Monday, January 31, 2011

Peanut Butter & Party Jams




Yep you'd better believe it because once again it's time. Jim Junkie is not only Smidgems resident DJ, he is a notorious party starter that regularly whips the crowd in a dancing frenzy utilising a mix of Electronic, Hip Hop, Rock and even throwing in a cheeky Dubstep song or two. But what sets him apart from other DJs is his uncanny ability to transcend these genres.... so prepare yourself for 'Peanut Butter & Party Jams' a toe tappin', thigh slappin', party beats extravaganza that's packed to the brim with songs that will have any party 'losing their shit' in no time.




Tracklist:
1. M.I.A - Paper Planes (Diplo Remix)
2. The Knife ft. Kanye - Get Em' High (A-Trak Remix)
3. The Notorious B.I.G - Party & Bullshit (Ratatat Remix)
4. Kanye West - Champion (Nick Catchdubs)
5. Snoop ft. Kid Cudi vs Soul II Soul - That Tree Groove (Booka B Remix)
6. Lyrics Born - I Changed My MInd (Stereo Mcs Remix)
7. Bee Gees - Stayin Alive (Teddybears)
8. Kriss Kross - Jump (D*L*I*D Remix)
9. Ace Of Bass - All That She Wants (Messkid Remix)
10. Cypress Hill vs. Queen - We Will Rock You Insane (DJ Schmoll Remixi)
11. Grandmaster Flash - Magic Carpet Ride (Steppenwolf Cover)
12. Mobb Deep vs. Ray Parker Junior - Ghostbusters Got It Twisted (DJ Ayers Remix)
13. Herbie Hancock - Rockit
14. Skee-Lo - I Wish (Soulwax Remix)
15. Elo vs. Run DMC & Aerosmith - Walk This Way, Dont Bring Me Down (Pytski Remix)
16. Deep Purple vs. Daft Punk vs. Usher vs. Ludacris - Funky Smoke (Lobsterdust Remix)
17. DJ Kool & Fatman Scoop - It Takes Scoop
18. Walter Murphy vs. Dizzee Rascal - Beethoven Flex (Astrosnooze Remix)
19. Super Mash Bros. - Our First Paycheck
20. De La Soul vs. Don Diablo - Stand Up For Me Myself & I
21. Eurythmics vs. Dr. Dre - Sweet Dreams
22. Hot Chip - Over & Over (Diplo Remix)
23. Cassius - My Feeling For You (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)
24. Calvin Harris vs. Marvin Gaye vs. Lenny Kravitz - Heard My Way Through The 80's

Friday, January 21, 2011

Smidgem Presents 'No More Brains' Mixed By VENGEANCE

I'm very excited about this post firstly, its a Smidgem exclusive and secondly, this guy has some ridiculous skills behind the decks and we here at Smidgem are super pumped to have such a talent on our first guest mix. VENGEANCE is his name, aka Mark Lolcat, you might have even heard of this guy tearing shit up under the his other alias ZOMG! Kittens. Mark is resident Dj at one of Sydney's most banging clubs Candys Apartment and is also a part of the Vamp Crew Dj's. His primary Interests include melting faces, blowing out speakers and good times everytime. So after everyone here at Smidgem has practically pulled their hair out in anticipation it's finally here, the 1st Smidgem Guest Mix 'No More Brains' mixed by VENGEANCE himself. It's a 50min freight train ride full of massive, bass-laden tracks that will make you stomp your feet, you know the shit that will make your neighbours ears bleed. It's got some unreleased tunes from his first EP 'Sweet Revenge' that will be released in late feb 2011 and will be featured on Smidgem. The launch of the EP will be held at Candys Apartment on friday the 25th of Feb. I highly suggest you get your arses down there because it's certain to go off. For more goodness head over to his Soundcloud HERE and enjoy.. Listen to it loud its the only way

