electronic music scene so keep an ear out for the revolution.

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The Mystery Is The Green Seed

“Tackling contemporary issues —and universal themes of the heart and home, the multifarious southern hip-hop crew creates a smart, infectious, 13-track LP exuding positivity and self-awareness.” SPIN

“For folks who think the ’90s was Golden Age of hip hop, Birmingham, Alabama group The Green Seed recalls the days of De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Black Star and more.” -Brooklyn Vegan

“Comparing the socially conscious four-man crew’s rhythmic and lyrical dexterity to Ghostface Killah and Kool Keith isn’t stretching too much.” – Nashville Scene

Over the summer, inexplicable commercials have been popping up all over local Birmingham television stations.  The commercials are only a quarter of a minute long, but thanks to the odd imagery involved they have created quite a memorable impact on all who have seen them.

Birmingham residents have been perplexed as to what the commercials were designed to advertise since they were all quite obscure, leaving much to the viewer’s imagination.

The confusion was taken to an all-new level when one of the spots was aired on national television during Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live commercial breaks.

Today, the source of the perplexing commercials has been revealed, and it is not what people expected. Online, many television watchers speculated as to the source with some arguing it was for a comedic sketch show and others saying it was a publicity stunt for some soon to be released product. While all the guesses were good, they were all wrong.

Birmingham, Alabama hip-hop group The Green Seed is the proud source of the surreal commercials.  Each member of the four-piece group (Jean Jefferson, Ted Thompson, Psychic Mike, and Winston James) recorded their own commercial in a viral marketing campaign for their debut full-length album, Drapetomania. The record was released July 15th via Communicating Vessels and is available for purchase now.

In case you missed seeing the commercials on television then you can catch them on the YouTube playlist above. Of course, be sure to dial the number at the bottom of the screen.

The Green Seed is an exciting new act hailing from one of the current most musically fertile cities in the US. Their debut album has gained nationwide critical acclaim and is most definitely one of the best hip-hop albums to have been released this year. Drapetomania is currently at #2 on the CMJ Hip-Hop charts.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that Drapetomania wasn’t the product of the Dirty South rather than the blunted grit of J Dilla’s Detroit or the otherworldly productions of Lex Records. But Drapetomania is no homage – it’s a unique blend of heart, laughter, and guts. While the album often contemplates bondage – artistic, romantic, etc. – but, ultimately, it’s a soundtrack to Freedom… And whatever comes next.

If the commercials have you intrigued then the music will have you hooked. Listen to the stream of Drapetomania on Spin now, right here.

While their recorded songs are amazing, there’s nothing quite like seeing these guys live. They’ll be playing a handful of dates in the coming weeks, so check out the tour dates below.

Tour Dates

9/5 in Florence, AL @ 116 Mobile
9/12 in Little Rock, AR @ White Water Tavern
9/19 in Hattiesburg, MS @ Thirsty Hippo
10/21-25 in NYC @ CMJ Music Marathon

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Wanna Go On A Flashback Cruise?

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Flashback Cruise’s 3-day getaway hosted by MTV’s Downtown Julie Brown will celebrate four decades of dance music and pop culture with world renowned live performers, DJs, comedians, TV stars, and guest chefs. There will also be a celebrity cook-off for the winner’s charity of choice in addition to a Charity:Water awareness campaign where a portion of the proceeds will be donated on behalf of Flashback Cruise’s bookings. Setting sail from Miami to the Bahamas, February 27 – March 2, 2015, Flashback Cruise is the only cruise of its kind to unite entertainers, producers, radio and TV personalities, guest chefs, and a charity on a single voyage.

Live performers and DJs announced include: Lime, TKA, George Lamond, France Joli, Judy Torres, 2 In A Room, Nicky Siano, George Morel, Anthony Acid, Hex Hector and Angel Moraes. Artists just added include: DJ Skribble, DJ Riddler, Denny Tsettos, Razor & Guido, Johnny Vicious, Maximus 3000, and Jonathan Peters. A final round of headliners and special guests will be announced in September. Combined, they will represent the full spectrum of dance music from its inception as disco to its evolution as house and its present renaissance as EDM.

Organized by veterans of nightclubbing’s golden eras, Flashback Cruise offers more than just a great weekend of dancing. It offers a complete experience. “This is a trip music lovers, foodies, and party people can afford and appreciate much more than other festivals and cruises, where you feel like cattle being herded,” says Flashback Producer Ryan Morales. “We are offering people 72 hours of non-stop fun and excitement for less than a third of that price. They will get the show of a lifetime.”

Flashback Cruise is also connecting with past and present through social media. Flashback Cruise’s Facebook Ticketing Engine keep costs down, and make it easier for vacationers to buy their tickets, build party buzz, brand recognition, and share the memories with their friends.

Cabins start at $699 USD per person. Reserve a cabin with this special discount by visiting:HERE and use promotional code FLASHBACK. Payment plans available.

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Flashback Cruise is the only experience-focused dance music, food and comedy event on water. The three-night cruise will entertain guests with original live acts from some of the greatest DJs and performers in the genres of disco, house music, freestyle and techno from the late ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.

Flashback Cruise was created by Ryan Morales, a native New Yorker, audio engineer, and member of BMI. Ryan has been DJing since 1989. He was a resident DJ at New York’s notorious Limelight while still a teenager, and his production credits include remixes for major artists like Bon Jovi. He has played at some of the largest music festivals in the world including Ultra, and at some of the biggest clubs in New York and Miami. Ryan launched Flashback Cruise in response to the negative changes in the nightlife industry. “I wanted to go back to good old days, when you weren’t just a dollar bill to some club owner.”

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