Smidgem Presents - No More Brains Mixed By VENGEANCE

Tracklist:
Rave Review - Skism
Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites - Noisa Remix
[Positif - Mr Oizo]
Contact (Noisia DnB Mix) - Foreign Beggars and Noisia
Hold On (Sub Focus Remix) - Rusko
[Whip My Hair - Willow Smith]
Raven - Proxy
Paradise Poltergiest - TAI feat. Steve Aoki
Everybody's Body - Vengeance
Operation Blade - Public Domain
Nympho - Borgore
Lyposuct - D.I.M. & TAI
Floating (D.I.M. Remix) - Jape
Gross Motor - The Figative
Me and My Bitch - Vengeance & Gigi Barocco
Kill Everybody (Bare Noize Remix) - Skrillex
Swing - Savage
Sweet Shop - Doctor P
Break Stuff (IKKI Remix) - Limp Bizkit
[Smack My Bitch Up - The Prodigy]
My Name Is Skrillex - Skrillex
Blau - Laidback Luke & Lee Mortimer
Independant (Vengeance Remix) - Ayumi Hamasaki
End Run - Vektorkat
You Used To Hold Me - Calvin Harris

Bonus Tracks For Download

Ayumi Hamasaki - Independant (Vengeance Remix) vengeance does dubstep and it's a farrrkin banger

Me And My Bitch - (Giggi Barocco & Vengeance)


Gnarles Barkly - Crazy (Vengeance Remix)

Blur - Song 2 (Vengeance Remix)

James Blake


James Blake, 2011 is his year. I Just pre ordered his highly anticipated album which should drop in February, and judging by his most recent single "The Wilhelm Scream",it is going to be something special.

His minimalistic/ambient take on dubstep, has made him one of the most in demand producers/Dj's and vocalists in electronic music. After bubbling in the underground for a few years, he burst onto the main stage when his cover of Feists Limit To Your Love hit the waves and made all take notice, including Zane Lowe from BBC Radio One who highlighted it in his "Hottest Record In the World" show. The world is now his oyster.


A true breath of fresh air amongst today's over populated market.

Computer speakers wont do justice as there is alot of loooowwwwwwwww bass in his works.

James Blake -Wilhelm Scream Incredible!
James Blake -Limit To Your Love (Feist Cover)


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Choo- Choo-Choons on Choosday



I had a few tracks to put up that I'd really been 'feeling' at the moment so I thought I'd do another 'Tunes On Tuesday' except that unlike Cheech I can't spell, so the title for today is brought to you in the form of a subtle Simpsons reference. Confusing? Yes. Crap songs? Fuck no.

This first one would have to be my favourite tracks at the moment. Britain's GRUM has been the toast of the nu-disco world this past year with his debut album 'Heartbeats' seeing huge critical acclaim over the blogosphere. This remix of Human Life's 'Wherever We Are' is simply amazing. Funky, running 16ths bassline, big pad synths, airy vocals and those sirens... what can I say they just make me smile.

Human Life - Wherever We Are (GRUM Remix)


I can safely say that I have a little crush on British Indie-Pop sensation Ellie Goulding. Of course by little crush I mean I'm currently devising ways in which I can make her my wife. She's seen huge success in 2010 with her hits 'Starry Eyed' and 'The Writer' not to mention her numerous amazing covers so in 2011 she will most likely become see a lot more success. Russ Chimes adds his signature touch to 'Starry Eyed' and makes it a main room destroyer that will have people fist pumping in no time

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Russ Chimes Remix)


This remix by Potomac Boys Club of 'Lights!' is also on heavy rotation in my iTunes. It has a really cool Dubstep/Hip-hop vibe, add some dope verses by Washington rappers Wale and Waka Flocka and you've got a really unique, jump up fun track.

Ellie Goulding - Lights! (Potomac Boys Club Mix)


I'm a little late on the Carte Blanche train but hey, what a train. Dj Mehdi and Riton are the masterminds behind this epic collaboration and with two production legends at the helm this was predisposed to awesomeness. It's always fresh in this niche-est of niches when something just that little bit different comes along so thank you fellas... thank you.

Carte Blanche - Politrix As Usual


I recently saw A-Trak play at Fall Festival, he played this song and I've been wondering what is was ever since. Being brothers with one half of Chromeo this one is a family affair, damn talented family I think.

Chromeo - Hot Mess (Ducksauce Remix)


This next tune is one that's been floating around for a while too. I've never been able to pick it until I stumbled upon it whilst Soundclouding the other day. This is just plain huge, I first thought it was BeatauCue however it's a collaboration by Montreal natives Dooze Jackers and Wes De Graaf hailing from New York City. This one is best fitted to a dark club with a great sound system because beneath those high pitched stabs lies a gut rumbling, sub thumping bass kick that will make you 'loose your shit!'

Dooze Jackers and Wes De Graaf - Euh! 

Now what sort of blogger would I be if I didn't offer you some downright dirty Dubstep filthness? Skrillex has teamed up with fellow L.A Dubstep phenom 12th Planet to bring this you this fresh little number. An all round sweet Dub banger and the kicker you ask? Well Sonny goes back to his roots and sings over this track which makes it fucking amazing, the guy has some serious talent.

Skrillex ft. 12 Planet - Father Said



16bit Klasssrom Mix

This would have to be one on the filthiest klassroom mixes Ive herd. Now its one for all you Dubstep lovers there is some crazy unreleased tracks in here i highly suggest you download NOW..

Kissy Sell Out 16BIT KLASSRROM MIX


16bit - Kissy Klassroom Mix by 16bit
Tracklist:
01.Professor Green feat Maverick Sabre — Jungle (16bit Remix)
02.16bit — Frzr9000
03.16bit — Untitled
04.16bit — Untitled
05.16bit — Skullcrack
06.Genetix — Squid Attack
07.Skream — Raw Dogs
08.Sukh Knight Ft. P Money & Blacks — Slang Like This (Remix)
09.Doctor P — Blame Star Remix Dub
10.Plan B — She Said (16bit Remix)
11.Subscape — Screw Up
12.Lethal Bizzle — Pow 2011
13.16bit Ft. Dream Mclean — Dub
14.Medison — Harry feat. Skrein (Bare Noize Remix)
15.Noisia — Machine Gun (16bit Remix)
16.Chase & Status — No Problem
17.Dub Peddla — Box Cutter
18.Dub Peddla — Nitty Gritty
19.Steppa & Kitcha — Jaws
20.Dоcument One — Forgive Me (Heist Remix)
21.Doctor P — Sweet Shop (Friction Vs Camo & Krooked Rmx)
22.Kanji Kinetic — Dangerbass
23.Plan B — Love Goes Down (Doctor P Remix)

ADO Cntrl Alt Defeat December Mix

Finny put me onto this fella ADO. Friend of fellow Scotsmen Clouds. They run a club night in Scotland called Cntrl Alt Defeat. This is hot. Opening with an pulverising techno track, this 28 minute mix is a brain caver..

Ado- Cntrl Alt Defeat December Mix. sorry couldn't find a tracklisting
Bonus
Its an oldie but a goldie
Clouds August 2010 Mini Mix right click save as

1. Eskimo Twins - Droid
2. Kebacid - Jack the Potato
3. Ado - Multiply Me
4. Boys Noize - Nott
5. Popof - The Chompe r(LSD Version)
6. Proxy - 8000 (Unknown Remix)
7. Hidden Cat - Get with it (NT89 Remix)
8. Clouds - Liquid

Jack Beats Mixmag Minimix

Jack Beats has just done a new mix for Mixmag that will be available on the 20th of feb but until then they have released a mini mix its 5mins of noise so get on it...

Jack Beats - Mixmag Minimix

Friday, January 14, 2011

Beat The Weekend.. part 10
















For this edition I thought I would go in a little different direction than the usual electro/thrash/dubstep that usually fills out Beat The Weekend. I basically just raided my 'party beats' playlist so there is a bunch of super fun upbeat tunes than i still listen to on the reg..










Thursday, January 13, 2011

Audiobotz

Introducing some Australian talent these guys are called Audiobotz, These 2 local boys Jay Whately & Micky Matias have been making waves and producing up a massive storm of late, getting alot of support from big names such as Kissy Sell Out, Wonk, Nick Thayer, Kid Kenobi just to name a few. There music can be described as funked up jack, to fucked up filth with heavy doses of bass the shit that puts a smile on your face. Having such a succesfull 2010 these guys will be one to watch in 2011. Check out there soundcloud for more tunes

Mousse T - Right about now (Audiobotz Fuzzy Chest Hair Bootleg)

Hook N Sling Feat Snob Scrilla - Gotta Make A Move (Audiobotz Bootleg)

Wonk - Dont give up disco (Audiobotz Remix)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sound of Stereo - Flatland EP
























After huge success with thier last Ep 'Helium', Sound Of Stereo are back dirtier and heavier than ever before. The boys latest 3 track Ep titled 'Flatland' is flat out high energy electro at its best. Gauranteed to have everyone on the dancefloor reaching for the rest of their gear...
It was so hard to pick my favourite out of this lot. Just grab them all and try and work it out for yourself - goodluck!
Ill give you two out of three, head over to beatport to pick the other track up.

2. Hyper

aUtOdiDakT & Electro Ferris - Chainsaw EP

Autodidakt & Electro Ferris teamed up and came up with a brand new trash electro banger called Chainsaw. The Chainsaw EP just dropped on Traktor Records and let me tell you this is huge, featuring remixes from Drivepilot, Dj Antention, The Oddword, Udek, The Mastertrons, and Aerotronic. If you're into full-on bangers with attitude, stay right here...this is your heaven! Here i have two of my favourite remixes off the EP also a mention the Aerotronic remix is massive. To get the full release head over to Beatport HERE..

aUtOdiDakT & Electro Ferris – Chainsaw EP Preview

aUtOdiDakT & Electro Ferris - Chainsaw EP Preview by Traktor Records

Chainsaw - The Oddword Remix removed by request

Chainsaw - Dj Antention Remix removed by request

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Songs on Tuesday!


Been abit slack on the posts lately, none the less heres a bunch of good tracks.

This has been floating around my itunes for sometime now,and always seems to have the same effect of me.Belgian duo Voltronixx are known to blow a speaker or 2 (as are many other Belgians).But what they have done on this track is Fucking amazing. An absolute belter of an electro track that somehow manages to make you want to just jump off the edge of a cliff and start flying like an eagle.No Shit!

Voltronixx-Spilled Time YESSSS!
One of the most hyped artists of 2010 was undoubtedly James Blake.His futuristic dub sounds on the "CMYK" Ep recieved him worldwide praise and even managed to score him 8th place on Pitchforks best albums of 2010 (Not to shabby for a 4 song ep).
I definitely put him high up on the list alongside similar artists like Flying Lotus & Teebs. His debut full length is due out in February.Cop That!

James Blake -Cmyk

The party never stops with Dirtybird,their bouncy take on tech-house is unmatched.
Claude Vonstroke and Christian Martin keep tradition going strong here.Try Not to dance to this one.

Claude Vonstroke & Christian Martin- Peanut Butter Jelly Time

A guy named Tiga, quite the esteemed electronic music connoisseur recently put out a December podcast where he shows some new music he has been digging. During this podcast "It" band Azari and III (also from Tigas Turbo imprint) get a remix from New York native Nicolas Jaar, who has been turning some heads as of late. Such a simple looped piano sequence gives this song a whole new direction.

Azari & III - Into The Night (Nicolas Jaar)
Tiga December Podcast

Not too familiar with this next guy,but this song is ffffucking hot!!! Awesome house music here, with a sprinkle of soul and a dark grooving bassline that comes in at around 1:15.

Russ Yallop -I cant wait

And lastly, abit more of some experimental stuff. In my opinion one of the best albums released in 2010 was Gold Pandas Lucky Shiner, there was alot of hype behind this release and in my opinion it lived all the way up to it.Taking glitchy samples and infusing some pop elements I think this was the best track on the album.
Oh yeah, and he is currently touring Australia.

Gold Panda- You

Yo!

Asian Girls Luv It

You may know of these two already, if not you do now. Asiangirlsluvit a one girl, one boy wrecking machine. Now from what I' ve herd these two are only getting started from mashups, Electro, Dubstep & what I think is the new black DRUMSTEP. Online electronic music community GenXGlow gives us a rundown on Drumstep.


Many of us that pay attention to post-modern sub-genres in today’s electronic music culture would have some difficulty putting this fresh and unfamiliar term into perspective. The answer is simple; Half-step Drum and Bass. Tunes still weigh in at 170 to 180 BPM and possess that intoxicating wompy drum pattern with the snare hitting at the 3rd beat of every bar instead of the doctrinal 2nd or 3rd. The low end bass structure is slowed down to half, giving it a Dubstep feel.


Here is an 11min mix from the sexy duo take a listen and definitely download it it's massive also show some love by visiting there Soundcloud for many more tunes..
The Drumstep Mini Mix (Download Link In Description Bar) by AsianGirlsLuvIt

The Drumstep Mini Mix - Asian Girls Luv It Download Link

Bassex

Searching soundcloud for some new tunes this morn i stumbled across this young producer. Goes by the name RumbleB but after digging deep and not finding much info at all apparently he goes by the name Bassex. Whatever the name its some good shit. I can only describe it as dark heavy bass electro..

Sticky K - The Weirdo (Bassex Remix)

Sucker Punch - Gtronic (Bassex Remix)

Monday, January 10, 2011

Redial - Venom



So we here at Smidgem tend to toss around the word 'Huge' a lot when describing a track. Now with this one...I can't really think of a word that describes it better. This thing is...well...just plain HUGE!


VENOM by RedialTUFF

This is only up for 24 hours so listen whilst you can. The EP will be available sometime in Feb on Tuff Em Up! and I know I will be picking this up the day it's released.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Disque Oh! Remixes.



BeatauCue are set to release the remix EP for their most recent single 'Disque Oh!' tomorrow. I was a huge fan of the original and I must say the those dealt with remix duties were set a hard task to up the ante on the original. This EP seems to be packed with huge remixes from dance mainstays like Don Rimini and High Rankin (my favourites of the bunch) amongst others. Below is a little teaser featuring a small sample of each mix. Make sure you pick up the whole EP or just your favourite remix because they are all pretty fan-fucking-tastic.


Disque Oh! remixes - Minimix by BeatauCue

Also here's a cool little video trailer for the release set to the High Rankin remix.



BEATAUCUE - DISQUE OH! REMIXES (VIDEO TRAILER) from BeatauCue on Vimeo.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Peace Treaty Control Mixtape


Peace Treaty have a new mix to start off the new year these guys will be one to watch in 2011!

Peace Treaty Control Mixtape

PeaceTreaty Control Mixtape by PeaceTreaty

Tracklist in comments

Don't Call Me Baby




I bumped into the Smidgem boys @ Field Day (SYD) on the weekend and they were like; "Man.. when you gonna do another post??"
Being the NY and all, with it's resolutions & associated 'do-everything-better-this-year' attitude, I decided to make a commitment to write at least one post per month.

Sooo.. January;

In the past year (since getting around to obtaining a Debit Card), I've become a pretty big follower of Beatport & thus, deep/Tech House & other house genres.

A couple things I've noticed about the top 100; Pryda, Deadmau5 & the Swedish house boys (both as separate entities and their mafia trio), are pretty much in there 24/7.
You also get a lot of those re-makes, of re-makes, of re-makes.

A resent one that I've been digging is "My Lips" by Crazibiza which is an appropriation of Pino D'Angio's - "Ma Quale Idea".
This was More famously sampled back in '99 by Pop/Dance sensation Madison Avenue on her track "Don't Call Me Baby"

My Lips is a great house tune, really punchy high end kick, leaving room for the filtered bassline down in the lows, great shuffle groove, nice crisp hat's and the typical African American sounding woman with an powerful voice, belting out some vocal loops for the build up.

If drawn out loop house is your thing, you'll probably really enjoy this track
Others may like it for the fact the hook line is familiar and catchy, but be put off by the distinct less amount of movement in the melody & lack off Madison Avenue vocals

So I have a couple of things for you;

Pino D'Angio - Ma Quale Idea
The original, original. For anyone interested in taking a listen

Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Baby (Extended Mix)
Classic 90's dance music, love this tune

Crazibiza - My Lips (Original)
The modernised house bomb

Crazibiza Vs Madison Avenue - My Lips (Elmo is Dead 'Don't Call me baby' Edit)
A little mix of both

Peace
Emoh

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

UKF Music Podcast #4: Circus Records - Flux Pavilion

I now need to compose myself after listening to this mix by Dubstep heavy hitter Flux Pavilion the tracklist speaks for itself containing lots of new and unreleased thumpers its a must have so jump on it and listen to it loud!

UKF Music Podcast #4: Circus Records - Flux Pavilion

Tracklist
1. Cookie Monsta - Bleurgh
2. Doctor P - Vampire Dub
3. Slum Dogz - In Da Hood
4. Flux Pavilion - Excuse Me
5. Unitz - Funky Junky
6. Digiworx - Squid Attack
7. Caspa - Marmite (Doctor P Remix)
8. Eddie K - Serial Killa ft Beezy and Minus 1
9. Freestylers - Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix)
10. Subscape - Mr Kipling
11. 12th Planet - Reasons (Doctor P Remix)
12. Funtcase and Southbound Hangers - Wizard Sleeve
13. Flux Pavilion - Got 2 Know
14. Cookie Monsta - Ginger Pubes
15. Funtcase - So Vexxed
16. Flux Pavilion and Doctor P - Stinkfinger
17. Mindflow - Switched
18. DJ Fresh - Gold Dust (Flux Pavilion Remix)
19. Doctor P - Sweet Shop
20. Doctor P - Sweet Shop (Flux Pavilion Remix)
21. Sukh Knight feat P Money - Slang like This
22. Flux Pavilion - Normalize
23. 16bit - Jump
24. Insomatic - Wobblepunk
25. Flux Pavilion - Hold Me Close
26. Slum Dogz - For All Time
27. RSK - Black Books (Doctor P Remix)
28. Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - Sick Tonight (Doctor P Remix)
29. WTF! and Dead Prez - Hip Hop 2010 edit
30. Rusko - Da Cali Anthem

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Falls Festival



This new years I was lucky enough to attend The Falls Festival. The festival is set on a property in the hills behind the picturesque tourist town of Lorne about 2 hours southwest of Melbourne (they also hold an event at Marion Bay in Tassie which I hear has a breathtaking backdrop). Upon arrival I was instantly in awe of the thousands of tents that made up the main camping area, luckily for us my friend Nick and I had VIP tickets and had a more secluded, far less 'hectic' area to set up for the next three days. After setting up our tent and sinking back a few Melbourne Bitter tinnies with our new friends in the tent next door we headed in to see our first act. The main area for the festival looks as though it was made specifically for music. A huge natural amphitheater looks down onto the main 'Valley Stage' making for an excellent view whether you're deep within the very energetic dancefloor/mosh or chilling out on a rug up on the hill. 

Day One

I grabbed a beer and headed out to watch the my first act of the festival. Perth natives Tim & Jean have been on my radar for a while, after seeing great success in the blog world with their home demo 'Come Around' I hadn't heard to much else from them so I wasn't sure what to expect from a festival set. All I can say is that I was blown away, these two owned the stage. They delivered a set full of bass heavy synths, extremely catchy hooks and Passion Pit-esque vocals that had the crowd going wild. Their stage presence was huge, something I didn't expect from artists of such a young age and that have had such a short time in the spotlight. Highlights were definitely 'Veronica' and 'Come Around',  in which the boys managed to get the whole crowd screaming 'hey, no, look what you've done now' (or at least that's what I was singing). A top Australian act whom I'm sure have a very bright future. Head on over to their Myspace for a listen to their tracks and if you want to 'Come Around' click here.



After a quick dash back to the campsite to change into jeans for the impending frigid night we arrived back just as The Cool Kids were starting. These guys had the crowd bouncing to their fresh brand of hip-hop the entire set. Their tracks are riddled with famous samples and at one point they were throwing down over Queen which was just fucking great. Definitely one of the more fun acts of the festival just a little bummed they didn't play Awesome.




The only other act I found worthy of seeing the first night, Ladyhawke played what people told me was the same set she's been doing for 2 years. However having never seen her live I thoroughly enjoyed her set full of typical Ladyhawke goodness. Back Of The Van, Paris Is Burning and My Delirium were all executed perfectly by the Lady and the band, I even found myself yelling along to My Delirium. 


Following Ladyhawke was The Living End who I don't particularly like, however the masses seemed to lap up their classics like Second Solution and Prisoner Of Society. Peaches DJ show was plain awful, I mean she couldn't DJ which is the simplest performance there is. I didn't stay for Yacht Club although I heard they were fairly average.

Day 2





After a quick trip to the beach for a wake up swim and some more tinnies we headed in for day 2 and  just caught the end of Washingtons set but up next was another band I was eager to see live. Canadian outfit Hot Hot Heat brought some much needed energy with their afternoon set. Although I'm not to familiar with the bands newer stuff it was great to hear 'Talk To Me, Dance With Me' and 'Middle Of Nowhere'.


Angus & Julia Stone played next and probably drew the biggest crowd of the festival and with me not being a huge fan I went to check out the end of band Jamaica's set which had a rather small yet seemingly devoted crowd.



What can I say, this was just awesome. Chuck D was spitting his trademark rhymes perfectly and Flavor Flav was being straight Flav complete with crazy dancing, reality show references, a 'Yeah Boi' at the most appropriate of times and his signature clock necklace which when first produced made the crowd go insane. They performed their classic album 'Fear Of A Black Planet' to most probably the whitest audience the have and ever will play to. It truly was a spectacle, DJ Lord even did a nasty scratch routine with 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' which went off with a bang. A few parting words from Flav at the end of the set about togetherness were a fitting end to a great set. "There is only one race and that race is The Human Race".





The next act on my calendar were New York band Interpol. A classic set with a mix of old and new that was delivered in a way only Interpol can. Frontman Paul Bank's baritone voice was a perfect compliment to the bands top notch execution and musical prowess.




Probably my favourite act of the evening. These UK lads had the crowds going nuts, probably the most  fist pumping of the festival. I was a huge fan of their first record 'Myths Of The Near Future' and it's quirky hits. 'Surfing The Void' I really didn't give much time however after their electric live show I think I may have to. The band left the stage at one point which I thought was the end, I was extremely disappointed because they hadn't played 'It's Not Over Yet' (my favourite Klaxons tune) however they charged back onto the stage and ended with it and 'Atlantis To The Interzone'



After their set we grabbed a beer and headed down to 'The Village'. I'm not really sure what to say about that place other than if you ever go to Falls Festival you must, MUST go there.

Day Three

The last day was an absolute scorcher and we spent most of the day under the shade of a huge tree in our campsite. To make things worse we experienced gail force winds and many, many tents were uprooted and sent flying which was hilarious for us, not so hilarious for those who owned them.


After missing out on Cold War Kids and Beardyman due to my unwillingness to leave the blissful shade of our tree I finally headed into the festival to see one of the most talked about bands of 2010. These guys have been huge in the blogosphere and their debut album 'Innerspeaker' has had many bloggers touting it as album of the year. I feel their sound is somewhat of a post-Beatles meets acid, in a good and very original way. A top set with some really cool periods of extended Hendrix-esque feedback that set a really cool vibe for the evening.




Another it band of 2010 following their successful album 'High Violet' these Brooklyn natives smashed out a fantastic hour of music. In September they played infront of 25 000 people at a rally for Barack Obama right before his speech, so if Obama like these guys you know they're good, right? I'm not sure if it was the energetic baritone vocals, the subtle yet powerful horns section or perhaps just the feel good vibe of their songs in any case I think the song below personifies the festival for me.




These guys became synonymous with a guy name Ben and his inability to get laid. I first heard of these guys when the title track from their first album 'Echoes' was featured on a ski movie and ever since I've been hooked. They ended with 'No Sex For Ben' which got the crowd into a serious frenzy. I personally liked 'Echoes' the best, however their whole set was electric and a great way to warm up for NYE.



So Joan Jett ushered in the new year. She was awful, I even heard people in the crowd shouting 'NO MORE' she even botched the countdown, not cool.



The perfect answer to Joan Jett and her crap-ness? Sleigh Bells! Former Poison The Well guitarist Derek Miller met singer Alexis Kraus whilst working at a restaurant where she was dining with her mum. The duo now make a super distortion and bass heavy form of noise-pop that is flippin' awesome. At one point I thought the bass bins were going to explode during their short but definitely sweet set. I can't wait to for new material in the coming year from this fantastic duo.   



A-Trak

I was looking forward to seeing A-Trak having always seemed to miss out whilst everyone I know has seen him several times. I was hoping for more of a mixed set due to it not being an electronic only festival. Regardless his set was down right fun and he even threw in his 'Robot Rock' routine which was cool to see. Unfortunately due to what I assume was a noise restriction they cut his bass out near the end of his set and everyone seemed to leave.



It seems that we are in an age where your average Australian festival is overrun with roid jockeys who don't seem to own shirts, 14 year old OD-ing girls and countless people who don't watch a single act and attend purely to get 'fucked up'. It seem that Falls has escaped this for the most part. The general vibe was fantastic with throngs of music lovers intent on getting the best experience out of their three days. I for one think that Falls could quite possibly be the Australian festivals scene's saving grace.


Lucas

Monday, January 03, 2011

Erol Alkan & Boys Noize























After attending Field Day on new years day and seeing a lot of amazing acts like Justice, Duck Sauce, Erol Alkan, Yuksek etc. These are the two tracks that really stood out for me. I still have them on repeat in my head.. Mad respect to the man himself Erol Alkan for dropping them. They have both been out for a while now but if you dont have them already download them now!



Bonus -
I picked this one up just last week. It is easily the best remix ive heard. Super fun and bouncy at the start then turns in to this glitchy evil monster.